Back around 1999, I attended the old Keon Park hall in Mahoney’s Road Reservoir (for all you locals). The hall was built on an easement that was prone to flooding every year or two, which meant the carpet was constantly being replaced by our insurance company.
Well we got approval for our brand new hall in Holt Parade Thomastown (again, for you locals) and 3 months before our quick build date, our old hall got completely flooded out. The local hall committee elders (3 congo’s shared the hall) in their wisdom took the insurance money that was given to replace the carpet and put it towards the new k/hall project! So for the next 4 months, we had to sit on bare concrete that was still musty and damp! Their words – “there is no point replacing carpet in a hall that we will not be using soon”. Never mind the health risks.
The hypocrites made the 3 congo’s put up with 3 rd world conditions so they could save a buck or two, how that glorified the house of God I will never know. All the parents with young children (who would normally sit on the floor) started murmuring about the stoopid decision and yes, were counselled for speaking out against an arrangement from Jehovah!
Mattieu.