94 lines
4.8 KiB
Plaintext
94 lines
4.8 KiB
Plaintext
Date: Thu 28 Jan 88 14:44:52
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From: Brad Hicks (on 100/523)
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CIRCLE SANCTUARY WINS (FIRST) ZONING BATTLE
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"Five to Ten Year Fight" Predicted
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The Brigham Town Board and the Iowa County Zoning Commission
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both voted unanimously to extend a church permit, and a church
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zoning variance, to Circle Sanctuary. Circle is celebrating with
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a series of private dedication rituals (both personal and for the
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land) from Friday 29 January through Tuesday 3 February. Selena
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Fox claims that hers is the first Wiccan Church (to her
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knowledge) ever to be granted a church permit after such lengthy
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public, government, and press scrutiny.
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Unfortunately, the harrassment of "The Witches of Barneveld"
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(as some of the town-folk call them) is continuing, and could
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take up to five years or more to finally resolve. The Brigham
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Zoning Commissioner, with the support of the Town Board, has
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reportedly filed a complaint alleging that Circle Sanctuary is in
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violation of their church zoning. At the heart of the complaint
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(which has not yet been forwarded to Circle or to the ACLU) is a
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claim by the Zoning Commissioner that Circle's national
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networking efforts and living quarters for non-family assistants
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exceeds permissible activities for a "local parish" and would
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require an "office" classification.
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The American Civil Liberties Union will continue to provide
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legal assistance to Circle Sanctuary in resolving this matter, so
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the worst of the legal fees are over (however, contributions to
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the ACLU are certainly not un-called-for). Press coverage has
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almost without exception been favorable. However, the outcome in
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uncertain and there are hints that even if Circle wins this
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round, the Town Board has other forms of harrassment in mind.
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Pagans and magical folks should NOT send letters or
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petitions to any of the principles in this case, Selena Fox
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insisted, as the she feels (and the ACLU concurs) that outside
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political pressure on local politicians is the worst possible
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thing that could happen to this case. If you have in mind some
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way to help Circle with these matters, please send a letter to
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Circle Sanctuary, Box 219, Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin 53572, USA, so
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that it can be discussed first with their lawyers.
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Selena Fox expressed her thanks to all of the "wonderful
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folks" who have beamed supporting energy to the Sanctuary, and
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claims that without that magickal support, they could never have
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survived the grueling negotiations and legal and political
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battles. She asked that all magical folks who care about
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religious freedom please continue to send magickal support,
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especially (if possible) as a part of the upcoming Imbolc
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celebrations. (If a precise time is desired, Circle will be
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holding a special dedication ceremony and energy-raising session
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for the upcoming fight starting at approximately 1:00 PM Central
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Time on Sunday, February 2nd.)
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One unfortunate consequence of this fight has been that
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Circle has not had time or energy for their regular fund-raising
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efforts, so financial support will be welcomed.
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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OTHER NEWS FROM CIRCLE SANCTUARY
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Secretarial Opening at the Sanctuary
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Circle has an urgent need to fill an upcoming vacancy on the
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staff, especially as correspondence related to the zoning fight
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and other Pagan Rights cases snowballs. Any Pagan or person on a
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Pagan-oriented path with good typing and secretarial skills who
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is interested should apply immediately. Send a resume and a
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letter explaining why you are interested in the position to
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Circle Sanctuary at Box 219, Mt. Horeb, WI 53572. Due to space
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problems and issues related to the zoning fight, no one with pets
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or dependents will be considered (sorry!). For more information,
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please call the Sanctuary at (608) 924-2216 on a Tuesday or
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Thursday between 1:00 and 4:00 PM Central Time.
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Planning for 1988 Pagan Spirit Gathering Begun
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Contrary to some rumors which have been distributed by
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unknown parties, there =will= be a 1988 International Pagan
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Spirit Gathering. It is scheduled for June 21-26, at the same
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location where it has been held for the past several years,
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approximately one hour's drive from Madison, Wisconsin. If you
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wish to lead a workshop or a ritual at this year's PSG, please
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try to have your proposals in to Circle Sanctuary at Box 219, Mt.
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Horeb, WI 53572 by March 1st.
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---
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* Origin: WeirdBase* St. Louis * 1-314-389-WYRD * (Opus 1:100/523)
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