Jason, a question. You often talk of the supposed financial transparency and great leway the stake or ward has in Financial matters. Why is it then that Salt Lake owns the land on which church buildings sit?
A corporation fits the model better than a religion in this matter. Centralization of asset ownership is not something a viable religious organization should promote. Why is it not that the stake and ward own the property? This would fit a more distributed model that you try to promote.
What spurred this question is an interesting news snippet:
Delays in negotiations with Mormon Church lead city to see property’s condemnation
By Anna Mathews, Carroll County News
BERRYVILLE — Condemnation proceedings are underway to begin work on a West Freeman Avenue improvement project that will take a portion of church property.
At issue is a street widening and extension project to provide an adequate thoroughfare for the Berryville School’s West Campus where a new grade school and multipurpose building are expected to attract more traffic.
The roadway project calls for acquisition of a “pie-shaped” piece of property where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is located, owned by the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mayor Tim McKinney, when addressing the Berryville City Council Tuesday night, said the church is in agreement but all negotiations have to go through the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City, which has already submitted upwards of seven plans.
In order to complete the roadwork before the start of school in August, McKinney said the city must begin the project now.
He said the church is not “comfortable” with the city proceeding without an agreement.
Condemnation, however, will give the city the legal right to proceed while negotiations continue, he explained.
“I believe we will reach a settlement before it goes to court,” McKinney said. “We need to get the project rolling. This is our only avenue to have the road ready by the start of school.
“The church is not fighting us,” he reiterated. “They realize the need. I think it’s approximately a third of an acre we’ll be taking.”
McKinney said the settlement could include a land swap involving adjoining school property, a land purchase by the city, a combination of both, or combinations of those and other options that are up for consideration. The council gave McKinney the authority to proceed.