Narconon Trout Run in Maryland ( marketed as in DC but no where near DC)

[Ananon]

On Tony's blog a poster named Del Tashlin showed up, who is living close to (probably) the Trout Run site, asking for help in stopping Narconon. I referred to this site, but it might be useful to contact her as well on the e-mail addy she left in the comment: awesome.del@gmail.com.

[noseinabk]

Thank you Ananon for posting that email from Tony's blog. I have sent an email with a link here.
I am composing an email for the council about empty Scientology buildings. So far I have:

UK
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-26936135
Empty for 8 years, a North east England property , The Windmill Hills former school and care home in Gateshead remains empty.
"It's the whole area it obviously affects, because people know the building was a lovely old building and for somewhere just to go downhill like that, it's just a real shame."
"There's always squatters, drug addicts, that sort of thing in there,"
---------------------------
Philadelphia, PA
http://gizmodo.com/philly-is-suing-scientology-over-its-vacant-cathedral-1475854816
Philadelphia building empty empty since 2007.
Now, the city's Department of Licenses & Inspections is taking the church to "blight court," a special municipal court that deals with violations like an ordinance that outlaws any building from boarding up multiple doors and windows (the church's tower has several).
-----------------------------
Boston, MA
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/09/23/stalled-scientology-development-latest-delay-long-effort-restore-blighted-hotel-alexandra/u4QoLkXcX3wX6Le7tNGfoN/story.html

Bostons Hotel Alexandra empty and boarded up since 2008.
-------------------------------
Canada
http://www.examiner.com/review/canada-s-new-future-scientology-advanced-organization

"Sources from across Canada say the church buildings are literally crumbling to the ground.
------------------------------------
Auckland New Zealand, building empty since 2007.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8976938/Scientology-on-move-maybe

[mefree]

Thanks, noseinabk. I alerted a some folks to this post, as well.

[BigBeard]

Found some notes, and it was the "Braley Building" in Pasadena, CA they pulled the blue tiles off the facade of while creating their "Ideal Org". The tiles were part of a historic Beaux Arts style building facade that wasn't supposed to be touched. Pasadena made them put them back.

[Mary_McConnell]

I've been reading a bunch of docs on this matter and found that Narconon applied for an exception to the zoning ordinance so they can eventually run a group home there ( under 14 patients). The exceptions are a group home , among others.  Taking the route as a registered historical site would aid them in gettig this approval but they have to get exceptions OK'd by the commissioners.

What is interesting is that they have not yet applied for a license yet and would never qualify as a medically supervised group home nor a substance abuse facility, according to the state regs.

They also applied for this in the name of a different "owner". The reporter did her homework and outed them in that article. I'm glad she did. I would have never found the docs had she not writen about it and provided doc links that lead to others.

I wish I had time to upload and link the documents but I am too busy reading and deciphering them and corresponding with people from the area who contacted me for advice on how to approach the meeting.
Here is one pdf  that explains what they plan to do. It's a FREDERICK COUNTY BOARD OF APPEALS
STAFF REPORT on an appeal the "owners" of Trout Run filed back in 2013. Notice no mention of Narconon or Social Betterment Development Properties International, the actual owner.

B-13-09 - Frederick County Government
http://www.frederickcountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/263676

One can see the ownership info here http://sdat.resiusa.org/RealProperty/Pages/default.aspx
Search using : County is Frederick County and the method is Property Account Identifier
Here are the two properties they own there :

District - 15 Account Number - 340851
District - 15 Account Number - 340878
 
Keep in mind that in the Burgess Class Action case out of Georgia, one of the exhibits was the newsletter from the IAS stating that they planned to use this property as an Ideal Narconon and provide treatment and training.  So much for pretending to be planning a group home.
https://www.scribd.com/doc/155835440/Burgess-Opposition-to-Dismiss-Exhibit-T

More info on the Ideal Narconons can be found about this here
http://forum.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/index.php/topic,12855.msg34837.html#msg34837

The property purchase etc discussion on the forum can be found here
Narconon Trout Run in Maryland ( marketed as in DC but no where near DC)
http://forum.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/index.php/topic,12793.0.html


Lots of stuff to slog through and little time but I'm doing what I can so the heart of the approval matter at hand is understood and addressed at the meeting tomorrow. I'll post when I can and with updates.

[BigBeard]

How can "West Coast Property Investments", whoever they are, be filing for a 'Special Exception' on August 22, 2013 when the property still belonged to Trout Run, LLC at that time? The deed didn't transfer to SBPI until September 16, 2013

Whoever they are, it looks like 'West Coast Property Investments, Inc' is located in San Dieago, CA with a staff of two. Greg Riley, president, and someone else.

[DeathHamster]

They also applied as a group home in Ontario. It seems to be their current foot-in-the-door tactic. I'm sure that if successful, they'd quickly violate the number caps.

[BigBeard]

Quick note for Form 990 hunters:

Social Betterment Properties International's official EIN assigned by the IRS is: 86-1067526

The EIN used on the 2005-2008 Form 990's I've tracked down so far is: 86-1667526

Which means on some 990 repository sites using the official EIN gets you nothing, unless you search by name.

A typo one year I can see. The exact same typo four years in a row is something else. And considering they still have rental incomes, where are the 990's after 2008??

[mefree]

Linking additional thread on this topic.
http://forum.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/index.php/topic,12888.msg35221.html#msg35221

[noseinabk]

Posted by Vaquera at Ortega's blog:http:
//www.fredericknewspost.com/news/health/treatment/county-delays-vote-on-scientology-affiliated-drug-rehab-center/article_f718ccb9-4e76-512c-a0d1-f235cc4a7e4b.html?mode=jqm

[mefree]

“Most of the speakers expressed concern about what they’d heard about the religion, which Linowes and Blocher attorney Bruce Dean addressed. Dean has been representing the property owner through their presentations and applications to the county.

There’s been some discussion about Scientology and how it’s bad,” Dean said. Though others may judge Scientologists’ beliefs or practices, he said, “I don’t know. I’m a land-use attorney.”

There is plenty of documentation to support the fact that Narconon is a dangerous program without focusing on the Scientology angle.  I'm wondering if RLUIPA will come into play again, as it did in Sandy Springs with the Idle Org rezoning.

Of course, scientology is in between a rock and a hard place if they want to play the RLUIPA card. Narconon is secular, right? 

[BigBeard]

Okay, discovered I had found, and forgot, why SBPI stopped filing 990's and posted about it on WWP back in 2012:

Social Betterment Properties Inc, EIN: 86-1067526, stopped filing 990's after 2008 because they changed their NTEE Catagory to 'X02', where X = Religious, 02 = Management and Technical Assistance. And if there's any doubt that narCONon and the $cientology 'religion' are linked, SBPI's Mission Statement should put them to rest (emphasis added):

SOCIAL BETTERMENT PROPERTIES INTERNATIONAL (SBPI) WAS FORMED TO ACQUIRE, DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN BUILDINGS AND OTHER REAL ESTATE UTILIZED BY SOCIAL BETTERMENT ORGANIZATIONS CARRYING OUT PROGRAMS THAT UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY AND METHODS DEVELOPED BY L. RON HUBBARD AND THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH AND SUPPORTED BY THE SCIENTOLOGY RELIGION.

Can be seen on Guidestar at http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/86-1067526/social-betterment-properties-international.aspx

So when this came up at the Public Hearing:

Rodgers said the Narconon center is not intended to be a recruiting tool for the Church of Scientology and that Narconon is “a non-religious program.”

Rodgers lied.

[AnonLover]

On Twitter, a local citizen reached out to me with her outrage this is happening and seemed interested in doing something to stop it. I sent her here as well, but it might helpful for somebody actively involved with harpooning this to reach out to her:

https://twitter.com/cdigennaro/status/585562003776897024

[AnonLover]

County delays vote on Scientology-affiliated drug rehab center
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/health/treatment/county-delays-vote-on-scientology-affiliated-drug-rehab-center/article_f718ccb9-4e76-512c-a0d1-f235cc4a7e4b.html

The Frederick County Council voted Tuesday to postpone a decision on a historic designation for the Scientology-affiliated drug treatment center planned for Thurmont.

...

Whew!

[AnonLover]

Holy bitch-slap smackeroos! The AP did a shortened version of the above story that is spreading fairly quick! This being the highest profile reprint I've seen so far:

Some Fight Drug Rehab Center At Former Presidential Retreat
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2015/04/08/some-fight-drug-rehab-center-at-former-presidential-retreat/

[BigBeard]

Comments are open on the Baltimore story.

[ethercat]

Holy bitch-slap smackeroos! The AP did a shortened version of the above story that is spreading fairly quick! This being the highest profile reprint I've seen so far:

Some Fight Drug Rehab Center At Former Presidential Retreat
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2015/04/08/some-fight-drug-rehab-center-at-former-presidential-retreat/

"A Narconon executive says the program is non-religious and wouldn’t be used for church recruiting."

If it's non-religious, why do they use the same coursework the "church" <gag> uses: The Narconon Program?

[Mary_McConnell]

The hearing was held on 4/7/2015 with the Frederick County Council on deciding whether to approve or not the Preservation Commission and Appeals Board recommendations for the Narconon Trout Run property owners to obtain a place on the Frederick County Historic Places Registry. The decision was postponed until April 21st so that the council could have time to digest all that was presented, stated and commented on, as well as the ordinances related to the matter. 

That meeting can be seen or heard here at these links:
Online Video oh hearing: ( starts at 10th dot mark on the video timing marker )
http://frederick.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=5&clip_id=4807
Audio only:  mp3:
http://media-09.granicus.com:443/OnDemand/frederick/frederick_de936d4a-9e63-4810-8c50-98539f252b42.mp3

I must say that I was very impressed by the wonderful well informed and concerned community members who managed to get to the 4:30pm hearing and speak up against this Scientology and Narconon property getting on the County Historic Places Registry. I hope to see some visit here and perhaps join in.

It may well be that the council is forced to rubber stamp the approvals made before it reached the council because the ordinance is so weak, allowing any property owner with only a minimum of one of the ten listed criteria to obtain a place on the registry. This was seemingly a surprise to all members of the council, many of whom I believe are newly or recently elected and not familiar with having to decide such a thing before. A former councilman, Kai Hagen, presented  in documented form what I believe are the best specifics on why Trout Run should not get on the registry. I am hoping the council takes time to read and consider his understanding of the issue and the location enough to effect a NAY vote in the majority.

In the meantime, we know that  Narconon cannot start the process of applying for a  "group Home" as they called in their application, unless they get this approval. If they obtain the OK by the council to be on the Registry, the next step, as stated by Narconon East US president Yvonne Rodgers, is to finalize discussions with the Dept of Mental Health in fitting in the Narconon program into their requirements. She stated she and Narconon have been n talks with that agency for over a year now trying to work something out. My belief is that Narconon is going to fudge an application to fit what the Mental Health agency wants to see for a group home, which Narconon will never supply. Either that or they will get in as an educationally based treatment program. It was mentioned by a community member commenter that they may try to get in as a Scientology "faith based" program ( not needing license ), but I think this is a last resort .  Narconon would then be forced settle all the lawsuits against it and then go this route for all programs across the USA. I just don't see this yet.

I think they will try to file as they managed in NV. using loopholes to make it look like a vocational life skills program. However, Maryland has strong regulations and laws protecting patients from the likes of fake rehab program and scam artists like Narconon and group homes like in other states that are running programs without any oversight. As well, out counselor requirements are excellent and I just don't see them being minimized to allow untrained counselors like Narconon uses.

In my next comment here, I will post information to inform on the difference between the 2 agencies, their programs and their licensing requirements, including online documents, applications and COMAR law references.

I will also post agency contact information.


Mary
 

[Mary_McConnell]

Info about the Narconon Program:

Here are two links on our sister site Narconon Reviews, where the general and concerned public can get more information on the Narconon program

The Narconon Program
and here:http://narcononreviews.net/resources/for-potential-clients/narconon-information/the-narconon-program/

Narconon information = Resources for potential clients
http://narcononreviews.net/resources/for-potential-clients/narconon-information/


Info and contact details on the Trout Run matter

Group homes are not Residential Programs for substance abuse treatment, at least not according to the information I found below, and in other references I will include here:
See separate categories and page links for Mental Health ​Substance Abuse
http://dhmh.maryland.gov/ohcq/SitePages/Home.aspx

This approach to getting a Group Home certification rather than applying as a residential substance abuse facility program is being done because Narconon's program does not meet the criteria for a licensed certified substance abuse program, not do their counselors meet licensing and educational requirements.

We critics know that Narconon is Scientology and Scientology is anti-psychiatry and anti mental health treatment as we know it. There is no therapy in the program, despite the lies they tell people to lure them into paying for the program and sending vulnerable loved ones to their facilities.

Office of Health Care Quality oversees both Community Mental Health Unit is the licensing and approval agent for the Mental Health Administration (MHA) ( Group Homes included ) and the  Alcohol and Drug Abuse Adminisration

COMAR Subtitle 47 ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE ADMINISTRATION
10.47.01 - Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration
10.47.01 Requirements
10.47.02 Specific Program Requirements
10.47.04 Certification Requirements
10.47.05 Education Programs
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/subtitle_chapters/10_Chapters.aspx#Subtitle47

Mental Health http://dhmh.maryland.gov/ohcq/MH

The Community Mental Health Unit is the licensing and approval agent for the Mental Health Administration (MHA) and as such, its primary function is to ensure that consumers in the state of Maryland receive quality mental health services. This is achieved through the regulatory process as governed by the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Title 10 Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Subtitle 21 Mental Hygiene Administration.

COMAR 10.21 Subtitle 21 MENTAL HYGIENE REGULATIONS
10.21.04 Community Mental Health Programs—Group Homes for Adults with Mental Illness
10.21.03 Requirements for Individual Treatment Plans
10.21.07 Therapeutic Group Homes
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/subtitle_chapters/10_Chapters.aspx#Subtitle21

Group Homes for Adults with Mental Illness, Mental Health Vocational Prgms., Mobile Treatment Svcs., Nurse Referral Agencies, Nursing Staff Agencies, Outpatient Mental Health Ctr., Psych. Rehab. Prgms., Psych. Rehab Svcs for Minors, Psych. Day Treatment Svcs., Partial Hospitalization Prgrm., Residential Rehab. Prgms., Residential Crisis Svcs., Respite Care Svcs., Therapeutic Group Homes, Therapeutic Nursery Prgms.
   
​Substance Abuse http://dhmh.maryland.gov/ohcq/SA

Outpatient Treatment Programs
Residential Programs
Detoxification Treatment

Toll Free Phone : 877-402-8220
Local Phone : 410-402-8060
Fax: 410-402-8056
The Community Mental Health Unit is the licensing and approval agent for the Mental Health Administration (MHA) and as such, its primary function is to ensure that consumers in the state of Maryland receive quality mental health services. This is achieved through the regulatory process as governed by the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Title 10 Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Subtitle 21 Mental Hygiene Administration.

Substance Abuse
Licensure, FAQS and applications
 Application Packet - COMAR 10.47 - Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration (PDF) Print Only
http://dhmh.maryland.gov/ohcq/SA/docs/SA%20Application%20FINAL.pdf
http://dhmh.maryland.gov/ohcq/SA/sitePages/Licensure.aspx

Mental Health
Application, Program Modification and Licensure Requirements
http://dhmh.maryland.gov/ohcq/MH/sitePages/Licensure.aspx
   
Therapeutic Group Homes Only : Therapeutic Group Homes Application
http://dhmh.maryland.gov/ohcq/MH/docs/The%20Community%20Mental%20Health%20-%20Licensing%20FAQ.pdf

New - FAQs for the Community Mental Health Licensure
http://dhmh.maryland.gov/ohcq/MH/docs/The%20Community%20Mental%20Health%20-%20Licensing%20FAQ.pdf

Office of Health Care Quality
55 Wade Avenue
Catonsville, MD 21228
Executive Director , Tricia Nay, M.D.
ohcq.web@maryland.gov
410-402-8015
1-877-463-3464 Toll Free

Administration
Main number 410-402-8018
Toll-free 877-402-8218
Fax 410-402-8211
    
Substance Abuse Programs
Outpatient Treatment Programs
Residential Programs
Detoxification Treatment

Toll Free Phone : 877-402-8220
Local Phone : 410-402-8060
Fax: 410-402-8056
Main number 410-402-8095
Toll-free 877-402-8218
Fax 410-402-8056    
   
Community Mental Health Programs ( Group Homes )
Main number 410-402-8060
Toll-free 877-402-8220
Fax 410-402-8214

Licensing information on substance abuse counselors:
Board of Professional Counselors & Therapists    
Tracey Deshields
Executive Director
Tracey.Deshields@maryland.gov
410-764-4732
410-358-1610 Fax
1-877-463-3464 Toll Free

[Mary_McConnell]

Over at youtube, Intelligence put together a brief 11 minute video of the comments of the hearing.

Scientology Appeal to Open Narconon in Frederick County, Maryland
https://youtu.be/cmTXUsaPlWY

I was very sick that day ( all week actually ) and tried my best to say something on such short notice, when the issues were not clear, especially for the council who were not sure what they were voting on. At one point I thought I was going to faint but hung in there.

I was very impressed by the others who spoke and so relieved that they all supported our platform for a denial. They were courageous. Social Betterment's attorney was visibly upset

It's clear that the public knows Narconon is Scientology and Scientology is bad thing.

Mary