We, as Trustees, own the property that Community Treasures operates its recycling facility on. This statement only represents the words and opinions of the “Trust as the Land Owner.” Nothing stated in this press release should be construed as being a statement from the CT organization (a 501 C 3 Public Charity run by a Board of Directors.)
As the property owners of the CT recycling site, we were following the dream of our family’s 4 Tenets. The 4th Family Tenet states: “Give back to the community that gave to you”, hence our being part of the founding members of Community Treasures. We modeled this “4th Tenet” by supporting CT’s activities. We donated time and money for 21 years helping CT to develop the site into a permanent recycling/reuse facility on the Roche Harbor Road. Since the County Planning Department recommended against the property’s land use designation change, CT needs to find a “conforming” site to set up their business, as their lease terminates on Dec.31.
Our journey alongside CT was inspired by the modeling of family elders from each of our combined families. There were writers, teachers, and hardworking handy men and women from all walks of life. Some of our learning lessons included: * Help others by giving them a hand up, not a hand out. * Live and model your life values. * Leave happy tracks in life, as one family member did by handing out hand lettered business cards that stated, “Keep Smiling.” * Learn to tie a knot at the end of the rope to hang on when life throws you curve balls, and actions speak louder than words. * Live life with God, gratitude, grace and grit. It will lead to love, luck, and laughter.
21 years of our 48 years of community service life were spent helping the CT Board build the dream of a permanent recycling/reuse center for Islanders, but as Candice Bergen said, “Dreams are, by definition cursed with short life spans.” It is with regret that we, as Trustees, have reached a point in our lives that our ages, health, and family situations have led us to give up our time helping CT fulfill their permanent recycling facility goals. We need to start a new chapter of our lives.
In the last eight months we have experienced the loss of two brothers. We have had some personal health problems, and we see no way the County will ever make the Roche Harbor Rd. site “conforming.” It is clear to us that it is time for us to “MAKE THE TIME” necessary to move forward with some family necessities and responsibilities.
We end this chapter of our lives with warm memories of our friends, co-workers, and community volunteers. We thank all of you for your contributions, time, and energy. You have modeled and taught us well all along the way. For those interested in understanding more about this decision, read the following attached information that may help one understand and respect the Trust’s decision and planned timeline, or visit CT’s Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/communitytreasuresfridayharbor/ THANK YOU.
Sept. 7 the Trust notified the officers of the CT Board the fact that the CT lease will terminate on or before Dec. 31.
· Sept. 10 the full CT Board was notified.
· Sept. 14 the CT Board met to discuss the issue.
· On Sept. 18 the Trust will send out a press release.
· From late September 2024 until Oct. 31, potential entities or organizations will be contacted to see if any organization has any interest in the CT property.
· In November of 2024 various for-profit businesses will be approached to see if they have any interest in the Site.
· Brainstorming “option” ideas will be considered at any time until December 31st 2024. The Trust will be looking for ways to try and keep the property available for community Essential Public Facility needs first, but the Trust sees that as an 11th hour undertaking that would take a miracle. The Trust may be able to help that possibility by offering private financing of the property to a qualifying organization / entity that can show capability and probability of success to keep the property open for public charitable needs.
· Proposals for: leasing the property, selling of the property, or for an outright 1031 tax exchange, will be considered until Dec. 31.
· January – March of 2025, if no acceptable opportunities or contingencies present themselves, the Trust will begin cleaning up the property and site in preparation for a formal listing agreement with a 1031 tax exchange, or brainstorming options for a conforming use.
Forward ho!
Respectfully,
F & P Penwell Trust
Frank and Patricia Penwell, Trustees
