Comments on: Bruce Jackson, The Wendt Foundation, and Harrah's Casino (Updated)

By: Dan Meyer

Dan Meyer — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:33:59 +0000

Brad Riter of WECK 1230-AM supports Alan’s point of view:

http://buffalomainevent.blogspot.com/2008/07/great-blog.html

By: Rory

Rory — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 22:45:55 +0000

I propose anti casino billboards that read: “its not that we don’t like gambling, it’s that we do!”

Just because you gambel, doesn’t make you a hypocrite for opposing a casino in Buffalo.

I go to bars but I don’t want one accross the street from my house.

By: odn

odn — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 12:56:44 +0000

@ joel Rose: “CACGEC, for your information, is organized as a program of the Network of Religious Communities…”

So the CACGEC is a basically a group of religious nut cases, hiding behind a “citizen’s group” who thinks they can tell the people of WNY what is good and what is not for a community.

How dare you pitch your religious beliefs on a community and mask them as a “citizen’s group”!

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:17:00 +0000

Front page of the Buffalo News, nice work pundit. Maybe this will inspire hudson to get back to work weeding out crumbs in government, instead of kicking our boy vince around.

By: Buffalopundit

Buffalopundit — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:58:20 +0000

@Colin, no, but Joel Rose suggested in this thread and on BIA that if we had a question, we could just ask. I think that Chris is abiding by Mr. Rose’s suggestion.

By: Colin

Colin — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 03:32:42 +0000

Or CACGEC can be a program of the NRC — not simply a passthrough — in which case its money isn’t taxable.

Tax exempt orgs are required to be transparent. That means that you can ask the attorney general for a copy of their latest annual report. It doesn’t mean that they’re required to answer questions on a blog posed by someone who says things like “kthxbai.”

By: Chris Smith

Chris Smith — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 03:07:26 +0000

Also, I am evidently an uncited source for stories by WGRZ’s Josh Boose.

http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=59623&catid=37

I gotta keep the media in this town informed by doing some legwork.

By: Chris Smith

Chris Smith — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 03:01:05 +0000

If CACGEC is not a tax exempt organization and they are using the NRC as a passthrough for donations, they need to be actively seeking taz exempt status or the money is still taxable.

I am a member of the community that is “served” by these interests and a taxpayer in New York State. Tax exempt organizations are required to provide public transparency to their activities. I am also the owner of an independent media company, kthxbai.

By: Colin

Colin — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:37:45 +0000

1. If CACGEC is a program of the NRC, then its “monies and disbursements” are NOT taxable.

2. I mean this in the nicest way it can be taken, honestly — but who the fuck are you to demand information from anyone?

By: Chris Smith

Chris Smith — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:09:44 +0000

Questions for Joel Rose:

Why did you choose to organize CACGEC as a program under the Network of Religious Communities rather than any other 501c3 organization? As you certainly are aware, as a faith-based organization, the NRC is not required to file Form 990 with the IRS which opens up several questions as to how your organizational activities are funded.

What is the current 501c3 status of CACGEC with the Department of State in New York and with the Attorney Generals office? According to NY records ( http://tinyurl.com/CACGEC ) CACGEC is listed as being incorporated September 7, 2006 as a domestic not for profit corporation with no registered agent. Did you file the requisite paperwork for your 501c3 status with the NY Attorney General? If so, when? What is the status for that request? Will you disclose what monies have have been received, used, and disbursed through NRC for your purposes at CACGEC? As it currently stands, unless you have a 501c3 exemption, your monies and disbursements are taxable. Using the charities search engine at the NY Attorney General’s Office, neither CBB nor CACGEC is a tax exempt organization. Even though both organizations filed for non-profit status in New York State in 2006.

I have many more questions about this organization, the Wendt Foundation, CBB, NRC, and the people involved. I am certain that you will be as honest and transparent as necessary to state all facts for the public record. I eagerly await your response.