Wisconsin Masons Take Security Measures After Plot Fails

[My Freemasonry]

The Freemasons of Wisconsin are taking new security measures around the state after the FBI foiled a terrorist attack on Milwaukee's Scottish Rite Center.
From the WTMJ-TV website:
A place known for its open door policy is forced to make changes.
"We want Masonry to be open to the public and to our members, but by the same token we have to exercise good sense too," explained Frank Struble, Masons Grand Master in Wisconsin.
Milwaukee terror suspect Samy Hazeh was allegedly plotting to kill 30 people at the Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center in downtown Milwaukee. The door there is now locked 24 hours a day along with other Masonic facilities around the state.
"Lodges meet there, Scottish Rite does their activities there....it's rented out for weddings and things like that," said Struble.
The Criminal Complaint shows Hamzeh toured the Milwaukee facility. The Grand Master doesn't know how the suspect got inside, but a tour for a potential wedding venue is common.
When referring to his plan, Hamzeh targeted Masonic members saying "these are the one's that need to be killed."
(SNIP)
Struble doesn't know why someone would want to harm a group known for doing good.
"It's a chilling scenario, but who knows what twisted minds come up with," said Struble.

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[Bloke]

The Freemasons of Wisconsin are taking new security measures around the state after the FBI foiled a terrorist attack on Milwaukee's Scottish Rite Center.
From the WTMJ-TV website:
A place known for its open door policy is forced to make changes......The door there is now locked 24 hours a day along with other Masonic facilities around the state.....The Grand Master doesn't know how the suspect got inside, but a tour for a potential wedding venue is common.

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Disaster driven by fear rather than common sense. If our GM gave such an edict we would ignore it because the loss of income would mean our building would be gone. Are they going to send $50K a year to that building to replace its lost revenue ? What about all the other buildings in Wisconsin ?

Oh, and defy a GM I hear you say ? Sure... because our forebears were smart enough to move our ownership from lodges to an unrelated third party which GL cannot regulate... an ace in the back pocket we've never had to play..

That GL announcement just put a lot of buildings in trouble... or does money fall from the sky in the States, esp in Wisconsin ?

 

[Glen Cook]

Perhaps I missed something. Where does locking the door cost $50K a year and put buildings in jeopardy?

 

[Bloke]

Perhaps I missed something. Where does locking the door cost $50K a year and put buildings in jeopardy?

It suggested to me that they will not be hiring their building. That would result in lost income...hence my comment about $$$ BUT THANK YOU for asking the question Glen. I looked at the material again and some bias on my part led me to a conclusion that may not be there, and certainly is not even directly suggested (that the building will no longer be hired), the news story (*cough*, media not being the most reliable) simply says they are locking a door, not banishing the world... to say I quickly jumped to a false conclusion is an understatement. .... I'm known reasonably well in the building space here , and have been contacted a few time by USA Bros looking for ideas on buildings. GLs have sometimes proved an obstacle to saving them. But there is nothing suggesting that in this story and I misread and jumped to a false conclusion..

I'd better go back and keep working on subduing my passion.. but I try not to kill it 'cause it keeps me going in tough times

 

[Glen Cook]

FYI, as to a GM regulating the building under separate ownership, that is possible, and is accomplished in other jurisdictions by simply requiring/allowing lodges to only meet in buildings which have the desired restrictions.