The Letter

(June 29 2008)

Regarding a letter that was recently sent out without Pinecrest letterhead or a signature that contained a number or scurrilous charges against Wade Taylor:

The letter we refer to was sent out months after the Picataggi’s took away Wade’s apartment in the school, their stripping away from him The Banner, their removal of all his books and materials from the school bookstore, and even the removal of his picture from the walls of Pinecrest as its founder, was done so as a way to justify their intemperate actions.

Though we can not say as to who exactly penned what once would have been termed as a “Poison Pen Letter” we can attest to the actions of the board members over Pinecrest concerning the charges leveled in this outrageous letter, and who they declare sent it out.

Four board members: Richard Forde, Jay Francis, Helen Taylor, and one other quit the board upon hearing of the letter and its contents. Richard Forde’s relationship with Wade can be best described as strained. Jay Francis’ relationship with Wade was very poor, and Helen Taylor’s relationship with Wade has been strained as well. Yet those who voted Jack Picataggi in as president of Pinecrest took no time to cut themselves off from him for sending out such a letter of caustic accusation.

The purpose of the letter is quite clear, the untenable actions of the Picataggi’s of cutting off and casting out Wade did not fly before the board nor did it pass muster with those who have asked about their reasons for doing so. The letter’s design was clearly to consolidate their hold and claim upon Pinecrest as its “New Legal Heads.” And to allow them at the same time to be “The Keeper’s of the “True Vision of Pinecrest” so that in whatever manner they sought to redefine it they would be unassailable.

We remind our readers that this is the second exodus of board members now regarding Mr. Picataggi. The first came upon his being put forth as the candidate for the position of president. And upon his election the school also lost some important financial backing for reasons we will not discuss at this time.

Now since the mailing of this letter Wade has received quite a number of phone calls and e-mails from those on the banner mailing list that were outraged that such a letter was sent and have chosen to cut off their financial support of the school under its current regime.

Pinecrest’s campus built originally in 1918 and added on to in the early 1940’s is very costly to operate. It takes tens of thousands per year just to heat the main buildings. The cost of the kitchen to be open to feed the students whether there are 30 or 150 students is the same. The maintenance cost is thousands per month to repair and upkeep these old buildings, the water pumps, sewage, hot water heater, and furnaces whether there are 30 or 150 students the cost is the same. The electric bill which is thousands per month whether there are 30 or 150 students is the same. And the salaries of staff, faculty and president are thousands per month also to teach 30 students in a 2-3 year program or 150 students in a 2-3 year program.

The current student body is about 30 students -- from the outset when Pinecrest first opened in 1968 the school was unsustainable by student tuition, and remains more so with only 30 students as opposed to 150.

The letter was a gamble to gain control full control of the school, but it has backfired upon its senders and cut into the red meat of what was already the thin support the school has received in recent years. I have no doubt whatsoever that the sending forth of this letter was the Lord’s doing, as the retribution for its sending forth will be also.

1 Kings 22:19-23 And he (Micaiah the Prophet) said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? (Who shall persuade this man who has made himself out to be a king over my heritage to fall?) And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And He (The Lord) said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

Unlike others I do not write such things from a theoretical knowledge, as I have seen the hand of the Lord move in judgment against preachers ministries and even those within Pinecrest.

The Lord has also hardened their heart, as He will not give them any place of repentance for their boasting against Him and the one He anointed and gave the school to in the first place.

Fight not these people nor lift up a hand against them for the Lord shall surely breathe upon them, and at the breath of His indignation they shall indeed with and depart as the dust of the field.