Maybrook Lodge meeting facilitator Dagen Julty

 
There was a meeting facilitated by Dagen on Sunday June 17, 2018.  Michelle had requested at the start of the meeting for permission to video-document the meeting.  Ahgamen approved of this, as did Dagan.  However, Kevin, Tanyth, Richard, Purmilla, and others rejected the proposal and opted for their secrecy.  They kept the meeting a secret, although they said note-taking was allowed. Therefore the meeting has no documentation other than written notes, even though it was offered and made possible to be filmed/video.

There may be reasons as to why the people who have self-appointed themselves as the rulers of the place, do not want to be filmed.  What could those reasons be?  Hiding something?  Hiding their actions?  Their words?  Their inconsistencies?  There is no transparency at this place which claims to be a community of democracy.  Without transparency and documentation any social experiment will fail.

As a remedy for this apparent discrepancy, this blog had been established and continues with a mission to document what is really going-on with transparency and honesty.  That's the only thing that can be relied-upon and trusted.

For everyone who was a witness and participant at the meeting can attest to what was said and done, especially the sharp-minded facilitator, Dagan.  At the outset of the meeting, he stated that "everybody is wanting to see what will happen with this community" referring to all the interested people in the surrounding region.  Dagan was describing the many people who he is connected with, whom have an interest and a "hunger for community".  Kevin quickly remarked that it wasn't true and couldn't be of any interest.  Kevin apparently thinks that it's a secret and nobody knows about the community and project.  But after awhile of convincing, Kevin seemed to agree that maybe there was far-flung interest in what was going-on and whether it would succeed.

(to be con't.)

At the meeting, Little Bear (Alex) threatens Ahgamen and his family.  He loudly declares that he thinks Ahgamen is evil and is "Twelve Tribes"!  What does it all mean?

General Purpose of this blog/website

Note about the General scope of this blog.
This is about cooperatives and how they form.  We partake of this educational exploration by studying our own direct case-studies and those of others.    E.g. Solidarity Farm-forming
It is important to study the process of forming and developing cooperatives, in order to better promote the utilization of cooperatives. 

Solidarity Farm rejects and kicks out Haum

One may ask why did Solidarity Farm kick out Haum?  He was invited and he arrived ready for work.  The place needs plenty of workers.  Yet Haum was told to pack up and get out.  Haum writes a letter to the Solidarity Farm representatives:

Hello Kevin and Taniff, when I first got there I felt like I was not welcome. My friend Agga came under attack before I got in the front door. You claimed there were red flags, looked like he was a possible loose cannon. You stated He was not working and acted as if he was the authority. Also, there were accusations that he was stealing something. Also, you stated he brought me there under the false pretense that I was allowed to stay there when It was already decided that it was only a visit. There was also a dispute with people knowing agga's business with Michelle that lead to an uproar. You also claimed that Agga needed to discuss with you how people were to come there on the coop project. To me this was way too much confusion at the outset. 

 

When I went to get my bags it seems to me that it was not clarified how I was to be handled. As I approached you we had a brief discussion on my intentions. You stated, I told you to leave and then you decide to set up tent. That it when you stated to me that did I think it was weird that I show up and think I can stay. I agreed that you were thinking it was weird, however, I was working under the authority that Michelle and Agga thought that there was not a problem with it because they have regularly invited newcomers. 

 

You then stated to me "is Agga controlling you." I let you know I only know what I was told and furthermore, off the record, I rely on his guidance as well as everybody elses until I got situated and that never happened. 

 

At the Monday meeting, which was somewhat heated at times and did not leave me with a good impression of any type of stability at the location, yes, it was brought to my attention that I could stay. However, there were many problems that needed to be clarified and I highlighted some of them with you and Taniff after the meeting. The most important concern that I have is that Agga, Michelle, Kevin and Taniff discuss in private how people will be brought to this Coop. I strongly suggest that it is brought before the owner so there is no more confusion on the subject matter. You did state that I would possibly be welcome in the future. The only concern that I have is where will I stay. I can camp in my tent.

 

In the mean time I know everyone will begin working on concerns in a matter that is appropriate for the entire group. Keep me informed on the progress so everyone can make a better decision in the future for me as well as everyone else who decides to go there. There is no blame here and possibly I will see everyone in the future again. Good Bye for now and my apologies for any confusion.

                                   Haum

Maybrook Lodge Solidarity Farm Kerhonkson NY

The title of the post is used because they keep insisting on using these terms.  Although it is clear that "Maybrook Lodge" is a defunct business.  Maybrook Lodge was filed as business by the May family a long time ago.  They are all gone now and sold the property.

Solidarity Farm is a name for a new garden section of the property, not a legal entity, not as of yet. And they keep referring to the locality as Kerhonkson, although it is closer to Accord, NY.  Maybe it is served by the Kerhonkson postal office, not the Accord postal office. But if you look at the map it is closer to Accord town. 

The continued use of the name verges on fraudulent.  What is actually going on to bring the project and business up to date, and making it current?  Nothing is going on, just more of the perpetual sloppiness.  One month ago I asked that the sign be removed, from the old business entity which has been out-of-business for the many of years.  Why? Because it is sending out a message to those that see it, business is open as usual.  It will continue to bring in random people who are seeking lodging, YET there is no lodging.

It is one of the many reasons as to why I feel this place is being mismanaged and neglected.  If NEFA wants to run a Maybrook Lodge then they need to file the business name. 

Update Overview of the past week

Solidarity Farm panorama mid-May 2018

Reality, but not so glamorous! There had been the large dumpster/roll-off garbage container on the property for the past several weeks.  It had been filled with lots of debris and reject items by the sweat equity of many community workers.  It has since been removed prior to this week, and seemingly returned empty.  We cannot seem to get rid of it!  Obviously, it will be filled again, with much more debris and refuse from the ongoing projects.

New workers are to be mentioned and acknowledged: Jake, a new visitor, who is working with Little Bear and Carey; Dagan was a visitor; Haum, a visitor and guest of Michelle and Ahgamen; and others (to be added here later).

The ownership/holding company has moved forward to renovate the large residential house, used to be called "The Lodge".  Dave and Adonis and others have worked on it, being paid crew of Dominick.

The project of the lead remediation has been going-on with the main hall/barn.  This was worked on by Andre, Pete, and Mighty (sp?). 

There has been work on the garden areas, from the largest section which is behind the farm-worker housing, to the front garden, to the gardens around the parking lot and up to the cottage of Michelle and Ahgamen.  The plants are definitely growing.  There is irrigation/watering system added by Kevin.

Meeting announced

A tentative meeting has been planned for next Tuesday, June 19, 2018, which will be facilitated by Dagan of the regional community (not yet of our local, land-based resident community - it should be specified).  Dagan first visited on Wednesday June 13. He has been living in the region for many years and has a lot of experience with intentional community.  He is also skilled at being a mediator.  In that sense, there is an aspect to the meeting with Dagan that will be a mediation between Kevin and additional leadership/management.

The topics of the meeting will be:  community living, developing the cooperative, initiating new members, conflict resolution, privacy, integrity, family, relationships, and improving communication within the local community (among other topics).  Anybody with an interest in this community and developing the future cooperative is invited to attend.

Ahgamen hopes that all attendees will be patient and polite and respectful during the meeting.  The time and exact schedule is TBA.