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This council has worked tirelessly to balance the needs of our town, the safety of our facilities, and our commitment to fairness. These are not easy decisions, and I know many of you have questions. Let me begin by walking you through the timeline.

Fr. Tipton began renting the community center on a week-to-week basis. By September of 2022, he requested a one-year lease. The council agreed, believing it was better to have the building occupied than to let it sit vacant.

Over the course of that year, the taxpayers of Bishop made significant investments in the building. We replaced the HVAC system, undertook water mitigation efforts, and installed a fence along the south side of the property to support the parish and its activities.

In September 2023, Fr. Tipton requested a two-year lease extension. The council recognized the challenges of ending the lease immediately, so led by Councilmember Hadden we worked out a compromise—a 15-month extension with two conditions: occupancy would be capped at 75 people, and the council would provide six months’ notice if the parish needed to vacate.

In January 2024, we faced a serious safety concern when plaster fell from the upper floor. This led to a full inspection of the building, which revealed several issues that could not be ignored. The findings were deeply concerning.

First, the electrical system poses significant risks. The building still relies on outdated cloth-wrapped wiring, ungrounded outlets, and double-tapped breakers, all of which create fire hazards.

Second, water intrusion in the basement has caused damage, including mold growth, which raises serious health concerns.

Third, structural issues were identified, including settlement cracks in walls and ceilings.

And finally, the upper floor lacks a second exit, which is a fundamental safety requirement for any high-occupancy space. Per the Oconee Fire Marshal, the current occupancy limit for the top level of the building is 49.

The inspection made it clear that the building, in its current state, is not suitable for use as a school or any high-occupancy facility without significant repairs. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to find contractors willing to work while the building remained occupied. Every contractor agreed that for the work to be done safely, the building would need to be vacated.

By November 2024, the council began discussing how to proceed with the lease, which was set to expire on December 31. Fr. Tipton requested another two-year extension, but no motion was made to approve it. In December, after reviewing a new bid and recognizing the urgency of the safety concerns, the council voted to let the lease expire and provide six months’ notice for the parish to relocate.

Since that decision, there has been a flood of misinformation and unfair accusations. So let me address this directly.

This council has not acted out of bias against any religion or belief system. Claims of anti-Christian or anti-Catholic sentiment are completely false and deeply hurtful.

As a council, we are guided not only by our obligation to serve the community but also by the principles enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, including the Establishment Clause. This clause requires us to remain neutral in matters of religion—to neither favor nor oppose any belief system.

Our decisions regarding the community center were made solely on objective factors: safety, structural concerns, and the long-term interests of the town. At no point did religion influence our deliberations—either for or against.

Some of you don’t know me personally, so here is a little background: 

My wife was raised in the Catholic Church. 

My children were baptized Catholic and received their early education at St. Stanislaus Kostka School. At St. Stans, they learned a guiding principle: “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” That principle has shaped how I approach decisions like this—with fairness, empathy, and a deep sense of responsibility.

The taxpayers of Bishop have supported St. Aelred’s in meaningful ways, helping the parish grow into the vibrant community it is today. Since the lease began, the town has invested significantly in maintaining the building, covering utilities, and supporting its use. It’s fair to say that your new building has been partially subsidized by the town, and we are proud of the role we’ve played in supporting this congregation.

This decision was not made lightly. It was driven by a commitment to safety and the long-term integrity of the community center. The building, in its current state, is simply not safe. The inspection findings make that abundantly clear.

Looking ahead, there are no firm plans for the building’s future once repairs are completed. We  have expressed interest in returning it to its original purpose as a community center and have explored potential partnerships with local organizations. But right now, safety must come first, and no decisions have been made.

I know this decision is painful for some. But I ask for your understanding and compassion as we move forward. Decisions like this are never easy, and I assure you, they were not made lightly.

This council remains committed to serving all members of our community with fairness, respect, and integrity.

-January 13, 2025