| S a c r e d n e s s o f L i f e | ||
| R a c
h e l’s F i e l d |
M e m o r i a l C h a p e l | M o t h e r’s H o u s e |
| Thousands
of separately deeded cemetery-like
plots with memorial stones erected by lot owners as closure to the loss
of their pre-born children Situated on 22 acres of gently rolling farm
land.
Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Protected perpetual grounds
care preservation |
http://www.lifeprinciplestrust.org
301-793-5463 P.O. Box 3 Burtonsville,
Maryland 20866
Site
Location;
2901-2917Spencerville Road, Burtonsville, MD Forest Grauel E-Mail: flgrauel (at) smart.net |
A
safe place of love and nurturing for Mom’s
in crisis awaiting the birth of
the gift of life, their pre-born children career,
life skills, and spiritual training |
Update May 23 2008:
Maryland-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission
Ignores a “Golden Opportunity” to Save the Taxpayers of Maryland and Montgomery County $3,300,000.00
Ignores a “Golden Opportunity” to Save the Taxpayers of Maryland and Montgomery County $3,300,000.00
It appears that the M-NCPPC is oblivious to what could only be viewed as a "Golden Opportunity" to “Partner with the Voluntary Sector” on a recent acquisition they made in Burtonsville, Maryland 20866. Life Principles Trust, through their attorneys have sought to partner with the M-NCPPC in what would obviously be a “win-win” scenario for the Taxpayers of Montgomery County, the Taxpayers of Maryland and the environmental interests of the “Upper Paint Branch Protection Area”. Partnering with the "Voluntary" or what is also known as the "Third Sector” in this instance could be viewed as an excellent way for the MNCPPC to “Protect the Environment” and to do so at virtually no cost to Montgomery County Government or the Government of Maryland. Are they at all concerned with saving Taxpayer's money, or does funding flow so freely there that an opportunity to save the Taxpayers $3,300,000.00 and accomplish virtually the same objectives seem of little concern to them?
Though the yet-to-then-be-completed sale of the property to the M-NCPPC was published in the Sept 26, 2007 issue of the Gazette Newspaper in an article entitled, "Land Once Slated for Housing Added to Park", the article made no mention of the history and context of the sale of the property, part of which was published in the June 2006 edition of the "Defend Life" Newspaper in an article entitled, "Pro-Life Couple's Plan on Hold". The Gazette article also made no mention of the grueling legal battle over the property which Life Principles Trust has attempted to chronicle on their website of http://www.lifeprinciplestrust.org. (last updated in November of 2006 when their efforts were nearly paralyzed in what they feel was a wrongful dispossession from the property)
Many are aware that since the death of his Mother, Evelyn E. Grauel in January of 2004, Forest Grauel and his wife Aileen Grauel, have been tirelessly working against all odds, and especially against the powerful bank attorneys and actions of the Sandy Spring Bank, and in particular the Trust Department of SSB headed up by Sandy Spring Bank Senior Vice President Sergio Oliver. The valiant struggle of Forest Grauel and Aileen Grauel, his wife of 41 years was published in the June 2006 issue of "Defend Life” newspaper which is circulated by the Life Advocacy organization of the same name out of Baltimore, Maryland.
The 22.5 acres envisioned by Forest and Aileen for transformation into the Life Principles Campus is the remaining part of the ancestral farm where Forest was raised as a child by his parents, George and Evelyn (Poole) Grauel. Before Forest's Father's death in 1990, George and Evelyn Grauel entrusted Sandy Spring Bank as Successor Trustee of both of their real estate trusts. In 2005, through his then-attorney, Forest and Life Principles Trust filed a 5 Million Dollar lawsuit against the Sandy Spring Bank Trust Department.
In November of 2006, despite the fact that Forest was a one forth (25%) beneficiary of the George H. Grauel Trust and the Evelyn E. Grauel Trust, Sandy Spring Bank used their power as Trustee of the Trusts which held title to the property to dispossess Forest and Aileen from the home where they had lived on the farm for over 34 years. Moreover, the property was left vacant and the victim of break-ins and vandalism for the following year before it was purchased by the "Maryland National Capitol Park and Planning Commission" while Forest, a "beneficiary" of the Trusts and his wife Aileen sought emergency and temporary shelter and over half of their personal belongings were ruined by the torrential rains which subsequently came in following Sandy Spring Bank Trust Department throwing their belongings out onto the street.
Forest and Aileen had a very beautiful and simple dream which they feel was openly thwarted as described in the "Open Letter to Hunter Hollar" written to Mr. Hunter R. Hollar, President and CEO of Sandy Spring Bancorp, a bank holding company, which is the parent of Sandy Spring Bank and also three additional subsidiaries: Sandy Spring Insurance, Equipment Leasing and West Financial Services. Though the published annual income of Mr. Hunter Hollar is shown at over $400,000.00, nonetheless Forest Grauel has no record of any point by point reply to that letter which remains unanswered.
With the sale of the property to the Maryland-National Capitol Park and Planning Commission by the Grauel's adversary, the Sandy Spring Bank Trust Department, Forest and Aileen felt that the MNCPPC was one of the few purchasers who would view them as an ally in preserving Forest's ancestral home as open space. It seemed an ideal Win-win situation. Forest and Aileen felt certain that the Planning Board for Prince Georges County and the Planning Board of Montgomery County who together sit as Commissioners of the MNCPPC would warmly welcome the opportunity of being able to return the $3,000,000.00 purchase price to the Public Sector. However, as of this writing, the MNCPPC has taken out demolition permits for the four houses, two of which are notable residences on Spencerville Road. As an example, the beautiful farmhouse, a little more than a decade from being 100 years old holds irreplaceable historic significance as it was constructed almost entirely of virgin "Wormy Chestnut" lumber which was sawmill cut following the historic Chestnut Blight of 1900.
Why would MNCPPC be actively moving toward total destruction of such a beautiful and historic landmark? Though at first we thought it impossible, we are now beginning to wonder if there was an "unwritten request" by someone within the Sandy Spring Trust Department that part of the purchase would include demolition of the historic old farmhouse envisioned to be utilized by Life Principles Trust as a home for unwed mothers, and to be named simply, "Mother's House." This home is indeed irreplaceable as the ancient Chestnut trees are now extinct.
Here are links to Dept of Permitting Services where the permits and progress of the approval for demolition are found;
Mother's House. An Historically Significant Home built almost entirely of "Wormy Chestnut Lumber" from the
Historic 1900 Chestnut Tree Blight which rendered Chestnut trees and lumber virtually extinct in the U.S. The home is
located on the property and is Envisioned for Use as a Home for Unwed Mothers to be operated by
Gabriel Network, part of the nationally acclaimed Gabriel Project, Sisters of Life or other such entity from the Voluntary Sector.
Montgomery County Demolition Permit #475159 Status http://permittingservices.montgomerycountymd.gov/dpstmpl.asp?url=/status/status.asp&ID=920179 http://permittingservices.montgomerycountymd.gov/dpstmpl.asp?url=/status/Reviews.asp&ID=920179
Administrative Offices/ Rectory (Large Brick Residence 2905 Spencerville Road)
Montgomery County Demolition Permit #47158 http://permittingservices.montgomerycountymd.gov/dpstmpl.asp?url=/status/status.asp&ID=920180 http://permittingservices.montgomerycountymd.gov/dpstmpl.asp?url=/status/Reviews.asp&ID=920180
Two Rental Houses (Across from Allnutt Lane) Montgomery County Demolition Permit #47157 http://permittingservices.montgomerycountymd.gov/dpstmpl.asp?url=/status/status.asp&ID=920178 http://permittingservices.montgomerycountymd.gov/dpstmpl.asp?url=/status/Reviews.asp&ID=920178
I view this as an emergency situation with regard to saving Rachel's Field
As of this writing we are puzzled that the MNCPPC seems to be similarly opposed, as was the Trust Department of Sandy Spring Bank, to the expressed wishes of Forest's parents as expressed in their Trust Documents, and where Article VI of his Mother’s Trust (near verbatim of his Father's Trust) reads;
“ . . .Grantor hereby grants to Grantor's son, FOREST LEE GRAUEL, the right to purchase from Grantor's estate the home including the barn and outbuildings where he presently lives in and as much from the immediately contiguous land as he may desire to purchase from his share of the estate and additionally on a first right of refusal basis. The purchase price for said land will be its fair market value on the date of Grantor's death as determined by the Trustees or the Personal Representatives or Executors of Grantor's Estate. Grantor's son shall have ninety (90) days after receiving a copy of the appraisal, accepted by the Trustee or the Personal Representatives or Executors from the Trustees or the Personal Representatives or Executors of Grantor's estate to exercise their [sic his] right to purchase. Grantor's son may apply toward the purchase price of said property all or part of his share of Grantor's estate. If a dispute arises regarding the purchase price of said property the Trustees or the Personal Representatives or Executors of Grantor's estate shall decide such matters and their decision shall be final and conclusive on all parties. . . .” [end of pertinent quoted test]
Reference: http://www.lifeprinciplestrust.org/legaldocs/revokable_trust_of_evelyn_e_grauel_1990-05-21.pdf
Through our
attorneys we have sought to make a legitimate offer to the MNCPPC to
purchase the 22.5 acres and houses for $200,000.00 more than the MNCPPC
paid for the property. That together with the $100,000 which the
County Council appropriated for demolition of the houses there would
then result in a net gain of $300,000.00 for the MNCPPC over and above
the $3,000,000.00 which they just paid for its purchase. Truly a
win-win situation..
Forest L. Grauel
Cellular 301-793-7718
Box 3
Burtonsville, MD 20866-0003
Update November 9th 2006:
Sandy Spring Bank has evicted Forest and Aileen Grauel from their house by throwing all their belongings on the street. They are planning to come back on the 16th to remove all the rest of the property. If you believe this is wrong then please show your support!Click here: for Background Message from Forest Grauel to all Readers.
Law Suit Filed Against Sandy Spring Bank
Left with no other alternative, on the 17th of May 2006, we filed suit against Sandy Spring Bank for causes including Abuse of Fiduciary Trust, and just recently expanded the lawsuit to include their attorney Richard Lyon for malpractice. The lawsuit against Richard Lyon has since been dismissed.
Monday September 18 2006: We lost on eviction in District Court in front of Judge Patricia L. Mitchel but have time to appeal, but she set a bond of 1.5 million to prevent us from appealing even though the lawyer from the bank Richard Lyon said we had that recourse.
You can help us by opening
your address books and send e-mail to
everyone and anyone
you know, informing them of this action. Please post in the Blogs and Guest book.
Call phone 301-793-5463 anytime for latest updates.
Update Aug 15 2006:
Monday Aug 14 2006: Two matters were brought before the Circuit Court for Montgomery County.
In the matter of the Temporary Restraining Order . The motion was dismissed partially because Sandy Spring Bank has filed a motion for Eviction that was to be heard today the 18th of August and has since been postponed to a week later (will keep you posted). The judge argued that he would be taking jurisdiction away from District Court by retroactively invalidating their action. Some might argue that if the hearing on Eviction (since postponed to the 13th of September) was not so soon then he might be more inclined to grant the TRO (temporary restraining order) . It is the opinion of myself and others that were present that the judge allowed evidence into the proceeding that had nothing to do with the potential harm to the plaintiff and should have granted the restraining order based on the potential harm to the plaintiff (us) and the limited harm to Sandy Spring Bank.
Many times during the proceeding the judge (Judge Rubin) mentioned the appeals court almost like he wished it would get appealed.
Call phone 301-793-5463 anytime for latest updates.
Update Aug 15 2006:
Monday Aug 14 2006: Two matters were brought before the Circuit Court for Montgomery County.
- Motion to Dismiss the case against Richard Lyon.
- Motion for Temporary Restraining order.
In the matter of the Temporary Restraining Order . The motion was dismissed partially because Sandy Spring Bank has filed a motion for Eviction that was to be heard today the 18th of August and has since been postponed to a week later (will keep you posted). The judge argued that he would be taking jurisdiction away from District Court by retroactively invalidating their action. Some might argue that if the hearing on Eviction (since postponed to the 13th of September) was not so soon then he might be more inclined to grant the TRO (temporary restraining order) . It is the opinion of myself and others that were present that the judge allowed evidence into the proceeding that had nothing to do with the potential harm to the plaintiff and should have granted the restraining order based on the potential harm to the plaintiff (us) and the limited harm to Sandy Spring Bank.
Many times during the proceeding the judge (Judge Rubin) mentioned the appeals court almost like he wished it would get appealed.
The score so far:
Since 2002 Sandy Spring Bank has disbursed from the Grauel Trust, both to themselves and others (not the named beneficiaries) around $400,000 That is Four Hundred Thousand dollars. So far the named beneficiaries have not gotten a penny and parties listed on this site have spent tens of thousands of dollars fighting this. We ask you: why should a bank be entitled to that much money, from the Grauel's estate and will most likely take huge amounts of money as "fees" from the proceeds?Our contention simply put:
There are 3 facets that we are trying to publish via this website:1: The project that we want to put forth.
2: The right of Forest Grauel or assignee to purchase the property as stated in his parents Trust Documents.
3: The effort by Sandy Spring Bank to stop us!
We were granted a contract for sale by Sandy Spring Bank (see below) to purchase the entire property and spelled out everything that we want to do. The problems is that no one will lend on the contract with all the conditions. We believe that if we were given a clean contract of sale then we would not have this dispute right now.
We also contend that the bank should not continue to be trustee pastthe death of Evelyn Grauel and suck assets that family members could manage at no cost.
Why this is not a family dispute:
If a family dispute is "only" about money then this isn't one. In October of 2002, Sandy Spring Bank, as Trustee for the Evelyn Grauel and George Grauel Trust sold 20 acres of what many described as "trophy home" property at the dead end of Kruhm Road for only $525,000.00. Even though it could have been argued that it could have sold for more, it was anticipated that at least some "token cash distribution" would have been made to the 4 named beneficiaries of the Grauel Trust. Each of the beneficiaries have grandchildren whose education and other needs could have been advanced as well as other good uses for the legacy their parents intended that "they" would have received, not realizing "how banks and lawyers make money" in many cases when given a chance.So far, aside from the limited amounts expended for Mom's care before her death in January of 2004, and a few other day to day incidentals, it appears those who have "benefited" most to date have been Sandy Spring Bank and their various payees such as attorneys and other professionals. Just for the month of November, 2005 alone, they paid one of their attorneys $15,000.00 and then took an additional $20,000.00 simply as a "fee", above and beyond their usual monthly "fee" which has amounted to tens of thousands of dollars to date. Through all of this, Forest Grauel has had to rely on others for legal assistance while Sandy Spring bank has continued taking funds from the Grauel Trusts, with considerable sums used to assault him with court actions.
Trying to apply logic to any of this, would seem like trying to make sense from the inmates at an insane asylum. Sandy Spring Bank continues writing checks from the Grauel Trusts, and continues to hammer a good and well meaning "beneficiary" of the Trusts, Forest Grauel with court actions, now seeking to remove Forest and Aileen from their home in what many feel is "retaliation" following Forest , and a separate entity, Life Principles Trust filing a lawsuit against Sandy Spring Bank. Recently Sergio Oliver, Senior Vice President of the Sandy Spring Bank Trust Department even came in to Court to testify against against Forest Grauel, a beneficiary of the Trusts and whose rights under Article VI Sergio Oliver in court. Trust department Going back in time to the time just after the death of Evelyn Grauel, had Sandy Spring Bank simply "asked" Forest Grauel in writing, as authorized under Article VI of his parent's Trusts, "how much contiguous land he so desired" under Article VI, it would seem to have been such a simple thing. They could have performed an appraisal and offered it to him with a simple and un restricted Contract of Sale. With that having been the case, it's likely that all of the beneficiaries could have had use of their respective beneficiary distributions within the first year following their mother's death. Had that transpired, the trusts would have terminated and Sandy Spring Bank would not have been able to continue writing checks to themselves and their lawyers. Hmmmm . . . .
Back in 2002, before Gerald and Robert Grauel petitioned the Court to appoint Sandy Spring Bank as Successor Trustee, Forest tried to reason with them against turning over disbursement authority to an institution outside of the family. During the discussions he reportedly asked them if they understood "how banks and lawyers make money." One could pose the question here, "do we have a "run away trust department" or is this "business as usual" at the Sandy Spring Bank. Forest reports that W. Drew Stabler, Chairman of the Board of Sandy Spring Bank told him that he had inquired into the matter and that he felt Sandy Spring Bank was following their normal guidelines with regard to administering trusts. If this is "normal," then one would have to ask, "what on earth would be considered 'abnormal'."
Court Docket:
Lawsuit refiled against Sandy Spring Bank.
old text.
"The Battle for Rachel's Field Rages. Reinforcements from Patriot Benjamin Martin Sought to Help Fight off General Charles Cornwallis and the Hordes from Sandy Spring Bank Trust Dept. (details to follow as more become available)"
Links Inside site...
An open letter
to Sandy Spring Bank President Hunter Hollar.Audio Novena (3MB WMA):
Mother Angelica and The Nuns of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery, Hanceville, Alabama
to pray all day August 15 2006 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
A Holy Day of Obligation:View Prayer Letter Here (3 MB PDF large file):
Dear Pro Life Colleague:
Endorsement letter from Priests For Life.
Exclusive Contract of Sale for Real Estate Purchase (new window).
Links Outside site...
Excellent News Article from "Defend Life" Magazine.
Priests
for lifePlease sign our guest book: (a new window will open, close when finished).
Extensive Photo Layout: Click Here.
http://lifeatthefrontier.blogspot.com/
You can help us tremendously by posting on as many Blogs and forums as possible.
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