Brethren,

I would like to share with you a series of e-mails between myself and a Brother in Arkansas, which are the lead-up to the main article.  This is the initial e-mails explaining to me what is going on.  Please read them and share them with other Brethren.

Thank you,
Bro Ken


Darrell D. Pickney:

Brother Ken,

There is a very similar situation happening in Arkansas that is happening in West Virginia. In February, 2008, the Grand Master of Arkansas pulled the charter of Nettleton Lodge #657 without justification or valid reason,then expelled the WM, JD, Treasurer, and Secretary for failing to turn over all lodge property and cash assets to Grand Lodge. Nettleton Lodge #657 filed suit to keep ownership of its property and in July of this year was victorious in that lawsuit,

At the same time the Grand Master slandered the expelled brethren throughout the state and a second lawsuit was filed. The slander lawsuit will be heard early next year. The Grand Lodge has tried to prevent Masons in Arkansas from even discussing the situation or lawsuits.

I would like to get this information on MasonicTravels.com to hopefully help keep Arkansas Masons informed as to what is going on. I can give you any additional information you may need as I am the secretary of Nettleton Lodge #657 that was expelled and am a party to the lawsuit.

Fraternaly,
Darrell D. Pickney

MasonicTravels.com:

Greetings Brother,

If you type up an article, and try to be as objective and unbiased as possible, stating facts then I would be happy to review it.  I do carefully monitor the information I put on the site, because unlike some masonic sites on the internet, I try not to start up big controversy unless it is entirely justifiable, even then I prefer to do it from a mediator stand point.

If you are looking for shock value, I can recommend a few other places to post your information too .

S&F
Ken

Darrell D. Pickney:

Dear Brother Ken,

The reason I selected your site was because I could see that it was a serious site and very positive toward Freemasonry.  My goal in asking you to post information concerning our situation in Arkansas was not to create controversy but rather to educate and inform brethren not only in Arkansas but across the United States that abuse of power at the Grand Lodge level does exist, unfortunately more often that we care to admit. I am not looking for “shock” value, however every true Mason who learns the truth about what is happening in Arkansas would be truly shocked. I don’t know how much detail you want or need but I will as briefly as possible relate to you what has occurred. If you then need specific questions answered I would be glad to do that and provide whatever documentation you may need.

During Grand Lodge session in February, 2008, without any prior discussion or notice, the outgoing Grand Master (MW R.L. Sheffield) announced that he was arresting the charter of Nettleton Lodge # 657 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Two weeks later the new Grand Master (MW James Graham) without notice, trial, or any other due process expelled five leaders of Nettleton Lodge because they would not turn over the property and cash assets of the local lodge to Grand Lodge. Grand Lodge subsequently managed to take control of the lodge building by changing the locks and Nettleton Lodge filed suit in Craighead County District Court seeking to regain ownership of their property. The suit was filed in the spring of 2008 and went to trial in July, 2009. The court ruled in favor of Nettleton Lodge #657 as sole owner of the property and cash assets.

During the course of 2008 the Grand Lodge took several actions, including statewide communications to all lodges in Arkansas alleging that theft of lodge property had occurred at Nettleton Lodge then named the individuals who had been expelled. Grand Lodge has since admitted that they had no direct knowledge that theft had occurred when they communicated such information, and in fact no theft did occur. In order to put a stop to what we feel were slanderous and defaming actions of Grand Lodge, a defamation suit was filed against MW Graham and the Grand Lodge of Arkansas during the latter part of 2008. Discovery is ongoing for that lawsuit and a date is expected to be set for trial in the spring of 2010.

I will be glad to answer any questions you might have concerning the dilemma we are facing here in Arkansas.

Fraternally,
Darrell Pickney

MasonicTravels.com:

Greetings Brother Darrell,

Thank you for the information and I’m quite interested in learning more.  What do you feel was the underlying reason for the GM to seize the assets of the Lodge?  I find it difficult to believe that he just did it on a whim, he must have had some reason (misguided or otherwise seems to be up to the courts at the moment).  Was this a personal feud between the GM and the Lodge in General or a Brother at the Lodge that sparked this harsh reaction?

I think your write-up is well done, and would like you to further elaborate as much as possible, expanding on your previous e-mail to me, write it as you would like to see it posted on the site and it sounds like something I would be very interested in reading and posting on the website.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Ken

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