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EDITORIAL March 10, 1999 VNN3287 Time To Make Miami What It Used To Be BY JAYA KRISHNA DAS EDITORIAL, Mar 10 (VNN) — I have found it difficult the past week reading all about Miami and find it is now compelling for me to reply. My name is Jaya Krishna Das (Joe Gennaro) and all of these stories began with me. I was the one who came forward and spoke my mind regarding Miami, rather then hiding and talking private with others. It is about time we the congregational members spoke in a public forum what we have said in private for many years. First of all let me set the record straight what happened on the day in question. I arrived to pick up a visiting GBC and was asked for $5.00 to park my car. (There was an art show going on and they were selling space) I said I will only be here for a moment and will leave soon, and besides I am a Bramin devotee and a member of this temple and should not have to pay to park to pick up a guest. I was harrased by the devotee and followed to the court yard. There I encountered the alleged temple president and his court. One thing lead to another, the president and his wife then began to say to me, "you don't give money who are you etc. My question is, how do they know how many thousands of dollars I have given and raised the last 20 years? I was asked to leave the property and they would have my car removed if I did not. Honestly...I will not accept that behavior at work or in the public work place let alone the house of Krishna! So yes, I did over react and they did also. To continue, they also accused Agrani Prabhu and others of stealing and said that all the gringo's have helped themselves for years to the temple funds. I stand beside all that M.S. Das said in his article it is true! I have now read the article by Rukmini Pati Das and am even more convinced of what is going on in Miami. Let me say, I have been a active member of Miami for 20 years, I have seen many come and go, yet a handfull of us are still here. The very same handfull that have supported the temple for 20 years. Who are these people to treat others the way they do. Are we not a compasion society? Do we not welcome people to our temple? Miami has hundreds of initiated devotees in the area who do not attend the temple any more. Why? Miami has hundreds of people who used to come to the temple and do not any more...why? Is it the hundreds of people who are wrong or the handfull who are creating the problems? I am reminded by a quote by a senior GBC who said to me "If it were not for Krishna and Prabhupada I would never hang around most of these people". Now where do the hundreds of people go to worship? The local Hindu temple? At least we would be welcome there. Miami needs to clean up its act and replace the existing regeme, it is bad for the community, they do not represent Prabhupada and ISKCON. The temple used to be alive and happy and fun, now it is sad and lonely. We have wonderful dieties and a solid congregation that needs to return but will not. To continue would be bad at this point, people who know me know I am speaking for them and for many others. I pray things get better. I like Rukmini Pati am now in fear of retaliation from some people for speaking my mind. I at least have made it public what others say in private. Comment on this Story This story URL: http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET9903/ET10-3287.html
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