Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Philadelphia Pols Move to Bone Boy Scouts

From Fox News:
The Cradle of Liberty Council—Philadelphia's Boy Scout chapter—has been housed in an historic building in downtown Philly for almost 80 years, paying almost nothing for the prime piece of proprety under the terms of a 100-year sweetheart lease it inked with the city in 1928. But that lease is set to expire, and city officials say the taxpayer's shouldn't be footing the Scouts rent bill because of it's national policy banning openly gay members and leaders. The Scouts must either pony up the fair market rent for the space—about $200,000 a year—or find a new home.

"If they want to accept the national policies of the Boy Scout organization they have to be able to pay for it," said Philadelphia City Councilman Jack Kelly.

According to a letter the Boy Scouts received from City Solicitor Rome Diaz, the Boy Scouts have until Dec. 3 to sign a new lease and start paying for the use of the property, or the city will find a new tennant and the scouts will be evicted.

Diaz, who is openly gay, refused FOX News' request for an interview.
Philadelphia's city government is determined to cornhole the Scouts, despite an earlier outpouring of rage that crashed the Philly mayor's email system.

Thanks to Jay at Stop the ACLU.