Where does Doug Phillips actually live?

[SweetTexasCrude]

His church is in Boerne, TX and VF is in San Antonio, TX but neither county has property records under his name. Some of my family members are thinking about retiring to Boerne and I wanted to see if they might accidentally wind up Doug's neighbor!

[hoipolloi]

According to this discussion on the old board (http://freejinger.yuku.com/topic/3969#.T8hayWthiK0), there is/was some question as to whether or not he actually bought the house or if it was purchased for him by a wealthy benefactor (possibly Jim Leininger, sugar daddy to the right wing religious wackadoodles of Texas).

[SweetTexasCrude]

I think I've figured it out. I was searching country property records for "Phillips", which was stupid because Doug wouldn't actually own his house in a way that subjects him to property tax. Oh no, it's owned by VF: http://www.bcad.org/clientdb/Property.a ... _id=277411.

Assessed at $442k, swimming pool, greenhouse, with what looks like a second building on the property: http://www.bcad.org/clientdb/Property.a ... _id=447004.

A comparable property on the street, with photos: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/245-C ... 9740_zpid/

According to the tax collector's database, the house is mostly tax exempt: https://actweb.acttax.com/act_webdev/be ... &ownerno=0 and https://actweb.acttax.com/act_webdev/be ... &ownerno=0.

Any accountants or lawyers around who can explain how a nonprofit like VF can own a single-family residence and make it tax-exempt? How is that serving the purpose of the org (in theory, not just VF...)?

[gustava]

I think I've figured it out. I was searching country property records for "Phillips", which was stupid because Doug wouldn't actually own his house in a way that subjects him to property tax. Oh no, it's owned by VF: http://www.bcad.org/clientdb/Property.a ... _id=277411.

Assessed at $442k, swimming pool, greenhouse, with what looks like a second building on the property: http://www.bcad.org/clientdb/Property.a ... _id=447004.

A comparable property on the street, with photos: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/245-C ... 9740_zpid/

According to the tax collector's database, the house is mostly tax exempt: https://actweb.acttax.com/act_webdev/be ... &ownerno=0 and https://actweb.acttax.com/act_webdev/be ... &ownerno=0.

Any accountants or lawyers around who can explain how a nonprofit like VF can own a single-family residence and make it tax-exempt? How is that serving the purpose of the org (in theory, not just VF...)?

He uses the swimming pool for baptisms ....NOT :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

[Coconut Flan]

I could be wrong, but if their property tax record is like ours, the house has no exemptions and someone is paying almost $12K a year in property taxes on it. The taxes are up to date with zero due at this time.

[Creaky Mom]

I keep getting a "server error" page when I click the house photos. The comparison house comes up fine as do the other two pages with tax info. But the Phillips' house pics are gone.

[Kitten]

That's because God doesn't want you looking at Doug's house. :lol:

[SweetTexasCrude]

I could be wrong, but if their property tax record is like ours, the house has no exemptions and someone is paying almost $12K a year in property taxes on it. The taxes are up to date with zero due at this time.

One of the properties doesn't have any taxes on it, though, and both are listed with some sort of code about tax exemption. I can't figure out exactly what's going on.

[Coconut Flan]

One of the links won't open for me so that may be the one where it seems no taxes are being paid. The house itself though has property tax assessed.

[Creaky Mom]

That's because God doesn't want you looking at Doug's house. :lol:

Yes, I might get defrauded.

All the preachers I know live in plain little houses with not even an above ground pool.

[Peas n carrots]

From what I understand VF could claim this property under the religious exemption...and knowing Texas the laws are likely to be lenient towards religious organizations. If they claim it as a vicarage, or perhaps if there is a non-profit charitable arm that is using the home's address that could also exempt them from taxes. But I'm hardly an expert!

[Elle]

I think I've figured it out. I was searching country property records for "Phillips", which was stupid because Doug wouldn't actually own his house in a way that subjects him to property tax. Oh no, it's owned by VF: http://www.bcad.org/clientdb/Property.a ... _id=277411.

Assessed at $442k, swimming pool, greenhouse, with what looks like a second building on the property: http://www.bcad.org/clientdb/Property.a ... _id=447004.

A comparable property on the street, with photos: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/245-C ... 9740_zpid/

According to the tax collector's database, the house is mostly tax exempt: https://actweb.acttax.com/act_webdev/be ... &ownerno=0 and https://actweb.acttax.com/act_webdev/be ... &ownerno=0.

Any accountants or lawyers around who can explain how a nonprofit like VF can own a single-family residence and make it tax-exempt? How is that serving the purpose of the org (in theory, not just VF...)?

Jesus-tap-dancing-Christ-on-a-cracker!

I'll bet he's claiming it's necessary for the "ministry" and holds an occasional event there. I think that churches need to be held accountable for taxes. It's wrong for the public to subsidize their taxes, regardless of religion, and it's so easy to abuse the rules like this. At the least if someone is living in a location full-time and have full use of the property in a personal capacity, it should be taxed. I can't have a business meeting on my kitchen and write off my kitchen as a business expense when I spend more time in it cooking for my family.

[No Fun My Babe]

Where does Doug Phillips actually live?

In the closet.

If that property is actually tax-exempt, that is revolting.

[Coconut Flan]

Current Year Tax Levy: $11,966.93

Annual property tax for the house.

For an unknown reason the $199K+ improvement on the property is exempt from property tax. Perhaps they built a separate office for Vision Forum only business? Perhaps it's a quirk in Texas property assessment for some reason?

[Peas n carrots]

In the closet.

If that property is actually tax-exempt, that is revolting.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

It reminds me of the reason I was told that Evanston, IL has some of the highest property taxes in the US. Northwestern University owns a ton of property there, and the HQ's of many churches, charities and embassies are located there as well....all of which are tax exempt. So that means the tax burden of the city rests on the local population. I would assume that there are numerous loopholes and ways to grease the wheels outside of the conventional law as well.

From wikipedia, here is the status of VF:

Vision Forum Ministries is a 501© non-profit organization, while the associated commercial operation is called Vision Forum, Inc.

There is some more information here...like I said I'm hardly a tax expert, but methinks it wouldn't have been too hard to get the house written off

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/exempt/exemptfaq.html

[SweetTexasCrude]

You can still see the tax records if you search for "Vision Forum" on the county's website: http://www.bcad.org/ClientDB/PropertySearch.aspx?cid=1.

[Sweetpea1]

In the closet.

Or a gilded cage.

[starfish]

I'm glad they have a swimming pool. That way, the kids have something to do when Be-all gets the vapors, which is probably

an everyday occurence. You know Dougie Pooh won't entertain/educate those 17 kids they have.

I bet those poor kids have some fairly hilarious "modest" swimsuits ala 1900s swimwear you would have seen on the Jersey

coast , you know with the stripes and hats....

[pixydust]

I'm glad they have a swimming pool. That way, the kids have something to do when Be-all gets the vapors, which is probably

an everyday occurence. You know Dougie Pooh won't entertain/educate those 17 kids they have.

I bet those poor kids have some fairly hilarious "modest" swimsuits ala 1900s swimwear you would have seen on the Jersey

coast , you know with the stripes and hats....

Do Doug and Beal actually have 17 kids?!?! :shock: Who's the father?

I actually love those old suits, I wanted one as a kid to have on a dress form in my room as decoration (hell, I would still do that!)

[No Fun My Babe]

Or a gilded cage.

Even better! With some frilly period dresses. Just put them on Doug, you know you want to!

Fake edit: Why the fuck do I keep typing "Dough" when I type Doug? It happens every time!

[MamaJunebug]

I'm glad they have a swimming pool. That way, the kids have something to do when Be-all gets the vapors, which is probably

an everyday occurence. You know Dougie Pooh won't entertain/educate those 17 kids they have.

I bet those poor kids have some fairly hilarious "modest" swimsuits ala 1900s swimwear you would have seen on the Jersey

coast , you know with the stripes and hats....

Of no consequence, really but "the vapors" = farts.

If you mean to say that Beall retires to her couch in fatigue or fainting, that word is "swoon."

I mention it bcz it gave me a giggle to think of Beall's gas being enough to cause the kids to flee to deep waters!

[Peas n carrots]

Of no consequence, really but "the vapors" = farts.

If you mean to say that Beall retires to her couch in fatigue or fainting, that word is "swoon."

I mention it bcz it gave me a giggle to think of Beall's gas being enough to cause the kids to flee to deep waters!

I was thinking the same but I let it slide. But I was actually LOL'ing to your description of the children fleeing. Thanks for the laugh!

[starfish]

The things I learn on FreeJinger.......

didn't know that, but vapors might be the case if she dined at one of Boerne's cheap pizza places or Doug whipped up some terrible

dish in the kitchen....

I just thought having the vapors was a passive/agressive way of saying "I need a nap but I'm disguising it as a medical condition and you, husband, have to take care of the kids while I rest". So I must have confused it with swooning.

Be-all strikes me as the type who likes her siestas.

[Noon]

Never heard 'the vapors' used to describe gas, although that is pretty cute!

Typically, when I've heard it used or read it in print, it refers to a nervous state---whose veracity may or may not be in question. I borrowed this dictionary definition from off the web, since I don't have my OED handy; it seems like you can make an argument for both definitions being solid, but that nervousness is the main one.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary

VAPOR noun. A visible exhalation, a fog, a mist, steam, smoke, or noxious gas, diffused through or suspended in the air: ‘the vapors rising from the bogs.’

Archaic: a) a strange, senseless, or fantastic notion. b) something insubstantial or transitory.

VAPORS noun ARCHAIC: a) mental depression or hypochondria. b) injurious exhalations formerly supposed to be produced within the body, especially in the stomach; verb. to affect with vapors; depress

----

Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins

VAPORS/VAPOURS. In medieval times, medical men believed that ‘vapours,’ as the English called them, arose in the stomach and ‘caused depression of the spirits and other mental disorders,’ in the words of the ‘Oxford Dictionary.’ By the 19th century it became quite common for ladies of fashion to plead ‘an attach of the VAPOURS’ when they felt depressed and wished to avoid an unpleasant situation.

_________________________________________________________________

Anyway, yeah, Doug Phillips is a tool.

[MamaJunebug]

IwishIhadanOED!!!!!

:D

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Ive heard that nervousness can lead to the passing of the gas.

Ahem--I MJB henceforth will accept "the vapors" and "swooning" as interchangeable when applied snarkily toward dominionists.

I also pledge that I have posted my last correction [sic] re the subject .... On FJ, at least!!! ;)