| Fischer Speaks to Lockney Community Answers questions about plans for business and FLDS beliefs | |||
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By Alice Gilroy Floyd County Hesperian-Beacon - Floydada, Texas | |||
The Lockney Community Center was filled to overflowing Friday night as approximately 175 people listened to Samuel Fischer explain his plans for the former Tye Company of Lockney, his own religion, his own background, and what he sees as the future of his operation. Fischer told the group his purchase of the Tye Company is "pending", but the owner, John Tye, has allowed his company to begin installing machinery and ductwork. Fischer also fielded questions on his life of polygamy, and his allegiance to the Fundamental Latter Day Saints religion (FLDS). The questions came from an attentive and mostly polite audience. The meeting was called after reports in this newspaper identified Fischer as a member of FLDS. The FLDS (not affiliated with the Mormon Church), is known for their allegiance to their prophet Warren Jeffs (who was recently arrested and has been charged with 2 counts of Rape as an Accomplice in Washington Co. Utah, and 4 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in Mohave Co., Arizona). They are also known for their secretive society, arranged marriages, the Lost Boys, polygamy, and the practice of kicking men out of the religion and "reassigning" their wives and children to another. Fischer is in contract to buy the Tye Company in Lockney. According to Fischer the new company (called Techsun) will be a cabinet making business and, although very unusual among FLDS businesses, Fischer says he will employ others outside of his religion. Fischer greeted people as they came in to the Center. After being seated Fisher had his 16 year old son, Daniel, hand out paper for those wishing to write down questions. The questions were then picked up and addressed by Fischer after his introductory speech. Fischer says he was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1955. His father moved to Southern Utah when he was 12 and he started working in the cabinet shop at the age of 15. Fisher's business in Hildale, Utah (home to the FLDS polygamous sect) is called Westwood. According to Fischer the business specializes in custom cabinet work, however he intends to branch out into the modular line of cabinet making. "About 4 years ago the furniture business started to collapse," said Fischer. "The furniture business started going overseas. Furniture making businesses can now buy the furniture already made cheaper than they can make it. "Also about 4 years ago I started buying machines (for making modular cabinets) off the internet. The machines had been put on the market for about 10 cents on the dollar." Fischer says the timing has been perfect for him. He now has enough machines to set up a modular line. "At present we do custom cabinets and deal in high end homes," said Fischer. "This area is different. In Las Vegas where we do some work the cabinet work can run $300,000 just for the cabinets. That's more than you'll pay for a home here. "In looking at the market here we will want to do a modular line and custom work. The modular line caters more to tract housing and low income housing. We already have the machinery in place for that line." Fischer says he wants to set up his custom line first and then set up the modular line. "We can set up both sides of the market and in the modular line you can get by with less skilled helpers--or people who you bring in at the base level can start there." Fischer says he does not know how many he will hire at first. "That building (the former Tye Company) has the capability to put a lot of people to work. I'd like to see it grow so that anyone who wants a job can have a job." Fischer says he plans to continue operating his business in Hildale while he is building Techsun. In Hildale Fischer says he employs about 20 people. Two, whom he called outside sales people, do not belong to FLDS. Fischer says his business deals mostly with contractors but he also deals with personal home owners. "One reason for coming here," said Fischer, "is that I couldn't buy 5 acres of commercial ground with nothing on it, in Utah, for the same amount as the Tye Company. Fischer is purportedly buying the Tye Company for $750,000. He also purchased 3 homes. One in Edmundson, one in Halfway, and another outside of Plainview. Fischer says he and his family will live in one house and "key people", who will be moving here, will live in the others. He said he did not know who those people would be. Fischer said he bought those homes because there were no houses in Lockney that were large enough to fit his needs. He also said his son has 5 horses and he needed acreage for the horses. Fischer said he was the sole proprietor and that he had "no partners". He said none of the money was "coming from the church", and that no one directed him to do this. When asked if he was leaving Hildale because the State of Utah had taken over the United Effort Trust , Fischer said the State was selling off his home. "Utah says they took it because they said assets were being funneled off to the church," said Fischer. "And now the State has funneled off 10 times the assets." In response to an audience question of whether or not his family will be involved in local organizations, Fischer said, "If you see us hoeing weeds--yes we'll be involved. But we like our privacy and we consider many things in our life sacred and private." When asked if his children would go to school in Lockney, Fischer answered that his family is home schooled and also that his children work with him. Fischer was asked if he would abide by the State's child labor laws and home schooling criteria. He replied that he did not know what that criteria was, but that he would abide by the laws. Fischer said his children would "interact" with local children if they chose. When asked how many more FLDS members would be moving to the community, Fischer said he did not know. "I'm not here to pave the way," said Fischer. The question about his life of polygamy was posed to Fischer. He responded by telling his story. "My first two children died after they were born," said Fischer. "I adopted two girls from a family of 9, ages 5 and 7. It always stuck with me seeing their family torn apart. We were able to have our own children but my wife had complications with the last 6 children. After we had a bunch of our own (13), there was another family of 9 children that came up for adoption. After that first experience I thought I'd be a fool if I didn't taken them all. I adopted their mother also. How many of you would have done that? I gave her a place to live. I took care of her needs." When questioned about why the children were up for adoption, Fischer said, "Their father was unfaithful. We are strict about the marriage covenant, morality, and adultery. If a man breaks his vows then he stands the chance of losing his family. It makes me think real hard about being faithful to my wife." Fischer answered that he felt the woman he adopted is he wife before God. "I have 2 ladies," said Fischer. "I have never been with another lady besides the two I have." Fischer said he does not receive government assistance. He said his wives are not on welfare and that he provides for them. Fischer was asked what his views were about the laws of Texas in regards to marriage. He said, "You be the judge." Asked again, "Will the living of your religion be in conflict with the state", Fisher replied, "It sounds like it may--but tell me-do I throw out my family?" "I've lived 52 years of my life in this religion." Fischer bristled over questions concerning his "spiritual leader", Warren Jeffs. He said news accounts about FLDS and Warren Jeffs could not be believed. When asked why Warren Jeffs was in prison, Fischer said, "for his religious beliefs." When pressed as to what Jeffs had been charged with, Fischer refused to answer, except to say, "Is it relative to what we do here?" Fischer became agitated when questioned over the news reports of Jeff's arrest and stated that since he wasn't there (and neither were those in the audience) then there was no way of knowing what really happened. Fischer stated he had 4 sons who do not associate with his religion. He also said he was not in the area to build a "compound". Randy Mankin, editor of the Eldorado "Success" questioned Fischer about his plans. "My community was mislead by FLDS," said Mankin. "I don't feel I've misled anyone," said Fischer. "I've been open with people in local government." I don't feel I can please everybody," said Fischer. "Not everyone will agree with me. Judge me after I've been here awhile. Let me prove myself." Fischer said he was putting everything on the line. "I'm not just here dipping my toe in the water seeing if it is the right temperature. I'm putting everything I have into it." Editors Note: Bruce Wisan, court appointed special fiduciary of the United Effort Plan Trust, took exception to Fischer stating that the state was selling off his house. Wisan said he wants to distribute trust property to trust beneficiaries and is currently transferring titles to people who built their houses. "We are not taking houses," said Wisan. "We have devised a "Spendthrift Trust" where a trust beneficiary and an outside trustee control the trust. A Spendthrift Trust keeps an FLDS member from giving the property back to a religious leader instead of keeping the property within the family members who are beneficiaries. "Sam Fischer could have title to his house (which Fischer valued at $1 million) put into a Spendthrift Trust for a $5,000 transfer fee plus closing cost of $600- $900. "I'd take care of that right away if he would just call me. I'd be very happy to discuss this with Sam Fischer." For more information on the UEP see explanation below, or go to www.ueptrust.com. | |||
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HesperianBeacon.com Originally published May 17, 2007 | |||
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