Samuel Fischer responds to critics
 
By Richard Orr
Plainveiw Daily Herald - Plainview, Texas
 
LOCKNEY — More than 100 people crowded into the Lockney Community Center early Friday night to hear fundamentalist Mormon businessman Samuel Fischer from Hildale, Utah, explain the reasons behind his controversial move to buy the old Tye farm implement building in Lockney and turn it into a modular and custom-built cabinet factory.

In describing himself to the largely-respectful crowd, the softspoken 52-year-old Fischer interjected bits of humor in his presentation and said he's a "tool-a-holic" who enjoys woodworking and who wants to engage in "a joint effort" with local residents "that will work for both of us."

Responding to widespread criticism of the secretive Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints male-dominated church with which he's associated, Fischer suggested that negative stories about the group were generated by the news media and said, "If you look for good, you'll find it. If you look for bad, you'll find it."

Although he feels God directed him to this area by way of an ice storm he encountered near Amarillo this past winter, "I'm not here to convert anyone. That's not my purpose. Everyone is free to worship as they see fit. Four of my own sons don't support my religion. Two of my outside salesmen are not of my religion."

Fischer, who said he's run several businesses in Utah, answered numerous written questions from the audience. At times, he seemed forthcoming. Other times, the answers appeared evasive — as when he initially said he didn't know who would move into two of the three rather expensive homes he's purchased in Plainview.

One woman said it made no sense to her why someone would buy houses without knowing who would occupy them. He replied by saying they're for his family and "other key people" he might have move here.

Another spectator privately referred to Fischer as a "master of obfuscation and contradiction."

Responding to other questions, Fischer said his business is not owned by the church; that he'll hire local people, including minorities; that benefits are "to be worked out"; that pay will be such to keep good help working for him; that he's looking for housing in Lockney; that his children will be home-schooled and also will work in the cabinet shop; that he'll use local doctors and medical facilities; and that he's "giving up a million-dollar home" in Hildale.

Asked if he was leaving Hildale because the State of Utah assumed control of the FLDS United Trust Fund — the church's financial arm — following a number of complaints and lawsuits over how the fund was run, Fischer said, "Draw your own conclusions."

When another member of the audience asked him to give a more definitive answer, he admitted it was why he was leaving. "Yes," he said.

Asked about his family, Fischer said he and his "lady" married in their late teens, had 13 children and that he "adopted" another woman and her 11 children after her husband became abusive toward her. He referred to both women as his "ladies" instead of wives — apparently because bigamy is illegal under secular law.

According to a May 10 column by Alice Gilroy in the Floyd County Hesperian-Beacon, Fischer said he didn't practice polygamy, he "lived it."

He went on to say Friday night that the cabinets will be sold to contractors and individual homeowners; that his family is not on welfare; that he has never been to the walled FLDS compound south of San Angelo at Eldorado; that outside of donations, his money doesn't go to the church; that he pays taxes; doesn't have tax-exempt status: and contrary to one question, does indeed use banks, writes checks and that not all of his transactions are made in cash.

"It's sink or swim for me here," he said. "Like you, we want our privacy. A lot of things are considered sacred and private. I hope our present controversial presence will be gone after tonight. Judge me for what I am, not what you read in the paper. Judge me after I've been here a while. Give me a chance. If I'm not real, you'll find out soon enough."

Fischer said he's not sure when the plant will be ready to open.

(Contact Richard Orr at royko@sptc.net)
 
MyPlainview.com
Originally published May 13, 2007
 
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