An internet search has produced some bad news for and about the Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition, which has been in turmoil since its chair Valerie Griffin announced at a Planning
Commission review of the Miramar Hotel’s proposed expansion that Wilmont, in whose neighborhood the Miramar is located, was an enthusiastic supporter of the expansion.

At the hearing, a Wilmont member subsequently challenged Griffin’s statement, noting that the board and Griffin had manipulated the membership in order to win the Coalition’s alleged support for the project, that many members opposed the Miramar expansion and that the group’s vice chair, Albin Gielicz, was one of four co-chairs of “Friends of the Miramar.”

The schism in Wilmont quickly grew irreparable, and a group of members ran for seats on the board, but Griffin and some of the old board members refused to acknowledge the dissidents’ presence (see earlier stories below), much less their election to the board Late last week, she announced she was, in effect, expelling the dissidents.

Meanwhile, Guidestar.org, a website devoted to transparency in non-profits and the growth of philanthropy, turned up the following information on the Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition.

“This organization’s exempt status was automatically revoked by the IRS for failure to file a Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-N, or 990-PF for 3 consecutive years. Further investigation and due diligence is warranted.”

It would seem the dissident Wilmont members agree with the IRS and Guidestar that “further investigation and due diligence” are not simply warranted, but vital. And they will meet Monday night, after all.