Edward Peruta
Regular Member
Last fall prior to going to California I attended a CCDL meeting and made inquiries regarding the purpose and goals of the organization. I believed at the time and currently believe that the 1,500 plus members who have signed up to be counted should have some idea about exactly what the Connecticut Citizens Defense League plans for it's future.
To anyone who cares,
It is my understanding that I have a letter awaiting my return to CT. from Northern Virgina where the CCDL is refusing to answer my questions with claims that they are a private organization together with the fact that my request is "MOOT" because I stated my intention to resign over the lack of information and the way my request was handled by the Vice President of CCDL at the meeting.
I will be posting the complete response upon my return to CT.
I am and will remain an fervent supporter of Consitutional Rights and the Constitutions of The State of Connecticut and the Federal Government.
I am particularly supportive of Second Amendment rights!
What I couldn't understand when I began to ask questions and cannot understand as I type this post is why the leadership of CCDL claims to have a membership of 1,500 plus individuals without any accountablilty to same or way to find out exactly what the membership needs or desires.
I only hope that this message is received by those that remain supporters of CCDL so that they may make similar requests as members.
I beleive that any organization that touts their membership numbers should have a pretty good idea on what the members think.
More on this topic will follow.
Ed Peruta
This is the string of emails that explain what has happened:
From: CCDL President [mailtoresident@ccdl.us]
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2011 11:56 AM
To: Edward Peruta
Cc: redacted
Subject: RE: Follow-up to my formal request for answers to questions etc.
Good afternoon Ed,
a response to the questions you have submitted is in the mail.
Best Regards,
Scott Wilson Sr.
President
CCDL, Inc.
www.ccdl.us
From: Edward Peruta [mailto:edperuta@amcable.tv]
Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2011 1:21 PM
To: 'President@ccdl.us'; 'romma1@yahoo.com'
Cc: redacted
Subject: Follow-up to my formal request for answers to questions etc.
Scott,
It has been 10 days since I sent this formal request for information and questions, and I have as of this date, not received a reply or acknowledgment of the email.
Given the fact that it is summer and many individuals are on vacation I have remained hopeful that a response will be forthcoming soon.
I am therefore again submitting the formal request and asking the an acknowledgment be sent to me that it has been received.
I am fully prepared to understand any reasonable delay in responding, but believe CCDL should at least acknowledge and respond in a timely manner.
We may also find time, (should I attend), to discuss my request and questions at the picnic scheduled on August 27[SUP]th[/SUP].
If for any reason the Connecticut Citizen’s Defense League though its officers and executive board chooses to ignore my request or not respond, I will also understand.
As you must know, I believe in transparency in government and the organization I support, and know full well that CCDL is not a public agency and may choose their course of action regardless of my formal request.
Respectfully,
Edward A. Peruta
860-978-5455
_____________________________________________
From: Edward Peruta [mailto:edperuta@amcable.tv]
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 10:32 AM
To: 'President@ccdl.us'; 'romma1@yahoo.com
Cc: 'secretary@ccdl.us'
Subject: Formal request for answers to questions etc.
CCDL, Inc.
P.O. Box 642
Groton, CT 06340
Attn: President Scott Wilson - Connecticut Citizen’s Defense League
Secretary - Connecticut Citizen’s Defense League
Executive Board Members of the Connecticut Citizen’s Defense League
Re: Individual member’s formal written request for information
Scott,
Over the past several years I have advocated membership in, support of, and contribution to the Connecticut Citizen’s Defense League under what may be a misconception of the organizations goals and planned involvement with firearm issues in Connecticut.
Due to the comments made to me, and a question asked of me at a meeting about my planned votes for candidates in the November 2010 election by CCDL Vice President Lenny Benedetto along with other statements and interactions at meetings, I am compelled to put my questions in writing.
In order to more properly understand the goals and workings of the Connecticut Citizens Defense league, I have as a member of CCDL on several occasions privately and at meetings, requested information on specific topics.
As of this date, I have not received any information specific to my requests.
Therefore I am making my inquiries for the record in writing.
I also ask that this letter be read into the record of the next meeting of CCDL and meeting of the Executive Board so that it may be reflected in the official minutes of CCDL.
If possible, please provide me with answers to the following questions and place same on a meeting agenda in the near future for discussion.
1. What specifically prohibits the Connecticut Citizens Defense League, (CCDL), from making one or more monetary payments/contributions to support Second Amendment related civil litigation?
2. Are financial contributions to support litigation prohibited if in fact the litigation being supported clearly benefits the goals of the group and membership?
3. Are funds donated to CCDL Tax Deductible to the person making the donation?
4. Does CCDL separate funds donated for specific reasons?
5. Is CCDL obligated to pay taxes on funds donated by individuals?
6. Would expenditures by CCDL in support of legal issues/cases which benefit the CCDL membership be deductible to CCDL against any tax obligation owed by CCDL?
7. Are individuals offered any type of confidentiality regarding their contact information when joining the Connecticut Citizen’s Defense League?
8. What are the current policies of CCDL regarding requests by individual members to distribute Second Amendment related information or requests for support to the general membership though the CCDL email system?
9. Are the CCDL Corporate documents and by-laws available to the members?
10. Are the financial records of CCDL open to examination by members?
As a member of CCDL, please provide access to the following information regarding the organization.
1. A current copy of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League’s corporate documents, together with any by-laws and/or policies regarding the organization.
2. The CCDL policies and procedures which address the receipt and expenditure of dues, donations and funds received through the sale or raffling of items by the group.
2. A complete accounting of all revenue received and expenditures made since the date of Incorporation. This request is specific to the actual sources of any revenue received together with the specific expenditures made by check or cash.
3. The agendas and minutes of all executive board meetings held since the date of incorporation.
4. A complete list of the other members of CCDL.
5. The status of any requests to have CCDL recognized as a Not for Profit organization.
6. Any legal opinions regarding limitations on the involvement of CCDL in various activities.
Respectfully,
Edward A. Peruta
38 Parish Road
Rocky Hill, CT. 06067
860-978-5455
edperuta@amcable.tv
To anyone who cares,
It is my understanding that I have a letter awaiting my return to CT. from Northern Virgina where the CCDL is refusing to answer my questions with claims that they are a private organization together with the fact that my request is "MOOT" because I stated my intention to resign over the lack of information and the way my request was handled by the Vice President of CCDL at the meeting.
I will be posting the complete response upon my return to CT.
I am and will remain an fervent supporter of Consitutional Rights and the Constitutions of The State of Connecticut and the Federal Government.
I am particularly supportive of Second Amendment rights!
What I couldn't understand when I began to ask questions and cannot understand as I type this post is why the leadership of CCDL claims to have a membership of 1,500 plus individuals without any accountablilty to same or way to find out exactly what the membership needs or desires.
I only hope that this message is received by those that remain supporters of CCDL so that they may make similar requests as members.
I beleive that any organization that touts their membership numbers should have a pretty good idea on what the members think.
More on this topic will follow.
Ed Peruta
This is the string of emails that explain what has happened:
From: CCDL President [mailtoresident@ccdl.us]
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2011 11:56 AM
To: Edward Peruta
Cc: redacted
Subject: RE: Follow-up to my formal request for answers to questions etc.
Good afternoon Ed,
a response to the questions you have submitted is in the mail.
Best Regards,
Scott Wilson Sr.
President
CCDL, Inc.
www.ccdl.us
From: Edward Peruta [mailto:edperuta@amcable.tv]
Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2011 1:21 PM
To: 'President@ccdl.us'; 'romma1@yahoo.com'
Cc: redacted
Subject: Follow-up to my formal request for answers to questions etc.
Scott,
It has been 10 days since I sent this formal request for information and questions, and I have as of this date, not received a reply or acknowledgment of the email.
Given the fact that it is summer and many individuals are on vacation I have remained hopeful that a response will be forthcoming soon.
I am therefore again submitting the formal request and asking the an acknowledgment be sent to me that it has been received.
I am fully prepared to understand any reasonable delay in responding, but believe CCDL should at least acknowledge and respond in a timely manner.
We may also find time, (should I attend), to discuss my request and questions at the picnic scheduled on August 27[SUP]th[/SUP].
If for any reason the Connecticut Citizen’s Defense League though its officers and executive board chooses to ignore my request or not respond, I will also understand.
As you must know, I believe in transparency in government and the organization I support, and know full well that CCDL is not a public agency and may choose their course of action regardless of my formal request.
Respectfully,
Edward A. Peruta
860-978-5455
_____________________________________________
From: Edward Peruta [mailto:edperuta@amcable.tv]
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 10:32 AM
To: 'President@ccdl.us'; 'romma1@yahoo.com
Cc: 'secretary@ccdl.us'
Subject: Formal request for answers to questions etc.
CCDL, Inc.
P.O. Box 642
Groton, CT 06340
Attn: President Scott Wilson - Connecticut Citizen’s Defense League
Secretary - Connecticut Citizen’s Defense League
Executive Board Members of the Connecticut Citizen’s Defense League
Re: Individual member’s formal written request for information
Scott,
Over the past several years I have advocated membership in, support of, and contribution to the Connecticut Citizen’s Defense League under what may be a misconception of the organizations goals and planned involvement with firearm issues in Connecticut.
Due to the comments made to me, and a question asked of me at a meeting about my planned votes for candidates in the November 2010 election by CCDL Vice President Lenny Benedetto along with other statements and interactions at meetings, I am compelled to put my questions in writing.
In order to more properly understand the goals and workings of the Connecticut Citizens Defense league, I have as a member of CCDL on several occasions privately and at meetings, requested information on specific topics.
As of this date, I have not received any information specific to my requests.
Therefore I am making my inquiries for the record in writing.
I also ask that this letter be read into the record of the next meeting of CCDL and meeting of the Executive Board so that it may be reflected in the official minutes of CCDL.
If possible, please provide me with answers to the following questions and place same on a meeting agenda in the near future for discussion.
1. What specifically prohibits the Connecticut Citizens Defense League, (CCDL), from making one or more monetary payments/contributions to support Second Amendment related civil litigation?
2. Are financial contributions to support litigation prohibited if in fact the litigation being supported clearly benefits the goals of the group and membership?
3. Are funds donated to CCDL Tax Deductible to the person making the donation?
4. Does CCDL separate funds donated for specific reasons?
5. Is CCDL obligated to pay taxes on funds donated by individuals?
6. Would expenditures by CCDL in support of legal issues/cases which benefit the CCDL membership be deductible to CCDL against any tax obligation owed by CCDL?
7. Are individuals offered any type of confidentiality regarding their contact information when joining the Connecticut Citizen’s Defense League?
8. What are the current policies of CCDL regarding requests by individual members to distribute Second Amendment related information or requests for support to the general membership though the CCDL email system?
9. Are the CCDL Corporate documents and by-laws available to the members?
10. Are the financial records of CCDL open to examination by members?
As a member of CCDL, please provide access to the following information regarding the organization.
1. A current copy of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League’s corporate documents, together with any by-laws and/or policies regarding the organization.
2. The CCDL policies and procedures which address the receipt and expenditure of dues, donations and funds received through the sale or raffling of items by the group.
2. A complete accounting of all revenue received and expenditures made since the date of Incorporation. This request is specific to the actual sources of any revenue received together with the specific expenditures made by check or cash.
3. The agendas and minutes of all executive board meetings held since the date of incorporation.
4. A complete list of the other members of CCDL.
5. The status of any requests to have CCDL recognized as a Not for Profit organization.
6. Any legal opinions regarding limitations on the involvement of CCDL in various activities.
Respectfully,
Edward A. Peruta
38 Parish Road
Rocky Hill, CT. 06067
860-978-5455
edperuta@amcable.tv