GDT’s Construction Practices - Skirting Permit Requirements and Regulations?

In this article, we will examine a concerning pattern observed in recent church construction projects, specifically regarding permit compliance. Over the past decade, there has been a surge in construction activities within the Golden Dawn church. These projects include the construction of a new sanctuary auditorium, the conversion of the old sanctuary into a fellowship hall, the development of new elder compound apartments, the construction of a new fellowship hall, and the recent remodeling of the former sanctuary into classrooms. It is important to note that each phase of these projects necessitates permits and adherence to building codes to ensure safety and public welfare. Unfortunately, as highlighted in previous articles, the leadership of Golden Dawn Temple (GDT) has demonstrated a willingness to overlook safety concerns and employ questionable practices in order to minimize expenses. This behavior is largely justified by the church's anti-government stance and the doomsday teachings of Pastor Isaac Noriega.

Listed below are recent findings pertaining to construction activities:

1. In 2014, the church embarked on its most recent auditorium building project, with an estimated at $5.6 million. As part of the permit requirements, the church was obligated to install a wheelchair lift to make the altar accessible to individuals with disabilities. Despite agreeing to include the lift in the plans, it was never installed during the construction process.
2. Additionally, the church appears to have failed to obtain a permit for the installation of a shower in Pastor Isaac Noriega's office. Allegedly, the plumbing for this shower was concealed and the sewer connection hidden during inspections, indicating questionable practices.
3. During the construction of the Elder Residential Compound, GDT leadership claimed that no rent would be charged for the church-owned apartments.
4. In 2021, the church applied for a permit to construct a new fellowship hall, estimated to cost $850,000. However, multiple instances of possible compliance findings with permit requirements were identified during the construction process.
5. Between March and April 2023, the church school extended its spring break period while the old fellowship hall was converted into new classrooms. It appears that this remodeling work was carried out without obtaining the necessary permits according to public records searches. More detailed documentation of these findings can be found below.

Wheelchair Lift - Not Following Through With Approved Plans?

The Church Board of Trustees filed for the new church permit in 2014. The architect hired by the church leadership to represent them during the permitting process was Brian Ramsey, Architect of Record.

Church Permit: T14CM02300

Mr. Ron Brown, a City of Tucson Plans Examiner, required the church provide an accessible route connection from the assembly area directly to the altar.

The response that the church provided via architect Brian Ramsey, was that a portable lift was added to the plans at the front of the altar as shown in the letter below to Mr. Ron Brown.

However, no lift was ever added during the physical construction of the church as shown in the above pictures.

The church even provided the specific type of lite they would install as part of the the building plan update as shown below. They were going to use a Genesis Staage vertical lift, made by the Garaventa Lift company.

Elder Residential Compound - Charging For Rent Despite Saying Otherwise

As mentioned in a previous article, the church has constructed an Elder Residential Compound, intended to provide housing for elderly church members until their passing. In a letter addressed to the Arizona Registrar of Contracts, Isaac Noriega, the pastor of the church, stated that the housing units were neither intended for rent nor for sale. Furthermore, Mike Ramiez, the head trustee, asserted that the housing was strictly temporary. However, multiple reports have emerged that appear to contradict these claims, revealing that certain elderly residents are indeed being charged rent for their accommodations. It has been reported that current residents are pressured to remain silent about the rent payments, as it is believed that Isaac Noriega wishes to keep this information hidden, as it would contradict his earlier statements.

As we previously highlighted in our article on the Elder Residential Compound, it has been reported that some residents either pay rent or provide a "buyout" fee in order to reside in the units. In certain cases, elderly individuals were compelled to sell their homes and surrender the proceeds to the church in order to obtain a duplex unit. The situation is further exacerbated by the strict regulations imposed, including a policy that requires the gates to remain locked at all times. Upon the passing of these residents, their units are promptly vacated and prepared for the next occupant, leaving nothing for their surviving family members. These concerns raise significant questions regarding the sole ownership of the apartments by the church and who is benefiting from these practices.

Duplex Permit: T04CM02033

Circumventing Plumbing Permitting Requirements for Pastor Isaac Noriega's Office?

In another potential instance of questionable conduct, the church is suspected of employing deceitful tactics to bypass the necessary permits for installing a shower in Pastor Noriega's office. Despite lacking official approval for the plumbing work, the church purportedly proceeded with the installation and concealed it in order to evade detection during inspections. A former church trustee, who also happened to be a former City of Tucson employee, stated that once the inspections were completed and passed, the plumbing would be unveiled, and the shower would be installed. However, it remains uncertain whether the shower was ever actually installed, as only a limited number of individuals have access to Isaac Noriega's private office. It is noteworthy that Isaac typically has a deacon stationed nearby to ensure that unauthorized congregants do not enter his office.

Below is a snapshot of the church blueprints depicting Pastor Isaac Noriega's office. While the drawing includes a toilet and a sink, there is no indication of a shower being included.

According to Pima County, fixtures including sinks, toilets, tubs, etc., and sewer connections, do require a permit.

New Fellowship Hall Construction - Failing To Meet Permit Requirements?

The New Fellowship Hall is filed under Development Package DP20-0172 and Commercial Building Permit T21CM09269.

A right of way (ROW) permit TR-ROW-0223-00387 was filed recently for completing the right of way driveways and sidewalks. This permit expired on 04/14/2023 (more on this later).

Scope of work: "Install driveways and sidewalks shown under permit DP-20-0172 on the Elvado Road. Scope of work to to be completed within the project boundaries shown on the approved permit drawings."

The applicant shows up as Caitlin Ripley on the above link, but shows up as Wilson Electric via Rene Aguirre (a church deacon) in the actual form, with Caitlin Ripley listed under barricade company.

A few observations and concerns:

1. Filing Permits Under Wilson Electric's Name: It has come to our attention that Deacon Rene Aguirre of GDT Church has been submitting permits under the name of Wilson Electric, while primarily relying on the church's volunteer workforce to carry out the construction work. This practice may stem from GDT's strict adherence to certain internet regulations, leading them to employ deacons who use their professional positions to gain access and avoid direct contact with the web. It would be worthwhile to investigate whether Wilson Electric is aware of and has approved this arrangement. In an attempt to gather more information, we reached out to Wilson Electric President Todd Klimas and CEO Wes McClure for their input, but unfortunately, they did not respond to our request for comment.
2. Not Having Proper Barricades In Place: We contacted Caitlin Ripley, and she said she had provided barricades to the church for a duration in March per their contracted period. However, this work continued into April, with no barricades contracted from Caitlin's company for the remainder of this work, even though they were required to have barricades in place for this permitted work.
3. Scope of Work Exceeding Permit Expiration Date: The work was observed the work continue past the April 14th expiration date. The GDT church workforce did manage to complete the within a few days past the expiration date.
4. Permit Compliance: There was no traffic control, and the volunteer workforce was double parking on a public street as shown below, causing traffic congestion on Elvado Road. There were also multiple backhoes and tractors in use, blocking traffic, but with no traffic control in place to prevent any potential mishaps or accidents. According to the permit, below are the stipulated requirements that must be abided by during the permitted work being performed.
   • Normal Traffic Control Set-up Times Approved - Traffic Control set-up approved between 7AM - 5PM
   • All trenches and excavations must be barricaded and/or fenced per MUTCD, Part 6 and Additions by the City to the MUTCD, Part 6 standards and guides.
   • When sidewalk closures occur, pedestrian access must be maintained per MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways).

Here is an example of what a compliant traffic control setup looks like according to the MUTCD:

Below is what their traffic control setup looked like. Note that there is no traffic control and no safety barricades, even with large machinery (backhoes, forklifts, bobcats, etc.) encroaching onto the public street, trenches in the sidewalk area, and piles of dirt and gravel in multiple areas blocking the pedestrian right of way.

The leadership team and workers of GDT Church were observed engaging in questionable behavior by deliberately blocking the street, leading to traffic congestion and creating chokepoints. Moreover, they appeared to display a sense of entitlement as if they owned the street. The vehicles depicted in the image below, which are double-parked and obstructing Elvado Road, belong to members of GDT leadership. Such actions flagrantly violate traffic regulations and are illegal.

This is not the first time that GDT leadership has chosen to ignore permitting requirements as documented in one of of our previously articles.

Former Fellowship Hall To School Classroom Conversion - Construction Without Permits?

There are indications that Tabernaculo Emanuel / Golden Dawn Tabernacle church may be conducting construction work without the necessary permit within one of its prominent buildings, known as the former fellowship hall, situated at 301 E Los Reales, Tucson, AZ. Currently, the church is engaged in the permitted construction of a new fellowship hall under permit T21CM09269. However, as they prepare to have a new fellowship hall, they are repurposing the old fellowship hall into church classrooms.

A search on pro.tucsonaz.gov for GDT church parcel 13817047C reveals no permits associated with this particular work. Additionally, according to accounts from current members, the internal remodeling of the building, including the addition of new classrooms, framing, electrical work, and more, is underway.

At this stage, a significant portion of the construction work has been completed. In fact, reports suggest that the church school has recently resumed its regular operations after a two-month hiatus during the construction period. To meet impending deadlines, GDT leadership exerted pressure on its church volunteer workforce to take time off from their regular jobs to contribute to this construction project, even working on Wednesdays (prior to church service) and Fridays.

It is worth highlighting that last year, there were concerns regarding fire inspection safety in this building and the older church classrooms. These concerns were documented under case number_FC565EC911F05.

Summary

The practices and actions of Tabernaculo Emanuel's board of trustees, as described above, raise concerns about their integrity, accountability, and adherence to biblical principles. By disregarding their commitments and obligations, potentially bypassing legal permitting requirements through questionable methods, and failing to meet safety requirements, questions arise regarding the impact on others. Are these actions hindering or harming others? Are the church volunteer force and surrounding residents put at risk due to the lack of compliance with permitting safety measures? Does this reflect a culture of dishonesty within the church leadership? And most importantly, do these actions go against the teachings of scripture?

One relevant scripture that comes to mind is 2 Corinthians 8:21, which states,

"Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men."

The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of honesty, integrity, and avoiding even the appearance of wrongdoing. It is clear that he encourages believers to conduct themselves honorably, not only in the eyes of God but also in the eyes of others. This verse underscores the need for transparency and integrity in all aspects of life, including leadership responsibilities.

Another scripture worth considering is Romans 13:1, which states,

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."

This verse speaks to the concept of submitting to governing authorities, recognizing that they have been established by God. It implies the importance of adhering to legal requirements and regulations, respecting the authority of those in power.

Based on the actions described above, it appears that the church leadership, including Pastor Isaac Noriega, the board of trustees, and the deacon board, may be failing to comply with these scriptures. Their actions raise questions about their adherence to biblical principles and the overall consistency of their ministry. If there is hypocrisy in evading biblical requirements when it is convenient, it becomes a valid inquiry as to why one would choose to follow a ministry that exhibits such behavior.

Ultimately, individuals must reflect on these issues, seek guidance, and make personal decisions based on their own spiritual discernment and convictions.

Reference Documents

For reference, the permit approval record and part of the church blueprints are shown below.

All of the newest church permit and construction documentation, including the church blueprint drawings, can be found here: T14CM02300

All of the new church fellowship hall permit and construction documentation, including the blueprint drawings, can be found here: T21CM09269.

Do you have any information you'd like to share about Golden Dawn Tabernacle / Tabernaculo Emanuel? Feel free to comment below, or you can contact us directly at our Contact Us page or via our social media accounts below.

Archived Comments#

3 comment(s) imported from the original site:

Saved By Grace — May 13, 2023#

So basically what we’ve all known…Isaac is above the law and he always justifies his lies..especially when he says “God revealed “ it to him (cause then you can’t question it) …he lies to the government what makes you think he doesn’t lie to you.. “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9

Anonymous again — May 15, 2023#

Satisfying to see evidence of their lies. Noriega has built for himself and his congregation a culture of lies. He lies to the government, He lies to the congregation, resulting in the congregation lying to each other. Does God lie? No he does not. Satan is the father of lies. Noriega lies and harms in the name of God. I pray that God opens the eyes of the congregants He has torn your families apart. He takes your tithes. He has taken any human right away from you. He lies and he plays God.

Santos — May 15, 2023#

It is eye opening. That is the reason why many business owners within the church commit fraud and illegal missreportings to the IRS and other government entities. They live in an environment where this is acceptable if it benefits their bottom line.
I have witnessed where huge personal homes are built and written off as business expenses. I’ve seen business owners under report salaries so their church employees reap the benefits of government assistance.