Letter of Protest and Request for New Elections to Metropolitan Isaiah

Moderator's Note: This letter was sent within 72 hours of the parish council elections in December, priority overnight, with signature required, to Metropolitan Isaiah at the Metropolis of Denver's address. Another copy was given to the chairman of the election committee; a third went to Bishop Savas. No response was ever received, nor were the principals ever contacted.

1 December 2007

PROTEST AND REQUEST FOR NEW ELECTIONS

To: Metropolitan Isaiah
Metropolis of Denver

4550 East Alameda Ave.
Denver, CO 80246

From: Constantine “Gus” J. Colessides

CC: Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Bishop Savas of Troas
The Chairman of the Election Committee of
The Greek Orthodox Community of Greater Salt Lake City

RE: Unjust Barring of Nominated Parishioners for Parish Council Elections

I hereby protest my unjust barring as qualified parishioner who was prevented from running for the Parish Council of our Community. I was declared ineligible on specious grounds, and false, unsubstantiated claims.

Further, the chairman of the election committee was the first to notify me. I believe that the use of the election committee for this purpose is completely inappropriate. The election committee is assigned to set up and oversee the election process, not rule or inform nominees as to their eligibility status. The proistamenoi need to take this task upon themselves and not delegate it inappropriately.

I am in fact an eligible and qualified candidate. I have been arbitrarily and unjustly barred – based upon accusations that are unfounded and untrue. I have been forced to adhere to a standard that has never been heretofore required from other nominees. As such, I request that this election be declared null and void and that new elections be held with my name, and that of other qualified candidates also unjustly barred, on the ballot.

Respectfully,

{signature}

Constantine “Gus” J. Colessides