ROSS TOWNSHIP -- A formal request to the United States to have Fethullah Gulen sent back to turkey was sent out Tuesday.
Gulen has been living here at his retreat facility since the late 90's.
On Wednesday, we spoke to people here in the Saylorsburg area to find out what kind of neighbor he's been.
For people who live in Saylorsburg area, the name Fethullah Gulen doesn't always ring a bell.
The Turkish cleric has lived in the Poconos for more than 15 years but has largely kept to himself inside his retreat facility.
Ross Township Supervisor Howard Beers lives next to the place. Beers said, “He's a good neighbor. They don't bother anyone, they are kind, they bring food around sometimes to the neighbors and I think they would give you the shirt off their backs."
“He's quiet and he's not out in the open with anything,” added Vincent Klinger of Gilbert. “He just stays in the compound."
Recently, the cleric's name has been in the news around the world.
Turkey's president holds Gulen responsible for a failed coup attempt last week.
On Saturday, Gulen sat down with Newswatch 16 and called the accusations ridiculous and irresponsible.
"We have always done our best to mend and improve relations to keep them good but if the source of that problem is rooted in turkey then there is not much more we can do,” said Gulen.
The cleric came to the United States in 1999 to be treated for a heart condition. His doctors advised him to avoid stress.
So rather than return to Turkey, he was granted permanent residency by the U.S. Government in 2006.
Gulen has been living inside the retreat with a group of older students and his doctors for several years.
Beers visits the retreat often, He describes Gulen as a quiet man who reads, writes, and teaches worship.
Gulen was even the first to donate money after the deadly shooting at a Ross Township supervisors meeting in 2013.
Beers added, “He's a nice guy and I have had many conversations with the people at the camp and they promote peace. Instead of fighting about something, you talk about it and that is how you resolve your differences."
Other neighbors say Gulen's staff frequently invites community members over for dinner.
Those who have gone described it as a welcoming experience.
The White House is currently going over the Turkish president's request to extradite Gulen.
In a statement, Gulen urges the U.S. Government to reject the extradition request.
