http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/column-clearwater-should-buy-downtown-aquarium-property/2320741
"That, fundamentally, is the reason I declined the Church of
Scientology's request for an individual private meeting. The development
of their retail strategy included no opportunities for the public to
express their desires for the plan. How can I support a plan which
shunned public involvement? The people of the City of Clearwater elect
me, and I intend to represent their concerns.
That is why we will vote Thursday to purchase the Clearwater Marine
Aquarium parcel just south of City Hall. Imagine Clearwater, a
prototypical example of the community based development approach,
encourages City Council to facilitate energy and activation along
Osceola Avenue."
Friday, April 21, 2017
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Clearwater council votes 5-0 to purchase aquarium property
http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/live-clearwater-city-council-set-to-vote-on-land-coveted-by-the-church-of/2321083
"CLEARWATER — The City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to buy a vacant but high-profile downtown lot from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, intercepting a crucial piece of land the Church of Scientology said it needed for its campus.
A packed auditorium at City Hall greeted the 5-0 decision with applause.
Scientology leader David Miscavige had offered to bankroll a multi-million dollar revitalization of downtown if the city stepped aside and allowed the church to buy the lot, which borders its 13-story Oak Cove religious retreat. He pitched the idea last week to a select group of downtown stakeholders with help from Scientology celebrities like John Travolta, and was willing to pay more than three times what the city was offering."
This is a wise move by the city. I hope it is the beginning of the city standing up to Scientology's attempts to gradually take over the community.
"CLEARWATER — The City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to buy a vacant but high-profile downtown lot from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, intercepting a crucial piece of land the Church of Scientology said it needed for its campus.
A packed auditorium at City Hall greeted the 5-0 decision with applause.
Scientology leader David Miscavige had offered to bankroll a multi-million dollar revitalization of downtown if the city stepped aside and allowed the church to buy the lot, which borders its 13-story Oak Cove religious retreat. He pitched the idea last week to a select group of downtown stakeholders with help from Scientology celebrities like John Travolta, and was willing to pay more than three times what the city was offering."
This is a wise move by the city. I hope it is the beginning of the city standing up to Scientology's attempts to gradually take over the community.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Ratcheting up the pressure before the big vote
http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/scientologists-and-others-step-up-the-pressure-as-clearwater-nears-vote-on/2320632
"CLEARWATER — The $19 million Skyview condo being built downtown with a penthouse for actor Tom Cruise could be the last investment developer Cleman Agami ever makes in the city.
That will be one of the consequences if the City Council votes Thursday to buy a 1.4 acre vacant lot the Church of Scientology also is lobbying to purchase, Agami warned in an email to City Council member Bill Jonson.
By buying the Pierce Street property, the city would be sabotaging' over $60 million in hard cash investments' from the church, Agami, a Scientologist, wrote, referring to a proposal by church leader David Miscavige to bankroll a retail and entertainment overhaul in downtown, provided he gets control of the waterfront parcel."
Even if the city bends to Scientology's will, it will most likely take 20 years to finish downtown redevelopment, if Scientology goes by their usual snail pace. Consider that it took 13 years to build their own Super Power building in Clearwater.
"CLEARWATER — The $19 million Skyview condo being built downtown with a penthouse for actor Tom Cruise could be the last investment developer Cleman Agami ever makes in the city.
That will be one of the consequences if the City Council votes Thursday to buy a 1.4 acre vacant lot the Church of Scientology also is lobbying to purchase, Agami warned in an email to City Council member Bill Jonson.
By buying the Pierce Street property, the city would be sabotaging' over $60 million in hard cash investments' from the church, Agami, a Scientologist, wrote, referring to a proposal by church leader David Miscavige to bankroll a retail and entertainment overhaul in downtown, provided he gets control of the waterfront parcel."
Even if the city bends to Scientology's will, it will most likely take 20 years to finish downtown redevelopment, if Scientology goes by their usual snail pace. Consider that it took 13 years to build their own Super Power building in Clearwater.
Sunday, April 16, 2017
A current example of how slowly Scientology does construction projects
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/property/work-begun-church-scientology-headquarters-12885970
"Building work has begun to turn a historic building in Moseley into the main Church of Scientology in Birmingham.
In 2007, Pitmaston House was bought by the Church for £4,200,000.
Ten years later, renovations have finally begun to transform the property into a place of worship for the often controversial religion.
Graeme Wilson, the Church of Scientology’s UK-based public affairs director, commented that 'We are indeed very pleased to announce that are now moving forward with the construction of our new Church of Scientology in Birmingham.
'This is a major step forward and our intention is to complete this new Church of Scientology in the coming year.'“
This is typical of Scientology construction; long delays in starting, long delays in finishing. Just remember Clearwater's own Super Power Building took 13 years to complete. So how long would it take them to renovate downtown Clearwater? What would happen if it took 20 years?
"Building work has begun to turn a historic building in Moseley into the main Church of Scientology in Birmingham.
In 2007, Pitmaston House was bought by the Church for £4,200,000.
Ten years later, renovations have finally begun to transform the property into a place of worship for the often controversial religion.
Graeme Wilson, the Church of Scientology’s UK-based public affairs director, commented that 'We are indeed very pleased to announce that are now moving forward with the construction of our new Church of Scientology in Birmingham.
'This is a major step forward and our intention is to complete this new Church of Scientology in the coming year.'“
This is typical of Scientology construction; long delays in starting, long delays in finishing. Just remember Clearwater's own Super Power Building took 13 years to complete. So how long would it take them to renovate downtown Clearwater? What would happen if it took 20 years?
Saturday, April 15, 2017
The economic impact of Scientology on Clearwater
http://tonyortega.org/2017/04/15/scientology-is-no-1-with-no-2-or-how-the-church-of-david-miscavige-stinks-up-clearwater/
"One of the ways that Scientology tries to sway locals (and it appears to be working, judging by our conversation with one local business owner, Leif Oskarsson), is by claiming that, against all visual evidence to the contrary, the church is actually a boon to the local economy and the tax-exempt organization still somehow pays more property taxes than anyone.
Well, we’re not so sure about that. We had a look at the city of Clearwater’s latest financial report, for the year 2014-2015, and it lists the top ten property tax payers in town. Here they are:"
* * *
There is a large percentage of Scientology property that is tax exempt for religious reasons. Also, Scientology has its own hotels, restaurants, and things to occupy it's "parishioners." There is little reason for Scientologists visiting Clearwater to ever step into a non-Scientologist business.
"One of the ways that Scientology tries to sway locals (and it appears to be working, judging by our conversation with one local business owner, Leif Oskarsson), is by claiming that, against all visual evidence to the contrary, the church is actually a boon to the local economy and the tax-exempt organization still somehow pays more property taxes than anyone.
Well, we’re not so sure about that. We had a look at the city of Clearwater’s latest financial report, for the year 2014-2015, and it lists the top ten property tax payers in town. Here they are:"
There is a large percentage of Scientology property that is tax exempt for religious reasons. Also, Scientology has its own hotels, restaurants, and things to occupy it's "parishioners." There is little reason for Scientologists visiting Clearwater to ever step into a non-Scientologist business.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Miscavige pushes downtown idea on businesses
http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/scientology-leader-david-miscavige-presents-clearwater-retail-plan-to/2320033
"Once they were seated in the adjoining ballroom in assigned chairs, Scientology leader David Miscavige stood before them pitching his vision for downtown with graphic renderings, a video and a nearly two-hour speech. He described the Church of Scientology's plan to revitalize downtown by paying for a total renovation of Cleveland Street's facade and using heavy-hitting consultants to recruit high-end retailers and businesses to fill vacant storefronts.
Miscavige didn't come out and say it, but according to guests, he made it clear there was a catch: The fate of this proposal hinges on the church's ability to buy a 1.4-acre vacant property the city is poised to purchase next week."
Remember how long it took to build Scientology's Super Power building in Clearwater? 13 years. Consider any of Scientology's "Ideal org" projects around that world and how long it takes them to complete any such project.
How long do you think it would take to rebuild downtown Clearwater? And how do you put Scientology's feet to the fire to keep the project on track? This is the biggest question that must be answered if Clearwater decided to let Scientology take over downtown.
"Once they were seated in the adjoining ballroom in assigned chairs, Scientology leader David Miscavige stood before them pitching his vision for downtown with graphic renderings, a video and a nearly two-hour speech. He described the Church of Scientology's plan to revitalize downtown by paying for a total renovation of Cleveland Street's facade and using heavy-hitting consultants to recruit high-end retailers and businesses to fill vacant storefronts.
Miscavige didn't come out and say it, but according to guests, he made it clear there was a catch: The fate of this proposal hinges on the church's ability to buy a 1.4-acre vacant property the city is poised to purchase next week."
Remember how long it took to build Scientology's Super Power building in Clearwater? 13 years. Consider any of Scientology's "Ideal org" projects around that world and how long it takes them to complete any such project.
How long do you think it would take to rebuild downtown Clearwater? And how do you put Scientology's feet to the fire to keep the project on track? This is the biggest question that must be answered if Clearwater decided to let Scientology take over downtown.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Scientology REALLY, REALLY wants that piece of land
http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/church-of-scientology-ups-bid-for-clearwater-marine-aquarium-land-to-15/2319396
"CLEARWATER —The Church of Scientology has offered the Clearwater Marine Aquarium nearly four times what the city is scheduled to vote on paying later this month for a vacant downtown property.
The church offered the aquarium $15 million for the 1.4 acre lot, Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw confirmed, far exceeding the $4.25 million deal the city will decide on closing April 20.
It is the second time in three weeks Scientology leader David Miscavige has tried to outbid the city — aquarium officials passed on a $12.5 million offer the church made March 11, opting not to sell before the city has a chance to vote.
Aquarium CEO David Yates said Thursday the nonprofit is committed to selling to the city, and no outside offer, no matter the amount, has changed that."
So you think Scientology really wants that property? I wonder why it's so important to them? So they can make it useful for all citizens of Clearwater? No, I didn't think so either.
"CLEARWATER —The Church of Scientology has offered the Clearwater Marine Aquarium nearly four times what the city is scheduled to vote on paying later this month for a vacant downtown property.
The church offered the aquarium $15 million for the 1.4 acre lot, Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw confirmed, far exceeding the $4.25 million deal the city will decide on closing April 20.
It is the second time in three weeks Scientology leader David Miscavige has tried to outbid the city — aquarium officials passed on a $12.5 million offer the church made March 11, opting not to sell before the city has a chance to vote.
Aquarium CEO David Yates said Thursday the nonprofit is committed to selling to the city, and no outside offer, no matter the amount, has changed that."
So you think Scientology really wants that property? I wonder why it's so important to them? So they can make it useful for all citizens of Clearwater? No, I didn't think so either.
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