Sunday, May 7, 2017
Friday, May 5, 2017
Scientology takes it out on downtown Clearwater businesses
http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/scientologys-uniformed-sea-org-staff-clearly-absent-from-downtown/2322777
"Mayor George Cretekos said he is not aware of any city official asking church leaders to discontinue uniforms but said the impact the Sea Org's visual presence has on downtown's vibe has been discussed over the years.
Cretekos said visitors who are not familiar with the religious garb 'think it is a military presence' in Clearwater. He said it would be unfortunate if the church has instructed parishioners to avoid downtown to make a statement to city officials.
'This is not a good way of building bridges,' Cretekos said."
So Scientology is still very angry about not getting the piece of land they desperately needed for a swimming pool. They'll probably be lashing out at the city for a while to come.
"Mayor George Cretekos said he is not aware of any city official asking church leaders to discontinue uniforms but said the impact the Sea Org's visual presence has on downtown's vibe has been discussed over the years.
Cretekos said visitors who are not familiar with the religious garb 'think it is a military presence' in Clearwater. He said it would be unfortunate if the church has instructed parishioners to avoid downtown to make a statement to city officials.
'This is not a good way of building bridges,' Cretekos said."
So Scientology is still very angry about not getting the piece of land they desperately needed for a swimming pool. They'll probably be lashing out at the city for a while to come.
Friday, April 21, 2017
Doreen Caudell explains why she's voting to purchase
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."
"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."
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?
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