You may have read or seen others commenting on this recent article by Tracey McManus.
Clearwater City Council candidates mum on Scientology’s impact downtown
I found the article fascinating (I have included the full text of it below) for a number of reasons.
First, EVERYONE in Clearwater knows exactly what the biggest problem facing Clearwater is. The downtown is dead. While neighboring Dunedin, Safety Harbor and even St. Petersburg are flourishing and prospering, Clearwater languishes in the empty storefront doldrums.
Yet Clearwater has greater potential for its downtown than any other city around — it sits on a bluff overlooking the Intracoastal waterway, it is home to one of the best beaches in the world and has a beautiful marina and a large park. What could possibly be wrong? Of course, it’s also the international spiritual headquarters of an infamous cult. It’s the single difference between Clearwater and the other flourishing cities that surround it. Scientology is the elephant in the room that isn’t just sitting in the corner. It rampages around, squashing things in its sight and dropping large helpings of dung that stink the place up. People in Clearwater venture downtown with trepidation, if not fear, holding their noses and looking over their shoulders.
The ONLY people that try hard to avoid mentioning this are the Clearwater City Government. They have chronic fear of elephants, even the imaginary ones it seems.
Thus you have a comedy of silly responses to the simple question of the biggest problem facing downtown. Scientology is alluded to as “they” — as if by not speaking their name “they” may not know they are being referred to. Seriously? The only reason you can refer to them by “they” (like some aliens that landed in the midst of normal people) is that EVERYONE understands who “they” is.
Or the politicians claim “they don’t know much about them.” Wow, that’s really reassuring. The biggest property owner in Clearwater and the person running for City Commission says he doesn’t know much about them? Like someone running for government in Gainesville saying they don’t know much about the University of Florida (“Gators”? What gators?)
But perhaps the most naive and foolish comments were the typical politician’s fallback: “We need to figure a way to co-exist with them and figure out a way to work with them in the future…” and “We need cooperation with each other…”
What will it take for these people to learn that scientology ONLY does what is beneficial for scientology? Surely the Aquarium incident made that clear. When things don’t go the way scientology wants, suddenly the smiles turn to threats and radio silence ensues. Scientology has ALWAYS been about what is best for them and that will NEVER change. No matter how they try to gild that turd with PR statements, their self interest trumps the interests of the community.
In simple terms, what is scientology’s view of what is best for them? Nobody OTHER than scientologists in downtown Clearwater. They do not want nosy “wogs” around. They didn’t want anyone across the street from the Ft Harrison and next door to the Oak Cove so they fought hard and dirty trying to strong arm the purchase of that piece of land. They could never give the real reason, so they made up a story about needing to build a swimming pool and playground. What a joke. There is an underutilized pool right in the Ft Harrison, another one in the Sandcastle, and if they really felt the need for an additional pool for the Oak Cove they could have installed one in the land they already own directly across the street which is empty space (part of the “protective perimeter). This “perimeter” mentality is the same thing they have done at the international management headquarters at Gilman Hot Springs. Buying every property adjoining their original land and then bulldozing the buildings to create an empty perimeter “moat” around the property.
When are the elected officials in Clearwater going to start realizing that they do not need to fear scientology? The truth is they have little political weight to throw around. They do NOT have a huge block of voters. The fact is, any politician who stood up and told it like it is — something that EVERY citizen of Clearwater knows — would be overwhelmingly supported. Scientology acts like a bully, but they don’t have anything backing their machismo.
But back in the 70’s, the City DID try to curtail scientology’s activities with the ill-advised Charitable Solicitation Ordinance. Scientology sued and eventually prevailed in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the city had to pay scientology’s attorney’s fees. It seems they are still smarting and have been intimidated into submission. They need to realize the world is a very different place today. They need to get smart and figure out how to prevent scientology from continuing to eat up the downtown, buying every property they can get their hands on.
It’s not an easy problem to solve. But until the elected officials of Clearwater can tell it like it is, there is no hope. The first step is being willing to speak about the problem — only then is there a hope that any ACTION could be taken.
A word of advice — no need to worry about pissing off Miscavige or Ben Shaw. They ALREADY think you are contemptible wogs. They only pretend to have even a modicum of decorum in public. Behind closed doors they laugh at you.
And speaking of Ben Shaw, the funniest comment of all was: “the church is not involved with or interested in local politics and elections.”
Does he think anyone buys this? It’s a total lie. They maintain a PR front of “not telling people who to vote for.” Even that is a lie. All they need do is figure out which candidate they think will be favorable to them and pass around the word that any opposing candidates “favor psych drugs” and that is as good as an order “Vote for X.” This happens ALL THE TIME.
The article also mentions Mary Repper. She was HIRED to generate political influence. She ran election campaigns for various politicians in the Tampa Bay Area and was personally courted by David Miscavige (along with Tom DeVocht and me) to bring her on board for that exact reason. The original purpose for hiring the Johnson Pope lawfirm (specifically Ed Armstrong) in downtown Clearwater because of their political lines and allies in the city. Armstrong is at another firm now (Hill Ward Henderson) but still represents scientology. And now his protege Katie Cole is the Chair of the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce. Scientology knows they have to be careful about not violating IRS rules, but these are easy to circumvent. There are also “public” scientologists like Joanie Sigal who coordinate with the Office of Special Affairs and work to infiltrate the local political machinery.
Clearwater, it is time to wake up.
The full article is below:
CLEARWATER — At a recent City Council election debate at City Hall, the first question pitched to the four candidates asked what they think is the biggest problem facing the city right now.
Seat 5 incumbent Hoyt Hamilton answered in code.
“I’m willing to work with anybody, but they have to be open and honest in how they communicate and we haven’t always had that so I think one of the biggest problems trying to move Clearwater forward is getting people to communicate openly and honestly with what we’re trying to do.”
Wait. Who is “they?” Which people are not being honest?
Asked in a later interview if he was referring to the Church of Scientology, which cut communication with city officials last year over a property dispute, Hamilton confirmed he was. So why didn’t he come out and say that?
“I didn’t want to necessarily just go out and poke the bear,” Hamilton said. “To a degree, yes, I’m trying to rebuild the relationship and not make it worse.”
The issue of Scientology’s massive influence on downtown, and uncertainty around its growth plans, has been notably absent from the campaigns of the four candidates running for two citywide seats in the March 13 election. Only addressing it when prompted, the four men have kept their answers vague.
But while the city pushes aggressive initiatives to resurrect its long-struggling downtown, Scientology has simultaneously grown its influence by adding more prime real estate to its portfolio of more than $230 million. At the same time, Scientology officials have cut communication with city staff, leaving them in the dark about the church’s plans for its international spiritual headquarters downtown.
No other church has anywhere close to the same footprint in the city. No other religious organization has its international headquarters downtown. Only Scientology has drawn questions about how its plans could impact the city’s goals for revitalization.
But when moderator Al Ruechel, senior Bay News 9 anchor, asked the single question specifically about Scientology’s role in Clearwater’s future at the Feb. 8 City Hall forum, the candidates kept it vague.
Tom Keller, an advertising salesman running for Seat 4, said he doesn’t know much about Scientology but that the city should “hit the reset button” on the relationship.
“We need to figure a way to co-exist with them and figure out a way to work with them in the future on any project going forward, just sit down with them and see if there’s a way to find some kind of common ground and work together,” Keller said.
David Allbritton, a retired building contractor also running for Seat 4, punted the focus and said all property owners should work together.
“We also have two other big players in Clearwater that nobody seems to mention,” Allbritton said, referring to private property owners and Pinellas County’s real estate holdings. “The only thing you hear about is Scientology and they are buying up all the land, but that’s not really the whole story.”
Hamilton, co-owner of the Palm Pavilion restaurant and inn, reiterated his earlier comment about cooperation and transparency, this time in response to the direct question about Scientology.
“The city and Scientology are the two largest property owners in downtown,” Hamilton said. “We need cooperation with each other and we need to bring in the private property owners as well, because collectively we can sit down and agree upon what we want downtown Clearwater and the final product to be.”
Real estate broker John Funk, who is challenging Hamilton for Seat 5, changed the subject entirely.
“I think there’s been a little bit of a diversion,” Funk said. “A lot of time there’s a focus on Scientology and that’s not the reason some of these properties have not developed.”
Funk pivoted to pitch an idea he has for the city to recruit a developer to convert a 10-acre cluster of privately owned properties along Drew Street into a boutique outlet mall with apartments.
Funk also has received the most support from Scientology parishioners. He landed a public endorsement from businessman and prominent parishioner Pat Clouden last month and was the only candidate to receive a campaign donation from Mary Repper, a former political consultant who has done extensive public relations work for the church.
Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw said Tuesday the church has “hopes and desires for a better Clearwater” but “the church is not involved with or interested in local politics and elections.”
The impact of Scientology’s growth is also rarely brought up in discussions about downtown initiatives to recruit businesses or the rollout of the city’s $55 million waterfront redevelopment plan Imagine Clearwater.
Mayor George Cretekos confirmed city officials have no idea what Scientology plans to do with its recently purchased retail properties or how much more real estate it will buy for its campus. When asked why that variable is not brought up during downtown discussions, he said no church’s plans dictate how the city operates.
“Whether the Church of Scientology, whether the Presbyterian or the Methodist church wants to be involved in helping us with that goal to revitalize downtown to the way the city thinks it should be done and not the individual church, that’s the issue,” he said. “The city is going to stay focused on revitalizing downtown to benefit the entire community.”
Everyone I know here in the Tampa Bay area including myself, don’t feel comfortable in downtown Clearwater because of the Zombies walking around…very creepy!
I agree. It’s so sad. We spend our money in the other surrounding towns …. I even tell visitors to by-pass Clearwater and head to St. Pete (lots to see and do/restaurants, etc.). Clearwater is a ghost town. (And the presence of Scientologists freaks us out!)
Oh, and my daughter informed me they are now hitting the streets pf the beach in Clearwater. EEEWWWW!
Ok, so let’s say a candidate ran for city council and did not mince words and said what he thought. He doesn’t come across like a rabid hater, just somebody who was firm and clear and who would look out for the interests of everybody.
What happens next?
It’s very hard to believe that Scn would do nothing, and I suspect everybody running for office feels the same way – why poke it with a stick?
It’s easy to say these guys are all a bunch of cowards, but if anybody knows about dirty business they Scn could play, it would be Mike.
I don’t know anything about Clearwater politics and it might be that a strong candidate would actually do well, but (if you are one of those candidates) are you willing to risk your office, your job, or even your pets by poking the bear?
Would love to hear how this might really play out.
Unfortunately, this is the sort of “think” that permeates elected officials.
The same thing was said about those who should (and didn’t) oppose segregation or gay rights or McCarthyism.
Eventually, people speak up and society changes.
“The same thing was said about those who should (and didn’t) oppose segregation or gay rights or McCarthyism.”
This sentence reads like you think people should oppose gay rights. That is how I read it anyway (which I know from past comments is not your position).
Point well taken. Should have said oppose segregation or McCarthyism or support gay rights. Some of my closest friends are gay. I totally support gay rights.
Perhaps Clearwater officials’ lack of willingness to address the elephant in the city has less to do with willful ignorance and everything thing to do with fear. No ex-$cn-member can be unaware of the biggest stick that the cult carries behind its back: blackmail and intimidation. Maybe they know it too.
What is the difference between willful ignorance and fear?
When you are in a position as an elected official to represent those elect you and you don’t act in their best interests out of fear of the consequences, is that better (or indeed different) from willful ignorance?
I absolutely agree. However, my point is that I have no doubt that $cn is fair gaming city officials who are scared that they will be aggressively targeted if they oppose CO$, who has a notorious and proven track record of dirty tricks. (I personally was scared away from joining protests in Clearwater for fear of reprisals. Cowardly, yes, but realistic.) I can only imagine how intimidated those vulnerable and highly visible officials might feel. $cn could destroy their lives.
I have fervent hopes that $cn will lose their tax exempt status. I believe that the potentially most effective way to fight them is in the courts. To that point, perhaps there’s a way of forcing city officials to act in the best interests of the city by suing them for professional malpractice if it can be shown that $cn is suppressing downtown development and officials are willfully neglecting their duty to protect and enhance the city.
And maybe residents need to be rallied to protest those officials’ inaction in the way we have seen citizens rise up against politicians on the national stage. It seems to me that Clearwater residents have also been complicit in allowing their city to be ruined while being seemingly lackadaisical about what is happening to their downtown. The time for citizen pressure to clean up their city is long overdue. Maybe they need to be educated at the grassroots level, in addition to your revealing TV series, about the true nature of the CO$ and its covert agenda. Would $cn be able to fair game a huge contingent of citizens rising up in the interests of their city? There might truly be strength in numbers.
While I despise being continually tracked down by $cn after each move since I quit over 30 years ago and I continue to get repeated phone calls from them, I have resigned to the fact that I cannot stop the delivery of unwanted mail from them and take at least some satisfaction in knowing that continuing to receive their glossy magazines and brochures are at least in a small way helping to waste their resources. I wish I could do more.
In deep appreciation for your, Leah’s and all the participants in your TV series, efforts to expose and fight against this corrupt organization (could there be relevance in using the Rico Act against them?) , I applaud you and assure you that you have redeemed yourself from when I first idolized you as a CO$ member and then was disgusted by you once I Ieft. I know you are doing all you can and I am gratified that you now appear to be thriving in the wake of becoming $cn woke.
Perhaps it’s time to re-appropriate the term “clear” to mean clearing the planet of the $cn scorge. Maybe then Clearwater can truly and thankfully be clear.
With high regards,
Jamie
From my own state of Xenuvia 🙂
Well, what is untrue here is that “$scn could destroy their lives.”
THis is what scientology WANTS you to believe and they love it when anyone forwards that line. It is what they hope people will believe.
Truth is they do NOT have the ability to do this if you don’t agree with their mind games. That is what they do — mind games. If you’re strong enough not to fall into the trap of believing they can do anything to you, they are powerless. And increasingly their attempts to intimidate backfire.
There ARE people in Clearwater who have not backed down. Willy Rice at Calvary Baptist. David Yates at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. They are heros. There lives have NOT been destroyed.
Wow. I wish you would run for office, Mike. .Just reading your well communicated common sense gives me some hope and comfort. This is not flattery: you’d be good. Both as a statesman and a politician.
So the city council dislikes Scientology and Scientologists. What are they actually supposed to do? The CoS continues to buy property to perpetuate the illusion of expansion, yet that’s not illegal. The number of Scientologists isn’t increasing, only the number of buildings.
Politicians on soap boxes decrying Scientology means more media coverage and fewer tourists. If DM wants to build a wall around his enclave, let him. Determine the boundaries and part of the deal is the CoS pays additional monies for public services. The public is safe and the enclave becomes a tourist attraction. The scn ethics system is not equivalent to Sharia law so no problem there. (needs work but it’s a start)
Mike, I looked at the SciCon website and their depictions of LRH’s office in the new Ideal Orgs in Salt Lake City and Silicon Valley.
I thought in the past it was attempted to replicate his real office, yet both of these are much more modern, and neither are identical. Any idea why?
That sentence, “trying to rebuild a relationship,” (council with Scientology). Oh my, better of trying to make a rattlesnake a pet for the kids to play with.
If Clearwater council along with Hemet et al would realize the demise of Scientology for the crimes against humanity for which they are guilty and if they are prosecuted along with their violations of such things like RICO their assets may default to local jurisdictional use. Scientology is a criminal organisation and receives tax payers support. Partly the assets of Scientology surely must belong to people who subsidise it, let alone the people who were duped into donating to it.
It could put places like the Fort Harrison & the Int Base etc on the map as tourist attractions.
I could see in now after the demise of Scientology and Miscavige doing time. A parent explaining to their children as they tour the Super-Power building. This is where a cult use to brainwash people and over there children as young as you worked for pennies an hour for 80 hours a week and lived 4-5 to the room. They were lucky to see their parents more than a couple of times a year. It’s a good thing our government catches these cults and stops them before they damage too many people’s lives.
Pity money trumps, but Clearwater local Govt. needs to grow a pair.
Yes, this is an excellent idea!
Let the Clearwater downtown be remembered forever as a warning symbol about the danger of criminal cults.
When you think about it, it already is a warning symbol, but it would be nice to see the scientologists and sea morgue out of that beautiful city.
The solution to the scientology problem is, pardon me, CLEAR.
Those creepy cultists were drawn to Clearwater because the word CLEAR is in the name of the place. That word sums up the goal and doctrine of the cult.
It therefore makes absolute sense that the good people of Clearwater should simply vote to change the name to something abhorrent to those zombies in the cult. Like Xenuville, or Culttown, or LRH-Conman USA.
Just keep the new name until the whackos leave, then later on simply vote to change the name back to whatever the residents like.
This, to me, seems like the most sensible and practical solution. Does anybody else think this is a good idea? What is wrong with this idea? Please show me how this could work, or point out the flaws.
I nominate you for city council and fully support the name change to Xenuville. All in favor, quick raise your hands. All opposed…Done. That settles it.
Or how about “Xenuvia”? It sounds like a prescription medication, but this one might cure what ails Clearwater.
I like Xenuvia. It has that 1950’s B-movie vibe, like pretty much everything else out of the demented mind of L. Ron Hubbard.
Kinda like the Mormons taking over Salt Lake City
Provo.
They’ve taken over Provo Utah.
SLC is diverse and getting more diverse year by year (so is Provo).
It’s the largest density of Mormons due to the Brigham Young University students.
It’s also where the Missionary Training Center is. That’s like PB&F for the Action Division. Pres, briefing and fired off on mission to not have much contact with family for 18-24 months. A letter on Monday. A phone call on Christmas and Mother’s Day.
Kids find a mate while out on mission. Return to finish school. Get married at the Temple (there are plenty around here). If no mate they attend the Singles Ward with other singles (church wants them married asap). Get married. Have babies. Complete education and then move on to a career. Most of the public assistance here is helping those young families (women, infants and children).
I’m still learning how it “works” here. It’s hard to make friends.
The non Mormon community (2%) seem each other out.
That’s life in Provo Utah in 2018.
TOOT to OT – Isn’t the US government building a huge data storage facility near Provo, Utah? Maybe some outsiders will move to Provo and you’ll have more non LDS people to talk to.
Two years ago I read an article about that facility. They want to have six zetabytes of storage capacity, whatever that means. At the time I read the article it said the entire content of the internet was one half zetabyte.
Alanzo’s blog is dead but now has an emblem preceding old comments indicating “Clicky” is in use. Apparently he can track every move I make on his blog. In the Clicky promo it says “Clicky lets you see every visitor and every action they take on your web site . . . ” I guess most web sites have a similar feature but to me Clicky=Creepy.
I feel for you Toot to OT. I lived in UT as a Non Mormon from age 13 to age 26. The population was even more Mormon then. Now there are a few more Non Mormons. But it is hard to socialize as they are like Scns in that they only stick to their own. And finding a job is hard as a non Mormon. They use the good ole boy Mormon thing to give jobs to their kind. But keep looking for other Non Mormons and make friends with them. Can you get into the new Idle MOrgue that just opened there and report back to us what you see?
Yes, but a Mormon missionary is released after two years of service whereas a Sea Org members has to endure the rice and beans until they die.
Heck, the LDS missionaries get to eat Honey Comb!
Actually, the locals kicked the Mormons out of a couple of eastern or midwestern cities. After they got across the Rocky Mountains Brigham Young stood on one of the foothills overlooking the valley and said “This is the place.” Something like that. I think I once went to a keg party where there was a plaque commemorating that. I’m not sure. I was probably drunk or stoned and it might be dub-in.
🙂 Richard.
No, it wasn’t dub-in, you were definitely loaded. Actually, there is a monument somewhere near Salt Lake City that commemorates the event. And after that he stuck his cane in the ground and said ” Here we will build a temple to our God”. That’s where the Salt Lake Mormon Temple currently stands.
The Mormons taking over Salt Lake City?
Uh, guys, the Mormons BUILT Salt Lake City!
But Scientology DIDN’T build Clearwater.
Honestly, Mike. I didn’t know much about scientology until I was out. Possibly the politicians are too close to the situation. They choose not to learn anything because if they knew something they would have to admit malfeasance.
The problem with Scientology and its effect on Clearwater is FALSE advertising.
If Clearwater officials would only AS IS Scientology – it would disappear!
It is a criminal cult disguised as a religion. A big bully that exploits innocent souls that are misfortunate to cross its path.
Scientology should be named “SCAMINTOLOGY”
It is not a Church – it hides behind the religious cloak when it suits Scientology.
Scientology is a FOR HUGE PROFIT Organization with 1 beneficiary – David Miscavige – who lives a lavish lifestyle whilst he allows the dead man – L Ron Hubbard – the criminal con – hypnotize members with his Tech.
Scientology destroys families and enslaves people to work for free.
Scientology IS a mind fuck of epic porportions.
Scientology KILLS !
Agreed, except there is a second beneficiary of the crimes of scientology, Miscavige’s Useful Idiot Tom Cruise. He benefits from all that slave labor, as John Brousseau testified. Cruise should be held accountable too.
However, lacking the tech, Clearwater officials don’t know how to AS IS anything.
For starters, stop referring to these clowns as a church: address them as either $cientology, or better, as they are so fond of acronyms, simply ‘the IA$’. Take all emphasis/attention off their claim to be a religion and they won’t be able to play the ‘bigot card’ so easily. THEY ARE A BUSINESS, AND A DIRTY ONE AT THAT! Besides That, remind yourselves that you Outnumber those rats, by what, at least 20 to one, if not more. You start infiltrating the downtown area; make the WOG presence so overbearing that it makes their visiting public uncomfortable (they can follow only so many individuals – let them exhaust their resources in trying); patronize non-$ businesses Only, of course. You can hold out longer than They can! Simply Take your city Back . There’s no Better time than the present!
IA$.
I like that. Says it all.
IA$ – perfect. Thx for your strong words.
I did some analysis recently of the number of voters Scientology could bring to bear in a Clearwater election on my blog. The post is at http://johnpcapitalist.com/2018/01/enough-scientologists-clearwater-take-city-council/.
I concluded that while the number of voters in council elections is relatively small, Scientology doesn’t have enough votes to be certain of affecting the outcome. If they truly had the 10,000+ members in Clearwater that they claim, then all 5 city council members (which includes the mayor) would be practicing Scientologists. And anyone who is seen as being positive towards Scientology could end up being on the wrong end of the stick as other voters rally round their opponents — I suspect the aquarium issue showed overwhelming support for not giving in to Scientology’s demands.
City government is where most things happen for a town. Scary that they are at the head of the Chamber of Commerce, that itself will block anyone they don’t like and promote those they do. Mike, as a past assessing clerk, I would suggest you do a segment on how much taxes they don’t pay due to their exemptions, The hard number’s might wake people up. Good luck, and as always, thank you and Leah for all you do..I hope one day to see their exemptions go away.
Kathleen, you are right on the money. Every taxpayer is supplementing a criminal cult that violates the human rights of not just adults but children too. This is an outrage, and the mass of taxpayers are starting to wake up to this issue.
Honest question. If I went on a Florida vacation I wouldn’t be interested in spending time “downtown” unless it had historic architecture or something like that. Downtown as a small town concept of a shopping and community activity center is sort of history with big box stores, shopping malls and internet shopping. If Clearwater wants to have an antique car show or something like that why not set it up outside of downtown?
I suppose standing in some part of Clearwater and looking at the scn buildings as an empire of evil would be an idea in the mind of some people.
I live in a small city/town in New Jersey which has some historic significance. Efforts have been made to “revitalize” downtown with little success. Small businesses come and go since there is little foot traffic.
The latest attempt at revitalization in “my town”* is they are supposedly going to erect a high rise on the waterfront to attract young urban professionals. (gentrification) They might spend some money downtown but will probably shop on the internet or drive to the shopping centers like everybody else. The plan was introduced two years ago and groundbreaking has yet to begin.
* I live here but didn’t grow up here. It’s an okay place to live.
Well Clearwater is the second biggest downtown in Pinellas county. St Pete, the biggest, has a very very successful scene of small business, restaurants, and bars and truly is destination for 3 million ppl in the Tampa Bay Area. Visitors def go out to eat and party in downtown st Pete as well, although I would venture to say it’s the locals that keep it alive mainly. There is no reason Clearwater shouldn’t be able to replicate st Pete on a smaller scale, besides the church. Clearwater is more centrally located and has all the ingredients to be a successful downtown. The problem is the public perception which has, and will continue, to block pretty much any progress.
The city where I live has a designated “Historic District”. Any improvements to the front of buildings in that district must be approved by the city. I wonder if Clearwater has any areas it might wish to designate “historic” with various rules and regulations. (hint)
This is from memory and may not be accurate. In 1976 in celebration of the bicentennial the US government instituted a program called “Main Street America”. Up to that time the general idea in America was tear down all the old buildings and build new ones which resulted in various disasters like housing projects and the widespread destruction of historical architecture.
The Main Street idea was that over the years (sometimes even a century or more) false fronts had continually been addded to aging storefronts and buildings. By removing the false fronts and restoring the building to its original design up to and including the original colors, someone could walk down Main Street and enjoy the architecural and otherwise evolution of American life.
The building might have originally been a shoe store or pharmacy and now houses an insurance agency, but that doesn’t matter.
All they can put up is a plaque that says something like:
ON THIS SPOT IN 1968, L RON HUBBARD LET OUT A BIG BELCH WHICH LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF OT VIII AS WELL AS THE FORMATION OF THE SEA ORG.
PLACED BY ASSOCIATION OF LRH DEVOTEES.
That’s what you’d probably see in Clearwater.
As Mike has stated, there are lots of cities/towns in the Tampa Bay area which are unique in their own ways where the downtowns are vibrant. Certainly Dunedin and Tarpon Springs come to mind, as well as Ybor City in Tampa and the St. Petersburg downtown near the Vinoy is stellar. Clearwater only has it’s beach, and one has to drive by Flag to get there.
Mike I hope you sent your comments to the paper so they publish it in their letters to the editor. Clearwater needs someone to start standing up the the bully
$cientology is not the Elephant in the room. They are the raccoon in the trash. Raccoons have that bandit face and sneak around taking what ever they want. If $cientology had a spirit animal, it would be a raccoon.
Clearwater has options that include doing the marina and beach plan. They just have to keep the land in question out of $cientologys hands. Hell, put a nice beach up near the Fort Harrison and let the clams intermingle with the wogs. Not that Miscavige will let that happen. As long as parking is free or cheap, the wogs will come.
As Clearwater can’t contain $cientology, abandon most of the clam bed and focus on other parts of town. The town should start up a fund to buy up $cieno properties when the clam scam implodes. That ‘fire sale’ will be a wonderful thing to see.
Great data in this article, Mike. But please, the comments likening the cults position and behavior in the Clearwater community to elephants, (and now zemoos to raccoons) are really insulting – to elephants and raccoons.
Yes, no cruelty to animals, please.
” It rampages around, squashing things in its sight and dropping large helpings of dung that stink the place up.”
LOL!!
Yo Dave,
I know, I know good buddy. Mikey says all sorts of bad things about You but we know that You simply cannot help yourself. It’s what ya do Dave …… ya crash around, break up families and businesses and people and then act surprised when You step in yer own pile.
I wish I could offer some advice Dave but I think yer doomed to endlessly repeat yer chronic condition till You end up face first in IT.
LOL… Miscavige already is hair plug deep in the dung. Nobody likes him, including his fellow scientologists, except for maybe Cruise, the only guy Miscavige fears pissing off.
The Enquirer has a big article on Scn and the finding of a wife for Tom Cruise. It lists all the women that “interviewed” unknowingly for the position of Tom’s girlfriend. Iren gave a great interview in it. And they mention Heber being in the Hole and not seen since around 2005 and saying to a relative on the phone once, “I’ll never leave this place alive” or words to that effect. It was a good article and I’m glad to see them shedding light on all this in a big publication.
To: Newcomer
From: David Miscavige COB RTC
Re: stepping in it.
Alright, Newcomer, you’ve said enough! I hereby banish you to the RPF horse stables where you WILL be stepping in it as well as shoveling it!
ML
Dave
Yo Dave,
I didn’t know You owned any horses …………. but I just had a bognition about that and all of the shit that comes from yer stables. As I was shoveling I noticed your intent concentration on one of yer horses asses and I bognited that You must be trying to duplicate that piece of anatomy.
Well congrats good buddy ….. You are the purrrfect reincarnation (well maybe a one off) of a horses ass hole and what emanates from it. Hence You will go down in infamy for being the soul creator of the HOLE ………. Dave.
To: Newcomer
From: David Miscavige COB RTC
Re: your absolute lack of respect.
How dare you speak to me like that! Not only will you be shoveling shit while on the RPF but you will also bend the knee to me, Most High Exalted Ruler Of Teegeeack And The Entire MEST Universe!
So, there!
ML
Dave.
Hello my name is Wayne and I own a house on N.Fredrica ave. During Hurricane Irma we had neighbors trapped in their homes from fallen trees and no power for days!!! No one from the city came to check on their well being. Scientology showed up with water and a crew to clear away the debri and check on these people. Some times a little compassion goes a long way.
Yes Wayne, This blog and the A&E series has shamed the CoS into doing a few small acts of kindness in the last year.
I’m glad you were helped. In SCN terms, the whole thing falls under what they call a “PR caper” it’s designed to make it seem good so people will think well of it and want to check it out.
If the Son of Sam handed your daughter 5 bucks for the bus when she was stuck barefooted in the rain and she hopped on the bus before he could lure her into his car,…would you be a character witness during his sentencing trial?
Wayne, there are many good, caring, decent people who are Scientologists. We here are protesting the Church of Scientology as an organization, its human rights abuses such as forcing abortions, harassing and otherwise punishing critics (this is a Scn doctrine called “Fair Game”) and breaking up families (this is a policy called “Disconnection”). I am glad that Scientology was able to help you and your neighbors when the city let you down. I’m also glad that you are not one of those unfortunates who was once a Scientologist and then decided to leave this religion and, as a result, lost your child, your spouse or other loved ones, your reputation or your job.
Funk sounds like a bought man.
Clearwater ahould be embracing the fact that COS is there. With the success of Aftermath, they have a huge draw for tourists.
Possible pitches to draw visitors could include:
1. Come see the Scientologist in its natural habitat before its gone.
2. Scientology theme park and dude ranch. Go on all the rides and experience one day, three day, or week long packages. If you REALLY like it, longer experiences are easily aranged.
3. Celebrity tours. Several well known celebrities live in or regularly visit Clearwater with names like Rinder, Remini, and other notables from the show being seen from time to time. Also, Tom Cruise.
4. Diet and weight loss spa. Sea Org based activity and diet program. Guaranteed to shed those unwanted pounds without the billion year commitment. Sponsored by Marlboro.
Perfect – absolutely perfect.
LOL, yes! But wait! What about the Oiliness Table? That should go into the Scientology Fun House. Right before the Cotton Candy.
I love it! The Scientology Fun House, formerly known as the Super Power Center!
I had an idea for a commercial.
Family at the beach. “We come back for the fun!”
Couple dining at a restaurant. “We come back for the food!”
Scene from the Lucky Anchor, crowd says “We come back for the night life!”
An older couple enjoying a sunny day. “We come back for the weather!”
Some people in Sea Org uniforms. “We come back because we have to.”
Final scene full of the above people. Text and narrator on the screen:
Clearwater, the best place to visit.
People say in unison “Because We Come Back!”
But, Kyle, we want to invite people to Clearwater, not scare them away.
Or is it the other way around?
I guess my initial response is … so freaking what? … A small city in Florida has an empty downtown because of the church of scientology? So? Lots of downtowns (hundreds? thousands?) probably went empty with the rise of Wal-Mart and malls in general.
The CoS ain’t going anywhere soon . People in the Tampa Bay Area no doubt have tons of other shopping and dining options other than downtown Clearwater.
*Anyway … EVENTUALLY all the CoS buildings will probably wind up as the biggest shopping area in Florida, Full of retsilers, movie theaters and restaurants. Patience.
A pimple issue on the ass of the world.
True, in the larger scheme of things it is unimportant. Unless you live in Clearwater. Walmart and malls are not why Clearwater is a ghost town — evidenced by the surrounding cities.
I totally agree with you Mike. I’ve lived in Clearwater/Palm Harbor for over 35 years. I used to like going downtown when Maas Brothers and Stein Mart (large department stores) were there. I still go down to the Capital theater occasionally but as Scientology kept growing and the department stores and some restaurants pulled out it was a bit creepy.
On another note, if those running for the city council don’t know more about Scientology, as they claimed, then they are either lying or they have their heads in the beach sand. They don’t deserve to represent the people of Clearwater. If they don’t understand what scientologists stand for and how they control their “subjects” and try to control downtown then step off the election ballot because you’ll serve no useful purpose. I would love to stroll downtown again but I refuse to support the Scientology businesses that are there now. I hope to meet all of you downtown on March 10. Thanks for this great post today!
Maybe after Scientology is gone, the Fort Harrison and other buildings will be re-purposed. Many old buildings are. But many are not, due to the simple economics of whether it makes more sense to renovate or to tear-down and build from the ground up. My point is that the Superpower building will never be anything but a white whale. It’s architecture has no useful purpose, not currently and certainly not when someone else comes to own the property. It will have to torn down. I am sorry that the city of Clearwater is likely going to be left holding the bag on that one.
I’ve said it before but once the cult folds I really want Donald Trump along with a few of his foreign oligarch buddies to buy the Super Power building and turn it into the yugest, gaudiest, glitziest, most 14carat gold gilded Italian marbled, altogether tasteless hotel/casino/nightclub/high end shopping and total tourist trap the likes of which have never been seen before and won’t ever be again,, with his name emblazoned across it in yuge gold letters, giving the town of Clearwater a yuge shot in the arm, and all for pennies on the dollar, because if and/or when the cult folds Miscavige will be dumping his real estate very cheap. You go, Donald!
Cooperating with the cult of greed is like trying to be nice to the KGB to make things better. What a joke! Cazares knew a bit of what it was all about. I see that “Operation Normandy” is still under way.
I’ve never seen Scientology ever think in terms of benefiting “the entire community”.
18 years ago Clearwater was full of cult members. It was peaking. Now Flag is grasping at straws with their silly lower bridge SRD, Super Power and run around in circles silliness. “They” are turning Clearwater into a toxic wasteland.
As Mike points out. It’s time to deal with the elephant and send him packing.
What is the Aquarium incident? To solve this problem of “they”, get with an exterminator to rid Clearwater of the downtown problem. That’s how I get rid of rodents with infectious diseases!!!!!
Shawna…just Google… Clearwater Aquarium Scientology….A bunch of articles will come up. Basically…it’s about a child who wanted a bigger sand box that only he could play in…and then threw a major temper tantrum/hissy fit when he didn’t get his way. Just like the kid in the grocery store that screams and throws himself on the ground when his mommy says no to the candy bar in the check-out line.
It is the reality of Clearwater. It’s extremely unfortunate.
PS…. another excellent resource is the Tampa Bay Times. Go to their website and put Scientology in the search bar.
A great explanation of the Clearwater Aquarium deal is covered by Chris Shelton on his YouTube video with Aaron Smith Levon.
That’s a good plan!
I tried google, but could not find…I wish I knew…
Mike did an article about it here Nov 4 2014. Other articles appeared in other anti-COS blogs around that time as well.
Kathleen, try this link to the Tampa Bay Times: http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/church-of-scientology-takes-aim-at-clearwater-marine-aquarium-after-being/2321768
I couldn’t remember the details either and had to google it.
Mike, there is one big glaring solution to this problem: YOU must head up the Clearwater City Council. No one else will ever have the smarts or the balls to overcome this issue.
Mike, I second Karen’s proposition. You are well enough known as being out of the cult and your wealth of knowledge about it’s practices should be seen as beneficial to the City. All the years I lived in CW I was completely astounded in my interaction with the citizenry. No one had any affinity for the cult at all and wished they’d go away. Once I went to a ‘thrift store” and asked if I could drop off a few box loads of cult books and tapes and the gal looked back angrily and said “we have no interest in doing anything to promote that group; so no don’t bring them by”. They went to the dump instead, But anyway, I have certainty you would find a lot of support so follow Karen’s suggestion and run for office.
I dont live in Clearwater…
If not you then Aaron or someone comparable to you both. Please devise a plan to make this happen.
“If fucking Arnold could run for governor, I could run for President.” Tom Cruise.
“Frst there is LRH, then there is David Miscavige. And then there is me.” Tom Cruise
Tom, the time has come for your bad self aka Big Being #3 to take responsibility, put on those Big Ole Boots of Ron’s and run for office in Clearwater. What’s that? Yes, yes, I know you still do your own stunts and that’s impressive, but methinks you is a-slippin’ in the Big Being Department, Tom! After all, Clint Eastwood got himself elected Mayor of Carmel, back in the day, and still kept his movie star status. Think, Tom – “Mayor Cruise” has SUCH a nice ring to it! So do it! Do it for Ron! Do it for DAVE!!!!!!!! Stop the Q & A and RUN, TOM, RUN !!!!
( You know you want to 🙂 )
Cruise should probably do something, his career and reputation are dying anyway.
I think he should knock Joy Villas out of the running and run himself, for Congressman. Even president. Why not? Lots of Americans will vote for him because they liked in his films, and NO, i’m not kidding! This IS where we as a natiion ARE right now . At this childlike level. Why do you think the Democrats want to run Oprah for President in 2020? They’re catching on to how empty-headed we Americans are.
“First there is LRH, then there is David Miscavige, then there is me”.
Boy, what a pompous ass!
If I were to become famous and make a statement like ” In Mormonism we have Jesus Christ at the top,then you’ve got Joseph Smith, then there’s Russell M. Nelson (current church president), then there’s me.”, it’s hard to tell how many church leaders would want to have a word with me about how inappropriate such a comment is. Yet I guess that when you’re really chummy with the Dwarfenfuhrer that you can get away with anything.
So move there.
Wouldn’t know if Mike is interested but the consequences would be fun to watch. Imagine David Miscavige having to shake hands with Mike for some photo opportunity!
And what about Leah for mayor of the city?!
OMG! 😀 😀 😀 😀
Mike Rinder shaking hands with David Miscavige.
Oh, the puking and retching!
Mike Rinder for Clearwater City Council! Now that makes sense!
I completely agree Karen! Mike and Aaron must run for city council..
WOW! I like this Woman! She minces no words and puts right out in the table that she believes that whoever is on the Council needs to STOP being scared of the CoS and letting them run amok ruining Clearwater. I liked that she gave them a spanking over not listening to the PEOPLE of Clearwater only to empty bulidings and who bought them. BRAVO! To the author and l hope it wakes up the sheep.
Time to get some vertebrate candidates for CW seats rather than these jellyfish.
+1! Outstanding post!
🙂
Maybe tc can move in and give everyone a “couch jumping sermon” to get them “educated” !
LONG LIVE THE LUCKY ANCHOR CAFE !
Bar..not cafe..Clay should start serving food..bar food at least. But ya..Go Clay!