Hillsborough forms had errors, Church of Scientologys presence in Pinellas County, Clear Takeover: How Scientology doubled its downtown Clearwater footprint in 3 years, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover, Typhoon cancels Clearwaters sister city visit to Nagano. That's the findings of a story in the Tampa Bay Times that's headlined clear takeover. Not so shipshape! Hubbard had a vision of making Clearwater a spiritual home for his Church of Scientology. Moreover, tens of thousands of Scientologists travel to the city each year from around the world to participate in religious services at the Church's spiritual home. Then the council interfered with a land deal that Scientology demanded for its plan. We profile several of them here. The Church of Scientologyh first landed in Clearwater in 1975 with one hotel property to its name, but the organization had elaborate plans to spread its reach across the entire downtown area, In just three years, starting with a frantic land grab in January 2017, Scientology doubled its footprint in the city, The Church of Scientology doubled its footprint in Clearwater, Florida in a matter of just three years after shelling out $103million to snatch up 185 properties that cover 101 acres of the city's downtown area. About 72 percent of those properties are tax exempt for religious uses. Scientology is all I have to say, There are no pros that unless you are a Scientologist. Jim is a nationally known artist. Hubbard had a vision of making Clearwater a spiritual home for his Church of Scientology. MCMANUS: Scientology arrived in downtown Clearwater in 1975. Bosi wasnt interested. Scientology leader David Miscavige pictured above. Ever since then the church stopped communicating with the city, and the rapid land grab commenced. Nearly two years after the properties were sold to a company run by two Scientologists, no redevelopment plans have been submitted. The church attracts members through a theology of self improvement and understanding. Scientologists in Clearwater. The Church of Scientology is a group of interconnected corporate entities and other organizations devoted to the practice, administration and dissemination. Fischler, a local real estate agent, negotiated at least 10 of the downtown deals, according to interviews with sellers. Big Brother is a character and symbol that represents a society where every citizen is under constant surveillance, constantly reminded of this by the slogan "Big . Dozens of residents showed up to speak. Scientologys international spiritual headquarters is anchored by the Flag Building, on left. BBC's 1million star Zoe Ball, 52, lands big new payday for Abba show on ITV. Of the 100 properties bought by parishioner-managed companies near the downtown waterfront from 2017 to 2019, 24 storefronts and buildings remain empty, including a former Walgreens, an old jewelry store and prominent buildings along the North Fort Harrison corridor. Toni Says: What is Medicares creditable prescription drug coverage? Share. The Church of Scientology provided the following statement to DailyMail.com: 'The Times article is simply the latest in its continuing and unending obsession with Scientology and is little more than self-serving propaganda intended to give the appearance of objective reporting without reporting the actual facts to the reader. Charles 'will NEVER build real relationship with Archie and Lili unless Harry and Meghan get new royal 'Putin has STOLEN our Ukrainian children': Distraught parents tell how THOUSANDS of youngsters never EMILY PRESCOTT: Sarah Ferguson 'confused' after seeing photos from goddaughter's wedding she thought she was Joe Biden is 'unlikely' to attend King Charles' coronation due to Ireland trip - despite promising to A 14-year-old autistic boy's naive prank. Scientology proposed a major redevelopment project meant to lure in new business to the empty stores in the citys waterfront area and near the churchs headquarters, but the council interfered, botching plans for a land deal that the church wanted for its expansion plan. In 2002, she was listed as an international deputy of a committee tasked with disseminating Scientology doctrine. MCMANUS: Brokers representing these companies were approaching downtown property owners. In six cases, buyers paid quadruple the propertys value. Clearwater A newspaper report says the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members spent more than $100 million over the past three years buying up huge sections of downtown. Tom Cruise is moving to Clearwater, Florida to live just blocks away from the Church of Scientology headquarters. They started hosting concerts on the waterfront that now draw thousands. 1991: An investment firm owned by Joel Feshbach, an acknowledged Scientologist, purchased Cocolat, a West Coast candy company that was having some financial . "Working from home" after a hurricane means going to a hotel, since the power always goes out for between 2-7 days. A lot of them are vacant lots, vacant buildings, empty storefronts. The goal was to capture the area immediately surrounding both Scientologys headquarters, City Hall and the city-owned waterfront. You have well connected, https://m.facebook.com/jobs/job-opening/332924608432320/, Scientology a cult of lies scientology a cult of lies, https://www.mikerindersblog.org/scientology-businesses-in-clearwater/, Dealing With Scientology Critics - L Ron Hubbard Playbook, Buzzazz Business Solutions (Keanan Kintzel), Consumer Sales Solutions (Tom Cummins and Jim Bridgeforth), MGE Management Experts (Luis Colon, Greg Winteregg), Nelson Construction and Renovations (Gregory Nelson), NTC Nationwide Title Clearing (John Hillman, Todd Kugler, Norm Novitsky), Root Cause Medical Clinic (Rick and Vikki Petersen), Ted McGrath Brands (Jasmin Napier daughter-in-law of Mike Napier), The Tub Guy (Randy and Molly Baxter, she is the former CO FOLO EUS), Silkin Management Group (located in Portland OR), USA Tree Service LLC (Jim and Karen Kettner). CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) A newspaper report says the Church of Scientology and companies run by its members spent more than $100 million over the past . church of 8 wheels closing; forest fair village shopping mall; 10Jun. Instead, the aquarium sold it to the city in April 2017 for a lot less $4.25 million. All together, 32 companies bought 92 downtown properties since 2017. Thank you guys , Hello Mike, during the live chat you mentioned your first encounter with Mark Bunker back in the LMT years. Even city leaders said they didnt know the full extent of the purchases until they were shown maps created by the Times. What you know is what you know and to have the courage to know and say what you have observed".- LRH from Personal Integrity, "It is necessary to happiness of man, that he be mentally faithful to himself. Click here to read the story. Seventy-one percent of the 60 parcels the Church of Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas County are tax-exempt for religious purposes. I believe its irrational to buy property and not fully utilize it.. I think it's comparable to say it's kind of, like, if there were to be a Vatican reporter in Vatican City. Best Clearwater hotels Most recommended Clearwater hotels Clearwater Inn $27+ Free Wi-Fi Sonesta Simply Suites Clearwater 8.1 Very good $157+ Parking Free Wi-Fi Pool Pet friendly Courtyard St. Petersburg Clearwater 8.9 Very good $340+ Parking Airport shuttle Free Wi-Fi Pool Extended Stay America Suites - St Petersburg - Clearwater - Executive Dr Its too soon to say how the shift in ownership will affect downtown. Flag is run by the churchs full-time workforce, the Sea Org, whose members sign billion-year contracts and work around the clock. Most of the new owners have done little with their acquisitions. Trending; . Cruise, 56, is moving into a multimillion-dollar penthouse apartment at The SkyView, a 10 . In summer 2017, Mark Searcy, a longtime Clearwater real estate agent who is not a Scientologist, assembled a 1-acre site by getting the owners of three adjoining properties to agree to sell. According to a new report by The Tampa Bay Times, the Church of Scientology and related entities now own over $260 million of property in downtown Clearwater. Thomas Paine, Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. - Martin Luther King, The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. - Martin Luther King. And it's also basically the financial nucleus of the entire organization. His attorney, Louis Zaretsky, wrote in a letter to the Times that Zano is a businessman with vast real estate holdings in Israel, Germany, Poland, New York and Florida who makes investments based on his belief that they will appreciate or otherwise contribute to his long-term goals.. But his offer had a catch. But after a dispute with the city, Miscavige cut communication. Anonymous "members" have stated it was a great success with at least 3 Scientology members being arrested for assault, when the scientologists grabbed and attempted to remove protesters' masks. If it is boring you, please dont waste your time coming here. Hes still holding out. Were she in Utah, would the Times intrepid reporter have headlined that 'Mormons are buying up property in downtown Salt Lake City!' The Jerry Maguire star recently purchased a two-storey penthouse in downtown Clearwater, Floridaclose to the Scientology HQ. We believe it's important to shed light on a powerful institution that's very controversial and plays a big role in our community. MCMANUS: The reason Scientology has such an outsized influence is because of the cash and assets it has, which is estimated to be $3 billion. Scientology founderL. Ron Hubbard called Clearwater its spiritual headquarters. I dont know what their plan is.. Hayes, the attorney and parishioner involved in the rest of the North Marina purchases, was added as manager on the companies filings. None of the other parishioners whose companies bought property since 2017 responded to questions about their plans. Clearwater is a beautiful town and the downtown area is now a ghost town. The Times described sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records. Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw said in a statement that the church is not involved with the acquisitions. Among them: make Clearwater known as the first Scientology city in the world.. A scuffed copy of the Koran. I saw a business opportunity, Ezra said. Scientology is a snitching culture and it's deeply embedded.) In September, Andrus completed construction there on Marina Bay 880, two towers that hug the marina with 87 luxury condos and amenities like an Olympic-sized pool and sauna. When the city was considering buying the aquariums lot, Miscavige threatened to stop communicating until the 2020 election, when term limits would force most of the council out of office. They haven't started construction - or are they going to redevelop them and bring businesses in and contribute to a vibrant downtown? Clarion Inn & Suites Central Clearwater Beach has an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, a restaurant and bar in Clearwater. The most notable one is that of Lisa McPherson. A broker is trying to buy the building Peter and Emily Lares have owned for decades. ), Clear Takeover: How Scientology doubled its downtown Clearwater footprint in 3 years, Scientologys 40 years of conflict with Clearwater, recapped, What Clearwaters City Council thinks about Scientologys downtown takeover. City officials are trying to make the area a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment. Seven businesses have left following recent purchases, and at least three more are leaving this year, including Clearwater Plumbing and Gulf Coast Marine. Scientologists make up a diverse group in Clearwater. When you stay with us at the Sleep Inn Clearwater-St Petersburg hotel, you can expect stylish accommodations for an affordable rate. But just how has the church expanded at such an alarming rate? Scientology came to downtown Clearwater in 1975. Concerned he wouldnt be able to pay his mortgage, Argall said he deeded the building, appraised at $780,000, back to the previous owner. I mean, how big is the Church of Scientology where you are? Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. Companies controlled by Hayes have bought about half the property on Rices block and nearly the entire block directly south. The churchs influence comes from its massive wealth, estimated around $3billion in cash and assets, collected from devoted followers. But now these LLCs tied to Scientology control the retail district. June 9, 2022. Companies tied to the Church of Scientology paid millions in cash for 45 properties near downtown with no major plans in sight. City Council member Mark Bunker said although the church is not the official buyer of the downtown and North Marina properties, there is reason to believe Scientology leader David Miscavige is orchestrating the parishioner-operated companies making the acquisitions. But thats not important. The Tampa Bay Times reports that recent purchases doubled the combined real estate footprint of the church and its followers. Each had proposed major redevelopment projects, designed to lure new business into the empty storefronts that surround the city-owned waterfront and the churchs spiritual headquarters. Graphics by ELI MURRAY And it's all surrounding the city's downtown waterfront. Published: 04:56 GMT, 22 October 2019 | Updated: 08:39 GMT, 22 October 2019. The greatest number of properties were bought by companies controlled by either Israeli businessman Itzhak Zano or another Scientologist who represents him. We reported at that time that a handful of limited liability companies bought about six downtown properties, and Scientology leader David Miscavige had presented a retail plan to two city staff officials. (Everything owned by parishioner-run companies is still on the tax rolls. Internal church documents detailed missions that planted spies in the state attorneys office, the Chamber of Commerce and the Clearwater Sun newspaper. But even when the church isnt in control, its presence can deter development. hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater dr thomas horn wikipedia. The memos were later seized by the FBI. DeSantis vetoed a $1M Day of Service program that was worth so much more | Column, DeSantis calls for open market to compete with Advanced Placement, Supreme Court weighs Biden student loan plan worth billions, Maple Leafs: Lightning, other division rivals did not spur deal, The youngest Grand Prix of St. Petersburg driver? The only record of redevelopment that has occurred among the 45 properties is a roof replacement on a vacant building on North Fort Harrison Avenue and internal demolition in a former flooring center two blocks north, according to notices in Pinellas County records. Andrus involvement in Scientology goes back decades and includes his participation in a plan during the 1970s to stop a church member who had spied on the federal government from turning himself in to the FBI. The pattern of Scientology-tied companies buying so many properties and sitting on them flies in the face of most land economics, said Tobias, who has been appraising property in Pinellas County for 50 years. In late 2020, Terri Novitsky also was elected to the Downtown Development Board, an advisory group tasked with promoting downtown. By then, he had found an auto garage he could buy in Dunedin. You are told not to discuss politics or religion and one of the first things out of the CEO's mouth is that he is a Scientologist. They came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown. City officials have long hoped for private investors to transform the North Marina Area, a 13-block district with undeveloped lots and 100-year-old bungalows overlooking Clearwater Harbor. Columnist Stephanie Hayes will share thoughts, feelings and funny business with you every Monday. In summer 2018, Fischler walked into Bob Lees Auto Repair on Park Street to make owner Dennis Bosi an offer. GARCIA-NAVARRO: So tell me about these land purchases. Letsgetstarted. Story by TRACEY McMANUS If the council in 2020 isnt on board with doing something his way, hes going to do it himself.. Local Scientology spokesman Ben Shaw and international spokeswoman Karin Pouw did not respond to repeated requests by the Times for an interview with Scientology leader David Miscavige. GARCIA-NAVARRO: And I guess the larger concern is that this could really thwart the city's plans for redevelopment if the Scientologist organizations are going to have all this property that they're going to keep for their own purposes. Those six lots were bought in November 2020 by a limited liability company then-managed by an employee of CA South, a Nashville-based real estate firm founded by Megan Epstein and advised by her husband, Stephen Epstein, both members of Scientology. The DeNunzio Group is affiliated with Maine Course Hospitality Group, which owns and operates 24 hotels in five states. $500,000 USD: Your Dream Florida Home with heated Pool is within Reach! It's GRAYGATE! It was a very turbulent time. The plan. The property wasnt on the market. Your characterization that his religious affiliations somehow control his business activities is evidence of personal bias against his religion, Zaretsky wrote. It's not clear how many followers are based in Clearwater. They cant even fix their own families. CLEARWATER, Fla. In this small beachside community sits a 1.4-acre patch of dirt that has become a flash point in a fight between church and state. MCMANUS: You know, Lulu, from my reporting, I've learned that there's a lot of mistrust and suspicion still in the community when it comes to Scientology because a lot of the residents here were living in the city when Scientology arrived in the '70s, and they remember the tactics Scientology used. The Fort Harrison Hotel is located steps from Clearwater City Hall, close to the downtown waterfront area,. hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. During that period, downtown purchases by limited liability companies managed by members of Scientology accelerated. The campus collects millions each week through fundraising and payments for expensive courses and high-level religious counseling not offered anywhere else. Stu Sjouwerman is defying the trend for Scientologists in the past year. All 45 North Marina properties were purchased by companies managed or operated by two longtime members of Scientology: Steven Hayes, an attorney who has done legal work on behalf of church related organizations for more than two decades, and Norm Novitsky, a businessperson who has donated at least $5 million to Scientology. On Sept. 7, Epsteins employee was removed from the corporate filings of the company that own the land. After the Times reported the purchases, Miscavige met with city officials and acknowledged the church acquired them as part of his plan to spend $55 million renovating downtown buildings and recruiting high-end retail to empty store fronts. Both have been there for decades. But on the notice filed with Pinellas County for the roof replacement at 801 N Fort Harrison Ave., Andrus signed his name as a manager of the company that owns the building. But in the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. ', Freedom Magazine is a Scientology produced publication. The acquisitions mirror the pattern that unfolded downtown between 2017 and 2019, when companies tied to Scientology bought 100 properties within walking distance of the waterfront and the churchs international spiritual headquarters, then left many of those buildings vacant and lots undeveloped. Clearwater has been home to fellow Scientologists Tom Cruise, who lives in a downtown penthouse, and Kirstie Alley, who owns a multi-residence waterfront compound in the area. The Tampa Bay Times reported that the church, including members and employees, now own 185 properties that encompass more than 101 acres in downtown Clearwater, located west of Tampa and sitting. February 27, 2023 7:03 PM. Both are supposed to open soon. A few weeks later, John Yarbrough sold the building where he had run his electrical services business for 22 years. Toxic trauma expert Gabor Mate diagnoses Prince Harry with attention deficit disorder but tells him it CAN 'I felt different to the rest of my family - and my mum felt the same': Prince Harry opens up on his 'broken 'He's completely beige drained of all his feisty ginger life-blood': JULIE BURCHILL'S verdict on Prince 'I was a bit of a mess': Amanda Abbington reveals she considered suicide after split from ex Martin Freeman DR ELLIE CANNON: My breast has not got lumps but it's itchy, should I be concerned about cancer at age 72? A deserted coin laundry. In 2017 the church acquired six downtown Clearwater retail properties through limited liability companies. Theyve got one intention, and one intention only, De Vocht said. They keep their operations going. Save. When buildings get important to us, for God sakes, some of you born revolutionists will you please blow up central headquarters". Then walk down Cleveland Street downtowns main artery. 'The logical conclusion is Scientology must have some sort of a game plan in mind, but theyre not public with what it is,' City Council member Hoyt Hamilton said. The Church of Scientology offered $15 . Since 2017, limited liability companies tied to the Church of Scientology have scooped up at least 100 properties on or near the downtown waterfront and approximately 60 others in residential. Just make more income with Scientology. It teaches that expanding Scientology is key to saving the world, then wields a system of totalitarian policies to keep parishioners in line. Church of Scientology's presence in Pinellas County Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has bought 60 properties in Pinellas County under its name: 58 are in the. Operatives framed the mayor in a staged hit-and-run and spread false rumors he was having an extramarital affair. Scientology hasn't answered directly why they've taken over the Clearwater area, but skeptics say it's to keep the public away. He promoted the site to about 75 hoteliers and developers across the country. Just how many is tough to fact-check due to the church's many tenuously connected affiliates . Leading up to the waterfront, 22 of the first 33 buildings now have ties to Scientology. The Church has not revealed any motive behind their domination of downtown Clearwater. Miscaviges offer to revitalize downtown hinged on the city ending its attempt to buy one vacant lot on which the church was also bidding. Thats not happening with almost any of these properties. The city has no record yet of redevelopment plans being submitted for any of the North Marina properties since the purchases began, according to planning and development director Gina Clayton. That point is brought home in an editorial ('One Community, Many Good People' ) in the new edition of our Freedom Magazine. Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard had written about doing away with governments and replacing them with a Scientology-run society. Did you check your W-2? Now, companies connected to the Church of Scientology are buying tracts of land within the 55-acre district and not disclosing what they plan to do with them. Assistant City Manager Michael Delk said the citys priority is turning the spectacular land it owns into a community destination, no matter who owns the private property around it. No one from the church dictates to me what to buy, what to sell, what to do.. They came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown. Any property owned by a Scientologist or linked to a Scientologist is owned by the church, because the church owns its parishioners, said De Vocht, the former executive in charge of real estate, who reported directly to Miscavige. MCMANUS: Yeah, that's a good question. I mean, do they view it as helpful for the community at large to have a major religious organization centered in their town or not? Ron DeSantis on Monday undid a looming $1.2 billion tax hike on Central Florida residents that he inadvertently imposed a year ago in a hastily passed bill meant to punish Walt Disney Co. for criticizing his so-called "Don't Say Gay" law. One of the factors they do control is the waterfront land that's protected by city charter, that they are in the middle of a $64 million plan right now to redesign and develop into a park with gardens and a concert venue. Clearwater is home to one of the Church's most important bases, a campus called Flag (above), which Scientologists across the globe make pilgrimages to. Disloyalty has life-changing consequences. And Scientology has an interest in keeping that insulated according to former executives that we've interviewed. GARCIA-NAVARRO: What is the view of the local community? Nearly all of the properties were bought through limited liability companies, which are required to disclose their operators but not their owners. Tal Ezra, a Scientologist who recently bought four parcels around an office where he has run his fuel management company since 2005, said hes considering office space and possibly a retail shop. Has the Church of Scientology ever killed anyone? Since arriving in Clearwater in 1975, the Church of Scientology has bought 60 properties in Pinellas County under its name: 58 are in the city of Clearwater and 49 are downtown. Rebecca and Uri's father is Dr. David Minkoff, a physician and Church of Scientology member, who was partly implicated in Lisa McPherson's 1995 death. It has terrorized defectors with private investigators, smear campaigns and relentless litigation. #1 of 10 resorts in Clearwater. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. Church officials used a straw corporation to buy the historic Fort Harrison Hotel and moved in under a fake name. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. Then, the . But the aquarium rejected his bid in order to sell it to the city for $4.25 million. People arrive for the celebration of the opening of the new Scientology Flag Building on November 16, 2013 in Clearwater, Scientology boasts 10million followers, but surveys and accounts from former members suggest there are no more than 30,000 worldwide. They didnt say what they were going to do with them, and I never asked, said Chesney, who works as the citys marine and aviation department director.
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