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Scientology plans control of downtown Clearwater for retail makeover

Free to shine

Shiny & Free
From the Bunker.

Miscavige said he wanted the plot for a swimming pool for guests at the Oak Cove, which was farcical. The real reason, former Scientology spokesman Mike Rinder told us, was to keep non-Scientologists away from the Fort Harrison, the church’s holiest spot on Earth.

But at last night’s city council meeting, no Scientologists or church executives came forward to speak during the time for public comment before the council’s vote. And one person who did come forward to speak really stole the show.

It was our own Dee Findlay, longtime Underground Bunker reader and Clearwater resident, whom we wrote about in 2013 when her activity at this website got her declared a “suppressive person” by the church.

We knew her story, but still, what she said at the meeting knocked us over. After a faltering start about what she intended to talk about, she found her footing…

http://tonyortega.org/2017/04/21/bu...learwater-stood-up-to-scientology-last-night/
 

TheOriginalBigBlue

Gold Meritorious Patron
Epic go pound sand fail.

The Church said it was looking for an anchor to revitalize the area. Clearwater already has a Dollar Tree so I had to wonder what that possibly could be?

https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/04/retail-meltdown-of-2017/522384/

From rural strip-malls to Manhattan’s avenues, it has been a disastrous two years for retail.
There have been nine retail bankruptcies in 2017—as many as all of 2016. J.C. Penney, RadioShack, Macy’s, and Sears have each announced more than 100 store closures. Sports Authority has liquidated, and Payless has filed for bankruptcy. Last week, several apparel companies’ stocks hit new multi-year lows, including Lululemon, Urban Outfitters, and American Eagle, and Ralph Lauren announced that it is closing its flagship Polo store on Fifth Avenue, one of several brands to abandon that iconic thoroughfare.
A deep recession might explain an extinction-level event for large retailers. But GDP has been growing for eight straight years, gas prices are low, unemployment is under 5 percent, and the last 18 months have been quietly excellent years for wage growth, particularly for middle- and lower-income Americans.
So, what the heck is going on? The reality is that overall retail spending continues to grow steadily, if a little meagerly. But several trends—including the rise of e-commerce, the over-supply of malls, and the surprising effects of a restaurant renaissance—have conspired to change the face of American shopping.

Here are three explanations for the recent demise of America’s storefronts.
///
 

dchoiceisalwaysrs

Gold Meritorious Patron
Fantastic! All the OT postulates and theta flows could not budge the 5 city commissioners from voting against the cult. Epic 'tek' fail!

And what do you know, not a SINGLE scientologist showed up at the meeting! Where did their ability to confront go?

Where is cowardice on the tone scale again?

Dee said she sat next to one and talked to her before she made her comments.
 

tesseract

Patron with Horrors
Looks like they're on to the next round. :p :wink2:

"You Paid For It: Scientology trying to kill $26 million Clearwater aquarium funding after land sale dispute"

Linked by PerpetualOutflow and Shorpy on http://tonyortega.org/2017/04/25/so...t-scientology-is-the-worlds-coolest-religion/.

Chee Chalker said:
I hope Winter the dolphin is in the Witness Protection Program

:biggrin:

April said:
What the scientology idiots can't seem to grasp, and what the mayor explained explicitly in Monday's council meeting, is that the city is merely moving investment funds from the stock market into buying the property as an investment for the city. They're moving investment funds from one investment to another, not "wasting tax money." That investment of 4 million could pay off handsomly if the reviatlization effort is successful. Of course, the CO$ isn't about to let that happen.
 

CommunicatorIC

@IndieScieNews on Twitter
Mike Rinder: Scientology Clearwater Hissy Fit

http://www.mikerindersblog.org/scientology-clearwater-hissy-fit/

* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *

It did not take long for the smiling, glad-handing, magnanimous Miscavige to revert to form as the bully throwing a hissy fit because the minions did not kowtow and give in to his every wish.

[SNIP]

It is amazing to watch this unfold. Miscavige is being exposed to the world for what he really is. And finally, instead of just getting away with it because nobody dare incur his wrath, the mainstream media is shouting “the emperor has no clothes.”

* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *
 

CommunicatorIC

@IndieScieNews on Twitter
VIDEO: Church of Scientology asks for block to tourism funding l ABC Action News.

[video=youtube;0ngPQmu1I3Q]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ngPQmu1I3Q[/video]

Published on Apr 25, 2017

Church of Scientology asks for block to tourism funding in Clearwater.
 

CommunicatorIC

@IndieScieNews on Twitter
UPDATED: Scientology loses effort to kill $26 million Clearwater Marine Aquarium funding.

WFLA - You Paid For It: Scientology loses effort to kill $26 million Clearwater Marine Aquarium funding

http://wfla.com/2017/04/25/you-paid...ter-aquarium-funding-after-land-sale-dispute/

* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * *

CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — The Church of Scientology has for the moment at least lost a bid to kill $26 million in public funding for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The church made a last minute bid to block tourism tax funding for the aquarium’s expansion one day before Tuesday’s Pinellas County Commission meeting. The church argued that the aquarium is not deserving of public support for a myriad of reasons.

Commissioners essentially ignored the church’s objections at their meeting Tuesday and forwarded the proposal along with other recommended projects to a special committee that will negotiate the details of how that bed tax money is spent The plan will return to the commission for final approval.

[SNIP]

At Tuesday afternoon’s Pinellas County Commission meeting, commissioners unaninously voiced approval of the aquarium plans without actually taking a formal vote sent it to a committee to work out the details. Aquarium CEO said the aquarium is “moving forward” with its expansion plans and dismissed the church’s criticisms as “inflammatory and inappropriate.”

Church spokesman Ben Shaw later told Eight on Your Side “Its not over yet,” and vowed to continue opposing public financial support of the aquarium as a bad deal for taxpayers. Clearwater City Council Member Hoyt Hamilton called the church’s opposition to aquarium funding a “bully tactic” after losing a bidding war last week with the city over the vacant lot and faulted the church for fostering a bad image of itself in the community.

* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *
 

CommunicatorIC

@IndieScieNews on Twitter
Scientology leaders say aquarium shouldn't get public funds.

Fox 13 News: Scientology leaders say aquarium shouldn't get public funds

http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/250742252-story

Video at link.

* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * *

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium won a battle against the Church of Scientology in the chamber of the Clearwater City Council last week, and it seems the church will not let it go unnoticed.

The church had its sights set on a plot of land owned by the aquarium at the corner of Osceola and Polk. The City of Clearwater was set to buy the land for $4.25 million, but the church offered $15 million: A deal the church thought the aquarium couldn't pass up. But the aquarium honored the deal it already made with the city, and the city went through with the purchase.

Now the church is trying to convince Pinellas County commissioners not to approve tourism money for the aquarium, saying it must not need the cash since it turned down the church's offer.

Scientology leaders say aquarium shouldn't get public funds

Tuesday, commissioners approved the first step in sending $26 million in tourism dollars to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

At the last minute, the Church of Scientology tried to convince commissioners to block the funds, saying the aquarium has no reason to ask for all that public money given they just turned down the church's much-larger offer.

The church distributed documents alleging the aquarium's economic impact is overstated, and that the CEO makes too high of a salary for a non-profit.

[SNIP]

Commissioners approved the money anyway.

* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *
 

Gib

Crusader
VIDEO: Church of Scientology asks for block to tourism funding l ABC Action News.

[video=youtube;0ngPQmu1I3Q]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ngPQmu1I3Q[/video]

Published on Apr 25, 2017

Church of Scientology asks for block to tourism funding in Clearwater.

so the COS/DM decides to attack the CW decision not to buy the land from the COS offer of 15 million, and attack the people involved.

What was that PR Policy letter that Hubbard said, always maintain friendly relationships with the environment, LOL
 

CommunicatorIC

@IndieScieNews on Twitter
so the COS/DM decides to attack the CW decision not to buy the land from the COS offer of 15 million, and attack the people involved.

What was that PR Policy letter that Hubbard said, always maintain friendly relationships with the environment, LOL
Always maintain friendly relationships with the environment, unless someone in the environment disagrees with you or doesn't do what you want. In that case, fuck them.

The problem is that two different arms of the Church of Scientology, or indeed of OSA itself, will follow and implement two different and entirely inconsistent HCO PLs at the same time, not realize they are doing it, and have no idea their actions in one area are undercutting, if not obliterating, their achievements in the other area. Thus, the PR arm of OSA will do block parties, and inter-faith functions, and Human Rights and Way to Happiness events to generate good will. At the same time, the other arm of OSA will publicly and viscously attack a charitable Marine Aquarium because they couldn't buy a fucking lot for a swimming pool. They seemingly have no idea they flushed any good will they generated with the first activities down the toilet.

In this situation the smart move would have been for DM to announce the NEXT DAY that the Church of Scientology was moving ahead with its planned retail plan, and looked forward to working with the City of Clearwater. It would have been brilliant. It would have generated real goodwill and positive headlines. (They could have later put up a huge wall between their property and the lot.)

But no, they have to play bully.

SMDH
 

tesseract

Patron with Horrors
And all that just because they couldn't buy the aquarium property. There'll be some more normies about to be a nuisance and peep into the "religious retreat" or ask inconvenient questions. They could still go on with their facade renovation plan though and Tom Cruise is still going to move there, however, just now Davey with his tunnel gaze of the frustrated narcissist can only see the bad aspects and will act accordingly. I guess "moving on" is not one of Davey's strengths. I wonder how many more hissyfits will come just related to this one flap. (If it can be sorted out - difficult if the flaps just keep coming!) I hope CoS e.g. Davey keeps bitching about his failure to "make things go right", sending out lawyer letters and childish threats, at best non sequitur and whiny. I hope no city clerk gets spied on or harassed but if it happens, it will be uncovered quickly and generate more bad press. The more the merrier. People don't just need to know about Xenu, they need to know "religion or not, this is a shady, disingenuous and mean group with which I don't want anything to do". And then just when Davey maybe will have calmed down a little, there'll be season 2 of "Aftermath". Ouch. :biggrin: Thank you Clearwater city council for doing the right thing. :thankyou:
 

ThetanExterior

Gold Meritorious Patron
Posted on Tony Ortega's blog by user sizzle8:

66e6d43aec7b2ad529b8679e977454637cc64b18b1f72a90c7bad043c192209f.jpg
 

TheOriginalBigBlue

Gold Meritorious Patron
so the COS/DM decides to attack the CW decision not to buy the land from the COS offer of 15 million, and attack the people involved.

What was that PR Policy letter that Hubbard said, always maintain friendly relationships with the environment, LOL

This is friendly.
 

JustSheila

Crusader
Posted on Tony Ortega's blog by user sizzle8:

66e6d43aec7b2ad529b8679e977454637cc64b18b1f72a90c7bad043c192209f.jpg

:hysterical:

Sing along!
[video=youtube;bvgvUqBA67E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvgvUqBA67E[/video]

Monique Yingaling, Monique Yingaling
Henchwoman for Miscavige
Scaring kids and dolphins
To see her face will freeze your fin or tail so let's all sing,
Monique Yingaling, Monique Yingaling

She's like a spider waiting for the fatal sting
Look out for Monique Yingaling!

At first you think Yingling is a devil
But after time has worn away the shock
You come to realize
You've seen those half closed, blinking eyes
Watching you from underneath a rock

This human vampire bat, this Miscavige beast
She ought to be locked up and never released
Clearwater was such a wholesome place until
Scientology's dolphin-hating shill!


PS: Thanks for all the fish!
I'm so glad I joined ESMB and I'm very proud of my SP Declare!

Love,

Winter the Dolphin


5a4a744a914a69f2890be4ee446e1869.jpg
 

Free to shine

Shiny & Free
Talk about projection! They are going after the CEO's salary and tax benefits, unbelievable. Read the whole article at the link.


Church of Scientology takes aim at Clearwater Marine Aquarium after being denied land

The "formal complaint" — also sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the state auditor general and legislative leaders — is not going unchallenged by aquarium CEO David Yates.

"We want to be good neighbors to everybody, but we don't intend to be bullied at the same time," Yates said Wednesday. "Everything they wrote is either false, completely out of context or inflammatory."

<snip>

Yingling also said Yates' salary calls "into serious question the propriety of its request for additional taxpayer funding." She said Yates' $1.8 million in compensation over the past five years, and $529,468 in 2015 alone, shows "a substantial portion of the public funding received by the CMA already has gone into the pockets of its CEO and other executives."


<snip>

Church spokesman Ben Shaw did not respond to an email from the Tampa Bay Times on Wednesday inquiring about the pay of Scientology leader David Miscavige.



http://www.tampabay.com/news/scient...learwater-marine-aquarium-after-being/2321768
 

TheOriginalBigBlue

Gold Meritorious Patron
LRH Quote of the Day:

HCOPL 13 March 1965 Vol. 1 pg 211

An ARC Broken (upset) person, misemotionally reporting in a letter or telex invariably generalizes broadly in an effort to justify his misemotion and make a proper effect. In finding out the exact identity of his generalized "everyone" you cure his ARC Break and don't let it cause ARC Breaks between your org & his.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwEDgSECGiU
 

Free to shine

Shiny & Free
The Aquarium CEO speaks out.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium responds to Church of Scientology's attack

The Church of Scientology went out of its way last week to disparage the good reputation and hard work of our popular Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Perhaps not coincidentally, this comes after the aquarium refused to break its written commitment and decided to sell a piece of property we owned in downtown Clearwater to the city instead of the church.

The Scientologists' attack on us was mean-spirited, vindictive and misleading to anyone not aware of the facts. We want to set the record straight by sharing the documented facts and truth about the aquarium and its track record of protecting and growing our mission as a venerable marine rescue and education center.

http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/col...onds-to-church-of-scientologys-attack/2322005
 
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