This week five secret proposals for Clearwater downtown development were made public by the city, and Tracey McManus gave a summary of them at the Tampa Bay Times.
The city called for developers to pitch them on what to do with three plots of land that are each between 1.2 and 2.6 acres in size and make up key parts of the Imagine Clearwater redevelopment plan to revive downtown. Five developers submitted plans that involved one or all three parcels.
Two of the projects were selected as finalists, McManus reported, but all five will be presented to the city council.
We were most curious, of course, to see the Church of Scientology’s proposal, which once again is to offer way more money than the appraised value for one of the parcels, the smallest one at 1.23 acres along Pierce Street, which Scientology is offering $7.5 million for, even though it’s only assessed at $5.5 million.
If you remember, Scientology leader David Miscavige at one point offered to pay $15 million for that small plot of land to the previous owner, the Clearwater Aquarium, and we explained why the Aquarium was in no mood to sell to Scientology, even at that price. (Scientology had wrecked the Aquarium’s plans to develop the parcel, and then picked a fight with a dolphin.) Instead, the Aquarium spurned Miscavige and took the city’s offer of $4.25 million.
Why is David Miscavige still so desperate to obtain that small piece of land that he’s still offering a couple of million more than its assessed value, and about three million more than his competitors?
We thought we’d show you the answer to that question in graphic form.
First, here’s the rendering of their plan for the Pierce Street parcel from finalist City Center Development…
And here’s the proposal from the other finalist, SROA Capital.
The city council will also consider this pitch from Elevate Clearwater…
Beginning to see the picture?
David Miscavige is making no proposal for the other two parcels, he just wants the Pierce Street location. Why? Because it’s right next to the Oak Cove hotel, which the church owns, and more importantly, across Osceola Avenue from the bungalows of the Fort Harrison Hotel.
The Fort Harrison is the holiest place in the Scientology universe, the center of its “mecca” of technical perfection. And the bungalows out back? In one of those, room 174, is where Lisa McPherson was held for the final 17 days of her life while undergoing quack mental health care spelled out by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
As Mike Rinder has explained repeatedly, the last thing David Miscavige wants is a lot of non-Scientologists spending time and enjoying themselves just feet away from Scientology’s spiritual mecca, where wealthy church members from around the world fly in to be fleeced at the Fort Harrison Hotel, the Flag Building, the Sandcastle, and other Flag Land Base landmarks.
The less the outside world actually sees what’s going on at Flag, the better, and the thought of a hotel or brewpub or, hey, just look at that big walking plaza being proposed by SROA Capital, right across from the Fort Harrison bungalows, what a nightmare!
We’re glad to see that SROA project chosen as one of the finalists, and we look forward to the day that tourists can enjoy that spot, and from their hotel rooms or a restaurant patio look across the street, gawk at Scientology, and maybe even raise a glass to the memory of Lisa McPherson.
McManus reported that the city council members will be interviewing the two finalists, City Center Development and SROA Capital, on Monday.
——————–
“You ever been on the Pacific Ocean? You look an awful long distance on the Pacific Ocean and you’ll find space, you know. The speculative horizon is like that. It’s way out, man. Boy, I mean we’ve collided with data which is highly debatable as to whether it will be popular or unpopular. And I’m afraid I have to go along with the first foundation decision I made, back in 1950 when they had that board meeting and told me I wasn’t to research on any more past lives. I don’t think they ever did get that end of the building back together again. The bricks are still cracked. And I said, well, psychology and other activities in the field of the mind have always had a large eye on popularity. And they would actually throw away materials which didn’t agree with things. They’d throw away the things which didn’t agree. And that’s why they’ve not come up with any answers. They consult this thing of the popularity of a datum, the acceptability of a datum and have therefore compromised truth. So you either accept truth or popularity.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 14, 1963
——————–
“Smersh operates on false data and has not changed his Situation Analysis in a whole score of years and does not vary tactics to fit new situations. That is valuable information. A general who fought that way would be busy fighting the 151st Bavarian Light Infantry as they were deployed at Niems in 1870! Since then they’ve been disbanded, forgotten, and that trench has been empty for 80 years. Yet such a general would have his whole army concentrating on it! Viewing national governments through this developed logic tech applied to their data and their idea of the situation reveals them to be crazy. And gives one the reason for both war and failing societies. No wonder they end up shooting people.” — The Commodore, May 14, 1970
——————–
“I’m not sure if LRH agrees with the CIA and IRS running Scientology after 1982. There was a takeover. That’s a turning point. That’s not real Scientology after 1982 and I no longer ‘felt’ LRH on lines after that. Of course I could grow my own food, but why be forced to grow food just because a fucking pack of R6 zombies don’t see the poison in their diet? And more, they follow R6 commands to lynch you if you happen to ‘open their eyes’ to see. Sorry, but it’s some three years now I can’t get my body clean of this fucking R6 zombie food. Nice you have your own RPF (mest work). You won’t be running to LA to climb the barbed wire at Hemet to pound on ‘The Hole’ to meet Heber to share some rice and beans.”
——————–
1998: Downtown Clearwater, Florida is preparing for the construction of the Super Power building. From the St. Petersburg Times: “If the Church of Scientology builds its 300,000 square-foot building and 3,500-seat auditorium, as it says it will, the church will have accomplished something city leaders have so far failed to do: formulate, refine and execute a complex development plan. For that, even Scientology’s harshest critics would have to give grudging credit to the church. Can both sides — Scientology and the city — work together for the benefit of all downtown on parking and other issues that are sure to come up? To be a trusted partner in downtown planning, the church should do two things: open the veil of secrecy it wraps around all of its activities and stop its irresponsible attacks on police Chief Sid Klein. Scientology bashers, on the other hand, should admit two facts: the Church of Scientology is here to stay, and it is in the city’s best interest not to abandon downtown but to put money and effort into its redevelopment. The church says the new buildings will bring 3,000 to 5,000 parishioners a week to downtown Clearwater and double the staff size to 2,000. Even if those numbers are exaggerated, it is almost certain that more Scientologists would be coming to downtown. It is the beginning of a promising plan, and Clearwater residents should eagerly await details. The Scientology office/counseling building will take two years to complete, church officials say.”
——————–
“The FDA could have busted Scientology a thousand times over for medical fraud if they simply sent in undercover agents wired for sound and vision to sign up for courses. Scientology registrars will promise any and all medical cures as long as you show them the money. The government is an ass.”
——————–
Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Preliminary hearing set for May 18.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Trial scheduled for May 20 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for June 18.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Oral arguments were heard on July 30 at the Eleventh Circuit
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Petition for writ of mandate denied Oct 22 by Cal 2nd Appellate District. Petition for review by state supreme court denied Dec 11.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Dec 30, Judge Kleifield granted Scientology’s motions to compel arbitration. June 7: Status conference.
— Matt and Kathy Feschbach tax debt: Eleventh Circuit ruled on Sept 9 that Feshbachs can’t discharge IRS debt in bankruptcy. Dec 17: Feshbachs sign court judgment obliging them to pay entire $3.674 million tax debt, plus interest from Nov 19.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Second amended complaint filed, trial set for Nov 9, 2021.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Case appealed on Dec 24.
Concluded litigation:
— Dennis Nobbe, Medicare fraud, PPP loan fraud: Charged July 29. Bond revoked Sep 14. Nobbe dead, Sep 14.
— Jane Doe v. Scientology (in Miami): Jane Doe dismissed the lawsuit on May 15 after the Clearwater Police dropped their criminal investigation of her allegations.
——————–
SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks
The Australian Seven News network cancelled a 10-part investigation of Scientology and its history of dirty tricks. Read the transcripts of the episodes and judge for yourself why Tom Cruise and Tommy Davis might not have wanted viewers to see this hard-hitting series by journalist Bryan Seymour.
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] A look inside a Scientology org as it prepares to reopen for the public
[TWO years ago] Why the quarantine is such a fail: Scientology ship was set up as an interrogation factory
[THREE years ago] Scientology’s reclusive ‘president,’ 82-year-old Heber Jentzsch, tells a niece he’s doing fine
[FOUR years ago] With its Mexico City project halted, Scientology fans out across town to promote its pablum
[FIVE years ago] Ron Miscavige shakes off Scientology smears, rockets to #1 in ebooks
[SIX years ago] Guest post: Five extreme examples of hypocrisy in Scientology’s ‘Freedom’ magazine
[SEVEN years ago] Falling death of a Russian Scientologist in Clearwater: The police investigation
[EIGHT years ago] How to Confront and Shatter Suppression, Scientology Style!
[NINE years ago] Lisa Marie Presley Removes All Mention of Scientology From Her Official Website
[THIRTEEN years ago] Jason Beghe to Scientology Mouthpiece Tommy Davis: ‘You’re Losing Your Soul’
——————–
Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,301 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,805 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,325 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,345 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,236 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,543 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,411 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,185 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,515 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,989 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,305 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,871 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,790 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,958 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,539 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,800 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,838 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,551 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,076 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 431 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,606 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,157 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,306 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,626 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,481 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,600 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,956 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,259 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,365 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,767 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,639 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,222 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,717 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,971 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,080 days.
——————–
Posted by Tony Ortega on May 14, 2021 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2020 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2020), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
