He promoted the site to about 75 hoteliers and developers across the country. As a Designed to Dream property, we've created a relaxing environment so that you can start your day well-rested. 880 Mandalay Avenue S604, CLEARWATER, FL 33767 | MLS #O6093827 | Mike hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater Jim Huestler is the blocks only holdout with a rental home on the northeast corner. Paper: Scientologists buy dozens of properties in Clearwater Help us keep bringing stories like this to you. Ive been waiting for this neighborhood to clean up for 30 years, and I still think its around the corner, Rice said. But far more non-Scientologists are moving out. The Church is the largest property taxpayer in downtown Clearwater, paying nearly $1 million in property taxes last year. The church requires followers to shun family members, friends and business contacts who defy it. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. Clearwater vs Naples - Florida Forum - Tripadvisor Just how many is tough to fact-check due to the church's many tenuously connected affiliates . GARCIA-NAVARRO: What is the view of the local community? The Jerry Maguire star recently purchased a two-storey penthouse in downtown Clearwater, Floridaclose to the Scientology HQ. In summer 2018, Fischler walked into Bob Lees Auto Repair on Park Street to make owner Dennis Bosi an offer. Construction on eight townhomes on the south end of the marina began Oct. 1, according to county records. Facebook. and last updated 7:53 PM, Oct 21, 2019. The Church of Scientology offered $15 . Andrus, the former church operative, has broken ground on a condo tower near the citys boat ramp and filed plans for another housing complex nearby. These workers sign billion year contracts, are paid very little, work around the clock. But after a dispute with the city, Miscavige cut communication. The project broke ground in August and is aimed at helping bring businesses and foot traffic to the empty storefronts in the surrounding blocks. r/antiwork on Reddit: A CEO for a company in Clearwater , FL It does not include properties recently bought by companies run by church members. That point is brought home in an editorial ('One Community, Many Good People' ) in the new edition of our Freedom Magazine. In addition to a park and amphitheater, Imagine Clearwater also calls for several new projects on the waterfront with residences and retail. This one is owned by a parishioner who had been featured on the churchs Meet a Scientologist video series. In this way Scientologists were able to buy properties without companies knowing they were behind it. It is owned and operated by the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization, Inc., a subsidiary of the Church of Scientology International . Looking at the Times map of the new ownership, City Council member David Allbritton recalled a moment from 2017 that now seems telling. It bought a hotel and wrote plans to take control of the city. Mike Rinder, who led Scientologys intelligence arm before defecting in 2007, said any property owned by a parishioner is in the churchs control. All rights reserved. 1359 HOWARD STREET, Clearwater, FL, 33756 Point2 Buy up as much property as they can for the church whether they use it or not, whether they let it sit there and rot so no one else can be there,'Tom De Vocht, a former Scientology executive who oversaw the churchs property in Clearwater from 1996 to 2001, said. He is not listed on the corporate filings for any of the eight limited liability companies that recently bought the North Marina properties. srini devadas linkedin L Ron Hubbard From HCOPL URGENT ORG PROGRAMMING, "We own a tremendous amount of property. This gallery shows all 60 properties Scientology owns under its name in Pinellas county and six additional retail properties the church acquired through limited liability companies in 2017. After buying eight buildings on and around Cleveland Street in 2018, Moises Agami, a parishioner and developer, now has restaurants, shops and other businesses in 16 of those 20 storefronts. '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. Then,. Tom Cruise, a devout follower of Scientology, has been effectively 'homeless' since he put his homes in California and New York on the marketearning GBP 41.5million ($55 million) in the process. In 1975, Scientology creator L. Ron Hubbard bought a historic hotel in downtown Clearwater. When buildings get important to us, for God sakes, some of you born revolutionists will you please blow up central headquarters". by. Half the properties were bought since January 2017. the Church of Scientology and Clearwater is incapable of being an honest hard-working partner with the city of Clearwater in revitalizing this town it's not possible because it's against their fundamental best interests this is the reason all of the Scientologists in the in Clearwater were instructed by the Office of Special Affairs to . The goal was to capture the area immediately surrounding both Scientologys headquarters, City Hall and the city-owned waterfront. The Times used the date that transactions were recorded in Clerk of Courts official record as the date of sale. The impact is clearest in the heart of downtown. I think it's comparable to say it's kind of, like, if there were to be a Vatican reporter in Vatican City. "Then we realized our hotel room must have been bugged." After bolting from the center, $23,000 poorer, the Rowes say, they were chased repeatedly by Scientologists on foot and in cars. Just make more income with Scientology. Miscavige cut off communication with the city. Scientology is a snitching culture and it's deeply embedded.) ! He owns Stonebridge Real Estate and served as president of the Florida Gulfcoast Commercial Association of Realtors in 2017. City officials are suspicious that the church could be planning to do something with the land they now posses. MCMANUS: Right - because the city officials have said that there's only so many factors they control. Terri Novitsky and Hayes did not return calls and emails requesting comment. These are the companies and names on this list (put into alphabetical order, I also added what are probably the largest scientology owned businesses in the area KnowB4, NTC, Consumer Sales Solutions and Energy Professionals: Axiom Bahia Property Management (Raul Aleman) Blue Streak Docs (Sam Gendusa) Buzzazz Business Solutions (Keanan Kintzel) Trump congratulates Justin Trudeau on winning a second term Three soldiers died when their tank fell off a bridge into a Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, TN residents say Jack Daniel's distillery spews black mold, Incredible footage of Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russians in Bakhmut, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' His partner is Scientologist Maria Dolores Gregori Fuster. Inc. magazine's 2019 report on the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned businesses in America cites 16 firms based in Clearwater. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Lares and his wife, Emily, sold the diner inside a decade ago. 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. The Church told 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.'. 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. 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. 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. Subscribe to our free Stephinitely newsletter. The church acquired three others in a land swap. But in the 70s, Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. I, Scientology cant clear the planet or fix every issue. They came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown. The lack of action from Scientology-tied buyers has precedent. But companies controlled by different parishioners bought neighboring properties that create clear assemblages of land. According to court records, Andrus accompanied two guards as they handcuffed and gagged the man, dragged him into a car and drove him to a hideout, where he was held for a month before escaping. Log in, If the org slumps during this transition period, don't engage in "fund raising" It's Clearwater, FL. What is it like living amongst Scientologists in Clearwater - Quora Breakfast options. Andrus was named an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientologys government espionage scheme, which sent 11 Scientologists to federal prison. wikipedia.en/Flag_Building.md at main chinapedia/wikipedia.en Religious Technology Center (RTC) is the primary manager of Scientology intellectual property. Thirteen were existing tenants when he bought the properties. 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. New details about the case of Lisa McPherson, who died in the care of Scientologists, from the executive who directed the Church of Scientologys handling of the case. City officials say their dedication to redeveloping the waterfront hasnt changed. Seven businesses have left following recent purchases, and at least three more are leaving this year, including Clearwater Plumbing and Gulf Coast Marine. The church has shed no light on its plans. In January and February 2017, a handful of limited liability companies bought six prime downtown parcels. 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? Did you check your W-2? The analysis did not include residential parcels except in cases where they were bought in conjunction with commercial property or vacant land. 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. [ The full history: Scientologys 40 years of conflict with the City of Clearwater, recapped ]. It teaches that expanding Scientology is key to saving the world, then wields a system of totalitarian policies to keep parishioners in line. GARCIA-NAVARRO: What do you mean billion year contracts? They also pointed to the latest edition of their Freedom magazine for what they called an accurate portrayal of the church and its members in Clearwater. Of the $103 million spent, $99 million was paid in cash. Wayne E. Lee ran his Auto Parts Distributors business on Park Street since 1982. The new owners also are sitting on about 30 undeveloped lots. Trish Duggan and the $114 Million in Clearwater Real Estate Purchases Seventy-three percent of the property is tax-exempt for religious purposes. 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. They started hosting concerts on the waterfront that now draw thousands. The Tampa Bay Times reports that recent purchases doubled the combined real estate footprint of the church and its followers. 619 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767-2643. Then he would try again, with new council members. City leaders spent tens of millions improving streets, subsidizing residential projects and hiring consultants. In interviews, sellers said most of the transactions unfolded the same way. 'There is nothing unnatural about Scientologists wanting to live in the same city that houses the international spiritual headquarters of their church,' a letter signed by Scientology attorney Gary Soter to the Times said. Clearwater is the permanent home to more than 10,000 Scientology parishioners. hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. [quote] Florida Gov. See every property owned by the Church of Scientology - Tampa Bay Times High-ranking defectors provide an unprecedented inside look at Scientology, its leader and the Lisa McPherson case. I dont mix my personal business with other areas in my life, said Terri Novitsky, a Scientologist who manages a company that bought two office buildings on Chestnut Street in 2017. Theyve got one intention, and one intention only, De Vocht said. In late 2020, Terri Novitsky also was elected to the Downtown Development Board, an advisory group tasked with promoting downtown. Share. Hamilton, who owns the Palm Pavilion on Clearwater Beach, said if he was going to buy a piece of commercial property, then he would have plans for it before he acquired it and would head straight. 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. In mid-2018, one year before the string of North Marina purchases took off, a company controlled by developer Brian Andrus, a longtime member of Scientology, bought the private marina next to the citys Seminole Boat Ramp. The Times described sales as cash transactions when they were paid without a mortgage filed in public records. In just three years, starting with a frantic land grab in January 2017, Scientology doubled its footprint in the city. The reason lies in rising tensions between the church and the Clearwater City Council. Over the next four decades, the church gradually amassed 58 properties in Clearwater under its name, 49 of them downtown. Clarion Inn & Suites Central Clearwater Beach has an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, a restaurant and bar in Clearwater. ), [ Slideshow: See every building owned by the church ], In the 90s, a Scientology magazine listed the churchs goals for 2000. Then the council interfered with a land deal that Scientology demanded for its plan. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? Some landlords tied to Scientology have helped bring life to portions of downtown. From $150.62 per night. Thank you for having us. 307 S Myrtle Ave Frnt, Clearwater, FL 33756-5524 +1 727-446-3354 Website Menu. The Fort Harrison Hotel is located steps from Clearwater City Hall, close to the downtown waterfront area,. 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. Trending; . Review. Scientologist Stu Sjouwerman Plans a $100 Million NASDAQ IPO for His Then walk down Cleveland Street downtowns main artery. It set aside $10 million for secret real estate purchases in Clearwater. by . But thats not important. The main reason why developers didnt want it was they didnt want to be near the Church of Scientology, Searcy said. Scientology founderL. Ron Hubbard called Clearwater its spiritual headquarters. Because the city rebuffed Miscaviges offer, Bunker, who has advocated against alleged abuses in Scientology for 20 years, said he sees the parishioner-involved real estate purchases that followed as a vindictive and desperate play to interfere with Clearwaters revitalization efforts. An elevated walkway connects the building to the Fort Harrison Hotel, the churchs first purchase in the city in 1975. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Flag is run by thechurchs notorious full-time workforce, the Sea Org, whose members sign billion-year contracts. What a difference in Mike from then and now., The Q&A session began at 2PM. Real estate agent Brian Andrus controls seven properties bought around the citys public boat ramp. Scientologys international spiritual headquarters is anchored by the Flag Building, on left. The 10 Best Clearwater Hotels (From $89) - Booking.com Visit hotel website. Right now, at least 30 businesses owned by non-parishioners are renting from Scientologists. The most recent deal came when a New York firm bought a former demolition yard on Nicholson Street for $593,400 on Oct. 20 and then flipped it two days later for $1 million in cash to one of the Scientology-tied limited liability companies, according to property records. All together, 32 companies bought 92 downtown properties since 2017. New Pasco County commissioner accused of faking his residency, Guide to Plant Citys Strawberry Festival, one of the largest festivals in the nation, Gov. MGE management group.Scientology based management for - reddit 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. hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater Clearwater Scientology Information Center Critics of the church say that the Scientology bought the downtown properties to keep the public at bay. Most did not respond or declined to comment. wikipedia.en/Scientology_in_the_United_States.md at main chinapedia If the council in 2020 isnt on board with doing something his way, hes going to do it himself.. The churchs campus grew slowly over decades. Walking through Clearwater people will find vacant lots, an empty former jewelry store, an dead laundromat and an abandoned Walgreens. Many of the properties werent on the market. ( magazine) Applied Philosophy. There are 22 Church of Scientology facilities in downtown Clearwater. Its members bought property on surrounding blocks. Following a fallout with the City Council, Scientologists started to buy downtown property - $103million worth to be exact - at an unprecedented rate and now the church and its members own185 properties that cover 101 acres of downtown. They include consumer products, a lighting manufacturer, development firms, fitness, advertising and marketing, environmental services and financial advisers. Its too soon to say how the shift in ownership will affect downtown. I saw a business opportunity, Ezra said. Toni Says: What is Medicares creditable prescription drug coverage? George Orwell's astonishing novel 1984 depicts a dystopian world that has many remarkable similarities to scientology. Lares declined again when Fischler met him at a restaurant in Pinellas Park for lunch, and once more when she tried in May. 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 Times also contacted representatives of all 32 companies it identified that bought downtown real estate over the past three years. Scientology's Presence In Clearwater, Fla. : NPR Clearwater also has more vagrants. The Bon Apptit Group | Clearwater, FL Scientology Businesses in Clearwater - Mike Rinder Minkoff had his medical license suspended for a year after it . I Am a Citizen of Clearwater. I Am a Scientologist. It's GRAYGATE! She reported full-time for six months, interviewing more than 90 people and reviewing more than 1,000 documents, to bring you this story. Andrus helped carry out a plan to stop a Scientologist who had spied on the federal government from turning himself in to the FBI. the organization's members was that of 36-year-old Lisa McPherson while in the care of Scientologists at the Scientology-owned Fort Harrison Hotel, in Clearwater, Florida, in . hotels owned by scientologists in clearwater. 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). By the Numbers: Scientologists in the Clearwater Community The 1.4 acre lot was across the street from City Hall and adjacent to a 13-story Scientology religious retreat. commercial meat slicer rental near me. I agree, the blog has a limited purpose, Super excellent, really great chemistry, so enjoyable to watch. Fort Harrison Hotel - Wikipedia Companies tied to the Church of Scientology paid millions in cash for 45 properties near downtown with no major plans in sight. Since July 2019, eight limited liability companies managed or operated by members of the church have bought 45 properties in North Marina, including Chesneys. And the properties cover about 100 acres. The city wants to turn downtown into a regional destination for food, drink and entertainment. You will discover the facts for yourself when you read that article; it provides the real answer as to what has happened with downtown revitalizationand how that revitalization was torpedoed by the Times. (Which, actually, all Scientologists are under pressure to do. Didn't like the Grab N Go Idea for a continental Breakfast. Take away the church footprint, a few condo towers and all buildings owned by the government. They came in under a fake name to buy the Fort Harrison Hotel, a historic hotel right in the center of downtown. Were she in Utah, would the Times intrepid reporter have headlined that 'Mormons are buying up property in downtown Salt Lake City!' We own a tremendous amount of material and so forth, and it keeps growing. In private meetings with council members, the Scientology leader described a plan for high-end shops, Cleveland Street facade renovations and an entertainment complex involving actor Tom Cruise, Scientologys most famous parishioner. 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. The Church of Scientology acquired the building in 2017 as part of its downtown redevelopment plan. 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. City officials plan to partner with a developer on ways to adapt the red brick schoolhouse, like turning it into a hub for restaurants, retail, or apartments. When I have to go to that area, and see them in crowds moving from building to building doing their work ( whatever that is) I think of cockroaches, like whatever you do . I really appreciate you all giving up your time to, Mike was probably getting a slew of YSCOHB texts from DM. Its like they are trying to control the whole thing.. There is nothing unnatural about Scientologists wanting to live in the same city that houses the international spiritual headquarters of their church, said a letter signed by Scientology attorney Gary Soter.
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