The Church of Scientology has done more to clean up and rebuild downtown Clearwater than any other single group that I have seen since I first came here in 1970. They have rid N Fort Harrison Avenue of most of the hookers and undesirables and they have turned the dilapidated motels that were populated with drug dealers and vagrants into clean units that have clean-cut people coming and going all day. They have brilliantly refurbished the old Fort Harrison Hotel, the bank building and many more locations. These attributes alone are reason enough to appreciate the contributions that the Church of Scientology has made to Clearwater.
We can walk freely to a concert or an event in Coachman Park (many of those supported by the Church of Scientology) and not worry about leaving before dark out of fear of being assaulted. We can shop downtown or enjoy sitting outside having a cup of coffee while watching the people or the sunset from the bluff because of the prosperity the Church of Scientology has brought to Clearwater.
I was a three-term commissioner in the town of Belleair, and during my tenure I recognized the members of the Church of Scientology doing much of the new building of large homes and remodeling of old or rundown homes in Belleair. Our ad valorem tax rate benefits significantly from this type of growth, so this is the kind of people we welcome in Belleair, and they too pay taxes, contrary to what the author of "It's a cult" suggests.
It is a myth that the Church of Scientology does not pay taxes. It is, in fact, one of the largest taxpayers in Clearwater, and we, the residents of Pinellas County, benefit from this tax base. When we think of the other financial benefits that we reap from the presence of this organization in Clearwater, there are many and it would devastate downtown Clearwater to lose the Church of Scientology.
As a good Catholic, I do not want to belittle the author of "It's a cult," but suggest that he and all of us live together, respect each other's views, religions and lifestyle preferences, and make Clearwater and Pinellas County a great and prosperous home for ourselves, our children, our grandchildren and the tourists.
-- Thomas J. Murrin, Belleair
Let's set anti-Scientology bias aside
Re: Scientology's image, editorial, June 9.
As a onetime newspaper reporter and editor, I decided a long time ago that I would not write letters to the editor. Reporters sometimes make mistakes or take an angle on a story that I disagree with. And I will defend to the death the right of editorial writers to wax eloquent, no matter how much I disagree.
I am prompted to reverse that decision by the editorial on June 9 that once more dredges up old biases, bruises and braying about the Church of Scientology and its relationships within Clearwater. As a traditional advocate for civil liberties, the Times should expend more energy on building bridges and opening doors in this community than in ostracizing the church and its members. Sometimes your thinly veiled threats to elected officials smack of the same irrational, prejudiced treatment that you would never abide in others who pander to bias and bigotry.
What prompts this letter, though, is the specific warning in your editorial about church officials marketing downtown Clearwater. You should be applauding the effort, not deriding it. I was assistant city manager for economic development in Clearwater for more than four years. I know how difficult it is to get things done here and how much we need all the help we can get. I never had a more honorable ally and advocate than church staff, starting at the very top. As I told everyone during my tenure, I do economic development, not religion. Directly said, the church is a key and positive component on the downtown mix.
In most cities, the private sector takes the lead in marketing and business recruitment. Governments rarely have the resources, focus or contacts to do the job effectively. In fact, the Clearwater government pays the chamber of commerce to market tourism. Many others, including Tampa, also pay their chambers for economic development services.
In addition, my checking tells me that the church's efforts in the mailing were small, targeted and based on public information. As your story pointed out about halfway through, senior city officials knew well in advance what the Scientology staff wanted to do. Just because they neither raised an objection nor informed their elected officials is hardly reason for commissioners, top management or you to imply that something untoward had occurred.
Downtown development is going to take a lot more than pretty pictures and vague promises. It is going to take the concerted efforts of everyone who has a stake in progress and the future of Clearwater. It is going to take a strong and sustained business recruitment program. The Times needs to make a decision of conscience and without old prejudices. Are we going to work in the present and the future or continue to live with past mistakes and biases?
-- Robert Keller, Clearwater
Beach is enjoyable just as it is
Re: Stop the foot-dragging on Bluewater project, letter, June 18.
I didn't know whether to be annoyed or amused when I read the letter from the Tampa man who informed us that he would be willing to favor Clearwater Beach with his presence if only we would make the Bluewater Isle project happen on East Shore Drive.
We must hasten to do his bidding, of course.
All we have to do is give up the only street which lets us avoid the accident-prone roundabout, at least in one direction. Then we must allow more units of density than in any other project on the beach. Next we must allow two massive buildings, at least four levels high, stretching from Poinsettia Street to the bay, walling off a large portion of the island from bay breezes and open views. Then we must change the rules, once again, to allow four buildings well over 100 feet high very close to each other.
If the current plan is followed, we will have a crowded, three-lane street to take us past, or into, the new buildings, and less access than ever to the north beach where other people enjoy going.
The Tampa man spoke with enthusiasm of the proposed boardwalk and new shops and restaurants this project would bring to the beach. But we already have excellent restaurants and shops, which will be neglected if beach-going traffic stops at Poinsettia and turns into the new project, only to return the same way without ever approaching Mandalay Avenue. And by the time the older places are finally run out of business, the Tampa man and his friends will have tired of the beach boardwalk, etc., and gone on in their endless search for "something new."
I cannot find it in my heart to grieve the absence of this Tampa writer on our shores because so many of his neighbors are already coming to Clearwater Beach and enjoying it just the way it is. Maybe he can find an area of Tampa to order changed so that they can be lucky enough to have him go there. I really think Clearwater Beach will survive without him.
-- Anne Garris, Clearwater
Unelected board is too powerful
In the past few months, a very disturbing trend has become more and more apparent in the city of Clearwater's decisionmaking process. Too many controversial land use decisions are being made by the Community Development Board rather than the City Commission in cases that will affect the lives of many citizens, permanently change the character of a neighborhood and involve large sums of money..
I strongly believe that such important, long-ranging decisions ought to be made by elected, rather than appointed, bodies. The CDB members do a good job, but they are not subject to our competitive election process and they often bring with them interests related to their involvement in the land use field.
One of the basic principles of our American government at every level is that we elect people to make major decisions as our representatives, and if we disagree with their decisions, we let it be known in the voting booth.
How can we correct this serious problem? Past commissions have identified very controversial and important matters which they felt should be decided by them rather than an appointed board. For example, when a complex new Clearwater sign code was being finalized some years ago, the commissioners used the existing Planning and Zoning Board to make advisory recommendations, but they made all final decisions themselves. I recommend that a similar policy procedure be adopted as soon as possible.
I may sometimes disagree with governmental decisions made about those subjects that concern me deeply, but I can better accept them when such vital decisions are made by officials who are elected to their offices.
-- Bill Schwob, Clearwater
Please buckle up, and live
Last week the Largo Police Department investigated two separate fatality accidents. In both cases the drivers were not wearing their seat belts. In both cases we believe the drivers would have survived had their seat belts been fastened. Please buckle up.
-- Lester Aradi, Largo chief of police
[Last modified June 25, 2003, 01:32:57]
