- SCIENTOLOGISTS EXPAND US AND INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS  -
The imminent dedication of a multi-million dollar castle in Clearwater, Florida
will make this the top Scientology city in the world.
by Gabe Cazares

Scientology's "Super Power" building
Scientology's "Super Power" building under construction
The Ft. Harrison hotel is in the foreground


Since 1975 when this destructive cult occupied Clearwater with military-type invasion orders like secret "Project Normandy" and "Tri-Cycle," it has gained increasing political and economic control of this former tourist waterfront destination.  Local political and business leaders have facilitated the acquisition by this cult of over $48 million in prime property, two-thirds of which is tax-free.  The community has lost the historical Ft. Harrison hotel and the only mainland waterfront hotel, as well as other facilities, leaving the downtown area without a hotel to serve the Pinellas County courthouse or city hall. 

The majority of these two government's elected officials receive much of their election campaign funds from a Scientology, Chamber of Commerce and Government coalition.  The realtors, developers, other business leaders and Scientologists need support from city hall and the county courthouse.  The current mayor of Clearwater is strongly supportive of Scientology, frequently attending anniversary and other public relations events at the Ft. Harrison hotel.  An upcoming election on March 9, 2004 includes two candidates for a vacancy on the city commission. 

As of January 14, 2004, candidate Carlen A. Petersen, a former chairman of the city development board which deals with attorneys, developers and residents, received $16,570.00 in contributions.  Among her $500.00 contributors were (names and listed occupations):  William Regan, sales representative;  Hooters on Location, restaurant;  Jeffrey Lopatin, realtor;  Art Headquarters, art company;  David Regan, chairman;  Becky Suomalainen, social worker;  Island Way Grill, restuaruant;  Lee Arnold, Jr., C.E.O.;  E.D. Armstrong, CHS;  Peter Brown Construction, construction;  Gulf Coast Consulting, consulting;  Timothy and Clair Johnson, attorney;  Krysten Ericson, community volunteer;  Even Berntsen, banker.

E.D. Armstrong is council for Scientologists, is  former chairman of the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce's Clearpac, a political affiliate of the chamber.  Some contributions are also listed as coming from Johnson, Blakely, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns in varying amounts.  Timothy Johnson listed above is the "Johnson" in that law firm, and has long represented Scientology.

The election of Carlen Petersen would almost guarantee support and favorable action for Scientology cases.  The record of contributions to Carlen Petersen are similar to the receipts of virtually every victorious candidate in the city of Clearwater and other major, county-wide elective offices. 

Scientologists have announced plans to expand to other municipalities.  The recent success in winning over the mayor of Tampa to Scientology is a real threat to the Tampa Bay area.  The presence in Tampa of the most sensitive military installations in the world is a real security threat.  Billboards have been used by Scientology to invite military personnel, foreign or US, and their dependants to join Narconon and other programs in an old recruiting tactic of this cult.  Foreign troops which may not be aware of Scientology and its criminal world-wide record are especially vulnerable to recruiting.  Among their most serious criminal acts was the conviction of the top leadership of Scientology for conspiracy against the United States government.  The leaders, including the wife of L. Ron Hubbard, were jailed.  L. Ron Hubbard was an unindicted co-conspirator.

Candidates seeking campaign funds in local elections are especially vulnerable to the Scientology coalition.  Last year Pam Iorio was in the final weeks of a campaign for election as mayor of Tampa.  Mary Repper, one-time liberal democrat but now an enthusiastic political consultant and supporter of Scientology approached Pam Iorio with an offer she should have refused.  Mary told her friend Pam that she had a group that wanted to hold a fundraiser for her, but was concerned she might not accept as this group happened to be Scientologists.  Pam accepted, replying that she had no objection to "religious" groups.  Among the contributors to Pam Iorio were:  E.D. Armstrong, Mary Repper and Mary Story, Scientology's PR leader.  This was shortly  followed by the public opening and celebration of a Scientology recruiting office in Tampa for military personnel from MacDill AFB, students from local universities and educational institutions.

Their quick success in Tampa was not enough for the Scientologists.  Mary Repper celebrated this victory by inviting newly-elected mayor Iorio to dinner.  In addition to the mayor, Repper had invited som old friends like Senator Tom Lee of Brandon and Scientology actor, Tom Cruise. 

Politics is politics, and war is war.  Americans are reminded every day about our vulnerability to hostile actions by the enemy.  How can Tom Cruise and these local supporters ignore a few facts about Scientology's world-wide actions against friendly governments, like being caught by the Greek government with a top-secret map of a military facility- and dozens of arrests by British, Spanish, German, Canadian and other nations for serious violations of the law?  How can any person claim he is a proud, loyal American and embrace a cult which has committed the first known occupation and takeover of an American city by a paramilitry terrorist organization which has a "fair game" policy to "destroy" its enemies, entraps young members worldwide and gets them to sign a billion year contract to "clear the planet," and exploits and subjects its members to punishments not permitted by law, including imprisonment in their "RPF?" 

Those who know Scientology agree that this cult represents a clear and present danger to citizens, regardless of race or nationality.  If one single fact about Scientology proves the cult's danger to America it is its indictment in 1975 by a Federal grand jury.  The 25 count indictment charged them with conspiring to steal government documents, theft of government documents, and conspiring to obstruct justice.  Those who support or profit from Scientology should be aware of their tacit support and approval of Scientology's contempt for religion, government, and individuals.

Gabe Cazares, Clearwater, FL
February, 2004

Gabe Cazares
Former Clearwater Mayor, Gabe Cazares