cult (Clearwater, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs: how much, hotel, landscaping)

[smith727]

I recently went downtown Clearwater and was shocked at how much it declined since I worked there in the 90s, the downtown looked like a ghost town, stores were closed, very creepy and depressing down there. Then the city re-routed all the traffic out of there and routed it on 60 to get to the beach. Looked like the people down there were either scientologiest or poverty type people. What a way to destroy a cute little city with a cult. It looked like the zombies. A very sad place to go.

[smith727]

also know this.. the police work for the scientologist.

[hush.bereel]

Clearwater = The Flagship

[PhotoProIP]

Hey, but don't tell that to the up northerners looking to move to sunny, gorgeous, beautiful, sandy, beachy, Florida! LOL

I haven't been to Clearwater in the 90's, so I have no clue what you're talking about. The only think I see when I go is a bunch of Latin American tourists! Or just a lot of landscaping companies. What do these ppl you're talking about look like? I have no idea what they look like!

And what is a "Poverty Type" exactly?

[jambo101]

On the infrequent times i go to Clearwater its solely to bring a visitor to the beach, which over the years i find is getting very crowded and congested, the last time i went downtown Clearwater it was as previously described with several uniformed scientologists try to get me to sign on to their strange cult..Clearwater? theres better options..

[EngGirl]

These scientologist are everywhere. We made a mistake recently by going there - never ever again. I had a horrible feeling seeing these S in their uniforms EVERYWHERE!!!
Is there any way to find out if owners of businesses around church of S are also scientologiests?

[gypsychic]

I despise Clearwater. The downtown is as the OP described, creepy and deserted and no vibrance due to scientologists and homeless types. I have always hated the beaches there, too, they have always been crowded beyond belief with terrible traffic. The only time Clearwater was good was maybe back in the 1950's (pre-scientology). This city ranks very low on my list of desirable places in Pinellas (my faves are St. Pete, Safety Harbor, Dunedin and Tarpon Springs)

[jambo101]

For just a busy place to hang around Johns Pass is where i go.
If i want something a little more primitive Ft Desoto is the place.

[AES328]

Yep. Clearwater sucks.

[engineman]

Downtown Clearwater wasn't doing well when the Scientologists snuck in and bought the Fort Harrison hotel. They have been expanding ever since. We rarely ever went downtown. There were plenty of restaurants, etc along Gulf to Bay. Clearwater and Countryside malls were fine for shopping.