http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/main/document.html?QDesc=&FMTS=FT&QVPID=&FrameName=&QCPP=&QIID=000000092612968&FMT=FT SP Times Publishing Co. Nov 29, 2001 RE: Downtown shows signs of vitality, editorial, Nov. 7, and $ 80- million development planned, story, Oct. 26.

I am amazed at what downtown Clearwater considers vitality. The fact that Lee Arnold is going to build luxury condominiums downtown is a joke. Once the Scientology "super power" building is complete, Clearwater will be even more of a destination (and second home) for none other than wealthy Scientologists.

The luxury condominiums will be needed for those who are above living 10 to a room in one of the many hotel and apartment complexes occupied by the lesser-ranking Scientologists.

This and the fact that Starbucks is now providing luxury coffee products to Scientologists (and I'm sure some taxpayers) clearly show a downtown on the rise!

But of course you must be careful what you believe in; because if you speak out against Scientology, not only can you be refused service at many establishments in downtown Clearwater, but the same folks who are promoting downtown may take away your business. Not directly, of course, but they will find ways to make it difficult for you to attract an audience to an area that is challenged in the first place.

I am talking about the city lot that we at Club More used for our customers to park in the four years we were open. Bringing 100,000 people to downtown Clearwater to see some of the most prestigious performing artists touring small clubs these days - now that was vitality!

A letter from the city engineer in January confirmed the plans for a paved, metered lot. This is one of the major reasons we opened our kitchen at Club More, just before being told we no longer had parking.

This paved lot not only would have allowed us to maintain our nighttime business, but we would have been able to open for lunch, as well.

But no, sorry, not only can you no longer use the parking lot, now you won't have any parking for a lunchtime business; and you've just wasted $50,000 putting in a kitchen. Talk about taking away any chance of turning our business into a successful, important part of downtown redevelopment.

It's unfortunate that the one thing that should have been most important in any downtown redevelopment plan was forced out of business. I believe it's because I have continually spoken out against Scientology. Then Club More hosted a benefit for the Lisa McPherson Trust. After that, it was all downhill in relations with this very vital downtown.

Coincidence? I think not.

F. Charles Gordon, Clearwater --

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