Letters to the Editors Why should downtown building escape taxes?

St. Petersburg Times August 5, 2002 http://www.sptimes.com/2002/08/05/NorthPinellas/Why_should_downtown_b.shtml

Re: Scientology's Flag Building: Unmistakable presence, story, July 28.

It seems that if someone is able to spend $50-million on a building in a prime location in downtown Clearwater, the city coffers should realize a nice profit, no matter who owns the building. How is it possible to avoid taxes just by saying it's religious?

The church I attend pays property taxes and is called a house of worship, and has been so for more than 40 years in one location.

Here we have a Scientology Flag Building dubbed "Super Power" with a cross to be erected on it, and it pays a minor amount of city taxes.

Why? If there will be 300 rooms for counseling, why no taxes on the other 589 rooms? What about the space for the 150-foot running track?

How is that considered religious? Can we assume that the exercise gyms in Clearwater are tax-free?

I'd love to have a tax-free business in downtown Clearwater. Are there any more such locations? How can a building that produces no tax revenue be an asset to Clearwater? The Peace Memorial church should not be concerned about being dwarfed by the Scientologists' new building. As he tells us, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I will be also," with no mention of a $50-million structure being needed to bring souls to Christ (the real purpose of real churches).

A big fancy building, dedicated to the full restoration of one's perceptions, will not get us to heaven. Only if we believe and receive him as our personal savior will we have eternal life with Christ Jesus.

And there is no other way, no matter what man claims otherwise.

-- Fran Glaros, Clearwater

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