Most of us avoid downtown because of Scientologist If I didn't love this city so much, I would have to laugh at the continued quandary that the mayor, city commissioners and city manager seem to stay in over what to do to revitalize downtown and the bayfront. It must be remembered that downtown Clearwater has a unique problem that virtually no other city has -- a very visible contingent of hundreds (and perhaps thousands) of uniformed cult members roaming the area at all hours.

It's just that simple. Scientologists are not trusted and not liked by the vast majority of Clearwater residents. They are the main reason that downtown has been abandoned by the average citizen.

When will our city government face up to that fact? It's a major issue, not one to be kept on the sidelines.

Lorraine Bachman, Clearwater

F. Wallace Pope Jr.'s diatribe against those Clearwater taxpaying citizens who, unfortunately, do not share his views of ongoing and proposed developments in Clearwater, is glaringly without objectivity. How could he and his law firm be objective when they already have business ties with the "recommended" New Orleans firm for the proposed development of the bluff, and with Scientology?

Amid his palaver, however, I take heart in Mr. Pope categorizing us as "soreheads." In a referendum on the bluff's development, Clearwater's taxpaying citizens will convey the conviction that there are more important considerations than glitzy development.

Clearwater taxpayers take note because in the weeks ahead, you will be bombarded with the specious merits of the proposed bluff's development to try to persuade you to approve a disaster even greater than Roberto's Roundabout.

Victor J. Rudolph, Clearwater http://www.sptimes.com/News/021700/NorthPinellas/New_buildings_downtow.shtml

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