SCIENTOLOGY WANTS BREAK ON HOUSING February 16, 1994 [excerpt]
CLEARWATER - The Church of Scientology wants to loosen city housing codes to allow more Scientologists in Hacienda Gardens, an apartment complex that is home to hundreds of the church's students and staff.The change would cut in half the required living space and eventually provide homes for the 300 new Scientology staff members needed for the ""Super Power"" facility, said Richard Haworth, a spokesman for Scientology's Clearwater-based Flag Service Organization.
The $24-million Super Power building, a six-story counseling center, is scheduled to be built on the site of the former Gray Moss Inn on N Fort Harrison Avenue. Groundbreaking is set for March, but Scientology has yet to submit its construction plans to the city.
CLEARWATER, Fla., Jan. 19 -- When music stars Roberta Flack, David Sanborn and Dr. John come to Clearwater for a Super Bowl weekend concert, they will stay in accommodations rarely seen by the public--the Church of Scientology's signature spiritual retreat, the Fort Harrison Hotel. It's a sign of how the controversial church is gaining acceptance in an area that once looked at it with a very cautious eye.And it's all free. The concert organizers, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday organization, are paying nothing.
... Jazz Holiday officials are inviting area dignitaries to meet the three artists and celebrate before the Super Bowl.
The Jazz Holiday group,... has staged the annual October jazz festival in downtown Clearwater for 20 years, ...
"There was a time when I got involved in Jazz Holiday we couldn't book Scientologists who happened to be artists," said Wayne Garcia, vice president of the board of directors.
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