Scientology leader tries to heal rift with angry local government officials in Florida where the Church has their 'cathedral'

  • David Miscavige, the head of the controversial religion, has met with local leaders in Clearwater, Florida after a public land dispute
  • The Church of Scientology bought a plot of land that the city intended to buy and use as a parking lot opposite the aquarium
  • City fought back by threatening to build a towering complex directly opposite the 'cathedral' of Scientology

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 11:47 EST, 22 March 2014 | UPDATED: 13:21 EST, 22 March 2014


The head of Scientology has met with local government officials in Clearwater, Florida after the controversial church has been in a public spat with the town leaders for years.

The trouble began when the Church of Scientology bought a one-acre plot of land across from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium that the city was planning on using as a parking lot.

The church refused to part with the land when the city offered to buy it off them earlier this year, and the spat grew from there.

Meeting of minds: David Miscavige (left) had a meeting with Clearwater city manager Bill Horne (right) on Thursday after a very public dispute over local property
Meeting of minds: David Miscavige (left) had a meeting with Clearwater city manager Bill Horne (right) on Thursday after a very public dispute over local property

Meeting of minds: David Miscavige (left) had a meeting with Clearwater city manager Bill Horne (right) on Thursday after a very public dispute over local property

Scene stealers: The Church of Scientology bought a plot of land opposite the Clearwater Marine Aquarium that the city was planning on using as a parking lot

Scene stealers: The Church of Scientology bought a plot of land opposite the Clearwater Marine Aquarium that the city was planning on using as a parking lot

The Tampa Bay Times reports that the city began looking at other options for the parking lot- including one directly across from The Flag Building, a seven-story property that is the closest equivalent of a cathedral that the Church of Scientology has.

City Manager Bill Horne stoked the fired even further, previously telling the paper that because of the city zoning code's lack of height restrictions, the city could theoretically build as 'high as we want' in that particular plot.

The back-and-forth prompted David Miscavige, the reclusive head of the controversial church, to meet with Horne in a rare face-to-face sit down.

'His interest was- in light of everything that has happened— how do we move forward? That was the tone of the meeting,' Mr Horne told the Tampa Bay Times about the discussion that took place Thursday.

Backlash: in response, the city bought a plot opposite the Scientology Flag Building (pictured) and threatened to build a structure higher than the Flag Building

Backlash: in response, the city bought a plot opposite the Scientology Flag Building (pictured) and threatened to build a structure higher than the Flag Building

Important: The Flag Building is the closest thing Scientology has to a cathedral, so they want to protect the area around it (Miscavige shown on a big screen at the building's dedication in November)

Important: The Flag Building is the closest thing Scientology has to a cathedral, so they want to protect the area around it (Miscavige shown on a big screen at the building's dedication in November)

Horne hadn't spoken to Miscavige directly over the past three years before the Scientology head called and suggested this week's meeting.

'The last time we met was a little rocky. This time, it was a positive meeting,' Mr Horne said.

The City manager added that Miscavige's biggest point of complaint was actually the newspaper itself and how the Church had been covered in the press, specifically in relation to the Clearwater property disputes.

No final decision was reached over the property across from the aquarium, but Horne said that it appears as if Miscavige is more open to discussions than he had been in the past.

'I think there's some opportunity, one of which is, maybe we can get the site we really want to build a garage,' Mr Horne said.


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Are you serious? All of this junk over a parking lot?

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Are you serious? ALL of this garbage over a parking lot???

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time to BREAK UP SCIENTOLOGY.

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Hit them where it really hurts. Put a huge tax on Kool-Aid.

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Hit them where it really hurts. Put a huge tax on kool-aid.

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Simple answer: Eminent Domain. All Clearwater needs to do is negotiate a price.

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Scientology is as much of a religion as christianity. It's all fake to me but I don't judge anyone by what they believe. Everyone has the right to believe what they want without threat of persecution. Some of the comments on here show how ignorant people can be about things they're scared of.

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People are so stupid to believe in a cult But kristen cavilleri believes vaccines that prevented polio are useless Despite fact 20 cases of polio in s.california Idiots going to believe what idiots believe

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Florida has a government ?

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It's quite funny to see someone from California make such a commnet. When I lived in Cali we had riots and demostrations and more laws than common sense. I was in an accident and the cops wouldn't even show up. Worry about the fact that your state is falling in the ocean and it is quickly becoming Mexico north. We some issues but everyone is flocking to Florida. You will be too when your house in part of the Pacific ocean.

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When Florida is the good guy you know you're in trouble.

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