Church of Scientology fined for felling healthy trees on event site
CLEARWATER — The city told them no, but the Church of Scientology did it anyway, cutting down two healthy live-oak trees this weekend near their downtown headquarters to make way for a massive tent being erected for an international gathering of Scientologists in November.
The removal of the approximately 20-foot-tall trees caught city officials and even the church's own contracted arborist by surprise on Monday.
"I was working on relocating those trees," said Rick Albee, a retired Clearwater arborist who now owns his own consulting company, Urban Forestry Solutions. "I didn't recommend it."
Neither did the city. In an Aug. 21 meeting, city planners explicitly stated that a "natural resource plan must be in place that ensures the survival of any trees impacted by this project."
"These two trees were fine, there was no reason for their removal," said Robert Tefft, the city's development review manager.
The city fined the church about $2,000 for the illegal tree cutting. The church paid the fine Monday.
"We have reimbursed the tree bank for the value of the trees, just like any other developer would do," Pat Harney, a church spokeswoman, wrote in an email.
Even though the trees were cut down illegally, the church's application for a special events permit to erect the tent — expected to hold the "vast majority" of the estimated 8,000 attendees for the International Association of Scientologists Anniversary Weekend— won't be adversely affected.
At least from the city Planning Department's perspective.
"At this point, there is no reason for us to say no," Tefft said.
City Manager Bill Horne said the church knew what it was doing.
"They purposefully disregarded the guidance we'd given them. They knew it, they disregarded it," he said. "But let's put this in context. This is not uncommon for some property owners to do this."
Clearwater has a strict tree ordinance that requires property owners to get a city permit before cutting down trees above a certain size.
The Church of Scientology has moved trees, rather than chopping them down, in the past. In August 1998, the church used hydraulics and a wood and steel track to move a 65-foot-tall, 125-ton live oak from one spot to another on S Harrison Avenue. It was done to make way for construction of the church's Flag Building, scheduled to open in early October.
"As far as trees go, the Church has a record of preserving old trees and fostering new growth," Harney wrote. "The Church even made the Guinness Book of World Records for relocating and preserving the largest live oak tree, at that time – 'Sam' – which is still alive and well in the front of the new Flag Building."
Albee said he met with a tree relocation company on Friday that estimated the trees had an 80 percent chance of survival if they were moved.
As for the health of the two trees, Albee had rated one a 4 on a 0-6 scale (with 0 being dead) and the other a 3.
The trees were located in parking lot islands, with their roots surrounded by limestone and concrete, so their viability was limited, Albee said.
Horne said he has seen renderings of a church plan to build a concert hall on the vacant site, although no plans have been submitted. Perhaps that figured into the church's decision, he said.
"As reported in the St. Petersburg Times on November 21, 2011, everybody knows this is the future site of the L. Ron Hubbard Hall," Harney wrote.
In any event, church leaders should have planned better, Horne said. Rumors that the long-delayed Flag Building would open this year have been circulating for months, but the application for the grand opening event wasn't delivered to the city until Aug. 16.
"If they had planned this event months ago, there may have been a way to avoid this situation," Horne said.
On Sept. 3, city staff will give church representatives a checklist of required steps for the permits to be issued for the Flag Building's Oct. 6 grand opening and the November Association of Scientologists event.
Charlie Frago can be reached at cfrago@tampabay.com or (727) 445-4159. You can follow him on Twitter @CharlieFrago
EXCLUSIVE: Church of Scientology is building new facility in East Harlem
The E. 125th St. chapel and community center are part of a new effort to expand the church from Hollywood to urban areas. A similar center was built in gang-heavy Inglewood, Calif., in 2011, and others are being built in Chicago and Philadelphia.
Comments (52)BY MAYARA GUIMARAES AND SIMONE WEICHSELBAUM / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013, 2:30 AM
MICHAEL SCHWARTZ FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
This building at 220 E. 125th St. will soon open as Church of Scientology and Community Center of Harlem, multimillion-dollar facility between Second and Third Aves.
Pray for East Harlem — Tom Cruise’s celebrity-centric church has anointed the gentrifying neighborhood as its next holy land.
The Church of Scientology is building a multimillion-dollar chapel and community center on E. 125th St. — part of a new effort to expand the sect’s base from Hollywood to urban areas.
DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/GETTY IMAGES
Will Smith is one member of the celebrity-centric church founded by sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard.
The facility, which will open next year, includes a 200-seat prayer space, a cafe and a dozen classrooms. The chapel is near completion between Second and Third Aves., but the adjacent community center is still under construction.
PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Superstar actor Tom Cruise is one of the celebrity-courting Church of Scientology's most famous members. His ex-wife Katie Holmes left the church last year.
“We are creating a new renaissance in Harlem,” crowed Phil Hargrow, executive director of the Church of Scientology and Community Center of Harlem. “The people in Harlem are looking for ways to further educate themselves.”
The Church of Scientology, trashed by critics as a power-hungry, money-grubbing cult, opened a similar site in gang-heavy Inglewood, Calif., in 2011. Centers in rough-and-tumble areas of Chicago and Philadelphia are also being built.
MICHAEL SCHWARTZ FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
The Church of Scientology, trashed by critics as a power-hungry, money-grubbing cult, opened a similar site in gang-heavy Inglewood, Calif., in 2011. Centers in rough-and-tumble areas of Chicago and Philadelphia are also being built.
The L.A.-based church, founded in the 1950s by sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard, says it is “expanding like never before in our history.”
RICHARD SHOTWELL/INVISION/AP
The Church of Scientology's image took a hit last month when actress Leah Remini (above) left the faith, alluding to mind control by her church handlers.
The glitzy Harlem center is part of a larger plan — but the religion’s image was clouded last month when actress Leah Remini left, alluding to mind control by her church handlers.
And movie star Katie Holmes’ departure last year captured international attention since she was embroiled in a highly publicized divorce with Cruise, the religion’s most luminous — and, some say, loony — adherent.
Andreas Heldal-Lund runs the anti-Scientology website Operation Clambake and says the religion is losing people.
Critics say the church’s newfound interest in America’s urban centers is an effort to entice members who may be less aware of its history.
MICHAEL SCHWARTZ FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
A construction site at 228-232 E. 125th St. where the Church of Scientology Community Center is being built.
“Scientology is losing people. They are focusing on recruitment,” said Andreas Heldal-Lund, who runs anti-Scientology website Operation Clambake. “They are trying new avenues to find people who will pay for their truths.”
Some uptown residents remained skeptical, insisting they wouldn’t be duped by the flashy new digs.
CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY
Critics say the church’s newfound interest in America’s urban centers is an effort to entice members who may be less aware of its history.
“I am definitely not coming here. This is crazy,” said nonbeliever Bruce Vizueta, 23. “That’s not for us. It shouldn’t be in Harlem.”
RICHARD CORKERY/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Katie Holmes’ departure from Scientology last year garnered a lot of international attention since she was embroiled in a highly public divorce from actor Tom Cruise, one of the religion’s most famous adherents.
But others took in the news with wide-eyed fascination.
“It’s great,” said Noemi Belis, 27. “Take a look at our neighborhood. . . . I think Harlem can use some help.”
Leaders plan to host self-help courses at $50 a pop, along with academic tutoring for kids.
The group spent $8.5 million between 2003 and 2008 to acquire three E. 125th St. lots, records show. A Scientology spokesman would not disclose the construction and renovation costs.
But he did say the religion would make a serious impact in East Harlem, where the church has already operated out of an office nearby.
“We are bringing a lot to the table,” said Minister Verlene Cheeseboro. “Scientology is the study of knowledge.”
Carnegie Mellon University Prof. Dave Touretzky has doubts.
“Going to Harlem has PR value, it is an iconic place,” he said. “I don’t think they have good intentions. They are deceptive.”
With Corinne Lestch
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/uptown/church-scientology-builds-new-center-harlem-article-1.1438801#ixzz2dIaRFvIg
Former Scientologist claims she auditioned to be Tom Cruise's wife in 2005 before he married Katie Holmes
- Anette Iren Johansen joined group in 2002 while studying in Copenhagen
- 'Invited to meeting where she was asked questions about her personal life'
- 'Phoned fortnight later by man who asked if she had sexual perversions'
- Another ex-Scientologist 'saw interviews and says they were for Cruise'
- Comes after book claimed Top Gun star auditioned Hollywood stars in LA
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A former Scientologist has claimed she was among a number of women ‘auditioned’ to be the future wife of actor Tom Cruise after his split from Penelope Cruz in 2004.
Anette Iren Johansen claims she was interviewed in Copenhagen in 2005 before the star’s marriage to actress Katie Holmes.
The Norwegian said she was studying as a veterinarian in the Danish city when she joined the Church of Scientology in 2002 and went on to feature in the organisation’s magazines and training films.
It was in January 2005 that she claims she was asked to a meeting during which ‘they asked me so many questions about my life, my family background, everything I’d ever done in Scientology.’
'Search for a bride': Former Scientologist Anette Iren Johansen (left) has claimed she was among a number of women 'auditioned' to be the future wife of actor Tom Cruise before he married Katie Holmes (right)
In an article published in both the Australian magazine Women’s Day and on a blog by journalist Tony Ortega called The Underground Bunker, she adds: ‘There was a lot of talk about Tom Cruise at that time – he had just been in Norway [hosting] the Nobel Peace Prize concert.’
Ms Johansen, then 27, claims she was then told to sign a gagging clause preventing her from revealing details of the meeting.
She alleges she was phoned two weeks later by a man from ‘Golden Era Productions’ in California who asked her if she had any ‘sexual perversions’ to which she replied no.
Ms Johansen, who describes herself as 'Norwegian Adventurer, Cornet Player, Chemist and Scientology Whistleblower', left the group three years ago and now blogs about her experiences.
On her website, she says: 'I speak out about the Church of Scientology to give a voice for all those who suffer in silence.
'I'm in a middle of my own recovery and I do not intend to keep quiet. You deserve to know both sides.'
Allegations: A book claimed Cruise auditioned a host of Hollywood beauties including Scarlett Johansson (left) and Kate Bosworth (right) after he was allegedly disappointed by Cruz’s failure to embrace Scientology
Mr Ortega also quotes Marc Headley, another ex-Scientologist, who claims to have seen footage of the interviews, which he alleged were ‘for Tom Cruise, absolutely.’
Mr Headley went on: ‘The reason the sexual question came up was that they had some girls with histories that weren’t so great.
‘So they were being careful. This girl has to be perfect in all ways.’
He claimed the search branched out worldwide because initial enquiries found ‘it was slim picking in Los Angeles’ as they were ‘a lot of pretty girls, but they had a lot of baggage’.
In January, MailOnline reported how the Church of Scientology vehemently denied claims made in a new book that Cruise auditioned a host of Hollywood beauties including Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Alba, Lindsay Lohan and Kate Bosworth after he was allegedly disappointed by Cruz’s failure to embrace Scientology.
According to ‘Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison Belief’, the Top Gun star, 50, allowed senior members of the church to summon the unwitting actresses to read for a non-existent part in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ series.
He allegedly initiated the unusual casting couch-style interviews at the organisation's Celebrity Center in Los Angeles after a complaint to his sister at a Scientology church opening in Madrid that no one had been able to find him a new girlfriend.
Cruise allegedly Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige (right) for his help after his split from Cruz (left)
The auditions for the role of Tom Cruise's new wife allegedly took place at the Church of Scientology's Celebrity Center in Los Angeles
Last year, Vanity Fair published allegations that prior to those auditions, Cruise was hooked up with British-Iranian actress Nazanin Boniadi.
The magazine’s special correspondent Maureen Orth reported that Shelly Miscavige, the wife of Scientology leader David Miscavige, was part of the search to find Cruise a suitable girlfriend.
The magazine contended that Boniadi was convinced by Scientology leaders that she had been selected for a project that would help further her religion and would lead to her meeting ‘world leaders’ and having an influential role in the church.
She was flown to New York to meet Cruise and he swept her off her feet with an amazing series of dates that included visits to the Empire State Building, dinner at Nobu, skating at the Rockefeller Center and nights spent at the Trump Tower.
In fact, she so impressed Cruise that he asked her to sign a nondisclosure agreement, which is generally acknowledged to be a sign that the actor is keen to pursue the relationship and make it serious.
Tommy Davis, a Scientology executive, told Boniadi that her new life with Cruise was all about keeping him happy.
However, the pairing did not work out and Boniadi is said to have been ordered to pack her belongings and leave Cruise’s home.
The Church of Scientology denied the accusations.
Lasnt night, Karin Pouw, a spokeswoman for the Church, told The Independent: ‘We stand by the statement we issued last year: there was no project, secret or otherwise, ever conducted by the Church to find a bride [via audition or otherwise] for any member.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2403787/Former-Scientologist-Anette-Iren-Johansen-auditioned-Tom-Cruises-wife-married-Katie-Holmes.html#ixzz2dJCC2JSH
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Leah Remini Joins Dancing with the Stars Season 17, Moves on from Scientology for Good!
After Leah Remini‘s little kerfuffle with the Church of Scientology, and her ultimate decision to walk away from the organization, Leah will be dancing to a new beat come this fall . . . when she joins season 17 of Dancing with the Stars. While the official cast list won’t be announced until September 4th on Good Morning America, a source close to the production tells TMZ that the King of Queens star will in fact be joining the hottest dance show on television.
If you remember, Leah underwent a very public split from the Church of Scientology after she questioned the whereabouts of David Miscavige’s wife, Shelly Miscavige. Allegedly, Remini went so far as to file a missing person’s report with the LAPD, but the file was quickly disregarded and her report was deemed “unfounded.” Since then, Remini’s attacks on Scientology have quieted.
Who would you like to see on Dancing with the Stars season 17? There have been many casting rumors, including Elizabeth Berkley, Amber Riley from “Glee,” Christina Milian, and Keyshawn Johnson. TMZ’s source “confirms” those participants, as well as Snooki, but let’s not take anything as being 100% true until we hear the official word on September 4th.
Also, Kym Johnson, who took home the mirrorball trophy twice, will be leaving the show to become a judge on DWTS Australia. She tweeted, ”So excited to share with you my new project, I will be a judge on DWTS Australia #istillcallaustraliahome.”
From Scientology to salsa: Leah Remini to compete on Dancing With The Stars alongside Snooki and terminally ill actress Valerie Harper
By JADE WATKINS
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She has come under intense scrutiny since her shock and very public split from the Church of Scientology earlier this year.
And now King Of Queens star Leah Remini is set to step even more into the spotlight as it has been reported she will be appearing on the upcoming season of Dancing With The Stars.
The 43-year-old actress is just one of many stars lined up to take part in the hit ABC reality competition, according to TMZ.
From Scientology to salsa: Former King Of Queens star and ex-Scientologist Leah Remini will reportedly be starring in the upcoming season of Dancing With The Stars
The brunette beauty will reportedly be joined by reality star Snooki.
The 25-year-old former Jersey Shore favourite will no doubt be keen to show off her slender post-pregnancy figure after dropping a whopping 50lbs from her frame following the birth of her baby boy Lorenzo last year.
Other famous faces reportedly on the DWTS roster are Christina Milian, Glee star Amber Riley and professional football player Keyshawn Johnson.
More reality: Leah will reportedly be joined by reality star Snooki in the competition
Slimmed down: The 25-year-old, seen here with her fiance Jionni LaValle and son Lorenzo, will no doubt be keen to show off her slender post-pregnancy figure after dropping a whopping 50lbs from her frame
New mother and actress Elizabeth Berkley is also said to be joining the show.
Perhaps she will draw on some of her more PG moves from the cult classic movie Showgirls, in which she played stripper-turned-showgirl Nomi Malone.
Straight from the success of her porn video, Farrah Abraham, 22, is also in the line-up, along with Jack Osbourne, 27, and ’NSyncs JC Chasez, 37.
But all eyes will most likely be on Leah following her highly publicised split with the Church of Scientology.
The actress had a very public break up with the church last month partly fuelled by her own personal inquiry into the whereabouts of Shelly Miscavige, the wife of Scientology leader David Miscavige, after she was allegedly rebuked for asking at Tom Cruise's 2006 wedding.
On the roster: Singer Christina Milian and Glee star Amber Riley are also said to be competing in the hit reality TV contest
Leah, who starred in the hit sitcom The King of Queens for nine years, is believed to have dropped out of the organisation as a stand against the policy of barring members from questioning Mr Miscavige's authority.
The rift began when she allegedly asked about Shelly's absence, a source told the New York Post, at the wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes in 2006, where David Miscavige was best man.
The question allegedly prompted an immediate backlash from former head of the Scientology Celebrity Center Tommy Davis.
Showgirl: New mother and actress Elizabeth Berkley is also said to be joining the show
She's got the moves: Elizabeth starred in the cult hit Showgirls in which she played stripper turned showgirl Nomi Malone
According to a blog by ex-Scientology member Mike Rinder, Davis said: 'You don’t have the [bleeping] rank to ask about Shelly.'
The actress was then subsequently subjected to five years of 'thought modification', according to the Post.
Church friends, many of whom Leah had known for years, allegedly wrote reports on her and had her family investigated.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Leah filed a missing persons report on Shelly to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Brave: Veteran TV star Valerie Harper, whom doctors back in March gave only three months to live after it was revealed she had terminal brain cancer, is also competing
But not long after, speculation as to the whereabouts of Shelley ended after Los Angeles police said the missing person's report filed by Leah was 'unfounded'.
A spokesman for the LAPD told MailOnline that detectives had met with Mrs Miscavige and therefore the investigation into her whereabouts had ceased and that as far as they are concerned she was never missing.
A spokesperson for the Church of Scientology issued a statement to the MailOnline regarding Leah's filing, stating, 'The Los Angeles Police Department has already stated that the case is closed and that the report filed by Leah Remini was unfounded.
'This ill-advised, ludicrous self-promotion and the media inquiries it generated caused an inexcusable distraction for the LAPD in an era when the time and resources of its officers are stretched thin each day.
'Creating this unnecessary burden for law enforcement was even more irresponsible given the entire episode was nothing more than a publicity stunt for Ms. Remini, cooked up with unemployed, anti-religious zealots who blog on the fringe of the Internet.
'Sadly, rather than move on with her life and career, Ms. Remini has aligned herself with a handful of untrustworthy, lunatic tabloid sources who obsessively harass the Church to advance their selfish agendas.'
Leah was one of the most recognisable faces of Scientology which boasts a wealth of celebrity members including Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Kirstie Alley and Juliette Lewis.
Meanwhile, veteran TV star Valerie Harper, whom doctors back in March gave only three months to live after it was revealed she had terminal brain cancer, is also said to be competing.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show favourite has since defied her doctor's diagnosis and is already said to be practising with her partner Tristan for the show.
Despite the show being very physically demanding, the 73-year-old is thought to be up to the task and has asked for no extra assistance, according to TMZ.
From porn to pasodoble: Straight from the success of her porn video, Farrah Abraham, 22, is also said to be vying for the mirror ball trophy
Valerie, who has been married to Tony Cacciotti for 26 years, played Rhoda Morgenstern on television's The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spinoff, Rhoda.
In March she revealed the tragic news that she has terminal brain cancer and had as little as three months to live.
But the courageous actress has since taken an admirable approach to her diagnosis and appears to be determined to make her last moments count.
And after passing the three month mark, it appears that Valerie is getting stronger as days go by.
Tests in January revealed Valerie has the rare condition leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, which occurs when cancer cells spread into the fluid-filled membrane surrounding the brain.
It occurs in approximately two per cent of patients with cancer.
Here come the boys: Also in the line-up is Jack Osbourne, 27, and ’NSyncs JC Chasez, 37
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2404613/Leah-Remini-compete-Dancing-With-The-Stars-Snooki-Elizabeth-Berkley.html#ixzz2dJTainPr
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