Garden Avenue referendum

Spoke emotionally comparing downtown to a neglected loved one, asking council to repeal the ordinance and return South Garden Avenue to the people.

Speaking for Save the Garden, cited 7,577 verified signatures and unveiled a counter-proposal for a public heritage trail honoring the historic African American Garden community.

Urged passage of the repeal ordinance, saying Scientology doesn't need the street and the council shouldn't be seen as its enabler.

Frustrated that officials might hide behind legal opinions after citizens collected 10,000 signatures in 90 days; challenged them to let voters decide.

A Save the Garden volunteer and mother of two, described her exhaustion and noted the absence of Scientology representatives, questioning whether the outcome was predetermined.

Warned of 'appeasement,' saying Scientology wants all of downtown and urging repeal so Clearwater isn't called 'Scientology Town.'

A fourth-generation resident of nearly 80 years, recalled Garden Avenue's African American business history and urged the council to safeguard citizens, not give public land away.

Cited abuse allegations by ex-Scientologists and urged council to either repeal or send the matter to referendum, warning of prolonged litigation otherwise.

Supported Save the Garden, criticized the city attorney and outside counsel, and said private entities should never own streets.

A longtime Albanian-American resident recalled past demonstrations against Scientology and urged the council not to grant the organization any more streets.