Lease vs. sell downtown properties

The state representative urged the commission to weigh impacts on future generations, calling the buildings part of Clearwater's heritage and recommending the county retain ownership and lease rather than sell outright.

Questioned whether the sale/lease was needed for funding and voiced concern that Scientology could erase the county's heritage, urging the county to keep control of the properties.

A 26-year resident said selling the properties would simply hand them to Scientology and urged commissioners to keep 'we the people' in mind and lease rather than sell.

Urged the county to keep control through leasing, calling it a cautionary tale, and asked that proper pro formas of leasing alternatives be developed.

A former city council member thanked the commissioner for a pro-leasing letter, warned Scientology has billions to buy through shells, and said keeping county properties out of Scientology's hands is essential to downtown's future.

A Dunedin resident urged leasing, background checks on developers for Scientology ties, and strong safeguards so downtown property doesn't fall to one entity.