Scientology's image - 2003-06-09
While constant conflict between Clearwater officials and Scientology would serve no good purpose, there are hazards in becoming too accepting, including failing to represent the majority public view of the church and forgetting that skepticism is warranted when it comes to Scientology.
Some Tampa Bay area public figures who lately have sounded like supporters and defenders of the church - including Pinellas County Commissioner Susan Latvala and political consultant Mary Repper - should know of those hazards. So should Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, who accepted campaign support from Scientologists earlier this year and recently had dinner with actor Tom Cruise, a celebrity Scientologist, at Repper's house.
{{cite news | title = Scientology's image | url = http://www.sptimes.com/2003/06/09/Opinion/Scientology_s_image.shtml | work = Opinion | publisher = St. Petersburg Times | date = June 9, 2003 | accessdate = January 14, 2017 }}