Frederick County Considers Reuse Plan For Ex-presidential Retreat

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- The Frederick County Council is again considering a plan to turn a former presidential fishing spot near Thurmont into a drug rehabilitation center linked to the Church of Scientology.

The board is considering on Tuesday a request from the church's real-estate arm to designate the 40-acre Trout Run resort for historic preservation. The designation would enable Social Betterment Properties to make changes otherwise barred by land-use restrictions.

The private resort was visited by presidents Herbert Hoover and Dwight Eisenhower.

The board has twice delayed a decision on turning the rustic retreat into a Narconon residential treatment center. The program is based on methods developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

A Narconon executive says the program is nonreligious and wouldn't be used for church recruitment.