Linda Cropp's 95...Errr 10 Theses
Field of Schemes (an impartial site without an agenda, right?) did actual reportin' and stuff, and contacted Linda Cropp's office to get the list of demands she's placed on MLB. She contends that if these conditions are met, that she can get the necessary votes.
Field of Schemes says it's much ado about nothing. I'd have to agree, for the most part. There's not really anything new here, and some of the promises are so vague as to be relatively meaningless. It doesn't change the terms of anything, just rewords them, and packages them into a 'convenient' top-10 format.
The only one that could present a problem (hypothetically) is the local ownership one, but at this point who really knows?
1) No residential taxpayer will pay anything for baseball.
2) No more money shall be allocated for baseball other than the $535 million already authorized and all baseball-related income.
3) All local, small and disadvantaged business enterprise contracting and employment requirements will continue.
4) The commitment from baseball for local ownership of the team, and, for tax purposes, that the team will be based in the District.
5) Land and environmental costs of the baseball stadium will be capped and guaranteed by third parties, such as Major League Baseball, potential owners and/or developers.
6) Construction costs of the stadium will be guaranteed so that taxpayers will not face an open checkbook problem. The checkbook will be closed.
7) All development rights in the area outside of the baseball footprint, and taxes generated therefrom, will benefit the District and its residents, not baseball.
8) The District will have development rights (on top of parking required by baseball) on the baseball footprint, which will be directed to protect taxpayers from any cost overruns.
9) The $20 million team contribution to the stadium project budget shall be applied only to previously approved costs within the initial project budget as designated by the Sports and Entertainment Commission, and may be increased by the team’s new owners.
10) Certain community benefit obligations of the baseball team will be strengthened or clarified.
Field of Schemes says it's much ado about nothing. I'd have to agree, for the most part. There's not really anything new here, and some of the promises are so vague as to be relatively meaningless. It doesn't change the terms of anything, just rewords them, and packages them into a 'convenient' top-10 format.
The only one that could present a problem (hypothetically) is the local ownership one, but at this point who really knows?
posted by Chris Needham at
10:40 AM
3 Comments:
Field of Schemes is a bunch of commie pinkos. All they care about is the "taxpayer," by which they mean anyone who will support the perpetuation of the welfare state, bloated schools, and Hillary Clinton's plans to sabotage the future of America. They make me sick.
What we need is real leadership here. Instead of people backing out of their commitments, we need people who will be forthright and accept when they've made promises. The city council, if you can call it that, is a blight on our nation and society. Baseball has negotiated in good faith and has graciously offered to not only help, but stimulate the growth and revitalization of an entire city. And now the city wants to back out of the deal it made!
This area needs real leadership, people who will take a stand, do what's right, and sacrifice to get it done. Fields of Schemes and their liberal pals are disgusting to me.
By
Anonymous, at 1/13/2006 1:58 PM
The email address didn't come through... is that you, Michael Savage? ;)
By
Chris Needham, at 1/13/2006 2:03 PM
Ah, I get it, Anon! Taxpayer money returning directly to taxpayers == liberals. Taxpayer money flowing to corporations == conservatives.
I have this vague memory of when self-styled conservatives thought people should get to keep their own money....
By
Anonymous, at 1/13/2006 4:54 PM
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