SLCSpin says deal is done!

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by the Bardguy

Speaking of the trib...I spoke directly with Derek Jensen after the vote was taken. He wanted some comments, and I was hesitant to speak with him. What I told him was I was thrilled that the stadium was going to be built and that it's a shame that the county residents haven't been better informed on the issues involved. I tried placing responsibility for that with the RSL FO and the media. I tried to be pretty cordial with him, and he seemed like a nice guy... And so I asked if he was a soccer fan. He told me that he played varsity soccer in high school and plays on an indoor team now. He took issue with Checkett's comments some time ago accusing the trib of an anti-soccer bias - he said that a lot of guys from the trib are pulling for soccer.

I just don't believe him, unfortunately. The trib continues to try and sway public opinion with misinformation and misrepresentation of the facts.

I know that he reads here.

I seem to have been misquoted as well...

Originally Posted by Derek P. Jensen

Wearing his RSL scarf outside the council chamber, Midvale's Eric Salsbery said the stadium seesaw got his blood pressure up, but now looks forward to buying a brick outside the stadium sidewalk.
"I'm going to be looking to buy a condo in Real soccer city as well."

http://www.sltrib.com/realsaltlake/ci_4188451

This was the worst misquote! ...
I said to him that "my pressure was up because of the way the public was misinformed about the deal".

The brick comment should be obvious to anyone that has been to Gallivan Plaza but when i read it in the paper it is not so obvious...

And i said if they have condos I will buy one...
This stuff is minor but it appears either i was misquoted or not clear about what i was saying... which is likely... I was nervous...

[luvmyboys]

Sorry I wasn't there. One of the boys had soccer practice.

[Aerick]

Originally Posted by I_Believe_In_Kreis

What would a "chat" do to help our situation? If they have the signatures, they can put it on the ballot no questions asked, right?

Sorry for all the questions today but I'd really like to know what's going on and what our outlook is......what are the odds this stadium deal is really going to happen?

A "chat" from the Governor seemed to help us get this far in the 12th hour. I'm guessing a similar chat could end with the UTA "losing" their signatures, or not pursuing the vote even if they had the signatures.

I'd like to know what the exact agenda of the UTA is, and if this issue actually qualifies as an effective use of their time and resources. Didn't we already cover the fact that Utah Taxpayers will not be paying more taxes? Yes, the taxes from TRT are changing - but didn't we decide that those will be passed on to the consumers - which aren't Utahn's by-and-large? Therefore, it appears to me that the realm of "taxation" this issue floats in, isn't one that the UTA should realistically be involved with to the extent they are. Is it granstanding because it's so viewable? Or do they have uninformed consituencies that are forcing the issue?

[Stucki]

Originally Posted by Aerick

A "chat" from the Governor seemed to help us get this far in the 12th hour. I'm guessing a similar chat could end with the UTA "losing" their signatures, or not pursuing the vote even if they had the signatures.

I'd like to know what the exact agenda of the UTA is, and if this issue actually qualifies as an effective use of their time and resources. Didn't we already cover the fact that Utah Taxpayers will not be paying more taxes? Yes, the taxes from TRT are changing - but didn't we decide that those will be passed on to the consumers - which aren't Utahn's by-and-large? Therefore, it appears to me that the realm of "taxation" this issue floats in, isn't one that the UTA should realistically be involved with to the extent they are. Is it granstanding because it's so viewable? Or do they have uninformed consituencies that are forcing the issue?

As I understand it, the Utah Taxpayers Association actually represents some of the biggest developers in the state. I don't mind their self-appointed watch dog status, but sometimes they get a bit carried away.

[rabble-rabble]

TRAX was opposed by a strong majority and I even remember voting on some sort of referendum concerning TRAX funding back in the mid 90s (I had the wisdom to favor it). The motion failed decisively, but the powers that be went ahead and built the system anyway.

I think at this point we have enough politicians on board that this should be able to get through whether the public overall wants it or not, but the biggest danger is if there is some sort of delay. The longer RSL and MLS are losing money at RES, the bigger the chance of losing the battle. The stadium has to start going forward fairly soon.

Also wanted to thank those fans who were able to attend the meeting to show their support last night and at the other meetings. Work schedule wouldn't let me get there on time or I would have tried to be there too.

[Deuce]

If you want to know about the Utah Taxpayers Association...
Read this

I found that the UTPA is basically a noise machine for hire. UTPA actually goes to opposing sides of an issue and suggests that UTPA would be willing to “hear” their side and possibly agree with them if there was something in it for them. So basically whoever donates the most money to UTPA gets UTPA’s quotes and PR on their side.

[Czar Jake]

I'm ignorant.

If the Jerman Army (read that out loud, please) has the sigs and gets a referendum, can the government simply do it anyway? In other words is it just the people giving their opinion, or is the gov't FORCED to take their opinion?

Sounds like in the case of TRAX they just did it anyway - could the stadium go up regardless of the referendum?

[fuegote]

Dear SL county... it could be worse...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2551175&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

The city and state are contributing more than $200 million to the project, including infrastructure improvements. The Yankees will pay the rest, financed through both taxable and tax-exempt bonds.

[Aerick]

Originally Posted by rabble-rabble

TRAX was opposed by a strong majority and I even remember voting on some sort of referendum concerning TRAX funding back in the mid 90s (I had the wisdom to favor it). The motion failed decisively, but the powers that be went ahead and built the system anyway.

I think at this point we have enough politicians on board that this should be able to get through whether the public overall wants it or not, but the biggest danger is if there is some sort of delay. The longer RSL and MLS are losing money at RES, the bigger the chance of losing the battle. The stadium has to start going forward fairly soon.

Also wanted to thank those fans who were able to attend the meeting to show their support last night and at the other meetings. Work schedule wouldn't let me get there on time or I would have tried to be there too.

Hence the reason we have a representative form of government and not a strictly democratic form.

[I_Believe_In_Kreis]

Originally Posted by fuegote

Dear SL county... it could be worse...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2551175&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

Hell, that's nothing. The Washington Nationals (the team formerly known as the Montreal Expos) are getting a stadium from 100% taxpayer money, no contributions from the team or anyone else, at a grand total of - are you ready for this - $611 million. And it's not like we're talking about the Yankees, Sox, or Cardinals. We're not even talking about a decent team....we're talking about the Montreal Freakin' Expos! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationals_Ballpark

I suspect it's only going forward because Washington is so liberal. I wish Utah were a bit more left leaning.