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Proposed stadium a waste of state funds
By STEPHANIE ROSENBERG
The other day, Gov. Charlie Crist rubbed his magic funding bottle and a little legislative genie popped out and granted him one wish. Unfortunately, Charlie exchanged his other two wishes for visits to a tanning salon.
And what did Charlie wish for? How about increased funding for schools?
Nope.
And what did Charlie wish for? How about increased funding for schools?
Nope.
A way to prevent budget cuts to public safety programs?
Not a chance.
Actually, Crist wished for what any patriotic governor would want: an improved venue for America's favorite pastime.
Though a little legislative, Dick Cheney-like genie would be fun to imagine, Crist doesn't have a magic-funding bottle. Though if he did, I'm sure it would be bronzed, like everything else in his life.
But Crist said Wednesday the state should find room in its budget-constrained heart to help the Tampa Bay Rays build a new stadium in St. Petersburg.
Florida voted Crist into office and gave him the keys to its money-deprived castle, and look what he does. He pledged to use its beautiful, albeit cheap, castle to watch a baseball team - a horrible one at that.
Instead of putting what little money we have toward programs truly in need, Crist decided a priority of the state should be to figure out how to contribute money to the Rays' $450-million proposal to build a new waterfront, open-air, downtown stadium.
With a budget shortfall of $1.5 billion next year, according to the St. Petersburg Times, the state would have to cut programs involving public education and human services in order to build the stadium.
Obviously our public universities are no match for a baseball team with one of the worst records in the major league.
"I think the opportunity to create an ambiance right on the waterfront in St. Petersburg is brilliant, I really do," Crist said.
So, if we really look at the core of this issue, Crist potentially wants to throw away millions of dollars for "ambiance." But not just any ambiance. Only the type of ambiance waterfront property can offer.
I finally understand why Crist was so hesitant to help UF with its money problems - our university doesn't have waterfront potential!
Oh, man. If I only knew that beforehand, I would have never attended this university. We're at least an hour and a half away from the beach. The Swamp doesn't hold a candle to Tampa Bay. All our educational achievements mean nothing.
Crist, who once worked for Major League Baseball in the minor league office, was so eager to support this measure that he flew to New York earlier this year to state his pledge to baseball officials. Maybe if we offered him free tickets to every sporting event at UF, he would take that sort of initiative to show support for us. But that two-hour drive to Gainesville from Tallahassee must be a killer.
Is baseball really not the same if it's not on the waterfront? Is it really that much more important than education and public programs? I don't get it - must be a Seminole thing.
Yes, a stadium would create jobs. Sure, a stadium would be good for the economy. But such a measure comes at too great a price. We should not have to sacrifice our educational opportunities and human services essentially because our governor loves baseball.
You want waterfront ambiance combined with your favorite sport, Crist? Go to a Fantasy Baseball camp on the beach.
Until then, let's educate our population so people can get better jobs than those offered at a baseball stadium.
Stephanie Rosenberg is a junior majoring in journalism. Her column appears on Thursdays.
Not a chance.
Actually, Crist wished for what any patriotic governor would want: an improved venue for America's favorite pastime.
Though a little legislative, Dick Cheney-like genie would be fun to imagine, Crist doesn't have a magic-funding bottle. Though if he did, I'm sure it would be bronzed, like everything else in his life.
But Crist said Wednesday the state should find room in its budget-constrained heart to help the Tampa Bay Rays build a new stadium in St. Petersburg.
Florida voted Crist into office and gave him the keys to its money-deprived castle, and look what he does. He pledged to use its beautiful, albeit cheap, castle to watch a baseball team - a horrible one at that.
Instead of putting what little money we have toward programs truly in need, Crist decided a priority of the state should be to figure out how to contribute money to the Rays' $450-million proposal to build a new waterfront, open-air, downtown stadium.
With a budget shortfall of $1.5 billion next year, according to the St. Petersburg Times, the state would have to cut programs involving public education and human services in order to build the stadium.
Obviously our public universities are no match for a baseball team with one of the worst records in the major league.
"I think the opportunity to create an ambiance right on the waterfront in St. Petersburg is brilliant, I really do," Crist said.
So, if we really look at the core of this issue, Crist potentially wants to throw away millions of dollars for "ambiance." But not just any ambiance. Only the type of ambiance waterfront property can offer.
I finally understand why Crist was so hesitant to help UF with its money problems - our university doesn't have waterfront potential!
Oh, man. If I only knew that beforehand, I would have never attended this university. We're at least an hour and a half away from the beach. The Swamp doesn't hold a candle to Tampa Bay. All our educational achievements mean nothing.
Crist, who once worked for Major League Baseball in the minor league office, was so eager to support this measure that he flew to New York earlier this year to state his pledge to baseball officials. Maybe if we offered him free tickets to every sporting event at UF, he would take that sort of initiative to show support for us. But that two-hour drive to Gainesville from Tallahassee must be a killer.
Is baseball really not the same if it's not on the waterfront? Is it really that much more important than education and public programs? I don't get it - must be a Seminole thing.
Yes, a stadium would create jobs. Sure, a stadium would be good for the economy. But such a measure comes at too great a price. We should not have to sacrifice our educational opportunities and human services essentially because our governor loves baseball.
You want waterfront ambiance combined with your favorite sport, Crist? Go to a Fantasy Baseball camp on the beach.
Until then, let's educate our population so people can get better jobs than those offered at a baseball stadium.
Stephanie Rosenberg is a junior majoring in journalism. Her column appears on Thursdays.
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July 2nd, 2009 CorrectionThe UF-Georgia football game is held annually at the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. The contract for the game is between UF and the city of Jacksonville. An article in Tuesday’s paper stated otherwise. |
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Jennifer wrote on Nov 15, 2007 2:05 AM:
" This column was obviously written by someone who a) doesn't like baseball and b) hasn't been to Tropicana Field. Step one foot in that s**thole and you'd realize why the Rays need a new stadium. It is imperative that a new stadium be built or the Rays will be packing their bags for Vegas or Portland. There is no chance that the Devil Rays franchise survives another decade in Tampa Bay if a new stadium is not built. "
John wrote on Nov 15, 2007 9:27 AM:
" That may be true Jennifer. In fact, let's assume for a moment that it is true: If the state of Florida does not fork over this money to the Devil Rays franchise, they will leave Tampa. Now, Florida has to ask itself a question: What is more important - The Devil Rays baseball team or the education of our youth (or health services, safety because of the law enforcement officials not having to lay people off, etc.)? Now, I know the answer Florida will give and that is what depresses me about society. I admit I have lost much of my idealism since I came to UF. Florida, and American society in general for that matter, will answer that they want the baseball team. Why would they answer such a thing? Well, it is because in our society we have laid out what we value: entertainment. Our entertainment is our number one priority. My child has to be in an elementary school class where his/her needs are not met and she/he receives no individual attention? That's alright, as long as I can watch baseball in a waterfront stadium! My neighbor was robbed of everything in her/his home? No worries, I still have my digital cable and DVR! There is a war going on in Africa where people are being slaughtered for genocide? Not my problem, all I need is to be able to watch the movie they make about it in ten years. What is wrong with our culture that our own entertainment has eclipsed every other aspect of life as a society? Why do we so quickly cut education without realizing that we are destroying the future of our state and nation on the world scene. What happened to the desire to make the world a better place for the next generation, rather than living it up for ourselves as much as we can before we lose our own lives? Thank you Stephanie for pointing out the utter ludicrity of what is going on in our state. "
Mike A. wrote on Nov 15, 2007 11:58 AM:
" Before blasting the Governor, you should learn the facts of the deal itself...The $60 million that the state would have to kick in would come in the form of a sales tax rebate to the team from vending revenue generated within the new stadium - a variable tax that would not cost the taxpayers who don't care about baseball one penny. In addition, the deal also calls for the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site - land that currently is not on the tax rolls, as the Rays do not pay property tax at the Dome. "
Gator9606 wrote on Nov 15, 2007 4:33 PM:
" Stephanie did you do any research for this article or do you like making things up. You make it sound the state would be paying for the 450 mil stadium. Wrong! The state would put sales tax generated at the new stadium towards the payment of the stadium. They would also sell the currently untaxed Tropicana field to developers, which would make it taxable, and use the money from the sale to pay for the stadium along with 150million that the Rays said they put in.
Get a clue! "
G-ville guy wrote on Nov 15, 2007 5:04 PM:
" Usually you use facts to backup an opinion. Did you not use any because all the if you did use facts then your column sense "
G-ville guy wrote on Nov 15, 2007 5:05 PM:
" last line should be "then your column wouldn't make any sense"
"
Student wrote on Nov 15, 2007 7:44 PM:
" And all this time I thought Rays were the ice hockey team. "
Jennifer wrote on Nov 16, 2007 2:04 AM:
" I wrote the first comment, and I came back to respond to John with what Mike and Gator already said. The stadium NEEDS to be built if we are to save baseball in Florida. (Lord knows, the Marlins aren't helping). AND this stadium will NOT be built with the money that you, John, say takes away from your kid's education and what not. It's a win-win situation: Florida keeps the money for "health services" and all that jazz, and we get a new stadium that will attract many more fans. The Rays are an up and coming young team that is drafting great talent. Without a new stadium and thus a better fan base, guys like Carl Crawford and Scott Kazmir will be gone the second they become free agents.
Stephanie, please do more thorough research before you write a column like this that bashes the state and Gov. Crist for something they are not doing.
I was a copy editor at the Alligator for a year, and I'm embarrassed that this was not caught in the editing process. "
Voice of Reason wrote on Nov 16, 2007 9:00 AM:
" http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/15/State/Rays__stadium_plan_ha.shtml
Please read "Rays' stadium plan has foes, friend in capital" from the St. Pete Times. Everything will be illuminated.
Oh, wait, I forgot--most of you can't read. Because if you could read, you would have appreciated Ms. Rosenberg's poignant wit and done something more productive with the rest of your day, like call your state representative.
P.S. If you still don't get it, if you don't laugh out loud at this absurdity, then you basically suck at life. "
TO "Voice of Reason" wrote on Nov 16, 2007 10:26 AM:
" Stephanie is that you???
I don't get whats so hard to understand. Where in this article does it mention anything about the Rays wanting the first 2 million in sales tax generated at the new stadium per year to help pay for it thats it. This would be for 30 years so it will raise 60 mill this is all the Rays are asking from the taxpayers as of now. We will not be giving them 60 mill. Tropicana field is doing the same thing now so its not like we would be losing that tax revenue. They also would be selling most of the tropicana field site and making it taxable. This would generate more tax dollars for the county/state. It would also bring jobs and money into downtown st. pete = more tax revenue. This team has a huge economic impact of the city/state that we would lose a lot of tax money if they left. Sorry you lose sir! "
Kate wrote on Nov 16, 2007 1:04 PM:
" What I'm wondering is why a stadium that was built merely 10 years ago is all of a sudden a shithole and obselete? Who failed to ensure that the Trop was something that would last for decades? Under this same timeframe, the Bucs would be due for a new stadium, too, and I think we can all agree that RJ stadium is superb. What a waste of a facility, Trop field. "
Mark wrote on Nov 16, 2007 2:25 PM:
" The stadium isn't 10 years old it was finished in 1990 so its about 17 years old now. It will be 23 y/o once the proposed new stadium is completed. This is close to the life of some of the stadiums that have been replaced within the last decade as most of them were built in the 70s. It was built at the worst possible time because a couple years after it was completed is when the new style ballparks started getting built e.g. Camden Yards. It has no modern amenities and is extremly bland. Your right a 17 y/o stadium shoudn't have to be replaced unfortunatley this one does "
Jennifer wrote on Nov 19, 2007 3:02 AM:
" It's also, unfortunately, located in a very bad area of St. Pete. You used to have to park in some pretty sketchy areas and walk to the park. Thankfully, they've eliminated that concern by allowing free parking -- about the only good thing Tropicana Field offers.
Plain and simple, the Trop is not a baseball field. I beg you to go to Wrigley or Fenway or even the new, fantastic ballparks like Camden and Jacob's Field and tell me you don't want a stadium like that built for the Rays. "
A. Nonymous wrote on Jan 4, 2009 9:23 AM:
And here we are, well over a year out and just as "the powers that be" wanted it, this entire incident has become a distant memory, the actions of the police rubber-stamped by the FDLE (was there any doublt?) and it's back to business as usual, the utterly wrong actions of the organizing group ACCENT and UPD notwithstanding. The low-average IQ paid thugs acted like good attack dogs at the behest of corporate droid-in-training Max Tyroler.
Kerry didn't have to come to answer questions but he did. Apparently ACCENT saw their job as ensuring he didn't have to answer anything that wasn't a softball. You know, so as not to embarrass UF. Well that sure worked like a charm. Kerry later stated he could have handled the situation and that he had never seen a spectacle like that in his entire political career. Yeah, UF certainly left an impression on him.
Tyroler ignored Kerry's wishes who stated specifically that he was willing to engage Meyer. That was the critical issue. Meyer made no threats against Kerry, he was loud but was certainly coherent and he had been given the floor.
Okay, he didn't follow all the protocol of their little staged tea party. Kerry himself was a bit of an "agitator", a "bratty" young man who defiantly spoke out against the establishment, after having been part of their war machine. And he got heat for it. He was stating what he thought needed to be said. Do you think a combat veteran and senator can't handle a heated exchange with a college kid?
And you're wrong - the so-called "debate" between Meyer and Kerry didn't get heated, it was never given a chance to get started. "