Forwarded on behalf of Mike Krivit of the organization Fund Kids First. List Manager, could you post the following on the Minneapolis issues internet forum? Where does R.T. stand?
During the recent campaign, R T Rybak signed response to a questionnaire from the organization "Fund Kids First" is as follows: Question 1. Taxpayer Protection Will you oppose, and if necessary veto, proposals to provide any form of public funds, from any source, to subsidize a stadium for professional sports team owners? R.T. Rybak "Yes. Efforts to disguise subsidies have only fed public cynicism about both government and professional sports and made it harder to find private-sector solutions. As a lifetime Twins fan and also someone who believes in public service, this is doubly sad. The charter amendment passed overwhelmingly by Minneapolis voters in 1997 is a reflection of public will and must be respected. It also clearly delineates the difference between the appropriate function of city government in providing infrastructure (e.g. rerouting streets) and support for professional sports not provided to other private businesses. To guard against further erosion of public trust in government, we must abide by both the letter and the spirit of this charter amendment." Now, the November 20 Star Tribune reports: Though Rybak spoke against public stadium financing during this year's campaign, he said after the meeting that he won't rule it out. "My sense is the public wants me to solve this, so I'm not drawing any lines in the sand," he said. Where does R.T. stand? Here are a few more answers to the Stadium questions for Mayoral Candidates. Thank you, Mike Krivit Fund Kids First Stadium Questionnaire for Mayoral Candidates Compiled by Fund Kids First Question 2: Professional Sports Financial Responsibility Will you provide leadership towards a long-term solution by encouraging team owners to fix their own economic problems so they no longer demand subsidies or threaten to move or eliminate teams? R.T. Rybak "Yes, I have consistently laid out my priorities as 1. Building and preserving affordable neighborhoods, 2. Focusing on basic services, not subsidized mega-developments, 3. Unbending protection of our environment, and 4. Restoring trust in City Hall. Working to free Minneapolis from distracting cycle of stadium debates without real solutions is consistent with my second goal. Imagine how far Minnesota might have come by now if we had worked in concert with other cities threatened by loss of professional sports teams. Cities should not be competing with each other to provide subsidies when real public needs go unaddressed. Changing the dysfunctional sports economy is the only long-term solution. For baseball, such an economic overhaul must include revenue-sharing. Otherwise, cities like Minneapolis will be permanently disadvantaged Question 3: Support for Private Financing Initiatives As mayor, would you work to encourage and support efforts to build a stadium using only private financing? R.T. Rybak "Yes, Absolutely. For the past four years we've seen efforts to repackage the same old subsidy proposals, while efforts to find innovative, private-sector solutions have been sadly ignored. I applaud the work of New Ballpark, Inc. in this regard." "Rather than waste years trying to sidestep public will, I will encourage such efforts up front. San Francisco has proven this private-sector approach can work. What's needed now is an energetic new leader who can put down the checkbook and pick up the phone. I have the unique skills to be a true salesperson for the city." Question 4: Your record on Public Subsidies for Stadiums What is your record in office(if any) on the issues of public subsidies for professional sports? R.T. Rybak "I am a first time candidate for public office. I believe I can bring fresh air to the city. That includes a fresh perspective on this contentious issue. One unique perspective I bring is as a little league coach who has helped organize traveling baseball teams in Minneapolis. I know first hand the difference between suburban ball fields for kids and Minneapolis' ball fields. Old and dangerous storm drains in the middle of the field and similar problems are appalling. If any public money is going to be spent on ball fields, it should be spent in our deteriorating parks. It's time to level the playing field (literally) so more kids can come out and play." -- forwarded by David Brauer, list manager _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
