The problem with this approach, as Represenative Kahn knows, is that Major League Baseball will NEVER approve public ownership organized in fashion as described below. Kahn's plan is basically a canard, it allows anti-ballpark people to look like they are in favor of helping the Twins when in fact they are not. Want more proof? There is another flaw in the public ownership approach, it still doesn't address the need for a new ballpark. If the "public" owns the Twins who contributes to the ballpark fund like the Pohlad's are? Who is responsible for ballpark construction overruns like the Pohlad's are under the Hennepin County plan? The Twins run a multi-million dollar deficit every year, who is responsible in covering those debts?
Would I like to see more community ownership of the Twins? Sure who wouldn't. However community or public ownership or whatever you want to call it won't solve the problem that is in front of this community: The Twins need a new place to play. To muddy the discussion with the community ownership requirements is just politicians looking for some CYA. Dean E. Carlson East Harriet, Ward 10 ----- Original Message ----- From: Phyllis Kahn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Friday, December 2, 2005 0:13 am Subject: [Mpls] Minnesota Twins in Mpls. > Every time the Strib publishes a pro-stadium editorial or op-ed, I try > to get something along this piece in, with no luck. So here it is for > list readers: > > Once again the Star Tribune editorial pages are being used to promote a hopeless cause: a special session to pass a stadium construction bill *right after complaining about the scheduling of special elections at the end of the year in the holiday season. > > Commissioners Opat and Johnson do not seem to understand that the election year is now. There is no political advantage or cover between acting at the end of 2005 or in 2006.> > A previous editorial on November 9 gloomily concluded that if we don't expeditiously fund a stadium, the Twins may end up outside of Minnesota,ending with the plaintive call, "It doesn't have to be that way." > > We note a persistence in asking the wrong question, IE (how do we builda stadium?), when we should be asking (how do we keep the Twins here?) The answer from a growing number of legislators has been a community ownership of the team model to keep baseball here by taking the wheels off the team. The most recent version, HF 1368/SF 900, with chief authors Rep. Kahn and Sen. Anderson finished the 2005 session on the > House and Senate floors, poised to pass (only lacking a nod from the Governor.) The House bill alone had 35 bipartisan authors from all parts of the state with a breadth of political philosophy ranging from Rukavina to Krinkie. > > The purpose section of this bill states: > > Section 1. [4B.01] [PURPOSE.] > 1.7 The legislature determines that: > 1.8 (1) a professional baseball franchise is an important asset> > 1.9 to the state of Minnesota and ensuring that a franchise remains > 1.10 in Minnesota is an important public purpose; > 1.11 (2) providing broad-based local ownership of a major league > > 1.12 baseball franchise develops trust among fans, taxpayers, and the > 1.13 team, and helps ensure this important asset will remain in the > > 1.14 state; > 1.15 (3) providing community ownership of a professional > 1.16 baseball franchise ensures that the financial benefits of any > 1.17 increased value of the franchise will accrue to those members of > 1.18 the community who own the franchise; and > 1.19 (4) enacting legislation providing for community ownership > 1.20 indicates to major league baseball continuing support for > 1.21 professional baseball in Minnesota. > > Our ownership structure is not government ownership; it is a public ownership model that complies with Major League Baseball's criteria to have a major private owner responsible for operating the team on a day- to-day basis. > > This proposal is the most effective and politically feasible way to save baseball for Minnesota and eventually get a ballpark built that may actually meet the fans interests. > > Phyllis Kahn, State Rep. 59B, REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
