192 replies to this topic

[Redone]

There's just too much deception. Folsom doesn't get any funds for 8 years and no interest on their 1/2 during the 8 years. Why not just call it a 25 cent tax , subject to 2/3 vote, and all go to arena? It'd have a better chance at passing being on the up and up.

[mylo]

There's just too much deception. Folsom doesn't get any funds for 8 years and no interest on their 1/2 during the 8 years. Why not just call it a 25 cent tax , subject to 2/3 vote, and all go to arena? It'd have a better chance at passing being on the up and up.

Because 2/3rds wouldn't vote for it, so they have to deceive to get it passed.

[DrKoz23]

Because 2/3rds wouldn't vote for it, so they have to deceive to get it passed.

Deception or not... they won't even get 50 percent. So no need to worry about a lawsuit or having to ever pay this tax.

[camay2327]

Of all the CRAP mail I have received, I received one today that tops them all.

Vote yes on Q / R from the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce.

They will be receiving an email and a letter from me telling them to no longer send me CRAP mail.

This is their email address.


chamber@ metrochamber.org

I just sent them an email and gave them an ear full....

[Chad Vander Veen]

Of all the CRAP mail I have received, I received one today that tops them all.

Vote yes on Q / R from the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce.

They will be receiving an email and a letter from me telling them to no longer send me CRAP mail.

This is their email address.
chamber@ metrochamber.org

I just sent them an email and gave them an ear full....

Yeah, you wouldn't want any facts to get in the way of your opinion.

[benning]

Chamber of Commerce publications are the standard bearer of all that is objective and factual.

Read their publications, particularly those mailed unsolicited during a political campaign, and you'll know exactly how to think.

[Chad Vander Veen]

Chamber of Commerce publications are the standard bearer of all that is objective and factual.

Read their publications, particularly those mailed unsolicited during a political campaign, and you'll know exactly how to think.

I did, and I think you're wrong.

[Steve Heard]

I went to New Orleans last weekend, and stayed for the Monday Night Football game at the Superdome.

I could go on for hours about how bad New Orleans has it right now. The city is truly devastated. Closed shops, destroyed or abandoned homes and commercial buildings, entire neighborhoods without water or electricity, etc. Some progress has been made, but it is really bad.

So, what did they do? They spent $180 million to repair and refurbish their football stadium. That's right, with all of the clean up and repairs needed throughout the city, with many people living in FEMA trailer camps, devastation all around, the city chose to fix their football stadium.

There were plenty of critics. "Why should we spend tax dollars so millionaires can play a silly game?" "How can you justify spending that kind of money on a football stadium when there are people living out of trailers?" "Do you know how many homes we could have built with 180 million dollars?" Sound familiar?

I'll tell you why. If they hadn't spent that money, the Saints would have moved to another city. San Antonio and Baton Rouge were offering stadiums and incentives. They know the value of having a sports franchise.

So, the 'Dome was rebuilt, and the Saints will stay. 68,000 people have paid for full season tickets. I think that's about $27 million. Most of those folks from outside of New Orleans. I saw hundreds of people in visiting Atlanta Falcons gear. The day after the game, I missed my 1030am flight, and had to stand by, not getting on until 4pm. One of the airline employees told me, "It's always like this after a Saint's game"

All of those visitors spend money.

Saturday, the French Quarter was practically deserted. Pat O'Brien's and Cafe Du Monde, two always-crowded landmarks, were each about half-full.

Since the game was on Monday, most of the fans didn't arrive until late Saturday, or on Sunday. Sunday, the Quarter was packed.

The Superdome is located in downtown New Orleans. I parked in the Warehouse district, and walked about a mile to the stadium. All along the route restaurants and bars were packed.

Inside, vendors were selling out their products.

Monday Night, after the game, the Quarter was packed.

The city was alive again.

I can only imagine the kind of money that was spent that weekend. People were working. Businesses were making money. You can see that people have invested businesses around the 'Dome, as more and more shops and restaurants have opened or re-opened.

In addition, the rebirth of the 'Dome and the return of the Saints brought back pride and enhanced the quality of life for the people of the region.

It is clear that a downtown arena will prove to be a great benefit to the Sacramento region. Let's get this thing built.

[Chad Vander Veen]

Steve, submit that same post to SacBee and SNR.

Great perspective.

[camay2327]

I really have nothing against a new arena for Sacramento, it is just the way they went about it and everything smells Maloofs....

Built one for Sacramento and the surrounding area, do it right and they will get the support they want.

Don't try to ramrod things down people's throats the way they are trying to do this time.

I am happy for New Orleans. I saw that they had sold out the stadium for the season. That is great and will help out the area.

[Chad Vander Veen]

I really have nothing about a new arena for Sacramento, it is just the way they went about it and everything smells Maloofs....

Built one for Sacramento and the surrounding area, do it right and they will get the support they want.

By "do it right" you of course mean, "Do it at absolutely no expense to me, since I don't care about it, I don't want to pay a single penny for an arena I won't be using."

[camay2327]

CV, no I don't mean that. If the city of Sacramento wants to build a new arena and wants to put it on the ballot with the two thirds support to pass, I would support it. If the city builds it and they get at least part of the revenue from sales, i.e., tickets for concerts, parking, sales inside the arena and every penny does not go to the Maloofs then they would get my support.

As it is, VOTE NO...

[tessieca]

I don't understand calling or emailing and giving ANY organization an earful. It's a campaign, Cal. Any proponent or opponent has the right to use the communications systems available to them to promote their side of the picture. Don't you get tons of stuff with which you disagree? If you're not a Sac Metro Chamber Member, why do they care if you disagree with them?? It just sounds like a waste of time and energy. There are valid reasons to consider voting in favor of Measures Q and R, so it's valid to let people know what those might be.

[tessieca]

Great perspective, Steve. We Americans really celebrate our fun and pastimes. If one thing will bring commerce to an area it's some sort of popular sporting event! Sacramento relies on government for its primary source of commerce activity. The area needs to consider diversifying the portfolio, so to speak.

[Al Waysrite]

Here's my question: Was tax money spent on the dome?
If so I'd say it wasn't worth it.