African American groups support November referendum

The local branches of the NAACP and Urban League, along with a pair of local African American ministers, held a press conference on Friday saying they support a November referendum on the Rays' stadium proposal.

Each group said that they did not have a position on the proposal, but believe a public vote is critical. They say  voters will be able to deftly judge the merits of the proposal and make an informed decision.

"Let's not disrespect voters by taking the opportunity away from them," said Gregory Johnson, local Urban League president. "Let the referendum go forward."

Added NAACP president Norm Brown: "People are intelligent in this community. Let's allow them to participate."

Comments

[Yeah Right]

Of course they support it. They'll take those minumum wage jobs schlepping cotton candy and hot dogs. Pay the taxes I pay and read all of the information. I'm not for or against at this point but I do know that money will have to come from somewhere. Conventional wisdom says my pockets.

[Blackster]

And you wonder why they can't seem to get ahead. Instead of empty promises, they should strive for better opportunities.
Unless you think Balcks are stupid, you know they won't be fooled again. The Blacks won't vote for the ballpark because they know it's another scam. Shame on the Rays!!

[Ray F]

"The Blacks"???

Now, we have hit an all time low. Since when is it acceptable to refer to black people as "The Blacks"?

I never knew there was a racial divide on this issue.

I hope not. If I have to, I'll take the buddhist side since "The Buddhists" want everyone to get along.

[get-smart]

The elite welfare groups (NAACP and Urban League) must have hit the jackpot. At least they can make a payment on their Deal Time Lexus.

I have yet to see these groups march down the streets and call out for an end to the culture of violence.

[gary grooms]

Thanks to Chris for putting this round table discussion together. I hope to see some of you there.

An Open Round Table Discussion on the Proposed Waterfront Stadium
Hosted by Chris Jenkins and Gary Grooms

Where: The Globe Coffee Lounge
501 1st Ave N
St. Pete, Fl. 33701

When: Saturday, 05/31/08
7:00PM

[Rick K]

"Let's not disrespect voters by taking the opportunity away from them," said Gregory Johnson, local Urban League president. "Let the referendum go forward."

Added NAACP president Norm Brown: "People are intelligent in this community. Let's allow them to participate."

---

I couldn't agree more. Most of the ANTI's don't trust the voters and don't want there to be widespread participation (see their anger over scheduling this during a Presidential Election year).

Let the people vote!

(And sorry, won't be able to come to a meeting during a Rays game - whose idea was that?)

[Raymond The Rays Mascot]

@YR, any jobs(min. wage or not) is better than no jobs, but you probably can't relate to this. Have / show some caring feelings for others, life would be better that way. St. Pete must move forward w/win-win progress for all residents of the city.

[Chris Jenkins]

That's ok, Rick. You can join us afterwards, with the other season ticket holders like Ray F. We'll be downtown for a while. You should come down and see what you're talking about. And the offer still stands...you strike me as the type of guy who wouldn't often turn down a free beer...

[Rick K]

LMBAHO @ Chris

(that's Laughing my badly aging head off)

I do not often turn down beers, free or otherwise.

Tonite, however, we have issues with the girlfriend's babysitter, so we may not even get to stay at the Trop for the entire nine innings. I am sure I will be able to meet up in one of our many fine downtown establishments at some point.

[Jon McPhee]

As to racial divides, class and age issues, if I hear right, the Trop construction was a little like the Giant Foot in the Monty Python's Flying Circus intro, stepping down out of the clouds to mash an existing neighborhood. Whatever your feelings about what was there originally versus what's there now, and even what the Really Smart Guys who brought us derivative investments so complicated that even the other Smart Guys didn't understand them but just bought on trust that everything would be worked out later are trying to sell us today, that "urban renewal" is part of our city's inheritance from past Great Deals, along with $86 million in remaining debt, and now a community-splitting "Two Towers" come-on.

[Lakeesha]

I've been reading these comments for weeks now but have not replied because there was too much testosterone sloshing around to get a word in edgewise. But this topic hits home. I am a single mom of two kids whose afterschool program is about to be cut if our power hungry, suck up to the Rays mayor gets his way. You've got to be kidding if you think that we who live in South St. Pete don't remember what our "elected officials" did to the black community when they leveled the Gas Plant neighborhood. They lied to us and the lies are just continuing - starting with the Rays and trickling on down - not aided one bit by our newspaper whose power grab is so transparent its not funny. Let's start with the Ray's "contribution" to this scam. That's not a "contribution" it's rent paid up front. There is no "private" in this financial plan - it's all public money. And part of it is mine. And that money should go to my children and others like them for after school programs and evening library hours (which is the only time I can take them) and social services and, most of all police protection. Our community officer was cut years ago and I am frightened to let my kids play outside. You think those of us who live like this could give a damn about a $450 mill. stadium so some rich white folks from NYC can get richer. We can't afford to go to Rays games and no one else I know can either. And don't think that we have not noticed that "all of a sudden" the Rays have started a foundation and hinted at helping us in southside to have better parks. Where were you two years ago. Can we say sucking up? How about pandering?

The NAACP does NOT represent my friends and family; they are a bunch of ego-maniacs looking for private gain. Most of us see right through the Rays "courting" of us. Sure, some are going to take advantage of that, but we are not going to be taken in by a few dollars here and there. Not when millions are at stake - millions that can be spent on our own people.

[Doctor Bones]

I call BS on Lakeesha.