St. Petersburg Preservation opposes Al Lang location

Will Michaels, president of St. Petersburg Preservation, just released his group's view of the Rays' stadium proposal. You can read their analysis here. Michaels also was chairman of the Council of Neighborhood Association's baseball committee (CONA also is opposing the stadium).

Comments

[Chuck]

SPP probably opposed segregation reform when the idea was introduced. As long as no one removes the bum beds ERRR historic green benches this group should have nothing to complain about.

[Colorado Snowbird]

Aaron, can you give us an idea of the history of this group? Have they been around for years, or did they just shoot up in response to this proposal? Do they have a website?

--Thank you.

[Aaron Sharockman]

hey colorado snowbird.

This is taken from the St. Pete Preservation web site, www.stpetepreservation.org

"Since 1977 Saint Petersburg Preservation Incorporated (SPPI) has worked to seek the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, maintenance, and acquisition of important natural, scenic, historic, and architectural sites and structures. This has been accomplished by defining historic districts and sites, seeking landmark status for structures, and by fostering an appreciation of St. Petersburg's built historic environment, whether it be the homes that compose our neighborhoods, the hexblocks that make our sidewalks, or the schools that date to the City's early years. In all the activities SPPI may take upon itself, the overarching goal is to instill in the citizens of St. Petersburg an appreciation of our shared heritage and culture."

[Rick K]

Aaron, great job. Do you have a handle on whether all that stuff on their website is true? I mean, has anyone at the Times heard of this group before now? Is their membership comprised of a few dozen citizens or two crackpots with a copy machine?

[josh]

They sound like a glorified homeowners association, sticking their noses into other people's business in the name of "community welfare"

[Native]

what was the SPPI stance on the eye sore expansion that is now part of the fine arts museum?

[CONA Member]

Aaron is not correct. CONA is not against the stadium - we are against holding a referendum on the stadium until all the facts are in. We went to great lengths to make this clear in our presentation to the city.

A consensus opinion on the stadium could not be achieved, but most did agree we should not put it to a vote with out having all the answers to some important (and STILL unanswered) questions. Hence the position adopted by CONA.

[Aaron Sharockman]

I'll clarify that. CONA is opposed to the current proposal, not necessarily a new stadium. Among other things, they believe that the city should pursue new and different development options for tropicana field.

You can read their report at their web site, http://www.conastpete.org/

[Rick K]

CONA Member is pretending we are stupid.

The Rays said this deal only works if it goes to their timing, which necessitates a vote this November.

So, opposing a vote in November results in preventing the deal from getting done.

Aaron accurately reported the facts.

CONA Member wants us to believe the silly notion that their group opposes what the Rays have proposed (part of which is a vote this November) but they realy DON'T oppose it.

[A real city supporter]

Everyone on this blog, except Aaron S. and CONA member, are the same person. More professional bloggers under a zillion different names.

What do you expect from rich New Yaaarrrk carpetbaggers?

[Rick K]

To "A real city supporter;"

I am willing to bet you $1,000 that you are wrong.

[Don Mott]

Rick K @1:04, Guess you either haven't visited the site or if you did you didn't click on that little button on the left called Officers and Directors.

[Rick K]

Don:

I haven't been to their site. I am most curious about how long they have been around, for real.

[Don Mott]

"Is their membership comprised of a few dozen citizens or two crackpots with a copy machine?" Well that is not what you said previously according to the quote I have included here. They have been here since 1977 Rick. If you are truly interested you should visit their site. They even have a few people with Doctorate degrees on board if that interests you.

[Jo Anne]

Hi Rick K,

You said @ 1:32pm the "The Rays said this deal only works if it goes to their timing which necessitates a vote this November."

Why, exactly, does this deal only work this way? I must have missed that before.

Thanks!

[Jo Anne]

Hi Rick K,

You said @ 1:32pm the "The Rays said this deal only works if it goes to their timing which necessitates a vote this November."

Why, exactly, does this deal only work this way? I must have missed that before.

Thanks!

[Jo Anne]

Hi Rick K,

You said @ 1:32pm the "The Rays said this deal only works if it goes to their timing which necessitates a vote this November."

Why, exactly, does this deal only work this way? I must have missed that before.

Thanks!

[Steve]

You can take your red shoes off now Rick K. There is no leaving Oz for you.

The Rays have stated all along (even though we know they will change their minds and position many more times)that for this project to work for them it must start construction in early 2009 and be completed for the 2012 season.

I am here to tell you that there is no way in God's green earth that the Rays will be able to perform all of the work necessary in time to meet this schedule.

It is physically impossible.

[Native]

can someone answer my question?

[homer]

real city supporter:

thanks for speaking the truth! you and me and aaron are the only real people on this blog! i actually think that most posts here are the work of paid robots, or possibly even the devil rays players themselves! they don't work until late at night...they have all day to post! luckily i have constructed and am wearing an anti-propaganda helmet made from tin foil! i am sure you are too!

[Ray F]

Bill Gates is trying to steal your brain Buckly.

[Rick K]

Joanne, I read that position of the Rays on this Blog.

Steve, how much would you like to bet?

[Rick K]

Don,

I just found their site yesterday afternoon. Thanks.

It would have been a lot easier if someone had provided a link.

I was surprised to find that I know some of the people listed on the website as being on the Board. I reached out to a few of those people in an attempt to find out if they are really on the board, or if the organization just claims they are.

Guess what I learned?

[Don Mott]

"I was surprised to find that I know some of the people listed on the website as being on the Board." Gee Rick why I am not suprised? Heck you even know me as an accountant for a trucking firm in Largo. Only problem is, I am not an accountant and have never worked for a trucking firm. You know Bob Stewart, you have talked to many people who are condo owners, business owners downtown, you've seen the TDC's numbers and the list goes on and on. Do you know the Mayor too?

[Rick K]

Don,

I never said I knew you. I told you I knew/know a man named Don Mott who did accounting work for a trucking firm in Largo. If that is not you, that is fine.

I have met the mayor, and I have met Bob Stewart. I am not a personal friend of either. I am, however, familiar with their political behavior. I have also seen reports (publicly available) which attempt to asses the degree to which the Rays' presence in St. Pete contributes to local tourism.

That you want to pretend there can't be two Don Mott's, or that I can't have seen these reports is just silly. You must not know that Mayor Baker coached Little League Baseball at Northeast Little League, I guess.

In your imagination, the mayor lives in a protected compound and never comes in contact with anyone?

Are you SERIOUS?

[Don Mott]

"That you want to pretend there can't be two Don Mott's" Really Rick? If you know someone well enough to broadcast it you should know their name. His name as I told you before, but you obviously ignored or forgot is Ron not Don. I don't pretend, but I think you do.

[Rick K]

Don, I am not sure what you are talking about. Are you telling me that you previously told me that the guy I am thinking of is named Ron, instead of Don?

If you did tell me that, I missed it. If it is true, I apologize to both of you.

Let's relax a little bit.

Please.

[Don Mott]

It is true and I'm surprised at your insinuation that you never saw it since you seem to be on every thread here most every day and night. As far as relaxing I am totally relaxed because I don't post erroneous information and then have to make apologies for it.

[Rick K]

whatever.

[Don Mott]

Dadgumit Rick you didn't even capitalize that, are you growing weary and tired?