County Commissioner Duncan chimes in
This email just came in:
Statement from Pinellas County Commissioner Ronnie E. Duncan
Re: Tampa Bay Rays
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
I apologize that I am not able to attend the press conference today. Unfortunately I have travel and speaking commitments in South Florida. But I did want to speak to your statements today and to my thoughts on the Rays franchise in Pinellas County.
A baseball franchise is more than simply a team on a field, playing almost daily to maintain their standing and move the club forward in the national standings. While winning is important to maintain the fan base - and you all have invested in players, in the structure and in the community to achieve this level of play - being a part of the community and region in which the team plays is paramount.
The club draws interest and attention to the community and the region. To the rest of the world, the team ensures that St. Petersburg, Pinellas County and Tampa Bay are mentioned daily if not more often. That recognition results in economic development and job creation. It is a known fact that corporate relocation specialists seek out sport franchise operations as one of several criteria for their clients.
The team and its opponents do draw tourists to our region. As a young ball club, the team following is growing in depth. But many come to our area to see their opposition - the ball club that they grew up with in their home communities in other parts of the country. That adds jobs and creates revenues to businesses - as well as once again exposing the beaches and the golden nuggets of tourism to many many more.
And to those baseball fans in our region, the Rays adds to the quality of life that we value so highly. While an intangible factor, people know it when they feel and see it - and the Rays is just that!
I applaud the Rays' management and ownership for their decision to seek other opportunities in our region and will work, as a County Commissioner, to insure that their objectives are met in a manner that mitigate and address the objections of our community and environment. The franchise has worked closely with the community and I know that they will continue to involve the public in this renewed initiative. Their decision to work with this Pinellas County community speaks volumes for their credibility and their commitment to the quality of life that we hold so dear.
-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer
The Tampa Bay Rays continue to pursue plans for a new baseball stadium. Host 
This guy is waaaaaaaay too reasonable, forward-thinking, and levelheaded to be a part of this discussion. It's probably best he'll be out of town.
Posted by: Bobby Fenton | June 25, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Obviously, this Joker needs to be voted out of office.
How dare he claim that the Rays have an economic impact on this area???
All the "Antis" can put that into their pipes and smoke it. A very well written email. Thank you Aaron for posting it.
Posted by: Ray F | June 25, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Duncan said "The franchise has worked closely with the community and I know that they will continue to involve the public in this renewed initiative."
The franchise has NOT worked closely with the community ONE BIT. Secret meetings with an outbound Mayor is "involving the public" HOW??
Dividing the community with red signs and blue is their idea of involving the public?? Seriously?
Not addressing the TDC or BOCC until SIX MONTHS AFTER the Times LEAKED the secret news is "WORKING TOGETHER"??
If the Rays had done it right, we would not be where we are today. Period.
Perhaps this next time they'll try a little hard to sincerely involve the public in the process, since it's US they are asking so much of.
Posted by: John | June 25, 2008 at 02:48 PM
I agree with John above (2:48 PM) a thousand times over.
Well said John.
Posted by: Peace | June 25, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Look, the Rays worked "in secret" to get their ducks in a row. They know that this town is filled with a bunch of knee-jerk protectionists. So they tried to get as polished an idea out there, but the Times blew it, and they were forced into crisis-control mode before they were ready. And then the knee-jerks with the red signs were everywhere, and their fate was sealed.
The public was on a "need-to-know" basis, and, if they are just another private corporation (like so many of you are quick to point out) they have every right to discuss their plans with their public partners before it gets out and about.
How do you think cities pull more traditional corporations into town with tax incentives? Does it all happen in a city-wide planning session? No. Besides, no decisions were made in private. They were all planning stages, nothing more. Quit being so darn sacrosanct about it all.
So what is it? Are the Rays a private corporation trying to hoodwink the public and take our money? Or are the Rays now subject to transparency provisions that no other corporation is subject to, including precious Jabil?
Make up your mind, hypocrites.
Posted by: Mike | June 25, 2008 at 02:56 PM
John - Shut the hell up, please. Your precious waterfront will be preserved as the parking lot for an abandoned spring training field. Your 86 acres of Trop land will continue to not generate property tax. Those who supported the Al Lang site have lost. As someone who claimed to support Plan B, you are now going to have to deal with it's consequences (i.e. Higher cost for a stadium, potential greater % of public cost, potential for NO referendum and NO public vote.) So if the Rays had "done it right", as you claim, would you instead be FOR a waterfront location? FOR extending the Bed Tax? FOR redeveloping the Trop site? Or would you still be bitching and moaning, just for the chance to gloat because you won, and the big bad New Yorkers were told off??
Posted by: Rays Mike | June 25, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Really, I'm just sick of the demonization of the Rays. I didn't realize that my hometown was filled with such cynics. I quite simply cannot see the reason for the hate. It's one thing if you don't like the stadium proposal, but you really have to engage in a bit of self-examination if you think this ownership group is trying nothing more than to collectively bend us over. Don't forget that these guys have invested millions of their own money into the Trop and millions more into the players on this 4th best team in baseball. They are no longer making money. (Naimoli used to make money because he spent $20 mil/year on players.)
Point is, I think these guys put an idea out there, got some feedback, turned out the feedback wasn't too favorable, and now they are going back to the drawing board. All the while bolstering "the orignal Plan B" (the Trop) and putting an exciting, winning product on the field. Where exactly have these guys deserved all of this vitriol and bile you sad little people spew every day on here? Sure, they could've been better with the plan, but, do y'all ever listen to yourselves?
Seriously ... do you? You're all sick in the head!
Posted by: Mike | June 25, 2008 at 03:04 PM
MTD.com will be making vigorous efforts to reach Mr. Duncan. He could be the catalyst to propel our forward-thinking idea into the mainstream.
Yours in the movement,
MTD staff
www.movethedome.com
Posted by: MTD | June 25, 2008 at 03:04 PM
I really think the concept of "win / lose" in this situation is goofy.
The Rays did not present a complete plan and the aspects they did present were not agreeable to a majority of people.
So now the city/county/team can continue to negotiate and arrive at a solution that is agreeable to everyone.
Posted by: Thomas | June 25, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Thomas -
Agreed. We believe the solution is already upon us and have it on good authority that they got wind of our idea and pulled up on the reigns to evaluate.
Join the movement!
www.movethedome.com
Posted by: MTD | June 25, 2008 at 03:07 PM
LMAO @ Rays Mike....have a quaalude, and relax. And no, I will NOT "shut the hell up". I know that bothers you so.
We are going to do this the right way, or no way at all.
Rays Mike and your ilk who tried your circle-jerk Rays cheerleading have indeed lost this battle, and now you're telling the people who saw this coming to shut the hell up....priceless.
Since when were you ever concerned with generating taxes for the city Rays Mike? Ever? I doubt it.
Al Lang will likely be torn down and replaced with green space, and that drives you clowns INSANE, and for that I take a little sordid pleasure in knowing you babies didn't get your way.
By the way, your head cheerleader Rick K (who's been on here every day religiously for 3+ months) is conspicuously absent for such breaking news....anyone find that odd?
Posted by: John | June 25, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Rick K is having a Mexican lunch with Micah Mills, Casey Loesch and the rest of the top guys a MTD.com.
Posted by: MTD | June 25, 2008 at 03:11 PM
His comments were ridiculous.. He clearly has not read the Don Mott's book, 101 studies that say sports franchises lead to negative financial outcomes.
Posted by: Don Mott?? | June 25, 2008 at 03:15 PM
You see? John is proving my point. He can say what he wants about financial prudence, saving the Al Lang parking lot, etc, but his biggest satisfaction is that the "babies didn't get their way." So I guess while the "babies didn't get their way," the old farts instead will get THEIR way.. And go back to any posting I have made on here, and see my comments about the economic benefits of redevloping the Trop site...
Posted by: Rays Mike | June 25, 2008 at 03:16 PM
This guys just politicking.
The Rays can "work with the public" by paying 75% or more of the total cost and by not trying to force a stadium where it does not belong and is not wanted.
If they had truly worked with the public, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
Posted by: Sara | June 25, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Mike if the Rays move to Toytown you may still get your wish for Trop redevelopment, or maybe not....Toytown is not my first choice but hey, I don't own the team. I just live here and pay taxes like everyone else.
We'll know a lot more in 10 minutes.
Get that popcorn ready, dude.
Posted by: John | June 25, 2008 at 03:19 PM
The comment at 3:15 was not mine.
Posted by: Don Mott | June 25, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Obviously Don Mott.. It was meant to make fun of you. Thanks for clearing that up though.
Posted by: Obviously | June 25, 2008 at 03:29 PM
John -
The Rays give hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to the community through their Rays baseball foundation. They also sponsor a number arts and cultural events around the City.
They did not divide the community. When POWW started handing out their tacky red signs, threatening supportive businesses, spreading outright lies, and attacking Rays execs personally with Karl-Rove like vitriol, THEY divided this community.
As for the county commisssion, if you recall, County funding was never originally contemplated, so stop dramatizing the situation and acting like you are personally offended.
You will not get the last laugh. The Rays will now pursue a ballpark that does not require referrendum, so you get no say!! Nicely done.
Posted by: Bad John | June 25, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Oh, forgot hundreds of meetings with neighborhood associations and community groups the Rays have held over the last 6 months. But you're right John - the Rays have not engaged the community.
Posted by: Bad John | June 25, 2008 at 03:31 PM
You mean like the beach business meeting the Rays had just last week, where only 20 people showed up??LMFAO!!!!
Posted by: John | June 25, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Bad John K,
How you doing today?
I was worried you'd be swinging from a shower curtain rod after the demise of your "paired redevelopment" plans bit the dust.
Posted by: Thomas | June 25, 2008 at 03:36 PM
No, I mean the 80 neighborhood associations, dozens of business meetings, briefings for rotary clubs, community groups, etc. More found at http://www.majorleaguedowntown.com/Outreach.aspx
Sorry if you missed all these meetings. You were probably stuck at your computer with your head up your *ss.
Posted by: Bad John | June 25, 2008 at 03:39 PM
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Posted by: dear Rays, fans for, pro stadium bloggers | June 25, 2008 at 03:41 PM
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Posted by: oh, and one more thing | June 25, 2008 at 03:41 PM