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 Commentary |
July 29th, 2010 | |||
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Should Escondido Build a $45 Million Minor League Ball Park?A Pro and Con Editorial and RebuttalMy answer is not only No, but Hell No!My first reaction upon hearing this news was, “Has our City Council gone nuts?” The San Diego Padres would like the city of Escondido to build a 9,000 seat ballpark for a Minor League team, and for Escondido to pony up the entire $45 million; further, the city would have to give the team all revenue from concessions and naming rights. The city would receive a minimal amount of revenue under a leaseback provision to the Padres, but nowhere near sufficient to even approach covering debt service. Additionally, the Padres want us to make up our minds right now. No delay. No time to think, to plan, to call in the experts, to hear from the public. They want the stadium done by 2012, and there is no public vote on spending this $45 million! Even though redevelopment funds would be used on this proposed project, rather than general funds, it is still an unwise use of city funds and could well be viewed as frivolous, in these economic times. To their credit, council members Sam Abed and Olga Diaz, are urging caution and exercising due diligence before such a momentous decision. Councilmember Marie Waldon is back east, tending to an ill family member. Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler and Mayor Pro Tem Dick Daniels are, in our opinion, looking at this project through rose-colored glasses. Abed and Diaz point out there are interest costs to the financing needed on a $45 million project, lots of interest. And who can forget the cost overruns that happened with the Palomar Pomerado Health District’s plans to build a new hospital?We were conned into supporting this project from the get-go by rosy predictions from Michael Covert, CEO and president. At last report, PPH has to now go out and borrow another $74 million to complete this project. This, from a project that was originally budgeted at $773 million, including $496 million from voter funds. The budget is now at $1 billion! The past, as they say, is prologue. Once burned, twice shy, which is also what they say. Other factors come into play. Where are you going to spend your discretionary dollars?To see a major league team, the San Diego Padres, play?Or a minor league team, in Escondido, or a minor league team in Lake Elsinore?We see too much competition for the baseball dollar. It just doesn’t make sense, in our not so humble opinion. Extra costs of police, fire, road improvements and maintenance to absorb the additional traffic and then maybe, just maybe, investors will put up money to build condos, shopping centers, etc. That’s called “betting on the come,” and any decent blackjack player will tell you it’s time to walk away. We have, essentially, been given an ultimatum by The Padres. I think it’s time to say, “thanks, but no thanks.” The reality is:It’s not a great time to spend any discretionary dollars unless there is certainty as to the return. We tried something similar with the Center for the Arts. We built a venue that is, admittedly, beautiful . . . but also, admittedly, is too small. And it’s been a money loser, big time, since the beginning. Time to learn from our past mistakes. Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler has stated, “The time is now for Escondido to step up to the plate and hit a home run that will transform our city's future for decades to come.” Sticking with the baseball analogy, I would submit it is time to politely tell the San Diego Padres to “take a walk.” lyle e davis
Now comes Escondido Mayor Pro-Tem, Dick Daniels, with a Rebuttal to our editorial position:What a few apparently don’t understand is that this is, in reality, a build-to-suit transaction in which the property owner builds a commercial, office or retail facility to the tenant’s specifications and then leases it back to him (or her or them) for an extended period of time. There’s no subsidy; the city builds and owns the ballpark. Build-to-suits are common development formats, but you wouldn’t know it, given those who oppose it as if this is really different and has never been done. No professional sports team of any type, major or minor league, can exist on just ticket sales any more than a movie theatre can – or any more than a newspaper can survive on circulation alone. They need the additional revenues that come from concessions, naming rights, etc. Most, if not all, municipally owned ballparks operate under this business model for that very reason. Frankly, at this early juncture, it’s premature to take an opposition view, since all we’ve done thus far is authorize staff and Charles Black to take it to the next step – with plenty of ‘exit’ offramps available in the event the city can’t assemble enough redevelopment revenues. I guess Sam (Abed) isn’t interested in seeing if it would work, because that’s essentially all we’re doing. Steel-door thinking. I’m trying to look past the ballpark itself and judge the project based on its impact on developing the surrounding area. If the ballpark comes anywhere near the impact Petco has had (and it really doesn’t have to reach a 5-to-1 multiplier) then the money we invest in a community amenity that triggers massive redevelopment of an area that badly needs it will be dwarfed by the property and sales taxes and jobs it generates year after year after year. I’ve been open to it and want to support it if it’s financially feasible for us to do. I’m willing to stay positive until circumstances prove otherwise because it’s been this kind of attitude that is responsible for other “big bang” projects locally – The Auto Park, North County Fair, the Arts Center (which, though financially troubled has been the catalyst for a revitalized downtown) and myriad examples elsewhere in the region (Petco, Horton Plaza, the SD Convention Center) all big financial risks that paid off. Editor’s Note:This issue is providing some lively discussion within the community, which is quite appropriate, given the potential large dollar commitment the city if facing. We have arranged for Mayor Pro-Tem Daniels to appear before the Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club of Escondido, on Tuesday, August 17th, to speak to this issue and to answer questions from the audience. Earlier, on Tuesday, July 27th, Escondido City Councilmember Sam Abed appeared before this same group and outlined his reasons for opposing this project. While both Mr. Daniels and Mr. Abed are competing for the Mayor’s Chair in Escondido, this is not a campaign issue, but an opportunity for two council members with opposing viewpoints to meet with a service club and its members and guests to outline their respective positions and to answer questions from the electorate. If you would like to attend the event, it will be Tuesday morning, August 17th, at 7am for breakfast, Mayor Pro-Tem Daniels will speak at approximately 8am and we are scheduled to close the meeting at 8:30am. Often, issues like these require a bit more time to respond to a Q&A session and, normally, our speakers are more than willing to stay a bit longer and answer as many questions as they are able. Since this issue will not go to the people for a vote, it is important your elected representatives know how you feel. This, truly, could become something akin to a Town Hall Meeting where the public gets a chance to meet and confer with their legislators. To RSVP, please call 760.747.7119 so we have enough chairs and food.
Letters to the EditorKent: Very interesting article,"Hairy Handed Gent." My wife and I were driving through Yosemite about five years ago and standing on the edge of the road was Bigfoot. This creature had a stealthiness beyond humans. If my headlights did not shine on him for a brief second, we would never have seen him. I relayed my story to a web site and described the incident in detail. Two days latter, I get a call from Stanford University, from a woman who said she was a Doctor. She went on to tell me in confidence that they have proof of Bigfoot, by blood DNA analysis. This blew me away, I think she regretted telling me. So believe it, he is out there. Thanks,
Mr. BigfootI believe it and I believe there are a lot of strange, unexplainable things out there. I snapped this photo at the Julian Cemetery 2 years ago just after it got dark. I do not believe this is a "dust particle". It appears to be a bright globe inside of the gravesite. My wife said she sensed something was there and asked me to take a photo. I thought she was nuts because everything looked dark with the naked eye. I was shocked when I saw the photo. She is very sensitive to spirit stuff. Many people I have shown this to think it is some kind of spirit "orb." 
I wish I could have an expert analyze it. I tried to send it to the Julian Museum, but they never return my calls and emails. /s/Jeff Schwilk
Karma?Hi Lyle, I wrote once before and wanted to share a neat experience and find a way to say thank you to Alicia. I insist you edit accordingly. I'm known to ramble- it's her deed that is the story. I just hoped we could generate an extra prayer or two for her or kind act for another. Thanks,
A Thanks to Alicia,I have written this in response to the following incident. Since Alicia sent this letter specifically without her last name, phone number, or address it’s hard to thank her, send her flowers, perhaps dinner, doing something that she needs done. Last Wednesday I stepped off the bus and immediately realized I left my wallet. I borrowed a car and raced down to the Oceanside Bus Terminal and caught the bus there in just the five stops and no wallet. I am unemployed and it had almost $300 in it, with, of course, all the other stuff a wallet has. Friday night my friend took her husband into the hospital instead of taking their grandson to a local amusement park. I took the grandson for 11.5 hours at their expense, naturally. I abhor lines so it was even more fun for the 9.25 hour outing the following Monday with the even younger granddaughter. A man was complaining after one of the rides about the wait and short time of the ride. I interrupted him and said “Remember how much fun this is” and pointed out this was my second in three days. He laughed and said “Major Karma Points. ”When I got back to my friends’ last night as I was telling them this story and opening a weird envelope as I receive mail there. My friend reinforced the karma point as I realized upon opening the envelope it was my lost/stolen wallet, delivered that day despite my having the key to the mail box with me that day. Alicia didn’t even take 95 cents out to pay the postage. She only gave her first and middle name with a last initial. I don’t know how else to thank her!Perhaps saying a prayer for someone in pain or doing the right thing when we should is all any of us should be doing. JS Her note: John: I could not find your phone number in the telephone book. I don’t drive anymore because I have sciatica, my back and my leg hurt very much. I don’t have anybody who can drive me to your place. If I did not mail it yesterday is because I was in pain and I have to walk a long way from home to the bus stop. Have a good time,
The Ponies . . .Dear sir, as I was travelling I came across an article written by Frederick Gomez on the history of horse racing. I am not a fan of the sport, I've lived too far away to attend a race except for one back many years ago when I bet on one filly named Lil Yolie, she won me $100 and I will never forget the thrill. Since my name is Yolanda, and I've been called Yolie all my life, it was exciting & personal. This note is to express my thanks to the writer of this article for such a profound and interesting article. I wish you both sucess in the journalist field. /s/Yolanda Dolinger
Operation HeroHi Lyle: It was very nice talking to you earlier today. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your past friendship and support that you have provided on behalf our wounded service members. It was you who was responsible for the successful inception of ‘Operation Hero.’ This program has not only provided many of our wounded with financial assistance but it also provided them with the knowledge that there were people out there who really cared for them, and took the time and effort to show that appreciation. There was more than one occasion that I saw tears welling in the service members eyes during the ceremony. It was one of the best medications they possessed to hear this civilian appreciation and applause. I was always so very honored to stand there with them during the Operation Hero ceremony that there was more than one occasion that my own tears materialized. I worked with these young men and women every day and see the pain that they endure, sometimes for years. The Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club madea difference in their lives. Of that you can be sure. They were typically very much overwhelmed. They knew that they were appreciated and could feel it during these (Kiwanis) programs. Lyle, In my eyes you are one of the heroes. You started a program that gave continued hope to these wounded troops. The Kiwanis stood and supported these deserving men and women with more than words and financial contributions. You all gave your hearts. My eternal thanks to you and the Kiwanis for a job very well done. With my thanks and respect, Editor’s Note: Steve Vargo has been a close friend and collaborator on the Operation Hero program. A former US Navy Corpsman, he brought his concern for patients to the wounded warriors, to whom he has been totally dedicated for years. Sadly, his position with the Severely Injured Military, a contract agency with the Department of Defense, has been phased out due to budget cuts. This, to my mind, is a terrible shame. These wounded warriors could always count on Steve Vargo and Sonja Dugan, his partner, to look after their interests and act as their advocates. He and Sonja Dugan have been a delight to work with and Ihope we have occasion to work together again. These folks are class acts. If there is any justice in this world, a job opening will arise soon for them, preferably, dealing with the wounded warriors. They’re great at it! |
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