Mr Byrd states " I believe economic development is something that can create jobs and create a higher quality of life in Florida. We support economic development on good projects. I've had a chance to learn more about the Marlins issue, and I don't believe that's the appropriate way to spend taxpayer dolloars"

 

Mr Byrd and Mr King and all of our distinguish politicians found a better way to spend taxpayer dollars see below:

 

CLEARWATER-- Five Florida cities worried they might loose spring training teams that bring them lots of money have received $54.5 million from the state to help renovate old stadiums or build new ones.

 

Clearwater will use a $15 million grant to help pay for a $22 million stadium for the Philadelphia Phillies, said the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development.

 

Indian River County, which owns the stadium where the Los Angeles Dodgers train, will get $15 million, and Osceola County, spring home of the Houston Astros, will get $7.5 million.

 

The state is using sales-tax money derived from spring-training income to help pay for the stadium work. State officials said the grants will be paid out over as many as 30 years for some large awards.

 

Dunedin was to get some $10 million to help pay for its renovations of Dunedin Stadium at Grant Field and practice fields at the Englebert Complex, tourism officials said.

 

The Toronto Blue Jays have trained in Dunedin since 1977.

 

Lakeland will get $7 million to do a complete makeover on Joker Marchant Stadium.

 

 

 

I guess is better to spend our tax dollars on stadiums for teams from Philadelphia, Houston, Los Angeles, Detroit, and yes even another country Canada (Toronto). I am sure that the economic growth for this expediture one month out of the year far exceeds the economic input in the form of tax dollars that the Florida Marlins have generated for the state of Florida over the last 11 years. In addition to the free exposure that the state has gotten around the country and the world for the Marlins participation in two World Series. One good example of the economic impact by the Marlins happen this past October in the middle of the month usually offseason but a great amount of tax money as well as income for local businesses was generated by probably close to 20,000 Chicago Cub fans who came down for the games.

 

If Mr Byrd and Mr King really care about the Florida taxpayers the first thing they would do is revoked the rebate given to Wayne Hueizenga for the Marlins by 50 million dollars since the actual cost to renovate the stadium was less than 10 million but we all know that this will never happen because Wayne will make sure that our politicians will never let it come to fruition.

 

I have sent the above letter to Mr Byrd, Mr King and Mr Bush I am also going to start sending this info to some of the newspapers around the state and the country.

 

We all need to contact these bozos and let them know that we are going to make sure to use the only way available to us and vote in November.

 

Maybe we can start a chant on Sunday night game that We Want A Stadium maybe we will get som national attention and embarrass some of these politicians enough to change their way of thinking.

 

Thanks,

 

Dr Guava

I don't know what but we definitely need to do something. I am sick and tired of how many times these politicians have ignored our emails and phone calls. They pretty much have given us the finger. Well, I send them the finger right back. :fyou

I say not only do we chant "we want a stadium" but people also need to bring signs in reference of a new stadium.

Thanks for uncovering this type of information.

Wow I can't believe that. Giving money to other teams...this kind of thing enrages me.

heck, the orlando magic is set to recieve the exact same refund very soon. anyone think orlando's going to get turned down?

 

NOPE.

Blame Huizenga. He stands to lose too much if the Marlins get their own stadium - this has been pointed out for some time. The politicians wont respond - you need to grab them by the balls. If only they had some...

I wrote the Governor almost a month ago and yesterday is when I got this response:

 

April 20, 2004

 

Mr. Richard C. Kmak

 

Joleegreen24@hotmail.com

 

Dear Mr. Kmak:

 

Thank you for your e-mail to Governor Bush regarding the construction of a new stadium for the Florida Marlins. Governor Bush asked me to respond on his behalf.

 

Governor Bush believes having the Marlins in Florida has been a boon to the South Florida economy and would like to support them. Unfortunately, the Legislature has indicated this issue should wait until next year.

 

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts on this issue. Your opinion is very important to Governor Bush and greatly aids him in his decision making process.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Don Langston

Policy Coordinator

Finance and Economic Analysis

 

 

 

Its obvious that the polititicans don't care what people want, all they care about is getting your support so that you can vote them in and they'll take it from there. Pisses me off to the highest! :censored

Those teams got help to renovate or build their ST facilities three or four years ago, back before huge budget problems.

 

It is sickening that Byrd, King and others shot down giving the monthly stipend Huizenga receives for the Marlins to Loria.

The only thing that us fans can do to embarass all this a**holes on national TV is to start a "we want a stadium" chant on PPS this Saturday....bring posters, whatever...but we need to take action NOW!!!

The only thing that us fans can do to embarass all this a**holes on national TV is to start a "we want a stadium" chant on PPS this Saturday....bring posters, whatever...but we need to take action NOW!!!

I agree if this were to happen and to a point where the majority of the crowd is chanting could have some sort of impact if not to just show up the politicians in washington

This has nothing to do with politicians in Washington. You do realize that when people refer to the House and Senate on this issue, it refers to the FLORIDA House and Senate, right?

Spring Training = Tourism. Tourism = $

 

Miami stadium = ?

Spring Training = Tourism. Tourism = $

 

Miami stadium = ?

At least someone sees the light...

Miami Stadium = Tourism. Baseball, All-Star games, World Series, concerts, NCAA regionals and other events being played in Miami, the state's most well-known city, and likely with the city receiving some share of parking and concessions revenue.

Miami Stadium = Tourism. Baseball, All-Star games, World Series, concerts, NCAA regionals and other events being played in Miami, the state's most well-known city, and likely with the city receiving some share of parking and concessions revenue.

Hmmm...

 

Baseball: A lot of tourists come down specifically to see the Marlins play regular season games, do they?

 

AS Games: At best, a once every 15-20 year event

 

Concerts: Yeah, there aren't enough concert venues down here competing for revenue already.

 

NCAA regionals: Once again, a venture that, if Miami is lucky, will come every 4-7 years, for a weekend.

 

Plus, b/c the city/state will be in bed with a private organization, the profits will be divided. And ,because the site isn't on the riverfront there will not be any ancillary tourist attractions nearby. This will be a pure drive in, drive out facility, much like PPS now.

Spring Training = Tourism. Tourism = $

 

Miami stadium = ?

Does that mean you support tax dollars being used to upgrade training facilities for professional teams that don't play here during their regular season?

This has nothing to do with politicians in Washington. You do realize that when people refer to the House and Senate on this issue, it refers to the FLORIDA House and Senate, right?

haha yes i meant to say florida...but anyways spring training games do help tourism because a lot of the time fans from teams will make the trip down to see their team play in spring training.

Spring Training = Tourism. Tourism = $

 

Miami stadium = ?

Does that mean you support tax dollars being used to upgrade training facilities for professional teams that don't play here during their regular season? Yes, I do. Because it increases tourism from out-of-staters that come down for extended periods of time and spend their $ not only at the ST sites, but in the restaurants, bars, hotels and other tourist traps that lie around all the ST complexes.

Spring Training = Tourism. Tourism = $

 

Miami stadium = ?

Does that mean you support tax dollars being used to upgrade training facilities for professional teams that don't play here during their regular season? Yes, I do. Because it increases tourism from out-of-staters that come down for extended periods of time and spend their $ not only at the ST sites, but in the restaurants, bars, hotels and other tourist traps that lie around all the ST complexes. Lol.

 

No thanks. We know that publicly financing stadiums is a losing proposition when it comes to making money. You guys can jump on the grenade down there.

Florida weather, beaches = Tourism

 

Spring Training = A bunch of retired folks at the games

retired folks = $

 

Thanks for keeping FL income tax free, grandma!!!!!

Old people have been coming to Florida for winters for years it has nothing to do with Spring Training we have a term for them snowbirds. They appear in December and disappear in April/May. Spring training games for these people gives them something to do during the day.

 

They flock to Naples Florida and they don't have a Spring training facility.

Old people have been coming to Florida for winters for years it has nothing to do with Spring Training we have a term for them snowbirds. They appear in December and disappear in April/May. Spring training games for these people gives them something to do during the day.

 

They flock to Naples Florida and they don't have a Spring training facility.

If you think spring training doesn't attract a lot of people from the north than you need to dig your head out. Just look at that yankees-red sox games in spring training where everyone was giving up an arm and leg just to go that game. Those people weren't locals that's for sure. There are so many people that plan vacations to go all around Florida to the different spring training sites.

Hmmm...

 

Baseball: A lot of tourists come down specifically to see the Marlins play regular season games, do they?

 

AS Games: At best, a once every 15-20 year event

 

Concerts: Yeah, there aren't enough concert venues down here competing for revenue already.

 

NCAA regionals: Once again, a venture that, if Miami is lucky, will come every 4-7 years, for a weekend.

 

Plus, b/c the city/state will be in bed with a private organization, the profits will be divided. And ,because the site isn't on the riverfront there will not be any ancillary tourist attractions nearby. This will be a pure drive in, drive out facility, much like PPS now.

 

Baseball: There are Marlins fans from around the country that do come to a series in Miami. There's also visiting baseball players who go out and have dinner in town and spend money.

All-Star Games and NCAA regionals: And despite being infrequent they are capable of producing more tax revenue for the city and state, and raising the prestige of the city.

Concerts: If the reports are true of a retractable stadium this will be a premier concert venue, with the city likely receiving significant parking and concessions revenue that they could not if the event was held at Pro Player.

 

Damn, you're freaking negative. A business district can't develop around the area?

Yeah, Spring Training might help tourism. For a month. But what a new baseball stadium would do is make sure that pro athlete tax kicks in every year for 6 months at least. That's quite a bit of money heading in the state's direction just from the teams themselves, not counting anything else they might buy here. Also, new stadiums with successful teams (already have one end of the equation) brings national attention. National attention brings interest from people who normally wouldn't be interested. That brings in money that wouldn't be here from people in other states. Also, if the park is cool enough, the other teams' fans will talk about it (much like we talk about PNC and Kauffman, etc.) and eventually plan out trips to go check it out when their team is in town. It is fans from another team, but it is money otherwise not spent. This happens 81 times, as opposed to 15 for Spring Training. Also, Spring Training games are attended by how many? Hmm, 10,000 for 15 games or 40,000 for 81 games? Which one makes more money again?