Reply #6: Agree and disagree... [View All]

[SaveElmer]

I think a referendum is a bad idea on any grounds. The people have a say when they elect their representatives. It is their job to make these decisions. I think it is impossible to convey the complexity of proposals like these in terms of a political campaign, which is what a referendum would become. We have seen some of the debacles coming out of the California referendums.


I agree that MLB has a ways to go to fix their system, but they have made progress. There is now a tax on overspending teams like the Yankees and Red Sox when their payroll exceeds a certain figure. It has allowed teams like the Twins, A's and now the Brewers to become competitive. But to wait until MLB solves all of its problems is just wishful thinking. That is a decades long process. Part of the stadium deal I believe is that the Twins and MLB guarantee not to contract or move the team.

As to the Vikings, I think they need a new stadium eventually, but it is definitely not as urgent as the Twins. They have a lease through 2011 in the dome, and in my opinion can wait. The Vikings proposal is similar in the mechanism used as the Twins proposal, but the Vikings are chipping in about 3/4 of the cost, which of course they can afford being extremely profitable.

Zygi Wilf has also offered to be involved with development of the Metrodome site downtown once the stadium is demolished (which is kinda sad...it is the house Kirby built)