Baseball advocate encourages unity in Richmond

It is almost beyond believe that a great number who have commented about various proposals to build a new stadium apparently do not understand that neither the City of Richmond nor various corporations located here have the money to subsidize or guarantee the financial success of a professional baseball team (AA or AAA) and related facilities. Similarly, it is very disappointing that people choose to unjustly criticize Charlie Diradour who, so far as I am able to determine, has no motive beyond encouraging baseball while demanding the City be responsible in the handling of tax payer money.

If recommend that those who vociferously and continually promote the idea of using taxpayer funds to subsidize or support a new baseball team and facility, acquaint themselves with reality of the depth of the current economic recession, the extent to which people have lost their jobs or been subjected to dramatic decreases in income, the unprecedented shortfalls in tax revenue to support absolutely vital social services, education, criminal justice, and infrastructure, and recognize the prolonged period that is expected to be required for any significant economic recovery. 

Like Charlie Diradour, I believe a replacement team and updated facility would be a nice asset to the community, if they are supported by private investors. From my perspective, the issue is not whether there should be a baseball team in the area, it is how it is to be financed and sustained.

dubious - I agree with your sentiment of corporate sponsorship.  I lived in Atlanta for only 3 years, but what I learned was that companies in Atlanta put the city on their back when the city leaders can’t make a decision.  The Richmond AREA is very inviting to companies, but somehow they don’t repay the favor.  Ukrop’s is the most visible company in terms of local sponsorship, but how much can you expect a grocery store to financially contribute?

I would really love to see an overall investment in the City with the Counties and corporations contributing.  I’m still disgusted that Henrico changed their name to get taxes diverted.  It only makes the City’s problems worse and invests in places that are already being financed in other ways. 

By the way - did Henrico County ask anyone’s opinion about creating all that JUNK in Short Pump?  Think about what our City would have to offer if a portion of that development had gone in the City.  Broad Street downtown could be Madison Avenue.  We could have a nice ballpark that would represent RICHMOND. We could add a museum reflecting Richmond’s slave history. We could do something with the Boulevard that would attract more than a Fair with monkey’s riding dogs - true story if you haven’t read it on the RTD.

This area generates plenty of taxes - we just need to start using them for something a little more substantive than a fake urban center in a suburb.

News flash….check out all the tax dollars spent on the VMFA renovation, when’s the last time you went to the museum? Public money goes to public art, cultural and sports projects…. that’s how it works in cities who have vision and can sustain and attract events, conventions and teams. Also, attracting the best employers and employees to the central VA region is crucial, esp since the DEATH of employers like Circuit City and S&K.  So, the community of neighborhoods in this city better start pulling together, or we won’t have anything…major employers, sports, opportunities to tap into tourism dollars.  Step up Richmonders (and I say that collectively) or shut up.

I’m fine with welcoming a new baseball team, one that the RMA can’t drive out of town. Welcome, welcome. However, I am NOT fine in any sense with taxpayers being asked to foot the bill for any portion of it. Let the developers and restauranteers and others who stand to gain from baseball in Richmond figure out a way to pay for it without asking taxpayers to take the risk.

When your city council meetings are watched for their entertainment value.. you don’t stand much chance at getting people to go along with your program..lol.