Marlins Stadium Update No. 14,774
Norman Braman’s ad campaign hit the radio airwaves Monday.
The auto dealer and former Philadelphia Eagles owner has formed People Who Demand Honest Government. He's paying for a series of ads over the next three days aimed at building pressure on Miami-Dade County commissioners to vote No on a proposed Marlins stadium financing plan and other projects.
Braman says there are 174 spots running on a variety of radio stations. One focuses solely on the proposed $525 million ballpark project, saying the Marlins should pay for the stadium at the Orange Bowl site themselves, rather than relying on public money. The other mentions the ballpark, the proposed tunnel to the Port of Miami and streetcar project.
What’s raised the ire of Braman is the wide-ranging city and county plan to expand the boundaries and extend the life of Miami’s Community Redevelopment Agencies to fund millions of dollars in projects, including paying off the debt on the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts. That would free up hotel taxes to pay for the ballpark. CRAs are designed to collect property taxes in blighted areas to revitalize needy neighborhoods.
“I’m opposed to this whole plan, which is basically a ripoff of the Community Redevelopment Authority, which was established for a different purpose, to utilize it to build a sports stadium, to build a tunnel, a $200 million streetcar, to put $68 million into Bicentennial Park, to stretch the redevelopment area," Braman said. "It’s wrong. It’s wrong morally, it’s wrong legally and sometimes a citizen has to stand up and say it’s enough.”
Braman wouldn't say how much is being spent on the ads. "Whatever is required," he said.
The ads urge residents to call county commissioners before Thursday’s scheduled vote on the ballpark financing plan.
But don’t be surprised if a vote on the plan is delayed – not because of Braman’s ads, but because terms of the deal are still being negotiated. As always, stay tuned…
Comments
I love the comments on this blog. I am amazed at the vitriol aimed at a citizen who wants to limit the expansion of a local government that has been proven both corrupt and incompetent. Our cost of living has risen to astronomical levels here in south Florida, and municipal taxes are no small part of that. Add to that the numberous scandals that have been reported over the past year, and I can't see why we allow Miami-Dade to control stoplights, let alone billions of dollars. I guess I'm not used to the corruption and socialist ideology that have migrated north from South America.
I'm fully support Braman's movement here, and my only wish is that I had the capital to hire an army of private investigators to out the corruption and backroom dealing that I am sure are part of this entire proposed project.
Posted by: Captain Obvious | January 8, 2008 2:14 PM
How about we start an AD campaing against Braman. Idiot!!
Posted by: Hernando | January 8, 2008 12:27 PM
Braman is the reason the Dolphins left the Orange Bowl/ the orange bowl left the orange bowl and the canes left the orange bowl.
He should follow suit.
Posted by: CCC | January 8, 2008 11:52 AM
Guess I'm not buying a car at Braman Honda any time soon.
Posted by: Alfonso | January 8, 2008 9:54 AM
Pass the Stadium issue already, this has been on going for years. This should have been a done deal years ago. Nothing comes free, one way or another the tax payers will pay. Do you think if this stadium isn't built the money suddenly will appear in our pockets ? They will use that money somewhere else for something that that makes even less sense. Build the stadium and move on. We can save the world next week. Tell your commisioner to vote yes and send Braman back to Philly.
Posted by: Gary C | January 8, 2008 9:47 AM
ALL stadiums use tax money - even if it appears that the stadiums were privately financed. This is because all those suites and luxury boxes, club seats, etc. are paid for by purchasers who take a tax deduction for the purchases. Without such deductions, the stadium owners would never be able to charge what they charge for those suites, etc. Therefore, all stadiums are subsidized by state, Federal and local income tax deductions.
Posted by: Gatsby | January 8, 2008 9:13 AM
Ugh. It's idiots like that have delayed the stadium deal this long.
Practically every stadium in this country has had at least SOME tax money spent on it. The Marlins put up a big chunk in this deal. And, the city and county benefit with tourism and jobs generated by the team. The Orange Bowl doesn't have a team in it anymore, and will be knocked down. The space is there.
What annoys me the most is that all the parties seem willing! If the city, county, and team are all in agreement on this deal, to not only build stadiums but reinvigorate the community with art and convenience, then this guy needs to just shut up about it.
Posted by: Sean | January 8, 2008 4:19 AM