Both Candidates on the Record
Posted on Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 at 2:40 am by Brian Robinson
We were very thankful to recieve a statement yesterday from Governor Gregoire. I will say that my own communication with her office has been excellent and that the delay in recieving her statement was 100% our error.
I found it especially interesting that she mentions the scope of the construction project and the jobs created. This is a change in rhetoric that is pretty substantial and something I was hoping would get mentioned for a long time:
Statement from Christine Gregoire:
It was a sad day for our region the day the Sonics left.
My husband Mike and I are big sports fans. In fact, we were original Seahawk season ticket holders, and we already have season tickets to the Seattle Sounders FC.
I understand how strongly Sonics fans feel about the loss of the team, and I want to tell you the truth about how we got where we are today.
Let’s talk about what happened earlier this year. The last ditch effort by the new ownership group to improve Key Arena had to be supported by the Legislature in Olympia. Only the Legislature could grant King County the authority to raise taxes for the arena.
This vote wasn’t taken because it would have failed. If a vote had been forced, it would have failed. It’s that simple.
If the legislature rushed to a vote and it failed, the message sent to the NBA would be that Washingtonians won’t support professional basketball. And that is not true.
Now, let’s talk about where we are today. First and foremost, we need to work together to make Key Arena attractive to another NBA team and find out how to bring them here.
My office has been working with those involved on a proposal to use existing tourist tax revenue to fund renovations at the Key. Currently there is a seven percent tax on hotel rooms in Seattle; this money goes to convention center operations. The plan, which is still being negotiated, would take one-tenth of that revenue stream and put it toward the renovation of the Key.
This existing revenue would be joined with a large private investment from the local ownership group and presumably, if the legislature acts, from $30 million from the Oklahoma City owners as part of their settlement.
I want to work with the local ownership group and you to see what can be done.
Our nation has found itself in troubling economic times and while we must find balance in funding our priorities, a $300 million construction project will help create jobs in the short term. In addition to placing Seattle in a position to regain the Sonics, a long-term result of this effort would be the start of a re-energized Seattle Center.
What would my Republican opponent do? I don’t know. He was asked directly at the KING5 debate and he wouldn’t answer the question.
He has said many times that he would fix our roads and cut taxes. But last week he told The Herald in Everett that he wouldn’t do either of those for at least three years, maybe longer.
He hasn’t promised to do anything to bring an NBA team to our state.
When he was a senator, he opposed letting voters decide if they wanted to fund Seahawks Stadium. There was no risk to him. He just had to give the authorization for a vote, but he wouldn’t.
Maybe this is just fine with you - but not me. I think the only thing he’s demonstrating here is political opportunism.
We may not agree on everything, but at least I’ll give you a straight answer.
During my second term, I will work with your group and local leaders to look at our priorities, our resources and continue to try and bring the NBA back to Seattle.
Statement from Dino Rossi:
October 20, 2008
Back in the spring our elected officials in Olympia, for the 4th year in a row, decided they were not interested in being proactive in keeping the Sonics in Seattle. Despite being briefed in advance, and presented with a proposal early on, they claimed they didn’t have time to adopt a “no brainer” solution. In fact they spent more time making excuses for not having time than it would have taken to give the City of Seattle permission to move ahead in negotiations… and then they went home early. This permission would have prevented the relocation approval from the NBA which in the end became the driving force for the buyout the city accepted.
As you all recall you flooded Olympia with emails and phone calls swamping the message takers and showing overwhelming support for a solution. You sent the message loud and clear that a failure this time would have repercussions.
This year is our last chance
So now we are faced with going back to Olympia in January, for the 5th year in a row, and asking that the City be given permission to route surplus tourist taxes only collected in Seattle to fill out the last $75 million of a 50/50 public/private investment to save Seattle Center from collapse and prepare Key Arena for restoring SuperSonics basketball to Seattle. With this proposal we will have our team back within 5 years or Clay Bennett will be forced to pay the city $30 million of what little he has left after his ownership group was decimated in the recent stock market crash. A failure this next legislative session will signal the end of any short term chance of restoring our team and lets Clay Bennett of the hook for this payment.
With the definition of insanity being repeating the same actions and expecting a different result we have to ask ourselves if we trust the current elected officials in Olympia to back up the statements made last spring with action?
If you do, then by all means vote for the same people who showed no consideration for the urgency of the situation, if you don’t then you should give this serious consideration when casting your votes. Save Our Sonics is committed to working with whoever is in Olympia to resolve this problem but now is our chance to make sure those we will be working with are going to be solution oriented.
Now the control is on your hands
Save Our Sonics is not a political action committee. We do not spend money advocating for or against any candidate for elected office, or endorse any candidates, but we do want our members to be well informed when they cast their votes. We have extended an invitation to both candidates for Governor to submit a statement of support to our group. To date only one has responded and that statement is included below. If we get a response from the other we will forward it to you later. We also urge you to contact the candidates for your districts Legislative seats and ask them how they will respond to this problem come January and educate your friends and family who will lead in Olympia and who should be replaced.
Statement from Dino Rossi:
I proudly stood along the parade route in 1979 when the Sonics won the championship. I never wanted the Sonics to leave Seattle. Early this year, I was asked to remain silent on the proposed Key Arena renovation offer by representatives of the group of private investors so Governor Gregoire could support it without suffering political repercussions. But when I read the headline of the Oklahoman newspaper near the end of the legislative session that read ‘Washington governor gives up: Official says there is no saving Sonics,’ I knew we had to act and I publicly supported the public-private partnership. Still, Gregoire remained silent.
Bringing NBA basketball back to Seattle will require creative thinking and courageous leadership on behalf of elected officials and basketball fans. As governor, I will actively support efforts to make this happen. What happened with the Sonics is evidence that Olympia is missing real leadership. I’m running for Governor to start making decisions and fixing problems facing our state. Professional basketball has been an important piece of our cultural fabric here in Washington, but now that piece is missing. I look forward to the day where we once again have an NBA basketball team in Seattle, and as governor I’ll work to make that happen.
Please make sure you vote!
October 28th, 2008 at 6:36 am
“Bruce Ratner met with a group of investors within the past year about possibly selling control of the basketball operations. The Nets have been losing from $20 million to $25 million annually for several seasons, according to a league source, who projects similar losses this season.”
Just another struggling nba franchise in need of saving.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/2008/10/27/2008-10-27_bruce_ratner_explored_nets_sale.html
October 28th, 2008 at 7:24 am
But with Ratner it all falls on his Brooklyn project. It’s hit a snag but if it all goes through in the end, no way will he sell.
October 28th, 2008 at 7:26 am
My feeling is that this deal is more likely to get done with Gregoire in office then Rossi but I could be wrong. She has so much time and energy invested in this and has taken a lot of heat over the Sonics yet she is still putting forth the effort behind the scenes. I think Rossi really does not care much if the Sonics come back, he seems to have taken advantage of the Sonics mess for political gain.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Wow - The curse of the Sonics is alive and well….
We all saw what happened to Aubrey McClendon who lost virtually his whole fortune to margin calls.
The second richest investor was former co-founder of Chesepeak, Tom Ward. Ward now owns Sandrige Energy. In july when the settlement was announced Sandridge stocks, sitting up at 71. He was also the second largest shareholder in Chesepeak which sat at 72.
Today, Sandridge is sitting at right about $8/share. Tom Ward had to accept a $60M buyout from hsi board of directors to avoid substantial margin calls.
Clay was reportedly the #4 investor in both these companies.
I really actully don’t like to see i get this bad. I’m all for a little karma but seeing people lose everything is crazy.
Had we held he line these guys would have sold our team right now. We would have won the day and they would barely have had enough money to pay their Byrnes and Keller bill.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:59 am
I haven’t posted in here in a long time but…
Back to the political issue at hand:
This issue goes beyond the Sonics and/or NBA (however you want to look at it). Our own governor is telling us that she didn’t have the power, or time to get a the funding approved in the leg this year. She is claiming it simply would not have passed. While other members openly stated it could pass in an afternoon if presented correctly. IMHO this is a breakdown of our elected officials. As much as I’d like to believe Chris Gregoire, it sounds as if she is still making excuses. And her excuse is that she didn’t have the power or persuasion to make it happen. She’s the effin Governor! …the answer is always no if you don’t try.
I’m not completely sold on Rossi solving these issues either, but I think we’ve given Gregoire a chance - I think its time to see if someone else can get anything done. The worst thing that could happen is nothing would get done.. which is what I believe would happen with Gregoire.
October 28th, 2008 at 9:16 am
You are right on Brian. The Clays would have sold by now if dumb fuk nickels wouldn’t have sold out the fans. I get soooo pissed thinking about it now becuase we all knew we would win if we didnt settle. It breaks my heart that there is no Sonics basketball this year or at least the near future. Durant will be the most improved player this year and make the all star team, then the olympic team and eventually be the best player in the world and he was OURS. A true drafted SONIC! FUK NICKELS! I hope I never hear his name again. FUKKIN SELLOUT BICH!
October 28th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I’m happy to see the OKC Thunder ownership group losing, I hope they lose everything, including their basketball team. My hope is we get a team back, and then 5 years down the road the Thunder are a complete failure and either move to another city… or the league contracts by 2 teams, one of which will be the Thunder.
October 28th, 2008 at 9:41 am
On another note has anyone seen this article yet?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nicolebrodeur/2008319553_brodeur28m.html
Good for her if the parks and the Storm are enough for her but don’t speak for the rest of us. She is already negative. She has no good points!
October 28th, 2008 at 9:46 am
they owe the NBA 75 million, they had to put up more assets than the originally had in order to have the sale approved.
Let’s guess at the assets the leveraged. They may still have to sell, locking the franchise in OKC for the full 15 year lease, and at the least turn a profit so they do not have a cash call.
What are the using to leverage the 30 million they could owe Seattle?
F-them
October 28th, 2008 at 9:52 am
do yourself a favor, do not bother reading Nicol Brodeur unless you read her shit everyday, and think like her.
I have no idea how she got that job, she has a loose grasp of facts in anything she writes.
I think she is dumb to the facts in most cases.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:33 am
I never read her columns but anytime I see “Sonics” in the title I can’t resist reading. But I’ll continue not to read her articles for sure!
October 28th, 2008 at 11:00 am
The votes were not there. Also, Gregoire said in a debate that Rossi claimed support but didn’t deliver votes in the senate, Rossi did not contest that assertion.
point is, neither could deliver the votes last Spring.
Neither of them makes law, or appropiates funding, they approve, propose, accept, or veto. that’s it.
Both support what is going on, vote for whoever makes you happy there. The question are not for them anymore, it is the people whose votes were not delivered.
Even in the end when they did pass Senate Bill 6638, rewriting the stadium and exhibition revenue law, it did not pass with every vote.
Passed by the Senate March 13, 2008
YEAS 43 NAYS 6
Passed by the House March 12, 2008
YEAS 67 NAYS 30
http://leg.wa.gov/documents/joint/lfokc/6638.sl.pdf
Gregoire is weak, Rossi will have the majority of legislators in the opposing party. They both “support” the current effort, and even the effort last Spring. Neither can sign what is not passed by others.
Aim lower.
http://leg.wa.gov/Joint/Committees/LFOKC/
October 28th, 2008 at 11:03 am
luvmysupes Says:
October 28th, 2008 at 10:33 am e
I never read her columns but anytime I see “Sonics” in the title I can’t resist reading. But I’ll continue not to read her articles for sure!
This is the Broduer Trap ™. She writes about a topic of interest to many people, but not very well, they read it, they are unhappy with (insert your topic here), and readers respond. Getting attention, even bad attention, is still attention.
October 28th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I just love the fact that she glosses over how the Sonics subsidized the operations and created the existance of her beloved Storm. It galls me beyond belief. They have to fill 30 positions for that organization and they’ll have to pay with monopoly money now that “Big Brother” NBA is gone but hey we’re all better off, eh Nicole?
October 28th, 2008 at 11:42 am
“…And her excuse is that she didn’t have the power or persuasion to make it happen. She’s the effin Governor! …the answer is always no if you don’t try….”
Very well said John.
“…My office has been working with those involved on a proposal to use existing tourist tax revenue to fund renovations at the Key. Currently there is a seven percent tax on hotel rooms in Seattle; this money goes to convention center operations. The plan, which is still being negotiated, would take one-tenth of that revenue stream and put it toward the renovation of the Key….”
I wish we could hear what Frank Chopp’s thoughts are on this latest plan. Or do we wait until January and watch this one get flushed down the toilet like all the rest?
October 28th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
What if the legislature had passed the funding bill? I think things still wouldn’t have changed. Clay would have still been the owner and he would have said that funding package and facility were unacceptable to him. Maybe a few more NBA owners would have voted against the move, but I doubt it. BTW, I feel no pity for Aubrey & friends. Let’s not forget that he was a big funder of the Swift Boat campaign 4 years ago. I wonder if he regrets that now?
October 28th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
RE: On Ratner, the Nets, and Atlantic Yards I agree with Zeppe. His deal has hit some serious snags but if he sells he will most likely sell locally. There’s definately more money there than here and the Nets have an open inventation to play brand spanking new Prudential Center with the Devils in Newark if the Atlantic Yards deal completely collapses.
October 28th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
“invitation” Sheesh
October 28th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Brodeur is clueless and another example of the “I’ve got mine, $%& you” mentality of the average Seattlite. Many of the points in the response to her column are spot on - she deserves the blast.
I also don’t feel one iota sorry for McLendon, Clay or Tom Ward. Karma is a muthaf#$^&r.
October 28th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
And her excuse is that she didn’t have the power or persuasion to make it happen. She’s the effin Governor! …the answer is always no if you don’t try.
- Governors don’t make laws…she might have failed to create consensus but talk that she was governor and should’ve made it so is off base I think you need to go watch The Daily Show How a Bill is Made bit…
October 28th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Nice article by Dave Boling—The anti-McGrath
http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/columnists/boling/story/520758.html
October 28th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I can understand Brians point on not pissing off Gregoire in case she remains governor but it is a chance I am willing to take. I listened to her give lip service to SOS and others about the Sonics and sit around and do nothing. Gary Locke stood up and did what was unpopular and we still have the Mariners. Gregoire is not a leader and I believe if elected again it will be more lip service. I am giving Rossi a try because I have no faith in Gregoire. Besides, Rossi is friends or at least acquainted with the ownership group that is trying to secure a new team.
October 28th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
This existing revenue would be joined with a large private investment from the local ownership group and presumably, if the legislature acts, from $30 million from the Oklahoma City owners as part of their settlement.
It’s frightening how badly she botched the $30M part. Makes it look like she spent about ten minutes thinking about the issue/plan. C’mon folks, she doesn’t care.
October 28th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Wait, DBF, what’s wrong with the $30m part?
October 28th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Gregoire is weak, Rossi will have the majority of legislators in the opposing party.
Having the super-majority of her own party sure didn’t help Gregoire (or maybe it did, depending on what her true intensions were.)
On a separate note, It cracks me up when I read comments about what Rossi would have done, or will do regarding the Sonics. Are they able to travel into the future or to alternate time lines? If so, hook me up:)
All we now for sure is that Gregoire did squat.
October 28th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Brian Robinson Says:
October 28th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Wow - The curse of the Sonics is alive and well….
…I really actully don’t like to see i get this bad. I’m all for a little karma but seeing people lose everything is crazy.
Sorry, but I don’t care how bad it gets for them. I don’t wish them harm, but it’s just money, & those pricks deserve to lose every cent they have!
October 28th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I hope the Thunder completely collapse along with their owner’s fortunes. They won’t be able to afford to keep that team competitive. How many losing seasons will those fans endure at those ticket prices? Hopefully not many.
October 28th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Whats the NBA going to do when the biggest sponsors of the Thunder are companies owned by the Thunder owners, who are losing their asses? What if those companies go under? The NBA will have a huge problem on their hands. Maybe Clay and his boyfriends will be forced to liquidate their assets including the Thunder? Nothing would make me happier. The NBA is committed to making the team in OKC happen though.
I dont trust Rossi so I didnt vote for him. I dont know what to believe with Gregoire and she failed to take a stand last spring so I didnt vote for her. I would have voted for Gary Payton for Governor, but ever since the relocation issue came up, he talks more about retiring his number than keeping basketball here so I was little nixed on that idea. I decided to go with a guy loved by all- Edgar Martinez for Washington State Governor!
If/when any teams move to Seattle, I think its either the Grizzlies or Hornets. Seattle is a much bigger market, and those cities are having big problems supporting the teams. I dont see Milwaukee going anywhere, and no way the Nets will leave the NJ-NY region.
October 28th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
If Nickels hadn’t caved…..
Hard for me to get past, but gotta look towards the future
October 28th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
new orleans and charlotte yes, memphis and milwaukee no. atlanta is a possability as is the clippers. think golden state is also a possability, but im on the nba downsizing bandwagon. new orleans and charlotte have direct nfl competition, memphis and milwaukee do not. golden satte competes against 2 nfl teams, so maybe you will see them move to san jose just to make a little distance between them and the nfl, atlanta has way too much competition and with the talk about the nfl going to la the clipps are my team on the outer. i dont see the nets leaving nj (nyc, la and chi are probably the only cities where the nba will be happy to compete with the nfl due to population) the kings are going nowhere even if they dont get their stadium. i hate to say it folks but i get the gut feeling that in ten years time you will still be teamless. stern is going to use seattle to get his arenas in other cities. seattle is and always was going to be THE example. there are too many other markets out there with less competition, and the current financial climate will see the downsize occur quicker then originally planned. nets loosing 20 mill, thats a lot of money for an average team to lose, what are the crap teams loosing? minnesota & indiana are also big posibilities. dont believe me, why else expand to europe? there is no nfl. sure there is soccer/football, but even the nfl cant compete with the world game. just my interpretation of the situation though.
October 28th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Everyone is talking New Orleans and Memphis as the next relocation teams but I don’t think so. Memphis is to costly to get out, about a $100 million plus the purchase price. New Orleans is on the up and they are going to do well and draw well. I think things are promising. Keep and eye on Milwaukee as they have a year to year lease. Although they don’t pay rent the Bradley Center is outdated and has no needed revenue streams. The City of Milwaukee has talked about a new $330 million dollar arena for a couple of years but it has gotten no where. They can’t even sell the naming rights to the arena to generate revenue because the land was donated by the Bradley family. Wisconsin is Packer and Brewer country and the majority would not miss the Bucks. There would be an outcry like in Seattle but reality is that the NBA would take Seattle back and lose the Bucks. Charlotte is on the radar to but again it is to much money to get out. The Bucks seem very logical as there would be no lease termination fee. The Clippers are possible but not likely. I admit I thought Portland for a while but I think I was way off on that one.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Not only does the downturn in the energy market affect the Okie ownership group, who do you think are buying thos tickets and attending all the games. Probably VP’s and Exec’s of companies that are tied to energy as well. This spiral will affect more than just ownership. This continues they’ll be begging for folks to attend and slashing prices to get butts in the seats. Another bubble is ready to burst……..
October 28th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
The Bucks are owned by Herb Kohl as in one of the Senators from Wisconsin. He’s also a guy who actually can afford to lose of ton of money and has gone on record as saying the team is staying put. He’s part of the fabric of the city and state wheras the traitor Schultz was an interloper who was pressured into buying the team although he was never comfortable with it and it showed. No matter what else you thought of the NY Times article, it did accurately convey the feeling of being totally ematiated, having our collective hearts just ripped out of us and really having no recourse other than watching the dirty deal go down helplessly. Does Stern want to wield that machetti again so soon? Remember he put the on kibosh when Shinn wanted to relocate to OKC from NO.
To answer your question Sam K, the statement the Governor made “This existing revenue would be joined with a large private investment from the local ownership group and presumably, if the legislature acts, from $30 million from the Oklahoma City owners as part of their settlement” does not include the caveat that the $30 million would 1) only be collected if an NBA team doesn’t move in by 2013 and 2) it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the renovation. Let’s face it, the same person who said WE HAVE ALL BEEN LIED TO TODAY lied to us about when her talks with the prospective owners occured and when she was called out on it she said that the talks would have fallen apart had she spilled the beans at that time. Well all would have been forgiven if she had gotten it done but SHE DIDN’T and we have zilch to show for it. Now I certainly don’t trust her but if you want to give her another chance to show how she can turn our love for the Sonics into another political victory for herself you go right ahead.
October 28th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
FYI…Shout out to Sherman Alexie appearing on the Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert tonight!!! Great stuff.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:15 am
I know it is a pipe dream but I really hope and pray that every single member of the ownership group lose every single penny they have. I want them to feel what it feels like to want but cannot have. I truly have hatred in my heart for these carpet baggers and wish them nothing but ill will for the rest of their lives.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:17 am
“She is claiming it simply would not have passed. While other members openly stated it could pass in an afternoon if presented correctly. ”
There’s no way it would have passed. Who from the Leg is opening stating it would have passed? Give me one name besides liar Dino Rossi?
I don’t blame the Gov for not presenting it correctly - that would have been the job of Wally, Schultz, Clay, you name it. They all effed it up.
Meanwhile here’s an article from the Times on the Blazers & Seattle Fans: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2008319951_blazers280.html
I think Nate probably went a little far in his comments about Seattle fans. But then again, I might be supporting the Blazers. But it will never be the same as my feelings for the Supes.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:30 am
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2008324225_soni29.html
more Sonics news today. I feel sorry for Steve Willits; would never understand such a move.
October 29th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I wish that I were above wishing the Okie owners ill but I really do hope they all end up on food stamps.
It still amazes me that Nickels was so damned clueless. Even without the Okie’s economic crises, Seattle clearly had the upper hand.
The Thunder can’t shoot for sh*t. More of the curse?