In another show of unity for doing what is right for San Diego, the Fans, Taxpayers and Business Alliance, along with the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council today declared that the existing negotiating structure between the city and the San Diego Chargers is broken and needs to be amended if real progress is going to be made with regard to the issue of the Chargers and their desire to remain in San Diego.

The groups called for the following;

1. An end to closed city council sessions on this issue.
2. Put a city council member on the negotiating team.
3. Solve this problem before there are no more options for the city.

A recent poll, conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates, showed that a majority of those surveyed support negotiations moving forward if the end result produces something voters ultimately have an opportunity to approve or reject. Their findings follow;

• Fully 59 percent of San Diego voters say that they would be inclined to support a potential agreement with the Chargers that extended the team's lease for 30 years with no escape clauses, ended the ticket guarantee, constructed a new stadium at the team's expense, and provided City-funded road and infrastructure improvements around the stadium;
• When offered a choice of approaches the City could take in handling its legal dispute with the Chargers; just ten percent of voters say that the City should do whatever it takes to fight the Chargers in court, "regardless of the cost to the City;"
• Nearly half of the electorate (48 percent) believes that the City should simply let the matter play out in court, provided that the City does not "spend any more time or money contesting the stadium lease with the Chargers;
• More than one-third of voters (36 percent) reject either of the other two alternatives, and say that the City should negotiate a "fair and reasonable agreement" with the Chargers that would keep the team in San Diego at minimal cost to taxpayers by extending the team's lease, ending the ticket guarantee, and building a new stadium; and
• A 53-percent majority of voters say they would be more likely to support negotiations for a comprehensive new stadium and lease proposal if they knew that such a proposal would then be submitted to the public for a vote.

The groups also decried the statements made by some city officials that the public has grown tired of the Charger issue and they no longer care if the team relocates. The following graph was used to demonstrate the level of fan interest:

Click to Enlarge
 

Given the financial risks to the city as pointed out in past FTB emails, and, given the clear lack of public support in spending city money fighting this fight, what is it our political leadership feels they see that others do not see? We have asked repeatedly and still get no clear answers, instead, we get "closed sessions" of the city council so the public cannot see all the facts of the debate.

With the latest developing news indicating questionable financial management of the city (MOODY'S CHANGES OUTLOOK TO NEGATIVE FROM STABLE ON CITY OF SAN DIEGO GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND GENERAL FUND OBLIGATIONS), it is time we all reassess the decisions that are being made in our city.

No matter what side of the issue you are on, city hall needs to hear from you. Click here to send an email to the mayor or council members. Or write the Union-Tribune editors.

###

- Return to News Releases -