The two stadium referenda on ballots today in Detroit and
Cincinnati are gaining national attention. In a front-page piece
in the WALL STREET JOURNAL, John Helyar examines the sales tax
proposal before voters in OH, writing, "The volatile mixture of
sports, taxes and municipal self-image may make this vote as
close as any game the Reds or Bengals ever played" (WALL STREET
JOURNAL, 3/19). In Philadelphia, Ed Moran covers both Detroit
and Cincinnati, noting that they are not alone: "The battle is
being waged in cities around the country" (PHILA. DAILY NEWS,
3/19).
DETROIT: Stadium backers have spent $600,000 promoting
their message that a new Tiger Stadium would bring "jobs,
economic development, and money for more police and neighborhood
projects." The test today is whether that message got through
(Suzette Hackney, DETROIT NEWS, 3/19).
CINCINNATI: A poll conducted last week showed 59% in favor
of a one-half of one-percent sales tax hike to help fund new
stadiums for both the Bengals and Reds (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER,
3/16). Yesterday, OH Gov. George Voinovich called the vote a
"defining moment" for Cincinnati. He also said the state would
not help the Bengals move to Cleveland should the tax fail
(AP/CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 3/19).
CORRECTIONS: Stories in the March 7 and March 13 issues of
THE DAILY incorrectly reported developments in the Detroit
campaign. The TV ads featuring Mayor Dennis Archer were put on
by stadium supporters, and the lawsuit filed by the anti-stadium
group, the Tiger Stadium Fan Club, concerns the use of money from
the quasi-public Michigan Strategic Fund, not the city of
Detroit. We regret any confusion.
