POLL SHOWS CAROLINIANS OPPOSE PUBLIC MONEY FOR NEW HIVE

     "About two-thirds" of Charlotte area residents surveyed say
tax dollars should not be spent to help the Hornets move uptown
or to fix the Charlotte Coliseum, according to the CHARLOTTE
OBSERVER.  The poll (of 409 Mecklenburg County residents was
conducted by KPC Research for the OBSERVER and WSOC-TV) also
shows, however, that most agree with Hornets Owner George Shinn's
declaration that he needs a new or improved arena to remain
competitive in the NBA.  Forty-seven percent said the Coliseum
should be renovated, while 23% preferred having the Hornets move
uptown.  Only 3% said the team should move to SC.  Shinn advisor
Max Muhleman said the questions were asked "in a relative vacuum"
because people don't have "full information on all the
opportunities and benefits that could be created" by a new arena.
Shinn meets today in a closed-door meeting with a citizens
advisory committee, which will make recommendations on the matter
to the city (Dan Chapman, CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/20).