Harris County TX Commissioners Court, by a 4-1 vote,
approved a 4% property tax increase Tuesday. Houston Mayor Bob
Lanier and Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, who cast the lone
dissenting vote, were "disappointed" in the vote, feeling it may
confuse voters before the November 5 sports facilities referendum
and led them to believe the increase is to raise money for the
new facilities (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/23). ....The 2nd District
Court of Appeal in Lakeland, FL, yesterday, granted Hillsborough
County's request for a speedy hearing on former Tampa Mayor Bill
Poe's lawsuit to stop $318M of public money from going to
construction on a new Bucs stadium. But the outlay of funds will
still be "hanging" when NFL owners, at their October 3 meeting,
decide on the site for the 2000 Super Bowl, in which Tampa has
bid for (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 10/23)....TSA Exec Dir Rick Nafe was
officially named Devil Rays VP/Stadia Operations (TAMPA TRIBUNE,
10/23)....In a lengthy piece, Terry Foster of the DETROIT NEWS
details "concerns" of fighting incidents at the Silverdome.
Silverdome attorney David Potts: "(Fighting) is a concern to us.
We want a pleasant and decent environment so people can enjoy the
game. Any kind of rowdiness or ethnic intimidation is
intolerable" (DETROIT NEWS, 10/23).
