The Padres held "an old-fashioned campaign rally to
begin their push for a new-model ballpark" on Saturday,
according to Gerry Braun of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE.
The attraction of players Tony Gwynn and Steve Finley helped
draw 3,000 people to the East Village neighborhood where the
project will be built. The event was "picketed quietly by
ballpark opponents holding signs pleading for aid to the
homeless or carrying such messages as, 'Stadium? Thanks,
got one. A library, I could use'" (UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/16).
MORE OPPOSITION? Ballpark opponent and former City
Councilmember Bruce Henderson said that he may go to court
to challenge the ballpark ballot measure and contend that
the "ballot language is cloudy." He also said the MOU with
the Padres violates the "one subject" rule of the city
charter. He is referring to a "section that gives the
Padres a 10-year exclusive on negotiating rights to build
and operate a new sports arena, providing the Padres have a
commitment from an NBA or NHL franchise to relocate here."
Henderson said the ballot wording "doesn't mention a sports
arena." City Attorney Casey Gwinn said that there is a word
limit for the ballot, but that the entire MOU will be
reprinted within the ballot pamphlet (UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/15).
