A day after top MA state leaders "said they would
support using public funds" to help the Red Sox build a new
ballpark, Boston city council members yesterday "also
signaled their willingness to step up to the plate,"
according to Meg Vaillancourt of the BOSTON GLOBE. City
leaders met with Red Sox CEO John Harrington to discuss the
plans, and City Council President James Kelly said
afterward, "I am very, very impressed." Vaillancourt: "Even
past skeptics found something to praise yesterday" (BOSTON
GLOBE, 5/19). Also in Boston, Cosmo Macero notes that
sources "close" to the new ballpark project "confirmed" the
team wants "nearly" $200M in public assistance. The "press
for public money .... leaves the private dollars Harrington
is fixed on raising at" $350M. Meanwhile, the Red Sox are
sending brochures to season ticketholders and other fans
which highlight the new park and include support from George
Will and Ted Williams (BOSTON HERALD, 5/19).
NEW POLL NUMBERS: A poll of 412 registered voters
conducted on Monday and Tuesday by RKM Research &
Communication showed that 49% feel the Red Sox should
"renovate" Fenway Park, while "just" 31% support building a
new facility and 18% have no opinion (BOSTON HERALD, 5/19).
But in Boston, Joe Giuliotti writes to those who want a
renovated Fenway: "Forget it" (BOSTON HERALD, 5/19).
FINNERAN, FROM VADER TO JABBA THE HUT? The MA
Legislature, after an "eight-hour ordeal," passed a $70M
Patriots stadium bill that Gov. Paul Cellucci said he would
sign next week (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/19). An extensive front-
page feature by Cassidy & Vaillancourt chronicles the
Patriots' return to Foxboro, detailing the role played by
Boston's business leaders and the NFL (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/19).
