Green Bay Mayor Paul Jadin said Friday that if Brown
County voters reject a sales tax to help pay for a proposed
$295M Lambeau Field renovation, the Packers "should not
expect the city to step up and help finance the city-owned
facility," according to Don Walker of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
SENTINEL. Jadin: "Obviously, there will be some discussions
the day after the election if it loses. But you can assume
the city will have no intention on spending a $180 million.
If [Packers President Bob Harlan] shows up the next day, it
might make for a good photo op" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL,
9/9). Meanwhile, the AP's Todd Richmond reports that city
officials in New Berlin, WI, "have drafted a resolution
inviting" the Packers to "relocate" to Waukesha County if
the sales tax fails. Alderman Jack Chiovatero: "We know
it's a far stretch, but we feel 'what the heck?' They sound
like a desperate organization" (AP, 9/11).
LAST MINUTE SCRAMBLE: In Milwaukee, Bob McGinn writes
that some are wondering if the Packers' 0-2 start will hurt
the team during tomorrow's vote. Packers QB Brett Favre: "If
losing two games costs us the referendum, something's wrong.
(Expletive), that happens. There's a lot more to the
Packers than two games in the 2000 season. I'm voting 'yes'
and I hope everyone else does" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL,
9/10). Harlan did not travel with the team this weekend to
Buffalo, "choosing instead to stay home and go door to door
looking for votes" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/9). A
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL editorial supported the sales tax
and added, "Unlike other sports teams that have gone looking
for public subsidies, the Packers have been forthright and
cooperative. They have opened their books to state
auditors, are putting tens of millions of their own money on
the table, have proposed ways to increase revenue through
such things as one-timer user fee for season ticketholders
and have agreed to cover cost overruns" (9/9).
ABSENTEE BALLOTS: In Green Bay, John Dipko noted that
"record breaking requests for absentee ballots show interest
is high" heading into Tuesday's vote (GREEN BAY PRESS-
GAZETTE, 9/9)....The GREEN BAY PRESS GAZETTE detailed
campaign financial reports of the five groups which filed
before Tuesday's referendum (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 9/9).
