Some "angry" Charlotte City Council members "railed
Wednesday against what they see as the Hornets' mishandling
of arena negotiations, even before formal talks had begun,"
according to Jen Pilla of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, who notes
that four city reps will meet today with Hornets consultant
Dan Barrett "for at least seven hours," in the first of
three scheduled negotiating sessions for a potential new
facility. Three members of the city's economic development
committee who met yesterday were "concerned that the Hornets
were sending only one" rep to today's meeting, and they're
"also frustrated that the negotiations will begin without"
team co-Owner Ray Wooldridge "producing figures to prove"
his "contention" that the Hornets are losing $1M a month."
Pilla notes that Wooldridge agreed to the council's June 12
request "that he provide evidence of the losses," and
council member Lynn Wheeler added of Wooldridge, "He is
treating this city and the city's staff as if we don't know
what we're doing. This is another public relations
disaster." In a letter faxed to City Manager Pam Syfert
Tuesday, Wooldridge "declined" to "propose the method" by
which he will disclose the figures. Wooldridge, in the
letter: "I do not believe that this is the correct time to
suggest the proper way for providing such validation."
Council member Malcolm Graham asked, "If now isn't the
appropriate time, when is the appropriate time? After we've
voted on a deal?" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/14).