A new TV commercial airing in AZ features a Franciscan
nun recounting when NFL Cardinals Owner Bill Bidwill paid
for repairs after "an enormous rainstorm destroyed the roof"
of the school she runs on an Indian reservation, according
to David Leibowitz of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. In the spot,
Sister Martha Mary Carpenter says, "I called Mr. Bidwell and
told him of our roof problem the next day he drove down with
the [$7,500] check and the roof was repaired." Leibowitz
wrote the ad is a rare testimonial to Bidwill who, in the
past, "has threatened to fire anyone who talks publicly
about his private affairs." The commercial does not mention
Prop. 302, the proposal to allow public financing for a new
stadium, but airs "in prime time, two weeks before" the
election. AZ WINS Campaign Manager Joe Yuhas explained it
"didn't mention the stadium because it's not a campaign
commercial. That would be illegal, to mention Proposition
302. ... It's no different than the NFL Charities'
commercials that are run during football games." Asked why
the ad suddenly appeared, Sister Carpenter replied, "I think
[Cardinals VP] Michael [Bidwill] and the people around him
needed to get out the message that this is not Scrooge.
This is a good and kind man that has the interest of the
community at his heart" (AZ REPUBLIC, 10/22).
PROVE IT: Also in Phoenix, Dan Bickley writes that he
will vote for Prop. 302 in exchange for Bidwell selling the
team. Bickley: "If you really care about Arizona, you will
realize there is no other way" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 10/23).
