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Arlington Mayor Voices Criticism Of Group Opposing Proposed $1B Rangers Ballpark

Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams last week cast opponents of a $1B ballpark for the MLB Rangers as "'angry' and 'misdirected' and people you wouldn't trust to babysit," according to Mosier & Brumfield of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Williams made the remarks Friday during a meeting with prominent business leaders and was "recorded secretly" on audio tapes. He said, "A lot of these folks, they don't have the facts right. Either that or they do not have the intelligence there to be able to translate that we're investing money in the Entertainment District to make money." Speaking on behalf of the mayor, Vote Yes! Keep the Rangers spokesperson Brian Mayes "did not dispute Williams' remarks." But he said the anti-ballpark group "mischaracterized what was in the audio." Mayes, who noted he was authorized to speak for the mayor, said, "The whole context is, he's referring to a small group of seven to 10 people who have shown from the very beginning that facts are only optional." Mosier & Brumfield note Arlington voters will "decide on Nov. 8 whether to extend" a half-cent sales tax, 2% hotel occupancy tax and 5% car rental tax to fund $500M "worth of bonds to build" a retractable-roof ballpark. The pro-ballpark group has now spent about $1.47M, while the Rangers have "paid about half of that amount." The pro-ballpark drive "dwarfs the Save Our Stadium campaign opposing taxpayer subsidies for the ballpark." That group "has spent $7,192 thus far" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11/1). In Ft. Worth, Robert Cadwallader notes supporters of the ballpark yesterday "flocked to the defense" of Williams. Friday's comments were made as Williams "spoke to members of a citizens group, Action Arlington." Citizens for a Better Arlington President Faith Bussey, who is against the ballpark initiative, said, “We’re still winning. I still believe we are outworking them" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 11/1).

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