GARY STADIUM PLAN TO LURE BEARS IN TROUBLE ON COUNCIL VOTE

     The Northern Indiana group that is trying to bring the Bears
to Gary "is one vote away from failure," according to the CHICAGO
TRIBUNE.  Three of the seven members of the Lake County Council
have "publicly stated their opposition" to a local tax
"essential" to paying for the proposed $312M stadium in Gary.
One other council member said he "remains uncommitted but has
serious concerns."  Council Member Fran DuPey said in her ten
years on the council, she has never seen an issue "that's created
this much animosity by the taxpayers."  Northwest
Indiana/Chicagoland Entertainment (NICE) is going forward with
plans until the vote, but spokesperson Jeff Brewer said no
alternative financing plans "are on the table."  The vote can
take place no later than March 31 (Sue Ellen Christian, CHICAGO
TRIBUNE, 1/23).