In Miami, the Metro Commission voted 6-3 on Tuesday, to
rewrite the ballot referendum that will determine whether Dade
County builds a new $165M arena for the Heat, according to Don
Finefrock in the MIAMI HERALD. Under the new language, those who
support the arena will vote no, showing opposition to the
initiative, while those who oppose the arena, will vote yes to
support the referendum. Team Owner Micky Arison "urged the
commission to reverse itself and adopt language originally
recommended" by County Attorney Bob Ginsburg. Dan Paul, the
Miami attorney who forced this public vote by driving a signature
petition, had favored the previous language so people who oppose
the arena would vote no (MIAMI HERALD, 9/18).
BANKER FOR ARENA RESIGNS: Calvin Grigsby, the founder of
Grigsby Brandford and Co., the firm overseeing the financing for
the proposed Heat arena, has "abruptly resigned," according to
Tom Dubocq in the MIAMI HERALD. Grigsby announced his departure
shortly after being "fined $5,000 for "laundering a campaign
contribution in California." Although Grigsby resigned, Metro-
Dade Finance Director Edward Marquez said that "it shouldn't
affect his company's ongoing business deals." The company, which
is the chief sales firm for bonds on the arena, "will collect
more than $350,000 in fees from the bond issue if voters" approve
the project (MIAMI HERALD, 9/18).
