An "overwhelming majority of Cobb County residents believe county commissioners should delay Tuesday's vote for a new Braves stadium so that public hearings can take place" on the issue, according to poll data cited by Maria Saporta of the ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE. The poll, conducted by DC-based Lincoln Park Strategies from Nov. 19-20, showed that 81% of 750 likely Cobb County voters "supported delaying the vote" on the new ballpark. That "strong majority crossed all party lines." The poll was "commissioned by a regional economic client of political consultant Rick Dent." It showed that 54% of the likely voters in the county "opposed using taxpayer funding to build the stadium." Those who "supported public funding for the stadium still favored slowing down the process to avoid having a vote two days before Thanksgiving." About 60% of respondents indicated that they "did not think the stadium would add time to their commute," while 35% said that it would (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/22).
ALLAYING FEARS: Braves Exec VP/Business Operations Mike Plant acknowledged that there is "criticism of the stadium agreement as a 'covert operation' because it came together quickly and out of the public eye." Plant: "This was done in a short period of time by two organizations who saw the value of creating a partnership. (But) as time goes on, some of the emotion and sting may be taken out of it as the positive benefits come out." He added, "The Atlanta Braves are not moving to Jacksonville. We're going to be in Atlanta for a long, long time ... just up the road. This is a region. ... We have to create a destination ... a sense of place open 365 days a year. That’s what we’re going to do in Cobb County" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/21).
