A guest editorial by Don Reid:

“ONLY MEMORIES REMAIN” is the Observer’s headline in their news story this morning about the demolition of our coliseum on Tyvola Road. In this story and in stories over the last several days, pleasant memories were recounted of stars, performances and events that have occurred since the arena was opened in 1988. Notably absent from these ‘pleasant memories’ was a series of events, beginning in the mid ‘90’s, when the welfare of the taxpayers was bludgeoned by the politicians and the heavy hand of the uptown power structure, resulting in Sunday’s demolition…..the biggest waste of taxpayer dollars in Charlotte’s history.

Despite the tremendous success of the Hornets, who played to sell-out crowds for several years, owner George Shinn realized that long term success depended on an arena better suited to NBA standards, mainly the need for more sky boxes. In 1993, he made an offer to buy the arena, update it and insure that the Hornets would be a permanent fixture in Charlotte. His offer contained the following: “……..the Charlotte Hornets would be interested in purchasing the coliseum from the city.” Further the offer stated, “ Clearly the positives to the city would be the elimination of the bond obligation, securing cash for the city, placing a valuable piece of property on the tax rolls and securing the Hornets as a permanent fixture in the community.” The offer continues, “The Hornets will be prepared to pay market value for the building as determined by an appraisal, based on either an income approach or cost of replacement. In addition to the purchase of the building, we would provide a dozen dates a year for community uses at no charge. On civic events, such as high school graduations, we would waive the parking charges and staff cost.” At that time, Shinn estimated the value to be $60-65 million. I, as a member of the city council, tried to get the Mayor or city manager to place this on the council agenda for discussion. Both refused! Now, of course, we know why. Already the uptown power structure had decided that a new uptown arena would better suit their purposes, regardless of the cost and benefit to the citizens. Over the next 3 or 4 years Shinn continued his efforts to buy the arena, to no avail. Charlotte Motor Speedway President Bruton Smith also tried to by the arena.

George Shinn finally took his Hornets and moved to New Orleans. The real truth is that he was driven out of town by the uptown crowd because Shinn refused to be their ‘boy.’ Yes Shinn made some mistakes; yes he had some personal problems, but Bob Johnson is no ‘box of chocolates’ himself. He became a billionaire with his BET Network, which to this day fills the airways, hearts, minds and souls of our children with the most vile language, crude shows and vulgar rap music, which in comparison makes Shinn look like a saint. Also compared to the miserly attitude of Johnson, Shinn is a big spending philanthropist.

And in your book of COLISEUM MEMORIES, don’t forget the referendum on the arena and the arts projects, a cobbled proposal by the politicians and uptown crowd, who hoped that by offering something to everyone, they could fool us into approving the uptown arena. Proving that you can’t fool the people all the time, they lost, 57 percent to 43 percent. Yet within 6 months, ignoring the will of the people, our Mayor and council had approved a new uptown arena deal, called by one prominent attorney, the most egregious, one sided contract he had ever seen. Complete control of your arena was given to the Bobcats!! The Observer called the deal, ‘essentially sound’, and urged the council to approve the contract. And with one of the weakest, illogical rationalizations ever had this to say, “What about the defeat of an uptown facilities referendum last year? The question on the ballot was whether voters wanted the specific projects and terms then offered. They didn’t. That vote did not and should not preclude a return to arena questions in different form. This time the project is different. The terms are different.”

Yes MEMORIES remain, and I hope the people of Charlotte will not forget that you cannot trust the politicians, bureaucrats and uptown crowd when it comes to spending taxpayer money. Also, donÂ’t forget that the Observer has and will support every big spending scheme these folks bring forward.

Keep all this in mind, as our ‘REPEAL THE TRANSIT TAX” effort moves forward. More spending on light rail must be stopped. The politicians, bureaucrats and special interests will stop at nothing to keep their big spending plans in place. Their fear and smear campaign has already begun, but the facts are on our side. They ignored us on the arena vote. Not this time!!!

Posted by: Ogre at 11:05 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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