For Loudoun County government's most fervent baseball booster, Supervisor Bruce E. Tulloch (R-Potomac), the District's late push Tuesday for private ballpark financing has a familiar, and galling, ring.
After all, Tulloch said yesterday, private financing was a centerpiece of Northern Virginia's effort to bring baseball to the commonwealth. That plan foundered in the face of the city's competing promise to build a publicly financed stadium.
Loudoun Supervisor Bruce Tulloch says, "It does reek of a bait-and-switch."
(File Photo)
|
_____D.C. Government_____
•
Sherman Howard; Church of God in Christ Bishop (The Washington Post, Dec 16, 2004)
•
Local Officials' Salaries Vault Past $200,000 (The Washington Post, Dec 16, 2004)
•
D.C. Crime Watch (The Washington Post, Dec 16, 2004)
•
In Repairs, a Lesson in Perseverance (The Washington Post, Dec 16, 2004)
•
More Stories
|
| |
|
"It does reek of a bait-and-switch -- 'We'll give you a publicly financed stadium.' Then, in the eleventh hour, 'Oh, we won't,' " Tulloch said. "I don't think D.C. should have that opportunity. A deal's a deal.
"If, in fact, Major League Baseball opens discussions with D.C.," Tulloch added, "then I believe very passionately those discussions should be opened up to all the final contenders, especially the Northern Virginia contingent."
Baseball officials reiterated yesterday that they do not plan to accept major changes to their D.C. deal, which expires at year's end, calling into question the team's relocation to Washington.
Virginia's baseball boosters have generally said very little about the relocation of the former Montreal Expos ever since Washington won the protracted and passionate contest for a team. Most continued that approach yesterday, repeating their public proclamations of hope that the District will succeed in its efforts, despite political maneuverings.
"Baseball has made their decision, and we hope D.C. will do everything that's necessary to implement their agreement," said Gabe Paul Jr., executive director of the Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority, which was created by the General Assembly to finance and build a ballpark.
Paul said Virginia would be available if baseball officials eventually need an alternative. "That moment certainly hasn't arrived yet . . . because they are still in play with D.C.," Paul said.
Keith Frederick, the authority's chairman, said he expects District officials will back away from Tuesday night's demand that half the stadium costs be covered by private financing.
"It's still on the table until Dec. 31st. The District has a chance," Frederick said. "I fully expect them to come to their senses and execute their agreement as they negotiated it."
Tulloch also repeated his congratulations to the District for reaching its original deal with Major League Baseball. He added that given the favorable terms originally offered by the city, it's easy to see how baseball officials made their choice.
But, Tulloch said, the District's effort to change course now, after Virginia's competing plan has been knocked out, leaves him feeling frustrated.
"The part that sticks in my throat was, the Virginia contingent ran out of time," Tulloch said, noting that a group of investors, the Virginia Baseball Club, offered a late plan to finance and build the Loudoun stadium privately using tax revenue generated in the ballpark to pay off debt. "By telling Major League Baseball what they wanted to hear, [the District] bought time."
