From The Glendale City Council
By Jack Briggs
As reported by Cecelia Chan in the Arizona Republic Jan 13, 2012,
"“Coyotes still in limbo. The mayor questioned how the city could begin its budget process without knowing the fate of the Phoenix Coyotes. The city is trying to find a buyer for the financially troubled hockey team. The city manager last summer said the sale should happen last fall, but that didn’t pan out. The city has paid or pledged $50 million for the National Hockey League to manage the team and arena the past two years. Clark said whether the team stays or goes, the city must operate the city-owned arena opened for the team in 2003. For lack of information, Clark suggested $25 million was a reasonable cost figure to use. Scruggs said that expense would have to be built into the upcoming budget.”"
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/01/10/20120110glendale-city-council-takes-hard-look-city-spending.html#ixzz1jabxffsh
Clark is Councilwoman Joyce Clark. Scruggs is the Mayor. An additional player is Councilman Phil Lieberman, who is upset that Clark’s district gets more revenue from the City of Glendale that his district. Mr. Lieberman represents the Cactus district, comprised of Glendale Ave from 43rd Ave to 51st Ave. Ms. Clark has Westgate as part of her district.
I would ask Mr. Lieberman this question.”Who’s district contributes more to the tax basis and quality of life for citizens of Glendale. Yours or Ms. Clark’s.” Let me guess. Westgate, with its retail and restaurants. The Coyotes, with a portion of each ticket sold to the CoG, and the Cardinals. Parking and ticket, concessions, etc all going to Glendale. 43rd ave to 51st Ave has none of those. Not that it is not important and comprised of fine citizens, but I don’t recall ever hearing anyone saying they are planning to go there from the East Valley vs. going to a Coyote game.
Like the expanded 101 and the HOV lane along with three lanes? The Coyotes? Cabela’s? Thank Westgate and the Coyotes. The Cardinals should thank the Coyotes. If they wouldn’t have settled there, none of those things would be there. Just a cotton field. Not much revenue from cotton fields these days.