Post by swervinmervin on Sept 6, 2012 17:35:18 GMT -5
“As the Coyote Howls…”
As I pondered various vexing questions, such as the Higgs Boson, anti-matter, and the Phoenix Coyotes, I began to wonder what impact the November 6, 2012 Glendale civic elections might have on the proposed management fee agreement between the City of Glendale and the prospective new owner of the Coyotes, Greg Jamison.
The agreement, which has been approved by the current Glendale City Council, but is still not signed, would pay over $300 million in management fees to Jamison’s group over about a 20 year period. Without this arena management fee (AMF), we are told that Jamison’s group would not proceed to purchase the Coyotes from the NHL.
I did some quick google research on the Glendale Council members, and the candidates for Mayor and Council in the November 6 elections. The individuals are listed, along with their district, and their voting position during the last vote on the Coyotes AMF with Jamison – or, in the case of the candidates, their stated position so far in the election:
Current Council Members, retiring:
Mayor - Scruggs - against AMF.
Cactus - Lieberman - against AMF.
Sahuaro - Frate - for AMF.
Continuing Council Members:
Barrel - Knaack - for AMF.
Cholla - Martinez - for AMF.
Ocotillo - Alvarez - against AMF.
So, before the election of new Council Members, but excluding retiring Members, the vote would be 2-1 in favour of the AMF, if the voting patterns held the same.
New elections (4 races in total):
Mayor - Weiers (leading in primary), Cruz - both appear to be opposed to the AMF, especially Weiers.
Cactus (replacing Lieberman) - Hirsch and Hugh, both appear to be opposed to the AMF.
If you're keeping score along with me, and if these voting intentions hold to this pattern, now the vote is 2 votes FOR the AMF and 3 votes AGAINST the AMF. So it may come down to the following races, which pit differing views on the ballot:
Sahuaro - Diane Douglas - firmly opposed to AMF; Gary Sherwood - in favour of AMF;
and
Yucca - Sam Chavira - opposed to AMF; and Joyce Clark (the only incumbent) - strongly in favour of AMF.
If these voting patterns hold to this form chart, then BOTH Sherwood and Clark would have to win their election races on November 6, in order for their to be 4 (out of 7) votes in favour of the AMF.
So, not only will the residents of Glendale get to vote on the sales tax increase directly (as a ballot initiative), they also appear likely to determine the balance of power at Glendale City Council on the issue of the AMF (arena management fee agreement) with Jamison.
That is, unless the AMF is signed by both parties (Jamison and Glendale) before the new council members take office on January 1, 2013. (They are elected on November 6, 2012, but the term of office commences January 1). It's debatable whether or not the agreement could be unwound after it is signed.
On the other hand, it seems to me to be poor politics for a “lame duck” administration to sign a $300 million, 20 year deal, when there is a key referendum issue (sales tax increase) and a civic election just 2 months away on key issues relating to the AMF. Recent rumblings indicate that the City of Glendale is considering asking for some changes before the agreement would be signed. But we know that strange things happen when it involves the Phoenix (ahem, Arizona) Coyotes.
If you add the uncertainties created by the lockout, you have a perfect script for a daytime soap opera – “As the Coyote Howls”. Join us tomorrow, as the mad scientist Hickiebosom produces clones of both Donald Fehr and Gary Bettman, and unleashes them on an unsuspecting sports world…..
As I pondered various vexing questions, such as the Higgs Boson, anti-matter, and the Phoenix Coyotes, I began to wonder what impact the November 6, 2012 Glendale civic elections might have on the proposed management fee agreement between the City of Glendale and the prospective new owner of the Coyotes, Greg Jamison.
The agreement, which has been approved by the current Glendale City Council, but is still not signed, would pay over $300 million in management fees to Jamison’s group over about a 20 year period. Without this arena management fee (AMF), we are told that Jamison’s group would not proceed to purchase the Coyotes from the NHL.
I did some quick google research on the Glendale Council members, and the candidates for Mayor and Council in the November 6 elections. The individuals are listed, along with their district, and their voting position during the last vote on the Coyotes AMF with Jamison – or, in the case of the candidates, their stated position so far in the election:
Current Council Members, retiring:
Mayor - Scruggs - against AMF.
Cactus - Lieberman - against AMF.
Sahuaro - Frate - for AMF.
Continuing Council Members:
Barrel - Knaack - for AMF.
Cholla - Martinez - for AMF.
Ocotillo - Alvarez - against AMF.
So, before the election of new Council Members, but excluding retiring Members, the vote would be 2-1 in favour of the AMF, if the voting patterns held the same.
New elections (4 races in total):
Mayor - Weiers (leading in primary), Cruz - both appear to be opposed to the AMF, especially Weiers.
Cactus (replacing Lieberman) - Hirsch and Hugh, both appear to be opposed to the AMF.
If you're keeping score along with me, and if these voting intentions hold to this pattern, now the vote is 2 votes FOR the AMF and 3 votes AGAINST the AMF. So it may come down to the following races, which pit differing views on the ballot:
Sahuaro - Diane Douglas - firmly opposed to AMF; Gary Sherwood - in favour of AMF;
and
Yucca - Sam Chavira - opposed to AMF; and Joyce Clark (the only incumbent) - strongly in favour of AMF.
If these voting patterns hold to this form chart, then BOTH Sherwood and Clark would have to win their election races on November 6, in order for their to be 4 (out of 7) votes in favour of the AMF.
So, not only will the residents of Glendale get to vote on the sales tax increase directly (as a ballot initiative), they also appear likely to determine the balance of power at Glendale City Council on the issue of the AMF (arena management fee agreement) with Jamison.
That is, unless the AMF is signed by both parties (Jamison and Glendale) before the new council members take office on January 1, 2013. (They are elected on November 6, 2012, but the term of office commences January 1). It's debatable whether or not the agreement could be unwound after it is signed.
On the other hand, it seems to me to be poor politics for a “lame duck” administration to sign a $300 million, 20 year deal, when there is a key referendum issue (sales tax increase) and a civic election just 2 months away on key issues relating to the AMF. Recent rumblings indicate that the City of Glendale is considering asking for some changes before the agreement would be signed. But we know that strange things happen when it involves the Phoenix (ahem, Arizona) Coyotes.
If you add the uncertainties created by the lockout, you have a perfect script for a daytime soap opera – “As the Coyote Howls”. Join us tomorrow, as the mad scientist Hickiebosom produces clones of both Donald Fehr and Gary Bettman, and unleashes them on an unsuspecting sports world…..