Aug 23, 2006 7:21 am US/Central
Opponents Continue To Fight New Twins Stadium
Minneapolis (AP) ―
Opponents of a new, publicly subsidized stadium for the Minnesota Twins continued to fight Hennepin County's plan to levy an additional sales tax to help pay for the $522 million downtown ball park.
A chorus of opponents and about a dozen supporters debated the plan Tuesday night as Hennepin County officials listened -- and watched.
Longtime political activist Leslie Davis was dragged from the meeting room by security guards when he wouldn't leave the podium.
"You're up to your old despicable ways," Davis yelled as he was hauled away, his papers scattering to the ground.
"This is what democracy looks like," one critic shouted as Davis was removed.
Another opponent, Dave Bicking, said he and others would work at election time to defeat "these bums" who voted for the stadium.
But much of the public hearing sounded and looked like the many other debates over the 42,000-seat stadium, which will open in 2010.
President Dick Anfang of the Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council wore a large button in the shape of the baseball that simply said "BUILD IT."
On the other side, a woman wore a small sign that read "Make Carl Pohlad Use His Own Money," a reference to the billionaire owner of the team.
Others said will be an economic development boon.
"We are looking forward to the increase in income that we can rely on from more patrons in the downtown area," said Jaye Rykunyk, state director of Unite Here, representing hotel and restaurant union workers.
The County Board remains split 4 to 3 in favor of the project.
After public hearings this week in Bloomington and Maple Grove, the County Board is expected to formally vote to adopt the 0.15 percent countywide sales tax, which take effect in January in the state's most populous county.
According to new county forecasts, a married couple with two children and a $75,000 annual income would pay an estimated $30 per year in sales taxes for the stadium.
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The Metrodome opened in 1982.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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