This was submitted as an idea to the Politifest 2012 Idea Tournament. VOSD members will vote on the best ideas and on Sept. 19 we’ll announce six contenders (Not a member? Join now to vote). At Politifest on Sept. 29, each of the six finalists will have five minutes to pitch their idea to a panel. The panel rates the ideas and two finalists advance. The crowd at Politifest will vote on a winner. The winner will receive an “idea-inspired” trophy custom-designed by former City Councilwoman Donna Frye. VOSD CEO Scott Lewis will also write about the winner’s idea.
Former City Manager Ray Blair agreed with me: Auction off Qualcomm Stadium and Petco Park (compare what the city contributes annually and what the Padres contribute — unconscionable) to the highest bidders (“pit ambition against ambition”) with the proviso of a minimum bid and that both remain ballparks.
Remember Peter Graham from Canada bought the Sports Arena lease, kept it out of bankruptcy, paid the bonds (I think guaranteed by the city) and made it profitable. See also see why the county sold the San Marcos trash to energy plant.
Fred Schnaubelt submitted this idea to the Politifest 2012 Idea Tournament. Join us on Sept. 29!