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February 13, 2009
Watch the Marlins stadium vote
Miami-Dade County's Florida Marlins stadium vote is being webcast - follow along at home starting at 1 pm Eastern. I'll try to liveblog it here, or at least post frequent updates.
City Commissioner Sarnoff is my new hero.
If watching the city commission hearing is any indication, the county commission is going to be amazing.
The Marlins are essentially standing at the podium saying "No, you see, you just write us a blank check. But don't worry, we'll use it wisely. Promise!"
Posted by Thomas on February 13, 2009 01:28 PM
The city hearing is here, for those wanting to tune in:
http://miami.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&event_id=70
County starts after the city finishes, I guess.
Posted by Neil on February 13, 2009 01:39 PM
Initial vote fails 2-2. Sarnoff now proposing a bunch of amendments, including the Marlins paying for garage overruns, the city getting a share of naming rights, and the city and county getting made whole before the Marlins owners can earn any profit from a sale of the team.
Discussion is now underway.
Posted by Neil on February 13, 2009 02:01 PM
10 minute recess for the Marlins to try to get the crap back in the horse!
This is amazing. Commissioner Sarnoff is a hammer!
Posted by Thomas on February 13, 2009 02:03 PM
Now they're recessing to see if the Marlins are willing to live with this. Wow.
Posted by Neil on February 13, 2009 02:04 PM
Who was that off-camera who withdrew his support for Sarnoff's amendments, saying they would "kill the deal"?
This is mayhem.
Posted by Neil on February 13, 2009 02:07 PM
It was pretty chaotic, but I believe that tantrum was by Mr. Chairman himself, Joe Sanchez. It looked like after Sarnoff fired the shot heard around the world "If you want to be partners, let's be partners" Sanchez said that would kill the deal and then stormed off stage.
Posted by Thomas on February 13, 2009 02:13 PM
The Marlins got Miami-Dade Commissioners to move the goal posts a little closer: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/902867.html
Posted by Thomas on February 13, 2009 02:17 PM
The Miami Herald now has an update on its front page:
"A vote on the Florida Marlins stadium plan descended into chaos Friday afternoon after City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff demanded significant modifications to the deal in exchange for his support."
The accompanying link still brings up the old "Votes to take place today" article, though.
Half an hour into the "ten-minute recess," meanwhile, the hearing room shows no signs of life.
Posted by Neil on February 13, 2009 02:37 PM
New item, let's continue any discussion there:
http://www.fieldofschemes.com/news/archives/2009/02/marlins_stadium_13.html
Posted by Neil on February 13, 2009 02:54 PM
As far as tantrums go - this has to be one of the all time bests.
David Sampson's shaking voice as he throws "relocation" around is just fantastic.
Let's see if he kicks and screams his way to a 3-1 win.
Posted by Thomas on February 13, 2009 03:00 PM
Marc Sarnoff is a god among insects
Posted by Thomas on February 13, 2009 03:12 PM