More news about the bankruptcy hearing involving Jerry Moyes, the Coyotes and the City of Glendale. It looks like Glendale will get the chance to have it's voice heard. On June 9, representatives from Glendale will be able to argue in court their reasons for why the Coyotes should remain in town. Current owner Jerry Moyes is still pushing for bankruptcy as a way to break his current leasing contract with the City to avoid paying $700 million in penalty fees.
The City of Glendale has not been included in the creditors' committee, a collection of five entities due money from the Coyotes, limiting the city's influence on team bankruptcy issues. While some may say that this hinders Glendale in really being taken seriously by the court, City spokeswoman Julie Frisoni said the setbacks are part of the proceedings and overall, she is pleased with the outcome and the court's decision to listen, if even briefly to Glendale's position.
Here's hoping that Glendale can pull off a miracle and save our team!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Condolences from the West Valley to Dean Martin
I was shocked when I heard about the wife of State Treasurer Dean Martin, tragically losing her life shortly after giving birth to their first child. The couple has been married for 13 years and this was the birth of their first son, Austin Michael. Kerry Martin died approximately four hours after giving birth due to complications.
Sadly, little Austin Michael Martin passed away late last night.
While the cause of death for both Kerry and Austin has not yet been released, I couldn't imagine losing a mother to childbirth. I just didn't believe that happened anymore. However, sadly it does, over 600 women a year die from complications during delivery.
To Mr. Martin, sir on behalf of myself and citizens of the West Valley, our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you. I cannot fathom your loss of your wife, friend and partner, Kerry and your little boy Austin, who was taken before his time. I know that mother and son are together and are happily watching over you. May God continue to be with you, bless you and give you His peace.
Sadly, little Austin Michael Martin passed away late last night.
While the cause of death for both Kerry and Austin has not yet been released, I couldn't imagine losing a mother to childbirth. I just didn't believe that happened anymore. However, sadly it does, over 600 women a year die from complications during delivery.
To Mr. Martin, sir on behalf of myself and citizens of the West Valley, our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you. I cannot fathom your loss of your wife, friend and partner, Kerry and your little boy Austin, who was taken before his time. I know that mother and son are together and are happily watching over you. May God continue to be with you, bless you and give you His peace.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Glendale, Glendale, Glendale
I am starting to get tired of seeing more and more bad financial news for Glendale. I want to be sympathetic to your plight Glendale, but it seems like it's really just a lot of poor planning and management on your part. Don't get me wrong, I still wish you all the best, but my support for your side is faltering a bit.
The newest development in the news concerns the Spring Training facility Glendale built for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox. While the contracts were set up for the build, it was unclear who was going to reap the benefits of the tax revenue. Glendale built the ballpark on a piece of property that it owned, however, that property's address is in Phoenix. One would think that this would have been noticed and clearly addressed first in the process.
Glendale. Let's have a little heart to heart here, shall we? You took a dive on the Jobing.com arena recently, the University of Phoenix stadium in all of it's glory hosted a local high school's graduation this past week, you built a multi-million dollar ballpark without thinking about who was going to benefit from the profits of it. STOP BUILDING SPORTS FACILITIES! This is clearly not your area of expertise. I know it sounds like a good idea, but so does eating a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts in one sitting. It might feel good at the time but in truth, it's very unhealthy.
The newest development in the news concerns the Spring Training facility Glendale built for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox. While the contracts were set up for the build, it was unclear who was going to reap the benefits of the tax revenue. Glendale built the ballpark on a piece of property that it owned, however, that property's address is in Phoenix. One would think that this would have been noticed and clearly addressed first in the process.
Glendale. Let's have a little heart to heart here, shall we? You took a dive on the Jobing.com arena recently, the University of Phoenix stadium in all of it's glory hosted a local high school's graduation this past week, you built a multi-million dollar ballpark without thinking about who was going to benefit from the profits of it. STOP BUILDING SPORTS FACILITIES! This is clearly not your area of expertise. I know it sounds like a good idea, but so does eating a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts in one sitting. It might feel good at the time but in truth, it's very unhealthy.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Westgate Will Not Host "Save the Coyotes"
As we knew they would, Phoenix Coyotes hockey fans have come together in an attempt to save their beloved team and keep them in Glendale. The Save the Coyotes Coalition are holding a rally on May 16 at 10:00 AM, at a location to be announced. Originally the grouped had hoped to hold the rally, "White Out 2009", at the Westgate City Center near the Coyotes current home, Jobing.com Arena. However, Westgate has denied their request.
Westgate, developed by former Coyotes owner Steve Ellman, said Tuesday it's not allowing the rally to occur on its property because its code of conduct forbids allowing activities that could be "political in nature," according to Westgate spokeswoman, Nicole Traynor.
Traynor stated, "We feel strongly the Coyotes will stay and we want to give them every opportunity to succeed," she said. "Our decision not to host the rally at Westgate has nothing to do with our support of the Coyotes. We absolutely love the Coyotes."
Esposito and other fans are working to drum up support for the team, which is in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Team owner Jerry Moyes sought Chapter 11 protection last week and is trying to sell the team to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie, who wants to move the franchise to Hamilton, Ontario.
The National Hockey League, which contends it is in control of the team, is fighting the bankruptcy filing and has claimed Moyes had no right to seek court protection or sell the team.
Westgate, developed by former Coyotes owner Steve Ellman, said Tuesday it's not allowing the rally to occur on its property because its code of conduct forbids allowing activities that could be "political in nature," according to Westgate spokeswoman, Nicole Traynor.
Traynor stated, "We feel strongly the Coyotes will stay and we want to give them every opportunity to succeed," she said. "Our decision not to host the rally at Westgate has nothing to do with our support of the Coyotes. We absolutely love the Coyotes."
Esposito and other fans are working to drum up support for the team, which is in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Team owner Jerry Moyes sought Chapter 11 protection last week and is trying to sell the team to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie, who wants to move the franchise to Hamilton, Ontario.
The National Hockey League, which contends it is in control of the team, is fighting the bankruptcy filing and has claimed Moyes had no right to seek court protection or sell the team.
More Trouble On The Buckeye City Council
Here we go again. Outspoken Town Council member, Dave Rioux has officially asked for an investigation to be launched into a plot to harass him. His claims state that there is a possible conspiracy that could involve local police and town officials. Rioux feels that these people may be preparing to harass, threaten and intimidate him because of his frequent suggestions that certain managers of Buckeye be removed.
Dave Rioux sent an email to Mayor Jackie Meck and police Chief Mark Mann on April 16 informing them on the alleged plot.
Chief Mann replied, "I take your harassment/intimidation allegation very seriously. ...With that being said, I believe it would be in the town's best interest to outsource your request for an investigation. Much like your request for an investigation in the traffic stop involving Public Safety Director Scott Rounds, I believe there is now a lack of trust between you, certain PD employees and other town management personnel. You have repeatedly expressed your dissatisfaction with that investigation, which I thought was conducted in a fair, thorough and objective manner."
Apparently this is not the first time Council member Rioux has gotten himself in trouble. In March of this year, Scott Rounds, assistant town manager for Buckeye and director of public safety, accused Councilman Rioux of intimidation for the second time since the beginning of the year.
All of this sounds a lot like arguing children on the playground, running to the teacher with hopes of getting the other sent to detention. Are there not more productive things that Buckeye's officials could be doing with their time? For instance, trying to figure out what they're going to do about the fact that Buckeye's town revenue has dropped almost $16 million in the past year. How about we focus on the issues for a while and leave all of the petulant name-calling at home?
Dave Rioux sent an email to Mayor Jackie Meck and police Chief Mark Mann on April 16 informing them on the alleged plot.
Chief Mann replied, "I take your harassment/intimidation allegation very seriously. ...With that being said, I believe it would be in the town's best interest to outsource your request for an investigation. Much like your request for an investigation in the traffic stop involving Public Safety Director Scott Rounds, I believe there is now a lack of trust between you, certain PD employees and other town management personnel. You have repeatedly expressed your dissatisfaction with that investigation, which I thought was conducted in a fair, thorough and objective manner."
Apparently this is not the first time Council member Rioux has gotten himself in trouble. In March of this year, Scott Rounds, assistant town manager for Buckeye and director of public safety, accused Councilman Rioux of intimidation for the second time since the beginning of the year.
All of this sounds a lot like arguing children on the playground, running to the teacher with hopes of getting the other sent to detention. Are there not more productive things that Buckeye's officials could be doing with their time? For instance, trying to figure out what they're going to do about the fact that Buckeye's town revenue has dropped almost $16 million in the past year. How about we focus on the issues for a while and leave all of the petulant name-calling at home?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Goodbye, Coyotes
Well, it happened. Our worst fears have been confirmed. It would seem that the Coyotes are indeed going to be moving to Canada.
It's been well known for some time that the Coyote's current owner, Jerry Moyes, owner of the Swift Transportation Company, has been experiencing some financial difficulty. As early as two weeks ago however, it was assured that the Coyotes would not be expecting a move to Canada. That changed recently when Moyes filed for bankruptcy.
BlackBerry executive Jim Balsillie's PSE Sports & Entertainment LP, is the teams expected new owner, another investment group however, could outbid them as long as a new offer exceeds the current bid by at least $5 million. As a stipulation for purchasing the team, the Coyotes would in fact be moved to Ontario, Canada.
What does this mean for the City of Glendale? Well, if things progress this way, the outlook does not look promising. Glendale has already made some major financial concessions to the Coyotes including paying $180 million for the $220 million arena that opened in 2003. For the city's hefty investment, the team signed a 30-year agreement with an early-termination penalty of more than $700 million, unfortunately, the only thing that could nullify that penalty charge would be if Moyes played the bankruptcy card. And that's exactly what he's done.
Glendale, in a statement, said that the bankruptcy filing was an "unfortunate turn of events" and that the city will work to "ensure the public's interest is fully protected."
Is there any hope in sight for what seems to be a dead end for the Coyotes? Perhaps. Arizona hockey fans are scrambling to come up with viable suggestions to keep the Coyotes in the desert. The possibilities are small and the light at the end of the tunnel gets dimmer everyday but don't we at least have to try? The City of Glendale has already lost a lot of money in attempts to support our team, a move to Canada would mean an empty arena with no anchor and an enormous financial burden to an already down-trodden city.
It's been well known for some time that the Coyote's current owner, Jerry Moyes, owner of the Swift Transportation Company, has been experiencing some financial difficulty. As early as two weeks ago however, it was assured that the Coyotes would not be expecting a move to Canada. That changed recently when Moyes filed for bankruptcy.
BlackBerry executive Jim Balsillie's PSE Sports & Entertainment LP, is the teams expected new owner, another investment group however, could outbid them as long as a new offer exceeds the current bid by at least $5 million. As a stipulation for purchasing the team, the Coyotes would in fact be moved to Ontario, Canada.
What does this mean for the City of Glendale? Well, if things progress this way, the outlook does not look promising. Glendale has already made some major financial concessions to the Coyotes including paying $180 million for the $220 million arena that opened in 2003. For the city's hefty investment, the team signed a 30-year agreement with an early-termination penalty of more than $700 million, unfortunately, the only thing that could nullify that penalty charge would be if Moyes played the bankruptcy card. And that's exactly what he's done.
Glendale, in a statement, said that the bankruptcy filing was an "unfortunate turn of events" and that the city will work to "ensure the public's interest is fully protected."
Is there any hope in sight for what seems to be a dead end for the Coyotes? Perhaps. Arizona hockey fans are scrambling to come up with viable suggestions to keep the Coyotes in the desert. The possibilities are small and the light at the end of the tunnel gets dimmer everyday but don't we at least have to try? The City of Glendale has already lost a lot of money in attempts to support our team, a move to Canada would mean an empty arena with no anchor and an enormous financial burden to an already down-trodden city.
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