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DON'T FUND PRIVATE BUSINESS
I can support tax money for infrastructure needs but draw the line at flat-out buying things for a commercial enterprise like a sports franchise. Chicago faces the same thing with the Bears wanting tax money for things they can afford and should buy themselves. If they want to move to Arlington, the state can pay for the roads and utilities, but that has to be the limit.
The same goes for Robin Roberts Stadium. Also, there's no point in preserving the stadium if you're going to change the name. The name was the reason for it.
Mark Suszko
Via Facebookcom/illinoistimes
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GET IT DONE
I support this 100%. It can be a major attraction site with turf, and we can host concerts, ballgames and all kinds of fun things. The Springfield Park District is a great partner, and trust me, they will find a way to get it done. I stand with them and will do all I can to help this location and Chamberlain Ball Park.
We work hard to get things done on other sides of town, and we can surely work hard together and get this done, too!
Ward 2 Ald. Shawn Gregory
Via Facebookcom/illinoistimes
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NOT WORTH IT
As I understand it, the rent paid by the Lucky Horseshoes won't even cover the utility bill. I like baseball. I have nothing against the Horseshoes, but I can't see this proposed renovation. It creates little to no tourism; the teams that come to play the Horseshoes don't even stay overnight in local hotels.
I wish them well, I just hope it doesn't come to fruition at taxpayers' expense. We are broke enough as it is. The proposed plan will not pay for itself, will not really do much in the way of tourism income, but it would make a nice stadium. It's easy to come up with all kinds of neat ideas when spending other people's money. If they can get the school district or park district to do it, more power to them.
Terry Young
Via Facebookcom/illinoistimes
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BUILD BY SCHEELS
Build a new stadium in the sports park out by SCHEELS. This is a no-brainer. It's such a natural fit that I can't believe it hasn't been constructed already – what's the problem?
Paul Beatty
Via Facebookcom/illinoistimes
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BUILD DOWNTOWN
Build a new stadium and people will buy tickets and come to games way more than at the current location. When there are no games, the stadium can be rented out for concerts or events. There is big money available through federal and state tourism grants. Don't renovate, move the stadium downtown.
Garret Moffett
Via Facebookcom/illinoistimes
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TOWN WON'T SUPPORT IT
Sadly, Springfield just isn't supportive enough to warrant a multimillion-dollar renovation of the current stadium or the construction of a new stadium on the west side.
Ken Fritchman
Via Facebookcom/illinoistimes
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WORK FOR PEACE
The Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist congregation is heartbroken by the violence and death the world continues to witness in Israel and Gaza. We grieve with our Israeli and Palestinian brothers and sisters who have lost loved ones. Our Unitarian Universalist principles and values affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every human being, and we know the peace we all long for cannot be achieved with continued violence. We must continue to dismantle systems of oppression and work toward liberation for all. We join the UUA in calling for an immediate ceasefire in this ongoing conflict.
Anna Sabin, President
Rev. Martin Woulfe, Minister
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BAD BUSINESS MODEL
I'm not against someone making a buck, but investing in properties on the other side of the country is obviously going to lead to this kind of thing ("City pursues legal action against Olde Towne Apartments," Jan. 18.) Out of sight, out of mind. Well, until the rent checks stop coming in.
Adam Fagan
Via illinoistimes.com
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DODGED A BULLET
How lucky do the next-to-last bidders at the auction feel right now?
Loy Wrightsman
Via illinoistimes.com
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PLENTY OF DEMAND
I encourage people to use the new Breeze Airlines out of Springfield for direct connections to Orlando and Tampa. I recently flew from Orlando to Springfield and was impressed with the up-to-date communications, easy check-in, clean plane and friendly service. They are cheap flights (but there are add-ons).
Many have raised concerns about our current Springfield airport. We are told demand dictates what can be offered. How is demand determined? Has anyone surveyed or asked us? Unfortunately, service is not helping demand. Flights out of Springfield continue to be taken out of service. Originally scheduled flights have been changed to later, inconvenient times, forcing a change in a connecting flight. The early morning flight to Chicago (packed every time I took it) has been moved to mid-afternoon. And, trying to make a connection back to Springfield from Chicago often forces one to stay overnight with nothing available until maybe late the next day.
High prices and lack of convenient schedules have forced flyers to not even consider Springfield and instead seek other connections through Decatur, Bloomington, Champaign and Peoria – all with food service and even sit-down restaurants (the Subway at the Springfield airport has never been open any time I have flown).
I love to travel and I would love to fly out of Springfield rather than drive to another airport. Just give us the service, and demand will boom.
Cinda Klickna
Springfield
