With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas in front of us, we are now in the holiday time known as Vikings Stadium Festivus. And just like Christmas, it’s being advertised everywhere-on television, radio, newspapers and the internet. Long before black Friday and cyber Monday there was Purple Friday and Vikings hangover Monday.
The Vikings media effort to solicit help from the fans has been well received by the Legislature who are holding two public hearings over the next two weeks. Please plan to attend, at least in part, if not all of these public hearings to show your support for keeping the Vikings in Minnesota.
Hearing 1 – Stadium Location
Senate Tax and Local Government and Elections Committees (Joint Committees) November 29, 2011 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. State Capitol, Room 15The first hearing is meant to focus on where the public thinks the best location for a Vikings stadium is. We expect to hear from experts on the Vikings side as to why the Ramsey County/Arden Hills Twin Cities Army Ammunition site is a very viable option. We have also received word that officials from Minneapolis will also be on hand to testify as to why one of their three sites is the best location for the new home of our favorite football team.
As with any public hearing we do expect to hear from opposition on a Vikings stadium and given the time slot, the advantage goes to opponents. We typically see those who are unemployed or on a fixed income advocating against a new stadium because the government isn’t giving them enough. All while the majority of the Vikings 2.5 million fans are working.
IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR VIKINGS FANS TO SHOW UP AND SUPPORT THE STADIUM EFFORT! If nothing else, come down over your lunch hour from 11:30-1pm or come down from 9-10am and go into work late.
Hearing 2 – Financing Options
Senate Tax and State Government Innovation and Veterans Committees (Joint Committees) December 6, 2011 12:30 – 6:00 p.m. State Capitol, Room 15The first thing we notice about the second hearing is that the time frame is an hour and a half longer than the site hearing. We presume that this will be the more contentious of the two with several different ideas’ being presented on financing options: The Memorabilia tax, user based fan fees, Racino, the “but for” argument, etc.
We also expect most of the Tribal Casino’s 40+ lobbyists on hand to testify against gambling as a funding mechanism in order to preserve the Tribal monopoly on slot machines. With 70 percent of Minnesotans supporting Racino as a funding source for a Vikings stadium it is imperative that fans attend this meeting!
If nothing else, fans can take a late lunch or leave work early to attend this very important meeting to keep the Vikings in Minnesota.
If you absolutely cannot make the meeting, please take a moment to email your lawmakers using our effortless Legislative contact tool! www.SavetheVikes.org/huddle/
Here are some numbers to keep in mind as you speak to people about the Vikings stadium effort
Vikings Stadium Print Ad 112211
Founder and author of SavetheVikes.org. Born and raised in MN, Cory has been a lifelong Vikings fan. Season ticket holder, stop by and see him in section 218! cory.merrifield@savethevikes.org
I’m already signed up to speak at the second hearing. Looking forward to it.
I really wish I could be there. I hope all Vikings fans that can show up, will. At least contact your reps.
I wish that I lived in Minnesota so that I could attend these hearings. (:
The benefits for a stadium in Arden Hills are great. At the end of the day, I hope that the Vikings get a new stadium and remain in the state of Minnesota. This way, the tradition of Minnesota Vikings Football will be kept alive!
I am about to write a very frustrating comment:
The Vikings have wanted a new stadium for the last 10 years or so now. Since the 1997 NFL offseason, I have heard rumour after rumour that the Vikings could be moving to either San Antonio or Los Angeles.
Fast forward to 2011: Arden Hills and Minneapolis would like to build a new stadium for the Vikings. Last year the Vikings were told to find a local partner to fund part of the bill for a stadium. They did exactly that with Ramsey County. Then the state legislature has the nerve to say that there is not enough support for an exemption of a referendum… right after the Ramsey County board voted against having a referendum on a half cent tax increase. I assumed that the Vikings were going to move after this NFL season is done. Then in the next couple of days, the state legislature said that they promised to work on the Vikings Stadium bill and get it solved by the end of this year. Today is the 7th of December and it looks like they are going to break another promise. It boggles my mind as to why the Twins & Golden Gophers did not require a referendum for their new stadiums. Yet one is required for the most popular and flagship sports franchise in the state of Minnesota? Sure, the Vikings will stay in the state of Minnesota during the 2012 NFL Season due to the collapse of the Metrodome roof. Though what about the 2013 seasons and beyond if the Vikings don’t have a new stadium approved? I am painfully aware that Los Angeles is one community outside of Minnesota that is interested in buying the Vikings and moving them to their city. Now it’s reported that another unnamed city has spoken to the Vikings about potentially relocating the franchise. My guess is that the mystery city is either San Antonio or St. Louis (should the Rams relocate out of the area after the 2014 season). It is absolutely DISGUSTING to think that the state of Minnesota will allow the Vikings to walk away and let them relocate to another city in America after over 50 years. What’s more is that, the majority of those in Minnesota are in favour of racino funding when it comes to building a new Vikings Stadium. Why aren’t the politicians (who are supposed to be representing their constituents) not listening to those who want a racino? Not only would it go towards building a new stadium which will keep the Vikings in Minnesota for many years to come, racino funding would also go towards education, roads, etc. Why are the politicians being extremely short sighted? It’s something that I cannot understand. I hope that the politicians will actually work with the Vikings this month and in the new year on working together with the Vikings on building a new stadium in either Arden Hills or Minneapolis. Honestly, I cannot take anymore mentions about the Vikings relocating outside the state of Minnesota. Some people say that it shouldn’t matter to me whether the Vikings stay in Minnesota or relocate elsewhere. Though at the end of the day, the Vikings belong in the state of Minnesota and this comes from someone who was born, raised and has lived in Canada’s Capital for all of his life.
All the best,