A Simple, Friendly Request For The Courier & Press

(pbp1.com)

Over the past few weeks, we have seen the Evansville Courier & Press write many articles and many editorials regarding Roberts Stadium. Unfortunately, I do not believe they will be changing their mind about their support for demolishing Roberts Stadium anytime soon if ever. That is fine as freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, and independent thinking are what make our county such a great place to call home.

I do have one simple, friendly request/suggestion/challenge for the Evansville Courier & Press.

A few weeks ago, I met with the C&P for this interview....

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/jul/30/cost-of-roberts/

During the meeting with the C&P, I discussed my counter proposal for the ball fields project. For those who don't know what my counter proposal is, here is a basic summary of it...

1. Build the fields at Kleymeyer Park.
2. Build them to replicate vintage MLB fields like this...http://www.bigleaguedreams.com/replica-fields
3. Play the championship games at Bosse Field so that ad revenue can be shared with the Otters and the girls softball teams can play on the same field where the movie " A League of Their Own" was filmed.
4. If possible, land swap Bob Walthers' driving range to Hamilton Golf Course.
5. If possible, land swap EYFL to the old North High School field.
6. Work with the EPA to tap into the methane gas below Kleymeyer Park to make the ball fields electrical needs profitable not a liability.
7. If possible, work with local MLB all-stars such as Don Mattingly, Scott Rolen, and Jamey Carroll, and Alan & Andy Benes to get MLB involved and to pay tribute to them.

Here are some more links if you are interested in this concept...

http://city-countyobserver.com/2011/01/30/jordan-baer-releases-video-of-his-vision-for-kleymeyer-park/

http://saverobertsstadium.blogspot.com/2010/11/introducing-big-league-dreams-sports.html

http://saverobertsstadium.blogspot.com/2010/11/saving-history-by-bringing-back-history.html

http://saverobertsstadium.blogspot.com/2010/11/red-rover-red-rover-please-send-epa-on.html

http://saverobertsstadium.blogspot.com/2011/05/take-kleymeyer-park-sniff-challenge.html

http://saverobertsstadium.blogspot.com/2011/07/wouldnt-land-swap-make-much-more-sense.html

http://saverobertsstadium.blogspot.com/2011/07/why-are-we-not-involving-our-local-mlb.html

If done correctly, I believe we have the opportunity to help the following groups with our ball fields project...

1. Help Hamilton Golf Course
2. Help the current North High School building
3. Help EYFL
4. Help Bob Walthers
5. Help the Bosse Field District
6. Help Roberts Stadium
7. Help North Main Street finally connect to downtown Main Street
8. Help Wesselman Park grow around Roberts Stadium
9. Help increase the Innkeepers Tax revenue
10. Help the Parks Dept clean up a current park
11. Help the new arena with parking
12. Help the Evansville Otters find more revenue
13. Help bring MLB to town and pay tribute to our MLB stars at the same time

Because of this valuable, once in a lifetime opportunity, I would like for the Evansville Courier & Press to weigh in on the situation with their opinion. Here are a few questions I would like for them to consider...

1. Do you believe that the ball fields fit better next to historic Bosse Field versus Wesselman Park?
2. Do you believe that Garvin Park, Kleymeyer Park, and Bosse Field district needs this stimulus more than the Wesselman Park area?
3. Do you believe that replicating the fields to represent vintage MLB fields would bring in more visitors and tourists than Dunn's generic fields?
4. Do you believe that this is a valuable opportunity to help organizations such as the Otters who need a shot in the arm now not later?
5. Do you believe that the fact that both the Roberts Stadium lot and Kleymeyer Park are one road and the LLoyd Expressway from the east side negates any economic benefit that Dunn's location has?
6. The closest hotel to these fields would be our downtown hotel next to the arena and Convention Centre. Do you believe that it is wise to support our own taxpayer funded arena first?
7. Do you believe that it is wise to find events to fill up Bosse Field's open dates now and not at the last minute when a new ballpark is eventually built?
8. Do you believe that it makes sense for Bob Walthers to have his driving range next to Hamilton Golf Course and not next to Bosse Field?
9. Do you believe that Bob Walthers' Golf-N-Fun is the perfect venue to go with our ball fields project?
10. Do you believe that it makes sense to put pumps next to our ball fields to convert Kleymeyer Park's methane gas to electricity to sell to the public instead of purchasing electricity?
11. Do you believe that this project is a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring the Bosse Field district back to life and the Garvin Park area under a much needed urban renewal process?
12. Do you believe city hall, who has the power to get in contact with legends such as Don Mattingly as well as government officials such as the Parks Department, should be willing to help put this plan together since they are the only entity that can make decisions involving government land and spending?

Make no mistake, this offer is open to ALL media sources. The only reason why I am specifically listing the C&P is because I have already discussed this plan with them personally. I am willing to discuss this plan with any interested media outlet as well as meeting with the C&P again.

Let's be honest, the ball fields project isn't going anywhere...

http://www.14wfie.com/story/14907700/new-cvb-director

There's a reason why this site is STILL up and running...

http://www.theparkevansville.com/

Now is the time for us to have this discussion, not when our government secretly unveils another plan and only considers their plan for implementation.

We have over 5 months before a new mayor takes office and begins the process of making a decision on Roberts Stadium. Surely there is one open editorial space for the Courier & Press to give a serious look at placing these ball fields at Kleymeyer Park between now and then.

Like I've said before, I have great respect for the Courier & Press. I ask that they continue to be THE leader of our community and join in on the quest to find the perfect location for our ball fields project.

That's my suggestion/request!

(capta6.org)