PawSox Stadium Opponents Claim Political Intimidation from State
Kate Nagle, GoLocal Contributor
PawSox Stadium Opponents Claim Political Intimidation from State
To date, no legislation has been introduced pertaining to a possible stadium move following the rejection of the initial deal put forth by the new ownership group, but the Secretary of State's letter sent to David Norton earlier this month apprising him that his grassroots organization was flagged by the office raised a flag with him -- and others.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"The letter was just to inform him of the regulations," said Secretary of State spokesperson Gonzalo Cuervo, who noted that PawSox CEO Mike Tamburro, and PBC Associates, who represent the new PawSox ownership group, had received similar letters back in the spring. "It's not accusatory, it's not requiring them to do anything -- this is the statute, if you fall underneath it, you should register."
To date, the registered lobbyists listed for PBC are Robert Goldberg, who is paid $375 an hour, Boston Red Sox owner Larry Lucchino, and the late Jim Skeffington.
Taking Issue with Letters
"It's ludicrous to put a guy like Norton, who's not paid, who's doing what he thinks is best for his community, on his time, in the same boat as Bob Goldberg, who gets paid millions to keep Rhode Island fat, thick, lazy, and stupid," said stadium opponent Dave Fisher, with the Coalition Radio. "I mean, it's a Facebook page. Has [Norton[ even filed as a C3?"
"I think its political intimidation," continued Fisher. "The Rhode Island Democratic party rules with an iron fist. Apart from talking with his own Reps or Senators, or showing up at the State House to drop off petitions, that's not lobbying, that's community advocacy. To lump him in with lobbyists who lobby for cigarette companies, alcohol companies, or millionaires looking to build a stadium with taxpayer assistance, is absurd."
"David Norton is a standup guy doing what he wants is best is for the community," said Fisher. "The unspoken part of these letters if is if he doesn't, he'll have to pay fines. How is that not some form weird form of intimidation? Are they sending these letters out to all the Facebook groups?"
Common Cause of Rhode Island's John Marion offered his insights on the issue.
"The current Secretary of State has been sending out letters to those engaged in advocacy reminding them that they may need to register and report. Since the current law contains some ambiguity Secretary Gorbea seems to be erring on the side of caution by sending these letters to groups who in fact may not need to register because they do not meet the definitions in the law," said Marion.
"However, there is no way for the Secretary to know that, so the letters seem like a good first step to engage groups and individuals in a discussion about what their obligations may be. In other states we have seen "grassroots" efforts that are really a paid form of paid "astroturf" lobbying attempting to appear spontaneous and it can be difficult to differentiate between the two," continued Marion. "That doesn't appear to be the case here. Unfortunately the General Assembly did not pass the proposed changes to the lobbying law that would have made it much clearer who is obligated to register and report."
Response Divided
Norton said he didn't believe he should be made to register as a lobbyist, based on his involvement and activities.
"I don't think that I should be made to register. Advocacy is different from lobbying," said Norton. "I've put some time into this issue because I care about it. That's it."
Larry Girouard with taxpayer advocacy group RI Taxpayers, who has been outspoken against the initial stadium deal, who also got a letter, said he didn't believe he qualified as a lobbyist.
"We are not lobbyists nor do we pay anyone to lobby for us. We do advocate on many issues and, to Mr. Norton’s point, never felt we were lobbyists," said Girouard. "I am not sure how to respond ... I do not remember getting this letter but, because we are not, nor have we ever been, a lobbyist our office manager may have just discarded them."
Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea said the letters were simply sent for transparency.
"I am thrilled to more Rhode Islanders engaging with their government, and so what we're doing is as people come out for the first time, is to start to engage them more," said Gorbea. "It's my duty to look out for Rhode Islanders and without limiting anyone's right to freedom of expression. This isn't about registering every single bit of advocacy, that wouldn't make any sense. But there are specific statutes, and if someone lobbies directly, there's nothing wrong with registering to being a lobbyist."
Pawsox Stadium Timeline
1938-1942
Depression Era Public Works
The stadium's construction was started in the midst of the Great Depression as a public works project.
The champion of the project was then-Mayor Thomas P. McCoy. After World War II the building was named in honor of McCoy.
PHOTO: RI Historical Society
1990s
Pawtucket Power Brokers Deliver Millions for Rehab
The demands for public money is not new. In the mid-1990’s, the PawSox under the ownership of Ben Mondor leveraged an offer by Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld to build a $40 million public stadium in Worcester, MA to lure the PawSox to central MA.
In response, then-Speaker of the House John Harwood and House Finance Chair Tony Pires — both of Pawtucket to realize a total rehab of about $18 million. Mondor provided a reported $4 million dollars to the project to rehab the state owned facility.
November 28, 2014
PawSox To Be Sold To Some Red Sox Owners.
According to a report in The Boston Globe, The Pawtucket Red Sox will be sold to part of the Red Sox ownership group. The price and names of the owners purchasing the minor league franchise is not yet known.
For the full story click here.
January 10, 2015
Leaders Make the Case for PawSox to Stay in Pawtucket
Support is mounting from city and local sports industry leaders to make a case for keeping the 2014 league champions at McCoy stadium, which it has called home for over 40 years.
For the full story click here.
January 12, 2015
Raimondo’s First Test, Keep The Pawsox in RI
Days into the Governorship of Gina Raimondo and she’s already tasked with a tall order—find a way to keep the Pawtucket Red Sox where they belong—in Pawtucket.
For the full story click here.
February 24, 2015
City Council President Aponte “Excited” at Prospect of PawSox Coming to Providence
City Council President Luis Aponte reacted with excitement Monday at the prospect of the Pawtucket Red Sox moving into Providence.
For the full story click here.
February 24, 2015
Pawtucket Mayor Says PawSox Move is “Devastating”
Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien confirmed to GoLocalProv that the new owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox plan to move the team out of the city.
For the full story click here.
February 24, 2015
New Owners Don’t Rule Out Public Funding For New Providence PawSox Stadium
The new ownership group of the Pawtucket Red Sox hasn’t ruled out using public financing to fund their proposed new stadium in downtown Providence, according to comments made by new principal owner and team president James Skeffington.
For the full story click here.
February 26, 2015
Jencunas: Providence PawSox Stadium - Boon or Bust?
GoLocal contributor Brian Jencunas writes, “the proposed move of the Pawtucket Red Sox to Providence is either the next Providence Place Mall or the next 38 Studios.”
For the full story click here.
March 2, 2015
The Ten Biggest Questions Facing the PawSox Coming to Providence (Slideshow)
If the new ownership of the Pawtucket Red Sox want to build a new stadium in Providence, a number of questions need to be answered. The potential for a major contruction project in the state's Capitial city touches upon a number of issues, from money, to politics, to jobs, and development.
For entire slideshow click here.
March 2, 2015
David Brussat, Dr. Downtown: The Red Sox and the PawSox
GoLocal contributor writes David Brussat writes that his “heart says stay, but “stay in Pawtucket” may mean “leave Rhode Island” unless it means “move to Providence.”
For the entire article click here.
March 2, 2015
Moore: Will PawSox Move be a Sweetheart, Insider Deal?
GoLocal contributor Russell Moore explains that, “if you think that the shrewd, savvy, group led by renowned Rhode Island political insider James Skeffington and Red Sox boss Larry Lucchino bought the Pawtucket Red Sox without the framework of a deal with the state in their back pocket, I've got a video game business idea I'd like to pitch to you.”
For the entire article click here.
March 4, 2015
City Councilors Make Pitch for PawSox to Come to Worcester
Worcester City Councilors Gary Rosen and Phil Palmieri proposed that the city of Worcester makes a pitch for the Pawtucket Red Sox, or another Major League Baseball-affiliated team, to move to Worcester.
For the entire article click here.
March 5, 2015
Bishop: Keeping the Pawtucket Red Sox Without Seeing More Red in Providence
The Speaker of the House seems to have rushed to judgment, favoring the move of the Pawtucket Red Sox to Providence and decrying critics as unduly pessimistic and unwilling to see us invest in ourselves.
For the full store click here.
March 10, 2015
RI GOP: $450 Million Spent on Convention Center Red Flag for PawSox Deal
Members of the Rhode Island House Republicans are warning about "lessons learned" from the Rhode Island Convention Center lease agreement that has cost the state nearly a half billion dollars over the last twenty years, as the new owners of the PawSox eye Providence for a new stadium.
For the full story click here.
April 8, 2015
Providence PawSox Proposal Asking For Greater Public Support
The new owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox are asking for more public support to finance moving the team to a parcel of land in downtown Providence on former I-195 land.
For the full story click here.
April 13, 2015
Is the PawSox move to Providence a distraction to growing real business?
Rhode Islanders look to a 43-year-old woman to lead the state out of one the worst economies in its history, and hope that Governor Gina Raimondo will begin the process of transforming the economy into a modern and functioning era.
For the full story click here.
April 16, 2015
PawSox Ask for More Than $100 Million in State and Local Aid
The Pawtucket Red Sox today unveiled their plan for a new ballpark in downtown Providence, which would cost taxpayers over $100 million.
For the full story click here.
April 17, 2015
PawSox Consultant’s Findings in Other Cities Often Very Rosy
A GoLocalProv review of reports written by consultants hired by the PawSox new ownership group finds similarities in the methodology and the findings of many of the reports that the consultants have delivered across the country.
For the full story click here.
April 17, 2015
PawSox Consultants Overestimated URI Ryan Center Attendance by Millions
The consulting group hired by the new ownership group of the Pawtucket Red Sox was the same one retained by the state to conduct the business plan for the University of Rhode Island's Ryan Center in 2000 -- and furnished attendance projections for the Center which proved to be overinflated by nearly 30% over the course of its first ten years.
For the full story click here.
April 20, 2015
Bill Introduced to Require Voter Approval for PawSox Stadium Deal
New legislation has been introduced that would require voters to “approve any financial arrangement that obligates the state to fund the debts of others with respect to a baseball stadium.”
For the full story click here.
April 20, 2015
John Loughlin: PawSox in Providence – A Counter Offer
Here is John Loughlin’s “counter-offer” to the new owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox.
Click here for the full story.
April 20, 2015
Moore: A Preposterous PawSox Proposal
After the jaw-dropping proposal from the Pawtucket Red Sox ownership, that would, among other things, force Rhode Islanders to pay the team $120 million for an $85 million stadium they'll build was released, former State Representative David Segal took to Facebook to ask a question: Why wouldn't the state just buy the team itself?
Click here for the full story.
April 20, 2015
Leaders’ Reactions Mixed to Providence Sox Stadium Proposal
The new owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox have announced their proposal to build a $85 million stadium in Providence -- and while many Rhode Island elected officials and leaders have taken a wait-and see approach, a number have voiced their outright opposition to the plan as presented.
Click here for the full story.
April 21, 2015
PawSox Owners Have Given Hundreds of Thousands in Political Contributions
The new ownership group of the Pawtucket Red Sox has given hundreds of thousands of dollars in political contributions to candidates and elected officials in Rhode Island -- and its lobbying and communications team have donated over six figures combined on top of that.
Click here for the full story.
April 26, 2015
Opposition Mounting Against Providence Sox Stadium Proposal
The 195 Commission reversed its decision to hold its meeting on the proposed Providence stadium Monday in closed session, announcing Friday it would now hold Monday's meeting open to the public, but public opposition to the proposed deal continues to grow.
For the full story click here.
April 27, 2015
Dr. Mazze - Asking the Right Questions Now on PawSox
The PawSox stadium proposal is on a fast-track to obtain financial support in one way or another from Rhode Island and the City of Providence. Various studies have been presented on the viability of a new stadium in Providence, and another study of about $150,000 has been commissioned.
For the full story click here.
April 27, 2015
New PawSox Stadium Location Emerges in Providence
A new stadium location in Providence has emerged as an alternative to the proposed 195 Commission land, GoLocalProv has exclusively learned.
For the full story click here.
April 29, 2015
Owners of Potential New PawSox Site Issue Statement As Alternative to 195 Land
The owners of the Victory Plating site that GoLocalProv unveiled as an alternative site on Sunday have issued a statement regarding their site as the potential new home of the PawSox.
For the entire story click here.
May 1, 2015
Dr. Mazze - New PawSox Stadium v. 38 Studios Lessons Unlearned
Dr. Mazze writes, “Bringing up 38 Studios as the discussion for public financing and tax forgiveness continues for a new PawSox stadium in Providence gets the immediate response……we have to move forward.”
For the full story click here.
May 1, 2015
RI GOP: Convention Center Contracts Warning Sign for PawSox Deal
The Rhode Island House Republican Policy Group continued their investigation into the state's spending on the Convention Center Authority (CCA) at a meeting on Thursday, releasing findings from an Auditor General report that showed massive contact cost overruns in the 1990s that they said serve as a warning sign.
For the full story click here.
May 11, 2015
Moore: Mattiello Must Leave Pawsox Fate Up To Voters
GoLocal contributor believes that “Rhode Islanders should be asked directly if they want to spend tens of millions to pay for a new stadium for the wealthy men who now own the Pawtucket Red Sox.”
For the full story click here.
May 12, 2015
PawSox Want $120M, South Carolina Lands Volvo for $200M in Incentives
The Pawtucket Red Sox new ownership is asking for $120 million in incentives from Rhode Island and a tax break from the City of Providence voiding property taxes for thirty years. The PawSox employ less than 30 full-time employees.
For the full story click here.
May 14, 2015
Economist Says PawSox Leverage Over RI is Overstated
Rhode Island House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello’s (D-Cranston) recent Pawtucket Red Sox talking points make it seem like the state of Massachusetts is waiting in the wings with financial incentives to lure the team away. Victor Matheson, a prominent economics professor from the College of the Holy Cross, poured cold water on that notion.
For full story click here.
May 18, 2015
PawSox President Jim Skeffington Dies
Jim Skeffington, the PawSox President and driving force behind the proposed move of the team to Providence, has died of a heart attack at age 73.
For the full story click here.
May 18, 2015
PawSox Release Statement on Jim Skeffington Passing Away
Pawtucket Red Sox President James Skeffington passed away of a heart attack early on the morning of May 18th. The Pawtucket Red Sox have released a statement regarding his passing.
For the full story click here.
May 19, 2015
What’s Next for the PawSox?
The passing of Pawtucket Red Sox President James Skeffington raises new questions about the future of a Providence stadium, as the ownership group was in the midst of negotiating a new deal with Governor Raimondo and state leaders -- and embarking on a community tour to hear from residents of the city, spearheaded by Skeffington.
For the full story click here.
May 26, 2015
Pawtucket Fights to Keep PawSox: Mayor Grebien’s Letter to Larry Lucchino
Just days after the passing of Pawtucket Red Sox owner James Skeffingon, Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien wrote a letter to Boston Red Sox owner Larry Lucchino.
For the full story click here.
June 5, 2015
Bill to Require Voter Approval for PawSox Stadium in House Finance
The Rhode Island House Finance Committee is hearing testimony Thursday afternoon on legislation to require voter approval for any financial agreement the State of Rhode Island may make with any professional sports franchise -- including any new PawSox stadium in Providence.
For the full story click here.
June 8, 2015
Tens of Thousands Sign Petitions Against PawSox Providence Stadium Deal
Petition signatures opposing the Pawtucket Red Sox moving to Providence have totaled over 10,000 signatures to date, with two petitions -- one to keep the Pawtucket Red Sox at McCoy Stadium and one to call for no financial aid from Providence -- slated to be delivered to leadership this week.
For the full story click here.
June 22, 2015
PawSox Stadium Opponents to Up Pressure at State House this Week
The Rhode Island General Assembly might be in the waning days of the 2015 session, but opponents to a Providence PawSox stadium are planning to ramp up their efforts to let lawmakers know they oppose a new deal if put forth -- or a special session to consider one.
For the full story click here.
June 26, 2015
PawSox Stadium Opponents Rally at RI State House
Opponents to a Providence stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox rallied at the Rhode Island State House on Thursday, June 25th -- GoLocalTV was on location to get the scoop.
For video footage click here.
June 29, 2015
David Norton: PawSox Owners Trying to Buy Support
Why are the PawSox owners buying support with a catered dinner at a Salvation Army food pantry in South Providence?
For the full story click here.
June, 2016
Pawtucket and PawSox Hire a Consultant
The Pawtucket Red Sox along with the City of Pawtucket announced in the summer of 2016 that they issued a request-for-proposals for a McCoy stadium feasibility study.
The study was to "determine the needs, upgrades, improvements, and the associated costs, of McCoy Stadium, as called for within the existing lease between the Pawtucket Red Sox, the City of Pawtucket, and the State of Rhode Island."
Dec, 2016
ABC6’s “In The Arena” - Debate Subsidy for Billionaire PawSox Owners
The panel on this week's episode of ABC6's "In the Arena" debate the need to provide subsidies to the owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox.
Moderator Joe Paolino leads the discussion and former Governor Ed DiPrete, former Attorney General Arlene Violet, former State Representative Ray Rickman, and GoLocal CEO Josh Fenton appear this week.
Jan, 2017
National Stadium Expert: Public Should Not Subsidize PawSox to Stay in Pawtucket
A leading sports economist is saying that he would personally advise no public money be spent on rehabbing - or rebuilding - McCoy Stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox, after a report released this week showed that it would cost $68 million to renovate McCoy, and at least $78 million to construct a new stadium.
“As an economist, I would personally advocate for no public money beyond a provision to infrastructure around the stadium to fans can get to the games,” said Victor Matheson, who is a Professor of Economics at Holy Cross, whose focus is on sports. “That being said, there are certainty sports fans who think that having a AAA team in town is a nice amenity for local residents so might be worth some public money. So, some level of ask might be able to get public support.”
March, 2017
Apex is the new favorite
The new preferred location is the Apex department store site in downtown Pawtucket. It has great highway access, has the potential to be an economic spark, but has numerous environmental issues.
March 2017
RI Commerce's Stefan Pryor Talks PawSox on GoLocal LIVE
Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor talked with GoLocal about Commerce's role in facilitating development of the dormant Superman Building, how he feels about the ownership of the Pawtucket Red Sox looking for assistance with keeping the team in Pawtucket, and how Commerce increased its $1 million budget to $2 million to help businesses across the state with upkeep improvements.
April, 2017
PawSox’s President Steinberg Talks New Park Potential, Saturday Fireworks, and More on GoLocal LIVE
Pawtucket Red Sox President Dr. Charles Steinberg talked with GoLocal about the team's upcoming season, the recently announced Hall of Fame list, the prospects of the future of McCoy and whether the Apex building location presents a viable option.
April, 2017
PawSox Chair Lucchino: Vision is for “Public Park” in Pawtucket
Pawtucket Red Sox Chairman Larry Lucchino told a crowd of over 100 at Slater Mill on Monday that the ball club has a "strong preference" to stay in Pawtucket.
Lucchino's remarks came during a forum hosted by Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien along with the Pawtucket Foundation, to discuss Pawtucket’s "20/20 downtown development vision" with local business and property owners to get their input.
“Pawtucket is experiencing a revitalization and a renewed sense of optimism. The commuter rail is on the horizon, new businesses are moving in, and our existing businesses are growing. Pawtucket is truly evolving,” said Grebien. “Now is Pawtucket’s time, and we want to align the efforts of the public and private sectors to capitalize on the momentum that these exciting projects are generating."
