Mayor Potter's Letter to David Samson of the Marlins

We are pleased to display this letter sent last week by Mayor Potter to Marlins' President David Samson. We are appreciative of the Mayor's welcoming tone, and look forward to continuing a dialog with both the Marlins and the City. Thank you to all of those who took the time to express your support for bringing Major League Baseball to Portland.

Thanks Maury.... I think you and your guys assisted the Mayor and his staff to see the opportunities that come with Major League Sports Teams. Way to go I will email the Mayor with my thanks.

Hello,

This is a terrific letter by the mayor. Very encouraging. With the news regarding MLB's distaste for Las Vegas, I would think Portland has a solid chance should south Florida fail to build a stadium. At least the mayor has left open the door to work out an agreement. Good news!!!

Potter called the city the "City IF Roses" lol

hahaha. You would think he would use spell checker, or at least have someone else proof-read it before he sent it out.

Now's a good opportunity to send him a note of thanks for this display of open-mindedness; that's the fair and right (and encouraging) thing to do.

Is this going to get any play in the local media?

quote:

Originally posted by BC in Newberg:
Is this going to get any play in the local media?

Yes, The Fan mentioned it last night.

This is a great turn around. My letter of thanks is on the way.

CMM... this was the "secret" you asked about. By the way...

I will not be commenting on this letter, other than to say the statement from the Campaign speaks for itself.

awesome. that is very good news, despite the spelling error

Nice! This is gold, Maury! I was compleetly unaware of this! Tom Potter is changing his tone, albeit slowly...it's safe to say that Portland is definately getting a second shot at an MLB team (even a third shot!)

Although I am at odds with the mayor over other issues I did send him a gracious thank you letter. We must give credit where credit is due and he earned it.
Also kudos to all who took the time to create heartfelt letters. I like to think all those letters in some way had a positive influence on the tone of Tom Potter's letter to David Samson.
That was a great move on your part Maury to suggest a letter writing campaign.
OSC....is good stuff!

All of us who sent the Mayor letters urging him to re-think his position now should send letters voicing our approval of his more constuctive position.

i think we are the front-runners for the marlins if they decide to relocate. to show we're serious, a name and uniform design contest(s) would be nice to see.

I still want to see renderings of our future ballpark from HOK. That's what will get people pumped up.

Agreed CMM!

If the money can be found we have the possibility of three owner groups and the MLB (Nats) looking around and saying, "Man, look at what Portland has to offer". A picture says a thousand words. With the annoucement of possible condo towers near the Rose Quarter, an update to the site planning and the renderings could be eye-popping.

I just hope the MC site can be used for MLB. The land is already in public hands and new roads and light rail stops are not needed. I just don't see it working there without taking out the resturant and the ticket office plus going over Interstate Blvd..

I'm starting to think that we have a default winner for the site (USPS) because of the developments about to happen at Blanchard.

Lets hope HOK can work something out for the MC Site because the Pearl District will not be happy campers. I believe the neighbors would much rather see more condos, coffee shops, art galleries, and parks for their dogs at the USPS site.

BB

True enough on all points. Although if the city owns the land or purchases the land at the USPS, they can do with it as they please. From my point of view this is by far the superior site. But I certainly wouldn't object to a new park at the coliseum site.

Either way it's time to get something on the drawing board. However much it costs, it's worth it to show the Marlins, Twins and A's that we are a serious contender. It's one thing for the Marlins to want a new park. It's another thing to wet their whistle with renderings of the real thing. It just puts us that much farther ahead in the game.

Agreed, CMM, I think that you guys should get started with the renderings and the like, because it would then give the Marlins a clear cut look at it. It also wouldn't hurt down the road to get new jerseys going, (but note the words "down the road", I don't mean right now)

Just sent my letter of thanks to the mayor. For what it's worth, here's what I said:

Dear Mayor Potter,



I saw your letter to David Samson, president of the Florida Marlins, yesterday on the Oregon Stadium Campaign web site, and wanted to take a moment to say "Thank you" for contacting him with an offer to investigate further the possibility of his team moving to Portland. The letter was gracious, inviting, and a positive statement indeed about the benefits the Marlins might derive from relocating here. THIS is the kind of encouraging statement we need from you and other political leaders if major league baseball in Portland is ever to become a reality.



Again, I would reiterate that such a move would be so good for our city and our state in terms of national recognition, new jobs, an increased tax base, and an additional tourist attraction. Your willingness to work with the Marlins and with efforts on the part of the various proponents of baseball for Portland are a step in the right direction, and I applaud you for your positive stance. This effort need not, and should not, affect your hard work toward improving the educational system and public safety of our community; the two can go hand-in-hand. You may catch some negative response from a few constituents who don't want baseball at any cost, even when they don't understand all the issues, but rest assured that the baseball fans of Portland – and we are many! – will be solidly behind you.



Thank you once again for taking the time to contact the Marlins on behalf of all the baseball fans in Oregon. We can do this!

Great letter Blair! You covered all the bases with grace.

The good reverend strikes again

Just seems like we've gotta handle this guy with kid gloves. Any way to get him on our side!

wow. did i just read what i thought i read? what is this the twilight zone? Its sunny in Oregon right now, reltaively warm and mayor potter thinks MLB2PDX is a good idea???

Seriously tho, Great job guys! i know your letters and emails have convinced the mayor to take a more open minded stance on this. I also sent mayor potter a thank you email as follows:

---------------------------------------------
Dear Mayor Potter,

I am writing you today in regard to your letter to David Samson, President of the Florida Marlins dated January 26 2006.
Before I begin, Id like to tell you a little about myself. I am a student in Portland State University's College of Urban Studies & Planning. I am in my final quarter at PSU where I will soon complete a degree in Community Development. I have also had past intern experience at the City of Portland in the Office of Transportation.

Although I did not originally vote for you, I do appreciate your efforts as Mayor in Community Development, Community Policing and funding education. Additionally, I have favored your enthusiasm for bringing more diversity to the City of Portland's work force, as well as increasing cultural awareness in the City of Portland in general. I also wish you luck as you embark on your trip to Kaohsiung, Taiwan (where my father is from) tomorrow. Bridging Portland and Taiwan will bring many great economic opportunities to Portland.

Similarly, I believe that bringing Major League Baseball will also provide Portland with a great economic opportunity. In this regard, I would like to thank-you for taking a proactive approach in dealing with the Florida Marlins' potential move to the City of Roses. Not only will the Marlins provide jobs, they will also "put Portland on the map" and bring in tourism dollars. I for one, will no longer have to drive to Seattle and spend my money at Mariners games, when I can stay right here in Portland to watch our own MLB team.

We could also use the team to create some unique funding mechanisms for schools. Imagine a ticket tax that would give schools, say, a dollar for every ticket sold (or even 25 or 50 cents). That would add up to a lot of school funding that wasnt available before. As a MLB fan, I would support such a tax. Not only will I be able to enjoy the game with my friends and family, but I can also feel confident that the team was helping the community.

As I originally stated, I did not vote for you in the last election. Nor did I necessarily support your campaign. However, with your recent efforts in funding education AND providing hope for a MLB team in Portland, I must say you are quickly changing my mind and I am now seriously considering giving you my vote when you run for re-election. Portland is already a great place, but it has so much more potential. With your efforts in Community Development, Increasing Diversity, Funding Schools AND Bringing in MLB baseball... Portland will not only be a model American city, it will also have a lot of citizens with a lot of pride.

Any citizen who says he might change his vote TO the mayor instead of AGAINST him because of his support of MLB2PDX is bound to get his attention (if he's a typical politician)!

quote:

Originally posted by BC in Newberg:
is bound to get his attention (if he's a typical politician)!

that was the idea

I live just outside of the city limits, but Mayor Potter has my symbolic vote.

quote:

I live just outside of the city limits, but Mayor Potter has my symbolic vote.

I'm down in Newberg. I wonder if he really pays any attention to what I think or write, either, since I'm not IN Portland.