Democracy in Tempe .. or is The Fix In?
After years of secret meetings, the Tempe City Council will finally go public.
November 22 will be the first citizen meeting to unveil a massive project that Tempe citizens never asked for but will cost millions of our tax money.

The project was created by a Las Vegas billionaire Alex Meruelo, owner of the Arizona Coyotes. Then, in secret, it was tailor made into a Request for Proposals (RFP), by city staff, without citizens hearing one word about it.

But now, on November 29th, at only the second Council meeting on Mr. Meruelo’s project, Tempe’s elected officials will give the go ahead on something we citizens never asked for and don’t want.

How bad is this? Consider the following.

We have been issued documentation on the proposal. (See below)
ALL Two-Hundred and Three (203) pages.
All legal and technical language.
We have less than a week to review, digest, confer and respond. All this crammed into three meetings, a week apart, (DRC and two Council meetings) during the holidays.

This “cramming” is historic and unprecedented. Never has a project of this scale and controversy been rolled over Tempe taxpayers. Never.
This prime 46-acre parcel on Town Lake would have attracted any number of financially viable developers from reputable developers. But the Cities’ elected “leaders” refused to start over with a proper and more comprehensive RFP.. looks like the Fix Was In … months ago.

And… least we forget …the “negotiations” have been in the dark.. behind closed doors just with city staff and Mr. Meruelo.

It appears our elected leaders have become an appendage of this multi-million-dollar development machine and scheme.
Is the FIX in? … what are we to believe?

But there is a way taxpayers can stop this assault on our community. A petition campaign will be launched so Tempe can vote to say NO! during a special election. So now it is on us, the citizens of Tempe, to defend our City from this assault.
This, thankfully, will go to the voters of our City. But it will be a battle. We are up against a multimillion-dollar advertising forces.

The suggestion has been made by either the media or the NHL Commissioner that. Lacking total personal financing, The Coyotes will try to “seduce” Tempe into some financing. In addition to insulting, I know the Tempe Council well. They will not be “seduced” by some smooth talking billionaire. Especially, if they hear from you with strong opposition.

I have also read that Tempe has been pursuing the Coyotes since 2019. That is not true. The Coyotes had a contract with Glendale. No city violates that kinds of situation.

My public opposition has led to comments from fans and supporters that the billionaire is privately financing the project. Does anyone believe that.

Folks, I need your help. If you agree that our city (or any city) should partner with a billionaire owner on this project, please let the Tempe City Council know. These are your tax dollars. We have substantial needs in our community. This is not one.

 DONT DO THIS TEMPE. We dont take teams away from another city, who have invested millions in taxpayer dollars in a facility for the team.  I have no idea how much in Tempe tax dollars the team is asking us to commit.  But, my guess is that it’s is in the tens of millions, if not much more .  Let me guess, they have economic impact studies that show that they will bring billions to Tempe. My guess is that they will list many “indirect benefits”, which are of questionable value. That and probably, a promise to pay Tempe back in many many years.  For those who want to remind me that Glendale “stole” the Cardinals, remember that they were using Sun Devil Stadium, a facility owned and operated by Arizona State University.  Please review the attached article about Glendale’s experience.  

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.governing.com/archive/col-glendale-arizona-hockey-team-phoenix-coyotes-arena-lease.html%3f_amp=true

I ask our members of the Tempe City. Council to be very cautious. Dont let your ego or the pressure from billionaire owners or rabid fans affect your decision.

Quote from Dan Buckley Column

“But if NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman wants the Coyotes in Arizona, and if Alex Meruelo seduces Tempe city leaders with his proposal, our hockey team will find a way.”