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OPINION Florida flap: Is there a baseball bias in the Bushes? By Mike Bianchi The Orlando Sentinel/KRT ORLANDO. Fla. Orl ando has steadfastly refused to build the Magic a new basketball arena, but if Gov. Jeb Bush has his way. Orlando will contribute to building the Florida Marlins a new baseball stadium. That’s right: Our baseball governor is once against try ing to be just like his big bubba, the baseball presi dent. Gov. Jeb actually is endorsing a plan being debated in the legislature that would provide S6O mil lion in state subsidies to the Marlins. In other words, he wants Orlando. Jacksonville. Tampa and everybody else in the state to chip in so the (South) Florida Marlins can have a new $325 million sta dium. What next. Guv —a state law mandating the Magic trade Tracy McGrady to Miami for Bimbo Coles to help out the Heat in the play offs? And since the Dolphins didn’t get the receiver they needed in the draft, maybe there should be an executive order: The Jags must ship Roy Williams to the Fish for the rights to Clint Stoerner. But. seriously, why would anybody propose using our state tax dollars to fund sports stadiums? What are we Habitat for Humanity? Or Insanity? It’s arguable whether local taxes should be used to build plush new playpens for billionaire sports owners. It’s downright unconscionable to use state money. "If Miami gets state money for the Marlins, then Orlando should get state money for the Magic and on down the line.” said state Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando. Actually, that seems to be the master plan. The South Florida Sun- Sentinel reported that the Marlins are "asking to keep $2 million of the sales tax the new ballpark would gen erate every year for 30 years. And they're essentially ask ing to borrow a rebate des tined for the Orlando Magic, which has yet to cement plans for a new arena. The idea is that the state would grant the Magic another rebate to use later." Admittedly, I'm all for the Magic getting a new arena, but. if it happens, it should be paid for by Orlando taxpayers not taxpayers in Pensacola. The same for the Marlins’ new stadium: If Miami wants to build it for them go for it. Just count me out. please. Astoundingly, this whole scam is nothing new; it’s just TAKE from IB died a little." Not that South didn’t try. The War Eagles manufactured numerous chances during the opening stanza but couldn’t find the net, often blasting high or wide of the Paulding goal. South striker Nelson Alvarez, along with midfield ers Cushman and Greg Bova each came close several times especially over the half’s final 20 minutes but could n't break through. Yet the outcome rarely seemed in doubt, with South controlling the ball and keep ing play in Paulding’s end for much of the night South keeper Kyle Swisher didn't get his first touch in the flow of play until 10 minutes remained in the half. “We didn’t get any pressure from our opponents,” said Dolleh, who will now look to get the Eagles ready for a tough battle with Salem Region 8-AAAA’s No. 1 seed. “I always consider every team the same,” said Dolleh. “I’ve got confidence in my boys. If we play well, we can beat anyone.” the Marlins are seeking a larger chunk than most. Since 1993, the state report edly has doled out nearly S9O million in tax rebates to 14 pro sports venues. The idea behind these rebates is that sports venues supposedly increase sales tax collections, so, therefore, the venue deserves a share of the Beautiful hard bound collectors’ edition - will be printed on acid-free archival paper. * This pictorial history will contain 128 pages, from over 100 years in words and ’• pictures, utilizing more than 350 photographs. SAVE BY ADVANCE ORDER Your 3 only 524.95 plus 51.75 tax per copy. A 1 515.00 deposit will reserve your book. ~ s ..... tjk Only those who order in advance are assured of obtaining a copy. After publication, i remaining copies will sell at 534.95 plus 52.45 k lax per cop > • Br Delivery will be by the Christmas 2004. ■j j W A gift you know will be appreciated and K| cherished. WK j J you missed getting your family AR - j n fhg fj rS f e( jjtj on now j s y Our | . • , | SECOND chance. We need to borrow your old pictures for the publication of this book RETURN ORDER BLANK TO RESERVE YOUR COPY Please enter my order for: A Pictorial History of Forsyth County, Georgia Vol. II copy(s) STANDARD EDITION @ $24.95 + $1.75 tax NA ME copy(s) LIMITED EDITION @ $75.00 + $5.25 tax ADDRESS CITY_ STATE ZIP lam enclosing payment in full. I am enclosing $15.00 deposit per STANDARD PHONE and/ or $35.00 deposit per LIMITED EDITION. Balance due when book is picked up br before MAIL TO: Forsyth County News 9hipment - P.O. Box 210 book to be shipped. Phone. 770-887-3126 money. That’s ridiculous. All businesses increase sales tax collections. Does that mean the new neighbor hood Publix should get a sales tax rebate? And why not give the guy who owns Sam’s Auto Parts a state rebate on the first $2 million worth of intake manifolds he sells? And, please, spare us the rhetoric about the Marlins being a tourist attraction. Do you really think Florida gets one additional tourism dollar because of the Marlins? Pop quiz: Which of the following doesn’t belong in a list of Florida vacation desti- FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS Friday, April 30, 2004 nations I. Disney World. 2. Busch Gardens. 3. Daytona Beach. 4. Marlins- Expos doubleheader. A few years ago, Gov. Bush vetoed a measly $250,000 in legislature approved tax money to keep afloat the Florida Sports Hall of Fame our only real state sports museum. Bush said then the money would be better spent “on hiring more teachers, restoring bur environment and ... continu ing our commitment to tax relief.” Little did we know that the tax relief would be for those who need it the least: bloated billionaire sports owners. 1 PAGE 3B