THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 1996 TAG: 9602140373
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
A bill sponsored by Del. Jerrauld C. Jones of Norfolk to create an authority to finance stadiums or arenas in Hampton Roads sailed through the House of Delegates, 94-4, Tuesday.
The bill, which moves to the Senate, is aimed at financing a 20,000-seat indoor sports arena.
Three Virginia Beach Republicans - Leo C. Wardrup Jr., Frank W. Wagner and Robert Tata - voted against the measure.
Tata, a former University of Virginia football star and formerly head coach at Norfolk's Norview High School, said Hampton Roads doesn't need a major sports team, subsidized with public dollars.
``Cities are being conned'' by professional team owners, Tata said, ``who milk the community and then check out, leaving everyone holding the bag.''
Morton V. Whitlow, chairman of the Sports Authority of Hampton Roads, disagreed.
``I think Jerrauld senses, like we do, that there is a lot of momentum - a desire among many people to bring major professional sports to Hampton Roads,'' Whitlow said. ``He wants to make sure something is done and is to be commended for his efforts.''
Jones' bill has been altered significantly from the one he submitted last month, and he acknowledged it likely will be revised again.
The new bill contains amendments requested by Whitlow to alter the charter of the Sports Authority. The amendments would make it easier for Whitlow's group to issue bonds to finance an arena.
Nonetheless, the bill still calls for the creation of a new sports authority to fund an arena. A number of area officials, however, say the new authority is unnecessary.
Jones' authority would have nine members appointed by the governor. The current Sports Authority has a representative from eight area localities.
``Those who pay for an arena need to be represented on the authority,'' Whitlow said. ``The concept of taxation without representation went out a couple of centuries ago.''
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROPOSED BILL ARENA by CNB