Corroon says Real funding must be people's will

Not so fast, Sandy.

Although city leaders there say they have found a way to give Real Salt Lake public money for a stadium while keeping county leaders happy, Mayor Peter Corroon says he isn't taking the bait.

"One of our greatest pieces of information has been hearing from the public, the overwhelming majority of whom have expressed opposition to any public funding towards the stadium," Corroon wrote in a letter to Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan. "My focus remains, as it always has, with serving the public and only considering actions that will benefit all citizens."

The mayors are at odds over how much public funding the county is willing to put in, according to letters swapped between the two last week.

Corroon said he will listen to any funding plan but will only approve it if that is the people's will. And if recent polls are any indication, Salt Lake County residents are against public funding for a soccer stadium.

A May Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll of 450 county residents found 59 percent oppose giving Real $35 million in hotel tax funds to build a new stadium. Dan Jones & Associates quizzed Salt Lake County residents the week Corroon decided to deny the team's initial funding plan.

That decision prompted an overwhelming response, Corroon said. More than 200 messages flooded Corroon's computer inbox.

"Bravo! I am a Republican Salt Lake County and state delegate," Earl Rowe wrote. "Despite my political bent, I will likely vote for you again if you should choose to run. Your moderate, pro-populace approach is refreshing."

Supporters even flocked to the Deseret Morning News editorial pages.

"How refreshing to see a public official make a tough decision based on principle without regard to political fallout," Riverton resident Dave Argyle wrote. "And how refreshing to see a public official exercise careful restraint with the public checkbook."

Despite the setback of Corroon's decision, Sandy officials pushed forward.

Now Sandy's mayor, Tom Dolan, says the city "has developed a comprehensive public-private funding plan that will build the Real soccer stadium project in a timely manner."