Stadium not in public's best interest

The week before last Tuesday's County Council meeting, the soccer owner put on a full-court press, including a meeting with Salt Lake City, Sandy, and team officials, the governor, the House speaker and others, to put pressure on the county to approve the stadium deal. Added pressure came when the owner prematurely announced a deal by holding dinner and a ground-breaking ceremony prior to the Saturday game, even though there was no deal. Furthermore, he again extended his deadline to Sunday. Talk about "bush league."

Last Tuesday, the county mayor presented a letter of intent to the County Council for its approval to proceed with negotiations with the team owner. On this, and other matters, the county mayor has been consistent in promoting policies that protect and are in the public's interest, and the council has been supportive. Their priorities of preserving open space and the quality of life for the citizens have demonstrated their ability to respond to the voters' interests.

They would do well to forget the whirlwind distraction by someone trying to sell a stadium to satisfy a few egos and get back to the people's business.

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Utah native John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations, served on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch and on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards. He also has been deputy assistant secretary of labor. E-mail: jdflorez@comcast.net