Lars Larson: Blazer remodel rejected, despite extortion

By Lars Larson
NW and national radio host,

The Northwest Nonsense

A brand new public opinion poll shows massive opposition to taxpayer funding of MODA center renovation that mostly benefits billionaire ball team owner Tom Dundon.

This is the second poll done by Oregon Capitol Watch Foundation.

And here’s where it gets very interesting. The first poll showed almost 71 percent of Oregon taxpayers oppose spending hundreds of millions of dollars to fix up the MODA.

Then came the not-so-subtle threat from new Trailblazer owner Tom Dundon, “fix it up or I’ll take my ball team and leave town”.

That’s a paraphrase but I think it’s totally accurate.

When the new poll asked if citizens supported the Round Ball Remodel given the threat, opposition actually grew from 71 percent to 77.

Apparently, citizens don’t like extortion.

Former State Rep Jeff Kropf, points out that nearly three-quarters of those polled, even in the very liberal Portland metro, don’t like taxpayers paying to benefit Tom Dundon’s team.

Meanwhile, I’m still searching for former Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, who created this whole mess, by buying the MODA for a dollar two years ago.

That’s the Rose City Rap. Join me at noon on KXL for First Amendment Friday. I’m Lars Larson