The Fan Voice: "Hypoc-Rosen"

By Live or Die Magic | October 29th, 2007


Are you bored? Could you use a couple of hours of mindless entertainment? No, I’m not talking about another “Saved By the Bell” marathon. I’m talking about visiting Harris Rosen’s “anti-venue” website. Please note: visiting this website and having a look around doesn’t mean you support him or his petition (just make sure not to click the “Sign Petition” link!!).

But before I give you the link, let me tell you that I recently read a blog entry from the Sentinel’s Scott Maxwell which updated Harris Rosen’s progress with this petition to force the county/city to allow the general county populace to vote on the decision to allow tourist tax money (and other sources of funding) to be used on the three new venues. It turns out that as of last week, Rosen still needed 31,000 signatures on his petition. It looks like he actually admitted that getting these signatures was harder than he thought it would be. Funny, I thought he could just throw tourist tax money at a problem! I also appreciated Maxwell’s candor when he pointed out the real hypocrisy of this petition effort: Rosen did not voice a similar concern that the people should vote to decide how large sums or tax dollars are spent when the Orange County Convention Center expansion was being approved by the County Commission.

The fun begins when you start to read some of the comments posted by some of the Sentinel readers in response to Maxwell's blog. For instance, one reader feels that we have to view the Convention center expansion as different from the use of the tax dollars for the Venues because funding the Convention center was part of the initial intent of the tourist tax. Well, that is in fact, accurate. But what is also accurate is that the new venue vote a few months ago changed the use of the tourist tax by the exact same means as the previous Convention center expansion: by use of a super-majority vote by the County Commissioners. Therefore the vote authorizing the use of tourism tax dollars for the new venues is just as valid and just as legal as the previous vote to allow for a further expansion of the Convention center. So, Orange County citizens can be upset by it and they can disagree with it, but they cannot question it’s validity or legality.

Another reader points out one of my favorite and often forgotten little truths in this whole ordeal: the argument that since we are a democracy, we should all vote on it. Actually, I remember from my 9th grade Civics class that we are NOT a democracy, but instead we are a representative republic. We elect officials to represent us in matters affecting us locally, regionally, and nationally. By voting for these officials, we are providing them with the right to represent our views, for better or worse. Well, the County Commissioners did represent our views when they voted 5-2 to allow tourist tax money to fund the three venues.

For those of you who would care to check out the Maxwell’s blog update on this issue, please go here: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_local_namesblog/2...anti-venues-sit.html

Now, back to the mindless fun I mentioned in my opening paragraph. Rosen has created a website to help push his anti-venue platform. Here is the website: www.letsalldecide.com. I just love the name: “lets all decide!” Seems to me that we already did! Oh, you might want to put on your sarcasm filters before you read the rest of this blog...I lay it on pretty thick.

As you enter the website, you get to see transitioning photos of alleged Orange County voters who are all proud that they “decide.” If you watch long enough to see all the photos, you will note that with the exception of a construction worker-type, all the photos are of “professional” people wearing dress clothes. From reports I have read, I am not sure that this is the type of citizen that Rosen has been targeting with his petition for signatures.

Also, I just love this paragraph on the front page which describes the purpose of the site:

"Orange County voters have a right to know how their hard-earned tax money will be spent. However, the Orange County Commission recently voted 5-2 against a referendum that would have allowed voters to determine the necessity of spending public money on the new Performing Arts Center, new Orlando Magic Arena and the Citrus Bowl. Join the battle to reestablish our full rights as American citizens by signing a petition that requires the Commission to hold a referendum every time tourist taxes are used for expenditures of more than $25 million."

Where should I start? Ok, first off, let us explore that very first sentence, specifically the “hard earned tax money.” Hard earned? Is Rosen referring to our income taxes? Because I’m pretty sure that Orange County doesn’t get any of that. Could Rosen be referring to my Federal income taxes? If that is the case, then I think someone much higher than Rich Crotty would be voting on how to use it. Surely Rosen can’t be referring to the “hard earned” tourist tax? Guess what Orange County citizens, no money that came to you “hard earned” will be used to build the Magic a Sin Palace.

Now, take a look at the second sentence, particularly the words “Orlando Magic Arena.” Rosen makes sure to attach the Magic’s name to the arena to further push home the point that this is all about the Magic (which in Rosen’s mind, it is, but more on that later).

But my favorite line is the last sentence, where it says “reestablish our full rights as American citizens.” Come on guys! Didn’t you know that the Orlando Magic and the City/County leaders took away your full rights as American citizens!? Too bad that Rosen failed to read the US Constitution, you know, the one written over 200 years ago, that says the people will elect representatives to decide the issues for them. So, basically, he is wanting to “battle” for a right that I never had in the first place!

To the right of the page, you will see a couple of “Testimonials,” including one from Harris Rosen himself! Oh joy!!

"I have been asked by many citizens why we have initiated this petition drive. I can tell you that we have done it for a number of reasons. First and foremost ... because it is the right thing to do." - Harris Rosen

I’m confused, how is this the right thing to do? The right thing to do for who? For Rosen? Is it the right thing to do because Rosen FEELS it is the right thing to do? Or maybe he just doesn't feel it is the left thing to do? I need further explanation on this.

I clicked on the link titled “Facts” and since it said “Facts” I took it as truth. But then I saw what they meant by “facts:”

Orange County will provide nearly $300 million for the new arena but will never receive a penny back for its generous contribution?

Although Orange County is providing the majority of the money for the new Orlando Magic arena, it will never receive any revenues or any ownership rights?

What? Hello!? Rosen seems to forget that even though the city and county have separate governments, they still have to occupy the same physical space. Therefore, many of the tourist tax dollars were garnered from money spent at hotels that are located within the Orlando city limits. So why should the County begrudge the city from making revenue off of some of the tourist tax?

He is trying to be cute with the wording here, implying that all profits go to the Magic. What about all the profits from the dozens and dozens of events that will be held on the arena during the 300 plus days that the Magic aren’t using it? What about all the concession dollars, parking dollars, and ad revenue during those events? Please. As for the second bullet, again he says the County will not receive revenues. He is likely meaning for the actual Magic games – which would be factual, but he makes sure to word it in a way to imply that the County won’t receive any revenue, period. As for the last two words, that just doesn’t make sense, I can’t even thinking of a response to it.

Oh, here is another “fact:”

The lease agreement with the Orlando Magic eliminates any likelihood that another sports franchise will ever share the arena since the Magic receive all advertisement, corporate suite and naming rights revenue?

He fails to mention that the only other major viable sport to use an indoor facility would be hockey, and we are just dying to get an NHL team!

Here is one last good one:

Orlando Magic owner Rich DeVos spent approximately $35.5 million in an unsuccessful attempt to get his son elected Governor of Michigan and yet he refuses to put more capital into his team?

First off, this is a low blow. It speaks to my earlier mention that for Rosen, this is about the Magic, not about what is “right.” Rosen went on air and stated that he would drop his petition drive if DeVos would donate another 12 million to the venues. So, apparently in Rosen’s mind, it is OK for voters to give up their right to decide, if he is successful in strong-arming another 12 million out of a guy richer than him. Seems to me that this is a personal issue for Rosen, having nothing to do with the full rights of American citizens.

Oh, and again I have get picky with the semantics. The above bullet mentions that DeVos “refuses to put more capital into his team.” I could be remembering wrong, but I think DeVos just spent 200 million on two of the best players in the NBA. I’d say he is putting plenty of capital into his team.


This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.

"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"

Rosen is such a loser.

quote:

Originally posted by djmase20:
Rosen is such a loser.

Wow, that was a fast post!
If you read that whole thing in 7 minutes, I will buy you an O-rena Chicken Tender Basket.

Rosen is having a tough time because he preys on people that are not given all of the information. There has been such a huge amount of info on these new projects that he can't just run around and grab anyone to sign his petition. Anyone with any knowledge of the situation can see how odd it is that a guy who has benefited from these tax dollars on a building that has nothing to do with us is pitching a fit about those dollars being used on buildings that do benefit us.

Rosen sounds like a little child throwing a temper tantrum. I can't wait till he wants another expansion on the convention center and I hope that no one forgets about this when that time comes.

Well, you do know what type of bedfellows politics make....don't you? Yes and the answer is strange, just like the snake that he is, he will be remembered for the insulting and shameful manner that he threw at the honest people in troubled parts of the county! The other fuuny part about politics, is that it is transparent.....and Mr. Rosen...we can see your Tweety Bird boxers Dude, you have been outed!!! By the way, LOD, that is one heck of a commentary, you are indeed a talented and well versed Writer!! Good job!!!!

i just read it in 6 minutes... just in time to get another post..

With time running out he has only 13% of the needed signatures. He is having about as much success trying to get people to join him as Dan Quayle at a spelling bee.

quote:

First off, this is a low blow. It speaks to my earlier mention that for Rosen, this is about the Magic, not about what is “right.” Rosen went on air and stated that he would drop his petition drive if DeVos would donate another 12 million to the venues. So, apparently in Rosen’s mind, it is OK for voters to give up their right to decide, if he is successful in strong-arming another 12 million out of a guy richer than him. Seems to me that this is a personal issue for Rosen, having nothing to do with the full rights of American citizens.

Great point. Don't they have until tomorrow to gather signatures??

Another one:

I was looking at this page (http://www.letsalldecide.com/Facts.htm) and noticed the two quotes. One by Harris and the other by this guy named Ted Edwards. He says,"Orange County should not subsidize professional sports without voter approval. If the Magic want to leave town because voters will not build them a new arena, let them!" It turns out that Ted is just another tool. In fact, he is "a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP, where he is a member of the firm's Real Estate Practice and Golf & Resort Industry Team." He also worked on the financing team for the Rosen Hospitality Management school at UCF. Tool.

Another one:

On their "News" page there is a response to a Sentinel editorial. It says:

"it may be one thing for the Sentinel to claim Mr. Rosen's plan "stinks" but it is quite another to characterize this man as "selfish". Must the Sentinel be reminded that this is the same man who not too long ago donated $30 million to build a hotel management school at UCF?"

Hmm... Are you sure that is not selfish. Where will these people work when they graduate? This happens all the time at universities. It is most obvious in the sciences. For example, a company will donate millions of dollars for research to a university. The university will research something the company has an interest in, and when they come up with favorable results, who benefits? The company will take the findings and make money from it. Basically, it is companies using universities as their R & D. I have no issue with this, but call it what it is. Harris footed the bill for the hospitality management school to benefit HIS hotels. Call me crazy, but that sounds selfish to me, right?

You mean kinda like donating money to people in the area's around his hotels?

What is sad about Rosen is it seems that even when he appears to be doing something nice, it is in some way benefitting him.

quote:

Originally posted by bhnole:
With time running out he has only 13% of the needed signatures. He is having about as much success trying to get people to join him as Dan Quayle at a spelling bee.

Oh, I've gotta play this game. Rosen is going down like LOD on a first date. BAM!

Everyone has an agenda and it usually is to make more money...including Rosen and DeVos. All the facts I need are that the Magic are getting a new HALF BILLION facility by merely chipping in...at the most...100 million dollars. And how do the Magic show their appreciation...by selling the rights to broadcast their games to a company (FSN) that does not broadcast them locally. The Magic should have made certain as part of the deal that their games would have been broadcast locally. The way this deal was handled was idiotic and/or greedy!

quote:

Originally posted by knightmite:
Everyone has an agenda and it usually is to make more money...including Rosen and DeVos. All the facts I need are that the Magic are getting a new HALF BILLION facility by merely chipping in...at the most...100 million dollars. And how do the Magic show their appreciation...by selling the rights to broadcast their games to a company (FSN) that does not broadcast them locally. The Magic should have made certain as part of the deal that their games would have been broadcast locally. The way this deal was handled was idiotic and/or greedy!

I'll be the first one to admit that DeVos is just as greedy as Rosen. However, DeVos does not hide behind the claim that he really cares about the community, and that this has nothing to do with his hotel business. Rosen is a liar. Push comes to shove, I want to watch the Magic in a new shiny arena, attend concerts that are skipping Orlando altogether as of now, and live in a city that actually has a sense of community. But hey, I'm selfish too.