By Christopher Twarowski
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Loudoun Board of Supervisors voted today not to approve funds that could have led to the creation of a Redskins Hall of Fame within the county.
Supervisors voted 5 to 4 against the motion, which called for $100,000 of transient occupancy tax funds to be spent on a marketing partnership between the county and the Washington Redskins. Under the arrangement, the county would have been branded the "Corporate Home of the Washington Redskins" and its logo would have been posted on the team's Web site.
The county also would have worked alongside Redskins officials to create and market destination packages for fans, including overnight stays in the county.
Lawmakers discussed the pros and cons of such a deal for about an hour before rendering their decision.
"We're trying to generate tourism and additional travel to the county," said Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run), who voted in favor of the funding. "We have the Redskins here that have millions of fans."
But some supervisors thought the marketing partnership was an inappropriate use of taxpayer funds or contended that the agreement's wording was unclear. Some cited other concerns.
"We're talking about alcohol, sex and cigars," said Supervisor Sally Kurtz (D-Catoctin), referring to some of the ads found on the team's Web site. "I don't know if I necessarily want our logo in that venue. Although I do love football."
If they had approved today's motion, the supervisors would have decided at a later date whether to spend an additional $150,000 on the second phase of the deal, which would have included the development of a Redskins Hall of Fame in Loudoun.
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