Nigel Heinsius, Graphic artist, Seattle

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"No, because I think that they want to tax regular citizens and that's not right. They shouldn't use public funds for that because economic times just aren't right. They should try to find private investors to pick up the slack... If the Mariners are worth the money everybody says they are, they should be able to pick up the money. But I've read that the Ms don't bring in that much money to the city..."

Loretta Jones, Accounting clerk, Redmond

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"Oh, yes, because I want to keep the Mariners. I don't think that the deal is blackmail -- they need the stadium. I don't mind that the taxpayers pay for it. I'm a taxpayer and I'm all for it."

Gary Wilson, Service technician, North Bend

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"I think they should approve it so that we can have baseball. I like the game! And I don't think the deal can hurt. I kind of tend to agree that it's blackmail, but I think that the team should stay. They benefit the area economically through lots of income streams. Besides, we're going to have to pay for it one way or the other, if they leave or if they stay... I'd hate to see them leave, but I will say that I've flip-flopped about it. Maybe we are being held hostage, but their season changed it around for me."

Suzanne Frye, Teller, Monroe

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"I think that they should. King County really needs the revenue it will bring in. I live in Snohomish but everyone I know who lives in King County says they need it. And everyone really likes the Mariners since they were winning... The stadium means that people from surrounding areas will go and see the events and sportsmanship kinds of things... I think baseball's a sport that enough people enjoy, so I don't mind my taxes going to pay for it."

Don Kelly, Salesperson, Renton

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"To be honest, I really don't know what should be done. We don't need the increase in taxes, and the voters have already turned it down... The voters gave a mandate and the council is just going to turn around and say 'We don't give a damn about what you say?'... The stadium really should be built because it's in the best interest of the state, not just King County. But they should spread the cost around and everybody should pay for it..."

Sherill Brace, Orchestra league president

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"I'm not a big baseball person, so that, by itself, won't be a big draw for me... I think that the top argument against it is the impact on our taxes, particularly for those who aren't apt to attend. But if you're a baseball fan, you'll love having a stadium, and perhaps we might attract more tourists because it's here. But having a stadium is no guarantee that they'll not pick up and move."

Copyright © 1995 by the Bellevue, WA-based Journal American newspaper.

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