An organization opposing plans for a new baseball stadium for the Cardinals urged the St. Louis County Council on Tuesday to put the issue before the voters.

The proposal involves a $45 million bond issue that could be the county's contribution to the project.

Fred Lindecke, a spokesman for the Coalition Against Public Funding for Stadiums, said voters approved the hotel and motel tax in 1990 that helps retire bonds for the Edward Jones Dome. He said, "There is no reason why county taxpayers should not vote on this issue."

Lindecke asserted that the plan for a new Cardinals stadium would give away taxpayers' money to "millionaire Cardinal owners who don't need the money."

Revenue from the hotel and motel tax would retire the $45 million bond issue. The council will consider the bonds at a committee meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday.

In an interview, Lindecke said his group lacked the resources to force the bond issue to a referendum. The group would have to collect about 25,000 signatures, he said. Lindecke urged county residents to tell their council members that the bonds should go to a vote.

County Executive George R. "Buzz" Westfall, a supporter of the bonds, said in an interview that voters elect officials to make such decisions.

Pulitzer Inc., owner of the Post-Dispatch, and its chairman, Michael E. Pulitzer, are investors in the Cardinals. Their combined stake is slightly less than 4 percent.

In other matters, the council re-elected Councilman Greg Quinn, R-Ballwin, as chairman, and Councilman John Campisi, R-south St. Louis County, as vice chairman for one-year terms.

Councilman Richard "Skip" Mange, R-Town and Country, introduced a bill to prohibit the county from issuing new licenses for any taxicab until June 30. Mange, chairman of the council's taxicab committee, said the new Regional Taxicab Commission asked for the measure to help it prepare to take over licensing of taxis in St. Louis and St. Louis County.

The council voted to adjust staff pay ranges to give raises to two aides to council members, who earn about $51,000 a year, and an administrative secretary. They were at the top of the previous ranges. On Dec. 23, the proposal failed because it passed by a 3-2 vote, one short of the four needed to make the change.


Reporter Phil Sutin:
E-mail: psutin@post-dispatch.com
Phone: 314-863-2812