Save Our Sonics Action Item: Call the Governor

In the wake of Greg Nickels announcement that the Steve Ballmer arena plan is dead, the Save Our Sonics folks are asking supporters to call the Governor Christine Gregoire and request a special session of the legislature.

The Ballmer plan requires $150 million in government funds. The city is willing to chip in $75 million, but the legislature adjourned without considering a proposal to provide the other half. The city hasn't been able to come up with it, and thus the plan is dead, unless the Governor calls the legislature back into session.

That phone number is (360) 902-4111.

UPDATE: Now their planning a rally at a Gregoire event: "Since the Governor has refused to meet with us we need to take our message to her."

They'll rally at 3:30 on Thursday during a Gregoire appearance at South Seattle Community College. Full info in the email which is after the jump, after the "Call Gregoire" email.

Full text of the email from Save Our Sonics is after the jump. Meanwhile, business journalist Jon Talton points out that WaMu could go the same way as the Sonics.

Dear Fellow Sonics Fan

Today Seattle's Mayor announced that the City can not fill the gap in funding left by the States inaction for the Key Arena Upgrade proposal.

Via our Public Disclosure requests we found that the calls to the Governor and House leadership were running 97% in favor of this proposal.

This overwhelming support for this plan was ignored by house leadership who in some cases lied about the volume and support of these calls.
Call for a special session.
Without the State authorizing King County to divert $75 million of the $423 million surplus Safeco Field funds to the project our chances of keeping the current team, and the ownership group led by Ballmer, are slim.

Now we must turn our attention to the Governor and asking her to call a special session to save the team. Please call her office at (360) 902-4111 and ask her to call a special session now so that funding can be in place before the Board of Governors vote at their meeting April 17th.

Our loud message is getting through to people and there is still significant chance for success. Please continue your support and call the Governor to POLITELY, but firmly, request her help to Save Our Sonics.

Governor Christine Gregoire Comment Line: (360) 902-4111

It is not over!

Brian and Steve
Save Our Sonics

Dear Fellow Sonics Fan

Governor Gregoire is kicking off her attempt to get re- elected this week with a bus tour of the state.

This tour wraps up Thursday afternoon at South Seattle Community College (Just north of Boeing Field).
Let's take our message to her
Since the Governor has refused to meet with us we need to take our message to her.

If you can get free Thursday afternoon at 3:30 please plan to attend a "Save Our Sonics" rally to call for a special session at the college. The bigger the crowd the more media attention we will get and the harder it will be for her to ignore our request this time.

Wear your Sonics gear, Save Our Sonics shirt, or at least some green and gold and bring your signs and banners. If you can please RSVP to Denise so we know how many to expect and so we can update you of any changes in the schedule.

RSVP if you can
Please contact Denise (volunteer (at) saveoursonics (dot) org) to RSVP and spread this around to your friends and neighbors.

Location:
South Seattle Community College/Duwamish Center
6737 Corson Avenue South, Seattle
Rally at 3:30
Map to South Seattle Community College

If we had 300 in Olympia we can do the same here. Please make every attempt to be there.

We're in it till the end!