Chief Backer Recommends Delay for Spring Training Project

One of the primary supporters of a new Chicago Cubs spring training facility to be built in east Mesa has proposed deferring a specific funding plan until next year. State of Arizona House Majority Leader John McComish has recommended that the City of Mesa and the Cubs amend their Memorandum of Understanding to allow extra time to work out the details involved in this complex undertaking. This is probably a good idea on several counts. It gives both supporters and opponents more time to organize and possibly work out a compromise. From a public standpoint, hopefully many of the missing links will be filled in over time. Some very basic elements, such as the location of the facility and how Mesa intends to raise its portion of the funding, need to be addressed openly. Likewise, extra time will allow the opportunity for private funding proposals to be firmed up and considered by all parties.