The Hinsdalean
By Pamela Lannom
One of seven children • Has twin granddaughters • Attended Illinois State on a baseball scholarship • Is working to bring Cubs spring training to Naples • Helped found a mathematics software company • Spent 19 years in banking
Read the original article on eastvalleytribune.com
A Florida newspaper is reporting that the investors behind a bid to lure the Chicago Cubs away from their spring training home in Mesa have decided to step back.
The group reportedly wants to see how events unfold in Arizona.
By Carrie Muskat
Team officials have notified the Naples, Fla., group trying to lure the Cubs to the Sunshine State that they will continue exclusive negotiations with Mesa beyond Monday’s deadline. The Cubs and Mesa had established a July 12 deadline in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to have financing in place for the new facility.
As a member of the city of Naples Blue Ribbon Finance Planning Committee this past spring, I became very aware of the significant financial situation the city of Naples — and Collier County — is facing. The property values, sales tax revenue and tourist contribution to the economy are all declining. This will result in a decrease of government services, an increase in taxes or both. It’s my hope that community leaders, business leaders and political leaders work together to reverse these trends. The problem is that our choices are limited.
By Brent Batten
CHICAGO – When you’re trying to persuade the Chicago Cubs of something, it never hurts to have Mr. Cub on your side.
Craig Bouchard, point man in the effort to wrest Cubs spring training from Mesa, Ariz., in favor of Naples, appears to have convinced beloved former Cub Ernie Banks that a move to Florida would be a good idea.
“He’s a futurist, that’s what I see,” Banks said late Friday during a meeting with Bouchard.
By DAVID MOULTON
It’s easy for a huge story to get lost in the shuffle of Tiger Woods and the holidays. For the past two months there have been various reports concerning the Chicago Cubs’ potential spring training move to Collier County.
The Chicago Cubs are considering making a financial investment in a proposed spring training facility near Naples, Fla., according to people familiar with the team.
Craig Bouchard, who is leading an effort to lure the Cubs to Florida, said the team is a possible investor in the proposed development. A Cubs official confirmed that the team is exploring a number of options, including a financial interest in a Florida spring training complex.
By Carrie Muskat
CHICAGO — Florida Gov. Charlie Crist met with Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of relocating the team’s Spring Training and player development facilities from Arizona to Florida.
Crist met in Tallahassee, Fla., with Ricketts and team president Crane Kenney, and the governor said he’s willing to go “as far as possible” to lure the team.
By Carrie Muskat
NAPLES, Fla. — Two Florida businessmen didn’t think it was possible that the Cubs might relocate their Spring Training site from Arizona to here until they looked the team’s new owners, the Ricketts family, in the eyes.
Now, Craig Bouchard and Gary Price have partnered with others in this southwest Florida coastal city in an effort to convince the Cubs to make Collier County their new home.
By DAVID MOULTON
In the aftermath of my report Sunday that the Chicago Cubs are seriously considering moving their minor league operations and making Naples their spring training home, I’ve received more than 700 e-mails (cubstocollier@gmail.com) from Collier County residents and sports fans who have questions, concerns or doubts about this story.