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GOLDMAN: Redskins, city hall renege on promises to school children

Posted at 12:13 PM, Aug 19, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-19 12:13:40-04
Paul Goldman is a local lawyer who helped run Doug Wilder's historic campaign for governor of Virginia.

Paul Goldman is a local lawyer who helped run Doug Wilder’s historic campaign for governor of Virginia.

FACT: The truth has never been fully reported on just how the Redskin/City Hall/Bon Secours was actually put together.

FACT: To get all the votes City Hall and the Redskins needed, the Redskins promised, agreed to be City Hall, PRIOR to the vote that the Redskins would put up their own money -Redskin money – to help fix the football facilities in the city of Richmond.

There was no specific dollar amount.

How do I know? Because the true story – not the one told in the press or by City Hall – of how the finally agreement that got unanimous support from City Council was actually put together in terms of the specifics. The agreement needed 7 votes, and at the time, there were 4 indicating opposition to the original deal. So a better one, more favorable to Richmond, had to be developed.

THE TRUE STORY ON HOW THAT WAS DONE HAS NEVER BEEN REPORTED.

I know the true story: So I can say the money pledged by the NFL, roughly 20% of the money needed to pay for an incredibly expensive artificial turf football field at John Marshall High, DOES NOT satisfy the promise connected to the Redskin/City Hall agreement. .

The promise was for REDSKIN DIRECT MONEY, not NFL money. .

It is way past time for City Hall and the City Council to stand up for the kids who were promised certain things as a pre-condition to getting the Training Camp approved and paid-for with city money.

The Redskins can afford to keep their direct promise.

It is also way past time for the media in Richmond tell the whole story.

Paul Goldman is in no way affiliated with WTVR. His comments are his own, and do not reflect the views of WTVR or any related entity. Neither WTVR nor any of its employees or agents participated in any way with the preparation of Mr. Goldman’s comments.