BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Differences in wording are all that separate Hamilton County and the Reds from a new ballpark on Cincinnati's riverfront.
A source close to the talks said all substantive differences have been settled, and sides are exchanging changes in wording for a non-binding memorandum of understanding that would pave the way for a $235 million ballpark at the so-called Wedge site between Cinergy Field and The Crown.
"It's not time to chill the champagne," said Hamilton County Commissioner Tom Neyer Jr. But he said Wednesday he expects exiled Reds Chief Executive Officer and President Marge Schott to sign a deal that should be presented to her within days.
Mr. Neyer acknowledged he had no evidence Mrs. Schott will sign the document.
"I know our attorneys are discussing with (Reds') attorneys the nature of the participating signatories," Mr. Neyer said. "We expect Mrs. Schott to be an enthusiastic participant."
Hamilton County isn't sure the project will go forward if Mrs. Schott doesn't sign the deal with Reds Managing Executive John Allen, her replacement running the club while she serves her Major League Baseball (MLB) suspension.
But Cincinnati City Councilman Todd Portune remains so unenthusiastic about the Wedge he is researching putting a legally binding initiative on November's ballot that would allow voters to decide the fate of the site.
Mr. Portune said he needs 9,300 signatures by August to put the question on the ballot, and he could know as soon as today whether the vote would be legally binding.
"I don't want to be part of another Aronoff debacle," said Mr. Portune, referring to a non-binding referendum opposing purchase of the property for the performing arts complex. The vote came after the purchase and had no impact on the center's construction.
"The legal questions still have to be hashed out."
Mr. Portune also released a letter to Jim Harper, the county's chief assistant prosecutor, in which he said he expected commissioners to hold off on a stadium decision until Mr. Harper was certain they had reached decisions without violating Ohio's "sunshine laws" on open meetings.
Mr. Harper couldn't be reached for comment.
Mr. Portune's attempt to meet with top baseball officials and convince them Broadway Commons should be the site was rebuffed earlier this week. Citing a policy of not becoming involved in local issues, MLB used the same reasoning it did in September when it turned down a similar request from County Commissioner John Dowlin.
"It is disingenuous at best to assert that MLB plays no role in site selection given the active role it is playing in the nature of the current negotiations," responded Mr. Portune in Wednesday's letter to the National League.
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