Four out of the five Cobb County Commissioners gave the green-light to spending $300 million on a new Braves stadium in the county’s backyard.
The vote tally was hardly a surprise, with three commissioners – Chairman Tim Lee, JoAnn Birrell and Helen Goreham – touting their support of funding 45 percent of the $672 million project with taxpayer dollars since the Braves plan was first announced two weeks ago.
But how the other two commissioners — Lisa Cupid and Bob Ott, whose district includes the future stadium — would vote Tuesday was less clear. Ott and Cupid split their votes, with Ott supporting and Cupid providing the only “no” vote.
Here’s how the vote went:
Commission Chairman Tim Lee
Before Tuesday: Lee brokered the deal to bring the Braves to Cobb. In the two weeks since, he has been one of the most outspoken proponents of investing in a new Braves stadium.
On Tuesday: Lee urged a yes vote.
How he voted: Yes
District 1 Commissioner Helen Goreham
Before Tuesday: Goreham had aligned herself with Lee in enthusiastically supporting the stadium deal.
On Tuesday: Goreham restated her support.
How she voted: Yes
District 2 Commissioner Bob Ott
Before Tuesday: Ott, whose district includes the land where the stadium will be built, refused to say beforehand how he'll vote.
On Tuesday: Ott talked about studying the deal and finding comfort with its terms. "There is no other information we need to put out there," Ott said, after saying he wrestled with how quickly the deal came together.
How he voted: Yes
District 3 Commissioner JoAnn Birrell
Before Tuesday: Birrell has aligned with Lee as a stadium supporter.
On Tuesday: Birrell described the move as "an opportunity of a lifetime that we can't afford to pass up. The return on the investment is tremendous."
How she voted: Yes
District 4 Commissioner Lisa Cupid
Before Tuesday: Cupid gave no hints publicly about how she might vote.
On Tuesday: Cupid characterized the process as rushed, saying seven days is inadequate timetable for studying a complex financial deal and said in the meeting she felt "bullied" by supporters. "I believe this could've been a win-win for so many more people … if we only took more time."
How she voted: No
About the Author
