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Negotiating With Steinbrenner

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 7, 2008

I write in support of the move by Commissioner Rose Ferlita and Councilman Charlie Miranda to rename Legends Field to honor George Steinbrenner.

I agree with them that Steinbrenner deserves to be recognized because of his many good deeds for the community and the people residing here.

Title to the land that now is Legends Field was acquired from the state and improved while I was serving as county administrator.

I had the responsibility of overseeing all of the negotiations with the state and with George Steinbrenner to craft the deal for the property and for the construction and operation of the improvements on the field.

I can testify that although the representatives of both parties negotiated with skill and the right measure of advocacy, there was never an attempt on Steinbrenner's part to take advantage of the public's interest in the project. To the contrary, he was reasonable and conservative with all his requests.

I was not at all surprised by the interest of Commissioner Ferlita and Councilman Miranda to honor George Steinbrenner.

Because of my various public and professional positions in the Tampa Bay area, I am very aware of Steinbrenner's generosity, his empathy for those less fortunate and his everlasting, positive community spirit.

I found him to be a man with great wealth and power who took the time to be considerate of those of us who had neither the skills nor the power to match his. I also found him to be a man of his word.

This community is fortunate to be able to count the Steinbrenner family as neighbors. My hope is that Charlie and Rose are successful in their efforts to recognize the contributions of this fine man.

Frederick B. Karl is former Hillsborough County administrator. He also served in the state Legislature and on the Florida Supreme Court.

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