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EDITORIAL: Veterans comment on adding VyStar to arena name

Florida Times-Union - 2/13/2019

Feb. 13--Since Mayor Lenny Curry announced plans to make a change in the name of Veterans Memorial Arena, the move has drawn both interest and questions.

With City Council approval, the arena would be known as VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

The name VyStar would be added in return for VyStar's financial and program support for veterans; it would be a 15-year agreement for nearly $10 million -- and VyStar would match donations of arena customers when purchasing concessions.

There would also be a veteran memorial and discounts for veterans on concessions, tickets and parking.

Veterans would also have ticket pre-sales and be invited to a quarterly lunch hosted by VyStar.

We asked members of our Email Interactive Group, many of them military veterans, for their immediate reactions to the name change.

Mike Hull, Westside: I like it. The stadium name is sold to generate city funds. I don't see why it can't work for the arena.

Greg Streeter, Jacksonville: I am not keen on commercializing things that are billed as memorials.

Fred Blaz, Jacksonville: Veterans have a right to know the details when we're being used as pawns in a political move. Just in time for the election. Go figure. Seems like that's the only time politicians reach out to us for support -- and to do something to support us. Not all, though; some genuinely care. I challenge my friends in the City Council to do their due diligence to make sure this is truly a good deal for veterans before approving the deal! Don't hesitate to reach out to us for our opinions. They may be diverse, but you'll get a true picture of what we think rather than taking the mayor's word for it (who never even talked with us). With 150,000 of us in Northeast Florida, we make up a big enough voting block to change the winner of an election.

Al Rabassa, Southside: I am caught in the middle on this proposal. As a veteran and also a member of VyStar Credit Union, I do not believe the signage should be changed. But I am also realistic. The temptation to get more revenue by the City Council for spending will override nostalgia to leave it alone. But I believe the city charter requires any money raised selling ad space must be done through competitive bidding -- that could triple the VyStar offer.

Stephanie Cunningham, Orange Park: Once again it appears that Mayor Lenny Curry will do anything for money. I urge the City Council to maintain the ordinance from 2002 and continue to honor the veterans who requested the ban (on putting the name of any) individual, company or anything else as part of any title of the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. If VyStar really wants to support veterans, take that $9.76 million over 15 years and donate it to the various veterans support groups here in Jacksonville, such as Wounded Warriors, K9s for Warriors, Veterans 5 Star Center, etc. -- with a stipulation that the funds be used to support veterans in the greater Jacksonville area. This would provide more name recognition for VyStar than its name on another building Downtown ever could -- and it would honor the roots from which VyStar began.

Clarence Richardson, Orange Park: I am a retired Navy veteran and a member of VyStar for more than 30 years. VyStar -- which started as Jax Navy Federal Credit Union -- has been a longtime, faithful supporter of Northeast Florida and the veterans who live here. Giving VyStar naming rights seems reasonable and appropriate. For its part, VyStar gets the opportunity to insert its name and itself as an inseparable part of this important Navy town. In the end we all will benefit.

Tom Meeker, Jacksonville: What a great idea, having VyStar as a sponsor! It'll generate more revenue for Jacksonville and the programs assisting veterans. It won't cost parking spots. It won't cost prime real estate in the sports complex. And it won't create an eyesore.

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