Dave Dixon, one of the pioneers getting the Saints to New Orleans, saw what the NFL means to a city. First of all, we need the Saints for the Superbowl. The NFL loves to come to New Orleans for the Superbowl (we have hosted it more than any other city). Some studies have shown the Superbowl to have a 300- 500 million dollar impact on an area. Even if this was not the case, where would our tourism, Mardi gras, and convention business be without the free advertising that the Saints and the Superbowl give to the world that New Orleans is a World Class City.

Second, our economy needs tax dollars desperately to fund our government. Saints provide jobs and tax dollars to the state's general fund. Of Course, Gov. Blanco thinks that New Orleans should pay for the Saints. I feel that if the New Orleans area will be paying for the Saints the tax dollars should stay in the city. Or if the state wants the tax dollars, they should find an amicable way to pay for the deal. Gov. Blanco says that she is trying to bring business to LA. What does it say to the world when she chases one of the most well recognized organizations in the world right out of our state because she does not know how to negotiate in public.

i guarantee the people of new york did not question george steinbrenner about his yacht's, limousines or anything else personal that he elected to purchase for his own enjoyment..the leader of the state of louisiana should have more sense than begin and continue in negtiations in this manner. As a fan of the saints, lets get on with the positive side of things, also the state and other cities in the state and in the saints viewing area, do have a stake in whether the saints remain here or leave. On a recent trip to arkansas i traveled through mississippi to jackson I-20 to vicksburg, to tallulah,la and up US 63 to Little Rock,Ark. for every gas station and conveneice store i stopped in lsu and the saints items were all over the place, I'm also a frequent traveler of I-10 biloxi to houston, and from biloxi to orange texas you find nothing but lsu and saints items.. After reading the times pic this morning, i needed to vent,, thanks for opp

saff/biloxi,ms

Would you be happier if the Saints were re-located to Baton Rouge? Is it because you are envious of the notoriety that New Orleans enjoys? Of course not. You wouldn't cut off your nose to spite your face, now would you? I'm not a New Orleans native, I grew up in central Louisiana in small town (if you can even call it that, no stoplights, one stop sign), but I do know what the city of New Orleans means to the entire state. I spent 20 years in the Navy, travelling all over the world, when someone would ask where I was from I would reply..Louisiana. They would then ask...New Orleans? Not once did someone ask..Monroe? Baton Rouge? Lafayette? Slidell? You know why, Governor? No one knows anything about our state except what they have watched on t.v., heard from other people, or experienced when they visited...yes, New Orleans. The Saints bring a lot of exposure to the city and therefore to the state. They bring in revenue, give free advertisement on Gameday, and best of all, national exposure. They are as much a part of our culture as Mardi Gras.

Mr. Benson is a businessman, he owns a fortune 500 company called the Saints. He should be treated like any other businessman who is bringing money and jobs into our state. On second thought, owing to the fact that Fortune 500 companies have abandoned the state in recent years for greener pastures, maybe he should be treated better than your average businessman. Something has to be done to turn around the state's financial state, and keeping the Saints is just one step on that steep climb.

I don't want to surprise you but, you do realize that your political survival rests on the decisions you make in the following days? Lose the Saints and lose your re-election, that's a given. But if you won't do it for your own survival, do it for ours. Keep the Saints in Louisiana, it's the smart thing to do.

Perry J.
Jackson, MS