Citizen task force likes the idea of MLS, loathes the risk

The soccer ball is getting kicked back and forth a bit.

A task force looking at a proposal to bring Major League Soccer to Portland said it likes the idea of bringing another major league team here, but has serious concerns about the financial risk to the city’s general fund, which pays for basic services including police and fire protection, parks and public housing.

And several members of the Portland City Council are chanting that mantra as well.

The 18-member citizens group met tonight to begin working up its recommendation to the City Council, which will vote in early March on whether to sell city-backed bonds to support the idea.

– Excerpt from OregonLive.com, February 17, 2009