Explanation
As previously stated in Ordinance No. 2001-2007, the explanation for this Ordinance is as follows. One of the most prominent individuals in the history of Columbus baseball and a former Franklin County Commissioner, Harold M. Cooper got his start in 1935 as the clubhouse boy for the Columbus Red Birds. In 1942, he left the Red Birds to serve in the armed forces, but returned to baseball, and in 1950, while with the Hutchinson Elks, he was named the Minor League Executive of the Year. In 1955 he returned to Columbus baseball as General Manager of the Ottawa A's who were renamed the Columbus Jets. From 1955 until 1968 he was General Manager of the Jets. When the Jets encountered stadium problems after the 1970 season, they moved to Charleston, West Virginia, where they became the Charleston Charlies. In the mid 1970's, while a Franklin County Commissioner, Mr. Cooper spearheaded the County's effort to purchase and renovate the former Jet Stadium. In 1977, with the availability of Cooper Stadium, the former Jets were lured back to Columbus bringing baseball back to Columbus after a 7-year absence. In 1978 Mr. Cooper was elected president of the International League and served in that capacity for 12 years. He was also commissioner of the Triple-A Alliance in 1988 and 1989. In 2005 the Franklin County Commissioners purchased land and announced plans to move the Columbus Clippers baseball team into a new stadium within that area of the City known as the Arena District. Franklin County Stadium, Inc.'s contract compliance number is 310933217 and the effective end date is 06/05/2010.
Title
To appropriate and authorize the expenditure of $60,000.00 for public art to be installed at the Huntington Park Baseball Stadium. ($60,000.00)
Body
Whereas, Harold M. Cooper is one of the most prominent individuals in the history of Columbus baseball; and
Whereas, in the mid 1970's, while a Franklin County Commissioner, Mr. Cooper spearhe...
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