(Director Note : This was sent in from Joe and Gayla Dunn. Thanks a lot . A copy of this was also sent to Gov.Blanco.)
New Orleans without the Saints????? Give me a break! My husband and I are die hard Saints fans from Beaumont Texas. Actually, my husband is originally from Dallas. We make every home game, and try to make any others that are close enough. We are able to do this because Mr. Benson made season ticket prices affordable for us as well as many others.
To think about the Saints not being in N.O. is unimaginable. We love them and support them as much as we can. On average, we spend a minimum of $200.00 every Sunday we go to the Dome without staying overnight. However, we make a habit of treating ourselves to 1 or 2 weekend stays a month because we love the entire experience that much. On weekends, Ms. Blanco, when we stay overnight, we will spend on average $400.00 to $500.00. Realistically, we contribute an average $4500.00 to $5000.00 to the New Orleans economy.
Now, we are just 2 persons, and we have 6 season tickets because we bring friends and family also. I shutter to think what the real dollars look like when you take into account the other 60,000 + fans.
Needless to say, there is only so much of the river, the boats, Bourbon Street, the Casino..... etc. that we can see and do. Bottom line, no Saints, no $$ from us and scores of other fans. I love the city, but it is the Saints that bring us back again and again.
We have established strong relationships with fellow fans and local citizens. In fact, my husband is in the process of trying to relocate us to the city. But after this discussion and the possibility of the Saints moving, we would be very foolish to move into what appears to be a dying city that cannot and in our opinion will not survive the loss of the Saints. There is a sense of pride that will be lost if they leave and New Orleans will be left with an incredibly large and most times empty Dome. It will die.
Please consider these thoughts. Do you want to be remembered as the Governor that lost the Saints for the city and State of Louisiana?
I sincerely hope not.
Fans in Texas,
Gayla and Joe Dunn.