Saying 'no' to the Spurs (a primer for San Antonio's business and political leaders)

Let's start by insisting that Mayor Julián Castro say "no" by pressing City Attorney Michael Bernard to sue to enforce the deed restriction that prohibits for-profit activities at Alamo Stadium.

And let's have Castro say clearly, directly, and unambiguously "no" to the Spurs and professional soccer at Alamo Stadium.

And then let's hear from some of the business leaders in this community who say they care about education.

Let's hear from Tom Frost, who was the spokesman for the Saddles & Spurs campaign to finance the AT&T Center.

Let's hear from Charles Butt, who has long campaigned for improved public education.

Let's hear from Bartell Zachary, who helped back the contract terms that have kept Superintendent Roberto Durón here.

Tell Peter Holt and Spurs Sports & Entertainment that if the Spurs really need more money, they're free to ask.

But not from SAISD.

If we have any hope of stopping the population loss of the inner city and making close-in San Antonio a viable residential area, we need first-rate public schools. Public education is more important than the Spurs. •

Heywood Sanders teaches public administration and public policy at UTSA. His column will appear monthly.

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