Opponents of new Rangers stadium want public debate

Opponents of a new stadium for the Texas Rangers are angry with Arlington city leaders and want a public debate. But the city’s mayor says there won’t be a debate and is not making any apologies about it.

The trouble is the city's own agreement with the Rangers doesn't match how Arlington is pitching the deal.

The debate is now over why there won't be a debate about a new Texas Rangers stadium.

"If I go through and state the facts and I have somebody right beside me that is telling non-facts, that really is not fair to our citizens,” said Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams.

Warren Norred represents the ‘Save Our Stadium’ movement.

“If I were on the other side, I wouldn't want to debate me either on this,” Norred said.

Williams and the rest of the city council believe a new one billion dollar, retractable roof stadium will shut out other cities' attempts, including Dallas, to steal the Rangers away from Arlington.

"We are again in a crossroads in which we do not want to lose one of the anchors of our community that contributes to the image of our community and contributes to economics,” the mayor said.

Opponents of the new stadium argue Globe Life Park is still a premier stadium and insist the Rangers have never said they would leave if they don't get a new ballpark.

“No, the Rangers are not leaving because the lease says eight more years,” Norred said.

Williams says the new stadium is crucial to the future of the Rangers in Arlington and for development the city has been trying to get for almost 30 years.

"That's what's really very different about this proposal than any of the others because we do have development that is beginning out there already funded and ready to go,” the mayor said.

Still, Norred doubts the mayor's claims and wants a public debate.

“If they think I'm lying, let them be so bold as to say so in public show me how I'm wrong,” said Norred.

Without a debate, opponents say they take their message door to door and on social media.

Voters will have the final answer when they vote in November.