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Glendale mayor makes a case to let Coyotes go

Elaine Scruggs, Phil Lieberman, Steven Frate

As the Glendale City Council meets, including mayor Elaine Scruggs, middle, vice-mayor Steven Frate, right, and Phil Lieberman, they discuss in front of a crowded auditorium the possible future cuts of $20 million to the budget, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. If local voters approve a repeal of a sales tax hike, budget cuts could include 249 city employees, libraries, an aquatic center, the city’s cable station, and all city festivals. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

AP

The saga surrounding the Phoenix Coyotes continues to plod along.

As things go from being up in the air to the sale being close to completed, the city’s mayor is busy crunching the numbers and one of the scenarios sees the city being better off letting the team go.

Soni Munshi of the Arizona Republic hears from Elaine Scruggs about how they’re exploring different budget scenarios and and one of them sees Glendale not having to make cuts if the team leaves.

“I don’t want to turn off the lights in Glendale,"Scruggs said, suggesting the hockey and concert arena could attract other events that would keep visitors at Westgate City Center, the nearby shopping and restaurant complex.

Munshi’s story shows off four different scenarios, two with the team leaving and two with them going, so feel free to scope them out.

Of course, other members of the government have differing opinions on what’s best for the financially struggling city.

What Scruggs appears to be worried about is losing other municipal functions in favor of keeping the hockey team. In other words, it’s the same debate that’s raged on since the team went into bankruptcy.