I received a letter from Mr. Zygi Wilf earlier this week. Yeah, I'm sure many of you received the same letter...but allow me the impression that Zygi actually wrote me personally. Here's the letter:

Dear Brian Maas:

With the majority of the Minnesota Vikings roster - including impact free agents WR Bernard Berrian, RB/special teams standout Maurice Hicks, FB Thomas Tapeh and S Madieu Williams - returning to Winter Park for voluntary offseason workouts this week, the anticipation of the upcoming 2008 NFL season continues to grow for the team and our fans. This organization is committed to bringing a Super Bowl championship to the state of Minnesota, and we believe the foundation for long-term success is being put in place.

As excited as we are about the potential of our team on the field, we are also confident about our efforts to secure a future home for the Vikings in Minnesota. In the past you have shown your support for the Vikings' new stadium plans by joining the grassroots coalition, Minnesota Momentum. Because of your help, Minnesota Momentum's impact was immediate in 2006, as the coalition recruited thousands of Vikings and NFL fans. Now with our new plans for a Minneapolis stadium taking shape, it is time for us to ask for your help once again.

Stadium Development Proposal
Working in partnership with the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (MSFC), the public body that owns the Metrodome, the Vikings are continuing to move forward on a public-private partnership that will open a new stadium on the Metrodome site in the year 2012.

The current stadium proposal includes three critical elements that go beyond hosting Vikings home games:

A retractable-roof stadium that will give Minnesotans a state-of-the-art venue that can be used year-round for amateur sports, trade shows, community and cultural events as well as national and international happenings.
A Winter Garden light rail train station that will serve as a connecting point for the future Central Corridor light rail line and the existing Hiawatha line.
A privately financed redevelopment of the entire Downtown East area that will include office buildings, residences, shops and restaurants that will create jobs and boost the economy. This exciting project will bring a renewed energy to the Downtown East area of Minneapolis.
We are committed to investing in this community and this team and we believe each of these pieces, in conjunction with the others, will be a significant asset to the Twin Cities, state and region.

Legislative Update
Given the feedback we have received from state leaders, it is clear a stadium decision will not be reached this year. Nonetheless, with rising construction costs and the team's Metrodome lease set to expire after the 2011 season, we are determined to stay on a 2012 timeline to open the new stadium. Financing a stadium in the spring of 2009 keeps us on that 2012 timeline and prevents considerable cost inflation.

Last December, state leaders told NFL executives visiting Minnesota that 2009 is the year to resolve this issue. While we remain positive about a future home in Minnesota for the Vikings, much work remains between now and the 2009 Legislative Session. We need your help. If you are still committed to this cause, please help us by communicating with your State Representative, State Senator and the Governor this summer and fall about the need to resolve the Vikings' stadium issue in 2009.

Also, please take a few minutes to refer a friend. If you would like more information on the Vikings' stadium efforts and what being a member of Minnesota Momentum includes, please visit www.minnesotamomentum.com.

Thank you for your continued support and passion for the Minnesota Vikings!

Sincerely,

Zygi Wilf

Now, I'm usually a glass-is-half-full kind of guy, but Zygi has zero chance of getting any stadium discussion going this year. It simply is not going to be a priority at the top of the legislative food chain. And the average Minnesota tax payer is not going to clamor to pony up for a new football stadium with 1) home foreclosures sky-rocketing, 2) gas prices well over $3 a gallon, 3) the Dems in the Minnesota legislature voting to raise gasoline taxes, the metro wide sales tax and license tab fees, and 4) the price of a Adrian Peterson jersey is well over $120.

But, if you are so inclined you can help keep the momentum moving forward. You can help by contacting your legislators and telling them that you support the plan to build a new Minnesota Vikings stadium and resolve the Vikings stadium issue.

Please contact your state senator and state representative, as well as contacting legislative leaders. To find your representatives and their contact information, just click here or call the House or Senate information office.

House Information Office: 651-296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550
Senate Information Office: 651-296-0504 or 1-888-234-1112

Here are some things you can tell your legislators:

1) The Vikings stadium plan should be considered this year.
2) I support the plan to build a new Minnesota Vikings because it will resolve the Vikings stadium issue and provide a significant boost to our state’s economy.
3) The Vikings have a plan that makes good sense for our state. The time to act is now.

Posted by briankeithmaas@msn.com at March 23, 2008 01:19 AM