The Condors changed the name of their Dec. 27 promotion mocking Stockton’s fiscal crisis, re-naming “Our City Isn’t Bankrupt” to “Boomtown Bakersfield” after the stunt drew a bad reaction from Stockton supporters, including yours truly.
On the Condors’ webiste, team president Matt Riley wrote: “The promotion was never meant to poke fun at those who are struggling due to Stockton’s financial situation. So that this promotion isn’t further misinterpreted, we want to put the focus of the night to highlight the city of Bakersfield’s success and the continued growth of the city.”
“So that this promotion isn’t further misinterpreted …” is the phrase that stood out. This stunt wasn’t misinterpreted. The people of Stockton interpreted it correctly. Saying it was misinterpreted is a cop out and an insult to our intelligence.
Bakersfield’s jab on Stockton should not go unnoticed by our city council, past or present. As I have stood up for this city in wake of Bakersfield’s insensitve promotion, let it not get lost on city and union leaders who put Stockton in this mess in the first place, and in essence, gave the Condors an opportunity to mock this city. This whole fiasco is on our city leaders, too.
