Much has been claimed over the past few months regarding credit for bringing the Cal Ripken project to Fredericksburg. Below is the first article to appear in the Free Lance Star that provided the details on how Fredericksburg was chosen.
Ripken Pitches City Ball
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2006/112006/11302006/240465
"Ripken Jr.'s sights were turned on Fredericksburg after last spring's College World Series in Omaha, Neb. Omaha native and investing legend Warren Buffett, an avid baseball fan, knew Ripken Jr. was in town for the games, and invited him to dinner.
As they dined, the pair talked about the Ripken foundation's work with young people, and Ripken returned to Baltimore asking his staff how his organization could partner with the Buffett family on a youth-serving venture.
Ripken's publicist happened to know the sister of Fredericksburg attorney Charles Payne, who does pro-bono work for Doris Buffett, a local philanthropist who is Warren Buffett's sister.
Payne said Ripken's publicist called him one day and asked if he'd be interested in helping to set up a partnership between Fredericksburg and the Ripken foundation.
"I said, 'Are you kidding?'" Payne said yesterday. "This is a great gift, I think, having these guys here."
This is how the Ripken Foundation came to Fredericksburg. Not to detract from anyone’s participation in this effort but they are just one of many people who has brought this project forward—city staff, the Parks & Recreation Commission, the City School Board, other members of the Council (excluding yours truly) and community volunteers.
No individual can take credit for moving a project like this forward. It will take the effort of many individuals and organizations, and a willingness to work together, to make this project a success. Building team spirit, focusing on the goal, and recognizing the efforts of others is also important. Fighting for credit and photo ops will doom this project to failure.
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