Chicago Cubs team president Crane Kenney was in Mesa, Ariz., on Wednesday to look at four sites in the east Mesa area before the team makes its final decision on where to build their new spring training complex.

Kenney wasn't shocked by the recent dissent from other Cactus League teams and Commissioner Bud Selig in relation to a surtax of $2.25 per ticket that's being proposed to help fund the team's new complex.

Contrary to popular opinion, the tax idea was generated by the City of Mesa and politicians in the state Arizona who are trying to come up with creative ways to fund the $84 million facility the Cubs are being promised.

"I don't think [Selig] opposes the Cubs facility or the Cubs remaining in Arizona," Kenney said. "I think there are people who have other thoughts on a mechanism for funding the facility. We're going to let the folks who do that for a living determine the best mechanism for financing the facility."

The Cubs are not involved in the financing of the property, however they will spend up to $50 million over the next 25 years in upkeep and maintenance of the new complex.

I asked Kenney about whether he is still confident the project will still get done.

"Yes!" Kenney said. "Any public financing in this economy would be difficult. We knew that but we have been reassured by our friends in Mesa that everything is moving forward. We're going to rely on them to do their part."

I asked Kenney about the public perception that the Cubs, not the City of Mesa, or Arizona were behind this tax.

"Maybe the public perception should change. But the teams I've talked to have made it clear they want us to stay in Arizona, and they want us to be a part of the Cactus League."

Kenney went on to say that some of those teams who have different ideas about financing should take their thoguhts to the people who make those decisions, ie. legislators.