My note:

Rev. Gaddis,


Your opposition of the Ford Center/NBA vote makes absolutely no sense to me. What in the world does the school board/Dr. Porter issue have to do with the NBA?

Attracting the NBA to town will improve our stature as a city, and will be a huge economic impact that will bring money into the city and actually HELP our schools. Voting NO stops all of the momentum in OKC, and this will have grave consequences on our school district.

Also, most African American children look up to the stars in the NBA. Having a team here, with good role models, will actually help the African American community.

The NBA will increase the quality of life factor in OKC, which will encourage businesses to locate here, which will mean more taxes coming into our schools....which will help our schools.

I encourage you to rethink your position on the NBA. Your current opinion is misdirected at the WRONG people. A no vote will only HURT the city of Oklahoma City and the OKC Public Schools.



Thanks,

Patrick *****, Northeast High School alum

Here's the reply I received from Rev. Gaddis:

Mr. *****,
Let me first say that I am very impressed with your concern for our
city. We likewise have the same concern but it includes the education
system of our city. I would first like to be clear that I have NOT
publicly come out against the vote nor has the Concern Clergy for
Spiritual Renewal. As citizens we have every right to support or not
support the sales tax vote, but what you maybe referring to is our
statement that if we?re going to be a Big League City we must have a
Big League education system. There are some very serious issues facing

the children of our city. This in no way has anything to do with Dr.
Porter or Mr. Hudson they are no longer a part of the Oklahoma Public
Schools. I would like to invite you to come and listen to the
educators, parents and students who have come and asked for our help.
There will be another community meeting on Thursday, February 28th.
Again, we are not against the city moving forward but every citizen
should have the opportunity to enjoy the ride.

Teron V. Gaddis, Senior Pastor-Teacher
Greater Bethel Church
P O Box 36369
Oklahoma City Oklahoma
73136-2369
(405) 424-1625 office
(405) 424-1665 Fax
New page 1 (http://www.BethelFamilyChurch.com) Web-address

I got the same reply.

If you are telling people to vote no, then you are telling people to vote no. Why not focus on other ways that we can improve our schools? Maybe he needs to have a rally encouraging parents to become involved in their kids education. That's the BIGGEST problem with OKC Public Schools.