Ed doesn't understand compromise or leadership. I consider myself a fairly progressive Democrat and I'm supporting David Holt, who understands both.

Ed doesn't understand compromise or leadership. I consider myself a fairly progressive Democrat and I'm supporting David Holt, who understands both.

Well said. I would volunteer to knock doors and put out signs for Holt but I'm not sure anyone in Denver would be able to vote.

Holt officially announced.

Do you think Mick will endorse him? I could see that as being very beneficial.

I disagree. It isn't difficult at all. You are hyper-educated and that is the difference. Even I didn't know about Putin and Jill Stein. This comes down to if partisan politics is made an issue. I don't know Brian Maughn and how ruthless he may or may not be in an election such as this.

My brief encounters with Brian have been very positive. I feel like he doesn't stand a chance against David due to name recognition, however... Brian has been vital to OK County, and has really been great on some city-level policies like graffiti removal.

I've known Brian for about a decade. Good dude and would work hard for the people. I just don't know what how his county work translates in ways that I care (most) about, such as urbansim and downtown. Guess I just need to ask him...

Do you think Mick will endorse him? I could see that as being very beneficial.

Seeing how Holt was once Mick's chief of staff, I would say he will get that endorsement.

Seeing how Holt was once Mick's chief of staff, I would say he will get that endorsement.

Speaking of endorsements, he just posted 450 of them from a wide range of people from across the spectrum (from Brad Henry to Wayne Coyne to Larry Nichols).

http://holtformayor.com/david-holt-okc-mayoral-campaign-announces-450-endorsements/



David Holt OKC Mayoral Campaign Announces 450 Endorsements
March 1, 2017
Today, the campaign to elect David Holt the next Mayor of Oklahoma City unveiled a diverse and bipartisan list of 450 endorsements. They are former governors, current and former councilmembers and legislators, business leaders, educators and teachers, community activists, and citizens from all walks of life. Together, the supporters represent the initial members of David’s “ONE OKC” Team.

“The support we are receiving is incredibly diverse,” said David Holt. “It comes from every part of Oklahoma City. This group represents my vision for a city that sets aside its differences and works together for the greater good. This team we already have is truly reflective of ‘One OKC.’”

The endorsements include:

Former Governor Brad Henry and former Governor Frank Keating
City Councilmembers Meg Salyer, John Pettis, and Mark Stonecipher
County Commissioner and former Councilmember Willa Johnson
Business leaders Larry Nichols, Harold Hamm, Gene Rainbolt, David Rainbolt, Greg Love, George Records, Brad Naifeh
Civic leaders Rhonda Hooper, Percy Kirk, Steve Hahn, Dave Lopez, Carl Edwards, Bob Ross, Brad Krieger, Lou Kerr, Dick Tanenbaum, Judy Hatfield, David Jackson, Bob Funk, Jr., Tim McLaughlin, Bob Spinks, John Kennedy, Rick Moore, Patrick Rooney
State Treasurer Ken Miller and Labor Commissioner Melissa Houston
State legislators Stephanie Bice, Cyndi Munson, Elise Hall, Chris Kannady, Greg Treat, Ervin Yen, Adam Pugh, Anthony Sykes, Anastasia Pittman, Tammy West, A.J. Griffin, Rob Standridge, Tess Teague, Mike Osburn
Former U.S. Congressman Dan Boren and former Corporation Commissioner and County Commissioner Jim Roth
Former Councilmembers Pat Ryan, Gary Marrs, Guy Liebmann and Walt Morris
Local legends Bart Conner, Jane Jayroe, Greg Burns, Wayne Coyne, Steven Drozd, Kyle Dillingham, Rand & Jeanette Elliott, Dr. Carlan Yates, Nancy Miller
Newspaper publishers Russell Perry and Vicki Gourley
Arts advocates Jim Tolbert, Dick Sias, James Pickel, Scott Booker, Deborah Senner, Peter Dolese, Terri Cooper, John Seward, Jim Loftis, Stephen Kovash, Renzi Stone, Julia Kirt, Susan McCalmont, Eddie Walker
Education leaders Robert Henry, Tracy McDaniel, Fred Rhodes, Renee Porter, Valerie Couch, Becky Haliburton, Carrie Coppernoll Jacobs, Dr. Reggies Wenyika
Community volunteers, activists and leaders Mary Pointer, Tricia Everest, Polly Nichols, Sally Starling, Michael Laird, Steve Mason, Harry Wilson, Vinh Nguyen, John Yoeckel, Nathaniel Harding, Leslie Batchelor, Jeff Bezdek, Pam Henry, Kris Steele, Jan Peery, Andy Moore, Brenda & Jorge Hernandez, Laura Massenat, Edie Roodman, Xavier Neira, Kadir Akkus, Cher Golding, Kim Funk, Rabbi Ovadia Goldman, Mary Melon
Dozens of small business owners like Kevin Perry, Bruce Rinehart, Tracey Zeeck, Teresa Moisant, Brett Brewer, Brent Brewer, Beverly Morgan, Ba Luong
And hundreds more…

Dang, now that is hitting it aggressively. Makes you wonder just how much was planned in advance of Mick's announcement.

Dang, now that is hitting it aggressively. Makes you wonder just how much was planned in advance of Mick's announcement.

I personally don't believe in coincidences. This is all most likely part of the plan.

Dang, now that is hitting it aggressively. Makes you wonder just how much was planned in advance of Mick's announcement.

Holt began meeting and telling people he was running several weeks ago. He also purchased the domain for his website months ago. He would not have done any of that had Cornett not given him a heads up.

Holt began meeting and telling people he was running several weeks ago. He also purchased the domain for his website months ago. He would not have done any of that had Cornett not given him a heads up.

Plus, when we was being interviewed on the radio last week, he mentioned that he had looked closely at running last time if Cornett hadn't run, so had a lot of the planning in place.

Plus, when we was being interviewed on the radio last week, he mentioned that he had looked closely at running last time if Cornett hadn't run, so had a lot of the planning in place.

I (personally) believe that Cornett ran last year just to keep Shadid out. MAPS3 was still in its earlier stages of implementation and we needed stability and vision to keep the work going. Now that MAPS3 is well underway, in the slim chance Shadid or someone else who doesn't believe in the vision of the program wins; we will still be getting what we were promised.

Plus, when we was being interviewed on the radio last week, he mentioned that he had looked closely at running last time if Cornett hadn't run, so had a lot of the planning in place.

That is correct. The mayor only recently decided that he wanted to move on. Holt was prepared but it wasn't pre-ordained.

I have a lot of respect for David Holt as a pro-growth Republican who cares about legislation that moves our city and state forward. He is a breath of fresh air compared to other Republicans in the legislature. That being said, I hope the mayoral race stays competitive and allows for healthy discussion of issues and perspectives. When 450 people have already endorsed him publicly this early it gives me cause for concern. Does no one care about what the other potential candidates have to say? Will there be room for public debates or will that be considered a waste of time like the last mayoral election?

For Oklahoma City to truly become a major league city we need to make serious investments in public transit, public health, public safety, placemaking, neighborhood walkability, affordable housing, and diversifying the local economy. Urbanist principles have largely been abandoned in our new downtown developments as parking garages, slick skyscrapers, and megablock structures take over prime real estate. Our bicycle lanes downtown are hardly utilized as they lead to and from nowhere. Visitors still can't get to and from the airport without taking a car.

Perhaps there is more than one way forward.

If you've gone to any of the 2017 GO bond meetings you've seen that there is a crapton of proposals on the table for more bike lanes throughout the core, more buses being purchased, routes expanding, frequencies increasing, more spokies stations, more sidewalks, etc. Not that that ends the discussion, but a non-trivial portion of what you seek will be at least somewhat addressed (not completed, just in the pipeline) before the next mayor election even occurs.

While I agree it's interesting to see how many folks are flocking to Holt's ticket, I do also think he has the integrity to stand up for what's right for the city and its people. He's been doing so at the state level, not sure why he'd stop at the city level.

For Oklahoma City to truly become a major league city we need to make serious investments in public transit, public health, public safety, placemaking, neighborhood walkability, affordable housing, and diversifying the local economy. Urbanist principles have largely been abandoned in our new downtown developments as parking garages, slick skyscrapers, and megablock structures take over prime real estate. Our bicycle lanes downtown are hardly utilized as they lead to and from nowhere. Visitors still can't get to and from the airport without taking a car.

indeed indeed

If you've gone to any of the 2017 GO bond meetings you've seen that there is a crapton of proposals on the table for more bike lanes throughout the core, more buses being purchased, routes expanding, frequencies increasing, more spokies stations, more sidewalks, etc. Not that that ends the discussion, but a non-trivial portion of what you seek will be at least somewhat addressed (not completed, just in the pipeline) before the next mayor election even occurs.

While I agree it's interesting to see how many folks are flocking to Holt's ticket, I do also think he has the integrity to stand up for what's right for the city and its people. He's been doing so at the state level, not sure why he'd stop at the city level.

I have not been able to attend any of the meetings, so glad to hear more specifics. I have confidence in Holt as well, but also believe it's important to allow as many folks to the table as possible. I believe the last mayoral election served as a healthy sounding board for differing viewpoints and some of Mick's positions were enhanced and strengthened by the opposition's emphasis on public safety and neighborhoods. I get nervous when an election feels more like a one-sided PR campaign than a discussion of ideas, concerns, and real challenges that the city faces.

I have not been able to attend any of the meetings, so glad to hear more specifics. I have confidence in Holt as well, but also believe it's important to allow as many folks to the table as possible. I believe the last mayoral election served as a healthy sounding board for differing viewpoints and some of Mick's positions were enhanced and strengthened by the opposition's emphasis on public safety and neighborhoods. I get nervous when an election feels more like a one-sided PR campaign than a discussion of ideas, concerns, and real challenges that the city faces.

Completely agree.

We need a wide range of candidates for no other reason than to widen the topics and have discussion about some important issues, rather than just Chamber of Commerce driven cheerleading.

The biggest issue is the collapsing City budget and how we have already cut to the bone and more cuts are now being mandated just so the City doesn't go bankrupt.

The economy here is still quite strong so how can this be? And what can be done about it?

Just cutting and cutting is now way to run any enterprise, let along a large city with tons of needs.

Holt's biggest challenge will be gaining the conference of the emergency service workers. They are organized and very much against Cornett. While they haven't had any success in opposition, they are the most serious block of opposition remaining.

Holt's biggest challenge will be gaining the conference of the emergency service workers. They are organized and very much against Cornett. While they haven't had any success in opposition, they are the most serious block of opposition remaining.

Why are Emergency services peeps against Cornett? Is it because streets have been narrowed in places and we are becoming more urban?

Why are Emergency services peeps against Cornett? Is it because streets have been narrowed in places and we are becoming more urban?

Not that at all.

They want more money, and Cornett and Council haven't played ball.

Not that at all.

They want more money, and Cornett and Council haven't played ball.

Ahh.. thanks.

does it have to do with this EMSA business that I have not been paying attention to?

Not that at all.

They want more money, and Cornett and Council haven't played ball.

Yep. And this election as in elections past, police and fire will mobilize like hell and then come up about 5-10 points short.

One thing that is likely to come up in this election is the continuation of MAPS.

I've made the point before that OKC keeps it's sales tax artificially low to accommodate MAPS.

Even with the 1% MAPS add-on, OKC has a below average sales tax in the state and lower than most the central OK municipalities.

Sales tax is the biggest revenue generator for the City. In fact, that 1% redirected to MAPS represents over $100 million a year.

It's interesting we are now proposing a 'MAPS for Neighborhoods" because effectively that 1% would be used for the whole city, which is the purpose of the sales tax anyway.

There is a strong case to be made that MAPS has run it's course and it's time to put that 1% back in the City coffers, especially as we are facing another round of extreme budget cuts at City Hall at a time when services have already been cut to the bone.

I believe the City has not raised sales tax since 1976 while all the communities around us have raised rates to over 8.5% while OKC is 8.375% *with* MAPS.

And indeed, during the MAPS for Neighborhoods meetings almost everything people mentioned -- parks, sidewalks, infrastructure -- are things that should be provided through the general city budget and/or general revenue bonds.


It's a conversation that needs to be raised so that everyone understands what is happening and can make educated choices and I almost guarantee this election is going to finally bring this issue to the table.

I know I am picking at nits here but the city portion of our sales tax is probably about average just eyeballing the chart. The thing that keeps the OKC tax rate lower is OK County is the only county in the state with no sales tax. My guess is that is where the dedicated funding for the RTA is going to come from when the time comes to go to a vote of the people. That may mean the end of MAPs. Not sure because this is all of to a vote of the people and what we will be willing to pay for.

I know I am picking at nits here but the city portion of our sales tax is probably about average just eyeballing the chart. The thing that keeps the OKC tax rate lower is OK County is the only county in the state with no sales tax. My guess is that is where the dedicated funding for the RTA is going to come from when the time comes to go to a vote of the people. That may mean the end of MAPs. Not sure because this is all of to a vote of the people and what we will be willing to pay for.

BUT all the municipalities in OK County still have higher sales tax than OKC.

No matter how you slice it, OKC is collecting below average sales tax and way, way below if you take MAPS out of the equation. And we're doing it at a time when city services are being cut and cut and cut and there is more to come later this year.

Think about what $100+ million could do in a year, every single year.

And it's not like we have a long list of needy MAPS projects. Most of what people want are related to the city services that should already be provided and would be provided if we just end MAPS and keep the sales tax at the same level it is now.

MAPS for the Jail

After that we should be good

Why should the county jail be an expense laid off on a OKC specific sales tax, of any duration?

Why should the county jail be an expense laid off on a OKC specific sales tax, of any duration?

it was a joke, but if we wait around and let the Feds upgrade it with a mandate, we'll pay twice the cost

This is probably the beginning of Shadid's run for mayor.

http://m.newsok.com/article/5541621


Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid on Tuesday proposed a sales tax cut, along with bulking up police and fire services while focusing MAPS 4*on restoring services degraded by Oklahoma City's 18-month economic slump.
Shadid's proposal includes*renewing the MAPS 3 sales tax at half the current 1-cent rate, with a term of two to four years.
Of the remaining half-cent, he would devote a quarter-cent*to a tax cut*and dedicate a quarter-cent to hire more police officers and firefighters.

I just can't see how using a temporary tax is a good idea for funding ongoing expenses for hiring additional police officers or firemen. I somehow doubt this statement.


"At a minimum, everybody's very open to the idea and eager to continue the conversation," he said.

Well, he can start working on those flyers now.... Maybe he'll keep better control on them this time?

This is probably the beginning of Shadid's run for mayor.

http://m.newsok.com/article/5541621



I just can't see how using a temporary tax is a good idea for funding ongoing expenses for hiring additional police officers or firemen. I somehow doubt this statement.

Why do you doubt it?

Why do you doubt it?

Maybe it's just me, but I have seen or heard nothing that would support that statement. Is there some reason that you don't doubt it?

Saying that "everybody" is open and eager to discuss the idea smacks of a Donald Trump type of statement.

Maybe it's just me, but I have seen or heard nothing that would support that statement. Is there some reason that you don't doubt it?

Saying that "everybody" is open and eager to discuss the idea smacks of a Donald Trump type of statement.

I know Shadid has spoken to many city leaders and they have been receptive.

I know Shadid has spoken to many city leaders and they have been receptive.

That would be the first time

This is probably the beginning of Shadid's run for mayor.

http://m.newsok.com/article/5541621



I just can't see how using a temporary tax is a good idea for funding ongoing expenses for hiring additional police officers or firemen. I somehow doubt this statement.

I'm with you on this - why in the hell would *any* government use temporary funds for an expense that is completely and absolutely permanent? What happens at the end of the term when the 1/4 cent used to hire more cops and firemen expires - they fire the ones that were hired with the 1/4 cent tax, reduce their salaries, ....? Just absurd to do things that way.

I'm with you on this - why in the hell would *any* government use temporary funds for an expense that is completely and absolutely permanent? What happens at the end of the term when the 1/4 cent used to hire more cops and firemen expires - they fire the ones that were hired with the 1/4 cent tax, reduce their salaries, ....? Just absurd to do things that way.

Shadid's proposal was to increase the 3/4 cent public safety sales tax to 1 cent on a permanent basis for exactly this reason. He also proposed that if we are considering a temporary placeholder MAPS for 2-4 years that we use 1/2 cent to bolster underfunded city services because nothing we could do would improve the lives of citizens in virtually every neighborhood in the city to a greater degree. Then in 2-4 years we could reassess and determine whether the ever decreasing sales tax revenues (at a time when the economy is not that bad, unemployment below national average etc...) is the new normal or whether new factors such as Amazon paying sales tax, passage of a Mainstreet Fairness Act etc.. had occurred which would result in an improvement in sales tax collections and the resumption of using sales tax for capital commitments could then be reevaluated.

Shadid's proposal was to increase the 3/4 cent public safety sales tax to 1 cent on a permanent basis for exactly this reason. He also proposed that if we are considering a temporary placeholder MAPS for 2-4 years that we use 1/2 cent to bolster underfunded city services because nothing we could do would improve the lives of citizens in virtually every neighborhood in the city to a greater degree. Then in 2-4 years we could reassess and determine whether the ever decreasing sales tax revenues (at a time when the economy is not that bad, unemployment below national average etc...) is the new normal or whether new factors such as Amazon paying sales tax, passage of a Mainstreet Fairness Act etc.. had occurred which would result in an improvement in sales tax collections and the resumption of using sales tax for capital commitments could then be reevaluated.

So Ed's for both of these - extending MAPS for 2-4 years at 1/2 cent instead of 1 cent and using 1/4 cent to hire more cops and firemen, or increase the public safety tax by 1/4 cent (for the same purpose)? At the same time, or if one gets a lot of pushback, try the other one? BTW, you say the temporary placeholder MAPS would use 1/2 cent for underfunded city services, but the article says that 1/4 cent would go to a tax cut and 1/4 cent would go to the underfunded city services.

Just not a good idea at all to even consider a temporary tax to pay for permanent services that will never go away.

So Ed's for both of these - extending MAPS for 2-4 years at 1/2 cent instead of 1 cent and using 1/4 cent to hire more cops and firemen, or increase the public safety tax by 1/4 cent (for the same purpose)? At the same time, or if one gets a lot of pushback, try the other one? BTW, you say the temporary placeholder MAPS would use 1/2 cent for underfunded city services, but the article says that 1/4 cent would go to a tax cut and 1/4 cent would go to the underfunded city services.

Just not a good idea at all to even consider a temporary tax to pay for permanent services that will never go away.

Currently OKC's Sales Tax for operations and maintenance is at a rate of 2.875% distributed as:
2 cents for the General Fund (all departments): hasn't been increased since 1976
3/4 cents for public safety
1/8 cent for the zoo

One additional cent (for a total tax rate of 3.875%) is reserved for capital improvements through the MAPS program. Shadid proposes to do the following with this one cent when MAPS3 expires in December:
1/4 cent goes away (bringing the total sales tax in OKC to 3.6% since it was 3.875% and 0.25% is being removed)
1/4 cent is added on a permanent basis to the 3/4 cent public safety tax for the sole purpose of hiring police/fire personnel
1/2 cent goes to the General Fund on a temporary 2-4 year basis which represents an effective 25% increase in the budget of every department in the City. This reverses the 10% across the board cuts over a one year period and allows an increase in city services in virtually every neighborhood in the city.

Currently OKC's Sales Tax for operations and maintenance is at a rate of 2.875% distributed as:
2 cents for the General Fund (all departments): hasn't been increased since 1976
3/4 cents for public safety
1/8 cent for the zoo

One additional cent (for a total tax rate of 3.875%) is reserved for capital improvements through the MAPS program. Shadid proposes to do the following with this one cent when MAPS3 expires in December:
1/4 cent goes away (bringing the total sales tax in OKC to 3.6% since it was 3.875% and 0.25% is being removed)
1/4 cent is added on a permanent basis to the 3/4 cent public safety tax for the sole purpose of hiring police/fire personnel
1/2 cent goes to the General Fund on a temporary 2-4 year basis which represents an effective 25% increase in the budget of every department in the City. This reverses the 10% across the board cuts over a one year period and allows an increase in city services in virtually every neighborhood in the city.

That contradicts what the newsok.com article says, which is this:

"Shadid's proposal includes renewing the MAPS 3 sales tax at half the current 1-cent rate, with a term of two to four years.

Of the remaining half-cent, he would devote a quarter-cent to a tax cut and dedicate a quarter-cent to hire more police officers and firefighters."

Which is correct, newsok.com or you?

I'd actually be okay with using the MAPS tax to upgrade police equipment and facilities.

Not to hire people. Any tax which is raised for payroll purposes must be a permanent tax. But go up on that permanent sales tax and you kill the ability of this city to build these truly transformative MAPS projects.

I'd actually be okay with using the MAPS tax to upgrade police equipment and facilities.

Not to hire people. Any tax which is raised for payroll purposes must be a permanent tax. But go up on that permanent sales tax and you kill the ability of this city to build these truly transformative MAPS projects.

Yes, absolutely - one-time expenses should be what MAPS does, and yes, it has to walk a very fine line, since we have all the other financial problems in this state. Nasty little jigsaw puzzle we have going on over the state budget, city and state collections, MAPS, cuts, etc.

Cornett is truly an extraordinary ambassador: http://m.newsok.com/we-cant-look-at-the-mental-health-issue-and-say-were-succeeding/article/5542187?rotator=true

That contradicts what the newsok.com article says, which is this:

"Shadid's proposal includes renewing the MAPS 3 sales tax at half the current 1-cent rate, with a term of two to four years.

Of the remaining half-cent, he would devote a quarter-cent to a tax cut and dedicate a quarter-cent to hire more police officers and firefighters."

Which is correct, newsok.com or you?

OkieDave is correct on any proposal Shadid has made, of that I can 1,000% assure you. NewsOK, misunderstood.

I actually think that Shadid's proposal is incredibly wise.

Of the 1% MAPS "surcharge", we lower the sales tax to 0.25% (always popular), we keep 0.25% permanently for Public Safety, and then I think you give the other 0.5% to the city through 2023/24 (his timeline is a bit short to me).

What this does is give way to an easier passage of a 1% RTA tax, which we really should be voting on in the next 5 years anyway. If the sales tax is "artificially low" then it makes adding a 1% tax seem more reasonable.

There might even be a way to structure it such that we enact the 1% sales tax as a permanent tax, but with a 5-year quarter-percent discount + five-years of half-percent general fund allocation followed by a new vote in 5 years for a permanent change in allocation (preferably toward transit).

This election is looking incredibly terrifying. I would gladly take a 5th term for Cornett over any of these options. Ed Shadid seems to be the best choice of the options. It will probably be the chamber guy.

I'm supporting David Holt. He is experienced, moderate and thinks like Cornett. I trust him to keep the city progressing. My biggest problem with Shadid is that he is unwilling to compromise and better at talking than creating a coalition.

Of the 1% MAPS "surcharge", we lower the sales tax to 0.25% (always popular), we keep 0.25% permanently for Public Safety, and then I think you give the other 0.5% to the city through 2023/24 (his timeline is a bit short to me).

What this does is give way to an easier passage of a 1% RTA tax, which we really should be voting on in the next 5 years anyway. If the sales tax is "artificially low" then it makes adding a 1% tax seem more reasonable.

There might even be a way to structure it such that we enact the 1% sales tax as a permanent tax, but with a 5-year quarter-percent discount + five-years of half-percent general fund allocation followed by a new vote in 5 years for a permanent change in allocation (preferably toward transit).

It's great to see this level of analytical thinking taking place outside of official transit planning discussions. It shows that many in our community now have a good understanding of what it's going to take to fund a comprehensive transit system for the OKC metro area.

There are several certainties. One...based on current planning, it will require a 1/2-cent to 3/4-cent sales tax to adequately fund development and operations of a regional transit system. Two...the sales tax will need to be permanent. Three...it will require a significant educational and marketing effort for approval. And four...timing and success of any vote will require strategic coordination and decision-making among all of the municipalities involved because they all have various temporary sales tax initiatives in place...OKC MAPS (1-cent)...Norman Forward (1/2-cent), Edmond Infrastructure (1/2-cent)...Moore Parks and Recreation (1/4-cent).

As OKC will be the largest municipality in the future regional transit district and since the MAPS tax is the largest of the various municipal temporary sales taxes in place, the decisions on how it is applied (extended, reduced, reassigned or eliminated) in the future will play a critical role in the timing and success of any future vote for a dedicated transit system funding source.

Would REALLY like to see a Libertarian candidate join the race along with other state/county offices now that we are officially recognized. Hopefully we don't blow this opportunity.

This is a mayoral thread and the mayor position in OKC is officially non-partisan. A libertarian candidate can and could always run for mayor.

Would REALLY like to see a Libertarian candidate join the race along with other state/county offices now that we are officially recognized. Hopefully we don't blow this opportunity.

We kind of had that I think when we had whatshisface from Taco Bell run.

We kind of had that I think when we had whatshisface from Taco Bell run.

Steve Hunt?

Steve Hunt?

I prefer whatshisface.

Vote No, unless you want more cops out there writing tickets. I will pass on that. Even though I haven't had a ticket in a long long time I see plenty of cops out there writing them and hiding behind concrete dividers. I think the tax money could be put to better use.

Vote No, unless you want more cops out there writing tickets. I will pass on that. Even though I haven't had a ticket in a long long time I see plenty of cops out there writing them and hiding behind concrete dividers. I think the tax money could be put to better use.

Go the speed limit and a person doesn't have to worry about hiding cops. Slow down and be safe.

Vote No, unless you want more cops out there writing tickets. I will pass on that. Even though I haven't had a ticket in a long long time I see plenty of cops out there writing them and hiding behind concrete dividers. I think the tax money could be put to better use.

lol.

Make a statement like that to the next cop you run into.

What was this thread supposed to be about?

Some WAY TOO EARLY discussion of the upcoming mayoral race, apparently. It really wouldn't be a productive thing if people on the council started balkanizing a year out from the mayoral election. The city council needs to be focused on the day-to-day and keeping the promises its made to the people. Yeah, in some cases, those are different promises and different people, but I wish they'd just focus on the issues at hand.

In OKC, the mayoral election really isn't even that big of a deal. We're voting for the city's head cheerleader, not necessarily a real policy maker. It's kind of shaping up like most elections though, isn't it? One one side, you have the always losing faction of police/fire. Then you have the "true conservatives" and then we have the Chamber of Commerce selection who always seems to win.

If someone wanted to be mayor, the smart money is to become the Chamber's choice, which creates a clear path to victory. Running some bat**** evangelical candidacy or one built to primarily benefit the police and fire unions isn't going to work--or at least it never has.

Some WAY TOO EARLY discussion of the upcoming mayoral race, apparently. It really wouldn't be a productive thing if people on the council started balkanizing a year out from the mayoral election. The city council needs to be focused on the day-to-day and keeping the promises its made to the people. Yeah, in some cases, those are different promises and different people, but I wish they'd just focus on the issues at hand.

In OKC, the mayoral election really isn't even that big of a deal. We're voting for the city's head cheerleader, not necessarily a real policy maker. It's kind of shaping up like most elections though, isn't it? One one side, you have the always losing faction of police/fire. Then you have the "true conservatives" and then we have the Chamber of Commerce selection who always seems to win.

If someone wanted to be mayor, the smart money is to become the Chamber's choice, which creates a clear path to victory. Running some bat**** evangelical candidacy or one built to primarily benefit the police and fire unions isn't going to work--or at least it never has.

Really, isn't the council at large and the city manager much more influential than the mayor?

Really, isn't the council at large and the city manager much more influential than the mayor?

Depends on how you define influential...? The City Manager has much more impact on people's daily lives. The Mayor has the greatest mouthpiece to either tout the City, especially nationally.

The Mayor could be a policy leader if that's how the Mayor wants to be. Policy comes from the policy proposals put on their meeting agenda. If the Mayor was really zealous and productive, the person could constantly propose policy updates/changes/formation. It is what you make it.

When it's a (relatively) low-paid, "part-time" position, you are only going to get so much out of the person, unless he or she is independently wealthy.