Ward 5 Voters: VOTE TODAY!!

[SoonerDave]

Some of you may not be aware, but there is a municipal election today (March 6th) for the Oklahoma City Council seat being vacated by longtime representative Jerry Foshee.

Those running include, in no particular order,

* George Washington - incumbent, long-time head of the planning commission
* Brian Walters - South OKC resident and relative political newcomer
* Davd Miller - South OKC resident and businessman

If you live in Ward 5, GO VOTE!

Commentary:

Very little is known about Brian Walters. Washington has been part of Oklahoma City city politics for some time, while Miller is a businessman and longtime S. OKC resident. It would appear, given Foshee's recent "broadstrokes" against David Miller in recent city council meetings, that Washington is Foshee's would-be "designate" to succeed him in the seat.

Miller stirred up some controversy a few weeks ago by calling attention to the then little-known plans for a Super WalMart to be located in the heart of a residential area at SW 104th and May. Miller is hoping to gain written promises from the developer to protect the integrity of the area neighborhoods that would be impacted by the still-proposed WalMart.

I've met both Foshee and Miller (the former some years ago, the latter only recently), and I find Miller to be a thoroughly decent guy who really seems to have a non-politician's fervor. That's refreshing. I think Foshee represented Ward 5 generally well over the years, but I cannot say that Washington offers me much in the way of excitement that he is interested in *south OKC* issues. Unfortunately, I simply don't know enough about Brian Walters to say much one way or the other.

Personal endorsement (like anyone cares what I think, right?)

Based on my conversation with him, and interest in S. OKC issues, I think David Miller represents an excellent choice for Ward 5 voters. He is *very* interested in the development of SW OKC, and is especially interested in how the City is going to manage the retail evolution of this part of OKC as more than just another source of sales tax revenue.

-SoonerDave

[mranderson]

Some of you may not be aware, but there is a municipal election today (March 6th) for the Oklahoma City Council seat being vacated by longtime representative Jerry Foshee.

Those running include, in no particular order,

* George Washington - incumbent, long-time head of the planning commission
* Brian Walters - South OKC resident and relative political newcomer
* Davd Miller - South OKC resident and businessman

If you live in Ward 5, GO VOTE!

Commentary:

Very little is known about Brian Walters. Washington has been part of Oklahoma City city politics for some time, while Miller is a businessman and longtime S. OKC resident. It would appear, given Foshee's recent "broadstrokes" against David Miller in recent city council meetings, that Washington is Foshee's would-be "designate" to succeed him in the seat.

Miller stirred up some controversy a few weeks ago by calling attention to the then little-known plans for a Super WalMart to be located in the heart of a residential area at SW 104th and May. Miller is hoping to gain written promises from the developer to protect the integrity of the area neighborhoods that would be impacted by the still-proposed WalMart.

I've met both Foshee and Miller (the former some years ago, the latter only recently), and I find Miller to be a thoroughly decent guy who really seems to have a non-politician's fervor. That's refreshing. I think Foshee represented Ward 5 generally well over the years, but I cannot say that Washington offers me much in the way of excitement that he is interested in *south OKC* issues. Unfortunately, I simply don't know enough about Brian Walters to say much one way or the other.

Personal endorsement (like anyone cares what I think, right?)

Based on my conversation with him, and interest in S. OKC issues, I think David Miller represents an excellent choice for Ward 5 voters. He is *very* interested in the development of SW OKC, and is especially interested in how the City is going to manage the retail evolution of this part of OKC as more than just another source of sales tax revenue.

-SoonerDave

Washington IS roundboy's chosen successor. (Plus he is NOT an incumbent. The office is being vacated, therefore, it has no incumbent.) That is why I would not vote for Washington if I still lived in ward five. My guess is that Miller and Walters will go to runoff. That, by the way, supports the fact that most in ward five do not like Foshee. This will probably be evident in next year's Senate election. If Foshee wins, I will be quite surprised.

Oh. And the Fosheeites will say he has never had an opponent. Big deal. I have seen many people not have opponents then suddenly they get one... And are voted out of office.

[metro]

Don't forget it's not just Ward 5, Bethany, Warr Acres and other surrounding sububurbs also have elections. Some cities have special questions on the ballot and nobody running for office. It's best to check with the Oklahoma County election board for the area you live in if you're not sure.

[SoonerDave]

mranderson,

My reference to Washington as an "incumbent" was related to his long-time service as planning commissioner, and thus probably not an ideal use of the word in this case. He does, however, have the benefits enjoyed by an incumbent with his prior city work and the implicit ties to the business community that implies. That can have positive and negative connotations to it.

When someone called an acquaintance of mine on behalf of Washington (not even in my neighborhood, but in SW OKC), and that acquaintance asked him about the development at SW 104th and May, the representative said "That's a federal matter."

That's either laughably stupid or laughably incompetent. I'm just not sure which. The incident did not ingratiate Washington to the caller; in fact, it may have pushed a vote to Miller....

-SoonerDave

[BaconCheeseburgerDeluxe]

Do not forget Putnam City's bond issue vote is also scheduled for today.

2007 Bond Project List

On Tuesday, March 6, voters in the Putnam City school district will consider a $32 million bond proposal to maintain and improve school buildings and ensure that all students attend classes in well-equipped, up-to-date facilities. If voters approve the bonds, projects would start as early as July 2007. Design work on new facilities and turf will begin in 2006, with construction slated for 2007. Because the bond money is issued to the district in yearly increments, other projects would start in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Here's how bond funds would be used:

First Release of Bond Funds, July 2007

Allocation
Textbooks
$ 100,000New school building to replace Central Elementary School
$8,428,000Improvements and additions to technology
$1,140,000Add additional outlets/circuits in older schools
$ 300,000Replace portions of roof at Putnam City West High School
$ 926,000 Lockers for Cooper Middle School 7th-grade football team
$ 20,000 Install classroom doors at Ralph Downs Elementary School
$ 20,000 Complete fencing around perimeter of Hefner Middle School
$ 30,000 Upgrade and replace safety equipment in high school science labs
$ 50,000 Purchase of new sewing machines and cabinets for Putnam City West High School
$ 25,000Replace emergency stairs at Wiley Post Elementary School
$ 47,000 Replace deteriorating plaster gym walls at Capps Middle School
$ 500,000Replace portions of roof at Western Oaks Middle School
$ 63,000Replace portions of roof at Western Oaks Elementary School
$ 391,000Update hood controls in kitchens for emergency shutdown
$ 240,000Adding parking areas and paving as needed
$ 100,000Replacement of flooring as needed
$ 75,000
$12,455,000Second Release of Bond Funds, January 2008Textbooks
$ 100,000 Replace heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment at Putnam City North High School
$ 600,000Renovation of locker rooms at Western Oaks Middle School
$ 350,000Adding parking areas and paving as needed
$ 100,000 Replacement of flooring as needed
$ 65,000Desks, bookcases and other furniture at schools as needed
$ 70,000Truck for Child Nutrition Department (16' box truck with lift)
$ 35,000
$1,320,000Third Release of Bond Funds, January 2009
Textbooks
$ 100,000Improvements and additions to technology
$ 850,000 Replace heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment/controls at Hefner Middle School
$2,600,000Construct locker rooms for female athletes at Putnam City North High School
$1,100,000
$4,650,000Fourth Release of Bond Funds, January 2010
Textbooks
$ 100,000Improvements and additions to technology
$4,010,000Enlarge band room at Putnam City West High School
$1,000,000Replace portions of roof at Central Intermediate School
$ 398,000Replace heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment/controls at Ralph Downs Elementary School $ 752,000Replace heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment/controls at Will Rogers Elementary School
$1,020,000Replace heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment/controls at Western Oaks Middle School
$ 670,000Replace and upgrade heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment/controls in the Mayfield Middle School kitchen
$ 200,000Purchase of new school buses$1,500,000Replace switchgear and upgrade main electrical feed at Lake Park Elementary School
$ 378,000New gym lights in four middle schools$ 363,000Renovate old Hilldale Elementary School kitchen into two classrooms$ 700,000Replace portions of roof at Hilldale Elementary School
$ 149,000Replace roof at Project Strive
$ 115,000Technical services cabling
$ 474,000Desks, bookcases and other furniture at schools as needed
$ 180,000Adding parking areas and paving as needed
$ 550,000Replacement of flooring as needed
$ 460,000Purchase kitchen equipment$ 350,000Add emergency and exit lighting$ 206,000$13,575,000Total
$ 32 million

[BailJumper]

At least "Roundboy" actually got off his butt, ran for office and won. Beats those who point fingers at others and fantasize about things they can never do.

[CMSturgeon]

Just wanted to throw in the Mr. Foshee's wife was a teacher of mine in 7th grade. I was a little rebelious then so we didn't get a long very well. He came in and gave a presentation on what I believe was 'career day' and I won a Foshee and Yaffee t-shirt for getting the following question right: "What year was the war of 1872 fought in?" lol. No wait, I'm thinking of Yaffee, not Foshee, it was Mr. & Mrs. Yaffee I'm thinking of. Excuse my irrelevance to the topic at hand.

[mranderson]

This one of those rare times when some people play name association. Miller is out. Washington got 49%. It IS a runoff, however.

I stick with Washington losing. The one with the most votes does not always win a runoff. However, I concede, he is the frontrunner.

[SoonerDave]

I think ol' Miller did himself pretty well for having essentially zero name recognition politically, and doing what he did mostly door-to-door.

I may have found out that Brian Walters is someone I know of indirectly, and if that surmise is correct, it may turn out that he will be a good choice as well.

I can't help but think of Washington as an entrenched city politician with. We'll see how it goes.

-SoonerDave

[metro]

Just a reminder folks, Ward 5 was NOT the only election yesterday.

[Martin]

nobody said it was... this thread happens to cover ward 5. if you want to cover other elections, what's stopping you from starting a thread? -M

[metro]

redundancy and lack of people's willingness to search. it's like the oklahoman created this thread basically. most people would take the thread for the topic and think Ward 5 was the only election going on when in fact most municipalities had elections and special questions going on. I wanted to make sure since I have heard/read numerous people on this site say they are too lazy or busy to take the time to search other threads so I wanted to make it clear to those people that other elections took place in case they were interested in those or if they lived in a suburb and not Ward 5 like the two main posters in this thread do other than me (not ward 5).

[writerranger]

To those on the South side of our city: Is Foshee one of the members of the old Marvin York Clique that has held a tight grip on southside politics for years? If so, then Washington is too. That gang has always been about themselves before South Oklahoma City.

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[mranderson]

To those on the South side of our city: Is Foshee one of the members of the old Marvin York Clique that has held a tight grip on southside politics for years? If so, then Washington is too. That gang has always been about themselves before South Oklahoma City.

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No. Keep in mind, it was my families former staff member and family friend the late Keith Leftwich that ousted York. And Keith never was part of this "good 'ole boy" routine.

The only thing George Washington has on his side is his name.

[writerranger]

No. Keep in mind, it was my families former staff member and family friend the late Keith Leftwich that ousted York. And Keith never was part of this "good 'ole boy" routine.

The only thing George Washington has on his side is his name.

Gotcha. That York bunch was scary. Leftwich was a good man, indeed.

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