Governor's Mansion

[Midtowner]

The secrecy is troubling to me, and the fact that KFOR made requests for information and was turned away doesn't help. If it were all totally above board, why the secrecy? Why not appeal to the public and show us what's wrong with the mansion that it requires building an entirely new structure?

That part I don't understand either. I'll admit I have a strong bias against the guy as I have a low opinion of his character, but putting that aside, even if I try to give the benefit of the doubt, it doesn't make sense.

And I don't really buy the idea that somethow this place, after a $2 million renovation is uninhabitable. There are older homes in Heritage Hills, some even larger than the governor's mansion which are perfectly fine--and considering the amount we just invested in renovating the capitol building and the Supreme Court, showing a little love to the executive mansion doesn't seem too off-putting. Honestly, if I'd have read a sum of $10 million was needed to update the mansion and grounds, I probably wouldn't have batted an eye.

That this is being done with private funds considering all of the problems with private funds surrounding this administrative is pretty problematic though and I'd love to discuss that matter further, but I am restraining myself from delving into what might be considered political, thus ruining the fun for everyone.

[The Shadow]

Important to note, the gentleman who has helped raise 6MM for this project, who happens to be mentioned in the article in today's Oklahoman was recently appointed to the OU Board of Regents.

Of course, he was appointed by Governor Stitt.

See how it works?

[BDP]

There are older homes in Heritage Hills, some even larger than the governor's mansion which are perfectly fine.

Looking at the list provided above, most governor's mansions are older than Oklahoma's, and many are much older.

In most places, 100 year old structures are not nearly the oldest in the city.

And then, of course, there's Europe, where the 100 year old homes are the new ones. lol

[Midtowner]

Looking at the list provided above, most governor's mansions are older than Oklahoma's, and many are much older.

In most places, 100 year old structures are not nearly the oldest in the city.

And then, of course, there's Europe, where the 100 year old homes are the new ones. lol

I haven't ranked them, but at 1928, we look like a kind of middle on the road/a little on the older side compared to a lot of governor's mansions.

[soonerguru]

Regardless of the propriety of this effort, the attempts to keep this news under wraps -- and Sarah Stitt not being truthful to the KFOR reporter -- indicate they at least knew this would be unpopular. Otherwise, what is their to hide?

There have been numerous improvements / renovations to the Governor's Mansion over the years by multiple administrations, and they were conducted in the open.

[chssooner]

Regardless of the propriety of this effort, the attempts to keep this news under wraps -- and Sarah Stitt not being truthful to the KFOR reporter -- indicate they at least knew this would be unpopular. Otherwise, what is their to hide?

There have been numerous improvements / renovations to the Governor's Mansion over the years by multiple administrations, and they were conducted in the open.

Because we live in a polarizing time, where he would have been lambasted either way. Better to ask forgiveness than seek permission.

[catcherinthewry]

So much for the non-ADA compliant excuse. Former governor throwing some shade.

https://twitter.com/DavidLWalters/st...36827639160833

All this Mansion hubbub makes me nostalgic. Remembering my wheel chair bound brother visiting frequently. I wonder how we got him in this “non ADA compliant” home? Wait, is that a wheel chair ramp?

[soonerguru]

Because we live in a polarizing time, where he would have been lambasted either way. Better to ask forgiveness than seek permission.

I have a different view when it involves matters of the state, but that's OK. We can agree to disagree.

[BDP]

I haven't ranked them, but at 1928, we look like a kind of middle on the road/a little on the older side compared to a lot of governor's mansions.

I haven't ranked them either, but you can sort the wiki list of governor's mansions by "dates of use" where that data is available. That definitely puts it about "middle of the road". But several of the ones that weren't being used as governor's mansions until the 50s or 60s were built decades earlier, many before Oklahoma's was built.

I'm not saying whether the current governor's mansion can be used or not. I don't know enough about it, or construction in general for that matter, to have an opinion on that, but it's always funny to me what qualifies as old in Oklahoma when there are perfectly functional buildings everywhere much older than the oldest buildings in the state's inventory.

[Swake]

I haven't ranked them either, but you can sort the wiki list of governor's mansions by "dates of use" where that data is available. That definitely puts it about "middle of the road". But several of the ones that weren't being used as governor's mansions until the 50s or 60s were built decades earlier, many before Oklahoma's was built.

I'm not saying whether the current governor's mansion can be used or not. I don't know enough about it, or construction in general for that matter, to have an opinion on that, but it's always funny to me what qualifies as old in Oklahoma when there are perfectly functional buildings everywhere much older than the oldest buildings in the state's inventory.

In the UK built in 1928 is "new".

[Bored UCO Student]

Sorry for bumping this thread, however, feel like this needs to be placed here as somebody touched on the serious issues in the mansion earlier, such as the mold, but I don't believe it was brought up again.

However, knowing someone very well-placed to this specific situation, feel like it is worth noting that one/multiple of Stitt's kids does have some current health complications. Can't remember which but I also do know these health issues were either exacerbated or created by certain conditions in the household. At least one is still receiving treatment to my knowledge. This is also confirmed by his response in the following article that people neglected to post after creating this thread.

https://kfor.com/news/local/kevin-st...rnors-mansion/

I'm not voting for Stitt and I dislike him as much as the next sane Oklahoman but this was straw grasping by the reporter.

[David]

That follow-up article hardly helps the Stitt perspective in this matter since it just shows more of their lies. Lies about the NDA not existing, lies about the wheelchair accessibility (see https://twitter.com/DavidLWalters/st...36827639160833 for the debunking on that bit), etc.

[Pete]

It's also very strange that they have an active website for Friends of the Mansion where they are soliciting donations but there is no mention at all of a new residence; just the renovation of the existing one.

It's not so much the plan, it's the secrecy and subterfuge.

[OKCretro]

That follow-up article hardly helps the Stitt perspective in this matter since it just shows more of their lies. Lies about the NDA not existing, lies about the wheelchair accessibility (see https://twitter.com/DavidLWalters/st...36827639160833 for the debunking on that bit), etc.

When do you think the last time Walters was in the mansion? Doubt its been during the Stitt era, possibly not even for Fallin's 8 years as well. So it might have been since like 2010. Guessing there have been some changings made in the past 10 years but i guess Walters knows all according to his twitter.

[BoulderSooner]

I'm not voting for Stitt and I dislike him as much as the next sane Oklahoman but this was straw grasping by the reporter.

yep it was a hit piece plain and simple ..

[David]

When do you think the last time Walters was in the mansion? Doubt its been during the Stitt era, possibly not even for Fallin's 8 years as well. So it might have been since like 2010. Guessing there have been some changings made in the past 10 years but i guess Walters knows all according to his twitter.

Well, did they rip the ramp out that former governor Walters remembers being at the mansion and has photographic evidence of and can remember his brother using? A ramp that is pictured in the tweet he offered up as evidence?

[onthestrip]

When do you think the last time Walters was in the mansion? Doubt its been during the Stitt era, possibly not even for Fallin's 8 years as well. So it might have been since like 2010. Guessing there have been some changings made in the past 10 years but i guess Walters knows all according to his twitter.

And we for sure know Stitt's current home is ADA compliant? What pictures I've found of it show some steps to the front door.

Not saying this story is a big deal, just some weird excuses and secrecy. Biggest thing to me is why not put $6 million towards renovating the current awesome looking governors mansion?

[Jersey Boss]

When do you think the last time Walters was in the mansion? Doubt its been during the Stitt era, possibly not even for Fallin's 8 years as well. So it might have been since like 2010. Guessing there have been some changings made in the past 10 years but i guess Walters knows all according to his twitter.

One would imagine that when Stitt met with the 4 former Governors in 2019 to gain their approval the meeting was held at the mansion. So Walters would have been there within the last 4.

[OKCretro]

One would imagine that when Stitt met with the 4 former Governors in 2019 to gain their approval the meeting was held at the mansion. So Walters would have been there within the last 4.

So now you are speculating that Walters might have been there once in the past 10 years. Was his brother with him? Did he notice any changes to the mansion or was everything the same?

Seems like more and more i notice that old politicians remember things in the past to fit their agenda.

[David]

So now you are speculating that Walters might have been there once in the past 10 years. Was his brother with him? Did he notice any changes to the mansion or was everything the same?

Seems like more and more i notice that old politicians remember things in the past to fit their agenda.

How is he remembering things in the past to fit his agenda? He literally posted a picture of the wheelchair ramp!

[Swake]

So now you are speculating that Walters might have been there once in the past 10 years. Was his brother with him? Did he notice any changes to the mansion or was everything the same?

Seems like more and more i notice that old politicians remember things in the past to fit their agenda.

I really don't see it being legal to take an ADA compliant public building and making changes so that it no longer compliant.

[soonerguru]

It's also very strange that they have an active website for Friends of the Mansion where they are soliciting donations but there is no mention at all of a new residence; just the renovation of the existing one.

It's not so much the plan, it's the secrecy and subterfuge.

Yes, the reason people keep secrets and have people sign NDAs is because they don't really want the public to know.

[The Devils Architect]

Private residences are not required to be, so in general, unless specifically designed to be, they typically are not

[The Devils Architect]

It is certainly not legal

[Midtowner]

It is certainly not legal

You remind me of a poster who used to do that, i.e., post conclusions without any sort of supporting information.

I'd be interested to know how the ADA applies to a private residence or how you don't consider the Governor's Mansion where the Governor's family is supposed to reside to be a private residence--or how the ADA applies to a State-owned building. Or how the ADA applies to a building built in 1928.

All of those would be interesting to hear about.