Why I am voting No.

[John]

The only reason to vote no would be because you hate Oklahoma City.

[dcsooner]

Agree, anyone who love the city and wants to see it prosper and grow has to vote yes. No way a 18 month one cent tax should be a show stopper to all the positives that I believe will come with NBA presence in the City

[oneforone]

One thing nobody is discussing is "What if the NBA never comes to OKC?"

For all we know there might be a group in another city that snipes OKC out of the running. Vegas has an endless supply of private financing. All it would take is for one of the Casinos to say "Come on down, we will build you the best stadium, training and living quarters in the world."

How do we know Clay Bennet and Friends may do the same thing to us in ten years that they are doing to Seattle.

For all we know David Stern may leave the NBA and a new commissioner may pull a few strings to keep the Sonics and every other team in their home cities for awhile.

Any sane person knows you should never 100% plan for anything to happen because things can change to keep it from happening.

Obviosly nobody remembers when United Airlines pulled the rug out from under the city.

I have two reasons to vote no.

One, taxpayers need a break. We pay too much in the form taxes and see little or not benefit in return. The cost living is skyrocketing and a little less sales tax would help working class people like me.

Two, there are bigger fish fry to in OKC right now. Such as the roads, public safety, the mass transit system, increasing our water supply sources so we are not like Dallas in ten years, adding community centers, pools and spray grounds so our kids actually have an option to street gangs and vandalism, I could go all day.

Package the Ford Center improvements and I will be on board. If this sale tax passes, I think OKC is getting tired of sales tax improvements.

[Kerry]

Obviosly nobody remembers when United Airlines pulled the rug out from under the city.

This is actually a reason to vote FOR the Ford Center improvments.

One, taxpayers need a break. We pay too much in the form taxes and see little or not benefit in return. The cost living is skyrocketing and a little less sales tax would help working class people like me.

Agree and disagree. As a tax payer I would like to see the Federal government loosen the income tax burden a lot. However, a sales tax at the local level to fund local projects is a good way to raise funds. You might not like the project the money is being spent on but it is the best way to raise the money.

Two, there are bigger fish fry to in OKC right now. Such as the roads, public safety, the mass transit system, increasing our water supply sources so we are not like Dallas in ten years, adding community centers, pools and spray grounds so our kids actually have an option to street gangs and vandalism, I could go all day

The Ford Center vote is not an either/or situation. If the vote for the Ford Center fails new money isn't magically going to pour into the roads and parks. Besides, those things you just mentioned were included in the most recent bond issues.

[foiaokc08]

I am voting no because of nepotism at City Hall. I am voting no because there is so much bad behavior in our local municipal government that has gone unchecked. The City's days in the sun are coming to a screeching halt. Rampant harassment that the City sweeps under the proverbial rug. Just ask the folks in Parks and Recreation.

There is an urban legend of sorts out there -- a very high up City official throwing a stapler at someone's head. This story has made the rounds in City government. The stapler-thrower -- she's been promoted over and over again. Bullies get their rewards at City Hall. This is what the City respects in its leaders. Bad ass--. As long as this is going on - how can I in good conscience allocate more tax revenue to them?

I predict the failure of this vote on March 4.

[andy157]

Actually, the poor don't have to pay the tax so it has nothing to do with them. Correct me if I am wrong but since this is an extension of the MAPS tax, just a new project, don't the poor still get a chance to go to the city and apply for a refund. If not, then this is why a sales tax is the best way to go. The more you earn, the more you purchase, the more tax you pay. The less you earn, the less you buy, the less tax you pay. If you don't want to pay, then shop outside the city limits. If you live outside OKc but want to contribute then shop in OKC.

Actually people who don't live in Oklahoma, don't have to pay the tax either.

[Karried]

Actually people who don't live in Oklahoma, don't have to pay the tax either.

Maybe not, but people coming to Oklahoma to enjoy an NBA will pay taxes on hotel rooms, restaurants, entertainment and help boost our economy in that way.. especially someone who has family here and comes home to visit and has a vested interest in the growth of the city.

[Midtowner]

A "no" vote here would be tough for the city to recover from. I don't mind the practice facility at all. If it gets used anything like the Blazer's practice facility does (which I was at on Friday night watching a UCO vs. OU ice hockey match), it'll be valuable to the community. The price tag isn't outlandish at all.

[jbrown84]

I am voting no because of nepotism at City Hall. I am voting no because there is so much bad behavior in our local municipal government that has gone unchecked. The City's days in the sun are coming to a screeching halt. Rampant harassment that the City sweeps under the proverbial rug. Just ask the folks in Parks and Recreation.

There is an urban legend of sorts out there -- a very high up City official throwing a stapler at someone's head. This story has made the rounds in City government. The stapler-thrower -- she's been promoted over and over again. Bullies get their rewards at City Hall. This is what the City respects in its leaders. Bad ass--. As long as this is going on - how can I in good conscience allocate more tax revenue to them?

I predict the failure of this vote on March 4.

I'll ask you the same thing I asked Rev. Gaddis, ringleader of the pro-John Porter lobby.

What in the WORLD does this have to do with the Ford Center??

[Doug Loudenback]

I am voting no because of nepotism at City Hall. I am voting no because there is so much bad behavior in our local municipal government that has gone unchecked. The City's days in the sun are coming to a screeching halt. Rampant harassment that the City sweeps under the proverbial rug. Just ask the folks in Parks and Recreation.

There is an urban legend of sorts out there -- a very high up City official throwing a stapler at someone's head. This story has made the rounds in City government. The stapler-thrower -- she's been promoted over and over again. Bullies get their rewards at City Hall. This is what the City respects in its leaders. Bad ass--. As long as this is going on - how can I in good conscience allocate more tax revenue to them?

I predict the failure of this vote on March 4.

Pardon me? Voting No because of NEPOTISM??? What a concept!

[betts]

I'd be happy to see some rational thought from most of the "no" voters. I can't argue with reasons that are well thought out, but some of these are just wacko and off the wall. Let's talk about Oklahoma City as a community, and what we'd like to see for our community. If you're voting no, let's hear some of your hopes and dreams for your comunity, and what you'd like to see done in it's place, or why you think having a new arena is bad for the community. Or, just state:
"I'm against all taxes, no matter what they're for." That's a position that's pretty defensible, since it's an opinion. But, nepotism, staplers, etc? Go campaign for people you think will do a better job. The Ford Center has absolutely nothing to do with who is or isn't in office.

[Midtowner]

I am voting no because of nepotism at City Hall.

Wha????

Non sequitur much??

I share your suspicions regarding the administration of many public bodies, public trusts especially. The Ford Center, however is something which has a plan which is going to be built for a certain amount of money. There isn't a lot of room here for corruption. This is very unlike there being a 75 million dollar fund for "economic development" where the people writing the paper can charge as much as 10% interest. Now, therein lies the potentiality (more like probability) of corruption. The Ford Center though? I simply can't connect your premises to your conclusion.

[solitude]

Wha????

Non sequitur much??

I share your suspicions regarding the administration of many public bodies, public trusts especially. The Ford Center, however is something which has a plan which is going to be built for a certain amount of money. There isn't a lot of room here for corruption. This is very unlike there being a 75 million dollar fund for "economic development" where the people writing the paper can charge as much as 10% interest. Now, therein lies the potentiality (more like probability) of corruption. The Ford Center though? I simply can't connect your premises to your conclusion.

I agree. That post made no sense at all in relationship to the March 4 vote. I'm curious with the username, "foiaokco8." I would imagine it is "Freedom Of Information Act OKC '08". Hmmm. Maybe we'll soon be enlightened?

Betts, you too said it well, as usual.

[foiaokc08]

COME ON! There is so much corruption in City government. You think they are somehow immune to the good ol boy politics of the state legislature? A "NO" vote on March 4 is a symbolic gesture as much as anything. It's about trust in public officials waning. I'm a former minor league baseball player. I love sports more than anyone - so don't get on ME because you don't think nepotism is a problem. I guess it wasn't a problem that the Mayor of Detroit was sleeping with his Chief of Staff either. The only thing that didn't make that nepotism was that she wasn't his wife!

I stand by my assertion - the vote will NOT pass on March 4. And I love Oklahoma. Do you pay attention to anything?I've made a living out of the Freedom of Information Act. FOIA OKC 08. And, I know what secrets that City holds onto. As always, the challenge is in finding and knowing the RIGHT questions to ask.

[CuatrodeMayo]

Ok...well go vote no then. And be sure to spread your message to all that will listen. I'm sure they'll vote no because of it.

[solitude]

COME ON! There is so much corruption in City government. You think they are somehow immune to the good ol boy politics of the state legislature? A "NO" vote on March 4 is a symbolic gesture as much as anything. It's about trust in public officials waning. I'm a former minor league baseball player. I love sports more than anyone - so don't get on ME because you don't think nepotism is a problem. I guess it wasn't a problem that the Mayor of Detroit was sleeping with his Chief of Staff either. The only thing that didn't make that nepotism was that she wasn't his wife!

I stand by my assertion - the vote will NOT pass on March 4. And I love Oklahoma. Do you pay attention to anything?I've made a living out of the Freedom of Information Act. FOIA OKC 08. And, I know what secrets that City holds onto. As always, the challenge is in finding and knowing the RIGHT questions to ask.

No one is getting on you because nepotism isn't a problem. I didn't hear anyone say that. It may very well be a problem, but at what point do you hold the city back due to the fact that there might be corruption in some departments of city government? What do you do to make "symbolic gestures," in regards to corruption in county government, state government, the federal government? Do you punish everything with these gestures? Do you simply not support anything so as to make it clear there is corruption here, there and everywhere?

[jbrown84]

FOIA, if you vote no, that is not the message you will be sending. No one will hear that message in this context. If you want to grandstand on this issue, wait until we're electing public officials. That makes a lot more sense.

Clearly I was not off at all to compare you to those who will vote no to send some kind of message that our schools need to be better. WHAT??

[Midtowner]

COME ON! There is so much corruption in City government. You think they are somehow immune to the good ol boy politics of the state legislature? A "NO" vote on March 4 is a symbolic gesture as much as anything. It's about trust in public officials waning. I'm a former minor league baseball player. I love sports more than anyone - so don't get on ME because you don't think nepotism is a problem. I guess it wasn't a problem that the Mayor of Detroit was sleeping with his Chief of Staff either. The only thing that didn't make that nepotism was that she wasn't his wife!

No. Your argument is a non sequitur. You allege (and maybe rightly so) that there is nepotism in city government.

A quick look to the Oklahoma Statutes, particularly 11 O.S. section 8-106 quickly tells us that what is going on here is not a crime, although it may create the appearance of impropriety.

Surely, using your vast FOI expertise, if there is any actual wrongdoing in the municipal government, you'd be able to get those records and expose it yourself, or better yet, expose the same to the Attorney General. Since you haven't done that, I'm assuming your main objection lies with the fact that there's the mere appearance of impropriety. You're talking about two city employees in vastly different roles.

Further, even if there were such impropriety, what on Earth does that have to do with anything on March 4th? The police and the auditor both have tremendous discretionary power to spend money when and where they see fit. With the March 4th vote, we already know how much will be spent, when it'll be spent and what we're getting. Bids must be submitted in the manner prescribed by state law. There is really very little room for corruption here.

I stand by my assertion - the vote will NOT pass on March 4. And I love Oklahoma. Do you pay attention to anything?I've made a living out of the Freedom of Information Act. FOIA OKC 08. And, I know what secrets that City holds onto. As always, the challenge is in finding and knowing the RIGHT questions to ask.

It's your right to vote however you see fit. Even if it is for an incredibly stupid reason.

[betts]

A "NO" vote on March 4 is a symbolic gesture as much as anything.

I stand by my assertion - the vote will NOT pass on March 4. And I love Oklahoma.

I prefer to make symbolic gestures that do not hurt my community. Personally, were I to vote "NO", I would believe I was making an anti-Oklahoma statement, because I think the Ford Center improvements will be at least good, if not great, for our community. So, you'll have to count me out on that symbolic gesture. And you'd better do a lot more spreading of your particular gospel if you want your symbolic gesture to mean anything more than "I don't want to spend my tax money to bring an NBA team here." That's the message David Stern and the Board of Governors are going to get, and they're probably not that interested in the private pecadillos of our civic leaders.

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

I'm voting for Huckabee because that stupid a$$hole at McDonald's gave me a biscuit instead of a McMuffin.

[windowphobe]

You know, if I confined myself to throwing things as small as staplers, people would think I just didn't care anymore.

[andy157]

Maybe not, but people coming to Oklahoma to enjoy an NBA will pay taxes on hotel rooms, restaurants, entertainment and help boost our economy in that way.. especially someone who has family here and comes home to visit and has a vested interest in the growth of the city.

Karried, yes I know, and yes you are right. You also know, and probably would agree that, I have as much if not more of a vested interest in the growth of this city as anyone, especially someone who doesn't even live in Oklahoma City, or Oklahoma for that matter.

Nothing makes me happier than out of towners spending tons of money to boost our economy. I would also venture to say that no one here is anymore pro sales tax than I am. But, due to my opposition regarding the collecting and expending any of my tax dollars to pay for a practice facility, for the first time since 1984 I will vote NO on a sales tax increase or extension. And I've not missed a vote.

Granted everyone has a right to weigh in and express their opinions on this issue. Even those who don't live here. But do it factually. For those who would infer that anyone who elects to vote no, regardless of their reason for doing so, hates Oklahoma City, I would simply respond with, bite me.

[Kerry]

You got me Andy157, I don't live in OKC or Oklahoma. However, I didn't leave by choice. I had to. After graduating from OU I had to leave the state to get a job just like 10s of 1,000s OU/OSU graduates. I don't know if I will ever have a chance to move back to OKC but I can tell you this, if I had an opportunity for a decent paying job in OKC after I graduated I would have never left. In order for me to move back to OKC it would take one incredible job to make what I earn now. Maybe if a few major global companies move to OKC a position might just open up. And maybe with increased employment opportunities someone graduating in 2010 won't have to move.

BTW - it was someone from OKC that made the "hate OKC" comment.

[Easy180]

Karried, yes I know, and yes you are right. You also know, and probably would agree that, I have as much if not more of a vested interest in the growth of this city as anyone, especially someone who doesn't even live in Oklahoma City, or Oklahoma for that matter.

Nothing makes me happier than out of towners spending tons of money to boost our economy. I would also venture to say that no one here is anymore pro sales tax than I am. But, due to my opposition regarding the collecting and expending any of my tax dollars to pay for a practice facility, for the first time since 1984 I will vote NO on a sales tax increase or extension. And I've not missed a vote.

Granted everyone has a right to weigh in and express their opinions on this issue. Even those who don't live here. But do it factually. For those who would infer that anyone who elects to vote no, regardless of their reason for doing so, hates Oklahoma City, I would simply respond with, bite me.

You will spend more money on the gas used to go vote no than you will on contributing to the practice facility

Why not prove a point to the oil companies as well and just stay home that day instead

[solitude]

Karried, yes I know, and yes you are right. You also know, and probably would agree that, I have as much if not more of a vested interest in the growth of this city as anyone, especially someone who doesn't even live in Oklahoma City, or Oklahoma for that matter.

Nothing makes me happier than out of towners spending tons of money to boost our economy. I would also venture to say that no one here is anymore pro sales tax than I am. But, due to my opposition regarding the collecting and expending any of my tax dollars to pay for a practice facility, for the first time since 1984 I will vote NO on a sales tax increase or extension. And I've not missed a vote.

Granted everyone has a right to weigh in and express their opinions on this issue. Even those who don't live here. But do it factually. For those who would infer that anyone who elects to vote no, regardless of their reason for doing so, hates Oklahoma City, I would simply respond with, bite me.

Hi Andy, While I have the same problem as you with the practice facility, I have made the choice to go ahead with a "YES" vote. However, I want to say I agree with you that a "NO" vote should not be considered by anyone as a vote of hatred toward our city. A "NO" vote should be respected whether one supports the proposal or not. We are a city with many interests and divergent viewpoints and to put anybody in a box and say they "hate Oklahoma City" for any reason is uncalled for.