Activist to seek Oklahoma City mayoral seat

[Caboose]

I know this guy and he is a certified loon. On top of that he truly despises Oklahoma City. He has expressed that many times.

[Midtowner]

I just don't think the new convention center is an efficient use of our dollars. That is my main concern. Very few people wanted it, and since MAPS 3 passed, I've heard concerns that it will take up more than is expected, and individuals who fought for other projects have told me personally they are concerned that their projects will be left behind, or only partially funded. Legitimate concerns without question, unless you rely on fairy tales from Saxum Communications, Visual Image, CMA Strategies and friends.

So you admit that your speculation is only backed by other speculation?

Neat.

My interests are in things that make us unique, not things like convention centers and subsidized Bass Pro shops, which make us similar to other big cities. How do you stand out by being like everyone else? That logic made sense in Jr High, but not so much now.

How do you stand out? It starts by offering the basic amenities that competitor cities offer. A convention center is part of that equation. We cannot begin to be a host to the sort of money-producing events we want to attract without a facility capable of hosting said events. Clearly you haven't thought this through.

One of the things I am interested in...as I have stated in a Council Meeting, is how Ponca City received write-ups in national publications for their community wireless project, something we could do quite easily here in OKC. And should. Why throw away money to Atlanta based COX and San Antonio based AT&T? It makes no sense to me. Community wi-fi is the future.

As mentioned above, you obviously don't know the first thing about the infrastructure involved here or the manpower necessary to operate that infrastructure.

Apparently your campaign strategy is to through a bunch of **** at the wall to see what sticks, then run with that. Protip: This one ain't gonna stick.

Also, it is shameful that our once proud (and significantly less wealthy) city had locally owned WKY broadcasting from the Skirvin (occupying two floors there) and KWTV with it's “world's tallest man-made structure” tower – now only has a small handful of local radio stations (Perry and Taylor owned...the big ones are Citadel and Clear Channel owned, Nevada and Texas corporations) and amongst the major TV stations just Channel 9. The others have been bought off by wealthy investment firms in Ft Worth or by media conglomerates with no interest in our city whatsoever, other than making a buck.

With all this money we have set to come in, why not use it to buy back some of our stations? We need to be telling OUR stories, not these myopic “economies of scale” hoodlums, most of which are about to go bankrupt and trying to squeeze every penny out of every advertiser...thus pricing most local OKC businesses out of ever mentioning their goods and services, it's always some fancy national entity or a tax payer funded Ad Council spot! Whether it be municipally-owned radio (as Dallas has done so well with WRR) or local groups subsidized by MAPS funds, we need to take our media back.

So you're suggesting government ownership of the media? Wowzers. That'll definitely score you points with conservatives! The real answer to the lack of local radio is already present in your post -- or at least a clue is. As you observed, Clear Channel, Citadel, etc. are either currently in bankruptcy or at least about to be there. I seem to recall that some of Clear Channel's creditors may have filed an involuntary proceeding or something of that nature, which means that they know that they're not getting paid and they're wanting to liquidate or reorganize Clear Channel in such a way that they'll at least get something before it's completely belly up.

Market forces are the solution here. If local radio can be successful then local buyers will emerge for these stations as the big companies divest them (which will happen since we're not a huge media market for them) and we'll either get some sort of local ownership.

Now, as to whether we get local programming or nationally syndicated garbage, that's up to the people. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, etc., would probably outperform any local show in the same time slot (God only knows why), but it is what it is. NPR ain't bad though... and they do actually maintain local news bureaus. But forget about in depth coverage on anything.

Michael Carrier, President of the CVB told me one of the reasons for building the new Center, was that we need “..higher ceilings for the types of events some people are putting on these days.” Hello? How about using your vast resources and knowledge to court conferences that don't use big displays!

We're obviously already able to attract these, but I imagine the need for higher ceilings is due to technology, stages, etc., which just about everyone uses these days. So really, without standard facilities, you're really fighting for scraps and that ain't where the Chamber wants us to be and I tend to agree with the Chamber.

With this Convention Center, we are talking about the same amount of money it will cost to build the new jail. Might be good to just gift those funds to the County. That would prevent a dreaded 9.375% sales tax (shopping deterrent of epic proportions) or big new property tax. If they try and sign a contract with Benham or some other fancy outfit, fine let them. What will they do, sue the City for canceling? There is a nice cap on what you can sue for. Take the money and go have an elegant dinner party with it at Red Prime while the good people of Oklahoma City have a bigger party, doing more important things...

I could school you in how inept an observation this is... OKC basically gifting money to Edmond and Norman residents, but if you're too ignorant to understand what you're suggesting, I'll just let you continue to embarrass yourself. That's just completely absurd.

These are the kind of actions we can take, amongst many others I have planned, that would put us on the map. I will discuss other things later if anyone is interested.

So your bid to get the majority of the people to vote for you is couched in reversing something that 54 percent of the public just a few weeks ago asked for?

Don't quit your day job.

[betts]

Wow, Betts, Hunt4mayor rambled on like a madman. How did we let him on the ballot? Him being willing to discuss things goes a long way.

I'm not sure which part of your statement is tongue in cheek, but if it wasn't the second, I'm hoping you're one of the public servants who lives outside the city limits. It's scary to think anyone will vote for him. You might do a search on this forum and look for all the Steve Hunt and Blazerfan posts if you were impressed with him being willing to discuss things.

[kevinpate]

I laughed till I cried. It had been a dreary and somewhat somber day until I logged back in. No more. Thanks Hunt.

[Mikemarsh51]

Betts, I would like to see Mr. Hunt give Mr. Cornett a run for his money. Let him know he is not invincible. I have told you many times I live around 104th and Western south and I vote. Mr. Cornett might not be in the graces of the powers that be after making promises no one wants to keep concerning public safety. After all he is only 1 vote of 9. The story we are being told is the council can't risk firing cops and firemen, so we are looking at up to 9% pay cuts. I promise I haven't worked for 25 years to have my salary hacked by 9% and my insurance go up by 20%. Mr. Cornett sold maps to the people knowing we were in financial hard times. Treat me bad and I will work hard to defeat you.

[betts]

Mike, if all of us voted based on our own self-interest, this world would be a sorry place. There are plenty of people who no longer have jobs, and there are plenty taking pay cuts. I refuse to vote for chaos and ignorance. Oklahoma City means too much to me to risk disaster and nationwide embarrassment, which is what Steve Hunt's election would mean. Again, read his posts and his blog and tell me you would feel proud about your vote.

[blangtang]

seems like a good thread for the politics forum...yawn

[Larry OKC]

...would feel proud about your vote.

Well this is problem area because there is no way I can vote for Cornett again (voted for him the 1st two times). Since his last landslide win, he let it go to his head and since then, has become just another tax-n-spend politician. I respected him when he was a Councilman (he voted against the Bass Pro deal and against the City's selling of the naming rights to the Arena) and thought he did a decent job as Mayor the 1st time around. He came way down in my book when shortly after his landslide win, he decided he wanted to be a U.S. Representative. When he made that decision, he should have resigned as Mayor (as Humphreys did). Through the Ford and MAPS 3 campaigns, Mr. Cornett has been less than truthful and he simply isn't someone that can be trusted IMO.

"Less than truthful" or "crazy loon"? What a choice!

[betts]

Then I would abstain, Larry.

[rcjunkie]

Claims that Mayor Cornett hid or was untruthful about the City's budget/financial issues are completely false and any claims to the contrary are laughable. If you alive, watch news, read the news paper, pending budget cuts, etc; were common knowledge, unless had your head in the sand or live in a cave.

[LordGerald]

Betts, I would like to see Mr. Hunt give Mr. Cornett a run for his money. Let him know he is not invincible. I have told you many times I live around 104th and Western south and I vote. Mr. Cornett might not be in the graces of the powers that be after making promises no one wants to keep concerning public safety. After all he is only 1 vote of 9. The story we are being told is the council can't risk firing cops and firemen, so we are looking at up to 9% pay cuts. I promise I haven't worked for 25 years to have my salary hacked by 9% and my insurance go up by 20%. Mr. Cornett sold maps to the people knowing we were in financial hard times. Treat me bad and I will work hard to defeat you.

Mike, if you've worked 25 years, then you're ready for your pension. Maybe you can retire and take on a job as a teacher or car salesman, while the tax payers pay your pension ad infinitum.

[gmwise]

The local "news sources" cant be trusted to do anything except repeat a press release by the very same who is being reported on or "investigative" reporting.
I seem to remember that Mayor Micky, mention MAPS would be a local stimulus for jobs, and to grow our economy, and it means more public safety can be funded.
I dont remember him ever mentioning the City's budget is on track to a deficit.

[rcjunkie]

[QUOTE=gmwise;296934]The local "news sources" cant be trusted to do anything except repeat a press release by the very same who is being reported on or "investigative" reporting.
I seem to remember that Mayor Micky, mention MAPS would be a local stimulus for jobs, and to grow our economy, and it means more public safety can be funded.
I dont remember him ever mentioning the City's budget is on track to a deficit.[/QUOTE]

The Mayor, City Manager and Council have openly discussed budget/financial declines for the past several months, and do you honestly need someone else to tell you the obvious.

Anyone that claims the Mayor was trying to hide something do so because that's what they want to hear and believe.

[mugofbeer]

The local "news sources" cant be trusted to do anything except repeat a press release by the very same who is being reported on or "investigative" reporting.
I seem to remember that Mayor Micky, mention MAPS would be a local stimulus for jobs, and to grow our economy, and it means more public safety can be funded.
I dont remember him ever mentioning the City's budget is on track to a deficit.

With the economy down and spending significantly slowed, do you honestly think the budget was going to stay on track? MAPS WILL be a local stimulus for jobs once something starts to get under construction, just the way the Devon building has created jobs. You don't snap your fingers and do it all.

[Kerry]

I promise I haven't worked for 25 years to have my salary hacked by 9% and my insurance go up by 20%.

Yes you did. You put your financial future in the hands of other people (union, taxpayers, elected officials) so you get what other people give you. When give the choice between cash in hand or promise of future benefit - take cash in hand. No one can take away something they already gave you.

[mugofbeer]

Yes you did. You put your financial future in the hands of other people so you get what other people give you.

Face it, employers nationwide are cutting salaries "to try and save jobs." Yeah, that may be true, but employers nationwide are cutting salaries BECAUSE THEY CAN.

[Kerry]

Face it, employers nationwide are cutting salaries "to try and save jobs." Yeah, that may be true, but employers nationwide are cutting salaries BECAUSE THEY CAN.

I didn't cut my salary.

[sroberts24]

His best shot at not making himself look like a complete idiot is if he keeps his mouth shut and doesn't let the people of OKC see who he really is.... obviously he is failing miserably at that.... What a joke

[BOBTHEBUILDER]

I cant believe that you would attack our beloved Mayor that way.
He cant help it, that he is a complete idiot and cant shut his mouth.
So what else is new. He is trying to do his best with all the smiles and trust me gestures, but you are seeing right through all of that stuff arent you.

There may be some really sensitive people on this thing, so you may have to tone your name calling down a bit. The moderator police may come to get you. lol

[kevinpate]

Sensing an uphill battle for the challenger, here's a bit of motivation for he and his band of merry supporters.

YouTube - Aragorn's Speech at the Black Gate




yah, ok, I'm a geek. whut of it?

[Mikemarsh51]

Betts, why do you judge me like that? You need to read and comprehend. If Mr. Hunt won it would still be 7-2 on the votes, I don't see where that would destroy our city. Did you ever see where I wrote who I was voting for, no, only who I would work against.

LordGerald, thank you for letting me know what I need to do, Since I'm only 45 I think I will stay awhile. Now about the taxpayers paying my pension. What about what I paid into it? Tell you what, I figured out years ago what you have paid me. The amount of population of OKC divided by what I have been paid. I owe you about $4.60. Let me know where to send that. Maybe you will feel better about me not owing you anything. I own 2 small businesses and would work for myself.

Junkie, Im starting to like you. No one ever said they tried to hide it. They just didnt discuss it. Maps3 will be magical and cure all of our ills. It will grow and stimulate our economy, put more fire and police on the street. It just didnt say they would be paid minimum wage.

[gmwise]

With the economy down and spending significantly slowed, do you honestly think the budget was going to stay on track? MAPS WILL be a local stimulus for jobs once something starts to get under construction, just the way the Devon building has created jobs. You don't snap your fingers and do it all.

LOL..
Even a broken clock is right twice a day....thank you Muggs..

[rcjunkie]

Betts, why do you judge me like that? You need to read and comprehend. If Mr. Hunt won it would still be 7-2 on the votes, I don't see where that would destroy our city. Did you ever see where I wrote who I was voting for, no, only who I would work against.

LordGerald, thank you for letting me know what I need to do, Since I'm only 45 I think I will stay awhile. Now about the taxpayers paying my pension. What about what I paid into it? Tell you what, I figured out years ago what you have paid me. The amount of population of OKC divided by what I have been paid. I owe you about $4.60. Let me know where to send that. Maybe you will feel better about me not owing you anything. I own 2 small businesses and would work for myself.

Junkie, Im starting to like you. No one ever said they tried to hide it. They just didnt discuss it. Maps3 will be magical and cure all of our ills. It will grow and stimulate our economy, put more fire and police on the street. It just didnt say they would be paid minimum wage.

Be careful mike, your fellow firefighters might run you out of town.

[LordGerald]

Betts, why do you judge me like that? You need to read and comprehend. If Mr. Hunt won it would still be 7-2 on the votes, I don't see where that would destroy our city. Did you ever see where I wrote who I was voting for, no, only who I would work against.

LordGerald, thank you for letting me know what I need to do, Since I'm only 45 I think I will stay awhile. Now about the taxpayers paying my pension. What about what I paid into it? Tell you what, I figured out years ago what you have paid me. The amount of population of OKC divided by what I have been paid. I owe you about $4.60. Let me know where to send that. Maybe you will feel better about me not owing you anything. I own 2 small businesses and would work for myself.

Junkie, Im starting to like you. No one ever said they tried to hide it. They just didnt discuss it. Maps3 will be magical and cure all of our ills. It will grow and stimulate our economy, put more fire and police on the street. It just didnt say they would be paid minimum wage.

I would like my $4.60 back. I'd be forty cents away from a $5 footlong, and I'd feel better about my investment.

[Mikemarsh51]

My bad LordGerald, I had to adjust for the increase in population. Its really about $3.40, so why dont you stop any cop or fireman you see and let them know how much they owe you.