OKC Mayor Race 2014

[Urban Pioneer]

Here's what I know about the bus situation-

1. Nick Singer works for or is a major volunteer in the Ed Shadid Mayor Campaign.
2. He was on the phone nervously pacing around in the lobby of City Hall.
3. He then started to fill out slips for speaking before Council. I asked him who the stack of slips was for, and he said "For people who haven't arrived yet."
4. I then later went downstairs to meet the guy who was dropping off the printed materials for my presentation. While I was standing out there, a OKPS bus stopped in the middle of the street.
5. A large group of people got off of the bus. The first person to approach the curb saw me standing there and asked me "If I was Nick with Dr. Shadid's campaign."
6. I said no (and started laughing btw) and asked her what they were there for. She said "To protest against the streetcar!"
7. That's when realized that this seemed worth taking pictures of- so I started to take pictures with my iPhone.
8. I went inside and Nick was greeting them and escorting them into City Hall Chambers.
9. The fact that it was a OKPS bus freaked me out so I went upstairs to the press box and got the number for the PIO of OKPS from Kristy Yager, OKC's PIO.
10. The OKPS called me back, was perturbed, but stated that "City Church" had rented the bus.
11. Then the people spoke at council against the project.

I'd also note that some of the people who spoke weren't even OKC voters or residents.

I do not know the degree of formality of which Nick Singer is engaged by the campaign.

[Hutch]

Here's what I know about the bus situation-
1. Nick Singer works for or is a major volunteer in the Ed Shadid Mayor Campaign.
2. He was on the phone nervously pacing around in the lobby of City Hall.
3. He then started to fill out slips for speaking before Council. I asked him who the stack of slips was for, and he said "For people who haven't arrived yet."

I can also confirm UP's statement regarding the speaking slips that were pre-prepared. I arrived at City Hall a little after 8:30am and the Council meeting had already started. The only persons in the hall outside of Council chambers were myself, Jeff and Nick Singer, and of course the security guards sitting at the front table. Everyone else was already seated inside for the Council meeting. I went to the security table and filled out a yellow speaking slip. On the corner of the table was a small stack of speaking slips that had already been filled out. I asked the security guard if that's where I was supposed to leave mine, and he said "no...those are for some people that aren't here yet". At that point, Jeff came up and said he would take mine and turn it in, and then he pointed at the stack on the corner and said those are for some of Ed's supporters. That was before either of us were aware of the school bus situation.

[Larry OKC]

I just wonder if all the behind the scenes, ethically questionable politics by his "partner" finally got to him and he hesitated on his vote.

If you think you have all the answers, you don't respect the voters and have disdain for a democratic political process, you may think the end justifies the means. But that attitude scares me in anyone, more so in a civic leader.

So true. That is why, given the track record of Cornett in prior campaigns and what has been alleged and collaborated by others on this forum about Shadid, (among concerns about both candidates on other issues), I can not vote for either candidate.

"if you always vote for the lesser of two evils in game theory things just keep getting more evil." -- Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller)

Is anyone else running at this point?



I can understand the passion of those that are intimately involved in the process and have had dealings with Shadid and rightfully seem betrayed. I too, fell betrayed but one other issues. However, I do find bewildering several statements made by others that a vote on this particular ROUTE somehow equates shutting down the Streetcar project altogether???

i also firmly agree with the point that Shadid was making in a previous Council meeting. That if the Mayor & Council had chosen to list each item as separate propositions (the legal council said that there was nothing prohibiting it), that the City would have been legally bound to build those projects. They couldn't divert funds from one project to another or even scrap a project completely.

So if anyone is upset with Shadid or anyone else for allegedly wanting to divert funds or scrap a project completely, your anger is misplaced. It should be directed at Cornett and the Council members at the time that chose to deliberately set up MAPS 3 the way they did. Some of us tried to warn you about it at the time but the standard response was "we can trust them". And I and others pointed out, Council members come and go. That it only takes a majority vote of the quorum present to take any action for/against your favorite project.

[Midtowner]

10. The OKPS called me back, was perturbed, but stated that "City Church" had rented the bus.

Well now that's very interesting. I'm not sure who City Church is, but a church paying for a city bus to send protesters to something which is not even remotely arguably an event concerning an expression of their faith would be pretty indefensible to the IRS.

[Tier2City]

Is anyone else running at this point?

I heard Joe Sarge Nelson saying he will be declaring soon. Should liven things up a bit.

[warreng88]

Well now that's very interesting. I'm not sure who City Church is, but a church paying for a city bus to send protesters to something which is not even remotely arguably an event concerning an expression of their faith would be pretty indefensible to the IRS.

Is that the one on the NW corner of NW 10th and Robinson?

[OKVision4U]

So true. That is why, given the track record of Cornett in prior campaigns and what has been alleged and collaborated by others on this forum about Shadid, (among concerns about both candidates on other issues), I can not vote for either candidate.


Is anyone else running at this point?



I can understand the passion of those that are intimately involved in the process and have had dealings with Shadid and rightfully seem betrayed. I too, fell betrayed but one other issues. However, I do find bewildering several statements made by others that a vote on this particular ROUTE somehow equates shutting down the Streetcar project altogether???

i also firmly agree with the point that Shadid was making in a previous Council meeting. That if the Mayor & Council had chosen to list each item as separate propositions (the legal council said that there was nothing prohibiting it), that the City would have been legally bound to build those projects. They couldn't divert funds from one project to another or even scrap a project completely.

So if anyone is upset with Shadid or anyone else for allegedly wanting to divert funds or scrap a project completely, your anger is misplaced. It should be directed at Cornett and the Council members at the time that chose to deliberately set up MAPS 3 the way they did. Some of us tried to warn you about it at the time but the standard response was "we can trust them". And I and others pointed out, Council members come and go. That it only takes a majority vote of the quorum present to take any action for/against your favorite project.

...OK, will all the perfect people, please throw your name in the hat? .... (crickets).

This race is a formality, that is all.

[Urban Pioneer]

So if anyone is upset with Shadid or anyone else for allegedly wanting to divert funds or scrap a project completely, your anger is misplaced. It should be directed at Cornett and the Council members at the time that chose to deliberately set up MAPS 3 the way they did. Some of us tried to warn you about it at the time but the standard response was "we can trust them". And I and others pointed out, Council members come and go. That it only takes a majority vote of the quorum present to take any action for/against your favorite project.

So you think it is ok to commend the person trying to implement the very sabotage they have been previously been lauded for identifying?

[Midtowner]

I can understand the passion of those that are intimately involved in the process and have had dealings with Shadid and rightfully seem betrayed. I too, fell betrayed but one other issues. However, I do find bewildering several statements made by others that a vote on this particular ROUTE somehow equates shutting down the Streetcar project altogether???

It wasn't the route, this was the whole Streetcar. A "no" vote would have ended in a tie. It would have put Shadid in charge of where the route was going to go (at least in his mind). Doubtful he could get the other councilmen involved in anything he thought up... y'know, having been to a convention, read some stuff and become an expert overnight and such.

i also firmly agree with the point that Shadid was making in a previous Council meeting. That if the Mayor & Council had chosen to list each item as separate propositions (the legal council said that there was nothing prohibiting it), that the City would have been legally bound to build those projects. They couldn't divert funds from one project to another or even scrap a project completely.

You ignore what MAPS is and what the voters expect. While it's technically true that the Council can change anything they want to, doing so would tank the MAPS brand forever. We're the envy of so many cities. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

So if anyone is upset with Shadid or anyone else for allegedly wanting to divert funds or scrap a project completely, your anger is misplaced. It should be directed at Cornett and the Council members at the time that chose to deliberately set up MAPS 3 the way they did. Some of us tried to warn you about it at the time but the standard response was "we can trust them". And I and others pointed out, Council members come and go. That it only takes a majority vote of the quorum present to take any action for/against your favorite project.

Well, we can trust them. Unless you live under a rock, you'd be aware that the good guys won despite dummy Greiner getting caught not having done his homework and Shadid and White trying to tank the MAPS brand. Screw those guys, but they lost.

[kevinpate]

It wasn't the route, this was the whole Streetcar. A "no" vote would have ended in a tie. It would have put Shadid in charge of where the route was going to go (at least in his mind). Doubtful he could get the other councilmen involved in anything he thought up... y'know, having been to a convention, read some stuff and become an expert overnight and such.

...

That seems a bit overstated and somewhat inconsistent. A 4-4 vote kills the route, true.

But, then the committee picks a new route. It ends up before the council. Meg S. is not longer in a must abstain posture on a new route. Even if no one else changes their mind, a new route passes 5-4. Also, consider the new announcement on improved bus service that is now released. White now has less coverage to say the city needs to focus on buses not a streetcar. And, there is time for organizing folks in his ward to make their voices known he has streetcar supporters among his voters as well.

As for Candidate Shadid and the rep. from your ward, yeah, they dug their way in, they can let go of the flashlights, use both hands and crawl their way back out their own holes however works best for them.

[soonerguru]

That seems a bit overstated and somewhat inconsistent. A 4-4 vote kills the route, true.

But, then the committee picks a new route. It ends up before the council. Meg S. is not longer in a must abstain posture on a new route. Even if no one else changes their mind, a new route passes 5-4. Also, consider the new announcement on improved bus service that is now released. White now has less coverage to say the city needs to focus on buses not a streetcar. And, there is time for organizing folks in his ward to make their voices known he has streetcar supporters among his voters as well.

As for Candidate Shadid and the rep. from your ward, yeah, they dug their way in, they can let go of the flashlights, use both hands and crawl their way back out their own holes however works best for them.

Not quite. A second route wouldn't have been as easy to produce as you suggest. Midtowner is correct.

[Midtowner]

That seems a bit overstated and somewhat inconsistent. A 4-4 vote kills the route, true.

But, then the committee picks a new route. It ends up before the council. Meg S. is not longer in a must abstain posture on a new route. Even if no one else changes their mind, a new route passes 5-4. Also, consider the new announcement on improved bus service that is now released. White now has less coverage to say the city needs to focus on buses not a streetcar. And, there is time for organizing folks in his ward to make their voices known he has streetcar supporters among his voters as well.

As for Candidate Shadid and the rep. from your ward, yeah, they dug their way in, they can let go of the flashlights, use both hands and crawl their way back out their own holes however works best for them.

Kevin, just imagine the many, many ways if in court you could destroy anyone who offered the second proposal on cross.

[kevinpate]

Not quite. A second route wouldn't have been as easy to produce as you suggest. Midtowner is correct.

Several of the final proposals went through Automobile Alley. One, labeled the Hybrid, did not. It's actually already produced.
http://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/griff...F/1212/PHA.pdf

[Bellaboo]

Mick has some heavy hitters in his lineup...... Go Mick Go !

[CuatrodeMayo]

Just causally skimming the list and noticed my wife apparently signed up for our neighborhood.

This party is about to get Gateweird!

[Larry OKC]

So you think it is ok to commend the person trying to implement the very sabotage they have been previously been lauded for identifying?

If I understand your question correctly, No. Even though I have agreed with my Councilman on many issues, and agree with many of the points he has raised recently, I can not support him for Mayor. I also can't support Cornett.

[Popsy]

Larry, I feel certain that both candidates will greatly appreciate your reluctance to endorse their campaigns.

[bradh]

I was on the list Monday...looks like signing up early put me in a group where I need to carry some damn weight

[ljbab728]

Today's list of Neighborhood Committee members:Mick?s Neighborhood Steering Committee Keeps Growing and Growing : Mick Cornett for Mayor

I'm on this one.

Does anyone know if the Judy Greiner on that list has any connection to James?

[CaptDave]

Today's list of Neighborhood Committee members:Mick?s Neighborhood Steering Committee Keeps Growing and Growing : Mick Cornett for Mayor

I'm on this one.

Me too!

[Larry OKC]

Larry, I feel certain that both candidates will greatly appreciate your reluctance to endorse their campaigns.

if thats the case maybe I should see who will pay me more to endorse the other guy...LOL

[kevinpate]

if thats the case maybe I should see who will pay me more to endorse the other guy...LOL

I do imagine this has happened from time to time, not meaning you specifically, just in general.

[tillyato]

You can't make this stuff up:



The Okie » Update: Shadid, Atheist Group, Delete Tweets

[warreng88]

You can't make this stuff up:



The Okie » Update: Shadid, Atheist Group, Delete Tweets

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Wow...

[Teo9969]

What is the earliest date I can cast a ballot? I will probably be out of the country in March but certainly want to participate in the election.