OKC Mayor Race 2014

[Edgar]

Can we all just assume that Edgar and MKJeeves are the only people who contribute to this message board who support this charlatan, Shadid? I'm beyond sick of their trolling garbage.

I also think of Doug Loudenbach. He's a potential supporter of Ed, although he hasn't said so (but he doesn't seem to care for Cornett). Anyone else?

If Shadid is such a charlatan selling snake oil and talking out his &^%, why won't Mich agree to a debate so he can defend himself? Shadid has accused him of lying in the promotion of the cc. Wouldn't you want to set the record straight?

[Edgar]

The Economic Impact of the Proposed
Oklahoma City Convention Center Hotel
Prepared

http://www.theallianceokc.org/sites/...0CC_121313.pdf

It doesn't cost money, it saaaaves $!

[warreng88]

If Shadid is such a charlatan selling snake oil and talking out his &^%, why won't Mich agree to a debate so he can defend himself? Shadid has accused him of lying in the promotion of the cc. Wouldn't you want to set the record straight?

Why would he waste his time debating a guy that seems to be digging his own grave?

[warreng88]

And where is El Shadid getting this $200 million dollar figure from? I have only seen it ever at $50 million for the last several years.

[Just the facts]

The Economic Impact of the Proposed
Oklahoma City Convention Center Hotel
Prepared

http://www.theallianceokc.org/sites/...0CC_121313.pdf

I only made it to page 3 before I had to stop reading that non-sense. The hotel is going to increase local economic output by $669 million? Why are we just building one of these? We should build 20 if you believe that number.

[betts]

Last night we had a watch party for the Thunder - Spurs game. To that party came a man and his son, whom we "met" through the Thunder website. They came here from Australia for the son's school break. They bought tickets to 3 Thunder games, spent 7 nights at the Bricktown Hampton Inn, ate at KD's twice and other restaurants around the city 19 other times. There were at least 3 other families here on break from Australia and New Zealand this week. David Glover, one of Ed's right hand people, campaigned vociferously against the MAPS Arena. Had he been successful, the Thunder would not be here. Think of the economic and international PR impact of the Thunder.

Why is this relevant? First of all, Ed has the same mindset as David Glover. Had he bothered to vote in the election, he likely would have voted against the arena. But the other part of this story is that since that MAPS Arena vote, things have changed in Oklahoma City. We are not the same city we were. My biggest argument against the convention center back in 2008 (when the mysterious Chamber study was done) was that Oklahoma City had nothing compelling downtown for visitors - there was no reason for people to come here. Things have changed. We have retail downtown, many more restaurants, we'll have transit for visitors to get to those places and for as many as 7 months, we have the Thunder. It's hard to contemplate how much has changed and likely how irrelevant that study is. It's time to be in the present. I don't have the ability to evaluate this new study. As I've said, I always assume the truth is somewhere in between the positive and negative studies. I just think Ed needs to drop his attempt to generate paranoia regarding the mystery Chamber study.

[Just the facts]

The study linked above was just done last month. It was presented on Dec 17, 2013.

[Tier2City]

I just think Ed needs to drop his attempt to generate paranoia regarding the mystery Chamber study.

But then what would he have left that means he's better suited for Mayor in a weak council city government? That he's a better consensus builder? Hail Mary is all that's left at this point.

[betts]

I know. I'm referring to Ed's 2008 mystery chamber study. He hasn't given up referring to it and I agree that it's out of date. How accurate this one is, I can't evaluate, but if he's going to rebut something he can use this one.

[Edgar]

Last night we had a watch party for the Thunder - Spurs game. To that party came a man and his son, whom we "met" through the Thunder website. They came here from Australia for the son's school break. They bought tickets to 3 Thunder games, spent 7 nights at the Bricktown Hampton Inn, ate at KD's twice and other restaurants around the city 19 other times. There were at least 3 other families here on break from Australia and New Zealand this week. David Glover, one of Ed's right hand people, campaigned vociferously against the MAPS Arena. Had he been successful, the Thunder would not be here. Think of the economic and international PR impact of the Thunder.

Why is this relevant? First of all, Ed has the same mindset as David Glover. Had he bothered to vote in the election, he likely would have voted against the arena. But the other part of this story is that since that MAPS Arena vote, things have changed in Oklahoma City. We are not the same city we were. My biggest argument against the convention center back in 2008 (when the mysterious Chamber study was done) was that Oklahoma City had nothing compelling downtown for visitors - there was no reason for people to come here. Things have changed. We have retail downtown, many more restaurants, we'll have transit for visitors to get to those places and for as many as 7 months, we have the Thunder. It's hard to contemplate how much has changed and likely how irrelevant that study is. It's time to be in the present. I don't have the ability to evaluate this new study. As I've said, I always assume the truth is somewhere in between the positive and negative studies. I just think Ed needs to drop his attempt to generate paranoia regarding the mystery Chamber study.

Don't think it's paranoia but he doesn't agree with Mick that it has minimal relevance and thinks all the info should be available regarding what will be a risky commitment for OKC. Sure the chamber commissioned the study but since they receive millions in taxpayer funds, who really paid for it?, and voters surely should have had access to the study in order to make an informed decision. It apparently mentions many significant challanges for OKC to compete in the convention business where space is being heavily discounted and even comped. we're all familiar- climate, direct flights, no transport form the airport, little public transport. Why won't Mick agree to a debate if Shadid is talking out his %^^? And please don't lump the half baked MAPSIII logroll in with the other projects in the franchise. It's an insult.

[warreng88]

Don't think it's paranoia but he doesn't agree with Mick that it has minimal relevance and thinks all the info should be available regarding what will be a risky commitment for OKC. Sure the chamber commissioned the study but since they receive millions in taxpayer funds, who really paid for it?, and voters surely should have had access to the study in order to make an informed decision. It apparently mentions many significant challanges for OKC to compete in the convention business where space is being heavily discounted and even comped. we're all familiar- climate, direct flights, no transport form the airport, little public transport. Why won't Mick agree to a debate if Shadid is talking out his %^^? And please don't lump the half baked MAPSIII logroll in with the other projects in the franchise. It's an insult.

Don't lump it in? Everyone thought the arena being built was the worst deal ever. I remember driving by it a year after it opened with my best friend and he said, "I can't believe they actually continued the tax to build that monstrosity. All we are going to get from it is a few big concerts a year and then it will sit empty..." There were studies done before it was built saying how bad of a deal for the city it was owning an arena and most cities would not get anything good out of it. Now it is the best example ever of the MAPS program and without it, the city would not see the million dollars per home game and closer to $1.3 million for playoff games.

[Edgar]

OKC needed a larger capacity arena to get back in the concert circuit, which has occurred thankfully. The Thuder is a total fluke- it took a human tragedy and Howard's Schultz's greed. Lots of towns built arenas and didn't get a pro team. A new cc however is a different story.

[OSUFan]

OKC needed a larger capacity arena to get back in the concert circuit, which has occurred thankfully. The Thuder is a total fluke- it took a human tragedy and Howard's Schultz's greed. Lots of towns built arenas and didn't get a pro team. A new cc however is a different story.

Shadid would be have been against the arena deal. I don't see how that is even arguable.

[warreng88]

OKC needed a larger capacity arena to get back in the concert circuit, which has occurred thankfully. The Thuder is a total fluke- it took a human tragedy and Howard's Schultz's greed. Lots of towns built arenas and didn't get a pro team. A new cc however is a different story.

The same could be said about the convention center... Your move...

It took tons of work and Mayor Mick Cornett going to NYC to convince David Stern to let the Hornets come here for the time being for it to happen. Yes there was a natural disaster that opened the door, but not everything just fell into place after that happened. There was tons of lobbying and traveling to get them to come here. You really need to read Big League City to understand the entire situation and how it played out.

[Bellaboo]

OKC needed a larger capacity arena to get back in the concert circuit, which has occurred thankfully. The Thuder is a total fluke- it took a human tragedy and Howard's Schultz's greed. Lots of towns built arenas and didn't get a pro team. A new cc however is a different story.

This is correct, it just shows how the persistance of a good Mayor, that is Mayor Cornett, helped lure the NBA after Katrina. You're right, a lot of other cities built arenas, but our Mayor was instrumental in landing the Hornets.

[Edgar]

Howard Schultz's greed deserves most the credit. He could have sold to a local for less $ but he was like a crow to a shiny object when Bennett waved cash under his noes.

[BrettM2]

Howard Schultz's greed deserves most the credit. He could have sold to a local for less $ but he was like a crow to a shiny object when Bennett waved cash under his noes.

And this makes Ed right how?

[warreng88]

Howard Schultz's greed deserves most the credit. He could have sold to a local for less $ but he was like a crow to a shiny object when Bennett waved cash under his noes.

Sure, give credit to Mr. Starbucks. Don't give any credit to Mick, Clay Bennett or anybody associated with his ownership group...

[betts]

Howard Schultz's greed deserves most the credit. He could have sold to a local for less $ but he was like a crow to a shiny object when Bennett waved cash under his noes.

Edgar, your ignorance would be laughable if it weren't so sad. You're talking to people who lived through this and know precisely what happened. Read "Big League City" if you want to educate yourself. The Washington legislature and the city of Seattle's refusal to build a new arena is the primary reason the Sonics moved here, which was preceded by Mayor Cornett's persistant courting of the NBA and acumen in seizing the opportunity to host the Hornets when Katrina made the New Orleans arena unusable. If it weren't for the voters who approved MAPS I, the MAPS arena update and Mayor Cornett, the Thunder would not be here. Most people who are losing $20 million a year on a business cannot be called greedy for wanting to break even. Howard Schultz was foolish, perhaps, to think that he could operate a team in the black, given the ridiculously bad contract the Sonics had with the city of Seattle, but it is ignorant to call him greedy. And there were no Seattle buyers at the time he sold to Bennett et al. The only other potential buyer was in San Jose and insisted on moving the team immediately there upon purchase.

[mkjeeves]

Edgar, your ignorance would be laughable if it weren't so sad. You're talking to people who lived through this and know precisely what happened. Read "Big League City" if you want to educate yourself. The Washington legislature and the city of Seattle's refusal to build a new arena is the primary reason the Sonics moved here, which was preceded by Mayor Cornett's persistant courting of the NBA and acumen in seizing the opportunity to host the Hornets when Katrina made the New Orleans arena unusable. If it weren't for the voters who approved MAPS I, the MAPS arena update and Mayor Cornett, the Thunder would not be here. Most people who are losing $20 million a year on a business cannot be called greedy for wanting to break even. Howard Schultz was foolish, perhaps, to think that he could operate a team in the black, given the ridiculously bad contract the Sonics had with the city of Seattle, but it is ignorant to call him greedy. And there were no Seattle buyers at the time he sold to Bennett et al. The only other potential buyer was in San Jose and insisted on moving the team immediately there upon purchase.

I'm glad you reworded that. I don't remember if Mick was a rep or a TV personality during Maps 1 but he didn't have anything substantial to do with what was and is first and foremost to bringing the team here.

[CaptDave]

I'm glad you reworded that. I don't remember if Mick was a rep or a TV personality during Maps 1 but he didn't have anything substantial to do with what was and is first and foremost to bringing the team here.

NBA Finals: Commissioner David Stern thinks fondly of Oklahoma City | News OK

[mkjeeves]

“They were building canals, rivers, Bricktowns, you name it, this place was building it,” Stern said.

Because of the voters and tax payers before Mick was ever involved.

[OSUFan]

We wouldn't have an NBA team if it wasn't for Mayor Cornett. That is not saying he did it on his own or was the only factor but his work to get the Thunder here shouldn't be marginalized in any way.

[CaptDave]

“They were building canals, rivers, Bricktowns, you name it, this place was building it,” Stern said.

Because of the voters and tax payers before Mick was ever involved.

Stern has also said Mayor Cornett is "the mayor who wouldn't go away."

[betts]

“They were building canals, rivers, Bricktowns, you name it, this place was building it,” Stern said.

Because of the voters and tax payers before Mick was ever involved.

Yes but again, Mick was instrumental in getting the Hornets here. He had a good working relationship with Stern before Katrina ever occurred that was all of his own doing and initiative. As Capt. Dave said, Stern was well aware of Mick and his aspirations for Oklahoma City long before. When Mayor Cornett found out the New Orleans arena would not be habitable, he moved. Had the Hornets not been here and been a rousing success, the Thunder would not be here. Had Mick not pushed for the MAPS Arena improvement, the Thunder would not be here. He was critical to their presence in Oklahoma City. But the voters and taxpayers paved the way and deserve a lot of credit as well.