MAPS III Redux

[okcpulse]

we dont have the corporate base to support NBA/MLB/NFL.

Ummm... who do you think bought the Seattle SuperSonics? Surely it wasn't a sugardaddy. No, it was OKlahoma City's corporate base, the same corporate base that supported the Hornets for two years. Look around you, it's not 1994 anymore.

[oudirtypop]

okay, well, 150 millions changes the equation slightly, but it could still work...if you invested it correctly, and safely, you could create an education endowment that would be self sustaining.

now one thing i forgot, that this is a city thing, not a state thing....thats an important key. Lets take this to a state issue...why cant the state of OK add a cent sales tax across the board in the state for a limited period, lets say 10 years. Could that not produce tons of money? I personally dont mind throwing a penny in when i buy something even if its a dime a day, thats only 3 bucks a month. Now, the state could set the funding for whatever it needed, but i think at least 1/2 should go to road improvements. What does texas have figured out that we dont. Why is that when you cross the border, your car noise drops in half? I know the prison system is understaffed and under funded, what about highway patrol? I dont see why this system of a minimul sales tax couldnt produce staggaring income for the state, or cities for that matter.

on now to bricks and mortar. I want a light rail, i really enjoy light rail and i think it would really help. Heres the problem with this city sales tax. What is going to happen...okc build the light rail system to the moore city limits, to midwest city city limits...edmond, yukon...around nichols hills...this is why that isn't going to work. None of those suburbs can afford several hundreds of millions of dollars to build that. It is going to have to be a metro effort. Why not make it a joint metro effort so it works and benefits every city.

On the notion of the city owning a football team....are you crazy...i cant believe that green bay works as good as it does. city or state money paying a football player millions a year! thats tax money at its best! What do you say when the teachers need a raise or the roads are crap or the police are underfunded? Sorry, Mr. Farve's paycheck was due, so we took the 10 mil from the police fund! I cant even imagine the public backlash when there is a budget problem!

[oudirtypop]

Ummm... who do you think bought the Seattle SuperSonics? Surely it wasn't a sugardaddy. No, it was OKlahoma City's corporate base, the same corporate base that supported the Hornets for two years. Look around you, it's not 1994 anymore.

Can you please tell me how companies own the seattle super sonics? NONE. One rich guy does. Yes, i realize he owns the company, do you get what i'm saying.

So, you take clay bennet out of the equation now, so you have Mr. Funk...he owns the redhawks and an interest in the hornets....so who do we have left? Oh, thats a good idea you have there, lets take the devon and chesapeake money from those other sports and give it to another cause, so that way, the NBA doesnt get supported or the beloved redhawks cant sell out the boxes at the game. What i am saying is, we dont have Frito-lays, budweiser's, walmarts, Googles, etc. I think its awesome how OKC has came along. I am always an optimist. I am also a realist.

[oudirtypop]

[QUOTE=metro;82706]Actually Flatlander and jbrown, I did NOT say that if you will take the time and carefully RE-READ my post. I clarified what others mistated Mayor Cornett saying. I said that he (Mick) was on record saying that MAPS in the past has been bricks and mortar but that he mentioned a MAPS3 wouldn't be limited to that (nor do I think it automatically has to be). He was basically encouraging people to think outside the box. Over the last decade or two there has been a lot of city positions eliminated due to lack of funding. Now with the economy strong, we could possibly recreate some of those positions or some other type of service we need?

Metro, I agree. Who said change isn't good.

Besides these stadium far fetched ideas, what other infastructure needs built? Light rail is the only thing i think of. Its going to be a long time for that. Talk about a major undertaking! If your unfamiliar with how big of a pain it is, talk to people in Denver!

[writerranger]

On the notion of the city owning a football team....are you crazy...i cant believe that green bay works as good as it does. city or state money paying a football player millions a year! thats tax money at its best! What do you say when the teachers need a raise or the roads are crap or the police are underfunded? Sorry, Mr. Farve's paycheck was due, so we took the 10 mil from the police fund! I cant even imagine the public backlash when there is a budget problem!

You need to understand how the Green Bay Packers actually work. It is self-sustaining and non-profit. They receive the money the Packers make - as opposed to millionaire sports moguls who bribe cities into building them a multimillion dollar stadium and then - the moochers feeding at the trough of government money - reaping the profits over the years. Then, 25 years later they run back to the same taxpayers and - you got it - ask for a new stadium! The city of Green Bay owns and operates the Packers and redistribute the non-profit funds to numerous city programs. It is the opposite of your police analogy. Green Bay is able to have a top-flight police department because the money comes back to them instead of the millionaire sports moguls.

In a nutshell, here's the mechanics of the financing....(From The Washington Post)
The Green Bay Packers -- one of the most venerated and successful teams in professional football -- is community-owned. The nonprofit Packers is financed through the issuance of stock, and more than 100,000 people own shares in the team.

Packers stock cannot be resold, except back to the team for a fraction of the original price. Limited transfer -- to heirs and relatives -- is allowed. No dividends are paid. To prevent any one person from gaining control, no one is allowed to own more than 200,000 of the more than 4.7 million shares of stock.

BTW, when the field is packed with snow, nobody needs to be told, hundreds of Green bay citizens show up at 5:30 in the morning and start the process of snow removal. Nobody expects to be paid. It's their team, and trust me, they take great pride in that fact.

For more information on the Green Bay Packers city-ownership, go to Green Bay Public Ownership Details.


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[oudirtypop]

Thats some great information. Thanks for that. I would have never thought of that. The only part i dont understand is why have stock in the team if it doesnt appreciate?

[Pete]

New convention center could be in OKC’s future
by Kelley Chambers
The Journal Record
1/26/2007


OKLAHOMA CITY – As downtown Oklahoma City continues to grow and expand, one issue on the minds of city leaders is the need for expanded convention space.

Since 1972, the Cox Business Services Convention Center, with about 100,000 square feet of convention and exhibition space, has been what the city has had to lure conventions here. In 2002 the name was changed to Cox from the Myriad Convention Center.

One group looking toward an eventual new convention center is the Core to Shore steering committee led by Mayor Mick Cornett.

Early proposals and renderings for the area south of downtown show a convention center, which could raise the city from a tier three convention and tourism destination to a tier two.

Roy Williams, president of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, said Oklahoma City competes for conventions with other tier two cities including Fort Worth and Little Rock.

He said if the city builds a new convention center along with a convention hotel, it could raise the city to a tier two status competing with such cities as Dallas and Denver.

“We miss out on a whole bunch of regional and national opportunities because we simply don’t have the square-footage that we need,” Williams said. “We know from experience we’re losing business because we don’t have a large enough convention center and also losing business because we don’t have a large enough convention hotel.”

Williams said the chamber is partnering with the city of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma State Fair to hire a consultant to study how the city can gain tier two status.

Proposals are being taken for the consulting duties and Williams said they hope to hire a consultant soon and to have a completed proposal by the second or third quarter of this year.

Gary Desjardins, general manager of the Cox center and the Ford Center, said that the Cox center might be able to make slight expansions, but nothing on a grand scale.

The center is bordered by Bricktown, the Ford Center, the Myriad Gardens and two hotels.

Desjardins, who works for SMG, which manages the properties, said in the fiscal year ended June 30 the Cox center hosted 163 events in the exhibition halls and arena. The meeting rooms at the north end of the center are managed by the Renaissance Hotel.

Desjardins said while the Cox center is sometimes running out of space, as demand grows it could eventually handle overflow for some conventions. He also said certain groups will continue to need the arena at the Cox center, with seating for about 10,000.

“If a new center is built and they needed more space, this building could end up getting booked as well,” he said. “Then again some people need the arena and some will continue meeting here.”

[jbrown84]

Actually Flatlander and jbrown, I did NOT say that if you will take the time and carefully RE-READ my post. I clarified what others mistated Mayor Cornett saying.

When I said "he did say that," I was talking about Mick, not you. I didn't see Flatlander's post while I was typing mine. I was simply agreeing with you about what Mick said.

[Flatlander]

I would like to say I was wrong when I qouted the mayor,I did not read his speech,just heard sound bites from the media.I have an open mind and am excited to be a part of this process.

[okcpulse]

What does texas have figured out that we dont. Why is that when you cross the border, your car noise drops in half?

Texas has high property taxes, high state sales tax, a $90 new residence tax per vehicle. But, when you mention a more peaceful ride when crossing the border, which highway are you talking about? If it's Interstate 35, I disagree. They've replaced the highway surface north of the Texas border with a concrete surface. The few rough patches left south of Ardmore will be replaced this year. Oklahoma is playing catchup with highway quality. That will take some time. Texas just simply appropriates a larger portion of revenue for highway funding. Honestly, though, Texas highways are nice. Ever been on a city arterial in Texas? In Houston, they are a joke.

Can you please tell me how companies own the seattle super sonics? NONE. One rich guy does. Yes, i realize he owns the company, do you get what i'm saying.

Well, other than Chesapeake and Devon, who share an interest in the Sonics, Bennet also included Midfirst Bank in the purchase. But there is a larger corporate base here than you realize. Sonic, Hertz (practically), Love's, Hobby Lobby (those two aren't as active in the community), and OG&E.

Seriously, though, we need to stop questioning OKC's corporate base. What's in San Antonio that keeps the spurs there? Yes, there are companies based in san Antonio, but not to the liking of major corporate cities. We keep thinking of places like Chicago, Dallas, St. Louis, Houston, San Fransisco and Seattle in terms of corporate base. Another instance is Salt Lake City. Sure, they have a few tech companies, but not a major corporate cluster. Another issue some in OKC can't seem to face is this... The assumption is CONSTANTLY made that the corporate base now is the same corporate base we will have 15 years from now. I see company presence growing, not shrinking or stagnating. Just because we lost Kerr McGee doesn't mean the trend will continue. Not if the chamber of commerce has a say. They won't let that happen.

BTW, I don't believe Bob Funk was really involved with the Sonics transaction. If he is, I stand corrected. But I don't remember seeing his name in the papers.

[writerranger]

Pulse, You made a lot of very good points re: OKC's corporate base - good post.

As for San Antonio, you are spot on. Outside of USAA and SBC (AT&T), I don't know of any major corporations with headquarters there. If they ever lost their military bases, and there are several, they would be in a heap of trouble.

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[jbrown84]

Love's, Hobby Lobby (those two aren't as active in the community)

Love's isn't real active as a corporation, but the Love family has given millions to St. Anthony Hospital over the years. Their new surgery wing is called the Margaret Vessels Love Surgery Center.


San Antonio doesn't have a huge corporate base, but they do have AT&T (formerly SBC). But I do agree that we have a strong corporate community here and I'm sure we could handle whatever comes our way.

[oudirtypop]

Pulse, i agree. and for the record, i was referring to funk with the redhawks and blazers, hornets...not sonics.

I agree, we have good quality companies, i just don't see sonic having the capital to throw 20- million to sponser a new team.

I will say for sure, your best line in that post was that our corporate base will grow. I agree that the OKC city council is pretty on the ball and i think mick cornett is doing a great job getting stuff going here! I think if we could land one big corporate base, more would follow. The two plant closings aren't helping, but i think OKC people seem to be visionaries! I just hope we dont always have to be catching up.

About texas...i agree north of the border we are making big improvements but as you said, we are playing catch up. Why cant oklahoma be the one setting precedents? Education, roads, etc. always behind. I wouldnt mind the trade off of higher property taxes, and higher sales taxes if it meant no state income tax! i believe, could be wrong, but texas doesnt have a state income tax. now, were talking!

[okcpulse]

Pulse, i agree. and for the record, i was referring to funk with the redhawks and blazers, hornets...not sonics.

Ah, gotcha.

I wouldnt mind the trade off of higher property taxes, and higher sales taxes if it meant no state income tax!

I had the same philosophy when we moved to Texas (we moved here for family reasons). But I changed my position on that matter, because since we moved a year ago, the Oklahoma state legislature has decreased the state income tax twice, once in the 2005 session and again last year. Meanwhile, here in Texas, property tax rates are allowed to increase 10 percent a year compounded with rising property values. With property taxes, you don't get to claim exemptions like you do with state income tax.

And on average, the property tax on a $120,000 home is three times higher than a $120,000 home in Oklahoma. Trust me, I've seen my father-in-law's property tax bill. Luckily, we rent a home.

But the way Texas taxes its residents (indeed higher than Oklahoma) isn't why Texas is awash in state funding. It's the saturation of tax payers in Texas. Texas has almost 24 million people. At least 16 million are working tax payers. That's 61 tax payers per square mile. Oklahoma has 3.6 million people. At least 2 million people are tax payers in Oklahoma. That's 29 tax payers per square mile. It's all about numbers. It's always been all about numbers.

If we want Oklahoma to shine, we have to get creative. Our negative image will ALWAYS be a barrier to our success. We have to keep working to crush that barrier, that negative image.

[mranderson]

"I agree, we have good quality companies, i just don't see sonic having the capital to throw 20- million to sponser a new team."

Were you aware that Sonic Corporation is the largest drive in corporation in the country with over 1,000 locations? THAT is how they can "throw" 20 million into sponsorship of a major league team. They earn tens of millions of dollars per year. Plus, that 20 million investement (if it really is that high) is tax deductable as an advertising expense. Actually, regardless of the amount, even if it was only one cent, it is tax deductable.

[windowphobe]

It's bigger than that. Sonic earned $78.7 million last year on sales of $693 million; the company's market cap is about a billion and a half. Average sales per location (there are over 3200) in 2006 was over $1 million, and the company's ad budget for this year is around $160 million.

Twenty million? Drop in the bucket.

[metro]

oudirtypop: Can you please tell me how companies own the seattle super sonics? NONE. One rich guy does. Yes, i realize he owns the company, do you get what i'm saying.

oudirtypop, your posts seem to lack factual evidence. Actually about 5-6 major investors were involved in the Sonics purchase as well as some minor investors as well. Many people also forget about Dobson Communications being a silent corporate headquarters here. Steven and Ed Dobson have some serious pockets. York International also has a huge facility in Norman and are active in the community. Ever heard of Sonic Corporation based out of OKC?? Don't think they would support the OKC Super Sonics NBA team? How about AT&T, Express Personnel, Bank of Oklahoma, Riata Energy, and many others. Ed Evans (formerly with Dobson) has some serious pockets and is part of the Sonics ownership team. He also owns 3 Nascar teams last time I talked with him as well. There are several others not currently supporting our sports teams that could support new teams if they were to come. Also if we were to get a MLB or NFL team it would be more of a state team so some of your corporate giants in Tulsa would support it as well.

From the AP Wire:

The Basketball Club of Seattle (BCOS) announced today that it has signed a purchase agreement to sell its NBA Seattle SuperSonics and WNBA Seattle Storm for $350 million. The teams are being purchased by the Professional Basketball Club LLC, an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma based investment group led by Clayton I. Bennett, chairman of Dorchester Capital, a private investment company. Additional members of the group include Aubrey K. McClendon, Chairman and CEO, Chesapeake Energy Corporation; G. Jeffrey Records, Chairman of the Board and CEO, MidFirst Bank; Tom L. Ward, Chairman and CEO, Riata Energy, Inc., and G. Edward Evans, chairman, Syniverse Holding, Inc. The group will also consist of additional investors.

[Patrick]

a.) we cant even sell out redhawks tickets,

That's a poor excuse. Minor League success DOES NOT dictate major league success. Just look at the New Orleans Zephyrs vs. the New Orleans Saints. Or the Oklahoma City Cavalry vs the Oklahoma City Hornets.

b.) there has been no talk of a new nfl expansion team

There was no talk of a new NBA or NHL team either, but we have the arena at exactly the right time. Thankfully the naysayers weren't successful when we lost the NHL bid, and they tried to get the city to rethink building an arena.

c.) we dont have the corporate base to support NBA/MLB/NFL.

The Hornets have proven that not to be true. We have better corporate support here than most other NBA cities, especially New Orleans. The Chesapeake, Devon, Midfirst trio, and the rest of the Pioneer Partners have been the greatest corporate support ever in the NBA.

d.) what about the ball park in downtown now? leave it to be torn down in 20 years?

If we're going for baseball, the existing baseball park can easily be expanded, with new upper deck seating to the south and west, and new seating in right field.

Why not use maps 3 for real improvements that are needed. What about our roads?

Roads are being covered by bond issue money. We passed a bond issue to cover that awhile back. Local roads really aren't as bad as people make them out to be.

What about our teacher pay? still in middle of the teacher pay bracket. (did you know in texas, most teachers are starting at 40k now. I would guess oklahoma is around 28-30 now. Thats a big problem.

Unfortunately, that's a state issue, not a city issue. And Brad Henry just announced the largest budget for education ever.

Lets just pretend the stadium was a good idea for a minute, dont you think that the 750 million, (or less as some people think) could be spent instead to give our teachers a raise. What 30,000 teachers maybe, 5 thousand a year raise, thats 1.5 million a year. wow, to fund that for 50 years, for 75 million dollars, thats sounds awesome, not to mention, did you know that the interest on that money would probably create a self sustaining fund. Actually, i just created a spreadsheet to show this. If we put in 10 million a year for just 5 years, we would create an endowment fund that with interest, in 30 years, with taking out 2.5 million a year for teacher pay, in 30 years would have 841 million left over! were talking about a 50 million a year for 5 year investment to help our teachers forever!

Now, please someone argue with that!

Again, teacher pay comes out of the state budget, not the city's. The city has nothing to do with teacher pay, and can't even get involved with that. If you don't like teacher pay, contact your state legislator.

[okcpulse]

If we're going for baseball, the existing baseball park can easily be expanded, with new upper deck seating to the south and west, and new seating in right field.

Patrick is correct. The ballpark was DESIGNED for expansion.

Local roads really aren't as bad as people make them out to be.

As before mentioned, compare OKC city roads to Dallas or Houston. The city roads in Dallas and Houston are a freakin' joke. Period. Even the repaved roads are wavy and uneven. Patrick, when you come to Houston this summer, I'll show you EXACTLY what I am talking about.

Again, teacher pay comes out of the state budget, not the city's.

People all too often get city-funding and state funding mixed up. Did you know that a met a number of people that thought MAPS was a STATE funded project? I had to strain myself to keep from going off on these people.

[oudirtypop]

metro Quote:
oudirtypop: Can you please tell me how companies own the seattle super sonics? NONE. One rich guy does. Yes, i realize he owns the company, do you get what i'm saying.

oudirtypop, your posts seem to lack factual evidence. Actually about 5-6 major investors were involved in the Sonics purchase as well as some minor investors as well. Many people also forget about Dobson Communications being a silent corporate headquarters here. Steven and Ed Dobson have some serious pockets. York International also has a huge facility in Norman and are active in the community. Ever heard of Sonic Corporation based out of OKC?? Don't think they would support the OKC Super Sonics NBA team? How about AT&T, Express Personnel, Bank of Oklahoma, Riata Energy, and many others. Ed Evans (formerly with Dobson) has some serious pockets and is part of the Sonics ownership team. He also owns 3 Nascar teams last time I talked with him as well. There are several others not currently supporting our sports teams that could support new teams if they were to come. Also if we were to get a MLB or NFL team it would be more of a state team so some of your corporate giants in Tulsa would support it as well.

From the AP Wire:


Quote:
The Basketball Club of Seattle (BCOS) announced today that it has signed a purchase agreement to sell its NBA Seattle SuperSonics and WNBA Seattle Storm for $350 million. The teams are being purchased by the Professional Basketball Club LLC, an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma based investment group led by Clayton I. Bennett, chairman of Dorchester Capital, a private investment company. Additional members of the group include Aubrey K. McClendon, Chairman and CEO, Chesapeake Energy Corporation; G. Jeffrey Records, Chairman of the Board and CEO, MidFirst Bank; Tom L. Ward, Chairman and CEO, Riata Energy, Inc., and G. Edward Evans, chairman, Syniverse Holding, Inc. The group will also consist of additional investors.

METRO, YOUR FORGETTING ONE PIECE OF WHAT I SAID. I SAID THAT NOT ONE COMPANY IS OWNING THE TEAM, ITS NOT OWNED BY DEVON, OR MIDFIRST, OR WHATEVER. ONCE AGAIN, ITS A TEAM EFFORT. HOW MANY TIMES CAN YOU TAKE SOME PLAYERS OFF THE TEAM AND START A NEW TEAM, BEFORE THE TEAMS START TO NOT BE SO GOOD.



[QUOTE=okcpulse;82894]Patrick is correct. The ballpark was DESIGNED for expansion.

Whoa...i never said it wasnt....what i said was that OKC would have a hard time supporting three major sports. NBA/NFL/MLB. People are getting a little wacked out here. Obviously, we can support and NBA team. And i'm all for it.

If you read back far enough, someone has mentioned that we should make a nfl stadium that could house nfl and baseball. thats what i was talking about with a new stadium. I'm fine with the redhawks stadium, and maybe someday a MLB team. But i think the NBA would do the best, followed by the NFL a very distant 2nd and ever farther down the barrel an MLB team.

Patrick, you have to look to somewhat at minor leagues to get a feel for majors. I understand it doesnt dictate or even forecast, but as you can tell the hornets sell out 70-80 percent of the games, i dont know if the redhawks have sold out a game in years...now, before you try to pull the major vs minor speal out: All i'm getting at is that Oklahomans are more into basketball then baseball. (as you can tell by the draw to get ncaa march madness here plus lots of preseason games at the ford center that do quite well. They are probably more into Football than basketball, but i dont think there is enough money in the resident's pockets to support OU and OSU and an nfl team. Especially when the nfl has what, 8 home games plus playoff games? OU has about 5. Thats a lot of money coming from pockets around the same time of year.

Quote by patrick:
c.) we dont have the corporate base to support NBA/MLB/NFL.

The Hornets have proven that not to be true. We have better corporate support here than most other NBA cities, especially New Orleans. The Chesapeake, Devon, Midfirst trio, and the rest of the Pioneer Partners have been the greatest corporate support ever in the NBA.

i agree patrick, i was saying all three together once again.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick
Again, teacher pay comes out of the state budget, not the city's.


Teacher pay does not come from the state. If that was the case, every teacher in every city would make the same. The state pays the school districts money to help pay the teacher salaries. Each district has it's own pay rates. Yes, they might be comparable, but i would be willing to bet an edmond teacher makes more than a mcalester teacher? maybe i'm wrong, just a guess.

i think we need to get back to point here, just about maps....this has gotten quite off track!

[okcpulse]

Patrick is correct. The ballpark was DESIGNED for expansion.

No, no, oudirtypop. I wasn't out of whack or frustrated. That remark wasn't inteded for you. This is something I wanted to emphasize to everyone to keep in mind in the event of a proposed expansion of the ballpark. That is why I like the Brick. A lot of thought was put into that park. That is all.

[scotplum]

Steven and Ed Dobson have some serious pockets.

I don't intend to be picky but I believe you meant Everett Dobson instead of Ed.

[metro]

Yes, you are correct scot, but my point was to dirtypop that we have more corporate base than just the Hornets Partners, there is still Express Sports, Loves, Hobby Lobby, AT&T, Sonic, Braums, American Fidelity Assurance, Farmers Insurance, York, Dobson, and many other corporate giants that would pitch in as well.

[scotplum]

Yes, you are correct scot, but my point was to dirtypop that we have more corporate base than just the Hornets Partners, there is still Express Sports, Loves, Hobby Lobby, AT&T, Sonic, Braums, American Fidelity Assurance, Farmers Insurance, York, Dobson, and many other corporate giants that would pitch in as well.

No, I know. I work here at Dobson so I had to be picky about it.

[gmwise]

I believe we need a REAL public transit system, this does not mean a mono rail-thats a "tourist attraction", I believe expanding the coverage and times of operation of the public transit, for example replacing the buses we have now with a hydrogen fueled fleet, with accompanying "spare parts and personnel",
We used the phrase "Capital of the 21st Century", lets show the country how its done, lets be on the cutting edge, not just in Oklahoma, but the Nation.
I believe we can make the Metro, divided into Zones a realistic, useful, timely way to get around on the system we could divided the City into 3 zones, 1. zone Reno and Council -this one will run North and South -Council,Rockwell,Meridian, 2. Reno and Sooner or Sunnylane this one runs the Midwest City and Del City runs and Tinker AFB,3. the Downtown Terminal this one runs the East and West runs which may include Memorial to Council-
NW Expressway, NW/NE 23rd, then 29 SW/SE, 89th SW/SE and of course we need Downtown transit/trolleys . I propose we build the other 2 Zone "Terminals",substations, with buses running between the other substations periodically. Connected in a realistic grid and use manner,.
Now Of course, we should identify all the major employers, shopping and most importantly the Vo Tech Centers, so we can make realistic routes " if you remove the obstacles in learning a trade, or open new opportunities to widen our citizens' income base, we will grow stronger and the continued success. I welcome new residents, but we should also make every opportunity available in helping our citizens to a sucessful life, and the high quality of life I believe Oklahoma City does give , but it will become more within the reach of more residents, not just visitors.
Our only concern is the "we never done that before" mindset, or any Special Intrests.
Right now Oklahoma City is a relatively a young city, a city reaching for "adulthood", I believe a MAPS3, funded public transit system will show the rest of the Nation, we strive to be a "adult city", and by passing the "period of Adolescence", with the accompaning "what do I get out of it" intrests.
We need a genuine discussion, not "electability" issues or posturing for the press.
If I can be of any help I'm intrested.
I welcome other views, and maybe someone has a better plan, then this primer one.