Ford Center improvements up for March 4 vote

[diesel]

Wow did anyone hear on Channel 5 news about John Q Porter supporters saying that they will not support the Ford Center improvements if he is fired?!?!

They had a few interviews and one of them was by Rev. Teron Gaddis, and he said this

"What we are understanding about this NBA and the big league that it is not going to help our education at all. While it may do great things for Bricktown, its not going to do great things for minority children. Its not going to do great things for the drop out rate. Its not going to do great things for the educational system that we have."

I cannot believe he said "it may do great things for Bricktown".. Uhh I would say, if we do improvements and get an NBA team, it would do great things for Oklahoma City and Oklahoma as a whole. Wow what a close minded statement.

Also I was unaware that the Ford Center was in Bricktown. I was pretty sure that Bricktown starts east of Broadway.

[betts]

I understand that people are angry about the resignation of John Porter, and I hope there's very good reason for that resignation. But, I think it's an incredibly bad idea to start voting for or against things out of anger and resentment. Voting against the arena won't do a thing to bring Mr. Porter back, and it doesn't even strike a blow against the people this group is angry at. I would hope people would vote for or against things because of their assumed value or lack thereof for the city. I have a lot less respect for people who cannot react in an adult fashion. If Rev. Gaddis has reason to believe Mr. Porter was the subject of a witchhunt, then he should take his arguments to the press and outline them in logical fashion. He should take his arguments to the national press, if he believes they can be supported facing public scrutiny. It's petty to react in a tit for tat fashion against a different member of city government. Personally, and I'm just speculating, since I'm not African American, I would think NBA players would be great role models in the African American community. I think it would be excellent for our city to have them as such.

[metro]

Hardly a sabattical, Metro, but I'm glad that he's back, regardless of the cause for the hiatus. You follow?

I know, it was a joke........

[Patrick]

Reminds me of shortly after the race riots in Washington DC after JFK was shot......black people started burning down their own neighborhoods! Seems like they would've wanted to target white neighborhoods. Same thing here....voting fown the NBA is silly and is out of anger...it has nothing to do with Dr. Porter.

[metro]

I understand that people are angry about the resignation of John Porter, and I hope there's very good reason for that resignation. But, I think it's an incredibly bad idea to start voting for or against things out of anger and resentment. Voting against the arena won't do a thing to bring Mr. Porter back, and it doesn't even strike a blow against the people this group is angry at. I would hope people would vote for or against things because of their assumed value or lack thereof for the city. I have a lot less respect for people who cannot react in an adult fashion. If Rev. Gaddis has reason to believe Mr. Porter was the subject of a witchhunt, then he should take his arguments to the press and outline them in logical fashion. He should take his arguments to the national press, if he believes they can be supported facing public scrutiny. It's petty to react in a tit for tat fashion against a different member of city government. Personally, and I'm just speculating, since I'm not African American, I would think NBA players would be great role models in the African American community. I think it would be excellent for our city to have them as such.

well said betts, and its a bold move for Rev. Gaddis to take such an official stance on a controversial issue, when the investigation hasn't even taken place yet to see if some of the allegations are true. I'm not sure why some are still playing the race card either when Porter himself said it's not about race.

[Karried]

betts, that is exactly what I was thinking. It seems more like a 'revenge' vote in an effort to get back at city officials.. but who is it really hurting?

I can't believe something like this could actually be brought into the voting process.

[Patrick]

Dr. Porter knows what he did was wrong....that's why he resigned.

[jbrown84]

As I asked in another thread:

What ON EARTH does the NBA have to do with education in Oklahoma City? "It will do nothing for our schools, nothing for our minority children." WHAAAAAAA??

[metro]

Here is Rev. Teron Gaddis' email if you want to tell him how you feel about his statements on Dr. Porter and the School Situation vs. the unrelated Ford Center vote:

pastorg@bethelfamilychurch.com

New Page 1

[CuatrodeMayo]

Download the NBA ringtone!

nba2ringtone.mp3

[Decious]

Wow did anyone hear on Channel 5 news about John Q Porter supporters saying that they will not support the Ford Center improvements if he is fired?!?!

They had a few interviews and one of them was by Rev. Teron Gaddis, and he said this

"What we are understanding about this NBA and the big league that it is not going to help our education at all. While it may do great things for Bricktown, its not going to do great things for minority children. Its not going to do great things for the drop out rate. Its not going to do great things for the educational system that we have."

I cannot believe he said "it may do great things for Bricktown".. Uhh I would say, if we do improvements and get an NBA team, it would do great things for Oklahoma City and Oklahoma as a whole. Wow what a close minded statement.

Also I was unaware that the Ford Center was in Bricktown. I was pretty sure that Bricktown starts east of Broadway.

It's called grandstanding. He's taking advantage of his own community in an effort to bolster his reputation and his ego. He's knowingly misleading his patrons and the sickest thing is that he doesn't think that they have the intellect to discern his true intentions. He's being an ass.

I consider myself Christian, but my community MUST find leaders who don't preface every opinion that they have with "God said". It inhibits their followship from seeking clarity and understanding. The church structure/system did us an abundance of good at one time, but now...too many pastors are getting their rocks off on Sunday...sleeping in all week...and having nothing else to do with their free time but throw stones. Gotta change.

Like I said in the other thread....NOTHING will come of it.

[Easy180]

Agree with Decious....The Porter debacle will be forgotten in a couple of weeks...Don't think it will have an effect on the vote at all

[Easy180]

Looks like the Wash legislature said no to another evil outsider...Wait...Actually the state's major university...This Chopp guy sounds like a real fun dude

Nation & World | Public funding for Husky Stadium appears dead | Seattle Times Newspaper

Public funding for Husky Stadium appears dead

By Ralph Thomas
Seattle Times Olympia bureau

OLYMPIA — The University of Washington's request for public money to help renovate and upgrade Husky Stadium appears dead for this year.

A week after saying he was willing to consider the proposal, House Speaker Frank Chopp said today it appears to have little support in the Legislature and most likely will not be approved this session.

"All I said was that I'd consider it," Chopp told reporters. "Nobody is asking for it, so that pretty much sums it up doesn't it."

[betts]

Hmmm. I noticed it didn't get a very good reception in reader remarks in the Seattle P-I, but I'm still surprised. There's no one talking about a Sonics arena, either, unless the city comes up with a great proposal, and then they'll have to figure out how to fund it.

[SWOKC 4 me]

I was at work today and overheard a couple of people that must have been about 75 or so talking.

One asked the other if he had heard about the vote to raise our sales taxes by 1% to pay for "remodeling the cox building downtown". The other said he heard that and asked what she thought. The lady said I am voting no because they just remodelled the cox building and they don't need to do it again. The other said he agreed and continued on to say "we just paid to remodel that building when Cox bought it and changed the name from the Myriad to the Cox building. And if Cox wants to remodel again let them pay for it not me! Besides we already pay almost 8 1/2% sales taxes I can't afford to pay almost 9 1/2 percent." The lady also said that a she and a group of women were taking a van to the polling place to all vote together.

I wanted so bad to tell them the real story but I was not in a place where I could enter that discussion at my job.

Just wanted to tell this story in hopes that all of us that support the remodel of the FORD CENTER get out and vote for it. It may not pass as easily as some think if there are many more like these two.

Come on OKC lets do something good for this city!

[CCOKC]

While it is a small token, one issue to explain to older or poor Oklahomans who do not feel they can afford to continue to pay the sales tax rate is that the State of Oklahoma gives a refundable tax credit of $40 per person to repay some of the sales tax paid by the poor. For example. a family of four making less than $50,000would get a $160 tax credit against the state sales tax. The amount of income is $20,000 for single people unless they are 65 or older where it goes up to $50,000 and $50,000 for married, or anyone having a dependent they claim on the return.

[Easy180]

I was at work today and overheard a couple of people that must have been about 75 or so talking.

One asked the other if he had heard about the vote to raise our sales taxes by 1% to pay for "remodeling the cox building downtown". The other said he heard that and asked what she thought. The lady said I am voting no because they just remodelled the cox building and they don't need to do it again. The other said he agreed and continued on to say "we just paid to remodel that building when Cox bought it and changed the name from the Myriad to the Cox building. And if Cox wants to remodel again let them pay for it not me! Besides we already pay almost 8 1/2% sales taxes I can't afford to pay almost 9 1/2 percent." The lady also said that a she and a group of women were taking a van to the polling place to all vote together.

I wanted so bad to tell them the real story but I was not in a place where I could enter that discussion at my job.

Just wanted to tell this story in hopes that all of us that support the remodel of the FORD CENTER get out and vote for it. It may not pass as easily as some think if there are many more like these two.

Come on OKC lets do something good for this city!

Seems to me most senior citizens will vote no on anything tax related that doesn't have to do with health care...They hear "tax" and head out to vote no right after breakfast at Jimmy's Egg

If this vote doesn't get passed we will be the laughing stock of the nation...Finally have a chance to get something only a handful of cities possess and if we drop the ball I doubt we will ever get another pass thrown our way

[John]

I wanted so bad to tell them the real story but I was not in a place where I could enter that discussion at my job.

Weren't they discussing this at your job site?

[betts]

I was at work today and overheard a couple of people that must have been about 75 or so talking.

One asked the other if he had heard about the vote to raise our sales taxes by 1% to pay for "remodeling the cox building downtown". The other said he heard that and asked what she thought. The lady said I am voting no because they just remodelled the cox building and they don't need to do it again. The other said he agreed and continued on to say "we just paid to remodel that building when Cox bought it and changed the name from the Myriad to the Cox building. And if Cox wants to remodel again let them pay for it not me! Besides we already pay almost 8 1/2% sales taxes I can't afford to pay almost 9 1/2 percent." The lady also said that a she and a group of women were taking a van to the polling place to all vote together.

I wanted so bad to tell them the real story but I was not in a place where I could enter that discussion at my job.

Just wanted to tell this story in hopes that all of us that support the remodel of the FORD CENTER get out and vote for it. It may not pass as easily as some think if there are many more like these two.

Come on OKC lets do something good for this city!

Couldn't you choose another time to talk to one of them about it, and ask them to spread the word? I'm trying to be very proactive in educating people I meet about this. It's surprising what some people think this vote is about, including people who are fairly sports savvy. People who know what they're voting for are fine with me, regardless of how they vote, but I hate it if misinformation is being spread around.

[mr. reality]

That's funny. I don't recall anyone saying that the Ford Center needed renovations until after Bennett & Co. bought the Sonics. Let's face it, we're getting duped by the Sonics' owners and the mayor is in on it. Don't fall for this scandal. Vote no on March 4th and let the real benefactors pay for it. They have never said they won't. They're just trying to see if we're stupid enough to pay for it first.

VOTE NO MARCH 4th!

[betts]

Mr. Reality, you need a dose. Anyone who thinks the Ford Center doesn't need renovation has neither been in it or any other professional team facility. Also, if anyone is foolish enough to think we will get an NBA team without passing this tax proposal, they know nothing about the NBA. Why would David Stern move a team from a bigger city with 40 years history with the NBA because they won't build an arena, to a little city that won't even upgrade their arena to the level of other NBA arenas for a quarter of the cost? That's lack of common sense being demonstrated. Clay Bennett is not the person behind the arena update proposal, so even if he was willing to pay for the improvements, it's not his decision. David Stern and the Board of Governors are driving this vote. If you vote against the arena tax proposal, there will be no NBA team. If people don't care, that's their business and their choice to vote no, but anyone who thinks a little city like OKC will get an NBA team without doing what all other NBA cities have done is naive and deluding themselves. So don't come here telling people to vote no because we'll get the NBA anyway, when you have zero reason to believe that is the case and zero data to support your belief. If you want to vote no, realize you're voting "no NBA" and stop at that.

[Easy180]

That's funny. I don't recall anyone saying that the Ford Center needed renovations until after Bennett & Co. bought the Sonics. Let's face it, we're getting duped by the Sonics' owners and the mayor is in on it. Don't fall for this scandal. Vote no on March 4th and let the real benefactors pay for it. They have never said they won't. They're just trying to see if we're stupid enough to pay for it first.

VOTE NO MARCH 4th!

NBA/NHL were the main reasons OKC built the arena in the first place... Even before the concrete was poured we all knew it would need major upgrades when/if we landed a team...City leaders were very open about the future renovations

Extending a one cent tax for one year to land a big time permanent tenant for the city owned arena is hardly a scandal

[andy157]

NBA/NHL were the main reasons OKC built the arena in the first place... Even before the concrete was poured we all knew it would need major upgrades when/if we landed a team...City leaders were very open about the future renovations

Extending a one cent tax for one year to land a big time permanent tenant for the city owned arena is hardly a scandal

Again, for the record, I support the sales tax extension for the purpose of upgrading the Ford Center. Bringing the status of the FC to that of a first class facility will benefit us all, including the Sonics, should they come. Again, right or wrong. When as a citizen I'm told by a group of owners, or a Board of Governors(controled by the owners) or a league Commisioner(whom yields powerful influence over the BOG) and works at the will of the owners do this(build a practice facility) or else, then sorry. Go somewhere else, and we will move on without the NBA.

For all of you supporters of this issue who keep complaining of distorted facts, misinformation, truth and honesty, I agree. We all know this tax extension is going to pass, and the Sonics will come. But lets also be truthful and honest with each other, and understand that, it's not over. There will be future demands put on us at some point. So be prepared to keep saying yes at all cost, or risk loosing them to a city that will. So I dont think we should ever reffer to them as a permanent tenant. Let them lose money for a couple of years, or have a demand not met and you will see just how permanent they are.

[betts]

But lets also be truthful and honest with each other, and understand that, it's not over. There will be future demands put on us at some point. So be prepared to keep saying yes at all cost, or risk loosing them to a city that will. So I dont think we should ever reffer to them as a permanent tenant. Let them lose money for a couple of years, or have a demand not met and you will see just how permanent they are.

Agreed. I realize that cities almost never think ahead, and the concept of saving for future needs is rare. But, I would like to see a seat tax instituted at the Ford Center, with savings used for future renovation or rebuilding. It may not be enough money, but it's a start. As someone who plans to be a season ticket holder if we get an NBA team, I'm happy to pay more to keep facilities up for the team and the community than a person who doesn't ever go to the Ford Center. I think a team would benefit more than just people going to the games, as they would be televised on local tv, and I think a team is a source of pride and enjoyment for a community above and beyond the games. But I have no problem contributing more than those who never use the facilities.

[John]

That's funny. I don't recall anyone saying that the Ford Center needed renovations until after Bennett & Co. bought the Sonics. Let's face it, we're getting duped by the Sonics' owners and the mayor is in on it. Don't fall for this scandal. Vote no on March 4th and let the real benefactors pay for it. They have never said they won't. They're just trying to see if we're stupid enough to pay for it first.

VOTE NO MARCH 4th!

We were talking about a new arena before the Ford Center renovations were brought up.

The main benefactors from the measure passing are the citizens of Oklahoma City. For that matter, the rest of the state, too.