Ed Shadid running for Mayor 2014!

[Doug Loudenback]

Without MAPS, I'm sorry, but you have a downtown with huge undeveloped pockets left over from Urban Renewal, a dying or dead Bricktown, an undeveloped river, blight from MidTown (with a vacant St. Anthony hospital) to NW 63 (because McClendon and Ward couldn't have built up Chesapeake and the surrounding area due to the inability of attracting good young talent). You don't have Continental Resources, you have a dying I-40-Meridian Avenue corridor, you have a continuous stretch of blight from the river south to I-240. You don't have Devon Energy (Larry Nichols has said this to me directly), and without all these high paying jobs, the historic neighborhoods are struggling. You still have a huge number of boarded up homes due to the oil bust - homes that weren't bought and renovated by a burgeoning young creative class.
Is OKC dead without MAPS? No. But it sure isn't the Oklahoma City we know in 2013. I've lived here since 1977, I've had a front seat to what's transpired the past 20 years, I've done the interviews, I've done the research. Without MAPS, cafebouf, betts, sid and many others on this board would be long gone.
I was here Larry. I was part of the minority in my generation (Generation X) who didn't flee when the economy went bust in the 1980s. I saw family friends who were executives at trucking companies - making six figures - reduced to working at the Hertz calling center. I knew another man, an engineer, who started up a janitorial service and survived cleaning offices of those who were once his peers. People were losing their homes. My family lost their home in Quail Creek, and they went back to New York while I stayed.
Hell yes it was a Depression in Oklahoma City. And it's crazy to think Oklahoma City wouldn't have continued to slide into the abyss without a radical restructuring like MAPS.

1. I completely agree. More, I agree so strongly that I'm inclined to think (in a friendly way) that those who disagree are just ... well, what is a friendly word that means "idiots" ... "woefully mistaken" will do, I suppose.
   
   
2. I will be 70 in July. I am blessed with fond memories of downtown before the Pei Plan. I remember the flight of retail/entertainment to suburban areas. I remember the hope that the Pei Plan would bring a revitalized downtown and the razing of much of downtown that gave downtown its character and mystique ... yes, for me, at least, downtown did have such a thing as "mystique" before the Pei Plan. I remember the Oil Bust, the Penn Square failure and its domino effect on local banks and those in other states. I remember the deadness of downtown which lasted for many years for anyone having a reason to come downtown, and none did unless one worked there 9 to 5. During that time, I was a lawyer with a divorce, etc., practice, and, were it feasible for me to do so (it's not easy for a lawyer to pick up and move to another jurisdiction) I would have, to my childhood favorite location of Corpus Christi, Texas. But, it wasn't feasible and I was stuck in the city of my birth. I guess that I could have moved to Tulsa or other location in Oklahoma, but that involved similar problems to locating out of state, e.g., developing a practice and presence within a community.
   
   
3. Over time, the original MAPS changed that not only by its projects but also by the city pride which, after many years of suffering and shame, yes, shame, was reborn and has since continued to grow. The Thunder. Bricktown. Deep Deuce. The developments in Midtown. The decision by St. Anthony's to stay put and expand. Automobile Alley. Myriad Gardens ... etc. etc. etc. ... without MAPS, Oklahoma City would have none of the above.

All of which, of course, is off topic, the topic being Shadid's possible or probable candidacy for mayor in 2014.

I have some preliminary and very general thoughts about that possibility, too. I'll state some of them here.

1. As I've already done several times in my blog and in this forum, I am a big-time supporter of Ed Shadid, and I remain so, today. He alone, as either former or sitting council members (including the mayor) has been a champion of transparency and bona fide participation of citizenry in the process of decision making, particularly decision making which involves major items involving the city's future and he alone is willing to stick his neck out on account of principle. Pete White comes close, but he hasn't followed through in various city council circumstances. If you disagree, please name another who fills such shoes.
   
   
2. Most comments in this thread which are negative about him relate to his possible views with regard to the possibility of revisiting MAPS 3, particularly the downtown streetcar matter. Largely, it seems, those views spin out from comments that he made at his Public Transportation town hall meeting on February 26, 2013, at the Farmers Market. The video of his remarks is at the following link: http://vimeo.com/edshadid/transit
   
   
3. In a broader sense (i.e., above and beyond downtown streetcar), a criticism is that he would re-open the door as to how MAPS 3 money ($777 m) should be spent. We (at least those who are particularly familiar with the MAPS 3 campaign) understood when we voted that (1) the MAPS 3 ballot was, strictly speaking, for a penny sales tax for 7 3/4 years for capital improvements, without particularity as to projects or amounts to be spent thereon; (2) the particularly came in the form of a non-binding city council resolution which identified the projects and approximate amounts. Differing from the original MAPS vote, or MAPS for Kids, or Ford Center improvements and NBA training facility votes, in MAPS 3 city leaders (council members) told city voters, "Trust us. We will do these projects." A general criticism of Shadid in this thread is that he may feel free to abandon the trust factor and revisit how the MAPS 3 $777 m sales tax should be expended.
   
   
4. As a mayoral candidate, should he become one, Shadid has not yet stated with specificity what his intentions are with regard to Maps 3, including downtown rail and Maps 3 generally. I, for one, would defer any judgmental statements about him, personally or substantively as to what he might propose, until he actually does so.
   
   
5. Some have emphasized/suggested that Shadid is TOO principled ... that he isn't "political" enough" to be able to form a political consensus and then proceed with the consensus agenda. I'm not really clear about how to read such criticisms ... do the criticisms mean that he is "too good" of a person to be mayor ... do they mean that he would not work well with the chamber ... do they mean that he would expect journalism at the Oklahoman to be non-chamber-oriented and just report the facts? Actually, these questions are some of the most intriguing, to me. I'm interested to see how this all comes down.

[Midtowner]

As to Shadid's candidacy, we have a weak/figurehead mayor in OKC. He's an ambassador of sorts. Our current mayor has served us very well in that regard. Does Cornett have ideas of his own anymore? Is he articulate on any issue other than stating that he's in favor of business growth (as opposed to those of us who are against it, I guess), what are his issues? Maybe that's the best role for a mayor when we're in a transitional period like this--create a long term plan, then continue to promote the plan and general growth and the city's image in general.

I'm not so sure that I don't value Shadid more as a councilman than a mayor. I like that Shadid speaks his mind and doesn't mind being the one dissenting vote. I think he's a principled guy. That said, I'd rather not have a mayor who gets into public tiffs with the rest of the Council who divides the city rather than promoting a common plan.

[Doug Loudenback]

Mid and Sid, good points to be sure. But I still think that it's premature to pigeonhole Shadid's views on Maps 3 stuff until he actually speaks, as a candidate, about them.

And, Mid, as much as I vociferously supported what Cornett did for the arena/nba facility vote, during the Maps 3 campaign, I was aghast that he telephoned the Oklahoman and told it to back off on its coverage of Maps 3 during the campaign. I'm not able to reveal my source for that, but I have no doubt that it occurred.

Sure, Cornett has done some good things for the city, but a dark side is there, too.

[adaniel]

As to Shadid's candidacy, we have a weak/figurehead mayor in OKC. He's an ambassador of sorts. Our current mayor has served us very well in that regard. Does Cornett have ideas of his own anymore? Is he articulate on any issue other than stating that he's in favor of business growth (as opposed to those of us who are against it, I guess), what are his issues? Maybe that's the best role for a mayor when we're in a transitional period like this--create a long term plan, then continue to promote the plan and general growth and the city's image in general.

This is a really good point. Largely because he is much more free to do these things than a typical mayor, Cornett has been great at being the public/national face of OKC. And it is a nice counterweight to the crazy coming out at the state capitol that we would otherwise be known for. You would be surprised how many people outside of Oklahoma know who Mick Cornett is.

Ed just doesn't possess the same media savvy that he has. I just can't see him going on Bloomberg, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, etc. and expressing the same passion and exuberance that Mick does for OKC. That's just how you are with a dissenter attitude.

[Doug Loudenback]

Does it occur to you to think/wonder what Shadid might have to say in a cheerleader mode? Or whether Shadid has thought of himself in such a role? Good questions, for both you and him.

[adaniel]

Does it occur to you to think/wonder what Shadid might have to say in a cheerleader mode? Or whether Shadid has thought of himself in such a role? Good questions, for both you and him.

I have to admit, I am only able to make that judgement based on observing him in city council meetings over the past few months. I can certainly change my opinion, but he would need to step a bit more. There is a certain tone deafness there that would lead me to believe he would struggle in the role of "head cheerleader."

[Rover]

Does it occur to you to think/wonder what Shadid might have to say in a cheerleader mode? Or whether Shadid has thought of himself in such a role? Good questions, for both you and him.

Personalities don't change. As a friend of mine is fond of saying..."you can change someone, just not very much." You don't tell a Rottweiler to be a Poodle and they just do it.

[LandRunOkie]

We have the lowest unemployment rate in the nation and the best NBA team west of the Mississippi. We don't need a cheerleader, we need accountability. This is something Ed has practiced as much as he has preached, by acknowledging the larger online community and soliciting feedback, publicly and privately.

[betts]

I think Ed does precisely what he wants, feedback or no. It may be that every other politician does the same, but I see no evidence that he solicits all points of view. I think he looks for POV that match his own. It's probably a failing of most of us, but I don't think he's on a higher plane.

[Popsy]

What Ed has done so far is suck up to niche groups in an attempt to build a base. This tells me that he has professional consultants guiding him in the process. Ed is not pro city, he is pro Ed and Ed only. If you don't believe, just wait. The worst thing this City could do would be to elect him to the position of Mayor.

[soonerguru]

1. I completely agree. More, I agree so strongly that I'm inclined to think (in a friendly way) that those who disagree are just ... well, what is a friendly word that means "idiots" ... "woefully mistaken" will do, I suppose.
   
   
2. I will be 70 in July. I am blessed with fond memories of downtown before the Pei Plan. I remember the flight of retail/entertainment to suburban areas. I remember the hope that the Pei Plan would bring a revitalized downtown and the razing of much of downtown that gave downtown its character and mystique ... yes, for me, at least, downtown did have such a thing as "mystique" before the Pei Plan. I remember the Oil Bust, the Penn Square failure and its domino effect on local banks and those in other states. I remember the deadness of downtown which lasted for many years for anyone having a reason to come downtown, and none did unless one worked there 9 to 5. During that time, I was a lawyer with a divorce, etc., practice, and, were it feasible for me to do so (it's not easy for a lawyer to pick up and move to another jurisdiction) I would have, to my childhood favorite location of Corpus Christi, Texas. But, it wasn't feasible and I was stuck in the city of my birth. I guess that I could have moved to Tulsa or other location in Oklahoma, but that involved similar problems to locating out of state, e.g., developing a practice and presence within a community.
   
   
3. Over time, the original MAPS changed that not only by its projects but also by the city pride which, after many years of suffering and shame, yes, shame, was reborn and has since continued to grow. The Thunder. Bricktown. Deep Deuce. The developments in Midtown. The decision by St. Anthony's to stay put and expand. Automobile Alley. Myriad Gardens ... etc. etc. etc. ... without MAPS, Oklahoma City would have none of the above.

All of which, of course, is off topic, the topic being Shadid's possible or probable candidacy for mayor in 2014.

I have some preliminary and very general thoughts about that possibility, too. I'll state some of them here.

1. As I've already done several times in my blog and in this forum, I am a big-time supporter of Ed Shadid, and I remain so, today. He alone, as either former or sitting council members (including the mayor) has been a champion of transparency and bona fide participation of citizenry in the process of decision making, particularly decision making which involves major items involving the city's future and he alone is willing to stick his neck out on account of principle. Pete White comes close, but he hasn't followed through in various city council circumstances. If you disagree, please name another who fills such shoes.
   
   
2. Most comments in this thread which are negative about him relate to his possible views with regard to the possibility of revisiting MAPS 3, particularly the downtown streetcar matter. Largely, it seems, those views spin out from comments that he made at his Public Transportation town hall meeting on February 26, 2013, at the Farmers Market. The video of his remarks is at the following link: http://vimeo.com/edshadid/transit
   
   
3. In a broader sense (i.e., above and beyond downtown streetcar), a criticism is that he would re-open the door as to how MAPS 3 money ($777 m) should be spent. We (at least those who are particularly familiar with the MAPS 3 campaign) understood when we voted that (1) the MAPS 3 ballot was, strictly speaking, for a penny sales tax for 7 3/4 years for capital improvements, without particularity as to projects or amounts to be spent thereon; (2) the particularly came in the form of a non-binding city council resolution which identified the projects and approximate amounts. Differing from the original MAPS vote, or MAPS for Kids, or Ford Center improvements and NBA training facility votes, in MAPS 3 city leaders (council members) told city voters, "Trust us. We will do these projects." A general criticism of Shadid in this thread is that he may feel free to abandon the trust factor and revisit how the MAPS 3 $777 m sales tax should be expended.
   
   
4. As a mayoral candidate, should he become one, Shadid has not yet stated with specificity what his intentions are with regard to Maps 3, including downtown rail and Maps 3 generally. I, for one, would defer any judgmental statements about him, personally or substantively as to what he might propose, until he actually does so.
   
   
5. Some have emphasized/suggested that Shadid is TOO principled ... that he isn't "political" enough" to be able to form a political consensus and then proceed with the consensus agenda. I'm not really clear about how to read such criticisms ... do the criticisms mean that he is "too good" of a person to be mayor ... do they mean that he would not work well with the chamber ... do they mean that he would expect journalism at the Oklahoman to be non-chamber-oriented and just report the facts? Actually, these questions are some of the most intriguing, to me. I'm interested to see how this all comes down.

Doug,

As always, I greatly admire your writing.

So, from what I've read, for you it boils down to the following:

1. In your opinion, anyone who doesn't understand why MAPS is important to this city is pretty much an idiot (for lack of a kinder term).

and

2. As of now, you are not convinced that Ed Shadid is against MAPS.

I presume further that if you find, as others have, that Shadid has not voted for any of the MAPS projects and doesn't seem to believe he's committed to building them, that he will quickly be relegated to your "idiot for lack of a better term" category.

I have an idea: next time you see Ed, just ask him point blank: "Ed, are you going to support building the streetcar and other MAPS projects the voters went to the polls and supported?"

You may be surprised by the lack of a coherent response.

[Steve]

Sooner, I'm not going to presume to speak for Doug. But I read his response much differently than you. His "idiot" comment was relating to the idea that the city wasn't in a huge downward spiral prior to MAPS and that MAPS was a game changer for the city. Now, do I engage in calling anyone an idiot? No. But I will bow to Doug's age, experience and wisdom and not question the choice of arguments he makes as an experienced lawyer who still enjoys a good debate!

[Just the facts]

Waiting to see what ‘candidate' Shaded says. What the difference between city council candidate Shadid in 2011, Councilman Shadid, mayoral candidate Shadid, and Mayor Shadid? Aren't they the same person?

If I had a nickel for every time a political candidate said something the elected version of the same person didn’t really mean I would be retired on my own private island.

[Hutch]

We have the lowest unemployment rate in the nation and the best NBA team west of the Mississippi. We don't need a cheerleader, we need accountability. This is something Ed has practiced as much as he has preached, by acknowledging the larger online community and soliciting feedback, publicly and privately.

The forms of municipal government allowed under Oklahoma statutes include "Strong Mayor" and "Council-Manager". OKC has a "Council-Manager", also referred to as a "City Manager" form of government. The Mayor's position is to administer Council proceedings, execute official Council documents, make appointments to committees and commissions, and serves as the government representative for ceremonial purposes. Beyond those functions, the Mayor is just another council member and has no more authority to act or bring a cause of action than any of the other member of Council.

Below is some of the specific statute language for the Council-Manager form of government. Besides the sections detailing the duties of the Mayor and powers of the Council, make sure to read the limitations of Council to act.

In a Council-Manager form of government, City Council hires the City Manager. The City Manager is responsible for hiring all staff and overseeing government operations. City Council is restricted by state statute from directing, admonishing, interferring with or in any way administering City staff and employees. Only the City Manager has that authority.

Most issues having to do with city government actions, services and accountability arise out of the actions of staff, which Council has no authority over except through directives given to the City Manager.

You don't get accountability in a City Manager form of government by focusing on electing one person as Mayor. You get accountability by electing a majority on City Council who are committed to fair, open and transparent government, and who demand such from the City Manager and are willing to replace the City Manager if their recommendations and directives are not being met.

Statutory Council-Manager Form of Government
(Title 11 of the Oklahoma Statutes)

GOVERNING BODY (Section 10-102)

The governing body of a statutory council manager city shall consist of one (1) councilmember from each ward of the city and one (1) councilmember at large.

DUTIES OF THE MAYOR AND VICE-MAYOR (Section 10-105)

The mayor shall preside at meetings of the council, and shall certify to the correct enrollment of all ordinances and resolutions passed by it. He shall be recognized as head of the city government for all ceremonial purposes and by the Governor for purposes of military law. He shall have no regular administrative duties except that he shall sign all conveyances and other written obligations of the city as the council may require. The vice mayor shall act as mayor during the absence, disability or suspension of the mayor.

POWERS VESTED IN COUNCIL — DESIGNATED POWERS (Section 10-106)

All powers of a statutory council manager city, including the determination of matters of policy, shall be vested in the council. Without limitation of the foregoing, the council may:

1. Appoint and remove the city manager as provided by law;

2. Enact municipal legislation subject to limitations as may now or hereafter be imposed by the Oklahoma Constitution and law;

3. Raise revenue, make appropriations, regulate salaries and wages, and all other fiscal affairs of the city, subject to such limitations as may now or hereafter be imposed by the Oklahoma Constitution and law;
4. Inquire into the conduct of any office, department or agency of the city, and investigate municipal affairs, or authorize and provide for such inquiries;

5. Appoint or elect and remove its own subordinates, members of commissions and boards and other quasi legislative or quasi judicial officers as provided by law, or prescribe the method of appointing or electing and removing them;

6. Create, change and abolish offices, departments and agencies other than those established by law, and assign additional functions and duties to offices, departments and agencies established by this article; and

7. Grant pardons for violations of municipal ordinances, including the remission of fines and costs, upon the recommendation of the municipal judge.

LIMITATION OF COUNCIL AUTHORITY TO ACT THROUGH CITY MANAGER (Section 10-107)

Except for the purposes of inquiry, the council and its members shall deal with the administrative service of the city solely through the city manager. The council and its members may not:

1. Direct or request the city manager or other authority to appoint or remove officers or employees;

2. Participate in any manner in the appointment or removal of officers and employees of the city, except as provided by law; or

3. Give orders on ordinary administrative matters to any subordinate of the city manager either publicly or privately.

[LandRunOkie]

Thanks for posting this info for others less knowledgeable.

[Doug Loudenback]

Doug,

As always, I greatly admire your writing.

Thank you, soonerguru.

[Doug Loudenback]

Sooner, I'm not going to presume to speak for Doug. But I read his response much differently than you. His "idiot" comment was relating to the idea that the city wasn't in a huge downward spiral prior to MAPS and that MAPS was a game changer for the city. Now, do I engage in calling anyone an idiot? No. But I will bow to Doug's age, experience and wisdom and not question the choice of arguments he makes as an experienced lawyer who still enjoys a good debate!

About your first point, you correctly interpreted my meaning. As to you your second, your wisdom far exceeds your youthful age.

[Larry OKC]

Hutch: excellent info. Sometimes the Mayor and City staff seem to forget sometimes.

[Inquiringmind]

SUPER! Anybody but Mayor Mick! It is time for an end to MAPS. It was supposed to be a temporary tax, not a permanent one. While I live in OKC I try to spend all of my money I can where taxes are lower.

[betts]

SUPER! Anybody but Mayor Mick! It is time for an end to MAPS. It was supposed to be a temporary tax, not a permanent one. While I live in OKC I try to spend all of my money I can where taxes are lower.

Luckily for Oklahoma City, most people feel differently. If it weren't for MAPS, I wouldn't live here, I suspect a fair number of posters on this forum wouldn't live here, we wouldn't have the Thunder or the Devon Tower, wouldn't be the Olympic Training center for kayak and crew and likely wouldn't have this forum to argue about it. I could go on and on about what Oklahoma City wouldn't have if not for MAPS. I make a concerted effort to do as much shopping as humanly possible IN Oklahoma City so I can pay the tax that keeps us moving forward.

[Midtowner]

SUPER! Anybody but Mayor Mick! It is time for an end to MAPS. It was supposed to be a temporary tax, not a permanent one. While I live in OKC I try to spend all of my money I can where taxes are lower.

It was a temporary tax. Then we overwhelmingly voted to extend it. Then we voted to extend it again and again and it's still temporary until we vote to extend it again. Your argument has been tried and found wanting by anti-tax activists over and over again. Over and over again, the people of OKC have shown the world what we can accomplish when we pool our resources to improve our community's infrastructure.

[flintysooner]

SUPER! Anybody but Mayor Mick! It is time for an end to MAPS. It was supposed to be a temporary tax, not a permanent one. While I live in OKC I try to spend all of my money I can where taxes are lower.

Why do you blame Mick?

[Rover]

I think we have a Shadid plant here. Common now in social media.

[LakeEffect]

I think we have a Shadid plant here. Common now in social media.

I wouldn't go that far. Maybe a Shadid lackey, but not a plant.

[Bellaboo]

SUPER! Anybody but Mayor Mick! It is time for an end to MAPS. It was supposed to be a temporary tax, not a permanent one. While I live in OKC I try to spend all of my money I can where taxes are lower.

Sounds like you need to live in Tulsa. Where they are stuck in the 80's.