Conspiracy theories and downtown development

[metro]

I agree soonerguru and jbrown. That last article made me lose alot of respect for Steve and sticking up for the little guy. I'm sure his superiors in the good old boy network reared him, but I think he could of handled it differently. His articles WERE the only reason I still bought the Daily Oklahoman (that and the Target ad on Sunday). I've been to OCURA meetings and they basically dust you off and are very hostile. I like jbrowns idea, let's find out when the next OCURA meeting is (will be hard since they don't make them very known or announce them a few hours before they start) and let's see how many of us can attend. Count me in!

[jbrown84]

me too of course

[BDP]

I'd definitely attend the meetings. If for nothing else, just to observe. I've participated in other oversight and steering meetings in the city and I'd be interesting to see how they operate. The hard part is being able to clear your schedule when they decide to have a meeting. Certainly, they're note scheduled completely at a whim. Someone has to know a couple of days before, right?

[Pete]

I just called and was told the next meeting is:

Wednesday, January 16th
10AM
204 N. Robinson Suite 2400


Before anyone attends, you should call to confirm as they often reschedule.

You might also want to call and request minutes from the last few meetings so you can see what is going to be discussed:

405-235-3771

They charge a small copy and mail fee.

[Midtowner]

It will be very telling whether Steve is willing to comment here or not. Since he's a regular poster, I can't imagine he won't read this thread.

I think we can read quite a bit into whether he chooses to defend his opinion piece here or not.

[CuatrodeMayo]

I've notices he's posted on the boards lately.

I agree, mid, I agree.

[Popsy]

I actually hope Steve quits reading this board. I am fearful he might take some of the opinions on here as having merit and report them as representing the majority of OKC, which could not be further from reality.

[BDP]

Which ones do not have merit and which ones do? And, of course, why or why not?

[Midtowner]

Yep.. you don't get to make drive-by quips like that and not explain yourself.

[solitude]

I actually hope Steve quits reading this board. I am fearful he might take some of the opinions on here as having merit and report them as representing the majority of OKC, which could not be further from reality.

Hey -- that's life, not just this forum. He has to cull through opinions and separate fact from fiction whatever the source may be.

[Midtowner]

Hey -- that's life, not just this forum. He has to cull through opinions and separate fact from fiction whatever the source may be.

... and if he can't do that, maybe many of our misgivings about the Oklahoman are valid

[Decious]

I actually hope Steve quits reading this board.

Steve can't quit reading this board.

Anyone reading his stories over the past year or so knows that he gets at least 40% of his leads and ideas from the very medium that he trashed. That medium being the one and only OKCTalk.

The process goes something like this:

1. OKCTalk asks a question or initiates a conversation piece regarding some city happening or function.

2. Steve repackages that conversation - includes a few quotes from person x and y (both of whom work downtown) - signs his name at the bottom of the doc and turns it in.

3. We see the article and congratulate him on his work.

This system was freakin' running like clockwork until last week. Hmmm.... Maybe he recognized the pattern and this entire drama was an attempt to seperate himself.

A weaning away of sorts. Abandoning the teat. Whatever.

I know Russell Perry personally and he's a good man. He's done well and has given back to his community. Nevertheless, there is no way on earth he should be making decisions concerning urban renewal. And he knows it.

[soonerguru]

I noticed that Steve responded to another thread today or yesterday. Wonder why he won't respond to this one? He has obviously used this board to some degree, only to smite us in print. That's his prerogative, of course, but his non-reply on this thread indicates our commentary is cutting a little close to the bone. Remember: traditional media types resent this type of medium, even though they use it all the time.

[Pete]

I hope Steve does stay and I'm sure he'll at least lurk.

He's entitled to his opinion just as we all are and I've long ago accepted that the Oklahoman is never going to make waves or really engage in investigative journalism.


But as much as he tried to dismiss this forum, several of his columns actually illustrate that people are paying attention to what is discussed here.

And it's pretty easy to distill the good ideas and constructive criticism from the hyperbole and vitriol.