Centennial story on FOX25

[BailJumper]

Anyone catch the story on FOX last night about how much the centennial celebration is costing?

$20K a piece for street clocks! They are nice but c'mon.

And, what about the tens of thousands spent on office space, furniture and computers? Are you telling me the state had no unused office space, desks or computers to be loaned?

Crazy i tell you!

[SOONER8693]

Maybe a tractor pull, cow-chip throwing contest, or cock fight would have been more appropriate for our state's centennial celebration. Those probably would not have cost much.

[BailJumper]

Yeah - you're right. Nothing says "You're Doing Fine Oklahoma" like $90-million.

Lord knows those in attendance will for days be talking about the Centennial office spaces, new furniture, laptops and wondering how to get their hands on a $20K clock.

Of course, they can always turn on the TV and see where kids continually slip through DHS's "watchful" eyes only to turn up abused and dead because they claim they have no funding. Better yet, there is sure to be a story on Okie teenage pregnancies, STD's or divorce rate. But, hell lets throw a party!

[SOONER8693]

Wow. BailJumper, you're pretty fired up about this. That's really intense.

[Karried]

You forgot our F grade in Public Education.

[Patrick]

You forgot our F grade in Public Education.

That's why I'm a big fan of private education through private schools. There's better education offered in schools where the employees are kept accountable by the influence of the good ole US dollar. Just look at the list of colleges private school students get accepted into every year.

In public schools, lazy employees are protected by tenure. That's not to say there aren't good teachers in the public schools....obviously, our very own bandnerd is quite a teacher. But, I knew of a few teachers in my public high school (Northeast) that never would've survived in a private school.

[Millie]

Are you people serious?

The Centennial Celebrations are a huge focusing point. They will bring national attention to Oklahoma- this is a big chance to make a positive impression.

[Patrick]

Then let private funds pay for it. Think of how many text books $90 million would buy.

[BailJumper]

They will bring national attention to Oklahoma- this is a big chance to make a positive impression.

You're getting me right? Yes, they will be talking far and wide about our million dollar statues by the canal. And the clocks! Did you see the clocks? Man that Oklahoma is way more progressive then I thought.

[Millie]

Then let private funds pay for it. Think of how many text books $90 million would buy.

Wasn't the lottery supposed to pay for textbooks?

I think that cuts can (and should) be made within and among the school districts before we funnel any more money to education.

[Millie]

You're getting me right? Yes, they will be talking far and wide about our million dollar statues by the canal. And the clocks! Did you see the clocks? Man that Oklahoma is way more progressive then I thought.

You're right. Let's call the whole thing off.

While we're at it, somebody call DC and make sure that the government doesn't spend any money on Independence Day celebrations this year. And let's make sure that Massachusetts doesn't do anything for Patriots Day. And let's not even get started on all the money that towns spend on corn/wheat/chocolate/whatever other kinds of local festivals.

All the money people spend on community-building and the like should go straight to schools.

[BailJumper]

I love the all or nothing mentality (or is it mental retardation?) of some people. I didn't say call it off. I didn't bash each and every expenditure.

Are you saying it aided in the celebration to spend tens of thousands on office space, new furniture and computers when the state already has excess of all 3?

Mark the centennial, just don't rape those you are celebrating.

Are you one of those, don't give me the facts, just give me a party kinda person?

[jbrown84]

I like the clocks, but we didn't need as many of them as we got.

What is the deal with the office space and computers? Who was that for?


I don't think 90 million is much of a blip on the radar compared to the overall state budget, or how much the latest city bond issue is worth. We can go on an on about how this should be reapportioned and that area of governement got too much money. It's a never-ending, subjective issue.

[BailJumper]

What is the deal with the office space and computers? Who was that for?

Oklahoma Centennial Commission
133 W. Main Street, Suite 100

[drumsncode]

I don't think we need to have any kind of a party, and who cares what others think of our state? Do we want the whole nation moving here and f'ing it up?

I look at 90 million dollars and can think of incredible things we could do with that money besides piss it away so a bunch of drunk, lard-butt Oklahomans can have a fun night.

I can see all the party-goers ten years from now, "Wow, did you see those clocks! I'll never forget those clocks! This is the best state EVER!"

In the meantime, the Jesus House and other places will be struggling for money every year just to pay their electric bills and we'll be seeing stories on homeless people, how the Food Bank is running low on food, etc. But oh hell, we had a great party!

Think about how much good 90 million dollars could do placed into an account drawing 5% interest for the rest of eternity. Our government is a bunch of morons.

I'm glad FOX25 is calling them out on it.

[BailJumper]

In fairness, the $90million isn't for one night of partying. The 'celebration' is year long. I also think some of the expenditures are 'okay.' I just think more oversight and better spending would be prudent.

[jbrown84]

In fairness, the $90million isn't for one night of partying.

Exactly. Getting a little out of control with the accusations there, drumsncode.

[drumsncode]

You're right, it isn't just for one night of partying, it's for the incredible legacy of having 100 clocks all over town that will be remembered by generations to come as THE reason they felt compelled to move to Oklahoma.

If it was one night of partying, that would be one thing, but instead, wait 5 to 10 years and your tax dollars will be spent on cleaning and servicing those clocks, creating an on-going tax burden.

Our government is out of control, there's no two ways about it. It's at the Federal level all the way down. We've got money do all this "cute" stuff, yet schools yell all the time about running out of money, and everyone in government thinks they deserve a raise every few years. I dodged all the potholes on the way to buy my gas-price inflated groceries today, and the list is endless.

Tom Coburn is trying to do something about all the stupidity, and it sounds like McCain would like to do something too.

The Centennial Celebration is just an example of wasteful, unnecessary spending of our money. The city officials will tell you how much it will stimulate our economy, no doubt like the lottery did with all its empty promises.

I wonder if people are out there right now planning their summer vacations, saying "Honey, we've GOT to go to Oklahoma this year instead of Colorado and see those clocks!" Just don't get stopped for a traffic violation in Oklahoma, or the cops will taser you repeatedly until you die, then claim the taser did not contribute to your death. They'll claim the force was justified, because as you reached into your wallet to retrieve your license that you were "going for what looked like a gun".

Yep, we've got a great government. Add up all the taxes you pay at the Federal and State level, then add the gasoline taxes, sales taxes, and everything else, then tell me our government is not out of control.

[jbrown84]

No one ever said the clocks were a tourist attraction.

[Tim]

It's been my experience that poor planning and badly spent funds are a direct result of citizens apathy. Every meeting involving public funds is subject to the open meeting act. You can attend and you can have your opinion heard as long as it is presented at the appropriate time during the meeting. All meeting notices are published in print and on the City website.
It's fine to come to this forum and gripe about decisions made by our officials, but it's even more rewarding to have some input on these decisions before they impact the community. A very wise lady once remarked that "The world is run by the people who show up."
Also, I kinda like our clock here in E-Town! Beats the hell out of that stupid dog statue!

[CuatrodeMayo]

No joke...that thing was God-awful.

[BailJumper]

What I wanna know is why there are no Indians on the downtown mural?

[Millie]

I love the all or nothing mentality (or is it mental retardation?) of some people. I didn't say call it off. I didn't bash each and every expenditure.

Are you saying it aided in the celebration to spend tens of thousands on office space, new furniture and computers when the state already has excess of all 3?

Mark the centennial, just don't rape those you are celebrating.

Are you one of those, don't give me the facts, just give me a party kinda person?

No, I'm actually a very well-reasoned person. I don't buy into knee-jerk reactions precipitated by the news media, is all.

Do you have any idea what the magnitude of the state budget is, or what fraction of that budget this money represents? Do you understand the impact of tourism dollars that are being brought in by the centennial celebration? This 90 million dollars existed somewhere last year and the schools were no better off for it.

[Millie]

It's been my experience that poor planning and badly spent funds are a direct result of citizens apathy. Every meeting involving public funds is subject to the open meeting act. You can attend and you can have your opinion heard as long as it is presented at the appropriate time during the meeting. All meeting notices are published in print and on the City website.
It's fine to come to this forum and gripe about decisions made by our officials, but it's even more rewarding to have some input on these decisions before they impact the community. A very wise lady once remarked that "The world is run by the people who show up."
Also, I kinda like our clock here in E-Town! Beats the hell out of that stupid dog statue!

Well said, Tim.

[BailJumper]

So, what you're saying Millie is we should just put our heads in the sand and chalk everything up to "It's gonna make OKC the Disney World of the central United States!"

Do we really need to list all the financial fiascos that were spoon fed to the taxpayers over the years.

Funny how you know I've conceeded that many expenditures I have no complaint with. However, you refuse to address what I was really talking about - thousands spent on office space, NEW furniture, computers and other things that have NOTHING to do with tourism. Turn off the bias filter and re-read my comments.