March 4th

Trying to get an idea of how people are voting.

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“In the end we are all separate: our stories, no matter how similar, come to a fork and diverge. We are drawn to each other because of our similarities, but it is our differences we must learn to respect.”

Although I'm voting yes for Oklahoma City, it is a regressive tax that takes advantage of the poor. It seems like we could find a better way to support this.

I also find it ironic that Clayton Bennett was going to spend $100 million towards an arena in Renton, but isn't forking over a dime for improvements to ours. I can see where MAPS for Millionaires comes from.

Bennett doesn't know if his team will be allowed to move here, yet, so he's really not in the position to offer cash to our arena. Besides, this isn't just for the NBA or for Benett. It's to make the Ford Center at least as competitive in amenities as another arena in the state, let alone the ones in the immediate region.

If you take the NBA out of this (which many fail to do), the arena is still in great need of upgrades.

Let's take a look at other regional arenas. (Others feel free to correct my "facts"):

Tulsa - finishing $200 million BOK Center
Kansas City - finishing $350 million Sprint Center
Dallas - $350 million American Airlines Center one of the most highly-ranked centers in US
Wichita - getting ready to build a new center (not sure of price tag)

That means more competition for the NCAA, Big 12, concerts and other events that would normally consider Oklahoma City, but might just skip on up the road another 90 miles or so to go to Tulsa or Wichita. We'd lose out on a lot (not just the NBA) if this doesn't pass.

Karrie, I'd love to think this poll is scientific. Sadly, I think for the most part, on this board at least, it's just preaching to the choir.

If any of you see me driving down the road with my hand-made "Vote Yes March 4" sign in the back window of my car, honk and wave!!!

I'm thinking this might be a slightly unrepresentative sample of OKC.

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It's a friendlier OKCTalk!

lol - let's hope not...

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“In the end we are all separate: our stories, no matter how similar, come to a fork and diverge. We are drawn to each other because of our similarities, but it is our differences we must learn to respect.”

As a Oklahoman living out of State (at the moment), I wish I could do something to support getting out the yes vote. I thank each of you for going the extra measure to help get this passed and continue the momentum. OKC is right there, on the cusp and I cannot wait to retire backhome and contribute to the new OKC and Oklahoma. Thanks for your efforts, many Oklahomans in this area are anxiously watching and hoping for success.

Yes, let's hope not but I am getting extremely nervous. Hopefully, those of us who think this is a positive vote for OKC will be more inclined to actually get out and vote next Tuesday.

Shouldn't there be a few extraneous exclamation points on the "No" option?

No, because I'm not excited about a no vote and it's my poll - na na na na na na na! lol

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“In the end we are all separate: our stories, no matter how similar, come to a fork and diverge. We are drawn to each other because of our similarities, but it is our differences we must learn to respect.”

This isn't for the NBA, it's for the Ford Center. All events at the Ford Center will benefit. Blah blah blah blah. The mayor said from the beginning that this is a vote on whether we want to be an NBA city or not.

It does effect whether we get the NBA, but that doesn't take away from the fact that the Ford Center is used for many other things, all of which will benefit.

People may think this tax proposal is about the NBA, but if we don't pass this vote, and don't get a team, who honestly thinks a Ford Center upgrade won't be part of MAPS 3 or some other vote soon? We're going to fall behind Tulsa when the BOK Center opens, and Kansas City has already outclassed us. So, if this vote fails, we'll probably end up fixing up the Ford Center anyway within the next few years and we won't have a team. That would suck.

Ding Ding Ding!!! We have a winner!


So... with all the positiveness coming from Karried's informal poll on this site (which, yes, I understand is hardly scientific), I have this question. Is there a feeling in the air that this measure will not be passed by OKC? And is there anyone in particular who is championing a 'VOTE NO' initiative that is a popular and influential local?

I don't know of an influential local. The issue is the cover story of the Gazette this week, the publisher of which came out in support of the tax proposal. It's good reading, and has the strongest statement Clay Bennett can probably make about us not getting a team if this tax proposal doesn't pass. It's seconded by the head of the Chamber. It sounds like a NO vote means NO team.

Not At All

Then I suppose my next question is going to be... why are we worried about this? Based on everything you folks are telling me (and I am admittedly an outsider at this point due to where I have lived for the past three years, but I don't plan on remaining that way for much longer), it seems the smart money is on this initiative passing.

Or, is there something else I don't know?

I think most of the people on OKCTalk are pretty involved in this city and have been doing a lot of research on this topic in particular. I for one have been listening to local sports radio and reading the editorials in the paper and have been hearing at least 50-50 response against the vote. I am not sure if we are hearing the same people over and over or if half of the people really don't want to spend another penny for every dollar they spend for the next 2 years. What I don't know is have they had their heads stuck in the sand for the last year while the mayor had his poll for MAPS 3? It seems to me that a lot of people are willing to pay this tax forever to make capital improvements to the city. Not sure why they are against this particular vote when, as betts stated earlier this is probably something that would be part of a MAPS 3 initiative anyway.

Recently the Oklahoma City Council put forward a proposal with a present sales tax of one cent, to update the Ford Center and among other things for a NBA, specifics improvements.
City Council says this will encourage the NBA to "award" us a team.
1st off the owners of the Sonics" said they were coming here anyways.
After they been here for 5 years we can do that, if and when we’re done dealing the many issues we as a city still need to do.
What makes them less likely to just leave if Oklahoma City" doesn't meet their expectations?
I am not against having the NBA here, but I can't help but wondered how seriously they are.
121 million dollars is not some chump change.
And now we understand pending the outcome of this vote on March 4th, the vote on MAPS3 has been delayed.
What can we as a City do with a $121 million dollars instead of this at this point in time?
Tourists come to Oklahoma City for our uniqueness, not because of the NBA.
The American Indian Cultural Center & Museum (AICCM), is in need of funds to continued with the construction of the center, why not get that done, it would go a long ways in showing we're one community made up of many parts.
I suggest we repair and renovate out historic sites, and locales in our city limits and endowed those Sites to be maintained and repair, such as the Overholser Mansion.
Tourist aren't going to remember the NBA game (Noticed I said game, most likely tourists will never go to a second one they went to, if all they remember is the condition city's accessibility and the potholed, uneven roads, and the litter problem, and the lack security, not just in the Bricktown area, but City Wide, we could start to by installing security equipment thru out the city, this will help all parts of the City with a tool against crime.
Let’s demolished the abandon buildings or renovated them, and repair the sidewalks, and put in a real state of the art mass transit system.
A Citywide beautification as well as for the approaches to the City.
Has anyone been thru the Stockyards, from the route of the airport on the "Orange Line Trolley"? It’s like a scene from MAD MAX, depressing!
I think increasing Code enforcement personnel, getting stray animals picked up, neighborhoods and other sites cleaned up, making sure our eateries are up to code, buildings both residential and commercial up to code.
Why not increase the hotel tax, entertainment tax on booze and shows even tacking on a user fee for attendees to Ford Center events.
I seen many projects in the City happen, or at least started thru the generosity of its Business and private donors, the lack of interest, suggest a no confidence in NBA franchise or even a consideration of the “upgrades” for the Center.
I just don't feel comfortable spending this money, on this project, at this time, when it seems its done with speed, and seems to me all hidden from view, something is just not right.
Its not about voting YES to move forward its saying NO we need to stay on target, being a unique vacation spot for those wanting to leave those very same NBA hosted Cities for OKLAHOMA CITY SOMETHING SPECIAL.
We know if this is voted YES, soon the MAPS 3 will die and only a portion would be able to be resurrected if any at all. Because then we would have showed we cater to the whims of the few. Then the real and pressing issues will explode with need and we just wouldn't be able to take them on.
We need to focused on the NEEDS not the WANTS, in case you're reaching for the words its called RESPONSIBILITY in government, and MATURITY.
NBA is a WANT, not a NEED. A WANT we just can’t afford with so much left to do.
I don't see how a City can justified selling its soul to a MLB, NBA, or a NFL team just to be mention on the news.
We should focused not only on the game of basketball, but on all of the baggage associated with the culture that has now permeated the NBA The NBA calls them HOST CITIES, I can see why some call them VICTIM CITIES, Restaurants reports record numbers of dine-and-dash incidents (in the hundreds). Cabbies reports record numbers of non-paying customers (also in the hundreds). Shops reported record numbers of shop-lifting incidents (you get it by now). According to police, records of those same Cities were also set for fights/brawls and gunplay, None of this makes major headlines. Apparently, anything short of a full-scale, Viking-style rape, pillage, plunder and burn assault is seen as a moral victory. Interestingly, other NON HOST CITIES crime figures dipped over that same period of time.
These are tax dollars!!
SCHOOLS!!
INFRASTRUCTURE!!
SECURITY!!

wow.

Show some proof of this when the Hornets were here.

I was one of the 19K walking around Bricktown before and after and I saw none of what you mentioned.

Were you there?

Anyway, all of your arguments above have been discussed and addressed ad nauseum on many other threads....

I won't change your mind, but please don't discredit the time that the Hornet's were here.. what they brought to OKC was invaluable in so many ways and I saw nothing of what you refer to above.

Besides, regardless of race or culture, any time you gather huge crowds together, the odds are that there will be an increase of incidents of crime in the area .. statistically speaking.

Truthfully, if I feared for one minute that my children or myself would be in danger, I never would have gone to all of the games I attended.

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“In the end we are all separate: our stories, no matter how similar, come to a fork and diverge. We are drawn to each other because of our similarities, but it is our differences we must learn to respect.”

I posted this before but thought it was pertinent here as well. It's not just for the NBA!

On March 4 Oklahoma City residents will go to the polls to vote on a 15-month, one-cent sales tax dedicated to making major improvements to the Ford Center.

Among the proposed upgrades to be enjoyed by all Ford Center patrons are:

• New grand entrance and multistory atrium
• First class restaurants and clubs on every level Upgraded concession areas
• Newly tiled floors and walls in the main concourse
• Rooftop gardens with skyline views on the second and third levels
• 12,000-square-foot family activity center

Further details are available online at www.okc.gov/fordcenter.

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“In the end we are all separate: our stories, no matter how similar, come to a fork and diverge. We are drawn to each other because of our similarities, but it is our differences we must learn to respect.”