For all of its best laid plans, the Yes for MAPS coalition made an interesting gaffe in a full-color flyer mailed to city residents urging them to vote yea for MAPS 3.
All the key points are hit upon, complete with renderings and photos of what the projects may look like, and similar amenities in other cities comparable to those being proposed for MAPS 3.
But look closely at one photo of a young couple walking through a park, and it is clear that the man is wearing a Texas Tech Red Raiders shirt. Now someone on the coalition may be a Tech grad or a fan of Mike Leach, but after the walloping the Red Raiders gave the Sooners in November the coalition might have a hard time winning over Sooner fans who see that inflammatory T-shirt.
Then again, Oklahoma State did beat Tech in November, but Cowboy fans could hardly be thrilled about MAPS showcasing a fan of their rival in Lubbock.
The Yes for MAPS group may claim to be bipartisan on civic issues, but someone on board must have either not noticed the Red Raiders fan strolling through the park, or maybe a clandestine Red Raider copy editor dropped it in as a subliminal message.
This article appears in Dec 9-15, 2009.