Zumba class at the North Little Rocksenior wellness center credit: Tim Farley The 15-member group, led by Mayor Mick Cornett, City Manager Jim Couch and MAPS 3 Director David Todd, checked out the programs and equipment of that city’s Patrick Henry Hays Senior Citizens Center. Facility director Charley Baxter and North Little Rock Mayor Joe […]
Jim Couch
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Streetcar vs. bus
The streetcar system in Portland, Ore., is among those being used as a model for OKC. An outspoken critic of the modern streetcar project, the Ward 2 councilman claims voters were misled about that part of the MAPS 3 plan. Shadid, a supporter of the Metro Transit bus system, has repeatedly called for more funding […]
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All systems go?
The situation surrounding city’s plans for new police, fire, dispatch and municipal courts information and computer systems — as well as allegations by a police captain against the city’s project manager overseeing the program — is the subject of a state auditor investigation. The investigation was forwarded by the city to the state auditor and […]
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Unfinished business
In addition, City Council this week asked that state Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones investigate some city employees connected with the beleaguered project. That request was prompted by a complaint from an Oklahoma City police captain who alleges that the city manager’s office failed to order an investigation or audit after officials were told of […]
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Municipal money
And a check of municipal salaries in the metro shows maybe that’s where college graduates should be looking for a high-paying job. What municipal officials in the area earn might be surprising in a county where the median household income — the combined income of the breadwinners in one house — is less than $43,000 a […]
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Positive predicament
Jim Couch addresses city council. Credit: Shannon Cornman The expected surplus comes from the estimated 3 percent growth the city will see over the next fiscal year following higher-than-anticipated sales tax collections in May and June. The City Council on June 12 adopted the city’s $951 million 2012- 13 budget, and it was agreed that […]
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It’s all happening at the Zoo
Credit: Brad Gregg The dispute between the Zoo Amp’s current operator, Facilities Management Group, and the Zoo Trust is over whether the trust has given preferential treatment to a new group looking to take over operations, 3Horse Productions. FMG’s CEO Howard Pollack, said that his business has been hurt by the Zoo Trust putting out […]
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Puff-less parks
Ed Shadid Credit: Mark Hancock The city is also seeking a state Attorney General opinion on whether it can ban tobacco use in public parks. State law currently preempts municipalities from establishing smoking restrictions that go beyond what has been enacted by state lawmakers. City Manager Jim Couch said he will bring whatever design city […]
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Water war
Sardis Lake is at the center of the water rights battle. Chickasaw Nation The irony of a downpour was undoubtedly appreciated by those attending the Oklahoma Academy’s forum on water. The April 11 gathering placed in the same room two entities currently duking it out over water: tribal officials and state leaders. Tens of millions […]
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Supply and demand
OKC Thunder officials approve of the new ordinance. Shannon Cornman The process to revise the city’s ticket-scalping ordinance was initiated several months ago when a measure came before the council to raise the ticket-scalping cap from its previous level of 50 cents, as well as put a scalping-free zone around the arena. That proposal was […]