Despite projections of 70 miles of new sidewalks in 2009’s MAPS 3 campaign, the program’s Trails and Sidewalks Subcommittee was informed that the $9.1 million set aside for the projects would pay for only about 26 miles. Those 26 miles represent around 31 sidewalk alignments, selected using criteria such as proximity to schools, existing sidewalks […]
Pete White
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Takeover trouble
State fairgrounds Shannon Cornman The council on April 3 received the reports on the MAPS 3 fairgrounds improvements and senior wellness centers from Mike Mize of Architectural Design Group, the lead consultant on MAPS 3. Around $58.7 million in MAPS 3 money is set aside for fairgrounds improvements, such as parking and a new exposition […]
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The next step
Meanwhile, at least two Oklahoma City Council members have suggested that the city look into forming its own election reporting requirements and oversight body prior to the 2013 council and mayoral elections. During the council’s Jan. 17 meeting, Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid and Ward 4 Councilman Pete White expressed disappointment that the Ethics Commission […]
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Arrested development
Ethics Commission staff had requested an overhaul of the Political Subdivisions Ethics Act that regulates city council and school board races. The proposed revisions were a response to two independent expenditure groups in the 2011 Oklahoma City Council races that, between them, had spent more than half a million dollars, as well as to bring […]
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‘Line in the sand’
The measure, authored by Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid (pictured right) and Ward 4 Councilman Pete White, failed in a 4-5 vote. Ward 7 Councilman Ronald “Skip” Kelly and Ward 5 Councilman David Greenwell joined Shadid and White in voting to approve the measure. Shadid criticized The Oklahoman at the meeting. Prior to the citywide […]
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Crossed wires
Shadid said he plans on introducing the measure in place of a joint resolution that was considered and deferred at the May 31 council meeting. That resolution would have required certain contracts be subject to at least three public meetings before eligible for a vote. Councilman Pete White spoke in support of the majority of […]
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Overcoming Momentum’s legacy
Federal law shielded disclosure of contributor names. Many became alarmed about secret committees influencing election outcomes, including this writer. This organization’s basic tactic was fear — fear that a candidate was too liberal, too conservative or not conservative or liberal enough. The bitter election is over, but Momentum’s legacy finds a present home in some […]
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Grand proposal
Two major issues of the MAPS 3 program are likely to come up for approval at the July 5 Oklahoma City Council meeting: a proposed project timeline and a proposed site for the future convention center. While the timeline was discussed at a council meeting earlier in June, the body, which was divided on its […]
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Pastor is right: Citty should resign
Mr. Citty’s extreme anti-freedom, anti-gun views are 100 percent out of whack with the views of the people of Oklahoma City, the rank-and-file police officers under his charge, and the fundamental civil right contained in the second amendment to the Constitution. Mr. Citty is quoted as saying “There’s no place for that kind of weapon […]