And compared to previous years’ budgets full of bad news, cuts and declining revenue, this one wasn’t so bad. “Relative to last year, it’s good economic times, but if you look at the trends that we’ve seen, it’s really more moderate economic times,” said City Manager Jim Couch. “There are a lot of good things […]
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Posted inNews
Students cover tax cuts
Boren reportedly made the remark in early May at a meeting with students and faculty in which he also said OU students should expect some type of “modest” tuition hike this coming fall. The word “irresponsible” to describe the pending income tax cut on Jan. 1, 2012, is probably an understatement, but Boren deserves credit […]
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Optimistic thoughts
The municipal budget, which like many cities has taken a beating recently thanks to the recession, is projected to show enough increase to begin to restore some positions cut as a result of the revenue shortfalls in previous years, said city Budget Director Craig Freeman. The budget proposal at the next council meeting will be […]
Posted inMusic
Piano man
“The last time I did improvisation in public was in Carnegie Hall, a long, long, long time ago,” McEvilly said. As part of the Metropolitan Library System’s “Noon Tunes” series, he will bring his variations on Mozart’s works at 11:30 a.m. Thursday to the atrium of the Downtown Library, 300 Park Ave. If you’re interested […]
Posted inMusic
OKC to SXSW
After humble beginnings in 1987 as a Austin, Texas-based music festival, SXSW now annually hosts almost 2,000 bands, thousands more industry professionals, a film festival and an interactive festival. This year’s music portion takes place March 15-20. How important is SXSW? Two years ago, this unknown band called Mumford & Sons played a pizza parlor […]
Posted inNews
Slow burn
Similar to the local Fraternal Order of Police contract approved in December, it keeps in place most provisions from the previous year’s contract. However, it increases the city’s insurance contribution from $9,500 to $10,540 per employee participating in IAFF’s health and welfare benefits plans. The cost of the contract, which expires June 30, is approximately […]
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State of flux
The February meeting was more cordial than the previous meeting, in which state Superintendent Janet Barresi locked horns with board members. Former state Sen. Herb Rozell, the member state Republicans demanded resign following comments about one of Barresi’s legislative liaison appointments, was absent from the meeting. Tim Gilpin, who in the previous meeting told Barresi […]
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Wait for it …
What could it be? The curiosity served as conversation fodder as CFN intern Bucky pondered the distorted “5320,” on the paperboard coaster underneath his perspiring — ahem — frosty beverage (yes, he’s 21, and then some). So, imagine his amusement upon learning Feb. 14 that partners like the state Department of Health, the Oklahoma Health […]
Posted inNews
O tower, where art thou?
Nary a crane was in sight even though construction has been under way for more than a year. Sometimes, the universe works in ironic ways. On the very same day that The Oklahoman ran an editorial titled “Natural gas anything but ignored in state,” Josh Fox’s “GasLand,” a film exposing the health and environmental risk […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Another Year
Nothing much happens in Mike Leigh films, at least not in the strictest sense of Plot Mechanics 101. There are no car chases or explosions, not even a juicy epiphany in the final reel. But in such emotionally rich films as “Secrets & Lies,” “Topsy-Turvy” and, now, “Another Year,” the British writer/director explores the complexities […]