Why Vote No March 4, 2008,

[phookwah]

I know it's a little late now, but I give you a lot of kudos for trying to beat some sense into these people. Now with oil prices dropping and the economy tanking, one of the owners has a substantial net worth drop. Couldn't they have come up with a better name than the Thunder?

[santos2k1]

you make some really good points, this tax money should better be spent on something else.

[monsiee]

The sonics should stay in Seattle. You can't just take decades of the Sonics away from us. Bennett is such an ass and i have no idea why he kept saying he didn't buy the Sonics to bring them to Seattle. Everyone knows he did fromt the start.

'There's no economical issue with the Sonics leaving Seattle. This comes from what the owner of the Sonics say...'

Who's the owner again? BENNETT! Of course he would say that....

[mikey96753]

DID YOU KNOW THAT David Glover does NOT EVEN LIVE in Oklahoma City! What is he doing here? The luxury suites at the newly improved Ford Center will be financed on the backs of the working poor? Give me a break!! I guess the rich are lining up for their free luxury suites..right? Bonds? That would mean a big payday for the bond sellers..is that what you want? I know! Let's just raise ticket prices a couple hundred a seat and install pay toilets!!!!!! VOTE YES, VOTE BIG LEAGUE

[davidglover]

I live in the Village.  I am surrounded by Oklahoma City. I think the NBA come and the everyone can keep their tax money, the ultimate win/win for 99.9% of OKC.

[worein]

Outstanding, David! Agreed! Why spend a penny sales tax on a perfectly functional and "new" sports arena when we desperately need our roads and BRIDGES repaired! Heck! We need to improve PARKING around the Ford center before we do any more to the building. Look at the way Dallas has improved THEIR roads. There is a REASON for corporate sponsors who pay for improvements to arenas. Thanks for making your statement, David. Let's hope it doesn't pass tomorrow.

[MauryDann73]

Keep the Sonics in Seattle! Come on, OK City -- you don't want to get a team this way. It's so sleazy. Personally I think Simmons' suggestion -- a franchise swap with Memphis (the Grizzlies are for sale)-- is the way to go. Bennett still gets to bring the NBA to OK City, Seattle gets to keep the team it's had for 41 years, and the NBA washes its hands of a weak pro-basketball city it shouldn't have moved to in the first place.

[davidglover]

Makes sense.

[Mikezpires]

Vote yes on march 4th

[JW4Heisman03]

The team owners are not going to make a bunch of money on the team. That's a myth perpetuated by those who want you to vote no without knowing the facts. The team will not come to OKC without a yes vote either. Don't believe anyone who tells you they will. Lots of little lies floating around out there.

[davidglover]

Taxpayers do not have to pay for these improvements, Billionaire owners would like that, but not most taxpayers.

[squidkiller1]

How about this -- if it's such a good deal, why don't they do a revenue bond issue -- to pay for it, charge an additional $10 per ticket plus $10,000,000 a year in naming rights to Chesapeake -- the naming rights revenue plus with 40 games per year with 15,000 multiplied by $10 extra per ticket would raise $16,000,000 per year -- depending on interest rates, the thing would be paid off after 10 years or so, and it would be paid for by the people who actually use the place!!!

[WilsonZone]

Watch the end for their reaction? What reaction? There wasn't any! I think this was your way to "force" people to watch the video to the end.

Personally, I grew up in a city with an NBA team and would love to see one here. If keeping the 1 cent sales tax gives us even the slightest better chance of getting a pro NBA team here, I'm willing to pay it. I'm voting Yes.

[amylh322]

I hate seeing this selfish attitude (from the "leave town" types). This is not the Oklahoma that i know and love. Steve Hunt, Mr. Glover and others working so hard to get this msg out? They are!!

This is *not* a fair deal for the majority of people in Oklahoma City. Concerts? Fun! B-ball? Way fun! Those who will never be able to afford a 50+ dollar ticket to one of these events PAYING to make the 5 years new Ford Center more posh? Not even a little bit fun.

Thanks for your time.

[davidglover]

121 million divided by 235,000 eligible voters is the equivalent of $500 tax per voter. Some of the tax comes from non OKC residents.

[cooprob]

Without MAPS -- No new library, no Civic Center improvements, no Ford Center, no Fairgrounds improvements, no improvements to OKC Public Schools, no Bricktown canal. I for one am extremely proud of what we have built over the last 10 years. Unfortunately, we built the Ford Center on cheap -- typical for Oklahomans but not typical of the rest of the MAPS projects. We need to finish the job and finish it right. How would you have voted on the original MAPS?

[davidglover]

The average citizen will probably be taxed $200 for luxury changes so a new tenant can make more profit. 99% of OKC will be better off if the very rich OKC NBA owners bring their team and don't ask taxpayers for a hand out.

[okstatecgordo]

If you don't like to direction the large majority wants the city us to go to. Then move, there are plenty of burbs that you can live in, or even better move to Texas.

[amylh322]

Oh goody! It's the old "If you don't like it,move" argument. I'm sure that would hold up well in the Supreme Court ;-)

This is not a good deal for Oklahoma! Do the tiny bit of research that is necessary and you will see!

[okstatecgordo]

What the heck does the supreme court have to do with your moving? oh yeah I know... nothing. I was more of a sarcastic suggestion. Also, you are right, it's not a deal for Oklahoma, it a deal for Oklahoma City, thus the tax extenion will only be in Oklahoma City. Try again.

[amylh322]

If you are sure you need this explained.... I'm saying, ironically, that your "argument" would not hold up in court. Because it's old, tired and silly.

MAPS has been great! *Continuing* MAPS so these guys can have a 30 million dollar place to practice? How many STARVING PEOPLE would be fed by 30 mil? It is excess, it is wrong.

And you clearly have no problem with sarcasm- you're dripping in it ;-)

[davidglover]

Probably around 10% of all voters will vote. I think if everyone knew a NO vote would lower their taxes it wouldn't pass. But there is quite a bit of slick PR and marketing to convince us otherwise.

[okstatecgordo]

It's only slick PR if you don't want the tax extention. I am a voter that will be voting march 4th. BIG LEAGUE CITY!!! VOTE YES!!!

[okstatecgordo]

Mr. Glover, I do want you to know that I do respect your opnion as well as those who side with you. I can hear through yourtestimony, that you are a proud Oklahoman, and I am personally proude that we can have a great place like Oklahoma City to live. I only wish we could be on the same side. VOTE YES MARCH 4th BIG LEAGUE CITY!!!

[davidglover]

Thanks, I say bring the team with NO TAX. Now that is a win win for about 99% of the people involved. Funny thing all ticket prices will increase if there are luxury improvements

[amylh322]

I'm a 38 year old disabled adult. I'll *never* see a live NBA game... and they want $500 from me for it?! I can barely afford what i NEED - this is just about WANTS. If this would really help my beloved city? I'd vote yes. But it truly only helps a handful of fat cats.

Sure, it would be "cool" to have an NBA team here! I know that many of the people who say *VOTE NO* are huge B-ball fans! But they are willing to put *us* first. And those are the people i appreciate in life. Thank you.

[davidglover]

The math is $500 per eligible voter equiv. $200 for every person in OKC. Now the majority of the $200 I think will be paid by the citizens of OKC. Ouch

[cooprob]

Don't be misled by David. He claims it is $500 per voter if an estimated 10% of registered voters show up to vote -- NOT $500 per taxpayer of those who pay sales taxes in Oklahoma City. That figure would be SUBSTANTIALLY smaller.

[davidglover]

What amount is acceptable per man, woman and child in OKC?

[DaDeucesWild]

This guy is an idiot. The only reason he did this was so he could get a copy of it to put it on youtube so he could get his 15 seconds of fame. Good for you, I like how they didn't even acknowledge you, lol.

[amylh322]

What an ugly thing to say. And you rest your while premise on "this guy is an idiot"? He makes more sense than Cornett has, in a long long time.

[heyheyheypaul]

How pleased I am that the council did not even acknowledge your existence and addressed your thoughtful comments only with "we're adjourned." Lucky for the Sonics the NBA neither requires nor encourages franchises be located in democratic countries.

You are absolutely right and I support you. One other factor here is that those who pay the tax are disproportionately poor. Only thing worse that public funds for millionaires is funds from the poor to help the rich.

[mightymicronaut]

David is right! John Stossel pointed out years ago that these arena deals just help the millionaire owners. I guess if you want a better arena and feel good about bilking everyday people to help millionaires make more money... go ahead and vote for it.

[tool4theman]

OMG! You're a cranky city council gadfly! You go girl! If oOxst convinces you to be Mayor, please let me be your fixer! I want to know where the bodies are buried.

[kdaylyon]

We told "Cash Us" Clay no for a reason. Why should he and his cohorts get all of the benefits without investing any of their own money in infrastructure improvements and/or new construction? Wise up, OKC, don't give in to him.

[thinklady2107]

3 Bs apply to this deal. BIG money, BOGUS deal, BAD investment. David Glover is a hero for saying so!

[thebiz18]

David, you're using fuzzy math again. Remember, that sales tax is paid by many people outside Oklahoma City, both in state and visitors to our state. Your $500 per voter is impossible, as the average income in the city is $35,000, and to spend $500 each in a 15 month time period, each voter would have to spend $50,000 to generate a $500 sales tax. Each voter. It's good rhetoric, but you're either deliberately distorting data, or you can't do math.

[davidglover]

Vote NO and your taxes will go down. 121 million divided by 235,000 voters equivalent to $500 per ballot cast. Over $200 for child, man and woman. This hits everybody and it's about helping billionaires make more money.

[heyheyheypaul]

And the council schedules these elections for the lowest possible turnout. Only about 20,000 people will vote.

[cyber1zen]

Thank you for taking the time to do the research and keep the wool from being pulled over our citizens' eyes.

[mfrancis101]

FREE LUNCH author will be here Feb. 28, at Boulevard Cafeteria 5:30 hosted by LULAC ..... also Feb. 29 at Belle Isle Library 3:30, and on Sat. March 1 at Mayflower Congregational Church at 10am to noon. Bring you books to be signed!

Vote NO on MAPS for MILLIONAIRES!!!

[cocoxan]

Doing the best for the most people! Gold-dipped arena! Human need over corporate greed. Let us keep our money for more important things.

This guy is right. I would vote for him for council. For mayor. For anything.

[o0xst]

Great job!