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David Stanley Ford

Voters approve Tinker proposal
Voters approve Tinker proposal

By John Estus    Comments Comment on this article21
Published: May 14, 2008

Oklahoma County voters narrowly approved the latest Tinker Air Force Base bond issue proposal Tuesday.

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Oklahoma County Commissioner Ray Vaughn announces results of the Oklahoma County bond election Tuesday night. Julie Riggs, interactive media manager of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, tallies the results. BY Jaconna Aguirre, THE OKLAHOMAN
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With all precincts reporting, approval of the plan to buy the abandoned General Motors plant and lease it to Tinker was carried by about 53 percent of the vote, according to the Oklahoma County Election Board.

Oklahoma County Commissioner Ray Vaughn claimed victory.

"We're going to take a facility that was dead and we're going to breathe some life back into it,” Vaughn said. "It's going to benefit the greatest employer we've got in Oklahoma County.”

Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Burpee, a former Tinker commander who opposed the plan, said he accepted the choice of the people.

"The voters have voted their conscience, and they voted for the tax increase and that's what we're going to do,” Burpee said.

Passage of the Tinker proposition will cost the owner of a $100,000 home an extra $9.85 a year in property taxes.

Other measures that passed
Two of the other four countywide propositions also passed.

County flood control improvements and renovations to the county courthouse were approved by voters.

Propositions to improve county records management and build a new county extension building failed. Both had been shot down by about 55 percent of voters.

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David Stanley Ford


Related Topics: Politics, Armed Forces, Elections and Voting, Local Politics


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C, c-town - May 15, 2008 at 2:52 pm
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The point to all tis were the lies told about jobs. Tinker is handing out early retirements and laying off people right now. I voted NO on all tax increases. Our Legislators gave themselves one raise already they sure as heck don't need another one. And you know what, I don't care what is going on, the hard working Oklahoman that acually has a job right now is the one suffering.
C, c-town - May 15, 2008 at 2:51 pm
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Larry, I agree with you that our political system depends on democratic involvement. Majority of the votes rule. What Dennis was proposing is "the majority of the majority of the voters rule." It would be nice if we had 100% participation, but we cannot force it - that is undemocratic.

As far as misinformation, here's a quick list of things I heard:
(1) Tinker may not even want the GM property, FALSE - it was Tinker's idea (see bond issue announcement press conference & TAC plans); (2) Some real estate broker is going to make big bucks off the deal, FALSE - all negotiations were handled by GM, the DA's office, & the Pentagon (or Tinker officials); (3) County officials want more property taxes because it will increase their salaries, FALSE - the ad valorem tax burden (i.e. millage) has nothing to do with an official's salary, it depends on population & property values.
I heard these falsehoods on the radio, from individuals, & saw them in posts on this website & in emails encouraging folks to vote "no". There are more, but I have sufficiently answered your question as to "exactly what misinformation" was being distributed.
rj, oklahoma city - May 15, 2008 at 9:18 am
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rj, exactly what "...misinformation distributed by the "no" voters" are you talking about? The misinformation was coming from the "Yes" side (see any of the articles relating to this in this paper, the misinformation is rampant). I dare say most people didn't even know about the other 4 issues until the got their ballot. Given the pretty much 50/50 split of the votes, some barely passed while others barely failed, would seem more of a "flip of the coin" than an informed choice. I actually would have voted for 4 out of 5 (ended up voting for 2), but the ones that failed sounded like they needed some more specifics to exactly what they were going to do with the money first and how much they needed).
Larry, Oklahoma City - May 14, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Yes, we DO live in a Constitutional Republic (but has democratic components)...what good are the direct democracy parts if they aren't used?
Larry, Oklahoma City - May 14, 2008 at 9:04 pm
What was that story on the internet--over 50% of Americans are on chronic medications? Pass me a Xanax and point me to the voting booth...
Kevin, Oklahoma City - May 14, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Wow. I have never seen a bigger bunch of cry babies. I especially like the suggestion that we force people to vote (at least 51% of them) or nothing gets passed. That is what drives a Constitutional Republic - forced democracy. Talk about a nanny state.

Anyway, I am sure there were many nay-sayers in 1941 that didn't want to acquire the land for "Tinker Field". I am glad they didn't win. We'll see if the future again verifies the community's support for Tinker and the improvement of the deplorable working conditions for our men and women in uniform.

By the way, it is obvious that many voters were actually informed regarding the issues because the hazard mitigation proposal (which was a no brainer) received the greatest amount of the vote, and a few items did not pass. Given the amount of misinformation distributed by the "no" voters, who were desperately seeking a reason to justify their vote, it is pretty remarkable that any of the proposals passed.
rj, oklahoma city - May 14, 2008 at 11:41 am
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Oklahoma people are not only stupid, but also brain dead.
Elvia, Oklahoma - May 14, 2008 at 11:35 am
I hear sheeple.
A, mustang - May 14, 2008 at 10:55 am
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A, mustang - May 14, 2008 at 10:55 am
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Baahhh Baahhh Baahhh
A, mustang - May 14, 2008 at 10:55 am
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BTW...that is exactly what the muckity-mucks are counting on.
Dennis, Oklahoma City - May 14, 2008 at 9:41 am
Once again, a very, very, very, very small number of registered voters have decided how you MUST spend YOUR money. It's very clear that the majority of folks in Oklahoma don't give a hoot about their rights and responsibilities. The law ought to be changed to where at least 51% of registered voters must vote in order for any measure/proposition/referendum to pass. I won't call Oklahoma County voters dumb, moronic, or stupid...they are simply irresponsible and lazy!
Dennis, Oklahoma City - May 14, 2008 at 9:40 am
Tinker Bond Issue: More propaganda to soak the taxpayers of Oklahoma County to benefit eastern Oklahoma County.
Randy, Oklahoma City - May 14, 2008 at 8:48 am
Tinker Bond Issue: More propaganda to soak the taxpayers of Oklahoma County to benefit eastern Oklahoma County.
Randy, Oklahoma City - May 14, 2008 at 8:46 am
Why don't they say how many voted for the bond issue, what the actual vote margin was, and how the vote turnout was very heavy in Midwest City, but was very light in the rest o the city? Oh, sorry, then that would mean this is a newspaper giving out real information.
Randy, Oklahoma City - May 14, 2008 at 8:46 am
Hmmmm, the "CofC" [Chamber of Commerce] is socalistic? I wonder what you have been smoking Marie?
Lynn, Oklahoma City - May 14, 2008 at 8:11 am
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As a voter, I am usually supportive of efforts to improve infrastructure. That being said, I did not vote for this because they never laid out a case for exactly what we will be buying here. I'm perplexed why Gen. Burpee opposed the plan. Is the military even interested in this facility?
B, Oklahoma City - May 14, 2008 at 8:09 am
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The Gaylord mafia wins again!
Kevin, Oklahoma City - May 14, 2008 at 8:00 am
Robert, you got it! Oklahoma county voters must be the stupidest people on the planet. They just continue to buy into the CofC media hype. Besides being stupid, I guess the socialistic brain-washing is working in Oklahoma county for sure.
Marie, Oklahoma City - May 14, 2008 at 7:47 am
Way to go Oklahoma County...expect to continue to see more "urban" flight to the 'burbs and more traffic jams. I am sure that Logan, Canadian, Cleveland, Lincoln, and Pottawatomie counties are especially appreciative! Continue to subsidize the infrastructure for the rest of us, we appreciate it.

Also, thanks for lining those pockets and buying the hype. Good luck with your interview for one of those "jobs" that will be opening up soon! If I had the chance to buy a job...man I would be on that in a minute. And finally, thanks for continuing the apparently accurate stereo-type that "the public is stupid!"
Robert, Stillwater - May 14, 2008 at 7:20 am

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