OKLAHOMA CITY -- Next month Oklahoma City voters will be asked to decide whether or not to fund another series of MAPS projects, but an ugly showdown over that vote is building with each passing day. At a news conference this week, Mayor Mick Cornett guaranteed if MAPS 3 passes, not only would we see a downtown central park, convention center and street car system, but we'd also see added police and fire jobs.
He says, "The council intends to make sure public safety is a priority. If MAPS doesn't pass, our public safety issues are going to multiply."
Some say it's all talk; an effort to stop those leading the opposition against the three quarter billion dollar plan.
Gil Hensley, FOP President says, "Police and fire are united in this effort to defeat this MAPS proposal because it costs too much."
The fire and police unions created a "not this maps" campaign.
They say MAPS 3 neglects public safety issue needs.
But all of this comes after the city and the unions couldn't agree on a new employment contract and pay raise.
Hensley says, "Yes they offered us a proposal. It was at best, a pittance to attempt to buy us off."
On that charge, a neutral party agreed. In arbitration the city lost because its offer was deemed inadequate.
Hensley continues, "We have been threatened. We have been intimidated. We have been vilified as union people. We're hardworking citizens of Oklahoma City just like many of the people out there that'll have to vote on this issue."
Now the pay raise issue, and MAPS 3 will both be up to the voters.
The MAPS 3 vote is set for December 8th.
He says, "The council intends to make sure public safety is a priority. If MAPS doesn't pass, our public safety issues are going to multiply."
Some say it's all talk; an effort to stop those leading the opposition against the three quarter billion dollar plan.
Gil Hensley, FOP President says, "Police and fire are united in this effort to defeat this MAPS proposal because it costs too much."
The fire and police unions created a "not this maps" campaign.
They say MAPS 3 neglects public safety issue needs.
But all of this comes after the city and the unions couldn't agree on a new employment contract and pay raise.
Hensley says, "Yes they offered us a proposal. It was at best, a pittance to attempt to buy us off."
On that charge, a neutral party agreed. In arbitration the city lost because its offer was deemed inadequate.
Hensley continues, "We have been threatened. We have been intimidated. We have been vilified as union people. We're hardworking citizens of Oklahoma City just like many of the people out there that'll have to vote on this issue."
Now the pay raise issue, and MAPS 3 will both be up to the voters.
The MAPS 3 vote is set for December 8th.
