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Highway patrol plan is a step backward
The trooper realignment plan proposed by Commissioner Tim Tipton of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is a step backward from the state’s need for a comprehensive, cohesive approach to traffic law enforcement on the major state highways, especially on the interstate highways and turnpikes.
Relegating traffic enforcement to local police and sheriff’s departments will result in a crazy quilt of enforcement priorities and tolerances. Let’s give the OHP the resources they badly need to do the job they are most capable of doing.
— Robert H. Tindel, Edmond
OKC police concerned about highway patrol plans
Regarding OHP’s announcement that they will be ceasing enforcement in the OKC metro, this action could seriously diminish our ability to respond to priority calls and violent crimes where response times are critical. This is being reviewed by the appropriate authority and a legal opinion will be forthcoming from them in the near future. Once that is received, we will determine the next steps we need to take, if any.
— Master Sgt. Gary Knight, Oklahoma City Police Department
An appeal to the Thunder owners
Imagine the goodwill Thunder owners could generate if they donated half the cost of the new arena being paid for with the city sales tax … or just a quarter of the cost. Yes, the election for the new arena passed with an extension of the sales tax included. But I think enthusiasm for the Thunder team carried the day, and few understood that the owners wouldn’t be paying a share. The owners could afford this easily and would earn praise from across the nation.
The penny sales tax is a real burden for low-income families who will likely never be able to afford a Thunder game ticket.
Thunder owners could also appeal to Oklahoma corporations to contribute to a fund set up to receive donations toward a quarter or half the cost of the arena.
Either or both of these strategies would increase pride in our Thunder owners and team while lightening the load on Oklahoma City’s vulnerable populations. Go, Thunder owners!!
  — Nathaniel Batchelder, Oklahoma City
New arena will be too small
The new arena proposed for the Oklahoma City Thunder looks great! I know it will be an incredible experience for those who attend Thunder games.
However, I don’t understand the reasoning behind reducing the number of seats compared to our current Paycom Center. Is that so they can raise the ticket prices? The new arena is purposefully designed for basketball, but what about other events? Why would you spend a billion dollars or more to build an arena with fewer seats than we already have? Some concerts could sell more than 17,000 tickets.
They are also talking about bringing the seats closer to the action. Does that mean narrow aisles and small seats like we have in the Paycom Center? They have shown the concept drawings of the building, but I think the public should be given more details on the reasoning behind fewer seats and the configuration of the seating.Â
— Greg Biggs, Oklahoma City
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