The mayors of the state’s two largest metropolitan areas said the revitalization of their cities is due to public improvements.Mayors Mick Cornett of Oklahoma City and Kathy Taylor of Tulsa made those remarks last week at the Urban League of Greater Metropolitan Oklahoma City Awards Luncheon.
Mayor Cornett mentioned the Metropolitan Area Projects III proposal voters will decide upon on Tuesday, Dec. 8.
He discussed the effects MAPS and MAPS for Kids have had on central Oklahoma, calling the improvements to the city and schools a catalyst for the city’s “renaissance.”
Mayor Cornett said passing the MAPS III proposal would allow the city to build on past projects successes and ensure that Oklahoma City keeps moving in the right direction.
Mayor Taylor said improvements in her city have begun to pay dividends.
Two weeks ago, the Women’s National Basketball Association announced that the Detroit Shock will move to Tulsa for the 2010 season.
Mayor Taylor said that wouldn’t have happened had the city not made improvements such as the Bank of Oklahoma Center.
She also spoke about the after-school, pre-kindergarten and post-high school programs being offered to students in Tulsa.
Both mayors said their cities must continue to implement innovative education and health initiatives, and increase the number of opportunities for minorities to succeed.
The Equal Opportunity Award of the Urban League went to Susan G. Komen, commending the Cure of Central Oklahoma for its efforts to help minorities.
