Those who have formulated the eight MAPS III projects on which voters will decide on Tuesday have demonstrated tremendous farsightedness.We should vote “Yes” for those proposals not only to continue advancing our city, but also for the benefit of the future generations who will gain from what we do here today; generations who will reap more benefits from MAPS III than those of us who will vote next week.
The $777 million MAPS III proposal includes a new convention center, a rail-based transit system, an expansive, world-class park, and improvements to be made to enhance even further the Oklahoma River and all that it offers. All of those projects, as well as the other three projects, can boast of a single thread that ties them all together: an emphasis on youth and healthy vitality.
In that sense, MAPS III is most certainly for all of us (the old and the young alike), but what is most evident is that the “look-toward-the-future” involved in the planning of the total package to be presented to voters come Tuesday anticipated the needs of those generations who will come after us. So that, when we go to the polls, we voters should think of those future generations as we decide.
Altogether, the proposals will finance eight projects that proponents say will continue to help improve the quality of life, create new jobs and boost the economy for the metropolitan area.
When you really think about it, we would actually be irresponsible if we were to deny ourselves and those future generations the obvious benefits that will accrue to our city.
We should vote “Yes.”
Approval of Metropolitan Area Projects III will actually continue a penny sales tax first approved for MAPS in and approved again for MAPS for Kids (or MAPS II).
“Consequently,” a spokesman for the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce said, “these proposals, designed to continue Oklahoma City’s momentum toward becoming a first-class, 21st Century metropolitan area, will not increase our taxes.”
Quite honestly, realizing that, we would also be irresponsible if we chose not to continue that penny tax and put off getting started on these outstanding eight projects.
Vote “Yes” on Tuesday, and do it not only for yourselves, but for those generations that will follow us.
Vote “Yes” on Tuesday!
