Published: May 09, 2008 11:40 am            

Commissioner seeks bond support

EDMOND — On Tuesday, Oklahoma County residents will decide whether to preserve and protect their leading economic engine: Tinker Air Force Base. As Oklahoma’s largest single-site employer, Tinker generates $3.4 billion annually and employs 27,000 military and civilian workers — more than 1,000 from Edmond.

The opportunity we have Tuesday to acquire the former GM plant for Tinker not only protects the current jobs on base, it also helps attract thousands of new jobs by providing Tinker flexibility for growth in expanded missions and in more partnerships with military contractors.

Tinker’s transfer of operations to the idle plant will greatly improve Base efficiency, save energy, bring jobs, and improve working conditions for military and civilian employees alike. We can accomplish these goals at a fraction of the cost of constructing a new facility to meet those same needs.

Sharing the Tuesday ballot are four other propositions, including Proposition V for natural disaster relief, which directly affects flood problems in Edmond and Deer Creek, with Oklahoma County qualifying for $3 in federal disaster funds for every $1 spent.

Voters also will decide whether to improve government efficiency and services by renovating the deteriorated mechanical systems at the county courthouse (Proposition II), providing safe and secure storage for official records (Proposition III) and constructing an adequate Cooperative Extension Center, which currently provides educational programs to more than 150,000 residents.

In all, the bond items total $84.5 million, and will cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $15 per year.

I encourage you to vote Tuesday and address these important issues. The outcome may affect long-term economic growth for this region, and the economic stability we all enjoy.



RAY VAUGHN is Oklahoma County Commissioner for District 3 and an Edmond resident.

        

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