Public Safety Unions Announce Formal MAPS 3 Opposition

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Two Oklahoma City organizations officially announced their opposition to the MAPS 3 projects.

The Oklahoma City Firefighters Association Local 157 and the Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police announced a formal opposition to the MAPS 3 initiative, NOT THIS MAPS.

The unions said their opposition is not about defeating the MAPS 3 proposal, but it's simply about too much money at this particular time that is set to be used for projects that have little accountability.

"This MAPS proposal cost too much money for too many unneeded projects," said Phil Sipe, Firefighters Local 157 President

The unions said they are concerned Mayor Mick Cornett never incorporated public safety into MAPS3 until Thursday when he made an announcement to fund public safety with a use tax.

"It would have been very easy for my membership to take their 13 pieces of silver and go on and discount the citizens. That is not the goal here," said Gil Hensley, Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police President.

Union officials said they rejected the proposal because it was not in the best interest of the citizens.

"The use tax funding proposal gave no specifics as to how much use tax will be used for public safety or how long the use tax will be committed to public safety or how those dollars will be allocated to public safety," Snipe said.

Ward 5 City Council member Brian Walters said he sides with the union and opposes MAPS3 in its current form.

"There's a lot of unnecessary things in this package for a lot of money, and the citizens of Oklahoma City just don't need to be spending money on stuff that is really not a necessity," Walters said.

Proponents for MAPS3 said they think there's a misunderstanding and believe this proposal is for the citizens and not for any one group.

"At the end of the day they are looking for more money and more dollars for their services, and they're the ones who put a price on that," said Cynthia Reid, Vice President of Marketing Communication of Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.

Union officials said they're not the villains in this but would like to see a better plan.

"We will not be bought off. We have been threatened. We have been intimidated. We have been vilified as union people. We're hardworking people of Oklahoma City just like many of the people out their are who will have to vote on this issue," Hensley said.

Union members said they expect to see signs of growing support against MAPS3 in the coming weeks.

Mayor Cornett released a statement on the issue:

"Voting 'yes' will create jobs, improve the quality of life, and put more police officers and firefighters on the street. Voting no will not create jobs, will not improve the quality of life and will not help public safety."