Broken Arrow Residents Call For Mayor, City Manager To Resign Over Casino Controversy

Outraged Broken Arrow residents are calling for the mayor and city manager to resign over the casino controversy. Residents expressed their anger at Tuesday's city council meeting.

"Step down and let us fill these positions with advocates who will work for what's best for this community and not themselves," a Broken Arrow resident told the council Tuesday.

They're unhappy about how the city is handling the casino development at 129th East Avenue near the Creek Turnpike.

City Manager David Wooden had planned to recommend the city enter into a contract with the Kialegees for water and sewer services at the site.  But that changed Tuesday.

"Since the state attorney general has filed his actions, we will not be moving forward with anything as far as a contract," Wooden said.

02/07/2012 Related Story: Oklahoma Attorney General Files Suit To Stop BA Casino

Residents were mad that a contract would even be considered.

"I am asking that you don't simply roll over and provide utility services to this illegal operation," a Broken Arrow resident said during the meeting.

Jared Cawley, who lives near the casino site, has proposed an amendment to the city ordinance that would allow the city to deny utility services to anyone without all the legal permissions, leases, and licenses to operate.

He thinks that it will help if the contract with the Kialegees comes up again. But the city is concerned it may be unconstitutional by singling people out.

"That's really a nonsense argument. If you read the language of the document itself it applies to all persons," Cawley said.

The Broken Arrow city council wanted to clear the air after Tuesday's comments.

Councilors explained that even though they are against the casino, they had no jurisdiction to file their own lawsuit.

They say denying any utility services would set them up for all kinds of lawsuits that the city probably would not win.