Multi-Million Dollar Glenpool Bond Issue Faces Opposition From Business Owners

Chris Wright, News On 6

GLENPOOL, Oklahoma -- People in a growing Green Country city are sparring over plans for future development.

Glenpool residents will vote next week on a proposed $7 million bond issue. Glenpool is a city of 10,000, but it lacks some basic necessities.

There's no downtown, no adequate public sports complexes, and no cemetery. If all of the bond issues pass next week, some of those needs would be addressed.

"The public, we've heard from them that they want this so this is their chance to vote on what they're wanting," said Le Anne Golden, with the City of Glenpool.

A million dollars would go towards street improvements.

Another $4.3 million would be used for a sports complex on 161st Street. It would include softball and baseball fields, tennis courts, picnic areas and 30 soccer fields.

The $1.7 million cemetery would be built nearby.

"People have been living in Glenpool their whole life, and when they die they have to go to Bixby or Tulsa or elsewhere to be buried," Golden said.

But some business owners would instead like to see the bonds buried.

"I'm against that," said Wade Spradley, Legacy Equine Centre. "They've not proven to me that anything they want to do is essential."

Veterarian Wade Spradley is not excited about paying more property taxes. He says the timing is all wrong.

"That's one of our big complaints is why now?" he said. "Why a special election first of all? Why in this economic environment do you think we'll want our taxes raised?"

Glenpool is already wrapping up construction on its 57,000 square foot, $11 million event center. While pricey, the city says projects like these are an investment in Glenpool's future.

"Our main objective is to become a full-service community, and we think this really helps us become a full-service community," Golden said.

There will be a town hall meeting to discuss the bonds Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. The special election is scheduled for next Tuesday, December 14, 2010.