Tulsa County Votes On Arkansas River Tax

Tuesday, October 9th 2007, 6:19 am

By: News On 6

The future of Arkansas River development in Tulsa County is now in the hands of the voters. The polls opened at 7 am Tuesday and Tulsa County Election Board officials say they have seen a steady stream of voters stopping by the countyâ€™s polling locations. At issue is whether Tulsa County should raise taxes by four-tenths of a cent to make the improvements along the Arkansas River. If approved, the $282 million plan will create low water dams and new pedestrian bridges along the river.

Campaigns on both sides used every second leading up to the vote to try to sway voters. Opponents feel too many Tulsa County communities were left out of the development plans. Supporters, on the other hand, see it as a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"I see Tulsa as a growing community, so for them to have the river campaign going and to build up the area, that will also bring jobs for people," says river tax supporter Ginger Danner.

"It's time to stop playing games. It's time to take care of this whole city, and not just one segment of it," said river tax opponent Jack Henderson.

Voter turnout for Tuesday's election was strong in the morning and expected to remain strong for the rest of the day. The Tulsa County Election Board believes the numbers will surpass the voting totals from the Vision 2025 election turnout. The county election board says nearly 1,900 new Tulsa County residents registered to vote in this election. And after a couple of days of in-person absentee voting, more than 1,500 residents had already cast ballots on the river tax issue.

Some Tulsa County residents still do not know how they are going to vote. They say the decision may be made in the voting booth.

"I've heard both sides of the debate but I'm not quite sure which way to go. One of my biggest concerns is they say they are bringing in more jobs but how much are the jobs paying? And is it going to be worth it in the end?" said undecided voter Shinezet Stidham.

The same holds true for another undecided Tulsa County voter.

"For weeks now I've been a strong no but here in just the last few days, I've started questioning my own process and starting to lean the other way, but again I'm not 100% sure yet," said Tom Keith.

Polling places across Tulsa County are open until 7 pm. To find out where your precinct's poll location is at, click here.

Many voters, the News On 6 talked with, say they planned to make their final decision about the proposed river tax by going on the Internet and reviewing old news stories.

There has been a lot of debate over the river proposal. Voters cast their ballots today for the river tax, for complete coverage of the River Vote, click here.

Related Stories:

2/9/2007 Record Donation Aids Expansion Of River Parks Trail

6/20/2007 River Development Plans

6/21/2007 New Plans For Arkansas River Development

7/17/2007 River Development Reaches Another Landmark

7/18/2007 River Developments Hinges On Vote Of The People

7/18/2007 Arkansas River Development Plan Announced

7/19/2007 Campaign Planned To Push River Development

7/20/2007 River Development Plan Similar To One Already Passed

7/26/2007 City Councilor Has A New Plan To Pay For River Development

7/29/2007 Explaining Development Along The Arkansas River

7/30/2007 River Tax Debate Continues

7/31/2007 River Plan Not Popular With Tulsa County Residents

7/31/2007 River Plan Reactions

8/9/2007 River Development Plans Move Ahead

8/21/2007 River Tax Groups Turn To The Internet For Support

8/22/2007 Republican Group Against Arkansas River Tax

9/4/2007 Our River Yes Kicks Off River Development Campaign

9/5/2007 People For And Against River Tax Begin Campaigns

9/6/2007 Groups Battling For Votes On Arkansas River Tax

9/8/2007 North Tulsa Residents Rally Against River Tax

9/9/2007 River Tax Supporters Face Upstream Battle

9/13/2007 Rock The River Looks For Your Vote With Entertainment

9/16/2007 More People Getting Behind River Tax Plan

9/19/2007 Students Debate River Tax Plan

9/19/2007 City Takes A Stand Against River Tax

9/20/2007 River Development Swing Vote

9/20/2007 QT Unveils Its Plans For The River

9/21/2007 From Dry River Bed To Lakeside Community

9/23/2007 'Run For Our River' Set for October 7th

9/24/2007 Rally Held Against River Tax Proposal

9/25/2007 River Tax Supporters Reach Out To North Tulsa Community

9/26/2007 River Opponents Given New Incentive To Pass River Tax

9/27/2007 Whoâ€™s Donating To River Development?

9/30/2007 After Decades Of Wait And See, River's Future At Crossroads

9/30/2007 Will River Development Hurt Jenksâ€™ River Businesses?

10/1/2007 Community Will Decide City And County Sales Taxes In Same Election

10/2/2007 River Tax Forum Held

10/4/2007 EXCLUSIVE: George Kaiser Talks About The River Tax Proposal

10/4/2007 Street Construction Money Dispute

10/4/2007 River Development Plans Hinge On River Tax Vote

10/5/2007 River Tax Package Includes A Rebate

10/5/2007 Archaeological Finds Along The Arkansas River

10/5/2007 Where Will The River Tax Money Go?

10/6/2007 Oklahoma Poll Shows A Split 'River Tax' Vote

10/7/2007 Final Push For River Tax

10/7/2007 Last Minute River Push

10/8/2007 - City Against River Tax Claims Supporters Are Misleading Their Voters