Hello and welcome to Let's Pod this. I am Andy Moore. Friends, welcome back another week, another Friday night in the big town. We've got a really important conversation today about something that's going to affect every single person who lives, works, drives, shops, does anything in Oklahoma City, and that is the 2025 General Obligation Bond. The Go Bond. The Go Bond, if you will. It's a $2.7 billion package of investments. That's really like. The meat and potatoes of city government, streets, sidewalks, parks, libraries, public safety, and much, much more. The election for this, the vote on this will happen in just a couple of weeks on Tuesday, October 14th. And it's, up to Oklahoma City voters, everyone who lives in Oklahoma City, it's your chance to vote on whether or not you approve this, and to help us break it all down. I'm joined by one of Oklahoma City's newest leaders at City Hall. Ward seven, Councilman Camal Pennington. Camal is an attorney, a community leader, and now a public servant representing Northeast Oklahoma City and parts of downtown. Um, he got elected earlier this year, last year, this year, this year. April 1st. Um, so today we'll get to know Camal a little bit more, but mostly we're gonna talk about what's in the bond, what it means for Ward seven and the rest of the city. Um. And we'll go from there. Come on. Thanks so much for being here. Thank you. I'm excited, very excited to be here. Uh, always excited to have a member of our city council here in the studio. So you've had several other city council members here? I have. I mean, you're new. Okay. So I didn't have a chance. Guess. Well, not yet. No. This is your first chance, but you're welcome. Anytime. Um, no, but Councilman Cooper and Hammond have been on the show. They're both great. A couple of times I've, I lived in, um, in Ward. Two. Is that, that's north of 23rd Street. Yes, that's right. So I moved sa, I moved less than one mile, but I switched, uh, city council wards. I also switched state senate districts just in a short move. So you gotta learn new people, um, and build new, I love all of them. They're, we have a great city council. Mayor Holt's been on the show several times. Um, so I know that obviously you're one of the newest members of council. Um, so to start, let's get to know you. Tell us a little bit about your background. What drew you to public service and um, what you hope to accomplish with your time on council. Yeah, so I'm born and raised Northeast, OKC. I'm very proud of that. Um, love our city. I actually live in the same neighborhood I grew up in. Oh. So my parents, a few of my sisters, uh, we all still live in the ne my grandma. Um, we all live within a few blocks of each other, so it's, it's really a joy. Um, but I'm, I'm a proud north. East High School, Viking, um, went on to Oklahoma City University where I had a, a Clara Looper scholarship that paid my way Yeah. To OCU. So, um, love, feel very fortunate to have been a part of that legacy of Clara Looper. Um, then I went to law school at the University of Oklahoma College of Law and, um, knew in the middle of law school that. I was not meant to be somebody who was going to practice. Traditionally. I thought, I can't bill hours. I can't be stuck to a desk. I've gotta figure something else out. So, um, after taking the bar, I moved to Washington, DC um, and started where everybody has a law degree. Absolutely. No one told me that. I wish somebody had told me that. Uh, so lawyers are a dime a dozen there. But, uh, so I started off as an intern. An unpaid Yeah, intern that worked full time. For Congress, they don't do that anymore. Yeah. They don't even allow that. They pay them a minimum. And it's, it's not much. It's not much, but at least more than I had. That's right. Um, so, but it was a great start. I worked for a great member of Congress, Kathy Castor, she's still there representing, uh, Tampa, Florida. Yeah. Learned a lot about public service. Yeah. Um, I came back and started working for the American Federation of Teachers, where I was their staff attorney, but that was dealing more with contracts and employment issues and mm-hmm. So that was, that was. A fun time to fight for teachers. Um, I then went to work for the University of Co, uh, of Oklahoma College of Law where um, I was director of annual giving for a few years. Then I was director of Admissions. Yeah. Um, so access to quality education is a passion of mine. And, um, now I serve as executive director of, it's my community initiative, and we are a nonprofit that's focused on. Family strengthening in Oklahoma City, we want to create self-sustaining healthy families for everyone. And so our True Dads program is probably our flagship. Um, it helps dads become better partners, parents and providers to their families. And so we do just a number of programs and that are federal and state funded. And so I just feel fortunate to be. A part of, of making a difference in this community, but what inspired me? So that's part of the question. Sure, sure. Um, my mom was a teacher for almost 40 years in Oklahoma City Public Schools, and I grew up with remembering before the first day of school. You know, teachers started a couple days before students, and I remember her saying. It's year 20 something and I'm so excited to go to school. Yeah. It'd be, oh, it's year 25. I'm so excited to go to school. And she'd have students or their parents knocking on our door 'cause they needed a ride to work. They needed a letter of reference, they needed food, they needed whatever. She was always there to, uh, to support those students. 'cause she just believed that if we're gonna live in a better world, it's up to us. Mm-hmm. And so I'm inspired by that, that service. And so the opportunity to serve the council, um, is just. Something I feel really grateful for and wanna make sure that every kid, no matter what your income is, no matter what you look like, no matter what part of this community you live in, that you have access to. Um, great streets, great housing, great parks, great and a great education. Yeah. And so that's really what I hope we can build here together in Ward seven. Yeah. That's amazing. Um, I, a couple of weeks ago I was at a meeting with a bunch of leaders of networks, like national networks generally, and we were talking about impact networks and, uh, we, there's a book about it. We were all kind of sharing and learning together. And one of the examples in this book, it's, I think it's called Impact Networks. I forget the author, but if you Google it, it's probably the first one. Um. Was about a school who mapped the impact networks of, uh, the community, but it was based on teachers, right? So each teacher has their class of 20 or 30 families, and when they. Just like seeing it mapped out, like drawn little circles and lines and, um, they realized that, you know, one or two teachers were solely responsible for like, connecting with this entire immigrant community in whatever state it was in. But just seeing this like network of. School administrators to teachers, to the community. And you realize very quickly that teachers are like gatekeepers. Not in a bad way. Yeah. But like they're the entry point. Um, they are the, they are the community leader for dozens of families. Every year, all the time. And so stories about your mom or like, it makes sense like that I can, I can picturing this, this little drawing of people reaching out to your mom saying, Hey, you're our point of contact whether you know it or like it or not. Like this is how it works. Uh, and I think that's an element of. Education that we too often forget. Right. We think about teachers as being, that's a job they do. They go and they teach and they come home and they come. And that's not the end of the story at all. It's a calling. Mm-hmm. And especially when you think about she survived the era where pay was really low. Mm-hmm. Um, and so having, you know, luckily married, but had plenty of kids, so. Mm-hmm. So, um, you know, it's, it's not easy to go into that profession, but I think all of it, the thing that, that. What you're saying reminds me of is the fact that no matter what your income level, if you went to school, I wanna ask you, who are some of the most influential people of your life? And I promise you mm-hmm. Someone's gonna name a teacher that they had. That's right. That inspired them, that helped them, that believed in them. Mm-hmm. Um, and so there's something powerful about that. I also think that when you look at, uh, the fact that there's just fewer places. Where community comes together. Those third spaces are just, yeah, there. There are fewer of them. Fewer of us go to church, fewer of us join social clubs, fewer of us. And so the school is one of those last places where people can make that connection of community. And so having a quality teacher in every classroom matters. Yeah. So yeah. Now I am biased. My wife is the president of the American Federation Teachers Oklahoma City and the state of Oklahoma. So. We talk about teachers a lot and the importance of that, but that's great. Well, we'll have her on on a future episode then. I'd love to hear her side of this story. Oh, yeah. Uh, well, let's shift to this big issue that voters are gonna decide in the next month. We mentioned the top of the show, the 2025 Go Bond. Um, for those who may not know, uh, Camal, what's in the geo bond and why is its. So important to Oklahoma City. Well, first I think it's best to, to start with explaining how city government is funded in the first place. Yeah. So, um, in Oklahoma, which is very unique, so I believe we're the only state in the union that this is true, that our municipalities, our operations, are funded by sales taxes. So, um, anytime you've, everyone knows about maps. Mm-hmm. So every time we've wanted to do some other additional special projects, we've had that temporary sales tax for maps that's been added. Uh, but the way that infrastructure in our city has been paid for has been through property taxes, and that's what the geo bond. Is so, um, we are currently, there is a geo bond that's in place from 2017, the Better Streets, safer Cities Initiative. And so that's still in place. So before it expires, we're hoping to put in this 2025 geo bond, so taxes would remain flat. Mm-hmm. It's the same number. It's 16 mills. It's the same as it's been for decades in Oklahoma City. So this doesn't raise taxes, but it makes really important investments in our infrastructure that without this funding wouldn't be possible. Yeah, that's an important, I think a very important. Place to start. I'm glad you said that. And you also said, the thing that I think a lot of voters want to know is, are you gonna raise my taxes? And the answer is no. We're gonna keep 'em just where they're at. Right? Absolutely. It's staying flat. Um, so the bond altogether is $2.7 billion. Um, and it includes like. I think 11 propositions or something. Yes. Um, what kinds of projects are included in that? So, number one, the largest, uh, amount of funding is for, uh, streets. So street resurfacing, street repair, which is so important. But I, I just wanna remind our listeners, uh, we live in a very large city. Mm-hmm. 620 square miles. There are enough lane miles. That are managed by the city of Oklahoma City to go from Oklahoma City to Anchorage, Alaska. It is a huge undertaking. Yeah. So, um, the fact that there's a billion dollars in this package for the roads alone is really important. And this is just city streets, highways, or different responsibility, right? That's state and federal. Yeah. So, um, these are just the streets and bridges. Um, but it's also important things like. Drainage issues. Yeah. Um, it's, it includes some of these propositions are for public safety, so we need new fire stations in some places, or fire station renovations. Mm-hmm. New police stations, other city facilities like, uh, helping us to ensure that the family justice center, that's really gonna be very helpful and transformative to needy families in our community. That, that gets the support, infrastructure support that it needs. Mm-hmm. Um. There's also some money in there for economic development. We want jobs to continue to come into our community, and for me in particular in Ward seven, very excited about, uh, $50 million for affordable housing Yeah. Initiatives. And so tomorrow plug, shameless plug. Uh, tomorrow, uh, Councilman, uh. Cooper and Councilwoman Hammond and I are hosting an affordable housing forum at MetroTech at six 30. Um, so come out, but we're gonna talk about ways that, that some of those funds, if it, if this bond goes through, uh, could really impact us creating quality neighborhoods for everyone. Yeah. So that's great. Um, I know that, you know, we refer to this as the meat and potatoes of city government. Um. And I you mentioned streets. I think this is like, this is the money that goes through the things that most of us take for granted. Yes. Right. It's the stuff that like pays the bills to keep our city safe and growing and like moving about. Um, but it's not the things that are big and flashy. Um, do, is there anything else about those projects, um, that you want to add that we didn't already? Talk about? Well, I, I think I'll just say, you know, I, I love that the meat and potatoes, uh, statement because whenever I'm trying to explain to people the importance of city government, I just wanna start with the basics. Mm-hmm. The city is impacting you every single day when you got out of bed. And you went to the bathroom mm-hmm. And flushed your toilet. That was the city of Oklahoma City. Yeah. That was your infrastructure dollars that, uh, ensured that you could do that when you turned on the faucet to wash your face and brush your teeth. Oklahoma City, you got in the, in your car and you got hit the road to go to work. The city of Oklahoma City is maintaining your roads and you got to an intersection. Who's maintaining the intersections, right. Oklahoma City. You know, it's all, every bit of your daily life is being touched by these dollars Yeah. That we're putting into the geo bond. And so I would just, again, strongly encourage people to support it. Yeah. Because without it, um, there's it, we already have a tight budget. We had a we 4.5% budget cut this year to city services. Um, which is being felt when my neighbors complained to me about the park across the street from my house. Yeah. That, um, took a little bit longer to get cut. Mm-hmm. A few times and I said, well, we did have a budget cut everybody. Yeah. So there's less staffing to go around. Um, so it matters. Yeah. Having the support really matters. Yeah. I think that's the thing is, you know, we, we really do take. So much of infrastructure for granted, right? Someone we can set it and forget it. Someone else is taking care of it, uh, until it breaks. Yes. And then you realize, and then we're mad. Then we're mad. Um, you know, I live, uh, near-ish, 23rd in May and, or excuse me, 23rd in Penn. And we've had a string of, um, over this summer of, um. Pipe issues, like water issues underneath a pin. And the city was always quick to come out. And often it means they come out, they dig a hole, you know, they stop the leak, which ensures water pressure for the neighborhoods. But then, you know, someone else has gotta come back and fix it. This is not a, it's not like one guy in a truck that has everything he needs to dig a 20 foot hole and also patch the hole the next day. And so people were complaining about traffic having to get rerouted and I was like, yeah, but. We didn't lose water at all. And like losing water for one day is a real pain. Oh my God. That's terrible. Yeah. You wanna go stay in a hotel, right? Right. Like we have to go stay in a hotel if there's not hot water, you know? Right. Um, to say nothing about the businesses and restaurants around there that needed to stay operational, like there's a lot of stuff, uh, and the effect that they could patch. What is aging infrastructure like? The reason we're having these problems is not 'cause someone patched it wrong, it's because. Hey, man, the pipes underneath the street were put there decades ago, and they're not gonna last forever. Things have to be replaced, maintenance has to be done, and that takes time and money. And that's where the, the geo bond comes in, right, is to ensure that the city is able to fix those period, certainly in a timely manner. Absolutely. And I, I think that residents just, I just wanna emphasize that there, our budget from the, for the, our sales taxes, it's tight. You know, it really is difficult for pe for those people who say, well, if I don't support the geo bond, then, you know, they'll, they'll figure it out. No, I, I, I it will be very difficult. Yeah. Uh, but we have made, through the Geo bond though, we've had a tremendous impact. If you have grown up in Oklahoma City like I have, and seen the decades of growth that we've experienced, there's finally sidewalks in my neighborhood. Mm-hmm. That's been because of the support that we've given to the geo bond. You know, I think about all the resurfacing that's happened along 23rd Street and many parts of it. Mm-hmm. Um, that just would not have happened. Mm-hmm. Without the geo bond. Um, we're also ensuring that some of our other amenities that, that we have in this city are continuing to get the maintenance that they need. So think about Riversport. Yeah. Um, also in ward seven, um, is it really, it's, I didn't realize your ward went that far south, but we have so many things in Ward seven. Yeah, both arenas. So the Paycom and the new one. Yeah. Um, we have river sport. Yeah. Uh, we have uh, we have Devon Park. Yeah. So Softball Hall of Fame. So both Olympic venues. Yeah. That will be in Oklahoma City are in ward. Yeah. So I'm very proud of that. But some of the support in the geo bond is gonna ensure that we can maintain those facilities and that they, they're gonna be world class, not just for the Olympics, but for us to use it mm-hmm. For, uh, the life of them. It also includes, um, some money for a multipurpose stadium for lower bricktown. Which will be another exciting addition of potentially having soccer. Mm-hmm. And other, uh, events being able to be in our city. So we wanna continue to be a big league city, um, not just for these cool projects, but also for creating great places to live. Mm-hmm. And that's what the geo bond does Both. Yeah. That's great. So you get, you get the boring maintenance stuff that no one cares about, but you also get some exciting developments that shows progress is still happening. Absolutely. Uh, you mentioned earlier 50 million in economic development for Ward seven. Well, is that right? It's, or is that total? It's, it's, it's about, it's 50 million for affordable housing. Okay. That's right. So's it? I think it's a hundred and, um, a hundred and ish, uh, million for, um, some economic development. Yeah. Incentives as well. So I think what I read for Ward seven in particular, out of this. You know, um. A huge amount of money for the Bond overall. But Ward seven has like $379 million of projects included in your ward. Yes. And you mentioned the multi-use stadium, some other things. Um, what else do you think are the most significant ones for your constituents there? Well, so there's a few things. Um, one, the expansion of the Ralph Ellison Library is huge. Um, Ralph Ellison Library is just a, it's iconic, um, in northeast Oklahoma City. It's my childhood library too, and so many others. But, um, so many people in our community don't have quality access to the internet. Um, the. Opportunity for there to be safe places for kids to go in the summer is provided there. Um, we want to create better readers in, in the next generation. And so making sure that that library can serve more people in a quality way matters. Um, there are funds for, to support the street scape, uh, resurfacing of, of Northeast 23rd Street, which, you know, Andy, if you go drive under I 2 35 headed east from, uh, from the oth from that side of, of Oklahoma City and it. Feels like you've gone into a completely different world. Mm-hmm. Like you're living in a completely different city and that, and we don't want that to be the case. We want northeast Oklahoma City to thrive and for it to be seamless when you're driving through and seeing the development. Yeah. Um, that's happening on 23rd Street. So this resurfacing funds are really important. Um, it's some, there are some several million dollars help finish the deep fork trail. Um, and I get a lot of call. You'd be shocked how many people call me. That's like the new like bike and multi-use trail that goes all around the city. Right. And so, uh, completing that is important. Um, the last, that last portion over on, um, Kelly is gonna be another important place where we want to try to fix that so we can complete the loop. Um, and so that's part of it. And then there's also $10 million in support for the Clara Looper, uh, civil Rights Center. And just so that the. The public knows this is such an iconic, um, an important investment because it's one of the ways that Oklahoma City has contributed to the United States becoming a better place. Mm-hmm. Um, you know, Claire Loop's sit-in movement. Um, it. It started sit-ins for everyone across the nation before Greensboro did it, they got it from Oklahoma City. And so this making sure that that history is known and showcased to the world when we'll soon host the Olympics in a high quality facility really matters. And so I think that investment is important. Um, I don't want my neighbors, so I, the Ward seven is, is a big ward. Yeah. I have everything from, I, there are farms to bricktown, to suburban areas. Um, this bond definitely includes. All of our neighbors. So there are major arterial streets, um, that are getting some improvements that need it. Um, I know that, uh, there's, for example, Wellington Park in the northern part of my ward that borders, uh, Edmond, uh, we're redoing Bryant Avenue. That is a, a consistent area of complaint. Bryant and Memorial have been an issue. Mm-hmm. So there's, there are things like that. There's several other major arterials in the far greater far northeast Oklahoma City, Spencer area where we're fixing roads that are just in really bad shape. Mm-hmm. Um, Westminster, Anderson, awa, um, those are places that basically feel like they're the other side. They may as well be Arkansas as far away from central Oklahoma City as they are. Um, but they're still part of our city. And so it's just really good to see that this bond really is. Is making sure that all parts of the ward are getting some attention and some love. Yeah. It's so funny, even as you're talking, I, I was, I just drove, uh, at Bryant to Memorial yesterday 'cause I was taking my kids to their grandparents' house and so it's like a part of the town that I don't go to often, but it affects people I love. Right. Um, exactly. My daughter goes to the school she goes to is in your ward and so I'm thinking about my path of like where I drive and how it will affect me when I'm driving on these roads. Um. Like what segments are in need of attention to make sure that I reach out to the right person to make sure it's on someone's list of like, Hey, here's some areas that need attention, that need some work. Yeah. Um, and I, you know, Oklahoma City is, we are a car based town, right? Like everyone drives everywhere. And so even if it's no matter, I guess, you know, no matter where you are. You're gonna feel the effects of this kind of vote, right? Like it's going to Absolutely. Any street you're on, you may not think it's in your neighborhood, but it's in your backyard some way. And then the complaints will come because they're tired of the construction styles. Right? Right. You know, 'cause that blocks traffic and slows things down. That's when we start building stuff. So as long as we don't tear out the sidewalks on Broadway here on Automobile Alley again. Yes. So annoying, so brutal. This is the third time we've done it. Um, but they look great though. They do look good and it's, it has gotten more functional every time, right? Yes. Um. Now I know, you know, some voters might be skeptical of big bond packages, and we've already discussed how this is not going to add any new taxes. Um, but can you tell us a little bit about what accountability measures are in place to ensure that these funds are like spent wisely and that the funds go to the projects that are being promised? Well, one, I think it's important to realize this. Our city is really well managed. Especially financially. And so we've maintained the AAA bond rating. We are, um, in Exemp, we've received national awards regularly for how well managed our finances are as a city. And so I think that's important to remember. Mm-hmm. And then the city council provides that oversight over how we're spending this money. But it is. It's, it's going to core infrastructure. The projects are specifically listed for which roads, you know, which sidewalks where it's gonna be. And so we'll be providing that direct oversight. Um, and our city staff is outstanding mm-hmm. And able to, to assist us with that as well. But trust me, the pressure's on. Yeah. Because as soon as people see their road, I, I can promise you I'm gonna be getting phone calls about when the construction's gonna start. Yeah. So, yeah. Um, the accountability has been what has also made, uh, our residents have faith in what, in Oklahoma City. That's why we can have four different maps projects, you know? Right. Four different iterations of maps because, uh, of that belief that we'll be honest and transparent about the way we act. And so we take that obligation seriously. Sure. Um, so the actual. Voting on this, it's 11 different propositions, which means there will be like effectively 11 items on the ballot to vote. Yes, you have to vote yes on all of them for the whole bond to go through. It's kind of broken up. Um. How should, uh, how do you think voters should think about making their decision about these propositions? What if someone's like, well, I like some of these and not others. How does that affect the whole? That's a great question. So I've, I've had two different events, um, for neighbors and at, at one event at a neighbor who I deeply respect. And, and I understood this perspective, shared well, if there's not. A library in our immediate community, then you don't need to vote yes for the mm-hmm. Library proposition. If there's not a new fire station in our neighborhood, then why would I vote? Vote for that one. And I, there's not a new park. I'm not gonna vote for it. And I said, wait a second. Just remember that without these funds, you're actually making the pot smaller. For us to be able to serve every, all those other interests that you have. So, um, we're very creative in trying to use the funding. We have to have the maximum impact for creating a high quality of life for the people in Oklahoma City. So, if your park may not be listed as one of the projects this time, but was maps four, did Maps four include some mm-hmm. Parts of your park that, that got improved? Um, having a, a new police station in one area alleviates the, uh, makes more officers available. In another area mm-hmm. Which may end up impacting you. Mm-hmm. So it's important to realize we live in one whole city and the more that we ensure that we have resources to service the, the greatest need, the more it helps us all. Yeah. Um, and so it's, it's still, again, you have to appeal to our, our sense of the Oklahoma standard, again, of caring for our neighbor, um, in order to, uh, as you're voting. So I, I'd encourage people to just remember we're here to, if we grow the pie, it's better for all of us to be able to eat. Yeah, I have a tangible example from my own experiences in my old neighborhood. Um, several of us neighbors were talking about the lack of sidewalks and like, especially like bicycle access around to get to our neighborhood and to get out into the rest of the, to like the more bike ready parts of town. Yeah. And so this was during the pandemic when we were all out. Walking and biking a lot, trying to get outside. And so we set up a zoom call with, uh, Councilman Cooper, who was my city council member at the time, and, uh, some of his staff and some other folks from the bike walk, OKC plan. And for the, and for the current, the Better streets. Safer Streets to say like, Hey, what, like what is the plan? I haven't really paid attention. Are we on? The plan somewhere, like are we even listed? If not, is that an option? How do we think ahead? And we said we want to get on someone's radar for the next month, which is the one we're talking about today. And for like a real kind of narrow strip Right. On specifically, it was Villa between 23rd and 30th. Okay. But kinda by Shepherd Mall. Yeah. And um, that was, you know, five years ago and then along the, it wasn't part of the plan. We were just outside that phase, but. As time went along, um, some funds were freed up from one project that allowed, not for a whole big one, but for a small one. And so it all kind of came together 'cause it was, we had had the conversations and discussed what was needed and kind of brought it people's attention. So it was at least like next in line or somewhere? Yes. That they said, Hey, you know what, we've got a little extra money in our pocket, um, that we think we could use. Here to fix this. And so they were able to, um, come in and build in some bike infrastructure and some sidewalks to make it more handicap accessible, more bike accessible. Um, and those things make it just accessible to everybody. It didn't fix everything we wanted, but it was a, a, a good reminder of like, if we didn't speak up, no one would know. Absolutely. And it would not go, we can't just like post online or like curse the heavens and hope that someone builds us a sidewalk. Um. But it was because we had the bond in place because, uh, we had had those relationships in place and those conversations that we were able to, um. To see the fruits of our labor, which was, you know, even as a guy who works in civic engagement, still affirming to be like, oh, hey, it really does work when you show up so well. And it's important to remember there are unallocated funds that are in here too. Mm-hmm. For, so if there are overages and costs that we don't anticipate, or in that instance mm-hmm. When they come, when a project comes in at less than what the estimated cost was. So that allows us to be able to have flexibility to get to the projects that, um, that people want. So I would encourage anyone, if you don't see your particular street, your sidewalk, your whatever bike lane mm-hmm. Go ahead and still report that to your council person, go ahead and still report that to the action center because we're still accumulating those recommendations that we can continue to make progress. Yeah. That's great. Um, if this bond passes, what do you think is the first thing that residents will notice? 'cause it doesn't, and I guess does it take effect next year then? Yeah, it would start next year. Okay. So what do you think is the first thing people would notice? Um, you're probably gonna, construction. Construction, you're probably gonna start seeing roads that the, the worst roads that are list. Did are probably gonna be the, the starting point. Yeah. Because some, I mean, we know the damage that it does to, to tires and other, um, other things. It's, it's not good. So we really wanna make sure that the roads get, get started on. Um, we also, because of the fact that we're an Olympic host, um, the, some of these amenities I know are gonna be things that have to be worked on. Now. Mm-hmm. Because we'll be hosting events soon here and so you won't be able to do construction at the same time as hosting people. Yeah. So some of those projects I think will, you'll see some work there, so it'll be good. Yeah. Yeah. That's, you know, I think about what would, if we were having company over to our house, whatever mom told us to clean and how to get ready for company. Just imagine that company is like every country in the world, right? Like it's a Olympics are a very big deal for our city. So that's super exciting. Um. Camal if, uh, listeners want to get more information, and I hope they do, where can they go to get more information? Well, you can go to, uh, vision.okc.gov or if you just Google OKC Bond 25. Um, I, I did it right before I came in. Nice. So, um, can confirm. It does work. Um, and that's where you can find, I mean, it's got a great map. So when you go there, you can look up your specific address and see what projects are nearby. Um, you can find out about every single project there. So I would strongly encourage you to go, um, look and just explore the map and, and find out more about what all the bond is gonna do. Awesome. And on the website, um, all the projects are like broken down into categories like arts and culture, community environment, innovation, parks, planning, transportation, um, and then it's. Even, I guess I probably incorrectly assumed that this would be like a starter website that's going to be building information. No, no. This is a trove of information, including closed projects that have already been completed, right? Yes. And so you can also see like, hey, where we've been and where we're going, which I think is really helpful. And for me at least a good reminder of like all the stuff that's happening in this big town that we can't all possibly know about. So like you said earlier. Even if it's not in my neck of the woods or doesn't affect me directly, it is really exciting for me to know that stuff is being built, that is being maintained or upgraded in other powers of Oklahoma City because like we rise together Absolutely. As a town. Um, great. Well, um, some key dates I want to hit before we go. Um, the, the voter registration deadline for this election has already passed, so I assume if you're listening to our show listeners, you're already registered to vote. If not, we should have a side conversation about why not. Um, if you want to vote absentee, you have until the 29th, you have one week to request your absentee ballot. Um, that's a easy, convenient way to vote, but don't forget, it has to be returned. Basically by election day takes a stamp or you can drop it off in person. It has to be notarized. If you need a notary, I'm a notary, hit me up. I'm happy to meet you somewhere. The election day itself is October 14th. That is a Tuesday. You can vote at your regular, uh, voting location. You can also, oh, I assume there's early voting for this. Probably the. I would assume so on that week before. Yeah, that probably Is it the weekend, but the Friday and Thursday. Friday, yeah. Yeah, Friday. Yeah. Beforehand. Listeners, I'm sorry. You can go to the election board website and find that information. Elections do okay. Dot gov. Um, but I assume, I mean, turnout in these is usually lower than we would like. Yes. It's lower than we would like for every election, but this kind of stuff where it's not like the presidential election, turnout's usually pretty low, and that means I see this as a threat. Right. When turnout is low, it is easier for people to mount an insurgent campaign against something. 'cause it doesn't take that many people. Right. Um, and so that's why it's important for us to, um, be aware of this and to, to show up to vote. Um, Councilman Pennington, thank you for being here today. Thank you. I enjoyed it. It's doing great. Please come back some other time. I will. Let us know what's happening in Ward VI seven, uh, and let us know what's happening with, uh, your nonprofit sometime as well. We'd love to talk more about that. That'd be great. Um, friends, thanks for being here, listeners, as always. Uh, don't forget, mark, your calendars for October 14th for this election. Um, as we say, every week decisions are made by those who show up. Here's a concrete opportunity for you to show up, um, before that. Also, don't forget next week on Thursday, October 2nd, we're hosting our film screening. Of Majority Rules, which is a documentary about Alaska's electoral reform campaign for open primaries and ranked choice voting. Uh, it's, I just watched it again the other day. It's so good. Um, please join US Rodeo Cinema at 7:00 PM Um, you can get details on our website. Let's fix this.org/events. All right. With that, we'll see you next week.