At first blush, it seems like Ms. Jenkins career has been one of fast rising accomplishments and I take it as an honor for OKC that she sees this as a significant step up from leading an international development organization. I see some good things in the few experiences we know she has had. International experience–great for OKC, her contacts hopefully will lead to OKC’s profile expanding on the international stage. Boulder–bringing the Pearl Street experience to OKC is a great idea (in a unique OKC way), use it to improve OKC as a more pedestrian friendly city. Denton, etc.–it has been a fast growing part of Texas for some time and this experience seems to only be a positive for OKC. In summary, let’s hold off on the condemnation until we see what she does for OKC…she will have her work cut out for her though. Not easy to start a position such as this in the middle of a national recession.

Shouldn’t the concern be, if we were all in agreement then we should be worried we’re resting on our laurels? If we were all in agreement and viewed everything the same, seems like we could easily become complacent and no new ideas would flow.

Now I agree, we need to let her get in there and prove herself, and I think most of the negative posters even said that despite their valid concerns. Isn’t it a journalists job to report the facts and let the readers make their own opinions?

I’d be more concerned if the readers agreed with everything the media and Oklahoman said. You know the Oklahoman doesn’t exactly have the best record in this state, but it’s our only choice.

This statement isn’t fair IMO: Jane Jenkins was regional director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Oops, folks at OKC Talk aren’t talking about this one.

I might have just missed it, but I didn’t see that statement made in the original article in the Oklahoman, so how could people on OKCTalk have brought that up. I re-read the thread or the original pasted copy of your article and didn’t see it mentioned anywhere. I do however agree, that that will be good experience in helping us preserve some of our historic properties from otherwise having a better chance of being torn down (we dont want that).

But I see nothing wrong with a healthy dialogue on both sides to keep the fires warm so we never rest on our laurels again. That’s why we got in the slump before, because no one was keeping city leaders in check, including your employer. You know I love ya man and enjoy your articles/blog!

I wouldn’t want someone from a big city anyway…I’d rather have success from a smaller city translated to Oklahoma to make OKC a unique and vibrant place. OKC is set to be its own city.

“But now we’re starting to sound like Mack Brown, and that’s just not good.”

Which makes you just as bad as they are.

I think she will do a wonderful job, Boulder is a very modern city, way ahead of anything OKC is doing.