The lease between the City of Shawnee and the Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO) will expire Dec. 31. The city has the option to renew for another three years, or allow the current school land leaseholders to lease directly from the CLO. To date, the majority of the City Commissioners have opted to remain involved in the lease process. The question is, “why”?
Is it a control issue? Some have voiced concern that a loss of control will occur. Involvement as the pass-through party on the lease is not how the city should maintain control. For example, the city does not own or lease most of the land within the city limits. Instead, the majority of the land is privately owned by individuals and businesses. However, the City still has control over the issues they need to control such as zoning, permits, ordinances, laws, regulations, etc.
Is it a water shed issue? A vocal minority raised this question to misdirect the focus of the issue because of 24 unleased lots. According to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, Lake No. 1 has 21 square miles of water shed. The 24 un-leased lots represent 0.18 percent of the water shed. Additionally, most leaseholders selected their properties because of the lake; protection is also our top priority. However, protection should be provided by methods other than the city’s involvement in the lease process.
Is it a political issue? As City Commissioners with a fiduciary responsibility to the citizens, we ask that you remove politics from this issue. The citizens deserve a decision based on facts.
The City Commissioners have the opportunity to remove the City of Shawnee as the middle party in the school land leases at Shawnee Twin Lakes. We implore the commissioners to reconsider the city’s involvement. Do not let misdirection, emotions, or politics guide your decision. Listen to the city staff, listen to the city attorney, listen to the two attorneys who provided opinions, and listen to the majority of the school leaseholders. The logical conclusion is to allow the leaseholders to lease directly with the state.
Earnest Stuckey, II,
Shawnee
