Lawton, OK is Being Honest About What They'll Spend Your CIP Tax

If you live in Lawton, Oklahoma or travel through here often, you've probably noticed that there is a considerable amount of road work happening throughout town. It's a good thing, and a promise our elected officials are finally acting on - but only because they have to pretend they're not going to spend your tax money on pet projects.

If you can remember this, the last time the City of Lawton campaigned for people to vote for better roads through a capital improvement plan (CIP tax), they spent weeks talking about how bad the roads were. The city even started construction on a handful of them to show their resolve in the matter.

The day after the last CIP passed, the city announced they purchased the dying Central Mall for double what local investors (some are/were elected officials) paid for it the year before. It was the old banana in the tailpipe to the entire Lawton public.

Here we are years later, and the roadwork has finally started across town just in time for a new sales push "to fund better roads."

They're at least being somewhat honest about the tax money this time.

Yes, the proposed continued tax could go to fund better roads, but they're more than likely going to other pet projects.

Youth Sports Complex
Aquatic Center
"Other projects to enhance the quality of life"

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One city hall insider let loose the only reason they want to build a sports complex or aquatic center is so people have something to look at from the highway. According to them, our elected officials are super jealous of the baseball park off the turnpike in Chickasha, and they want to compete with them, and have some sort of local legacy something or other purchased once again with your roads money.

Of course, they're spinning the next CIP vote as a measure that "won't increase taxes..." but if you let me say the quiet part out loud, voting against it will lower your taxes.

Do you trust the City of Lawton with your money?

You should reach out and ask how that Lee Boulevard replacement promise is going in it's fourth year.

Lawton's Worst Roads As Voted By You

Roads have always been a hot topic in Lawton. The local government always promises to fix them when elections are at stake, but the improvements never come. It's more of the same crumbling roads and bandaid patches due to what the city describes as "too little funding," even though we continually vote for bonds to satisfy these issues.

Here are the worst commonly used roads in Lawton as voted by you.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

Closed Lawton Restaurants We All Wish Were Still Open

Do you ever get that bummer feeling when you're craving a meal that just isn't available anymore? Or better yet, not necessarily the food as much as the people and ambiance you grew up with? Hundreds of restaurants have come and gone in Lawton, Oklahoma, but here's a quick list of eateries we all wish were still around.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

The Dreadful Downtown Hauntings of Lawton, OK.

When it comes to ghost tales and hauntings Lawton, Fort Sill has more than a few scary stories to tell. The most active hauntings and paranormal/supernatural occurrences that have been reported seem to be centered around downtown Lawton. If you've lived here a while I'm sure you've heard a few of these terrifying tales yourself. If not check out the photo gallery below of the dreadful downtown hauntings of Lawton, OK.

Gallery Credit: Don "Critter" Brown