Published: April 11, 2007 03:09 pm      

Outgoing NP mayor blasts council member for comments

Nicoma Park Mayor Bud Green commented Monday on Councilman Greg Tirey’s words at last week’s council meeting.

Tirey was the only one to vote against appointing Green as the director of senior services.

He said Green had accused him of holding up the Central Park Project. He also said it was time Green “took a break.”

“I think it’s time he (Green) took a break,” Trey said.

Green told The Sun Monday that Tirey’s statement was “idiotic.”

“My question to Tirey is what qualifications does he have to make a statement like that. I don’t see an M.D. following his name. My family doctor tells me I’m in excellent health and to remain active,” Green said.

Green also expressed his thanks to the other members of the council for approving his appointment.

The outgoing mayor said he wanted a director position designated because as the senior programs grow, it may be harder and harder to get someone to volunteer for the position.

Another bone of contention between Tirey and Green is the Central Park Project.

Tirey is working to improve the Nicoma Park Municipal Park on Hiwassee Road, Green’s concern has been Central Park on N.E. 23rd Street.

According to Green, the Central Park Project, was meant as a city beautification effort.

He listed Choctaw, Jones, Harrah and Midwest City as all having parks on their major road. The project was approved in 1999 or 2000, Green said.

Green confronted Tirey at a parks and recreation committee meeting on March 15. He said that Tirey had refused to meet with him otherwise.

“I asked him to have a meeting with me about the parks. He refused to come in for whatever reason and that’s the reason I attended the park’s meeting,” Green said.

“Harrah has Harrah Heritage Park. Midwest City has the Joe B. Barnes Regional Park.

“We had nothing. It was my idea to turn this (Central Park) into a showcase for our citizens to be proud of and enjoy.”

Green noted that Tirey has been telling constituents that Green had been for turning the Nicoma Park Municipal Park into a housing development.

“One day in 2004, (then councilman) Matt Maly and the owner of Gemini Homes came into my office and the owner had a set of plans in his hands so therefore the plan was the idea of either Matt Maly or Gemini Homes, not mine,” Green said.

Green said that Tirey likely thought that the Central Park Project was an effort to take resident’s eyes away from the Nicoma Park Municipal Park.

No such effort is being made but Tirey is holding up the Central Park Project, Green said.

“He does not want the cement poured for the picnic tables until the wrought-iron fence has been moved,” Green said.

“In my opinion, he is already holding up the project.”