Mayor Mick Cornett is widely respected for integrity. His new employer is not. OKPNS was the only media outlet to report about the agency’s jaw-dropping conflict of interest in the coal-fired plant battle back in 2007.

Sure, OG&E’s executives were morons, but nonetheless the agency took advantage of the clueless electric company. It was a screaming conflict of interest, ignored by the city newspaper, which in the story outlines how the agency will rely on the taxpayer’s lawyer to determine what is or isn’t a conflict of interest. That’s right: the Mayor’s subordinates will now be forced to tell their BOSS what is a conflict of interest. Once again, the corporate welfare crowd screws Oklahoma City taxpayers. Good Grief Almighty!

His life and career indicates that Mayor Cornett is an ethical and upright man, but let’s be honest: the ad agency is hiring the Mayor for contacts and potential new business. The is a cozy chumminess between the ad agency and the newspaper, whose former boss now works for the ad agency. If it sounds sleazy to you, you are not alone.

There are perhaps 10-15 media professionals in Oklahoma City with far more stellar professional credentials than the Mayor, so let’s not kid ourselves: this is about connections. So for all the employees of Ackerman-McQueen, welcome to OKPNS! Like the city paper, Chesapeake, WAD Edmondson and other characters who hate openness and transparency, we welcome your bookmark! Because based upon your past, you’ll be coming back here in the future!