My 2 Cents: OKC City Manager Jim Couch Is The Uncle Of Maps

If former Mayor Ron Norick is the Father of Maps, City Manager Jim Couch would be its Uncle.

Not a lot of people remember back in 1996 and '97, the first MAPS plan was still stumbling along with higher than expected construction bids and other problems.

By '98 the Bricktown Ballpark was finally on its way to being completed and the canal was under construction, but it was slow going, too slow for most people.

Leaders decided it was time for a new MAPS Director, and they found just the right man.

Assistant City Manager Jim Couch was the perfect fit, an engineer who ignored the politics, and lasered in on completing the 10 projects.

The timelines shortened, unexpected obstacles became rare, and the dream of MAPS became a reality.

As a metro area "lifer" I followed MAPS and Jim Couch closely as he became City Manager.

When we moved into the same neighborhood I got to know him a little bit better, even tried to noodle him for any inside information when he stopped to chat. 

I can't recall him ever giving anything up, I was a friend but also a reporter, and Couch's instinct was to keep his cards close to his vest.

Because of it few people understand how much he has influenced Oklahoma City's renaissance, perhaps more than anyone else.

Today he announced he'll retire in January, he won't be easy to replace.

I'm Kelly Ogle and that's My 2 Cents.