Tulsa World Issue Questions

Tulsa World Issue Questions

1.&n= bsp; How do you think the city should finance the estimated = $1.6 billion in street improvements necessary to bring them to an average grade?=

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In business, you don’t throw money at a problem you don’= ;t understand. This is Tulsa’s ‘Dirty Little Secret’. We are paying for the $1.6B when we appr= oved the 3rd penny sales tax--Seven Times! This tax has been ‘cannibalized= ’ by the city to solve their shrinking revenue problem as a result of ‘flight’ from the city to suburbs. Woodland Hills no longer provides that revenue and it will get worse. All those citizens who voted ‘No’ on the (River Tax) that would generate income should expla= in their plan for $1.6B on a depreciating asset that will continually need to = be repaired.

What do = you think the city should do to further development along the Arkansas Riv= er and how should it be funded?

The failure of the County to pass the ‘River Tax’ occur= red on this City Council’s watch. The City Council looked out for themsel= ves. Our leaders lead (Mayor Taylor and Tulsa’s best corporate and private citizens), provided the vision and the capital. = They took difficult positions with courage. The citizens failed them. It is now = the citizen’s responsibility to recognize the ‘Sense of UrgencyR= 17; that businesses have felt in Tulsa for years, and create a grassroots movem= ent to revive the River Project and get it done. Our leaders have done all they can.

Would you support/not support public financial assistance to further downtown commercial development that could include a baseball stadium for the Drillers team? Please ex= plain your position.

The city of Tulsa is dying a slow death. In my 44 years as a Tulsan, and the grandson of one = of Tulsa’s gre= at Pioneer citizens, it is painful to watch. Think not? Two investors come in,= buy 1/4^th of downtown property for $200MM. Now, one of the investors= is suing the other because he is invested in worthless property. I am absolute= ly in favor of considering every option to downtown, especially keeping the Drillers. Another option to consider is what is going on in Atlanta, and other downtowns, where the= y are turning into retirement destinations in Loft Style housing. =

What would be three goals you would like to accomplish if you are elected?<= o:p>

(a)Provide the Mayor my leadership and support, and my recognized n= eed for a ‘Sense of Urgency’, in working with the City Council.

(b)Do whatever it takes to remove ‘the blight’ in Distr= ict 9. I have actually walked the entire district and seen areas that will break your heart. 31^st and Yale has been destroyed by questionable landlord/housing; and using QuikTrip’s investment at I-44 to springbo= ard the recovery of one of Tulsa’s best = pieces of property, 51^st to 61^st and <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">Peoria, and west to the river.

(c)Using my experience to make decisions, and not take everything ‘under advisement’ or ‘further study’.

What do = you see as your personal strengths that you would bring to the position?

My business acumen and background, experience, and ‘change agent’ passion make me an ideal Council partner. The command skills I bring are leadership; taking unpopular stands if necessary; debating, but moving on; facing adversity head on; and I get energized in crisis situatio= ns. I am considered by peers to be a roadblock remover. I have no political ambition, other than to work with the Council on a bi-partisan basis to mobilize human energy. My position is the city comes first; my district com= es second; individuals come third; and I am there to offer my passion, humor, = and services, ‘pro bono’.