Shhhhhh........County Commissioner Election

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It may be that Tulsa County District 1 is just the least 'sexy' of the three districts with all its minorities and suburbanites, and the lack of a river or DT/Midtown area, but the campaign for this district has been very quiet.

Although the County budget is a fraction of the City of Tulsa's, when you add in other County funded projects like 4-to-Fix, Vision 2025 and proposal like The Channels, the County has major financial implications - especially with regards to development and infrastructure.

The Tulsa World has barely made mention of this election - compared to almost daily coverage of the recent mayor's race.

The World recently endorsed incumbent Wilbert Collins - seemingly for the reason that without him, there would be no one on the Commission with adequate experience.

His challenger, State Rep. John Smaligo, will give Collins a run for his money.

In 1998 and 2002, Collins won by relatively close margins. Smaligo is a persistant door-to-door campaigner.

Also, the make-up of District 1 has changed in recent years with higher levels of growth around 21st & Garnett, far E Tulsa/N BA, and in the Tulsa County side of Owasso/Collinsville.

Since Fred Perry has already won Bob Dick's District 3 seat, a win by Smaligo poses an interesting situation - 2 of the 3 County Commissioners would reside outside of the city of Tulsa. Not that they would slight Tulsa in any way, but it may bring a broader vision to the entire County.

Another interesting scenario with having both Perry and Smaligo is that each has recently been a State Representative - Perry for 12 years, Smaligo for 6 years. That fact may be beneficial in Tulsa County getting more of its fair share out of the state capitol.

[Conan71]

Unless he's moved, Fred Perry lives on South Sandusky between 101st and 105th in the Tulsa city limits.  He used to be one of my neighbors and I could count on him to knock on the door during the election season.

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quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Unless he's moved, Fred Perry lives on South Sandusky between 101st and 105th in the Tulsa city limits.  He used to be one of my neighbors and I could count on him to knock on the door during the election season.

Lives in Broken Arrow now - 133rd and Garnett.

[Conan71]

Okay, must've moved.

[Cubs]

Vote Smaligo!

[RecycleMichael]

I have known many elected officials because of my job and family involvement. I would put Comissioner Collins near the top of the list of the best I have known.

He has the perfect resume.

27 year military career, lifetime member of the same Tulsa church, a long list of work for almost every north Tulsa non-profit, a couple of terms doing the wishes of Owasso, Collinsville and north Tulsa, and the real driving force behind the most successful tourist draw in the region, the Tulsa Fairgrounds.

My family has known Wilbert Collins for three decades. I most wholeheartedly endorse Wilbert Collins for re-election for County Commissioner.

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quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

I have known many elected officials because of my job and family involvement. I would put Comissioner Collins near the top of the list of the best I have known.

He has the perfect resume.

27 year military career, lifetime member of the same Tulsa church, a long list of work for almost every north Tulsa non-profit, a couple of terms doing the wishes of Owasso, Collinsville and north Tulsa, and the real driving force behind the most successful tourist draw in the region, the Tulsa Fairgrounds.

My family has known Wilbert Collins for three decades. I most wholeheartedly endorse Wilbert Collins for re-election for County Commissioner.

RM -

Since you are familiar with Commissioner Collins, does he support The Channels proposal (like Randi Miller)?

[RecycleMichael]

I have not asked him his opinion on the matter.  I was busy talking recycling business last we spoke.

[Bledsoe]

RM -

Since you are familiar with Commissioner Collins, does he support The Channels proposal (like Randi Miller)?
[/quote]

Informed sources tell me that when asked about the Channels project Collins refused to give his position claiming that he was bound by a non-disclosure agreement.  This was after the whole project was made public.  I found this very curious and it causes me to temper my support for him.  Does anyone know any differently?

What does Smaligo say about the Channels?


I think both of these candidates owe the citizens of Tulsa County at least some comment on this issue prior to the election.

[fung shui]

I truly believe that if a vote were held today by the County Commission, it would be 2-1 NO with Miller the lone YES. I do not know where Smaligo stands, but I see a lot of knowledge going out the door if Collins loses. Imagine RM as the "brains of the outfit".

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by Bledsoe



I think both of these candidates owe the citizens of Tulsa County at least some comment on this issue prior to the election.

Bledsoe, for once I agree with you.

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Both candidates for District 1 Commissioner are staying neutral on the Channels project at this time:

The Democratic county commissioner said he is often asked about the proposal, but doesn't always have the answers people are looking for. Instead, the queries from citizens leave him with more questions about the project. "When I hit the streets . . . I run into guys that ask me questions about it," Collins said. "That prompts me to think in other areas."

Smaligo, a Republican who is giving up his seat in the state House of Representatives to oppose Collins, has also heard concerns about the project from citizens. "I think it is a big plan that a lot of folks have put a lot of effort into," Smaligo said. "I think, however, there are a lot of concerns I've heard . . . about the overall cost of this plan. "And so I think at this point, it's probably a little bit too early to commit one way or another. Probably a little more study (of the proposal) needs to happen."

Tulsa World

Obviously neither one wants to make this a campaign issue and alienate a portion of potential voters.

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from the Owasso Reporter:

Wilbert Collins

Collins in credited with developing and beginning the programs of Vision 2025 and Four-to-Fix the County. He took office in 1999 and immediately toured district one to determine its needs. "I found more than $6 million in infrastructure needs on that tour," Collins states. But the county only had a $50 million budget which was all being used. Comparing, the City of Tulsa had a $500 million budget, Collins notes.

During his time on the County Commission, Collins has seen the David L. Moss Correctional facility completed, he has seen both Vision 2025 and Four-to-Fix the County implemented and continuing to improve numerous projects throughout the county, especially in Collinsville.

Collins points out that when the arena project for Downtown Tulsa came up short on funds, he and the other members of the County Commission were able to assist with a committment of $40 million because of the programs and monies generated by the county. "I'd like to finish what I've started," Collins says.

He points out that the current commission plans on breaking ground at the fairgrounds for a "central park" project. Plans are to tear down the Flea Market building and re-do the midway so that all utilities are underground.

There is still work to be done on 56th Street North and 76th Street North work is fully funded under his leadership.

Collins states that he will not entertain any consideration of the "Channels" project until after the election. "There are too many unanswered questions," Collins states.

What will he do if re-elected. "More of the same," he says. "And we'll follow the law," he adds.

In regard to the traditional role of the county commissioner, maintainance of county roads and bridges, Collins says that the plan for those is in place but because of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), there are priorities. "We attempt to take care of all the roads in the county based on available monies and available manpower," he said.

Another major area of oversight by the county is maintainance of Expo Square, now considered by many to be a showplace for numerous events.

Collins considers State Fair parking as the number one problem area at Expo Square.

John Smaligo

John Smaligo, who is giving up his state representative seat, wants to bring more accountability and transparency to to county government.

The 30-year-old Republican believes competitive bidding should be addressed for county projects.

"It merits looking at to find the best value for taxpayers," he said. "The accountability is not being seen by the taxpayers for the money being spent."

Smaligo believes more communication is needed between county officials and taxpayers.

More information is needed on a controversial project to develop the Arkansas River. While Smaligo doesn't oppose river development, he wants more information about the impact on taxpayers.

"There are a lot of people who have misgivings about public financing," Smaligo said. It could be the project's biggest obstacle.

"There is nothing to preclude the city of Tulsa coming forward and doing the project," he said.

As to there being several river development projects out there, Smaligo said consensus needs to be achieved on "if this is the right project."

He believes he can make a bigger difference and have a greater impact as a county commissioner than he could as a state representative.

Smaligo said he wants to be available and visible in communities from District 1.

Smaligo sees a major difference between him and commissioner Wilbert Collins - a desire to try to save taxpayers money by partnering with state and federal officials.

Tulsa County is seen as a "donor" county in the state and Smaligo believes it should get more funding from state agencies than it has. After working in the Legislature for the past six years, he believes his relationships and knowledge of agencies will benefit Tulsa County residents.

>>>I thought this comment by Collins was telling: "More of the same," he says. "And we'll follow the law,". If you have to say it,.......

>>>I like that Smaligo has brought up the issue that Tulsa County is a "donor" county. A good county commissioner needs to try to regain as much as possible that the state leeches away - not just raise additional taxes on county taxpayers only.

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Shhhhhh........Smaligo won.

[Kym]

I can't tell you how pleased I and a lot of other people are that Collins lost this election.  I don't even live in his district, but I work and know a LOT of people who are and I campaigned very hard on behalf of John Smaligo.  You ask why I would bother?  Here is why.  When a key position came open due to retirement of the Bldg. Operations director, three very qualified candidates within the county applied for the position, one of them being within that very division.  Actually, this person had been groomed for the past several years to move up from a departmental supervisor to the director's position.  This would have been a promotion for him.  He was even the retiring director's recommendation to follow him.  Collins decided that he didn't want to hire someone who already knew the orgination and the way it operated.  He instead hired externally someone who didn't even meet the requirements for the position which was posted in the job announcement.  One of the criteria for the position was the candidate MUST be knowledgeable of county policies, procedures and statutes.  I know this because I saw the posting myself.  The man he hired knows nothing of county government, has no facilities management background and from what I've heard through the grapevine, no formal education to speak of either, which was also one of the criteria.  Oh by the way, it turns out this guy was an old friend of Collins.  Needless to say, this was a BIG slap in the face to the county employees.  Commissioner Collins has NO loyalty to his employees, what makes you think he will have any loyalty to the public.  I made it my personal goal to tell anyone and everyone I came in contact with that I knew lived in his district to tell them about his hiring practices.  A LOT of people did not like what they heard.  Collins also maybe forgot that when he betrays his employees that maybe THEY live in his district.  The guy that didn't get the job...all but maybe one guy that he supervises lives in Collins' district.  That means they didn't vote for him, their spouses didn't vote for him and more than likely all of their friends didn't vote for him, on and on.  Word of mouth is a VERY powerful form of advertisement.  By the way, I also hear through the grapevine Wilbert is very bitter!  Collins...you get what you deserve!