Municipal Candidates Not Using Tulsa Vendors

[Bat Bat]

Yesterday I received an advertisment in the mail for Dewey Bartlett for Mayor that was sent by the Dewey Bartlett campaign and I noticed that it had an Oklahoma City mail stamp on it.  I called Dewey's campaign manager this morning and inquired as to where this advertisment was designed, printed and mailed and the response was that it was all done out of Muskogee and Oklahoma City.  Maybe its just me but shouldn't someone who wants to be the Mayor of Tulsa (a city of declining sales tax revenues) use Tulsa vendors?













   

[Conan71]

It's not uncommon for local campaign materials to originate out of state either.

[RecycleMichael]

I try to do as much locally as the next guy, but don't think using an OKC or Muskogee vendor is wrong. Maybe they were trusted friends or just really good and or inexpensive...

It seems like a petty point to make. Which campaign opponent are you supporting?

[Bat Bat]

I'm not supporting any candidates.  I don't know who I am going to vote for either.  I just thought it was strange for someone who wants to lead this city to use an out of town vendor.  While I don't personally know any, I assume Tulsa has plenty of qualified designers and printers.  I don't think its a petty point.  I don't even think I was trying to make a point.  I merely posted an issue for comments to see other people's opinions on the matter.

[rwarn17588]

I don't even think I was trying to make a point. 

Yes, you were. If you didn't have a problem with it, you wouldn't have posted it, correct?

Why don't you e-mail Dewey's campaign and ask about it? Maybe he had a good reason, or maybe it was simply an oversight.

[sgrizzle]

You apparently haven't priced local vendors. I haven't gotten the name but supposedly there is a printer in OKC who is the cheapest in the state for political stuff. Democratic candidates usually have union shops for their printers which saves some $$$.

[cannon_fodder]

Using a local vendor would be a feather in the cap for me.  BUT, if a local vendor does the same job for significantly more money, or a worse job for the same money . . . then I would be happy to see judgment direct that business elsewhere.  I would hope that such a decision would be made when doing business on MY behalf.

In a tie, always choose local.  If it is just price, consider that local adds value to our economy and perhaps offers something more than the cheaper product.  If it is quality or service you are after, consider the benefit of being able to complain just down the road.  But if another product or service out of the local area is superior, then encourage the local vendors to get better by taking your business elsewhere.

At least, that's what I TRY to do.  So I'd appreciate it if my politicians did to.

[Bat Bat]

I haven't priced any local vendors.

Cannon Fodder, thanks for your comment.  Very well articulated. 

[Hoss]

I haven't priced any local vendors.

Cannon Fodder, thanks for your comment.  Very well articulated. 

Not many left.  I used to work for one (Bender Direct Mail).  I remember doing several political mailers back in the day.  TPsi, Automated Mail, CGX maybe.  Can't think of many more.

[sgrizzle]

FYI, He got his shirts printed at Eskimo Joes.

[cannon_fodder]

I got a push-poll call yesterday from a 614 number.  It asked to push the button corresponding with my preferred Republican Candidate for Tulsa Mayor and listed #1 Dewey Bartlett . . . #5 Chris Medlock, #6 other and #7 undecided (I don't recall the middle ones). 

Since Mr. Bartlett was listed first it is generally believed that would be the person paying for the "poll".  Which is, actually, just a way of getting names out.  Coincidentally, when I pushed "7" it didn't register the entry - so I don't think the system was even registering the data.  At least warrants someone asking his campaign if he is paying for automated "push polling."

[shadows]

What is anyone getting upset about in using out of town venders when over 50% of the Tulsa work force live outside of the city.  Include your police and fire department employees.  You furnish cars and gas in some cases for them to commutate to their out of town residents.  I would assume that the needed sales taxes for city operations are collected by the suburbs communities.  You seem to be swamped with the out of town venders extending into the work force.  The suburbs are helping you by collecting the sales taxes for you.     

[Liz Wright]

Hi - I am using local vendors. In fact I am using vendors in my district. (District 4). Small businesses - the tiny ones - the mom & pop sort.

Yes, it may cost a little bit more. But.... 68% of every dollar spent locally stays local. I think it is worth it.

About 90% of what I do in my daily routine occurs within District 4. Not until I decided to run for City Council did I realize just how much I support small businesses. Maybe -  because I am a small business owner I have subconsciously shifted my own routine over the years.

[Conan71]

Hi - I am using local vendors. In fact I am using vendors in my district. (District 4). Small businesses - the tiny ones - the mom & pop sort.

Yes, it may cost a little bit more. But.... 68% of every dollar spent locally stays local. I think it is worth it.

About 90% of what I do in my daily routine occurs within District 4. Not until I decided to run for City Council did I realize just how much I support small businesses. Maybe -  because I am a small business owner I have subconsciously shifted my own routine over the years.

Liz, do you have a web site?  I live in D-4.  I've only seen Barnes and Gomez signs so far and don't know much about your campaign, but would like to know more.

[sgrizzle]

I think Barnes and Gomez dusted off the old ones. Not making fun of them, but re-running is way easier. Westcott's flyer has a sticker on it updating the election date for 2009.