Forget Everyone Else It's Medlock vs. Bartlett

[MichaelBates]

What I think we need to see is a stronger auditing department and the various department heads being at will employees of the mayor. Some people need to be fired for what's happened over multiple mayors in Public Works, Police and Fire. Tulsa seems to have a bureaucracy that is out of control and along with Police and Fire unions with too much power.

I agree. A while back, I proposed a charter amendment to remove department heads from civil service to be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. Our elected officials can't be held accountable for the performance of the city departments if they have no real power over who runs them. Such a charter change was proposed during the LaFortune administration, but it didn't have enough council support to make it to the ballot.

Department heads like the police chief aren't merely following orders. They set policy for their departments. They set the tone. They exercise their personal discretion, judgment, and leadership skills. Insulated by civil service protection, they can subtly undermine the policies of the elected officials without suffering any consequences. There needs to be political oversight and accountability at that level of responsibility and power.

[Wrinkle]

You can install a city manager now, I'm talking about removing civil service protection from the top levels of city government.

We agree on this.

[Conan71]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=262&articleid=20090831_11_0_hrimgs250564

Looky here, Mudschlock got another audience at the press club.  Love the comments after the article.

[Wrinkle]

One good thing about electing Medlock would be the almost certain retirement of our Publik Works Director.

Besides that, in spite of the vitriol being spewed, Medlock is the only one of the candidates who actually understands how government is supposed to work. That probably seems obtuse to many Tulsans since they've never seen it. And, is certainly causing some anxiety amongst those who benefit from it. Just read the World's comments (and laugh).

[sgrizzle]

One good thing about electing Medlock would be the almost certain retirement of our Publik Works Director.

Besides that, in spite of the vitriol being spewed, Medlock is the only one of the candidates who actually understands how government is supposed to work. That probably seems obtuse to many Tulsans since they've never seen it. And, is certainly causing some anxiety amongst those who benefit from it. Just read the World's comments (and laugh).

At least on Saturday, Medlock seemed to be supporting Charles Hardt..

[Wrinkle]

At least on Saturday, Medlock seemed to be supporting Charles Hardt..

....think I said, 'retirement'.

[Conan71]

At least on Saturday, Medlock seemed to be supporting Charles Hardt..

Aside from being a demagogue, supporting Hardt is another reason for me to not vote for CM.  I'm really getting tired of the boasts about how Mudschlock knows how government works.  I do believe even Bartlett spent more time on the council, did he not?  How's that Great Plains investigation going?

I think he's done after this campaign.  Someone please give him a job in the private sector, out of the public eye.

[Wrinkle]

Aside from being a demagogue, supporting Hardt is another reason for me to not vote for CM.  I'm really getting tired of the boasts about how Mudschlock knows how government works.  I do believe even Bartlett spent more time on the council, did he not?  How's that Great Plains investigation going?

I think he's done after this campaign.  Someone please give him a job in the private sector, out of the public eye.

Gotta admit, you're starting to sound like a paid-professional hack.

And, not to barter facts, but CM was not the Chair of the airports investigation, turncoat Sam Roop was, and who was the one actually in need of a job. This act led to a Council majority opposing funding the second phase (meat + potatoes) of the airport investigation and effectively silencing the issue. Bad government, cheesing out on a mere $46,000 expense.

As far as Council experience, anyone can fill the seat, even Randy Sullivan. So, besides the recent outside committee where Bartlett proposed buying the Broke Arrow Expressway and making it a toll road, what specific initiatives did he promote when he was a sitting Councilman?

I was refering to the actual concept of government as opposed to the way it works around here.

Makes one wonder just what it is of which you're tired.
Or, was that simply political cliche'?

[rwarn17588]

Gotta admit, you're starting to sound like a paid-professional hack.

<snip>

Or, was that simply political cliche'?

Said without a trace of irony.

[Conan71]

Gotta admit, you're starting to sound like a paid-professional hack.

And, not to barter facts, but CM was not the Chair of the airports investigation, turncoat Sam Roop was, and who was the one actually in need of a job. This act led to a Council majority opposing funding the second phase (meat + potatoes) of the airport investigation and effectively silencing the issue. Bad government, cheesing out on a mere $46,000 expense.

As far as Council experience, anyone can fill the seat, even Randy Sullivan. So, besides the recent outside committee where Bartlett proposed buying the Broke Arrow Expressway and making it a toll road, what specific initiatives did he promote when he was a sitting Councilman?

I was refering to the actual concept of government as opposed to the way it works around here.

Makes one wonder just what it is of which you're tired.
Or, was that simply political cliche'?

Oh no, I'm not a paid hack. 

I simply see through Chris' schtick.  He's a Limbaugh/Hannity/O'Reilly disciple, and doesn't have much else going for him.  It's parrots like Mudschlock that give the rest of us life-long Republicans a bad rap.  We don't need any sharper partisan politics than we already do in this city.  Other issue for me is: anyone who goes for a post-grad degree knows damn good and well whether or not they finished the program and earned it.  There's no grey area unless you are a pathological liar or total idiot.  He also came on this forum and boasted that he had great Arbitrons.  If they were so great, as he claimed, why did he get the axe from his radio gig?  Idiot who can't read Arbitrons, or just a liar?  He's also tried to bully others here by calling people out by name who do not post under their own name and who disagree with the guy, he's a bully.  These are not characteristics I'd prefer in my next mayor.  He's a political opportunist and bully in search of a good paycheck. 

As far as Great Plains, as I recall he was going to finish shining the light on the misdeeds out at the airport...never happened. 

Maybe he'd play better in Nashville.

[rwarn17588]

Oh no, I'm not a paid hack. 

I simply see through Chris' schtick.  He's a Limbaugh/Hannity/O'Reilly disciple, and doesn't have much else going for him.  It's parrots like Mudschlock that give the rest of us life-long Republicans a bad rap.  We don't need any sharper partisan politics than we already do in this city.  Other issue for me is: anyone who goes for a post-grad degree knows damn good and well whether or not they finished the program and earned it.  There's no grey area unless you are a pathological liar or total idiot.  He also came on this forum and boasted that he had great Arbitrons.  If they were so great, as he claimed, why did he get the axe from his radio gig?  Idiot who can't read Arbitrons, or just a liar?  He's also tried to bully others here by calling people out by name who do not post under their own name and who disagree with the guy, he's a bully.  These are not characteristics I'd prefer in my next mayor.  He's a political opportunist and bully in search of a good paycheck. 

As far as Great Plains, as I recall he was going to finish shining the light on the misdeeds out at the airport...never happened. 

Maybe he'd play better in Nashville.

+1. Another Marshall's beer to you, sir.

[Townsend]

+1. Another Marshall's beer to you, sir.

Conan's not drinking...DIBS

[Wrinkle]

So, let me get this straight. You don't think there was anything dysfunctional going on at the airport, TAA or TAIT?

Does that mean you support Kitty and Bartletts' $7.1 million taypayer handout to BOK for TAIT/TAA's liabilities the city did not owe?

And, for the record, there's been no more profound 'bully' in Tulsa's recent history than Ms. Kitty. Bartlett is the next designated hitter there, but not likely as competent. OTOH, doesn't really take much to follow directions.

[cannon_fodder]

Whatever happened to:

1) The Great Plains investigation, including the $7mil we shelled out?

2) The further investigation into bribes for city contracts (conviction/sentencing continues)?

3) More public information on financial issues from moving City Hall?

4) Firefighters faking certification to get more money?


Bah.  It's just a few million here.  Ten million there.  Some abandoned properties here.  A ballpark and land grab there.  Moving along . . .

[RecycleMichael]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090901_11_A8_ChrisM92325

Medlock calls Bartlett a "liberal".

Look closely at the picture. Medlock calls himself a "concervative"

Spelling is hard.