Mark Perkins, does he have a chance?

[DowntownNow]

I have no doubt of that Grizzle based on what I've found, heard and seen regarding Bartlett.  Was a curious perspective from that insider...though I suppose you have it on two sides in two parties all the time.  Maybe why Im leaning independent lol.

[FOTD]

I would say Bartlett fractured the party before Perkins spent a $ on advertising. I would venture to say that I was at more republican pre-primary events than Bartlett was.

Here's where the devil is in the details we do not get to hear about. Let's see, what denomination of the republicans seem alone on a limb? The conservatives? Yes, this demon will go to bat for Bartlett not bringing the faith based tribe into the election. Unfortunately, he did allow their ad men from DC to stink up the contest with pathetic ads.

As stated before, all candidates are good and decent. Perkins is a head trip. Adelson is an egomaniac shooting for much higher offices in the future. Bartlett seems to be the most qualified based on his previous council experience and he also seems to be open to the mayor sitting on the council and hiring a city manager. Republicans will vote together despite the apparent schism.

[Conan71]

Here's where the devil is in the details we do not get to hear about. Let's see, what denomination of the republicans seem alone on a limb? The conservatives? Yes, this demon will go to bat for Bartlett not bringing the faith based tribe into the election. Unfortunately, he did allow their ad men from DC to stink up the contest with pathetic ads.

As stated before, all candidates are good and decent. Perkins is a head trip. Adelson is an egomaniac shooting for much higher offices in the future. Bartlett seems to be the most qualified based on his previous council experience and he also seems to be open to the mayor sitting on the council and hiring a city manager. Republicans will vote together despite the apparent schism.

Interesting observation, are you considering voting for Dewey now?

[FOTD]

Interesting observation, are you considering voting for Dewey now?

Adelson should have run against Sully and set his stage for Inhofe's seat.

If you thought Mayor Taylor was arrogant, just wait.

[Conan71]

Adelson should have run against Sully and set his stage for Inhofe's seat.

If you thought Mayor Taylor was arrogant, just wait.

Hmmm, sounds like you've done a 180 on Dewey.  If what you are saying is true that he'd be willing to sit on the council and hire a city manager, that's not all bad stuff.

Seems like there is a question on the ballot which would make it to where the mayor and council would have to approve any major lawsuit settlements from now on, essentially departing a degree from the strong mayor/weak council concept.  Eagleton was talking about it on KRMG this morning.  The part I didn't quite catch was whether or not this is a ballot issue or something the council is studying. 

[FOTD]

Hmmm, sounds like you've done a 180 on Dewey.  If what you are saying is true that he'd be willing to sit on the council and hire a city manager, that's not all bad stuff.

Seems like there is a question on the ballot which would make it to where the mayor and council would have to approve any major lawsuit settlements from now on, essentially departing a degree from the strong mayor/weak council concept.  Eagleton was talking about it on KRMG this morning.  The part I didn't quite catch was whether or not this is a ballot issue or something the council is studying. 

There's been little discussion about the ballot issues here. Two of them looked like they might further hinder a fluid form of city governance.

[DowntownNow]

There is a proposition on the upcoming ballot that will have the City Council approving any financial settlements the City wants to enter into over $1 million I think is the number.  This comes on the heels of the Great Plains Airlines ordeal.

[Conan71]

There is a proposition on the upcoming ballot that will have the City Council approving any financial settlements the City wants to enter into over $1 million I think is the number.  This comes on the heels of the Great Plains Airlines ordeal.

That's the one they were talking about on KRMG.   

[sgrizzle]

1. City Councilors server totaling 3 year terms (3 districts up each year)
2. City auditors must have CIA or CPA certification
3. Council approves all litigation settlements past $1m

1. Dumb
2. If you don't think they can do the job, why would you vote for them anyway? Even the current auditor wasn't certified when he got elected.
3. My concern is that if the Council bickers over what they consider a decent settlement amount and forces it to decision, we could fare even worse.

[Conan71]

1. City Councilors server totaling 3 year terms (3 districts up each year)
2. City auditors must have CIA or CPA certification
3. Council approves all litigation settlements past $1m

1. Dumb
2. If you don't think they can do the job, why would you vote for them anyway? Even the current auditor wasn't certified when he got elected.
3. My concern is that if the Council bickers over what they consider a decent settlement amount and forces it to decision, we could fare even worse.

Here's the problem with #3 though:  Whether it was right or wrong to settle the BOK suit in general, our current mayor had the authority to single-handedly approve a settlement with a company she has served as a director for.  I don't think one person should make decisions on large settlements without some sort of review process with the council.  It's just a little extra checks and balance.

[sgrizzle]

Here's the problem with #3 though:  Whether it was right or wrong to settle the BOK suit in general, our current mayor had the authority to single-handedly approve a settlement with a company she has served as a director for.  I don't think one person should make decisions on large settlements without some sort of review process with the council.  It's just a little extra checks and balance.

I agree witch checks and balances but in this case there is a court case involved so what the council wants, and what is reasonable, may not mesh. That is my only concern with 3.

[Conan71]

I agree witch checks and balances but in this case there is a court case involved so what the council wants, and what is reasonable, may not mesh. That is my only concern with 3.

I'd rather have nine additional eyes and ears looking into settlements like that, especially when the mayor could have an actual or percieved COI.

I've relied on Councilor Eagleton as my bullsh!t-o-meter at City Hall.  For some reason he thought that settlement was just, so I've never been terribly harsh in my comments about it since then.  But, what if a council review would have resulted in Richard Studenny's (Dick Stupidity) professional liabilty insurance company picking up the tab for his flawed legal opinion(s)?  That would have been major WIN.

[Wrinkle]

I agree witch checks and balances but in this case there is a court case involved so what the council wants, and what is reasonable, may not mesh. That is my only concern with 3.

Maybe Ms. Kitty could've come to the Council _BEFORE_ joining us into the suit. Before she 'settled' it, she jumped into it for us. Only by a day, though.

Frankly, I wish TAA & TAIT would've gone down in flames.
Ground up reconstruction would be better than then or now.
People here get pretty emotional when they can't just do what they want.

Another or better Resolution would require Council approval prior to having the City join in any suite. The Mayor should not be able to that at a whim.

[Bledsoe]

1. City Councilors server totaling 3 year terms (3 districts up each year)
2. City auditors must have CIA or CPA certification
3. Council approves all litigation settlements past $1m

1. Dumb
2. If you don't think they can do the job, why would you vote for them anyway? Even the current auditor wasn't certified when he got elected.
3. My concern is that if the Council bickers over what they consider a decent settlement amount and forces it to decision, we could fare even worse.

1.--What he said-Dumb-I will vote NO
2.-Undecided--I go back and forth-?
3. No--I agree with sgrizzle--no case will ever be settled if the council has to vote on it--It takes major political will to decide to settle a large $ case.  Most government officials never agree--because they usually have no personal skin in the game-- and force most cases to trial. 

The Alvin McGee case is a good example--$13 million verdict I think--could have been settled prior to trial by LaFortune for $900K--settled post trial by Taylor administration (Baker for Taylor she recused) pending appeal for $11 million.  City got a good deal--with interest and plaintiff's attorney's fees it could have gotten up to $14 or 15 million on appeal.

Also remember that these settlements go into the sinking fund and do not come out of the general fund--just passed along to the property tax base.  So there is no real incentive to settle to begin with and when you add to the mix the need for 5 more votes on the council to get something settled and you have to air all the merits or demerits of settlement in a public meeting--it will just not get done.  So if you don't want the City to settle any large cases and force them all to trial (with major defense costs that will come out of the general budget & disruption of the regular work of the city employees) then you should vote yes.

[cannon_fodder]

Tulsa has annual revenues of $605,000,000.00 and employs thousands of people.  We have billions in assets.    Nearly a million people depend on Tulsa as a hub of business, commerce, entertainment, and as the center of life int he area.
http://www.cityoftulsa.org/COTlegacy/documents/0809budget/Section02ExecutiveSummary.pdf

But our standards for hiring an auditor are lower than most companies and certainly any publicly traded company? Dollar Thrifty has revenue of $438mil. Nordam has revenue of $160mil.   Throw in Braum's and Rib Crib combined revenues of $12mil and we are just over what Tulsa has for revenue.   Do you think some massive umbrella company over those corporations would hire an auditor without a CPA, CIA, or audit experience?

That seems crazy to me.  No offense to the man holding the job, but perhaps that's why we misplace  $100,000,000+ meant to fix the streets.  Why our budget is always in crisis mode. 

Why not have qualification requirements that fit the job?