New Liaison to Development Community, Small Business Hired

[Townsend]

http://www.cityoftulsa.org//enews/2011/3-24-11/coordinator.aspx?utm_source=eNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3-24-11

A new position has been created at the City of Tulsa to serve as a liaison between the City's Development Services Department and the development community, including business owners and Tulsa area neighborhoods, Mayor Dewey Bartlett has announced.

Crystal Keller, a new employee to the City of Tulsa, will serve as the first Development Services Coordinator.

Ms. Keller will focus on educating Tulsans on development services, permits, and processes required when opening a new business and reaching out to the Tulsa-area development community and neighborhoods potentially affected by new development or redevelopment.

The position was part of the mayor's priorities for Fiscal Year 2011 and was also strongly supported by the City Council and business leadership. Bartlett said the need for such a position arose repeatedly during the Mayor's small business forums in the spring of 2010.

"More hands-on nurturing and caring for small business owners was a recurring theme. Crystal will be in the field meeting with businesses and developers, as well as neighborhood leaders who have questions about developments in their areas. She will work with sponsors of business-oriented programs," said Mayor Bartlett. "It is important to me that we roll out the red carpet and cut the red tape for any new or existing businesses that will bring new jobs and opportunities to Tulsa," Bartlett said. "This is a position that will help attain that goal."

Keller can be reached by e-mail at: ckeller@cityoftulsa.org

[Teatownclown]

Relationships and background, please!?

[Townsend]

Relationships and background, please!?

That's all I've got.  First I heard of her was at a development meeting Tuesday.

The people on the panel had never heard of her or her position.

[Conan71]

Lemme guess, $100K or so salary?

[Gaspar]

Huh?  She managed a community volunteer program for a couple of years in AZ and then sold internet search engine marketing for a year.

What in the HELL does she know about development?

This is like electing a community organizer to be president.

[Townsend]

Huh?  She managed a community volunteer program for a couple of years in AZ and then sold internet search engine marketing for a year.

What in the HELL does she know about development?

This is like electing a community organizer to be president.

Not quite as bad as an alcoholic coke addict huh?

[Gaspar]

She pulled a paycheck from a development firm, but according to her job description this is what she did:

"Development and management of Verrado Leadership, Verrado Youth Leadership as well as a general community volunteer program in order to create a philanthropic lifestyle for members of the community and draw in new home owners who seek charitable and philanthropic involvement as well."

I wish her the best, but I don't think it's going to be pretty when some of our developers get her on a rope.

[Townsend]

I wish her the best, but I don't think it's going to be pretty when some of our developers get her on a rope.

If they can find her.

[JCnOwasso]

Shouldn't she have at least a bit of business experience?  Maybe a little experience in something other than a community volunteer program and internet marketing. 

This is a swing and miss on a fastball high and out of the zone. 

[Gaspar]

It's a fake position.  More insulation between the city and the development community than an actual "get things done" post.

I certainly hope Mayor Bartlett doesn't think this should be some kind of a PR position or something. 



Me begins to think that perhaps this mayor is having a hard time finding anyone willing to work for him.

I shall give her the benefit of the doubt, but based on the mayor's current track record. . .

I still have many friends in the development community.  I'll report back on how well this is received.

[Conan71]

She pulled a paycheck from a development firm, but according to her job description this is what she did:

"Development and management of Verrado Leadership, Verrado Youth Leadership as well as a general community volunteer program in order to create a philanthropic lifestyle for members of the community and draw in new home owners who seek charitable and philanthropic involvement as well."

I wish her the best, but I don't think it's going to be pretty when some of our developers get her on a rope.

What in THE Hell is that supposed to mean?  Did she go to the Sarah Palin/Barack Obama school of resume puffery?

[Gaspar]

What in THE Hell is that supposed to mean?  Did she go to the Sarah Palin/Barack Obama school of resume puffery?

Means she's a giver!




  oh no he didhnt!

[Teatownclown]

Ok....zip on background. Now, let us get to the heart of the matter: RELATIONSHIPS!?

[Conan71]

Ok....zip on background. Now, let us get to the heart of the matter: RELATIONSHIPS!?

You aren't suggesting???

[Gaspar]

$10 says she went to school with someone's daughter.