Shell Company suing over the Trash Contract

[cannon_fodder]

A group called "Tulsans United for Fairness" is planning to sue the City of Tulsa to stop the trash deal. The allegations are basically the same ones made and then withdrawn by TRI (dismissed with prejudice), arguing that the public was excluded from the decision making process.  They are also claiming a violation of the open bidding act because the winning bid was announced but there was a two month delay before a contract was signed (therefore something might possibly have happened that was a violation).  They're basic argument is "I've never heard anyone in favor of this."  It should be pointed out that while attending the meetings on this issue I did not hear any of the people mentioned speak nor see any of the TUFF members at the meetings.

The group claims it has not received funding from TRI and no TRI member is a member of the group.    They want to revoke the contract, take the decision making authority assigned to TARE away and essentially give board authority to city-wide votes on the contracts... they do not mention how such a thing would work or if we will vote on all city contracts or just this one.

"Tulsan's United for Fairness" ("TUFF") was founded on March 29, 2012, as a shell company to facilitate this lawsuit.  It has no other known function other than to shield whoever is paying for and attempting to gain from this maneuver.  Known members include:
George Gibbs – republican political candidate (City Council district 8, lost), the person who sued over the South Tulsa bridge, and partner at Gibbs Armstrong.
Jim Bridenstine – "Republic Patriot for Congress."  Rice University, then the Navy, then an MBA from Cornell.  Then he came back to Tulsa in 2008 and was the executive director of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum for almost 2 years (tried to get us the Shuttle), before resigning to focus on his career in the Naval Reserves.   Now running for Congress.
Ken Walker – Republican Candidate for State House "Man of Faith, Man of Action."  From Baltimore, military guy. "Fulfilled his dream to move to the Tulsa area in 2002 with his family."
George Erik Zoellner – As registered agent.  Holds a Ph.D. in Education from OSU.  His "study buddy and dear friend" is Dr. Cassandra Funderbruck (wife of Judge Carl Funderbruck – who is very unlikely to hear this case anyway),   worked for TCC, then colleges in Texas before moving to the Marshall Islands.  Apparently back in Tulsa now with political aspirations, maybe?

And that's it, as far as I can tell.  So maybe just a political ploy to add a dot to their resume?  An unknown connection to TRI?  It seems odd that three people that I haven't seen involved in the process the entire way are all of sudden very interested.  The timing is also very weird... or calculated.

With the 180 day governmental Tort Claim notice; by the time this lawsuit is filed and actually before a judge, the contract will be well underway, the delivery of the CNG trucks will be nearly complete, and  people will be having their cans delivered.  A judge will be real hard pressed to enter an injunction at that point.  BUT, I guess that will mean these political candidates can be losing the "good fight" just as the election is approaching.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=593&articleid=20120406_11_A1_CUTLIN487029
Totally unbiased and neutral story by the Tulsa Beacon [/sarcasm]: http://www.tulsabeacon.com/?p=5883

[Teatownclown]

Our town back in the day was run more efficiently and better managed over all under the commission form of government because there were never these reactionaries to stop progress. Today, we find ourselves faced with obstructionism every inch of the way. These types can't deal with change. The rest of us get the butt end of their stingy distorted twistedness. Oh how this happens more on the National level because you Teabagger/GOP'ers out there do not take a stand against the extreme righties. 

[patric]

So maybe just a political ploy to add a dot to their resume?

I would hate to be running for office on the "don't change our trash" platform.

[AquaMan]

Our town back in the day was run more efficiently and better managed over all under the commission form of government because there were never these reactionaries to stop progress. Today, we find ourselves faced with obstructionism every inch of the way. These types can't deal with change. The rest of us get the butt end of their stingy distorted twistedness. Oh how this happens more on the National level because you Teabagger/GOP'ers out there do not take a stand against the extreme righties. 

How do you explain OKC then? I don't blame the mayor/councilor system for the obstructionism though I do agree we were better managed before the change. Some people don't like to be "managed" especially if they have very little say in who gets to manage them. That was the problem with the commission form we had.

Its the personality of negativism here as regards to leadership and that springs from the concentration of wealth, education and power from which our leadership emerges. A more visible example of that is to tune into TGOV then compare and contrast to Tulsa World comments sections.

[Teatownclown]

How do you explain OKC then? I don't blame the mayor/councilor system for the obstructionism though I do agree we were better managed before the change. Some people don't like to be "managed" especially if they have very little say in who gets to manage them. That was the problem with the commission form we had.

Its the personality of negativism here as regards to leadership and that springs from the concentration of wealth, education and power from which our leadership emerges. A more visible example of that is to tune into TGOV then compare and contrast to Tulsa World comments sections.

[shadows]

The old cliché of “we the people” has been changed to “the city hall will decide” and if there is noncompliance we will fine you.  Jefferson fears of mob rule (in Tulsa) are at rest.  Through the electronic media more of the citizens are becoming aware that the noose around their necks grow tighter as more operations of the city are being forced upon them by the expanding bureaucratic city hall.

The changes from individual handling of the trash to loading it by machines will eliminate needed jobs.  It puts the burden on manual loading and positioning of the trash on the citizens and charging them or the trash cop will give them a ticket which can be converted to a fine.
     
The citizens were not educated to the charter change as printed in the legal news on December 15, 1988 (ordinance 17090) but it has been the source of constant eternal confusion in the past 23 years.  Tulsa is changing the people’s authority to rule themselves to non elected trusts. 

As these groups band together they may be able to regain the ability to stand up and determine their needs as citizens.  The greatest obstacle they will encounter could be corrected with a change of venue.
     

[cannon_fodder]

Though I know better...

Shadows: so to keep needed jobs should we bring back milk men, elevator operators, and better yet, hire 50 men to dig holes down riverside and 50 men to fill them back in?  Job creation, yay!

*gasp* change?  I vote no!  Everything must stay the same.  Golden age mentality: the best is behind us and change is always for the worse.  It also ignores reality.

[shadows]

Should we convert all jobs to machines? 
How do we make jobs once we have eliminated them?
Are we able to tax the unemployed into prosperity?
Can you increase the economy by debits spending?
How do we control population when we open the doors to all?
How can we have birth control except with sex toys?
The internet is transferring the once educated into a bunch of zombies.

[RecycleMichael]

The changes from individual handling of the trash to loading it by mahines will eliminate needed jobs. 

The new trash/recycling system will create more jobs through recycling efforts. Please pay attention, shadows...MORE JOBS.

[Hoss]

Should we convert all jobs to machines?  
How do we make jobs once we have eliminated them?
Are we able to tax the unemployed into prosperity?
Can you increase the economy by debits spending?
How do we control population when we open the doors to all?
How can we have birth control except with sex toys?
The internet is transferring the once educated into a bunch of zombies.

Case in point......

[shadows]

RM: good tidings if that is taking away the jobs present and converting those openings to the city payroll.  Will the operation of the recycling venture be operated  by the city budget or will it be a stand alone company?  The trash operation being replaced entailed several ventures and was a private venture in the beginning.
Am not aware where it is possible for any more efficient operation except throwing more money in the operation.  On the bottom line it would seem to read "several increases will be available".

       

[RecycleMichael]

shadows...you really don't read the news or pay attention. Instead you just whine about everything and make inane comments.

Several increases will be available? What kind of pre-emptive crap is that? You just make up stupid stuff for a reason?

A local private company has won the hauling contract. They are experienced and plan to hire many workers. They are also buying their trucks from a local company, another local company is building new re-fueling stations, and a local recycler is investing millions of dollars and hiring dozens of new employees to handle the collected recyclables.

The only thing not local about the new service is buying the carts. There are no Oklahoma companies making these carts.

Yes, the city workers will be transferred to other positions than trash. Some will do green waste some will work on bulky waste, and some will go to work in other departments. An equipment operator is always cross-trained to work on other equipment. Driving a trash truck is not unlike driving a dump truck.   

[bacjz00]

shadows...you really don't read the news or pay attention. Instead you just whine about everything and make inane comments.

Several increases will be available? What kind of pre-emptive crap is that? You just make up stupid stuff for a reason?

A local private company has won the hauling contract. They are experienced and plan to hire many workers. They are also buying their trucks from a local company, another local company is building new re-fueling stations, and a local recycler is investing millions of dollars and hiring dozens of new employees to handle the collected recyclables.

The only thing not local about the new service is buying the carts. There are no Oklahoma companies making these carts.

Yes, the city workers will be transferred to other positions than trash. Some will do green waste some will work on bulky waste, and some will go to work in other departments. An equipment operator is always cross-trained to work on other equipment. Driving a trash truck is not unlike driving a dump truck.   

Game...set...and match.

Shadows, if you post anymore on this, you're just foolish.

[Hoss]

Game...set...and match.

Shadows, if you post anymore on this, you're just foolish.

Be sure, he will.

[Teatownclown]

yeppers Shadows. You'll be given a term TNF sentence and can return as "Shadowclown."