One year later... let's grade KT...

[brunoflipper]

Now keep in mind... I voted for her... I campaigned for her... And I gave her some coin... But, lately, I've beeen asking myself "where's the beef?"

Now before you bash me... we all know who works for her and I am well aware that what looks like it might be an excellent comprhensive plan is in the pipeline...

but i think it is worth asking, what have we really seen happen in the past year?

So here are her "accomplishments" per her website...

Day 1 Mayor Kathy Taylor sworn in as 38th Mayor of Tulsa Oklahoma in the largest voter turnout in history (April 10, 2006)
Excellent

Day 18 Submits a balanced budget to Tulsa City Council (April 27, 2006)
Yeah but somebody had to


Day 32 Implements weekly meetings with members of the City Council to discuss issues important to the City (May 11, 2006)
This was a nice shift in management styles


Day 58 Announces Neighborfest events to be held in all city council districts *culminating with an all city neighborfest* to showcase parks, and encourage citizens to get to know each other and work to make public safety a community wide effort (June 6, 2006)
Another good idea from the "new" mayor

Day 89 Breaks ground on first new home to be constructed in the Northgate addition in 30 years (July 7, 2006)
Was this really because of her?


Day 143 Announces private sponsors for the BOK Event Center with over $16 million in private sector investment (August 30, 2006)
Great... but had little to do with the mayor's office

Day 149 Announces addition of Don Himelfarb, former Chief Administrative Officer of Dollar Thrifty to be City's Director of Economic Development (September 5, 2006)
This will probably play out very well


Day 164 Joins with U.S. Attorney David O'Melia to host \Building a Safer Tulsa" working summit to address Gang Violence (September 20, 2006) Day 186 Capitol One announces 600 jobs in Tulsa (October 12, 2006)
This was an outstanding move


Day 187 Broke ground on the new Morton Health Clinic- a Vision 2025 project (October 13, 2006)
V2025 predates KT...

Day 195 Travels to the Middle East with leaders from all over the United States on a Joint Civilian Orientation Conference- sponsored by the US Department of Defense. Read Mayor Taylor's Trip Blog  (October 21, 2006)
YeeHaw... Not sure what in the hell KT got done for the citizenry of t-town but i'll bet it was fun trip


Day 267 Joins fellow Oklahomans in celebrating the State Centennial celebration as Oklahoma leads the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California. (January 1, 2007)
Silly

Day 271 Launched "Mayor's Mentoring to the Max" to help implement a recommendation of Tulsa's Building a Safer Tulsa working gang summit. Primary sponsor was Bank of America, (January 5, 2007)
Well done


Day 272 Announces a new Mayor's fitness challenge partner, Dr. Sharon Schaffner who will host "Fitness for Life" to help promote better health in the community (January 6, 2007)
Blehh... PR stunt

Day 302 Express Jet Airlines announces new direct flights to San Diego, Austin, Albuquerque, San Antonio, Sacramento and LA (February 5, 2007)
Very cool but not because of the mayor's office

Day 305 Announces gift of $12.6 million from the George Kaiser Family Foundation to match city's funds of $2.6 million (out of the 2006 third penny sales tax) to provide trail beautification on Riverparks (February 8, 2007)
Thanks Kaiser... KT, not so much

Day 310 Mayor Kathy Taylor dedicates the newly remodeled air terminal at Tulsa International Airport (February 13, 2007)
Not because of her

Day 317 Hosts first meeting with tribal leaders. The "Three Chief Economic Development Meeting" brought together chiefs from the Osage, Creek and Cherokee nations (February 20, 2007)
This is worth mentioning as a plus for her

Day 315 Hosts publisher of Forbes Magazine, Richard Kaarlgard to Tulsa to collaborate on innovative ideas for Tulsa's economic success (February 20, 2007)
This one is a credit in her favor

Day 321 Makes operatic debut performing the role of the Mayor of Seville in Tulsa Opera's performance of Carmen (February 24, 2007)
This one is asinine

Day 323 Launches Tulsa's first ever Entrepreneurship Week and announces YouTube videos of Tulsa's entrepreneurs as well as the Tulsa Spirit Award, a $25,000 award to the best business plan submitted -- Tulsa Spirit Award  (February 26, 2007)
This is also a credit to her

Day 339 Announces Tulsa Achieves Scholarship with Tulsa Community College to provide a tuition-free college education to graduates of Tulsa County high schools who maintain a 2.0 grad average Read More  (March 14, 2007)
Was this really a result of HER being in office?

Day 341 Announces the City has signed an option to purchase One Technology Center, which, if executed, will allow current City Hall space to be used for much needed convention center hotel (March 16, 2007)
Kudos to KT

Day 345 Dedicates new housing development on Cincinnati and Oklahoma provided through assistance with the Tulsa Development Authority in partnership with Oltman Properties. Bank of Oklahoma provides 0% interest and 103% of value loan opportunities for entry level homes (March 20, 2007)
Was this really a result of HER being in office?

Day 346 Participates in the "floor breaking" for the downtown First Street lofts (March 21, 2007)
Again, V2025- predates KT

Day 348 Announces Coca-Cola will bring 300 jobs to Tulsa (average $30k salary to Eastgate shopping center (March 23, 2007)
Again, was this really a result of HER being in office?

Day 354 Appoints the 200th vacancy on authorities boards and commissions and achieves goal of expanding base of Tulsans who serve on boards (March 29, 2007)
This one counts for her

So I'm gonna go with B-

[Cubs]

But when she was running, her big issue was reducing crime ..... and we all know how that is coming together ... I mean NOT coming together.

[RecycleMichael]

Day 321 Makes operatic debut performing the role of the Mayor of Seville in Tulsa Opera's performance of Carmen (February 24, 2007)

It was pretty funny. I was there and she wore the most hideous dress I have ever seen. You would think she would want to forget that one.

[Wilbur]

quote:Originally posted by brunoflipper

Now keep in mind... I voted for her... I campaigned for her... And I gave her some coin... But, lately, I've beeen asking myself "where's the beef?"

Now before you bash me... we all know who works for her and I am well aware that what looks like it might be an excellent comprhensive plan is in the pipeline...

but i think it is worth asking, what have we really seen happen in the past year?

So here are her "accomplishments" per her website...

Day 1 Mayor Kathy Taylor sworn in as 38th Mayor of Tulsa Oklahoma in the largest voter turnout in history (April 10, 2006)
Excellent
Agree.  Everyone should vote.

Day 18 Submits a balanced budget to Tulsa City Council (April 27, 2006)
Yeah but somebody had to
As every mayor before her has done, as well.  It's a requirement.  You can't submit a budget with a deficit.

Day 32 Implements weekly meetings with members of the City Council to discuss issues important to the City (May 11, 2006)
This was a nice shift in management styles
Agree.  Something had to be done after the disaster left by LaFortune, although, anything would have been an improvement.


Day 58 Announces Neighborfest events to be held in all city council districts *culminating with an all city neighborfest* to showcase parks, and encourage citizens to get to know each other and work to make public safety a community wide effort (June 6, 2006)
Another good idea from the "new" mayor
Basically the same as National Night Out, which has been going on for years and usually happens in September.

Day 89 Breaks ground on first new home to be constructed in the Northgate addition in 30 years (July 7, 2006)
Was this really because of her?


Day 143 Announces private sponsors for the BOK Event Center with over $16 million in private sector investment (August 30, 2006)
Great... but had little to do with the mayor's office
Still wondering about the back-door deal after BOK lost money on the airline and how this worked with the new arena.

Day 149 Announces addition of Don Himelfarb, former Chief Administrative Officer of Dollar Thrifty to be City's Director of Economic Development (September 5, 2006)
This will probably play out very well


Day 164 Joins with U.S. Attorney David O'Melia to host \Building a Safer Tulsa" working summit to address Gang Violence (September 20, 2006) Day 186 Capitol One announces 600 jobs in Tulsa (October 12, 2006)
This was an outstanding move
That's okay, but we really need the community's support more.  Crime only goes as high as the community will let it go, or how much they will tolerate.


Day 187 Broke ground on the new Morton Health Clinic- a Vision 2025 project (October 13, 2006)
V2025 predates KT...

Day 195 Travels to the Middle East with leaders from all over the United States on a Joint Civilian Orientation Conference- sponsored by the US Department of Defense. Read Mayor Taylor's Trip Blog  (October 21, 2006)
YeeHaw... Not sure what in the hell KT got done for the citizenry of t-town but i'll bet it was fun trip


Day 267 Joins fellow Oklahomans in celebrating the State Centennial celebration as Oklahoma leads the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California. (January 1, 2007)
Silly

Day 271 Launched "Mayor's Mentoring to the Max" to help implement a recommendation of Tulsa's Building a Safer Tulsa working gang summit. Primary sponsor was Bank of America, (January 5, 2007)
Well done


Day 272 Announces a new Mayor's fitness challenge partner, Dr. Sharon Schaffner who will host "Fitness for Life" to help promote better health in the community (January 6, 2007)
Blehh... PR stunt

Day 302 Express Jet Airlines announces new direct flights to San Diego, Austin, Albuquerque, San Antonio, Sacramento and LA (February 5, 2007)
Very cool but not because of the mayor's office

Day 305 Announces gift of $12.6 million from the George Kaiser Family Foundation to match city's funds of $2.6 million (out of the 2006 third penny sales tax) to provide trail beautification on Riverparks (February 8, 2007)
Thanks Kaiser... KT, not so much

Day 310 Mayor Kathy Taylor dedicates the newly remodeled air terminal at Tulsa International Airport (February 13, 2007)
Not because of her

Day 317 Hosts first meeting with tribal leaders. The "Three Chief Economic Development Meeting" brought together chiefs from the Osage, Creek and Cherokee nations (February 20, 2007)
This is worth mentioning as a plus for her
Nice move.  Hope it pays off.

Day 315 Hosts publisher of Forbes Magazine, Richard Kaarlgard to Tulsa to collaborate on innovative ideas for Tulsa's economic success (February 20, 2007)
This one is a credit in her favor

Day 321 Makes operatic debut performing the role of the Mayor of Seville in Tulsa Opera's performance of Carmen (February 24, 2007)
This one is asinine

Day 323 Launches Tulsa's first ever Entrepreneurship Week and announces YouTube videos of Tulsa's entrepreneurs as well as the Tulsa Spirit Award, a $25,000 award to the best business plan submitted -- Tulsa Spirit Award  (February 26, 2007)
This is also a credit to her

Day 339 Announces Tulsa Achieves Scholarship with Tulsa Community College to provide a tuition-free college education to graduates of Tulsa County high schools who maintain a 2.0 grad average Read More  (March 14, 2007)
Was this really a result of HER being in office?
I doubt it.  This is really a PR move on the part of TCC, which continues to grow.

Day 341 Announces the City has signed an option to purchase One Technology Center, which, if executed, will allow current City Hall space to be used for much needed convention center hotel (March 16, 2007)
Kudos to KT
No kudos.  This type of building goes against every recommendation by Homeland Security for government buildings.  While I agree a new City Hall is needed, and this building has a serious 'cool' factor, it's not the best for a City Hall.

Day 345 Dedicates new housing development on Cincinnati and Oklahoma provided through assistance with the Tulsa Development Authority in partnership with Oltman Properties. Bank of Oklahoma provides 0% interest and 103% of value loan opportunities for entry level homes (March 20, 2007)
Was this really a result of HER being in office?

Day 346 Participates in the "floor breaking" for the downtown First Street lofts (March 21, 2007)
Again, V2025- predates KT

Day 348 Announces Coca-Cola will bring 300 jobs to Tulsa (average $30k salary to Eastgate shopping center (March 23, 2007)
Again, was this really a result of HER being in office?

Day 354 Appoints the 200th vacancy on authorities boards and commissions and achieves goal of expanding base of Tulsans who serve on boards (March 29, 2007)
This one counts for her

So I'm gonna go with B-

You left out the removal of how many department heads?  You left out the secrecy behind the new police chief selection process.

I agree she is doing far better then LaFortune, but I'll probably agree with your grade score.

[rwarn17588]

I honestly don't think we'll get a good feeling for how well she's doing until after year 2.

And looking over your post, Bruno, I see a number of accolades and only one truly bad review -- for her brief part in an opera that has no consequences in any way.

The first year is mostly a case of getting your feet wet and making sure you don't make any big, long-term mistakes, although I think Operation Bullet Trap gained quick results that were desperately needed at the time, and hiring Don Himelfarb certainly was a good move.

[brunoflipper]

quote:Originally posted by rwarn17588

I honestly don't think we'll get a good feeling for how well she's doing until after year 2.

And looking over your post, Bruno, I see a number of accolades and only one truly bad review -- for her brief part in an opera that has no consequences in any way.

The first year is mostly a case of getting your feet wet and making sure you don't make any big, long-term mistakes, although I think Operation Bullet Trap gained quick results that were desperately needed at the time, and hiring Don Himelfarb certainly was a good move.

at best, most of the accolades are "golf clap" worthy...

i was hoping for a "whopper" in the first year...

[swake]

The Camelot deal is also in her favor.

And I would say that with the mess in TPD and LaFortune's bungling in his handling of those issues the private search is probably a plus, not a negative. Crime is down, but the city needs more money for more cops and with issues like the EMSA fee and backing property taxes for fire protection she seems to be trying to address the money issues as well.

She also handled the cost overruns on the arena as well as she could have.

LaFortune left her a huge mess in the budget, in crime, in the arena, TPD, and in the confidence in city government. She's handled most of those as well as could be hoped for.

I would like to have seen more leadership on the river and on downtown development. And I would like to see more vision from her and for her to be more vocal in the production of the comprehensive plan and overall city direction.

B/B+

Anyone would look at least decent after Lafortune though. Worst mayor ever.

[TheArtist]

It would seem to me that in the first year its what is being started and worked towards that is important.  After starting to get a feel for how things work with a city and its government, I realize that anything of real import unfortunately takes a looooot of time. Meetings, planning, politics with opposing parties, more meetings, studies, time tables, establishing step by step goals, more meetings, of course lots of paperwork and checking things out with the legal department, yet more meetings, etc, etc, etc, etc,....Even the smallest and most obvious things can get bogged down in process. Sometimes we are glad for the process when its something we don't likeor something that could be an unwise expense, but we abhore it when it is slowing down something we do want. Ask Jamie about the Pearl and getting Form Based codes there lol.


Take the guy wanting to do something by the river like a Branson Landing.  He could probably be ready to go at any time. But it was just announce that an environmental impact study would have to be done that would take about a year before anything can be done over there, no matter who builds. Thats frustrating.  The low water dam studies in Jenks and Sand Springs will also take about a year. Unfortunately you cant just decide to do something and then have it immediately start. Once you make the descision, its the process that starts, nothing more.

I say give her at least one more year to see what she has done, how hard she has pushed and kept on the process and how far along some important things are in that process. lol

[cannon_fodder]

First off, as far as election turnout is concerned... I'm against the 'get out the vote' campaigns as I think most people dont pay any attention and are basically ignorant of any political activity that may or may not have an affect on their daily lives.  In addition to that, it makes my vote more powerful.  Stay home if you want to.
---

Per the mayor, I have to admit to I am in no way as up to date as some people on this subject.  I read the papers, participate here, and listen to some KRMG and read the Urban Tulsa from time to time.  I have my ear to the ground, but dont really pay close attention to her day to day activities.

That said, she gets a "C" or a 5/10 or whatever.  She has not made any huge gaffs or destroyed any promises, but she hasnt done anything exciting either.  To me it seems to swapped an old money do nothing mayor for a new money do nothing mayor.  I hope I'm wrong and she is working on bringing something to the table, but for now, it seems like the status quo to me.

Yes things have happened.  But most of it predated her or was without the mayor involvement.  If she has done wonderful things to improve my life in Tulsa I havent noticed them yet.  So she had better get on it... she's out next election at this rate (if someone else can afford to run).

[rwarn17588]

I think it's awfully premature to predict Taylor's demise.

Really bad stuff has to happen in years 3 and 4 for her to get tossed, I think, especially since her predecessor was so dreadful.

Remember LaFortune? He was riding high after Vision 2025 passed and seemed unstoppable. But he started heading south in a big way in late 2003 / early 2004 and never turned it around. Those last two years for Bill were a killer.

I think the day Bill jumped the shark was when he said more cops on the streets would make the crime rate *rise.*

[cannon_fodder]

I'm not predicting anything, I wont vote for her unless she does something.  I wouldnt pay someone 100K a year to head my company just to maintain the status quo and I wont vote someone into office to do the same.  Unless the status quo was really rockin', which it 'taint.

(yes I said taint)

[rwarn17588]

She's not paid $100K a year. She deferred her salary.

Does that change anything?

[cannon_fodder]

No, her staff is paid more than her salary in excess of LaFortunes was.  So in the end game, the mayors office is spending MORE money.  

Not to mention, while I commend her for deferring her salary, I would gladly hand anyone a $100,000 check if they can make Tulsa a better place to live.  In my view, she hasnt done that.  If she cant in 4 years, I'll do all I can to give the chance to someone else.  Except Paul Tae, he needs to get his donkey off of Harvard.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by rwarn17588

She's not paid $100K a year. She deferred her salary.

Does that change anything?

Not really since the net payroll costs went up.

Everyone else see's Himelfarb as a benefit, and he get's quoted in the news frequently, but $105K a year is a lot of money for an official spokesperson for a city our size.

I'll take a wait-see approach for the next year and see what she does that is substantive.  There are a lot of things that happen due to other's involvement and influence that mayors get to take credit for.  They also get kicked for things they don't really have a lot of influence on.

The last couple of years of LaFortune all I could think of was Mickey Rooney's mentally-retarded character "Bill".

[inteller]

you didn't giver her an "A"?  WELL THAT'S JUST KRAZY!