District 4 - 2008 City Council Elections

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by Hippy Steve

I am just curious about one thing at this time.  How did the University of Tulsa, a private school, gain the power to destroy all those businesses along 11th Street?  The Metro Diner was a favorite eating place for a lot of us, plus it's value as a Route 66 landmark is World famous.  The Starship commercial says it all, the monster who ate 11th Street.  Where did they get the power to do this?  Did the Counselor who was, or is, in office just let it happen?  How much power does a Private University have?  How much are they giving back to the city and where is that money?  It sure isn't in the streets and or security in the neighborhoods surrounding the school.

TU partnered with Tulsa Development Authority to condemn those viable businesses on 11st Street.

They condemned viable, property tax paying businesses to transfer them to a non-for-profit organization that pays no property taxes.

They used the pretext of the City of Tulsa MASTER PLAN to facilitate the land grab.

It gave them the "blueprint" to facilitate the land grab.

TU is powerful and well-endowed (financially).  They have the Lortons sitting on their Board of Trustees.

They get what they want.  Kind of like the St. John's and Hillcrest hospitals pushing into the adjoining suburban neighborhoods, to facilitate expansion.

The TMAPC, the BOA, and the Master Plan are designed as clubs to beat the little guy down, by following their elastic rules scrupulously to hammer the little guy.

And, as a giant lever to pry loose ANYTHING they want to give the Big Boys.

Then, if there's an actual hard-and-fast rule against something the big boys want, then they hire the local Prince of Darkness Chas. Norman to grease the skids.

And, TMAPC and BOA gives him anything he wants.

Who wants to duel with the Prince of Darkness?

I always wondered how old W.K. Warren (may the plentiful prayer requests soon be answered to pray him into Purgatory from his current rotating spit in Hades)amassed all that south Tulsa land, even from landowners that didn't want to sell at his price, or even need to sell at all???

Hmmmmh?


[:O]

[Hippy Steve]

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

quote:Originally posted by Hippy Steve

I am just curious about one thing at this time.  How did the University of Tulsa, a private school, gain the power to destroy all those businesses along 11th Street?  The Metro Diner was a favorite eating place for a lot of us, plus it's value as a Route 66 landmark is World famous.  The Starship commercial says it all, the monster who ate 11th Street.  Where did they get the power to do this?  Did the Counselor who was, or is, in office just let it happen?  How much power does a Private University have?  How much are they giving back to the city and where is that money?  It sure isn't in the streets and or security in the neighborhoods surrounding the school.

TU partnered with Tulsa Development Authority to condemn those viable businesses on 11st Street.

They condemned viable, property tax paying businesses to transfer them to a non-for-profit organization that pays no property taxes.

They used the pretext of the City of Tulsa MASTER PLAN to facilitate the land grab.

It gave them the "blueprint" to facilitate the land grab.

TU is powerful and well-endowed (financially).  They have the Lortons sitting on their Board of Trustees.

They get what they want.  Kind of like the St. John's and Hillcrest hospitals pushing into the adjoining suburban neighborhoods, to facilitate expansion.

The TMAPC, the BOA, and the Master Plan are designed as clubs to beat the little guy down, by following their elastic rules scrupulously to hammer the little guy.

And, as a giant lever to pry loose ANYTHING they want to give the Big Boys.

Then, if there's an actual hard-and-fast rule against something the big boys want, then they hire the local Prince of Darkness Chas. Norman to grease the skids.

And, TMAPC and BOA gives him anything he wants.

Who wants to duel with the Prince of Darkness?

I always wondered how old W.K. Warren (may the plentiful prayer requests soon be answered to pray him into Purgatory from his current rotating spit in Hades)amassed all that south Tulsa land, even from landowners that didn't want to sell at his price, or even need to sell at all???

Hmmmmh?


[:O]

Wow, thanks for that answer, I guess we know where the power is and that the Counselors can't even stop the money grubbing rich jerks like the Lortons, or the Mayor.  Money equals power.  I guess that is why I didn't have power for 9 1/2 days and the Mayor had hers the next day.  It's beginning to look like the Counselors are just puppets in the Mayors show.

[Double A]

quote:Originally posted by akupetsky

quote:Originally posted by Steve

quote:Originally posted by TURobY

I still like Maria Barnes, but I'm also considering Jay Matlock.

I don't dislike Barnes, but her invisibility over the past 2 years bothers me.  I will investigate all the alternatives, and then make my choice.  This is the first District 4 council election since the conversion from commission to council gov't. form that I have taken much interest in.

My impression of Maria is that she is not one of those city councilors that grandstands on issues.  

Unless it's baseless attacks on the TPD by claiming they will become rabid racial profilers if they check the immigration status of those booked into the jail for committing a crime. That is a prime example of her grandstanding on the issues.

[FOTD]

FB hits the nail nicely. Norman is old hat but still a good one. He wrote the code. Would you hire the best expert if neccesary to achieve your goals?
My only comment is that the Kendall Whitier area is Tulsa's best example of "urban renewal". Had Educational Institutions, both public and private in the area, not been the gravitational force I would agree %100 with your post. But recalling all the decay and poverty and darkness in that square mile, this rejuvenation is a home run.
Spot on otherwise....

[Double A]

quote:Originally posted by Rocky Frisco

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

Hey, Rocky...who does he have to be? And what kind of question is that anyway? Who the $#** are you?

My name is on my comments and I'm in the phone book. I'm not hiding. The gratuitous insults carry less weight when they're from those afraid to be identified. The newsgroups are bursting with inane, insignificant carping from anonymous  juveniles. Looks like this tendency is spilling over into the forums here. Too bad.

quote:Taking stands on national issues at a local level like drug laws, middle east conflicts, and choice hasn't gotten Tulsa very far in the past. It just isn't in the purview of a city councilor with a strong mayor. Maybe you could tell me how being a vocal libertarian is going to get city work done. These councilors are managers of the city's business...not charismatic policy makers. The more boring they are, the more likely they're taking care of business.

Just another "plink" in D4.

I didn't start the comments on the national issues; I replied to questions from others.

As far as taking care of the City's business, please recall that I'm advocating repairing the streets and bridges and getting more police on duty before we consider spending tax dollars to build sports and entertainment venues and recreational areas. Doesn't this make sense to you?

I have questioned why the entire downtown area has been torn up at the same time and why the work is moving at a snail's pace. Ms. Barnes has been a Councilor for two years now, so I assume she approves of the situation downtown.

What a cry baby. You jump in the pig pen, and then whine about getting dirty. Quick, somebody call the wahhmbulance. BTW, will you run as a John Bircher in the next election? Green party? Labor Party? At least Paul Tay doesn't take himself too seriously, even though he is a more credible candidate.

[RecycleMichael]

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

TU partnered with Tulsa Development Authority to condemn those viable businesses on 11st Street.

They condemned viable, property tax paying businesses to transfer them to a non-for-profit organization that pays no property taxes.

Not true. Don't listen to Friendly Bear if you care about the facts...they just get in the way of his continual conspiracy stories.

Name one of these 11th street properties where condemnation occured.

[RecycleMichael]

quote:Originally posted by Hippy Steve

I guess that is why I didn't have power for 9 1/2 days and the Mayor had hers the next day.  

The mayor had power at her house because she had her own generators. Her neighborhood had no special treatment, despite what you want to believe. The president of PSO is one of her neighbors and he didn't have power for a week.

If I had been the president of the power company, I would have made my neighborhood a priority, but he didn't.

[Double A]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

TU partnered with Tulsa Development Authority to condemn those viable businesses on 11st Street.

They condemned viable, property tax paying businesses to transfer them to a non-for-profit organization that pays no property taxes.

Not true. Don't listen to Friendly Bear if you care about the facts...they just get in the way of his continual conspiracy stories.

Name one of these 11th street properties where condemnation occured.

Where do you get off telling people who to listen to, like you are a credible source? Your  spin is well documented.

[MichaelBates]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

TU partnered with Tulsa Development Authority to condemn those viable businesses on 11st Street.

They condemned viable, property tax paying businesses to transfer them to a non-for-profit organization that pays no property taxes.

Not true. Don't listen to Friendly Bear if you care about the facts...they just get in the way of his continual conspiracy stories.

Name one of these 11th street properties where condemnation occured.

The threat of condemnation was sufficient to cause the owners to sell.

[Double A]

Here's another example of Maria grandstanding on the issues. How about her little lectures to all the appointees on the ABC's about how it is so important to show up to those meetings and how if you can't make the commitment you shouldn't be serving? How many Council committee meetings has she missed? Regular Council meetings? If you're gonna talk the talk, you better walk the walk.

[Chicken Little]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelBates

The threat of condemnation was sufficient to cause the owners to sell.

Or, perhaps, the money was sufficient to cause the owners to sell.[]

[Rocky Frisco]

quote:Originally posted by TURobY

My name is in my profile... but I can break my user name down for you if you'd like:

TU (I go to TU)
Rob (My first name is Robert)
Y (My last name is Young)

I've mentioned my neighborhood several times (Renaissance).

Do you need much more information?

No, but thanks!

Have we met?

[TURobY]

quote:Originally posted by Rocky Frisco


No, but thanks!

Have we met?

No, I don't believe we have met. []

[Rocky Frisco]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Rocky do you have signs?

I live a few blocks from you, my name wouldn't do a thing for you but you'd recognize me if you saw me.  

I just have posters, printed on my own system. My total contributions are less than $200. I think most of my friends don't want me to be elected, since they think all the political BS may distract me from the music. Who knows, they might be right.

I have been doing posters in the windows of local shops, rather than signs on right-of-ways.

Later today, I will leave a stack of posters in The Pie Hole (Pizza) for anybody who wants one or more.

[Rocky Frisco]

quote:Originally posted by TURobY

quote:Originally posted by Rocky Frisco

Can you mention locations in D4 that are historic and endangered? The Metro was world-famous as a favorite business on Route 66. I have seen posters and calendars featuring the Metro in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France. The building and the business could have have easily been preserved, but....

...nobody stopped them. As a councilor, that would be your duty if your constituents agreed, would it not? Or, is the free market running the show?

I think that was probably a case of "immanent domain." I know for a fact that the owners of the Metro did NOT want to shut down.

quote:
You live in D4? What do you think about the callous way the residents are treated when there's a game at the Stadium?

I guess I never noticed. Then again, I also understand what happens when you move next to a university. It's just like moving next to an airport, and then complaining about the noise the jets make...
[/quote]

When my family moved into this neighborhood, TU was a little Podunk college specializing in Petroleum Engineering and sports events were not a problem. It was in relatively modern times that the City government started ticketing residents for parking in front of their own homes when there's a game. Just in the last few years, you can get fined $500 for parking cars in your yard during a game. The situation has deteriorated and continues to do so.

It's more like somebody lived near the airport before the jets were invented, then the roaring started.