The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Best wishes in the election.  You have proven that you know how to take ideas and execute them!
That's what is needed downtown.

I'm in.

What did I miss?

City Council D4

Conan, aren't you in D4?  Good for Blake; saw the posting on his FB page and he has a FB page now dedicated specifically to his campaign.

I don't spend a lot of time on-line over the weekends, so no wonder I missed it.

Yep, I'm D-4.  I would tend to vote for him over Maria Barnes, but I'd like to see who else enters and learn more about Blake's vision for the whole district.  If I like what I hear, believe he's sincere, and capable of staying out of the gutter politics which has come to typify our city government, he will have a hard time finding a bigger supporter than me.

That job changes people.  I seem to recall a Renaissance Neighborhood leader I thought would change things for the better, and he had visions for downtown.  But it was just downtown, and he ended up being pals with the billboard industry, so we were disappointed in the end. 

D4 resident here.  He has my vote.

Does anyone have a good map of the districts?  I live nearish to Conan, so assume I'm in D4, too . . . but I can't be sure.

(http://maps.cityoftulsa.org/DistrictFinder/District.gif)

Also, you can plug your address into the following and find out what your district is.

http://www.tulsacouncil.org/district-finder/map.aspx

Very nice.  Thanks!

District 4 is one of the most important council district as it includes downtown, urban neighborhoods adjacent to downtown, and TU.  It needs positive leadership that Blake will bring to the table.  It also has the most redevelopment potential of all the districts.

Stalker  ;)

Patric's comment about a certain former D-4 councilor brought question just came to mind.  I've become friends with that councilor, but I'd really have to think long and hard before I'd vote for them again.  Blake has done a great job so far down in the Blue Dome and he appears to have a great vision for downtown, more specifically the Blue Dome.

Playing total devil's advocate here, as I have no idea how I'll vote at this point, I simply wanted to open this to discussion.  Is it a good idea to elect a councilor who has business interests within the district which could end up benefitting from his influence on the council, as far as zoning or development issues.

I know other candidates have been criticized for being part of the development cabal or having narrow interests or being the chosen candidate of money'd Tulsa.  The criticism of the last two D-4 councilors has been one of them was too downtown-centric and the other ignores downtown.

As well, do you choose a councilor who has a lot of irons in the fire right now and simply hope he or she has enough time to take on the hassle of being a councilor?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not hating on Blake at all, I like the idea of his candidacy but I think there really needs to be discussion in every district and in the mayoral administration as to what kind of candidate is truly the best to move forward and get Tulsa back on track again without all the political infighting and self-serving actions of our governmental body.

So far as I can tell, I can't tell Maria has done a whole lot this time around.  She's curiously silent and when she does speak, I gather she's either not up on the issues or simply not all that bright to begin with.

I think the more business interests the better.  A counselor should represent the economic development of her/his district.  I would never elect a counselor who did not OWN businesses in his district. 

He/She should be someone who has had to deal with the good, bad, and absent in their district.  People who own businesses have to fight every step of the way to make their dreams reality.  They are the EXACT people who should be advocates for their community.

I suppose you could elect a member of the moocher class, but you would probably just get more services and less economic growth and opportunity.  Guess it really boils down to what you're going for.

I will volunteer and/or donate, as I have said I would, but I'm 2 blocks outside of the district so I can't vote for the man without fraud...  :l

Unqualified support from me.

Oh, and checckout the website!

He's got my vote.

As for business interests:  it has to be case-by-case.  I'm not into blindly voting in every corporate tool that comes down the pike.  But I am for folks who've demonstrated that their business(es) exist in part to make their home city a better place. 

The folks who run their businesses solely for the betterment of their own bottom lines -- while perfectly within the way we like to define "doing business" -- will not get my vote for anything. They have nothing good to offer the public interest.

Classy website!

http://www.newson6.com/story/14602001/downtown-business-owner-to-run-for-tulsa-city-councilor

I think it is outstanding when people who post/participate in here actually try to make a difference by running for office. Sgrizzle comes to mind.

I am going to run for office soon. I just need to find one that pays a whole lot or has opportunities for making some extra money from my insider knowledge. 

Boy, the things I could say in response to that. :D

I forgot to add spouses of posters/participants of TNF.

I like the fact that his website has being on the Tulsa Now board member as one of his accomplishments.

Yeah, but luckily Blake didn't say "Hey, there are already two very well funded party candidates, let make it a three way!"

Rough days...

Blake will likely have no issue in the primaries and put Maria down in the general, unless she pulls some big $$$ which she has done in the past.

What accomplishments does Maria have to go back to her base and say: "Look what I did!"?

None that I'm aware of.  I think most D-4 constituents would agree.  Last time I saw her was when she came to a Lortondale or Hoover meeting when she was campaigning.

The fact that you took those two on, despite knowing how well funded they were, means a lot in my mind.

I've seen her at a couple of events. Her behavior was not professional either time.

I've heard her husband is even worse.

i have high hopes for him but those are out the door if it is shown he takes money from the CoC PAC or other crony PACs....or gets campaign HQ donated to him from the crony real estate bloc.

Blake, you have a fresh perspective, just don't become a stoogy for the midtown elite....that didn't work out too well for the last stoogy.

I hope Liz Wright runs again....she could bounce the wayward Dora out in the primary.

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aWtwvd9dU9k/Rp7PCv1_bNI/AAAAAAAAACE/vAhCDR1MTZ8/s320/JuSw-Pat.jpg)

 :o

LMAO

Somehow I remember reading that Owen Park? & Crosbie Heights? wanted to be in District 4 (not 1)....... any updates?

Those maps are not finalized yet.  Some of the proposals for the new districts do move Owen Park & Crosbie Heights into district 4.  This was because of those neighborhoods potential and link-ability with downtown.  As a resident of Reservoir Hill I would love for district 4 to include Brady Heights & Reservoir Hill.  But, that is a pipe dream.

So for now, you and Hometown are stuck with Henderson.  Poor guys.

oy

I hear he sneaks around peoples gardens at night to make sure their tomato plants are actually tomatoes.

I busted him trying to light a rolled asparagus once.

Can't find Grizzles awesome Henderson picture. . .

The one where he's sneaking?

Help.

My favorite Henderson sightings are related.  First, after the Gateway Market opened he would just hang out around the entrance making sure everyone saw him.  Second, about three months ago I saw him at the Wal*Mart Neighborhood Market on 21st & Yale.  He saw me, recognized me and ducked for cover behind the photo scanning machine.

Me being me, I went around and stuck out my hand and said hello.

This is hilarious.

Thanks for all the kind words, guys. I sure do appreciate your support.

I love to see entrepreneurs get into politics.  They tend to bring that same spirit back to the people they represent and that's the kind of thing that Dist 4 needs more of!

Looks like Blake is waiting for the last minute. Doesn't appear he has registered yet.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=262&articleid=20110713_262_0_Sevenm84585

Current candidates for District 4:
Maria Barnes, 50, Democrat, incumbent
Ken Brune, 65, Democrat, attorney
Rocky Frisco, 73, Republican, musician
Liz Hunt, 39, Republican, public relations consultant

new blog post with info about campaign kick-off:
http://blakeewing.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/july-13th-and-so-it-begins/