The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Does the TulsaNow Forum really matter?

I was just made a ware that our TulsaNow Forum discussion  "Better Streetlights For Tulsa"
 (http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/index.php?topic=11866.0/) was extensively researched in the making of the "Kern County California Zoning Ordinance Revisions", which was impressive in not only do we not really have an official P&Z department, but lil'ol' Tulsa is influencing California towns like Bakersfield, etc.. 
Usually works the other way around.

I think a lot of that had to do with the quality of the discussion, i.e, intelligent questions from people sincere about community planning (as opposed to anonymous rants you get on random forums like Topix.)

Anyway, welcome to TulsaNow West Coasters! 

I am amazed at the number of media people who read TulsaNow. I have heard from many of them who discuss with me things they have read on this forum, including making fun of my comments sometimes.

Every TV station, radio station with news people, and newspaper in town has employees who read TulsaNow.

Good to know. I have often gone through some of our deeper discussions on idea's to improve this or that and have often wondered "why do we put so much effort into this? WIll what we discuss make any real differance?" Makes me feel better knowing that are discussions, and often times research, are not in vain.  Way to go TFN posters.

Do they not post for fear of having an opinion?

They likely do not post because their respective employers won't allow them to.

I could see that a planning agency would research forums like this for a cross-section of opinions on a wide variety of proposals, particularly if public input on their own is lacking.  For instance, Owasso is using a wikiplanning site to solicit public input on their capital improvement plans.  They've also done this with public meetings, but frankly, citizen participation has been dismal.  I don't understand that.  People will grumble endlessly about a poorly designed or poorly implemented project.  They'll complain loud and long over the use of their tax dollars for something they don't want or need.  But they won't get in on the front end and see that those dollars go toward projects they actually desire.

On the other hand, I've seen citizen input dismissed out of hand when it didn't agree with the planner's vision regarding his pet project or when elected officials change it for political reasons. 

Wow!  I wrote "People will b***h endlessly..." and when it posted, it was changed to "grumble"!  When did the automatic bowdlerization begin?  I must have missed the memo.

It's been around since the SMF upgrade. I didn't realize it would substitute words that one can say on radio or over the air television, too.

  Occasionally we do have some good discussions on here.  I know I have learned a lot and said some stuuupid things along the way.  But occasionally when my better angels have prevailed and I have said something worthwhile, I have had people contact me and let me know that what was said was paid attention to, and changes were made. Oh, and great work on the streetlight thing Patric. I have learned much about lighting from you, and now realize that there are all kinds of things that make a difference in instances that before, I may not have given a second though.

This is cool. I was just certain I was about to read a "TNF is lame" post.   Well done patric. I don't follow the lighting threads so much as it's not a topic I've got much interest in but I'm thankful we all bring our own interest and expertise to the forum. Hopefully the city and county will take note of your lighting expertise at some point.

If they don't post then I guess it does not matter one way or the other what they think- We'll never know. ::)

Dammit Dorothy.