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Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: TulsaSooner on February 05, 2008, 07:01:40 pm Didn't see this posted elsewhere. Pretty good public exchange you don't hear about every day. This, along with the pay raise for Councilors whining, doesn't put Councilor Henderson in a great light IMO.
Tulsa Mayor And City Council Trade Jabs Over New Building Concepts The home of city government in Tulsa is moving to a newer, nicer building. One city councilor believes the council might not have the kind of offices they deserve. The home of city government in Tulsa is moving to a newer, nicer building. But, as The News On 6's Emory Bryan reports, one city councilor believes the council might not have the kind of offices they deserve. Councilor Jack Henderson has concerns about parking and access for the public and worries the council offices won't be as nice as what the mayor might get, though the mayor says that's not true. In reviewing the cost of moving into a new city hall building, Mayor Kathy Taylor called Councilor Jack Henderson on the carpet for saying she is not answering his questions. "You have intimated that I have refused to meet with you and provide you with information. Let me remind you. I met with you on December 5th at 1 pm for 2 hours and you advised me of your priority for that building and let me quote from my notes; ‘I voted to put you in that glass building and I deserve whatever kind of office I want.' That is my goal, Councilor Henderson, that you can get in the office you want," said Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor. The terse exchange came during a city council meeting about the One Technology Center, which will be Tulsa's new city hall. Henderson thought the plans for the new building gave the mayor a better looking office than the council. "One drawing showed the mayor's name in gold and the council's name in black and her elevators on the 15th floor were surrounded by wood and wood grain and ours were just plain old elevators," said Councilor Jack Henderson with the Tulsa City Council. Drawings show a concept, not a plan, of how the council offices might appear in the new building. It's already much nicer than the current city hall and the mayor wants to make as few changes as possible to it to save money. But, she reminded the council if they want to make it nicer than it already is they're free to do that. "It's not a high priority to me, if it is to the councilors, they have ultimate budget control and they can make the decision to spend the funds to have whatever finishes and offices they request," said Mayor Taylor. Henderson said he just thinks the mayor and council should have similar accommodations. In the meeting, the mayor announced the top two floors in the building, which are deluxe offices, will likely be leased out to a company that has made the city an offer to take that extra space the city doesn't need. http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=7827591 Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: swake on February 05, 2008, 07:18:55 pm But,
I thought Jack and Roscoe were working day and night on a grocery store for Pine and Peoria?? Instead Jack's worrying about the quality of the woodgrain in the elevator lobby outside his office??? Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: inteller on February 05, 2008, 07:20:59 pm that was the best thing I have seen on TV in a LONG time. Yay for someone putting Krazy Kathy in her place. I haven't seen that ***** so pissed off since Channel 2 was chasing her around with a mic.
Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Conan71 on February 05, 2008, 09:11:02 pm I think Henderson's lost his mind. Give the councilors a friggin' broom closet, it's a part time job, right?
Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Double A on February 05, 2008, 11:00:24 pm Anybody got a link to the TGOV video of the UEDC meeting?
Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: FOTD on February 05, 2008, 11:26:36 pm Government buildings are so 20th century.
My conservative side sez, "reduce the size of the city government until it will drown in a detention pond." Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Conan71 on February 06, 2008, 12:05:18 am quote: I might just be the first person from this forum to buy you a drink if you could pull that off. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: sgrizzle on February 06, 2008, 07:06:28 am From that story, I call this one for the mayor. One person draws a drawing and the city council sign used black letters...
WAAAAAAAaaaa WAAAAAAaaaa Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: RecycleMichael on February 06, 2008, 07:27:44 am I am sure the council offices will be much better in the new building than they have now.
I am in favor of using gold paint to paint their name on the door. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: TheArtist on February 06, 2008, 09:20:26 am If a company wants to lease out the 14th and 15th floors then I think that money for the city takes precidence over what floor the councilors end up on. Whining to the mayor that she promised them "the councilors" the 15th floor is absurd. The city needs to get businesses to rent out part of that building, and if they want the 14th and 15th floors,,, so be it.
Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: TulsaSooner on February 06, 2008, 09:34:27 am Yeah, I'm chaling this one up to the Mayor as well. Henderson looks like a complete idiot making this argument IMO. Completely ridiculous, especially after whining about a pay raise too.
And this is the first I've heard about a company leasing the 14th and 15th floors. That would leave the city about what.....4 or 5 actual office floors? Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: breitee on February 06, 2008, 02:12:51 pm Henderson IS a complete idiot.
Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Breadburner on February 06, 2008, 02:19:21 pm I think he might huff some gold paint in his office.....
Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Wilbur on February 06, 2008, 04:01:33 pm If Henderson thinks his office is bad, he should see mine.
Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: cannon_fodder on February 06, 2008, 04:29:24 pm What a tool. I read that and was appalled by the very notion. Not only that he demanded a better office, but that the his defense was that all he wanted was for his office to be the same as the mayors.
Anyone know how a Senator's office stacks up to the Oval Office? Or how a state legislature looks compared to the Governors? I'm pretty sure the executive head has the nicest executive office at all levels of government as well as in the business world. What a fool. Maybe such elected dolts are the reason some parts of our city remain sub-par. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Breadburner on February 06, 2008, 05:50:07 pm quote: He is his own worst enemy as well as the Northsides..... Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: PonderInc on February 07, 2008, 03:08:47 pm Sounds like the "deluxe" offices in the building will be rented out...making the move to the new building more fiscally sound. That should make everyone happy.
As for the need to have fancy city council offices...how often do councilors host visiting dignitaries? How often do they meet with CEO's from major corporations who are considering relocating to Tulsa? Why would they want to appear flashy and wasteful, when they spend so much time talking about fiscal responsibility? How would it look to their constituents...most of whom consider themselves lucky if they have a white collar job with benefits and get to work in a 6x6 cubicle? Could it be...ego? Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Double A on February 07, 2008, 07:20:33 pm How many of you actually watched the meeting? Da Mare didn't have answers, so she decided to engage in personal attacks and the politics of distraction, instead of answering the questions. BTW, if the da Mare is so busy with city business why does she have time to keep track of who the councilors have lunch with?
Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Double A on February 07, 2008, 07:27:13 pm quote: How ironic considering Krazy Kathy used the argument that the current city hall does not portray the right image to people doing business at city hall? If it really didn't matter what kind of office she has, then she should have been she should have been satisfied with the current facilities. She can't have it both ways. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Rico on February 07, 2008, 09:03:39 pm quote: There is quite a bit more to this story.... It is interesting that on some days the "Tulsa World" is gospel... and on others... toilet paper. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Conan71 on February 07, 2008, 10:18:44 pm Rico, you wouldn't be making reference to the newly unveiled rumor that the M & E facility at 23rd & Jackson/Elwood/whatever the damn survey says- (which should be $50mm worth of prime riverfront real estate served by the only functionting low water dam in Tulsa County) will no longer be merged into OTC, nor another building or two, would you?
How much extra did the city pay Staubach again for the sale of OTC going through vs. not going through? I'm starting to wonder what the hell is going on at the M/E shop. Have they dumped more oil on their property over the years than the concrete plant and the city can't feasibly sell it off to developers? What really is going on at the west end of the 21st/23rd bridge? Sounds like consolidating all departments at OneTech was more than a pipe dream. More like a crack pipe dream. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Hometown on February 08, 2008, 12:34:37 pm It's pretty clear to me that Henderson was set up to look like a fool and Testy Kathy's cohorts played along. The way this was executed, the office thing looks like a diversion to distract us from other issues.
Ms. Taylor, I live in Henderson's district and your attack on him was an attack on my district. I'm a lifelong Democrat that always votes and I'm going to have a hard time casting another vote for you. I want a Mayor not a pushy CEO looking for a yes man. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: TURobY on February 08, 2008, 12:42:33 pm If I could roll my eyes any harder, they might fall out of my head.
Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Wilbur on February 08, 2008, 04:18:00 pm quote: Lets be clear. Both are playing this game. Henderson is having a difficult time getting his head to fit through any door simply because he is a councilor. Well, he puts his pants on just like everyone else. And to hear him complain that is office is only 12 by whatever with an old desk, two old chairs, ......., he still wouldn't want my office, which is smaller then his, houses 12 people with two desks and one computer. You don't see me demanding to be on the 15th floor of the new city hall with oak trimmed elevator doors. He needs to rein in the ego a little bit. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Hometown on February 08, 2008, 05:01:53 pm He had a list of questions. What were his other questions? I suspect it was his other questions that struck Ms. Taylor's nerve.
Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Rico on February 08, 2008, 08:16:45 pm quote: ^ Very true.. Questions that do not have answers. I go to City Hall 2 to 3 times a week. Where is the parking going to be? What agencies that are housed on Denver are going to be moved? Where are the Council meetings going to be? INCOG? TMAPC? Christianson was told "they would walk him through every step of the finances pertaining to the OTC deal. Subsequent management of the building etc." Of course that was before the vote. It makes this Mayor look extremely small minded for there to the comments made by her at the meeting. Why is there not a more cordial relationship between the council and the Mayor's office.? There should be someone designated to acquire the info for the council. A liaison of sorts. I thought possibly that was part of Baker's duty but I guess not. There is quite a bit more to the story. If just this issue alone could be settled it would help. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: TulsaSooner on February 08, 2008, 09:23:27 pm What do you go to City Hall for 2-3 times a week? As for parking, there is a large lot on the SE corner from OTC, I assume they'll use that for public parking.
The Council Meetings will be at OTC; part of the "remodel" to be done includes a Council Chamber, I believe. INCOG has its own office, I don't know that it's supposed to move to OTC so I'm not sure why they would be impacted. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Rico on February 08, 2008, 09:34:46 pm quote: No offense... but what I go anywhere for is kinda my business... ya know.. INCOG offices, I was fairly sure, were not being moved.. The meetings of the BOA and the TMAPC are both held in the Francis Chandler building. Because of it's proximity to City Hall that may have to change. Or will it? The parking suggestion you offer does not allow the ease of access that we now have. If that is the plan it is a piss poor one. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: TulsaSooner on February 08, 2008, 09:58:50 pm All ya had to do was say it was top secret. I wasn't prying, I just wasn't sure what went on at City Hall requiring 2-3 visits a week. Contractors I could see, but they go to the Hartford Building.
Francis-Cambellis the Council chambers, if anyone has meetings in there I don't know why they couldn't have them in the new council chambers. Well, it probably isn't metered parking so maybe that will help alleviate some concerns...the current City Hall doesn't have free parking. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: sgrizzle on February 09, 2008, 12:05:01 pm quote: OH MY GOD YOU HAVE TO CROSS A STREET!?!?!?! CANCEL THE WHOLE PROJECT NOW!!!! /sarcasm off OTC has one parking garage in place, another city garage being built across from the PAC and te aforementioned lot SE of OTC. Not to mention, the only semi-convenient parking for the current city hall is visitors only with employees having to park at the convention center or worse. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: patric on February 09, 2008, 12:37:27 pm In reading the World's slant, Im guessing Henderson isnt their pick in the next election, and there just going to work on him.
Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Double A on February 09, 2008, 01:55:38 pm quote: Really? I haven't been down there lately, when did they break ground? Will it be ready for business when the City opens up shop at her majesty's crystal castle? Or is that just the latest verse of misleading misdirection and manipulation from Kathy's Kool-Aid Khorus. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: sgrizzle on February 09, 2008, 03:19:36 pm quote: Okay, by "being" I meant "to be built" This garage has nothing to do with OTC, it as the next to be built before OTC was a glimmer in anyone's eye. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: Double A on February 09, 2008, 10:58:30 pm quote: Mmmm, I smell a steaming hot plate of the sgrizzle special being served- no steak, all sizzle. Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: TURobY on February 09, 2008, 11:12:43 pm quote: Call me naive, but that sizzle is more than you've provided. I'll have to give this round to sgrizzle. sgrizzle (1) - Double A (0) Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: si_uk_lon_ok on February 10, 2008, 06:19:19 am I find the idea that downtown lacks parking a strange idea. Did the acres of surface parking get built on since the last time I was there?
(http://www.tulsanow.org/uploaded_images/parking-768000.JPG) Title: Mayor vs Henderson, Round 1 Post by: shadows on February 13, 2008, 08:25:18 am The new fantasy of moving city operations under one roof was much more clear to the councilors when this was all being proposed to buy the monstrosity where the cost on maintenance can outdistance the old falling down city hall.
The problem of the back door trail to circumvent the electoral process of G bonds being issued, has succumbs as revenue bonds and the strong mayor charter leave the councilor as representatives of their districts. Their duty is limited to listening to the details of the mayor’s dictates and as district representative takes them back to their constituents. Meanwhile there are two councilors that can start cleaning out their cubby hole office desks on the pigeon run in the falling down city hall. I wish I could get the same tax assessor to look at my 60 year old house which has increased 800% in value. |