"Gonna amend the Chart-er"

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We buildum big bonfire and do stomp dance around it chanting “We gonna amend the chart-er; we gonna amend the chart-er”.  

The last time consolidating all the amendments and submitting them as a single amendment made a major amendment to the charter.  It was in the process for about 25 years with voter rejecting it.  The final amendment tally was near $300,000 as an expert was called in to get it changed.

The recent attempt to recall councilors would seem to be likening a three-ring circus where the proponents and opponents were playing in the wrong ring.    The charter was not in fault but the lack of about 80 hours of research made impossible a solution to an action that is reserved to the citizens of the State of Oklahoma.  Although stumbling through, a solution was forwarded to a justified end.   You can count on your finger plus one of those who are elected in the city that are subject to recalled.  Where we once elected the judges now they are appointed by favoritism (new democracy process) which makes them immune from recall.  The same process appoints the heads of the department as well as the police chief.  In the wide interpretations now used there are many sections that could be called flawed.

The charter now, after 14 years activated and 25 years in previous attempts to change it has become a focal point for another round of want-a-make changes.  From the standpoint of passed experiences there are about five small groups the changes must be submitted to.   The sudden withdrawal of the proponents in the last five days before the recall election, leaving the Tulsa World as spokesman, should be an indication also, the scepter is held in the hands of the silent ones that rule over Tulsa.  They have a good hold on the staff thus to wrestling it from their grip may be difficult.

As far as the council creating amendments to the present charter, one must remember the Charter created a “may I“ council with a “yes stamp.”   E-mails should be sent to Charles or verbally delivered at one of his frequent appearances before the council.

If an amendment were submitted to increase the councilors to be elected at large, its purpose would be to dilute the votes of the minority.  It is time to ask ourselves who are the true Tulsans?  There are many ethnic groups that are growing each day and by their numbers soon they will control elections.  If we ask for the Tulsans to stand up there sure would be a lot of standing persons in the suburban towns encircling Tulsa.  

“We gonna amend the chart-er” has been chanted for over a half-a-century.  Good luck on another try.