Apparently someone made a big booboo, but they can't tell us until 2:30...
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20090121_298_0_Author859553
BREAKING NEWS
Something is going to happen to someone tomorrow.
For more details, wake up tomorrow.
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
Apparently someone made a big booboo, but they can't tell us until 2:30...
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20090121_298_0_Author859553
It's called blind scooping.
"We don't know anything, but we want to be the first to report to you that we don't know anything."
Former public works managers, businessmen indicted on bribery, fraud charges
By DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer
Published: 1/22/2009 2:03 PM
Last Modified: 1/22/2009 2:25 PM
Two former managers in the city's Public Works Department and four area businessmen have been charged in indictments unsealed Thursday with allegedly participating in bribery and fraud schemes that purportedly involved millions of dollars intended for city streets, bridges and other public works projects.
Larry Wayne Baker, a 52-year-old former design engineering manager, and Albert S. Martinez, a 47-year-old former field engineering manager, are separately charged with either receiving or paying bribes to influence the awarding of contracts by the city of Tulsa for engineering consulting services.
Others charged with various related crimes include Harlan Eugene Yocham, 49, of Sapulpa; Max Elliot Wolf, 56, of Owasso; Kenneth Kirk Shoemaker, 46, of Bartlesville and 48-year-old Stuart Jay Franklin of Claremore.
There are four indictments involved.
No Poe?
I see on the world someone is already blaming Kathy Taylor but it says the two CoT people are former employees. When did they leave and under what circumstances?
Oh come on , nothing like this would happen in Tulsa[:P]
Bunch of *naysayers* around here
Looks like Baker left in 2006/2007
He worked on the Main Mall remodel (surprise)
I put all blame on Biker Fox.
Mr. Burns
If Charles Hardt keeps his job after this, Kathy Taylor should definitely lose hers. The s*#t is hitting the fan and our "proactive" CEO Mare is in a reactive crisis mode. Corruption thrives where there is an incompetent lack of supervision or those in authority are willing accomplices. I wonder which category Taylor the Tyrant and Charles Hardt will fall into?
Reactive crisis mode? Has she commented yet?
I have to say, I was rather disappointed in the "small fish" nature of the indictment. It may have been Mudschlock saying this afternoon "Where there's smoke there's fire". So, it may not all end with these two former officials, but I don't get the connection you are drawing all the way to the mayor's office. By your logic, sounds like LaFortune could be culpable as well.
Yes, they are all corrupt. Apparently everyone's being removed and OKC is sending some baby sitters up to run the city.
They said something about giving some of it away..."Jenks bridge something something something"
quote:
Originally posted by Tom Sawyer
Two former managers in the city's Public Works Department and four area businessmen have been charged in indictments unsealed Thursday with allegedly participating in bribery and fraud schemes that purportedly involved millions of dollars intended for city streets
Im smelling an Acorn street light scandal...
Streetlighting is such a sacred cow that it might just take a big political shakeup to fix our broken system.
I had posted this on TW just a few ago and thought I'd post here...
When its city officials and employees involved in such affairs, the buck ultimately stops at the top. Mayor Taylor may not have had any personal hand in any of this but the responsibility rests on her shoulders for the actions of staff under her. For years the public has been asking for independent audits related to public works and Charles Hardt. I've heard his name and criticism in this town for years and I'm sure the Mayor has as well. Whether a CEO or a Mayor (both in this case apparently), you are responsible for those under you. Do the right thing, investigate this thoroughly, independently and in the open...only then can the public's trust be regained.
And I don't want to hear anymore of the classic mayoral administration rhetoric everytime something occurs...'let's not dwell on the past, from this day forward we will conduct matters in a better fashion.' Its the 'oops, we got busted but we'll do better in the future'...that just shouldnt work for public representatives.
When your consituents demand accountability and transparency, give it to them. That is the least we all deserve for our hard earned tax dollars. Can't believe it takes a federal indictment of contractors and city employees to get this...
(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p315/TYProle/TaylorCEO.jpg)
Regarding Ken Shoemaker...Internet search finds that he worked for an engineering outfit that according to its web site "provides engineering services in the field of bridge design, construction inspection, roadway design, bridge inspection, and hydraulic analysis.
Design projects completed by (Blank) Engineers, Inc. range from county roads and bridges to the $10 million, 3,140 foot long twin bridge over the North Canadian River in Oklahoma City. (Blank) Engineers, Inc. is responsible for the inspection of the Oklahoma DOT fracture critical bridges as well as the inspection of all bridges in cities and counties statewide. Bridge rehabilitation projects include the 1,400 foot long Interstate 44 (Will Rogers Turnpike) bridge over the Neosho River in Ottawa County, Oklahoma as well as numerous county and city projects.
(Blank) Engineers, Inc. is presently providing construction oversight for two major turnpikes in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The East Creek Turnpike and Broken Arrow South Loop will require approximately 25 miles of grading, drainage and pavement in addition to approximately 25 bridges. The estimated construction cost for these two projects is $130 million with $58 million for bridges,and $72 million for roadway. In addition (Blank) Engineers, Inc. has provided construction oversight for the City of Tulsa on over $5 million of street construction and utility relocation."
Yikes! This guy was working on oversight of our streets?! How can the FBI and investigators state with confidence that public safety was never compromised? If these folks were indicted on fraud and bribery charges, what prevents them from skirting specs and inspections?
Demand answers Tulsa!
What website?
Blank Engineers (//%22http://www.fbsengineers.com/%22)
...gone green minimal.
Well, since I've read the full indictment and it mentions the engineering company by name I guess I can in here too.
Its FBS Engineers, Inc. located in Tulsa.
http://www.fbsengineers.com/Our_Services/body_our_services.html
Shame a company employing more than this individual will be held accountable in many degrees. The indictment even calls for forfeiture of personal property from some...whew!
Think Obama will still give us money?
quote:
Originally posted by MDepr2007
Think Obama will still give us money?
Maybe we should consult the magic [8]? Let's see, work for our recently passed street package has been put on hold indefinitely due to criminal conspiracy and corruption in the public works department. Two high ranking transit officials have been put on administrative leave for sixty days pending the results of an audit. That doesn't sound like a city that is very shovel ready to me. [8] says, outlook not so good.[xx(]
Taylor the Tyrant has fostered a corporate culture of corruption in city government. Make Life Bitter.
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
and councilor martinson wonders why Tulsan's have a distrust and a perception that funds are mishandled.....too many hands in the cookie jar!
someone made a comment in another unrelated thread that the feds were waiting in the shadows ready to pounce on the city. who are you and what did you know?
Anyone else feel like maybe Mr Hardt had to purchase a little more antiperspirant than usual???
However, he did have that "glowing internal audit" of his Department recently...
(http://images.despair.com/products/demotivators/corruption.jpg)
quote:
Originally posted by Double A
quote:
Originally posted by MDepr2007
Think Obama will still give us money?
Maybe we should consult the magic [8]? Let's see, work for our recently passed street package has been put on hold indefinitely due to criminal conspiracy and corruption in the public works department. Two high ranking transit officials have been put on administrative leave for sixty days pending the results of an audit. That doesn't sound like a city that is very shovel ready to me. [8] says, outlook not so good.[xx(]
Taylor the Tyrant has fostered a corporate culture of corruption in city government. Make Life Bitter.
Was Taylor the Mayor in 2005? These allegations stem from that time period. In fact, its likely that incidents like this have been happening for a long time in Tulsa county. If you know anyone in government positions that involve public/private interface, you know the temptation is there and sometimes given in to.
I would agree there is a "corporate culture of greed and corruption" in America right now, but it is really tedious to see everything blamed on Taylor just because she is a former corporate executive.
I'm hardly a Mayor Taylor apologist, but I fail to see how this "trifecta" of scandals ("perfect storm" was the other drivel used) as the morning host on KFAG (Campbell?) put it, almost surely tanks Taylor's re-election bid.
She reacted swiftly and appropriately in dealing with this. I don't know what more people could want given the situation. I am critical of the fact that no mayor has ever seemed willing to stand up to Charles Hardt amid years of allegations of a GOB network in Public Works. Hardt casts an intimidating shadow and I think previous admins have been too scared to dig deep in that department.
I definitely agree Hardt has way, way too much power for a non-elected official and there's serious doubt amongst those in construction-related trades that this is the only instance of corruption in Public Works. I think it's time for the Mayor to relieve Mr. Hardt of his duties.
They ran a clip where Kathy gave the standard "this will not be allowed to stand or tolerated in any fashion" kind of statement this morning.
If the allegations are found to be true it NEEDS to be fully investigated. Everyone who participated in, covered up, knew, should have known, or failed to care about this crap should be hung out to dry. Corruption in public office DESTROYS democracy and further erodes the chance government has of doing anything good. I'm serious, if Joe Blow city auditor didn't bother looking into it for some reason hang his donkey out to dry too.
Same policy for business men that bribe government officials. I say we treat them like drug dealers and assume all their wealth is ill gotten. Take everything they have away and sell it to compensate the city. The hell with 'em.
Maybe we are finding out why Tulsa has a normal tax rate but doesn't appear to get our moneys worth? Maybe we know why the river vote failed. Perhaps we are starting to figure out why people are paranoid about corruption and the "money belt" running everything.
Heads better roll.
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
here is a good chance for elected officials to come together and make several wrongs into a right.
I would suggest that public works gets a complete reorg, several people leave.
Do not renew the contract with INCOG. Merge that responsibility into a new planning/permitting/public works organization. and completely get rid of that "working in neighborhoods" office.
if KKT cleans house and implements the above, I might gain an inkling of respect for her.
Make sure that you contact your elected officials with that information.
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
and completely get rid of that "working in neighborhoods" office.
I believe there should be a Codes Enforcement in some way, shape or form to stem the decline of neighborhoods, but that's another topic.
What does run all the way to the top may not be corruption but ineptitude on the part of a Public Works Director (Charles Hardt) and his boss, Mayor Kathy Taylor. Mayor Taylor wants the city to run like a business with her as CEO, in either case, as Mayor, she is ultimately responsible for the conduct of those under her.
Yesterday's speech from Mayor Taylor should have started out with "I have failed you but I will make amends and investigate this fully"...I could have admired that.
For years I've heard of requests to audit and investigate Public Works but since taking office, she is just as responsible for inaction as previous Mayors. Its one thing to come out after an embarrassing federal indictment is handed down and say it wont be tolerated, its another to be honest, transparent and accountable for the 'business' you run.
The role of City government is to act and provide for the best interests of its citizens, not the few, not the powerful, but all of its citizens. When answers are demanded, action must be taken to promote transparency and trust in our public officials. We can run study after study but we cant find the money to conduct investigations and audits when necessary? I say 'Bully!' to that.
I agree, to save face and to engender trust again from the public, drastic changes should be made within Public Works, starting with Charles Hardt. No investigation, no findings necessary...it happened on his watch, he has to go! As a 'highly skilled and knowledgable professional' and as the director, Hardt should have been able to see that jobs were coming in to high, that final invoices were being inflated. It is obvious he provided no oversight from a management standpoint. I can't imagine that there are no other highly qualified candidates available for his job, and in Tulsa.
Mayor, if you want to do the right thing...start there and show us you have the backbone and integrity to put the people's interests before any other.
DTN, for some reason, Hardt has been left alone for years. There's also a saying that the person who actually "runs" the city is Charles Hardt.
No one would **** with him. Officials would say they were going to look into lack of efficiency at Public Works and why the same contract engineers and vendors seem to be getting all the work, etc. Then it just silently vanishes like a fart in the wind.
This might be enough public outrage that someone can stand up to Hardt w/o fear of reprisal. I'm curious if we've seen all the indictments we will be seeing.
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
They ran a clip where Kathy gave the standard "this will not be allowed to stand or tolerated in any fashion" kind of statement this morning.
If the allegations are found to be true it NEEDS to be fully investigated. Everyone who participated in, covered up, knew, should have known, or failed to care about this crap should be hung out to dry. Corruption in public office DESTROYS democracy and further erodes the chance government has of doing anything good. I'm serious, if Joe Blow city auditor didn't bother looking into it for some reason hang his donkey out to dry too.
Same policy for business men that bribe government officials. I say we treat them like drug dealers and assume all their wealth is ill gotten. Take everything they have away and sell it to compensate the city. The hell with 'em.
Maybe we are finding out why Tulsa has a normal tax rate but doesn't appear to get our moneys worth? Maybe we know why the river vote failed. Perhaps we are starting to figure out why people are paranoid about corruption and the "money belt" running everything.
Heads better roll.
Wow CF, you obviously got up on the wrong side or something. That rant is about as irate as I have ever read from you.
This should not suprise any tulsan. When the animal shelter was being reviewed, I presented evidence of closed bid submittal fraud, concerns about overtime fraud and the abuse of the animals and volunteers. These practices had been going on for years. This was not presented to one person, but many. Since the HSUS reviewed the shelter...the manager retired, the assistant was demoted, we have new management and they are now on their way to being a progressive shelter.
We need a counsel and a hired professional city manager for some continuity and accountability.
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
Maybe we are finding out why Tulsa has a normal tax rate but doesn't appear to get our moneys worth? Maybe we know why the river vote failed. Perhaps we are starting to figure out why people are paranoid about corruption and the "money belt" running everything.
Well I'm just giddy about being a Caveman Naysayer!
Hardt's position has become too powerful over the years and needs to be diluted and made more accountable. Y-T-Y contracts doesn't sound like a bad idea. I don't think it ought to be an elected position, then you get special interests jockying for the seat.
The prosecutor said there was no evidence that anyone above the two accused had any knowledge of these crimes. They investigated for two years and say they got all the people involved.
Everybody is embarrassed, but only the guilty should lose their job.
quote:
Originally posted by RecycleMichael
The prosecutor said there was no evidence that anyone above the two accused had any knowledge of these crimes. They investigated for two years and say they got all the people involved.
Everybody is embarrassed, but only the guilty should lose their job.
Second hand knowledge or is someone actually reporting this as it's not what many of us have heard in the airing of what was said.
I beleive that was the statement I heard on the evening news from the federal official.
quote:
Originally posted by RecycleMichael
The prosecutor said there was no evidence that anyone above the two accused had any knowledge of these crimes. They investigated for two years and say they got all the people involved.
Everybody is embarrassed, but only the guilty should lose their job.
This is where I disagree. The supervisor of public works should be quite well aware of who they contract with and the frequency of the contracts. Wouldn't you question it if you had the same pool of contractors doing job after job, if it were all bid work?
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71
quote:
Originally posted by RecycleMichael
The prosecutor said there was no evidence that anyone above the two accused had any knowledge of these crimes. They investigated for two years and say they got all the people involved.
Everybody is embarrassed, but only the guilty should lose their job.
This is where I disagree. The supervisor of public works should be quite well aware of who they contract with and the frequency of the contracts. Wouldn't you question it if you had the same pool of contractors doing job after job, if it were all bid work?
What is there to question? You're not suggesting giving out work in even numbers simply based on the number of people who submit bids, are you?
Look at Quik Trip. The same company builds all their stores. They must like the work they do.
And, how many road construction companies can there possibly be in Tulsa who are actually willing to make bids. Not a whole lot.
Inteller, choosing to use a city manager is a lot different for a community of 75,000 than it is for one with a half million. The city manager can easily wield more power than any one individual in the whole power structure. We don't want to replace one concentration of power with another. Yes, he would answer to the mayor/council but that just makes the whole thing ripe for political gamesmanship. I think OKC uses one but retains a strong mayor to help balance off the power.
quote:
Originally posted by RecycleMichael
The prosecutor said there was no evidence that anyone above the two accused had any knowledge of these crimes. They investigated for two years and say they got all the people involved.
Everybody is embarrassed, but only the guilty should lose their job.
***FULL DISCLOSURE*** - Charles Hardt is on Spincycle's Board of Trustees.
During the Mayor's news conference, she stated she had had 'extended discussions' with officials but couldn't talk about it until the indictments were opened.
Question: has anyone asked her just when these discussions took place? She made it sound like she was in on it from the beginning of the investigation, but strict interpretation of her comments indicates it could have been that morning.
I'd like to know at what point the Mayor knew of this.
quote:
Originally posted by Wrinkle
During the Mayor's news conference, she stated she had had 'extended discussions' with officials but couldn't talk about it until the indictments were opened.
Question: has anyone asked her just when these discussions took place? She made it sound like she was in on it from the beginning of the investigation, but strict interpretation of her comments indicates it could have been that morning.
I'd like to know at what point the Mayor knew of this.
Kinda like how the media keeps referring to Martinez as a former employee like he's been long gone, when he just resigned Thursday.
BTW, according to a media report I saw, the dude's salary was $106,000 a year. That's almost twice the median
family income for the city of Tulsa. How's that for adding insult to injury?
Its been reported that Councilor GT Bynum has been trying to work with the Mayor on initiating an independent audit sine April of last year. Past City Councilors have been requesting that same type of audit for years. If suspicion has been laid at the doorstep for years then why is this just now getting a Mayor's attention?
If a Councilor has gone on record that he has been working with the Mayor's office for 9 months...what takes so long? Why has it not happened?
News Channel 8 reported the following:
"Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor says she first learned about the scandal after one of those indicted turned in a letter of resignation. She says she was surprised the alleged corruption went on so long without someone stepping forward."
So Mayor Taylor didnt know a thing about the investigation until the sealed indictments were read at the Federal Courthouse, just like everyone else. Martinez resigned on Wednesday, indictments read on Thursday.
According to the TW "The mayor indicated she was aware of the indictments before they were unsealed, having had significant discussions with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office, but was unable to talk publicly about them until now" is completely false according to her own statements made to Channel 8. If I remember my pre-law right, federal indictments are kept very secret and very hush hush so that the feds can investigate thorouhgly and impartially.
Federal authorities say they were first tipped off and then began investigating the alleged charges. I find it hard to believe that someone would not have attempted to tip off the City first and if so, why was it not followed up on?
My recollection is that an independent audit of PW has been on the table for some time but the only folks against it was PW. I don't recall the Mayor ever being against it. I don't know why there hasn't been one though.
In the paper, it was mentioned there should be periodic departmental independent audits. I don't disagree but the City has an Internal Audit department; either they should be used for this purpose (which they are, but I guess they're not "independent") or it should be abolished/reduced and external auditors should perform these periodic audits. I don't know why we'd need both.
Councilor GT Bynum has been calling for an independent performance audit of Public Works since taking office, it was one of his campaign promises. He stated he has been working with the Mayor's office to conduct that audit since April of last year...thats 9 months! KJRH reports that he has been working with the Mayor and her Chief of Staff, Amy Polanchek, "who have been receptive" - but apparently done nothing.
It further states that his attempts to conduct that independent audit have met with resistance from Public Works officials...I'm sorry but who they hell do they think they work for?! The public wants and demands a public audit...make it happen and damn those that are resisting...makes one believe there is more hidden than whats been found so far.
If the Mayor, who is so fond of spending tax dollars on any and everything else (ballpark, Jones Lang LaSalle, new City Hall, seasonal ice rink, Great Plains Airlines, etc etc), can't see the need for an independent audit - if for nothing more than to reassure the people of Tulsa that things are being done so this doesn't happen again and that there are no other potential problems within public works - then she needs to go.
You are correct TulsaSooner on all points, but the simple fact of the matter is, the Mayor doesn't need Public Works blessing to conduct an independent audit, she simply has to contract and order one and instruct her department heads and officials to work with the auditing firms to provide any and all necessary information.
Its that simple yet for some reason, given the years of questioning of Public Works, she has yet to do it. Makes one wonder why.
I don't think the Council needs anyone's blessing either, for that matter, if they have the votes to get it done. I could be wrong.
TulsaSooner, the Council does not have the power to enter into contracts on the City's behalf. They can request, but the utlimate decision lies with the Mayor as she is the contracting authority.
quote:
Originally posted by DowntownNow
TulsaSooner, the Council does not have the power to enter into contracts on the City's behalf. They can request, but the utlimate decision lies with the Mayor as she is the contracting authority.
This is true. I just think that if it were a huge, top priority they could vote to support it (which doesn't mean much, but they do it all the time..see: OSU hospital)and the Mayor would have to act on it. They didn't do that and the Mayor hasn't done that because there probably was no obvious need like there is now. I think they refer to that as hindsight being 20/20.
But it will be done now and it's obvious that it needs to be done now, however, if there is somebody out there that wants to cheat the City and the systems in place by fraudulently doctoring invoices, it will be tough to catch no matter what processes are implemented. I don't doubt that there is certainly room for improvement though, and I think everyone will welcome that.
TulsaSooner, I believe you are referring to the annual financial audits conducted by BKD. These are not performance audits that would have looked into the practices by which contract bids are reviewed and rewarded, discrepancies between contracts and invoices, change orders, authority, inspection, standards and performance. Simply a performance audit appraises internal controls, and the efficiency and effectiveness of procedures and processes. It does not evaluate financial performance.
No, I am well aware of the BKD audits, believe me. [:)]
The audits I referred to earlier would be performance audits and I mentioned those that are performed by the City's Internal Audit staff. I'm pretty sure those are performance audits, they're just not done by an independent auditor.
TulsaSooner, the questions regarding Public Works have been around for years. This Mayor obviously wants to be a strong mayor, rarely paying any attention the Council. The fact that some councilors have seen a need for this audit should be enough for her if she is truly a Mayor interested in whats best for the citizens. The simple, underlying fact is that a Mayor that was more in touch with the common citizen would have taken their voiced concerns of Public Works into consideration when pushing her Street's package and if what you say and has been reported that an independent audit has been langering around her desk for quite some time, she would have acted on it already.
The Mayor spent over $350,000 on a contract for Jones Lang LaSalle to come in and attempt to market and sell parcels of downtown real estate which so far has proven fruitless...I think she could have easily spent the $221,000 on this review and been further ahead in the eyes of the public and the coffers that are out of $4.2 million in suspect contracts and work.
Having the proper checks and balances and showing that you dont cower under pressure from those who work under you (public works officials) along with taking the citizen's interests to heart is what makes a good strong mayor.
TulsaSooner...The unfortunate thing is that this hit a federal indictment level. Had this been caught by the City beforehand, perhaps a City Auditor's investigation would have been sufficient. But now that it has reached this magnitude and the City was blatantly unaware, this erodes the public's confidence in the City being able to police itself. Hence the call for a third party independent audit. If that comes out okay, then the public's confidence is boosted and hopefully the City has in place the necessary checks and balances needed to prevent further corruption.
I've got to say though that based on this Channel 2 News report, I dont have a lot of confidence in Mayor Taylor getting this argument.
http://www.kjrh.com/news/local/story/Councilor-says-performance-audit-needed/yWcAbakdgkWQM5V7zD9nrw.cspx
Based on this you'd have to ask Mayor Taylor that if the proper checks and balances were already in place and GT Bynum is incorrect, how did the City not catch it but the Feds were able to?
More out of touch everyday.
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
on the news they said this was revolving around projects that commenced in 2006/2007. Maybe the investigation went back that far....dunno.
I did notice that some of the projects put on hold as a result of the bribery scandal included Vision 2025 streetscaping improvements, which often translates into "Acorn Lights".
Interesting that funding for energy-hungry lighting such as Acorns comes easy, but the taxpayers are left holding the bag for the electric bill indefinitely.
This was posted on the TW story "City Halts 49 Projects Over Indictment" and I couldnt believe it if this is what people think.
"It is going to be difficult obtaining the badly needed audit of Public Works. Charles Hardt has always resisted an independent audit of his department and it now seems obvious why."
Why does everyone think that just because Charles Hardt refuses an independent audit that we as citizens cant get one?
Its simple...the Mayor, if she so chooses, can at any time contract an independent performance audit, she doesnt need Charles Hardt's permission. His is a position serving at the will of the Mayor, the Mayor serves at the will of the people. The fact is, and GT Bynum has gone on record, there has been a move for this audit for at least 9 mos, if not a lot longer. The issue was raised time and time again during the Mayor's Street campaign...if she gave a flip about any citizen she'd have ordered the audit already and maybe we wouldnt have the feds doing the job we expect of our city leaders. If they can find it, I'll be darned to think our own city officials couldnt unless they just refused to look.
Tulsa...you want an audit? Demand it! Hold your city government accountable. Call your councilors and demand an independent performance audit.
I don't think Hardt has any say at this point. He's likely not going to survive this anyway. Expect announcement of his 'retirement' soon, after he has time to get affairs in order.
Had another thought a minute ago. What if Mayor Taylor's placing TTA figures on paid leave was her first best effort at targeting what she expected to be the Federal offender?
...then, there's the TFD scandel.
If anyone starts looking into all the Boards, Authorities and Commissions, it's hard to say what will turn up.
quote:
Originally posted by Wrinkle
I don't think Hardt has any say at this point. He's likely not going to survive this anyway. Expect announcement of his 'retirement' soon, after he has time to get affairs in order.
Had another thought a minute ago. What if Mayor Taylor's placing TTA figures on paid leave was her first best effort at targeting what she expected to be the Federal offender?
...then, there's the TFD scandel.
If anyone starts looking into all the Boards, Authorities and Commissions, it's hard to say what will turn up.
On these points I agree. Though I doubt there are ongoing investigations into the boards, authorities and commissions...there ought to be. Independent audits won't find what they're up to. In fact independent audits probably wouldn't have uncovered this scandal.
Only in a town chock full of Republicans, run by conservative businessmen and party functionaries could it be asserted that a Democrat is to blame for a culture of corruption. She's barely a Democrat at that.
An independent performance audit would have had a far greater chance of catching this than not doing anything, even while everyone is screaming "we want an independent audit."
The audit would have looked at everything I described above. It would have taken into account anomalies present such as discrepancies between approved contract bids and inflated invoices. Upon finding a discrepancy, an auditor, to be thorough, would have investigated the reasons for the discrepancy in order to find ouf it the best practices were utilized and efficiencies or detriments found that could be later corrected. It also would have provided a 3rd set of eyes pouring over invoices, contracts, inspection reports, etc.
Simply, when there's a question, doing something is often times better than doing nothing at all.
quote:
Originally posted by DowntownNow
An independent performance audit would have had a far greater chance of catching this than not doing anything, even while everyone is screaming "we want an independent audit."
The audit would have looked at everything I described above. It would have taken into account anomalies present such as discrepancies between approved contract bids and inflated invoices. Upon finding a discrepancy, an auditor, to be thorough, would have investigated the reasons for the discrepancy in order to find ouf it the best practices were utilized and efficiencies or detriments found that could be later corrected. It also would have provided a 3rd set of eyes pouring over invoices, contracts, inspection reports, etc.
Simply, when there's a question, doing something is often times better than doing nothing at all.
You're probably an auditor or familiar with their practices. Can't fault your logic that action in this case would have been preferable to status quo.
However, these are elected officials who have to run for office against clever partisans who know how to make no good deed go unpunished. Questions of funding, motivation, morale and allegations of poor management would be used to defeat even the best of candidates.
I still feel that the reason there was no independent auditing supported lay in those issues. There has to be a permanently funded solution that avoids these traps.
Yes, elected officials usually want to run again but no one should shy away from running for public office if their intent is to truly represent the best interest of the City. You will always be running against someone that will quite typically have a differing opinion from you, in this case lets talk the Mayor.
Funding - nothing has ever dissuaded Mayor Taylor from doing something she wants to do, she finds the funding. Not to mention, a possible source has already been referenced.
Motivation - the Mayor should be motivated by the fact that corruption has been found in one instance where it was reported. What is the likelihood that this is the only instance since the City has numerous departments that deal with millions of taxpayer's dollars and contracts and inspections? She should be motivated to set the record straight that under her watch, nothing else was going on and the City of Tulsa is a good place to do business without the spectre of graft lingering.
Morale - Can't imagine it could get any lower at this point. The public questions public works employees' and officials' honesty, the administration's ability to do its job in policing and protecting taxpayer dollars...there's no bigger black eye, "pick yourself up, dust yourself off" and get back to doing the job of the people and show em you care.
Poor management - well let's face it, no real argument here to go against. Yes, this was happening before her term started, but it was brought to the light of day during her term so that makes it her problem. Add to that the numeroud calls from the public and city councilors for the PWD audit and the subsequent ignoring of those calls or the dragging of feet and sorry, it's really your problem now. She took ownership of it when she ignored the calls for investigation and the Feds put it out there instead. The responsibility ultimately for those under you rests with a company's CEO, a ship's captain, the President of the United States, and yes the Mayor of the City of Tulsa.
None of this should dissuade Taylor from running again (or anyone) if thats what she wants to do (not that I want her to) but that's her choice. How she is viewed when she runs again will be partially determined by how she responds to this latest fiasco. If you want to run for office, you better have a thick skin, its not for the faint of heart.