http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090625_11_0_Oilman564358
Bartlett announces candidacy for mayor
By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
Published: 6/25/2009
Oilman and former city councilor Dewey Bartlett Jr. on Thursday announced his Republican candidacy for mayor, saying he wants to end partisan bickering and unify Tulsa. "We must focus on our basic infrastructure and public safety priorities, while trimming our budget responsibly and conservatively," he said. "I am a conservative businessman and I know how to create jobs and grow industry. I'm not interested in growing government. I'm interested in growing jobs."
Bartlett, 62, said the city has to "finance our needs before our wants." "In the current economy, we cannot afford to make the same mistakes that the liberals in Washington, D.C., are making," he said. "Tulsa must live within its means and still achieve its goals. Together, we can make this happen."
Bartlett is president of Tulsa's Keener Oil & Gas Co. and served on the City Council from its inception in 1990 until 1994. He unsuccessfully ran for mayor in a 1992 special election and for the Oklahoma Senate District 33 seat in 2004. Bartlett is the son of the late Dewey F. Bartlett, an Oklahoma governor and United States senator. Following his announcement, Bartlett praised Mayor Kathy Taylor's leadership and pledged to continue her business approach to government. Taylor has decided not to seek re-election. Even though Taylor is a Democrat, Bartlett backed her 2006 mayoral campaign. He said he would not have run if she had gone for a second term.
He should be a strong contender...
Of those that have thus far revealed their intentions to run, Bartlett is worth consideration for my vote.
A good guess: http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/index.php?topic=13584.msg133422#msg133422
Nice guy....but
I spoke with him during the 2004 run. I am always impressed when a Republican reaches out to a solid Democrat and can actually find common ground. He is someone who could avoid partisan bickering and manage the city.
Quote from: FOTD on June 25, 2009, 08:15:43 PM
A good guess: http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/index.php?topic=13584.msg133422#msg133422
Nice job patting yourself on the back for something most people already knew was going to happen.
Careful so as to not pull a muscle, mkay?
Here's my hope:
Continues with the vision of Mayor Taylor but is a less polarizing individual. I hope his idea of ending partisan bikering doesn't mean capitulating to Hissy-Fit Martinson. I think Dewey could be a very capable mayor, let's see who else jumps in.
Has anyone heard any more whispers about Councilor Eagleton running?
If I had to pick a Republican, of the names in the hat so far it might be Bartlett.
Quote from: swake on June 26, 2009, 08:23:25 AM
Nice job patting yourself on the back for something most people already knew was going to happen.
Careful so as to not pull a muscle, mkay?
'Most'? 'Most' people have no idea who he is but I do: the scion of another 'blue blood' family. We had that with LaFortune. Great.
Quote from: sgrizzle on June 26, 2009, 09:40:48 AM
If I had to pick a Republican, of the names in the hat so far it might be Bartlett.
Let's just hope Bartlett meets expectations a lot better than the last Mayor who got elected by coming from an old Tulsa political/oil family.
This is pure gossip, but...
I heard he was concerned about having the time to be mayor and run his business at the same time. Was asking people if they thought he could do 4-day work weeks as mayor...
Uh...off the top of my head? No.
Mayor Taylor works 24/7 for free. Lafortune played pick-up basketball and went jogging during work hours. There is a difference between the two.
Quote from: Conan71 on June 26, 2009, 08:39:30 AM
Has anyone heard any more whispers about Councilor Eagleton running?
Eagleton shouldn't bother because he can't keep his mouth shut. Loose cannons such as him don't get elected mayor.
Quote from: waterboy on June 26, 2009, 06:40:17 AM
I spoke with him during the 2004 run. I am always impressed when a Republican reaches out to a solid Democrat and can actually find common ground. He is someone who could avoid partisan bickering and manage the city.
You're using aren't you?
Quote from: swake on June 26, 2009, 08:23:25 AM
Nice job patting yourself on the back for something most people already knew was going to happen.
Careful so as to not pull a muscle, mkay?
We all have skeletons in the closet.....but FOTD is not running for anything. And know nothing knows something true too...
Quote from: FOTD on June 26, 2009, 12:55:56 PM
You're using aren't you?
No, just had a brief, personal conversation with him in front of my house and I liked what he was saying. This was during the peak of republican power and yet he was not strident and rather embarrassed at local party behaviors.
The better question is why no better candidates have stepped forward from either side.
Dewey was of the earliest councilors.
At this time he did not show the leadership that was expected as a representive of the majority of the people which was a purpose cited as a charter change. He ran for mayor and was defeated by Savage in the winner take all. He depended on the name more than the duties implied.
At the installation of Savage, where the big hole now stands in the old central park, I stood under the aged trees with this city elite who had an expression on his face liken a child who's toy had been taken away. I said to him "I'm sorry you didn't make it" to comfort him. He replied with "There will be another time". As we enter into a possibly "winner take all" there are some very dedicated persons on the council too that would perform more efficiently than one elected for a namesake.
Or is this another time?
I hope he does something with those eyebrows.....
If he asks for my support with due respect, I would be happy to give it to him. Scion or not.
On reviewing the Christensen sponsored poll Michael Bates was so lucky to be a party to:
http://www.batesline.com/archives/2009/06/a-lengthy-mayoral-survey-on-beha.html
I can only grab my head and scream. I hate to type it but in the grand scheme of things, Tulsa is still considered by a lot of folks (brace yourselves) as a tiny whirlpool in the great backwater of second-rate cesspools of has-been cities in a third-rate state. But don't get me wrong, I take great pride in that.
What makes my head itch is that a potential mayoral candidate of our little third-rate city is already compelled to spend good money on a push-poll (albeit conducted by discount ESL poll takers) to gauge his chances.
If the current administration has taught us anything, it is that fortunes can still be made even during adverse conditions, provided you have the proper connections, can cover your tracks and can control public persuasion. Even while refusing your rightful (comparatively paltry) salary.
The municipal elections are still a ways off. Whoever you become attracted to, please consider a two part question - Why does he/she really want the job and how much was spent to get it?
YOU GO DELMO!
Like a sharp blade.....
Quote from: Delmo Gillete on June 30, 2009, 09:44:12 PM
On reviewing the Christensen sponsored poll Michael Bates was so lucky to be a party to:
http://www.batesline.com/archives/2009/06/a-lengthy-mayoral-survey-on-beha.html
"...... in the grand scheme of things, Tulsa is still considered by a lot of folks (brace yourselves) as a tiny whirlpool in the great backwater of second-rate cesspools of has-been cities in a third-rate state. But don't get me wrong, I take great pride in that........."
That's killer Delmo! Fortunately we don't much look at the grand scheme of things here abouts. We work with what we have. I am underwhelmed at the list of potential mayoral candidates.
A liberal forum that likes a republican.... enough said ;)
Quote from: MDepr2007 on July 06, 2009, 06:06:13 PM
A liberal forum that likes a republican.... enough said ;)
Until Adelson appeared. :P
Quote from: Know Nothing on June 30, 2009, 11:19:26 AM
If he asks for my support with due respect, I would be happy to give it to him. Scion or not.
He drives a Scion?
Automatic "no" vote.
Quote from: sgrizzle on July 07, 2009, 06:35:38 AM
He drives a Scion?
Automatic "no" vote.
When I was at Wortman's first watch party they mentioned he drove a Jaguar - with something interesting in the trunk. Bartlett loses the primary to Medlock.
The Dewey Bartlett Jr. that I know drives a Maserati Quattroporte. Price tag is around $125,000. Isn't that more than the mayor position pays.
http://www.maserati.com/maserati/en/en/index/models/Quattroporte-S/exteriors.html
I caught part of Dewey's interview with Joe Kelley this morning. I'm incredibly unimpressed. At the time he was interviewed last week he still did not have a place for "issues" on his web page according to Kelley, but he does now and it's lacking in detail. He more or less said anyone who was upset about the airport trust settlement could pretty much stick it up their arse (my loose paraphrase, mind you).
I'm kind of thinking since Tom's my man for Mayor, Bartlett might be a great opponent.
Here Dewey, I think the suit fits either you or Mudschlock:
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SpJTRREPOsk/R2tLi3hsUoI/AAAAAAAAAuU/DpRxmGD8uy0/s320/empty%2Bsuit.jpg)
Quote from: Conan71 on August 31, 2009, 08:50:30 AM
I caught part of Dewey's interview with Joe Kelley this morning. I'm incredibly unimpressed. At the time he was interviewed last week he still did not have a place for "issues" on his web page according to Kelley, but he does now and it's lacking in detail. He more or less said anyone who was upset about the airport trust settlement could pretty much stick it up their arse (my loose paraphrase, mind you).
I'm kind of thinking since Tom's my man for Mayor, Bartlett might be a great opponent.
Here Dewey, I think the suit fits either you or Mudschlock:
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SpJTRREPOsk/R2tLi3hsUoI/AAAAAAAAAuU/DpRxmGD8uy0/s320/empty%2Bsuit.jpg)
I heard Bartlett on a radio station about a week ago (can't remember which one), and I concur with Conan's assessment. It seemed like he was a guy who hadn't given one deep thought about the issues, except for his oft-repeated notion that he's "a successful businessman." Zzzzzz.
I'm starting to think Medlock is going to win the primary out of default. It doesn't mean he doesn't suck; it means he sucks less than the other sucky GOP candidates. What a sorry bunch the Republicans have running for the mayor's office.
So, how exactly does a successful businessman who controls costs and creates jobs continue to be successful and run a city at the same time? I have a hunch Bartlett would be a part-time mayor or be doing some Keener business on the clock.
Mudschlock actually needs a job, so there's an advantage, I guess. ::)
Quote from: Conan71 on August 31, 2009, 12:15:42 PM
So, how exactly does a successful businessman who controls costs and creates jobs continue to be successful and run a city at the same time? I have a hunch Bartlett would be a part-time mayor or be doing some Keener business on the clock.
I have yet to see a justification for the claim that he's a "successful businessman" who knows how to create jobs. From Keener's website, they seem to have eight employees (http://"http://www.keeneroil.com/personnel.htm"), plus a handful of associates (http://"http://www.keeneroil.com/associates.htm") -- three lawyers, a CPA, and a geologist -- occasional contractors, I suppose. Every reference to the size of the company I've found in news articles on the web has put the headcount around 10, plus or minus a few. In 1999 testimony before a U. S. Senate energy committee, Bartlett said that at one time Keener Oil had 200 employees but now had 10 (http://"http://books.google.com/books?id=XOfv33jCjBsC&pg=PA66&dq=keener+oil+bartlett+employees#v=onepage&q=keener%20oil%20bartlett%20employees&f=false"). So it looks like the company has remained about the same size over the last decade.
As a republican, I have the same uneasy feeling going into the Mayoral primary as I had going into the last Presidential primary.
Quote from: MichaelBates on August 31, 2009, 01:12:25 PM
I have yet to see a justification for the claim that he's a "successful businessman" who knows how to create jobs. From Keener's website, they seem to have eight employees (http://"http://www.keeneroil.com/personnel.htm"), plus a handful of associates (http://"http://www.keeneroil.com/associates.htm") -- three lawyers, a CPA, and a geologist -- occasional contractors, I suppose. Every reference to the size of the company I've found in news articles on the web has put the headcount around 10, plus or minus a few. In 1999 testimony before a U. S. Senate energy committee, Bartlett said that at one time Keener Oil had 200 employees but now had 10 (http://"http://books.google.com/books?id=XOfv33jCjBsC&pg=PA66&dq=keener+oil+bartlett+employees#v=onepage&q=keener%20oil%20bartlett%20employees&f=false"). So it looks like the company has remained about the same size over the last decade.
Glad to know I'm not alone in questioning the stats and claims. Dewey seems too much like a place filler or engineered opponent for Sen. Adelson. I don't mean to come off harsh, I'm sure Dewey is a very nice guy and good businessman, but I don't hear any kind of enthusiasm which sounds remotely like his heart is in this race.
Which way are you leaning in the primary, Michael? I sure do miss your UTW column.