This comes from her facebook and twitter pages...
Dear Friend,
I want to be the first to tell you what I plan to do when I finish serving as your mayor this December. A few minutes ago, Governor Brad Henry named me his top education advisor!
I've gotten so many emails, letters and phone calls asking what I plan to do AFTER my term is over and Bill and I return from our Route 66 Trip, and I am absolutely thrilled to spend 2010 working to improve Oklahoma's schools.
Governor Henry and I have one year left to bring change and continue improving our schools. I can't imagine a better way to spend my time than as the Governor's Chief of Education, Strategy and Innovation so that I can help make Oklahoma one of the top states in the country for education!
The governor was kind enough to say, "I'm thrilled that Mayor Taylor has agreed to serve my administration and the state in this new and important role. As she does with all of her endeavors, Kathy will bring great expertise, high energy and a laser-like focus on the task at hand. I want Oklahoma to enhance its reputation as a national leader in educational innovation, and Kathy Taylor has the skills to help us accomplish that goal."
As I think you'll agree, our public education system is critical to the future of this state and many important decisions about its direction will be made in the next year. With the federal government encouraging and rewarding innovation with the Race to the Top grants and other initiatives, we have a small window of opportunity to make a great difference for our state.
When I start in January, I will be working full-time since this is a cabinet-level position in the executive branch, but I've decided to volunteer my time so we can direct more dollars to our classrooms. And I am taking my fantastic chief of staff Amy Polonchek with me to continue as my right hand.
Please know that I will be as focused and determined to be the best mayor possible until my final minutes serving you. And since this position will only last one year, I am not closing the door on working for you as an elected official in the future.
As always, I'm honored to be your mayor. You've been the backbone of my successful tenure in City Hall. I hope you will join me in making life better for our children, grandchildren, and future leaders of our great state by working to improve education in 2010!
Stay tuned for ways to get involved by going to our website (www.TaylorforTulsa.com) or follow me on Facebook and Twitter. I will also continue to keep you updated with periodical emails.
I think this is a great fit.
Is this like a Czar?
Yeah, but could she and Bill hang with the bicyclists on Route 66? ;)
Quote from: sgrizzle on September 30, 2009, 02:22:06 PM
Is this like a Czar?
I want to be the bar Czar or beer Czar.
Why do we have Czars and not Tsars?
They only have Tsars in England.
JOHN SULLIVAN'S SEAT
Oh please....please run ..... please run against that sick congressman....pretty please Kathy.
" As I think you'll agree, our public education system is critical to the future of this state and many important decisions about its direction will be made in the next year. With the federal government encouraging and rewarding innovation with the Race to the Top grants and other initiatives, we have a small window of opportunity to make a great difference for our state. "
If that's the job, you can't do anything but wish her the greatest success.
Quote from: FOTD on September 30, 2009, 04:09:16 PM
JOHN SULLIVAN'S SEAT
Oh please....please run ..... please run against that sick congressman....pretty please Kathy.
I get your point, but I still think you are being discriminitory about his illness.
Maybe she can get the Okla. Dept. of Education to move from OKC into the old City Hall.
Quote from: Conan71 on September 30, 2009, 04:24:31 PM
I get your point, but I still think you are being discriminitory about his illness.
Yes. Just as were my comments about Dumbya.
Not suited for public office. Too many parties thrown by lobbyists enabling our somewhat disabled neo-con rep.
Quote from: DTowner on September 30, 2009, 04:47:54 PM
Maybe she can get the Okla. Dept. of Education to move from OKC into the old City Hall.
Great idea but the city will hold out for the pipe dream.
I'm so glad Henry's days are numbered. It's time we have a governor in office that actually does something other than declare states of emergency.
Governor Brogdon sounds nice.
I wonder what kinda job Kathy will get then?
QuoteKathy will bring great expertise, high energy and a laser-like focus on the task at hand.
What is Taylor's 'expertise' in the education system?
Quote from: Cubs on October 01, 2009, 01:07:55 AM
I'm so glad Henry's days are numbered. It's time we have a governor in office that actually does something other than declare states of emergency.
Governor Brogdon sounds nice.
I wonder what kinda job Kathy will get then?
Yeah, lets put in office the guy who has voted against virtually everything for Tulsa (including things that required no $ at all). THAT is the way to guarantee that Tulsa will get nothing for four years.
Sometimes doing nothing is better than doing something.
I'm kind of surprised none of the conspiracy theorists haven't pointed out that the again will not be an employee, she will be a volunteer. Just like she is a volunteer for the City of Tulsa, not an employee. She isn't being paid by the State, so she will be a volunteer.
Just an odd situation. I've heard of people only accepted $1 or of donated the entire salary to something or other, but I don't think I've heard of volunteer public officials before Taylor.
Some wealthy wives are content to play bridge and volunteer with Junior League. Some would rather volunteer in government.
One thing about Mayor Taylor is she knows how to get things done and listens carefully with a critical ear for detail. I think it's great she's going to give one more year of her time to public service.
Quote from: cannon_fodder on October 01, 2009, 09:21:21 AM
I'm kind of surprised none of the conspiracy theorists haven't pointed out that the again will not be an employee, she will be a volunteer. Just like she is a volunteer for the City of Tulsa, not an employee. She isn't being paid by the State, so she will be a volunteer.
Just an odd situation. I've heard of people only accepted $1 or of donated the entire salary to something or other, but I don't think I've heard of volunteer public officials before Taylor.
I question the volunteer vs employee of the City of Tulsa. I don't know, so I'll ask... yes, she rejects her salary, but does she receive other benefits? Legally by charter, can a 'volunteer' be Mayor?
Quote from: Wilbur on October 01, 2009, 10:44:33 AM
I question the volunteer vs employee of the City of Tulsa. I don't know, so I'll ask... yes, she rejects her salary, but does she receive other benefits? Legally by charter, can a 'volunteer' be Mayor?
By the charter there is no previsions for a volunteer mayor as it specifies the amount that they are to be paid. There would be a question with IRS code on the 10% donations limit. Under normal circumstances if a one calls another saying they need their pre concluded vote and says they will furnish the fuel to come cast it, such could be construed as a bribe. Still when the fuel is transported in an air plane to the donor of the vote that is only Tulsa politics.
As you are aware get a good grip on your hats because there is possibility that old dilapidated building called the "Oklahoma capital" will need to be replaced with an updated new glass building so the government can be more transparent. Then each school will need in addition to a football stadium a ball park. Any school more than 30 years old need to be replaced with a new building built with the revenue bond not needing to have approval by the citizens.
If I were one of the Tulsans I would be singing "I don't want her, you can have her, she too expensive for me". 30 year payoff in 3 years as volunteer mayor?
Quote from: Conan71 on October 01, 2009, 10:33:08 AM
One thing about Mayor Taylor is she knows how to get things done and listens carefully with a critical ear for detail. I think it's great she's going to give one more year of her time to public service.
Sorry, not buying that "listens carefully with a critical ear for detail" bit. Nobody with a critical ear for detail would have pushed through the OTC City Hall fiasco. She may have "listened" carefully, but she was apparently only listening to the hired guns who were telling her nothing but what she paid them to tell her. Beyond Staubach, she only heard what she wanted to hear and looked only at the "details" she wanted to see.
Quote from: Oil Capital on October 03, 2009, 01:09:06 PM
Sorry, not buying that "listens carefully with a critical ear for detail" bit. Nobody with a critical ear for detail would have pushed through the OTC City Hall fiasco. She may have "listened" carefully, but she was apparently only listening to the hired guns who were telling her nothing but what she paid them to tell her. Beyond Staubach, she only heard what she wanted to hear and looked only at the "details" she wanted to see.
Ever personally sit in on a meeting with her?
Quote from: Conan71 on October 05, 2009, 10:12:22 AM
Ever personally sit in on a meeting with her?
Uhhh, no. and don't really need to see that she missed "details" as big as an elephant in the middle of her office in the City Hall transaction
Quote from: DTowner on September 30, 2009, 04:47:54 PM
Maybe she can get the Okla. Dept. of Education to move from OKC into the old City Hall.
Oklahoma could move the education department into the two vacant floors of Tulsa's glass castle to help defray the cost of its operation. They would possibly be allowed to put a sign on the building as a lessee.