http://www.cityoftulsa.org//enews/2011/3-24-11/coordinator.aspx?utm_source=eNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3-24-11 (http://www.cityoftulsa.org//enews/2011/3-24-11/coordinator.aspx?utm_source=eNews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3-24-11)
QuoteA new position has been created at the City of Tulsa to serve as a liaison between the City's Development Services Department and the development community, including business owners and Tulsa area neighborhoods, Mayor Dewey Bartlett has announced.
Crystal Keller, a new employee to the City of Tulsa, will serve as the first Development Services Coordinator.
Ms. Keller will focus on educating Tulsans on development services, permits, and processes required when opening a new business and reaching out to the Tulsa-area development community and neighborhoods potentially affected by new development or redevelopment.
The position was part of the mayor's priorities for Fiscal Year 2011 and was also strongly supported by the City Council and business leadership. Bartlett said the need for such a position arose repeatedly during the Mayor's small business forums in the spring of 2010.
"More hands-on nurturing and caring for small business owners was a recurring theme. Crystal will be in the field meeting with businesses and developers, as well as neighborhood leaders who have questions about developments in their areas. She will work with sponsors of business-oriented programs," said Mayor Bartlett. "It is important to me that we roll out the red carpet and cut the red tape for any new or existing businesses that will bring new jobs and opportunities to Tulsa," Bartlett said. "This is a position that will help attain that goal."
Keller can be reached by e-mail at: ckeller@cityoftulsa.org
Relationships and background, please!?
Quote from: Teatownclown on March 24, 2011, 11:46:19 AM
Relationships and background, please!?
That's all I've got. First I heard of her was at a development meeting Tuesday.
The people on the panel had never heard of her or her position.
Lemme guess, $100K or so salary?
Huh? She managed a community volunteer program for a couple of years in AZ and then sold internet search engine marketing for a year.
What in the HELL does she know about development?
This is like electing a community organizer to be president.
Quote from: Gaspar on March 24, 2011, 12:09:11 PM
Huh? She managed a community volunteer program for a couple of years in AZ and then sold internet search engine marketing for a year.
What in the HELL does she know about development?
This is like electing a community organizer to be president.
Not quite as bad as an alcoholic coke addict huh?
She pulled a paycheck from a development firm, but according to her job description this is what she did:
"Development and management of Verrado Leadership, Verrado Youth Leadership as well as a general community volunteer program in order to create a philanthropic lifestyle for members of the community and draw in new home owners who seek charitable and philanthropic involvement as well."
I wish her the best, but I don't think it's going to be pretty when some of our developers get her on a rope.
Quote from: Gaspar on March 24, 2011, 12:13:50 PM
I wish her the best, but I don't think it's going to be pretty when some of our developers get her on a rope.
If they can find her.
Shouldn't she have at least a bit of business experience? Maybe a little experience in something other than a community volunteer program and internet marketing.
This is a swing and miss on a fastball high and out of the zone.
It's a fake position. More insulation between the city and the development community than an actual "get things done" post.
I certainly hope Mayor Bartlett doesn't think this should be some kind of a PR position or something.
(http://www.nastyhobbit.org/data/media/13/missed-the-boat.jpg)
Me begins to think that perhaps this mayor is having a hard time finding anyone willing to work for him.
I shall give her the benefit of the doubt, but based on the mayor's current track record. . .
I still have many friends in the development community. I'll report back on how well this is received.
Quote from: Gaspar on March 24, 2011, 12:13:50 PM
She pulled a paycheck from a development firm, but according to her job description this is what she did:
"Development and management of Verrado Leadership, Verrado Youth Leadership as well as a general community volunteer program in order to create a philanthropic lifestyle for members of the community and draw in new home owners who seek charitable and philanthropic involvement as well."
I wish her the best, but I don't think it's going to be pretty when some of our developers get her on a rope.
What in THE Hell is that supposed to mean? Did she go to the Sarah Palin/Barack Obama school of resume puffery?
Quote from: Conan71 on March 24, 2011, 04:28:26 PM
What in THE Hell is that supposed to mean? Did she go to the Sarah Palin/Barack Obama school of resume puffery?
Means she's a giver!
:o oh no he didhnt!
Ok....zip on background. Now, let us get to the heart of the matter: RELATIONSHIPS!?
Quote from: Teatownclown on March 24, 2011, 04:31:34 PM
Ok....zip on background. Now, let us get to the heart of the matter: RELATIONSHIPS!?
You aren't suggesting???
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pHdOSQV2FZw/TIJ0BGUBFnI/AAAAAAAAC6c/dYSDw6-C5J0/s1600/giving+head.jpg)
$10 says she went to school with someone's daughter.
Quote from: Conan71 on March 24, 2011, 04:33:45 PM
You aren't suggesting???
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pHdOSQV2FZw/TIJ0BGUBFnI/AAAAAAAAC6c/dYSDw6-C5J0/s1600/giving+head.jpg)
NO!
Relationships refers to who is her daddy or what political contribution does this relate to.
Ah, yes.... right here in Business Development. Yo' mama's gotta be sooooo proud!! Oh, wait, is that... ??
Is she related to the Kellers that own Summit Bank and are big OSU donors?
Wow! Small world. . .Bahahahahaha!
I'm not finding any documentation linking Keller to Verrado (aside from Verrado being operated by DMB, her prior employer). Still, if you look into what Verrado is (a master planned community, built in 2001 (http://www.verrado.com/)) and what the Verrado Leadership program entails (http://www.verrado.com/whats-here/get-involved), Keller would seem to be quite qualified to work with local small business and developers in a community liaison role. That's essentially what she did for Verrado, though with more focus on individual home-owners rather than business owners.
Quote"Verrado Leadership™ (VL) was created through the Verrado Assembly, in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) and a resident steering committee, to enhance the quality of life for Verrado residents. Its mission is to cultivate a leadership community.
Each neighborhood is represented by a Neighborhood Captain who is committed to four goals: 1.) community outreach through neighbor to neighbor engagement, 2.) being a neighborhood organizer for community events and activities, 3.) being an ambassador for the community and 4.) being a steward of charitable endeavors.
The VL program is a vital part of life in Verrado, creating a legacy that will not only touch the hearts and lives of the program participants, but will influence the greater community for years to come.
Verrado Youth Leadership
Verrado Youth Leadership Program is growing leaders in our community. A life changing experience for Verrado's youth, grades 6 – 9, participation in this program involves active learning sessions on basic leadership skills, effective communication and active listening skills, including guest speakers, various field trips, fundraising events and community projects."
Here's the City of Tulsa's press release, (http://www.cityoftulsa.org/news/news-stories/2011/comliaison.aspx) the nut of which, to me, is:
Quote"Keller said she will support small business entrepreneurs with their development projects, assisting to resolve challenges that occur during the permitting and inspection processes while maintaining the integrity of the ordinances that are in place to ensure public safety.
"I look forward to working closely with Tulsa neighborhood groups and associations. Tulsa neighborhoods are the central part of who we are as a city. It is our responsibility to ensure the protection and sustainability of these neighborhoods through our services," she said.
QuoteShe will support small businesses. . .challenges that occur during the permitting and inspection processes
With no experience in Civil Engineering, Planning, Architecture or Law, this will not be assistance. When a business or developer has these issues, they typically seek a development consultant who can actually remedy what ever problem exists or is perceived to exist.
Again, we will have to see what she will actually be involved in. I just don't see the vacuum she is filling as present or important.