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Not At My Table - Political Discussions => Local & State Politics => Topic started by: Townsend on September 23, 2011, 10:30:53 AM

Title: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Townsend on September 23, 2011, 10:30:53 AM
Per Tulsa World FB post:

QuoteMayoral Chief of Staff Terry Simonson's son received special treatment by being squeezed into the testing cycle for the Tulsa firefighters academy after he failed to secure a spot, emails obtained by the Tulsa World indicate.

doh
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Hoss on September 23, 2011, 11:10:40 AM
Quote from: Townsend on September 23, 2011, 10:30:53 AM
Per Tulsa World FB post:

doh

That's going to leave a mark.  Probably not as bad as a burning cellphone, but you get the picture.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: MH2010 on September 23, 2011, 11:16:20 AM
I guess Simonson forgot about the City of Tulsa nepotism rule. It's the same rule that caused Counselor Westcott's son to resign from TPD after he had completed the academy.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: swake on September 23, 2011, 12:23:40 PM
I think the thread needs a new title, "Mayoral POS Simonson and son"
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Conan71 on September 23, 2011, 02:23:50 PM
Quote from: swake on September 23, 2011, 12:23:40 PM
I think the thread needs a new title, "Mayoral POS Slimonson and son"

Post of the week
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Teatownclown on September 27, 2011, 08:27:44 AM
TW did a lousy job of reporting on the back grounds of the committee of three and their "indirect" links to DB in todaze paper. :-[ :-X
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Conan71 on September 27, 2011, 09:03:05 AM
Quote from: Teatownclown on September 27, 2011, 08:27:44 AM
TW did a lousy job of reporting on the back grounds of the committee of three and their "indirect" links to DB in todaze paper. :-[ :-X

Lovely.  Who did they put on the committee?

Did anyone listen to Bartlet's (sic) director of communications on the radio yesterday?  What a babbling buffoon he is.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: DolfanBob on September 27, 2011, 10:14:38 AM
And this kind of thing never goes on in business right ? The old nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
Frankly I'm shocked.  ::)
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: AquaMan on September 27, 2011, 10:30:03 AM
Quote from: DolfanBob on September 27, 2011, 10:14:38 AM
And this kind of thing never goes on in business right ? The old nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
Frankly I'm shocked.  ::)

The taxpayer doesn't (knowingly) pay for that behavior in businesses. Surely you don't condone this practice in local government?
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: DolfanBob on September 27, 2011, 10:53:55 AM
Quote from: AquaMan on September 27, 2011, 10:30:03 AM
The taxpayer doesn't (knowingly) pay for that behavior in businesses. Surely you don't condone this practice in local government?

Not condone, but surely understand that it goes on. Same as with anything else. Did he qualify for the position and pass the tests or was he pushed through on Daddy's influence ?
So far it sounds like he just got a spot in a already full academy. I would like to see if he has the ability to actually make it on his own. That to me would be a far bigger story than Daddy getting me in the class and actually helping me pass it. Meh ! more kindling smoke than a actual fire.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Conan71 on September 27, 2011, 11:26:31 AM
Quote from: DolfanBob on September 27, 2011, 10:53:55 AM
Not condone, but surely understand that it goes on. Same as with anything else. Did he qualify for the position and pass the tests or was he pushed through on Daddy's influence ?
So far it sounds like he just got a spot in a already full academy. I would like to see if he has the ability to actually make it on his own. That to me would be a far bigger story than Daddy getting me in the class and actually helping me pass it. Meh ! more kindling smoke than a actual fire.

Here's where it becomes more than "just" a problem, considering it looks on the surface as if he got a spot which was not available to anyone else.  And I did finally read the Tulsa World article.  Initially Screwy Dewey had appointed Dick Cagle, a former fire fighter who is reported to be good friends with Chief LaCroix, to the committee.  Nah, Dewey wasn't trying to stack the deck now, was he?

Oh, and as it relates to nepotism, apparently the state law deals with family members of elected officials.  Since Simonson is our un-elected silent mayor, it doesn't seem to present an issue.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: AquaMan on September 27, 2011, 01:54:40 PM
Quote from: DolfanBob on September 27, 2011, 10:53:55 AM
Not condone, but surely understand that it goes on. Same as with anything else. Did he qualify for the position and pass the tests or was he pushed through on Daddy's influence ?
So far it sounds like he just got a spot in a already full academy. I would like to see if he has the ability to actually make it on his own. That to me would be a far bigger story than Daddy getting me in the class and actually helping me pass it. Meh ! more kindling smoke than a actual fire.

DB, did you see the guy who recently was awarded a medal for combat from the president? Turns out he now wants to be a fireman and by going to the awards ceremony he had to miss the cut-off for the next firefighters class. He was offered a chance to go around the rules since he was a hero and be put in the class. He refused to do so. Said he would wait his turn and expected no extra treatment.

It goes on in business but its not the norm and shows a lack of integrity by those involved.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: tulsa_fan on September 27, 2011, 02:59:54 PM
I think the problem became when Simonson called AFTER THE TESTING GROUP WAS FILLED.  Networking and who you know is what we all do to get things done, whether for our benefit or someone else's.  The firefighter's practice was random, so references and recommendations mean nothing.  Simonson is way out of line on this one. 

Plus, no one is talking about him using his employee badge to gain access to the training facility.  They were trying to get into a locked tower to practice.  If they had done that at the police academy on the firiring range, they likely would have been shot.  Can Simonson REALLY claim with a straight face that entering the practice facility after hours was not wrong? 

At least maybe this time Bartlett will let him fall on his own since it appears there's no way Terry can take Barlett down with him.  It appears he did all this on his own.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Conan71 on September 27, 2011, 03:03:23 PM
Quote from: tulsa_fan on September 27, 2011, 02:59:54 PM
I think the problem became when Simonson called AFTER THE TESTING GROUP WAS FILLED.  Networking and who you know is what we all do to get things done, whether for our benefit or someone else's.  The firefighter's practice was random, so references and recommendations mean nothing.  Simonson is way out of line on this one. 

Plus, no one is talking about him using his employee badge to gain access to the training facility.  They were trying to get into a locked tower to practice.  If they had done that at the police academy on the firiring range, they likely would have been shot.  Can Simonson REALLY claim with a straight face that entering the practice facility after hours was not wrong? 

At least maybe this time Bartlett will let him fall on his own since it appears there's no way Terry can take Barlett down with him.  It appears he did all this on his own.

But then who would be mayor if Simonson gets jack-booted for this?
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Townsend on September 27, 2011, 03:07:33 PM
Quote from: Conan71 on September 27, 2011, 03:03:23 PM
But then who would be mayor if Simonson gets jack-booted for this?

I understand Roscoe's looking for something to do.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Conan71 on September 27, 2011, 03:11:51 PM
Quote from: Townsend on September 27, 2011, 03:07:33 PM
I understand Roscoe's looking for something to do.

I think he's hiding his own Easter eggs these days...
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: DolfanBob on September 27, 2011, 03:22:19 PM
Quote from: Townsend on September 27, 2011, 03:07:33 PM
I understand Roscoe's looking for something to do.

OMG that's not even funny.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: tulsa_fan on September 28, 2011, 09:22:24 AM
Quote from: Townsend on September 27, 2011, 03:07:33 PM
I understand Roscoe's looking for something to do.

That's awesome! 
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Conan71 on September 28, 2011, 10:20:35 AM
KRMG was reporting on a hastily-called news conference by Mayor Bartlet (sic) last night.  He did so out of transparency so we would know the committee was going to get to the bottom of this.

Nicole Burgin was saying though that she only learned on her own after the presser that there is now a fourth person on the committee.  That's Dewey's transparency for you!
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Townsend on September 28, 2011, 10:36:34 AM
Quote from: Conan71 on September 28, 2011, 10:20:35 AM
Nicole Burgin was saying though that she only learned on her own after the presser that there is now a fourth person on the committee. 

The one running the shredder?
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: sgrizzle on September 28, 2011, 12:00:30 PM
My Two Cents:
1. Bartlett saw what happened to the incumbent councilors in the primaries
2. Bartlett likes having Simonson around, but knows he is a liability
3. Bartlett takes the opportunity to look like a hero by scrutinizing
4. Simonson steps down
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Conan71 on September 28, 2011, 12:20:49 PM
Quote from: sgrizzle on September 28, 2011, 12:00:30 PM
My Two Cents:
1. Bartlett saw what happened to the incumbent councilors in the primaries
2. Bartlett likes having Simonson around, but knows he is a liability
3. Bartlett takes the opportunity to look like a hero by scrutinizing
4. Simonson steps down

Bartlet (sic) is toast in the next election, regardless. 
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: heironymouspasparagus on September 28, 2011, 12:27:02 PM
Quote from: Conan71 on September 28, 2011, 12:20:49 PM
Bartlet (sic) is toast in the next election, regardless. 

One can only hope, but very much stranger things have happened in Tulsa politics.

Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: sgrizzle on September 28, 2011, 01:35:46 PM
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on September 28, 2011, 12:27:02 PM
One can only hope, but very much stranger things have happened in Tulsa politics.



(http://www.cityoftulsa.org/media/66179/James-M.-Inhofe-1978-1984.jpg)
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: heironymouspasparagus on September 29, 2011, 01:07:19 PM
Quote from: sgrizzle on September 28, 2011, 01:35:46 PM
(http://www.cityoftulsa.org/media/66179/James-M.-Inhofe-1978-1984.jpg)

Exactly!

Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: carltonplace on September 29, 2011, 04:05:33 PM
The Mayor is holding a press conference today to suggest a "solution".
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Hoss on September 29, 2011, 04:07:01 PM
Quote from: carltonplace on September 29, 2011, 04:05:33 PM
The Mayor is holding a press conference today to suggest a "solution".

I suspect he'll have to leave in a hurry and you might smell the smell of polyester and electronics burning.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Townsend on September 29, 2011, 04:09:10 PM
Simonson resigned Per KOTV FB
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Teatownclown on September 29, 2011, 04:13:00 PM
Quote from: Townsend on September 29, 2011, 04:09:10 PM
Simonson resigned Per KOTV FB

Great news. Now, aimlessness becomes solo.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Conan71 on September 29, 2011, 04:19:44 PM
Quote from: Teatownclown on September 29, 2011, 04:13:00 PM
Great news. Now, aimlessness becomes solo.

I wonder who our puppet mayor can find who wants to have their hand up Screwy's butt for the next two years?
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: carltonplace on September 29, 2011, 04:22:15 PM
Quote from: Hoss on September 29, 2011, 04:07:01 PM
I suspect he'll have to leave in a hurry and you might smell the smell of polyester and electronics burning.

I smell that, is that his toupee and pager?
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Conan71 on September 29, 2011, 04:23:49 PM
Quote from: carltonplace on September 29, 2011, 04:22:15 PM
I smell that, is that his toupee and pager?

No, I think that doobie he was puffing right before the presser didn't get completely snuffed out.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: RecycleMichael on September 29, 2011, 04:53:01 PM
Simonson resigns.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: sgrizzle on September 29, 2011, 05:33:33 PM
Quote from: sgrizzle on September 28, 2011, 12:00:30 PM
My Two Cents:
1. Bartlett saw what happened to the incumbent councilors in the primaries
2. Bartlett likes having Simonson around, but knows he is a liability
3. Bartlett takes the opportunity to look like a hero by scrutinizing
4. Simonson steps down

What do I win?
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Townsend on September 29, 2011, 05:41:22 PM
Quote from: sgrizzle on September 29, 2011, 05:33:33 PM
What do I win?

Wanna shove your hand up a mayor for 2 years?
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: DolfanBob on September 30, 2011, 10:14:50 AM
Quote from: Townsend on September 29, 2011, 05:41:22 PM
Wanna shove your hand up a mayor for 2 years?

At a 150 Geez a year. It would smell like Daisies.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: sgrizzle on September 30, 2011, 10:47:20 AM
For what they're paying.. sure.
Title: Re: Mayoral COS Simonson and son
Post by: Townsend on September 30, 2011, 10:52:45 AM
Quote from: sgrizzle on September 30, 2011, 10:47:20 AM
For what they're paying.. sure.

Simonson was never very good at it anyway.  Ever notice he could never get the mayor's arms to move?