While Dewey won, it can easily be argued that a large percentage of the votes he got were from people who simply didn't want Kathy. I saw a lot of "I don't either one of them" posts on Facbeook and Twitter.
Since we have a large number of unhappy citizens in Tulsa right now, what change(s) can Dewey make in his second term?
My first suggestion would be to look at his staff. His first chief of staff earned him a bad reputation with the council and ended up in two ethics investigations before resigning. His second chief of staff admittedly didn't handle the green waste issue well. Is a changing of the guard due?
Second suggestion is fully staffing the planning and urban development departments. How can you move a city forward when they can't even plan for it?
Anyone else have thoughts?
The people that voted for him will disagree but these are my thoughts:
He needs to make real and meaningful strides towards enacting PlaniTulsa - foremost would be to remove the one size fits all zoning overlay that serves to make us bland.
We need a downtown parking plan
We need a transportation plan
He needs a signature project to be his legacy (like Lafortune/BOK Center or Taylor/ONEOK) that shows his commitment to continuing development of the core. The POP Museum seems like an easy project for him to promote if he doesn't have something of his own.
I agree with him that North Tulsa is ready for and in need of development.
Or, is it validation for him and he comes back with Simonson?
Dewey 2.0 is going to be much that same as 1.0. he's already going straight for stupid by threatening the FOP and firefighters union.
http://www.ktul.com/story/23964147/mayor-to-unions-you-should-have-stayed-neutral
Quote from: sgrizzle on November 13, 2013, 08:51:10 PM
While Dewey won, it can easily be argued that a large percentage of the votes he got were from people who simply didn't want Kathy. I saw a lot of "I don't either one of them" posts on Facbeook and Twitter.
Since we have a large number of unhappy citizens in Tulsa right now, what change(s) can Dewey make in his second term?
My first suggestion would be to look at his staff. His first chief of staff earned him a bad reputation with the council and ended up in two ethics investigations before resigning. His second chief of staff admittedly didn't handle the green waste issue well. Is a changing of the guard due?
Second suggestion is fully staffing the planning and urban development departments. How can you move a city forward when they can't even plan for it?
Anyone else have thoughts?
First "chief of staff" was a disaster, however the green waste issue was nothing more than a hobgoblin for the KT campaign. They had some major challenges in implementing a massive undertaking and were mislead by a vendor. That vendor was held to the fire and forced to make good on the contract, but it took time. The implementation of new programs is not without risk. The shredder designed to tear apart the special green waste bags that residents were required to purchase was not working and the trash was piling up, so the City Manager decided to continue the practice of burning the green waste as we always had with the garbage (just as we did for years when KT was mayor) until the vendor could fix the equipment.
It was really a non-issue to most voters and I think that rally shot a hole in the foot of the KT campaign. Instead of focusing her campaign on the positive things she could do for Tulsa, she chose to take a non-issue and blow it up into a scandal and mock-outrage campaign.
I would rather my mayor focus on important issues and leave the lower level decisions to lower level people. I don't think he did anything wrong.
Quote from: Gaspar on November 14, 2013, 09:33:43 AM
Try this simple change of wording using your thinking.......... ........was nothing more ........than a hobgoblin for the Republican campaign. Obama They had some major challenges in implementing a massive undertaking and were mislead by a vendor. That vendor was held to the fire and forced to make good on the contract, but it will take time. The implementation of new programs is not without risk. The system shredder designed tear apart the special green waste bags that residents were required to purchase was not working and the website was overwhelmed trash was piling up, so the City Manager President decided to continue the practice of burning the green waste as we always had with the garbage (just as we did for years when KT was mayor) supporting the program until the vendor could fix the equipment software.
It was really a non-issue to most voters and I think that rally shot a hole in the foot of the republicans KT campaign. Instead of focusing ther campaign on the positive things the healthcare program she could do for Tulsa, they chose to take a non-issue and blow it up into a scandal and mock-outrage campaign.
I would rather my mayor leaders focus on important issues and leave the lower level decisions to lower level people. I don't think he did anything wrong.
Most people I know and talk to are pretty po'd about how the whole garbage thing was handled and find it ludicrous that Bartlett says he didn't know about the grass burning. Especially older folks who didn't like the plan in the first place.
But my real amazement with your remarks is that you think Dewey should get a pass on the same type of screw up that Obama has been blamed for.
Quote from: AquaMan on November 14, 2013, 10:27:11 AM
Most people I know and talk to are pretty po'd about how the whole garbage thing was handled and find it ludicrous that Bartlett says he didn't know about the grass burning. Especially older folks who didn't like the plan in the first place.
But my real amazement with your remarks is that you think Dewey should get a pass on the same type of screw up that Obama has been blamed for.
Now wait a second. Dewey didn't create a colossal love up like Obamacare. There's no comparison if you are referring to the green waste issue.
Dooey is too aloof in his management style and he's depending on others to run the city. At least if the Taylor ads can be taken at face value Dooey's primary job is still running Keener Oil & Gas and he's simply enjoying a nice paycheck from the city to be a figure-head. The two main reasons I wanted KT back in office were her attention to detail and her vision for the city. Two things Bartlet (sic) lacks when it comes to city business.
Quote from: Conan71 on November 14, 2013, 10:33:42 AM
Now wait a second. Dewey didn't create a colossal love up like Obamacare. There's no comparison if you are referring to the green waste issue.
Dooey is too aloof in his management style and he's depending on others to run the city. At least if the Taylor ads can be taken at face value Dooey's primary job is still running Keener Oil & Gas and he's simply enjoying a nice paycheck from the city to be a figure-head. The two main reasons I wanted KT back in office were her attention to detail and her vision for the city. Two things Bartlet (sic) lacks when it comes to city business.
So...you believe in "a little bit pregnant"?
That aloof management style is a republican trait. They really do believe in extreme delegation. Maybe its a military thing. Eisenhower was quite good at it. Most are not. Dewey is not.
Quote from: AquaMan on November 14, 2013, 10:51:20 AM
So...you believe in "a little bit pregnant"?
That aloof management style is a republican trait. They really do believe in extreme delegation. Maybe its a military thing. Eisenhower was quite good at it. Most are not. Dewey is not.
It's one thing to completely dismantle a healthcare payment system which was somewhat functional and turn it into a dysfunctional nightmare and quite another to poorly revamp the trash system of a medium-sized city. My trash still gets picked up. I know people who have lost good insurance plans that fit their needs.
You really think Obama managed to screw this up all on his own? Talk about a poor delegator.
If you wish to compare Dooey and Obama as to their management and delegation styles, I'd agree, they are one and the same. But there's simply no comparison of these two's personal "Waterloos".
Quote from: sgrizzle on November 13, 2013, 08:51:10 PM
While Dewey won, it can easily be argued that a large percentage of the votes he got were from people who simply didn't want Kathy. I saw a lot of "I don't either one of them" posts on Facbeook and Twitter.
I was certainly concerned by his "mandate" comment in his reelection speech. ("
Certainly, a mandate occurred, from the vote, but now we have a lot to do, continuing on what we've accomplished--job-getting - I want to continue to be the job-gettingest mayor this city has ever seen - and all of the things that we've accomplished.")
I'm not really sure what his thought is trying to say since I believe our job numbers are actually down over the course of Dewey's term - but it does sound a bit like more of the same (call centers).
Quote from: sgrizzle on November 13, 2013, 08:51:10 PM
While Dewey won, it can easily be argued that a large percentage of the votes he got were from people who simply didn't want Kathy. I saw a lot of "I don't either one of them" posts on Facbeook and Twitter.
The election was not even close. Almost in the "mandate" range. So, let Dewey be Dewey.
Quote from: Conan71 on November 14, 2013, 11:03:29 AM
It's one thing to completely dismantle a healthcare payment system which was somewhat functional and turn it into a dysfunctional nightmare and quite another to poorly revamp the trash system of a medium-sized city. My trash still gets picked up. I know people who have lost good insurance plans that fit their needs.
You really think Obama managed to screw this up all on his own? Talk about a poor delegator.
If you wish to compare Dooey and Obama as to their management and delegation styles, I'd agree, they are one and the same. But there's simply no comparison of these two's personal "Waterloos".
Thats rich. I suppose if- KT had screwed the pooch on the trash system, Gas and friends would have given her a pass as well. Not.
Insurance system is still working. People are still getting insured and the states that offered an exchange are doing pretty well with apps. Your friends are going to be okay. Chill pills necessary.
Honest comparison of headlines for local health care stories:
News on Six- "Problems with signing up for insurance under the Affordable Health Care act are starting to emerge....."
FOX- "The disaster that is Obamacare has hit home!"
Don't drink the kool aid C. The party out of power is focussed on failure to regain power. They are assaulting the forums, letters to the editor and comments sections everywhere. Change is hard for these folks but it will happen. Remember, The Arena was bound to fail. The Drillers are moving to Jenks.
Quote from: guido911 on November 14, 2013, 11:56:14 AM
The election was not even close. Almost in the "mandate" range. So, let Dewey be Dewey.
i actually like that and agree. Tulsa is Dewey. At least south and east of midtown and west of the river.
Quote from: AquaMan on November 14, 2013, 10:27:11 AM
Most people I know and talk to are pretty po'd about how the whole garbage thing was handled and find it ludicrous that Bartlett says he didn't know about the grass burning. Especially older folks who didn't like the plan in the first place.
But my real amazement with your remarks is that you think Dewey should get a pass on the same type of screw up that Obama has been blamed for.
Not sure what they have to be po'd about, but then again there are people who pride themselves in that kinda thing. I lived in St. Louis in the 90s when they "revamped" the trash pickup system and it ended up (as does anything in a union controlled city) with striking workers, trash in the streets, and in many cases, trash being dumped on your lawn, especially if you had the wrong political signs.
I think the new trash system roll-out was rather smooth. My trash and recycling guys are really nice too, and they keep their vehicles really clean and well maintained. Our old trash contractor had a truck that smoked up the street and leaked oil everywhere.
Quote from: AquaMan on November 14, 2013, 01:35:49 PM
Thats rich. I suppose if- KT had screwed the pooch on the trash system, Gas and friends would have given her a pass as well. Not.
Insurance system is still working. People are still getting insured and the states that offered an exchange are doing pretty well with apps. Your friends are going to be okay. Chill pills necessary.
Honest comparison of headlines for local health care stories:
News on Six- "Problems with signing up for insurance under the Affordable Health Care act are starting to emerge....."
FOX- "The disaster that is Obamacare has hit home!"
Don't drink the kool aid C. The party out of power is focussed on failure to regain power. They are assaulting the forums, letters to the editor and comments sections everywhere. Change is hard for these folks but it will happen. Remember, The Arena was bound to fail. The Drillers are moving to Jenks.
Considering ACA has only managed to hit 20% of it's goal of new enrollees to this point, that's a staggering failure.
The trash "problem" is that yard waste ended up being turned into steam and Dooey didn't know that. BFD. It's not like piles of trash are sitting on the curb waiting to be picked up.
Outrage over green waste should be directed at contractor - they didn't deliver what they promised. If I choose not to mulch my grass and leaves, but bagged it up, then I should pay $.50 per bag. If I didn't care enough to mulch/compost it at my house, then I probably don't care whether it's burned, composted or landfilled once it's hauled away.
Quote from: AquaMan on November 14, 2013, 01:37:31 PM
i actually like that and agree. Tulsa is Dewey. At least south and east of midtown and west of the river.
I was not even thinking that. Just the "I won" mentality O gave the opposition.
Quote from: swake on November 14, 2013, 09:10:48 AM
Dewey 2.0 is going to be much that same as 1.0. he's already going straight for stupid by threatening the FOP and firefighters union.
http://www.ktul.com/story/23964147/mayor-to-unions-you-should-have-stayed-neutral
Read that story closer; he merely responded to a loaded question from KTUL that looks spoon-fed from the union.
"Politics and political retaliation and stuff like that I don't think is something that any mayor would ever consider when it comes to law enforcement," said Caswell. It's sour grapes. Maybe 8 is whoring themselves for more ride-alongs?
Quote from: DTowner on November 14, 2013, 03:28:07 PM
Outrage over green waste should be directed at contractor - they didn't deliver what they promised. If I choose not to mulch my grass and leaves, but bagged it up, then I should pay $.50 per bag. If I didn't care enough to mulch/compost it at my house, then I probably don't care whether it's burned, composted or landfilled once it's hauled away.
First of all, there was no contractor. The City of Tulsa crews were in charge of green waste. Yes, they didn't delivered what was promised.
Secondly, I know a number of people who specifically bought clear bags and stickers just because they thought it was going to the green waste site. They knew they could have just as easily put in in the gray cart to be burned but wanted to be environmental and went through the extra expense and effort only because they thought it was being composted.
I have no problem with my trash guys other than they refused to pick up my neighbor's bags even though they bought the right bags and stickers. And the new trucks are great. I would remind you both, that it was the failure to tell customers that they were paying for something they weren't receiving that was the problem. They continued to charge folks and our Mayor, who should have known (if the guys hauling the trash knew) says, "I knew nothing. NOTHING!" that po'd people.
Quote from: DTowner on November 14, 2013, 03:28:07 PM
Outrage over green waste should be directed at contractor - they didn't deliver what they promised. If I choose not to mulch my grass and leaves, but bagged it up, then I should pay $.50 per bag. If I didn't care enough to mulch/compost it at my house, then I probably don't care whether it's burned, composted or landfilled once it's hauled away.
The green waste was picked up and delivered to the trash to energy site by City employees. No contractor was involved in green waste.
Quote from: sgrizzle on November 14, 2013, 08:42:09 PM
The green waste was picked up and delivered to the trash to energy site by City employees. No contractor was involved in green waste.
Was this "green waste" issue really that big to the electorate?
Quote from: AquaMan on November 14, 2013, 01:37:31 PM
i actually like that and agree. Tulsa is Dewey. At least south and east of midtown and west of the river.
How sad is that...??
Quote from: sgrizzle on November 14, 2013, 08:42:09 PM
The green waste was picked up and delivered to the trash to energy site by City employees. No contractor was involved in green waste.
Wasn't it the contractor that was supposed to have the equipment to rip open the green wast bags, etc.? It was only after that equipment failed that city crews began taking it to be burned. We didn't get what we were promised, and those folks should be held accountable. I paid extra to have my green waste hauled off - that seems fair. Wish it had been composted, but since I couldn't be bothered to do it myself, I wan't very committed to the cause.
Quote from: DTowner on November 15, 2013, 09:45:13 AM
Wasn't it the contractor that was supposed to have the equipment to rip open the green wast bags, etc.? It was only after that equipment failed that city crews began taking it to be burned. We didn't get what we were promised, and those folks should be held accountable. I paid extra to have my green waste hauled off - that seems fair. Wish it had been composted, but since I couldn't be bothered to do it myself, I wan't very committed to the cause.
Streets and Stormwater Division Manager Roy Teeters said the city's yard-waste mulching plant recently tested, with limited success, new equipment intended to remove the plastic bags in which curbside trash customers are asked to place excess yard waste.
A similar trommel screen was tested unsuccessfully in weeks surrounding the Oct. 1, 2012, start of the new curbside trash program, leading to a decision to divert bags of yard waste from the mulching site to the trash-to-energy incinerator.
Tulsa's trash board contracted with independent hauler NeWSolutions for curbside trash and recycling pickup but opted to use city crews for yard waste, hoping to collect usage data and eventually determine whether there was a better long-term solution for keeping yard waste separate from other trash.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/green-solution-still-sought-for-tulsa-s-green-waste-problem/article_37d8384e-3b94-11e3-9c05-0019bb30f31a.html
Front page World poll story this morning on the subject (subscribe or read it online). Even though the headline says people are happy with the system in general, 62.5% object to the city burning the green waste. They also feel like they should get refunds and are unhappy that they were not told it was being burned. So, yes, nearly 2/3 of the population feel it was important and badly handled.
Wonder why Fox didn't pick up on this majority view? Or Gas? Or Guido? No offense guys, its just that views from inside the cocoon are different than outside.
Quote from: Conan71 on November 14, 2013, 03:08:36 PM
Considering ACA has only managed to hit 20% of it's goal of new enrollees to this point, that's a staggering failure.
The trash "problem" is that yard waste ended up being turned into steam and Dooey didn't know that. BFD. It's not like piles of trash are sitting on the curb waiting to be picked up.
I still have plenty of compost, how about you?
Anyone realizing a shortage of compost?
Anyone's compost bill go up by 100%?
Ok, we can move on now.
We mulch our leaves and grass and compost our food waste, no shortages here. What exactly was the city going to do with this giant compost pile in the first place? Were they going to distribute it back out?
Otherwise, it's being recycled into steam which I believe is then sold to the Holly refinery. That's still a good re-use of yard waste. I don't think there's any more environmental impact by burning it vs. composting as both methods of disposal do release various emission gas.
Quote from: Conan71 on November 15, 2013, 10:48:19 AM
We mulch our leaves and grass and compost our food waste, no shortages here. What exactly was the city going to do with this giant compost pile in the first place? Were they going to distribute it back out?
Otherwise, it's being recycled into steam which I believe is then sold to the Holly refinery. That's still a good re-use of yard waste. I don't think there's any more environmental impact by burning it vs. composting as both methods of disposal do release various emission gas.
(http://www.ryangarns.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/algore.jpg)
Part of being an adult is recognizing and admitting when you've made a mistake. Dewey doesn't and isn't and apparently there are a few candidates on this forum as well. :)
I am glad there's no shortage of compost. Very comforting.
While this discussion would seem to support Dewey offering some consolation to unhappy green waste customers, any other suggestions?
Quote from: sgrizzle on November 18, 2013, 09:23:18 AM
While this discussion would seem to support Dewey offering some consolation to unhappy green waste customers, any other suggestions?
I can't think of anything that won't cause us to drift back to national politics.
Dunno what Dewey will do.
1. In his inauguration speech, Dewey said that crime would be his top priority. I assume preventing it, not committing it.
2. He has spoken about being a "jobs-getting-est" mayor. I wish he would obtain some language skills.
3. It appears that the City is now planning to sell the FinTube site. This site was supposed to be a key component of the Downtown Master Plan where public-private investment could occur. It was going to involve a land swap with the railroad to increase the usable space, coordination of infrastructure improvements with developers, and the leasing of the city-owned property which would be dedicated to transit operations. The vision was for a transit station, OSU-Tulsa student housing, bicycle trail system, school for visual and performing arts, farmers market and apartments. Or, I guess, we could just sell it. Go Doo.
4. Dewey wants to move the Economic Development department from the Planning Department to the Mayor's Office. Hmmmm. See above for lack of coordination of Mayor's agenda with long-term planning initiatives.
5. Dewey says he wants: "water in that river and development in, between, around and on both sides of the river." I'm not sure how many miles of greenspace he wants to destroy, but I'd keep my eye on this one. Careful, Doo. The river is a treasure, don't ruin it!
Rumor also has it that he is wanting to push back the implementation/funding of the new bus route from Brookside to Downtown, until after 6 years.
We all know he prefers suburban style growth outward versus "infill" and good urban development (he apparently has said as much), so none of this should come as any real surprise.
We will quite likely see the Fin Tube site sold, the rail line in the other thread sold, the new Comprehensive Plan (eschewing more urban infill development) remaining in limbo/"still working on it mode", etc. Really saddens me. Tulsa has so much potential to be great vrs. "falling further behind" and risking messing up it's future.
As for "Jobs-getting-est" mayor. I would really like to see the numbers, the "jobs gained and jobs lost" tally. That's what really matters. Touting that we gained, say, 10,000 jobs on the one hand while losing 9,000 on the other...
It seems we've become distracted with ACA comparisons. Dewey will continue to push against PlaniTulsa, fixed rail mass transit, and basically anything that I want to see happen for my beloved city. Another term, another period that OKC out-paces us.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Its ironic. Our city seems more sophisticated in appearance, seems less cowboy redneck in personality and seems more business friendly than OKC. Yet OKC is progressing and Tulsa is status quo.
The same folks who are so well educated, informed and logical, will support the likes of Dewey, Bridenstein, Inhofe and Mullin even when they don't share their same goals. They run on national/religious agendas when local issues are more important. At some point, good people stop running for office.
Quote from: AquaMan on December 28, 2013, 10:32:36 AM
Its ironic. Our city seems more sophisticated in appearance, seems less cowboy redneck in personality and seems more business friendly than OKC. Yet OKC is progressing and Tulsa is status quo.
The same folks who are so well educated, informed and logical, will support the likes of Dewey, Bridenstein, Inhofe and Mullin even when they don't share their same goals. They run on national/religious agendas when local issues are more important. At some point, good people stop running for office.
Amazes me how consistently the people in this state will vote directly against their own best interest. It puzzles me a lot of the time.
Maybe some of you are aware of Direct TV's decision drop The Weather Channel from their lineup. Well here's a wonderful quote from Mayor Bartlett...
"As Mayor, I rely on The Weather Channel for alerts and up-to-the-minute information so that I can communicate clearly and quickly with my constituents.
Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr.
Mayor, Tulsa, Oklahoma"
You have a National Weather Service office right here in town sir. But thanks for throwing us (and the local TV outlets) under the bus.
Quote from: charky on January 14, 2014, 08:36:44 AM
Maybe some of you are aware of Direct TV's decision drop The Weather Channel from their lineup. Well here's a wonderful quote from Mayor Barlett...
"As Mayor, I rely on The Weather Channel for alerts and up-to-the-minute information so that I can communicate clearly and quickly with my constituents.
Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr.
Mayor, Tulsa, Oklahoma"
You have a National Weather Service office right here in town sir. But thanks for throwing us (and the local TV outlets) under the bus.
TWC hasn't really done weather since Comcast/NBC bought them. It's really become the "Al Roker Channel" since then. And don't get me started on naming of winter storms.
Quote from: charky on January 14, 2014, 08:36:44 AM
Maybe some of you are aware of Direct TV's decision drop The Weather Channel from their lineup. Well here's a wonderful quote from Mayor Barlett...
"As Mayor, I rely on The Weather Channel for alerts and up-to-the-minute information so that I can communicate clearly and quickly with my constituents.
Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr.
Mayor, Tulsa, Oklahoma"
You have a National Weather Service office right here in town sir. But thanks for throwing us (and the local TV outlets) under the bus.
It's Bartlett....
Think about it....
Quote from: Hoss on January 14, 2014, 08:47:46 AM
TWC hasn't really done weather since Comcast/NBC bought them. It's really become the "Al Roker Channel" since then. And don't get me started on naming of winter storms.
I was wondering what happened to them....it's all so clear now!!
That's ok, we still have the real weather service....
http://www.weather.gov/
More of that "evil socialism" in action....
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on January 14, 2014, 09:01:58 AM
More of that "evil socialism" in action....
Without which, The Weather Channel would never have gotten off the ground. It wasn't until sometime in the 90s they actually started producing their own forecasts rather than just parroting whatever NWS was saying that day.
Quote from: nathanm on January 14, 2014, 03:50:07 PM
Without which, The Weather Channel would never have gotten off the ground. It wasn't until sometime in the 90s they actually started producing their own forecasts rather than just parroting whatever NWS was saying that day.
Yep. I was being as facetious and sarcastic as is possible with text and no voice of facial expression for rolling of the eyes....
Quote from: charky on January 14, 2014, 08:36:44 AM
Maybe some of you are aware of Direct TV's decision drop The Weather Channel from their lineup. Well here's a wonderful quote from Mayor Bartlett...
"As Mayor, I rely on The Weather Channel for alerts and up-to-the-minute information so that I can communicate clearly and quickly with my constituents.
Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr.
Mayor, Tulsa, Oklahoma"
You have a National Weather Service office right here in town sir. But thanks for throwing us (and the local TV outlets) under the bus.
I'll give Mayor Bartlett a pass on this. Evidently the quote is over a year old...from a Weather Channel interview about safe rooms. With this in mind...shame on The Weather Channel for using this quote out of context.
Dewey does CPR:
Tulsa World (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/tulsa-mayor-administers-cpr-to-man-at-downtown-restaurant/article_3b450f80-8f5e-59bb-80da-97701d1fd9d4.html)
Quote from: BKDotCom on January 31, 2014, 01:30:06 PM
Dewey does CPR:
Tulsa World (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/tulsa-mayor-administers-cpr-to-man-at-downtown-restaurant/article_3b450f80-8f5e-59bb-80da-97701d1fd9d4.html)
Nicely done your honor!