Terminating Tulsa government inefficency

[inteller]

The MTTA Google maps debacle got me thinking that there are incredibly simple solutions that could reap huge citizen benefits.  So lets list problems of Tulsa City government that appear to be easy fixes.  We're going to call these "no brainers".

Here are some preliminary rules, based on the MTTA problem:

1.  Fix has to be readily apparent and available.
2.  Fix has to have a no or low cost.


So with that I'm going to list two.

1.  The MTTA Google Transit problem

2.  The lack of TGOV online video archive/live streaming.



Ultimately what we need is a WIKI for each problem and a list of solutions and history.  A discussion forum just won't do it.

[Chicken Little]

Both of these things involve the interweb.

3.  They don't use the internets effectively.

[inteller]

considering they now live in a building LACED with fiber I don't find that problem even fathomable, but since it is a problem it is worth looking into.

[waterboy]

My pet peeve is duplicity in functions of government. I never fail to point out that the Parks Dept. does the same stuff the River Parks Authority does. It was set up as an authority to enable it to borrow. Yet it hasn't been in debt for a long time, relying mostly on donations and fundraisers like Oktoberfest. Most of it resides within Tulsa city limits. Parks can fulfill the same functions of mowing, security, trash pickup etc.

Is this too complex for your requirements?

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

My pet peeve is duplicity in functions of government. I never fail to point out that the Parks Dept. does the same stuff the River Parks Authority does. It was set up as an authority to enable it to borrow. Yet it hasn't been in debt for a long time, relying mostly on donations and fundraisers like Oktoberfest. Most of it resides within Tulsa city limits. Parks can fulfill the same functions of mowing, security, trash pickup etc.

Is this too complex for your requirements?

no that is an easy one to solve, but it will take councilor actions.  I guess we can bring it up and see if it can be added to a public works meeting.

[cannon_fodder]

Go to once a week trash pickup.  At worst everyone will have to get an extra trash can.  Most of my life I have had 1x trash pickup and no one complained about it.  Here, I usually only bother taking cans out once a week.

It is nice, but if it would save money go to once a week.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

Go to once a week trash pickup.  At worst everyone will have to get an extra trash can.  Most of my life I have had 1x trash pickup and no one complained about it.  Here, I usually only bother taking cans out once a week.

It is nice, but if it would save money go to once a week.

Ok, but I think that one has already seen its time come and go.  They did a pilot, but extending that met citizen resistance.

[carltonplace]

If more citizens took advantage of the curb side recycle program they wouldn't need their trash picked up twice a week.

[RecycleMichael]

A small handful of citizens whined about losing twice-a-week trash service and the city councilors caved.

The whole country is going to once-a-week trash pickup, but not Tulsa. The whining residents acted as if the had a God-given right to throw away trash two days a week.

When people ask why we don't have more recycling in Tulsa, it is because we over-service trash.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by carltonplace

If more citizens took advantage of the curb side recycle program they wouldn't need their trash picked up twice a week.

if the recylcing was free like it is in other cities more people might use it.

The city should consider a pilot of free recycling while keeping twice a week and see how that goes.

[RecycleMichael]

I have been saying that for a while now. I think if people get used to recycling, they won't be so insistent an twice a week garbage.

[rwarn17588]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

I have been saying that for a while now. I think if people get used to recycling, they won't be so insistent an twice a week garbage.

Agreed. I have curbside recycling, and there are some days that I don't put out the trash simply because I don't need to.

[inteller]

so attack the problem in reverse.  GIVE people something instead of taking something away and forcing them to do something.

I know I would recycle if I didn't have to pay.  But paying for the priviledge of giving my trash to someone who will take it and make money off of it is not my idea of fair.

[Vision 2025]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

My pet peeve is duplicity in functions of government. I never fail to point out that the Parks Dept. does the same stuff the River Parks Authority does. It was set up as an authority to enable it to borrow. Yet it hasn't been in debt for a long time, relying mostly on donations and fundraisers like Oktoberfest. Most of it resides within Tulsa city limits. Parks can fulfill the same functions of mowing, security, trash pickup etc.

Is this too complex for your requirements?

A valid peeve if Tulsa was the sole funder of RPA.  However; Tulsa County is the second half of the Trust beneficiary and provides approximately half of the regular funding.

[carltonplace]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

so attack the problem in reverse.  GIVE people something instead of taking something away and forcing them to do something.

I know I would recycle if I didn't have to pay.  But paying for the priviledge of giving my trash to someone who will take it and make money off of it is not my idea of fair.

I agree that it should be free (even though the charge is nominal) especially since the service is so uneven. My pick up is on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, but many times they don't come by - or - they only take part of it (or that could be some random passerby harvesing the aluminum and leaving the paper and plastic). Last month I had to take the recycling to the MET myself.

Once you take out everything that can be recycled or composted my house barely creates a half bag of garbage per week.