Buried car in tulsa.....

[bentleytulsa]

As many of us are aware of, June 15 marks a day for Tulsa that brings a 50 year wait to an end. That’s right they are digging up a 1957 Plymouth that is buried beneath a sidewalk near the old Tulsa County Court House. This event has generated much buzz and excitement not only in the local community, but has also received countless national attention. I personally know of many people planning to drive in from neighboring and distant states to attend this spectacular event. And all of this was planned 50 years ago to be part of our states centennial celebration.
As a native Tulsan, and avid car enthusiast, I myself have been counting down the days on my calendar for nearly a year now. As the event grows nearer, my enthusiasm and excitement has diminished, not as a result of the novelty wearing off, but as a result of the details of the event continues to evolve. As I now understand it, I am going to be forced to purchase a ticket to be able to witness the unveiling of the 50 year old coffin. I was under the impression that the Oklahoma legislature provisioned funds to pay for projects and events for the year long celebration of our wonderful state.
Remember the fireworks that went on in downtown back in November, those funds paid for that event as well. I quickly grew concerned about the funds that the “Tulsarama� people are generating off of this event. I have to admit I have not been able to bring myself to pay the $25 required to purchase a reserved seat to the unveiling of the car. I did some research and discovered directly on the buriedcar.com website that on April 23rd, 2007 a press release was issued stating that “Mayor Kathy Taylor announced that the City of Tulsa will waive all fees associated with the use of the Maxwell Convention Center for the events involving the buried Belvedere.� Later on the same release adds that “On Thursday, April 19th, the Tulsa county Budget Board, unanimously passed a measure to aid the Tulsarama events as well, allocating 56,000 for law enforcement and safety involving the events.�
This is where my concerns began to grow greater, so I started making some phone calls. First I called my city councilor, who while quite interested in my concern did not have the answers to my questions readily available. Then I decided to contact the Oklahoma Centennial Commission directly, where my phone calls were never returned. The only person who I was able to get any information from was Paula Hale, the Tulsa Coordinator for the car event. She told me that they were attempting to generate funds for this event through primarily private donations. I asked her about the fact that the Convention Center and police protection had been underwritten by the City, and County. I never received a direct answer from her.
Now I understand that there will be expenses that will be incurred beyond simply having a building and police present. There will be event insurance, excavation fees, and other such expenses that go with any large event. I do however have a hard time believing that there is not a single excavation company in this entire great state of ours that would be willing to donate their services. I also find it hard to believe that enough private donations can not be generated to cover the other costs associated with this event.
Instead I will be left with 2 choices: Pay to park in downtown Tulsa Pay $75 for tickets to get my family seats, and I am sure there will be t-shirts and other novelties available at the event. Or I can simply not attend and wait to see the results of the event in the newspaper.
As a concerned citizen of Tulsa, I think the Oklahoma Centennial Commission has a duty to be financially responsible with the funding of their events and needs to be open with its citizens about where those funds are coming from. In addition I am concerned that I could not get a straight answer, as to where proceeds generated from the event that exceeded the costs would be diverted. I would not have such a hard time stomaching this whole situation if it were being put on by a private source, but this is the state and city governments hosting this event.
I am certain that I am not the only citizen that will share my concerns regarding this whole convoluted event. The city of Tulsa demands Answers.

Signed,

Bentley Wright

[ttownclown]

This sounds familiar- wasn't this post in the "letters to the editor" in this weeks UTW?

Anyway,  I also think it stinks they are charging admission to see the car.

[rwarn17588]

Why not? It's not like digging up that vault is cheap.

There's no free lunch, kids.

If you can't afford a ticket, just check the TV, newspaper and YouTube after it's all done. I don't think there will be a lack of news coverage by any stretch.

[ttownclown]

Not arguing that it's cheap to dig up a car - Just that it should have been included in the Centennial Celebration budget. Not that we can do much about it now.

[Breadburner]

Of all the things to get done at no cost...It should be the excavation and the crain....I can't imagine companies not fighting to provide that service for free....This is getting attention on a world wide level....

[cannon_fodder]

The crane will be provided either free or at labor cost.  

However, I would like to point out that crane services are not heavily advertised as they have a limited audience.  So seeing a crane from Tulsa on CNN or whatever probably wont help that company too much.  The local exposure to business people is much more valuable.

[Aa5drvr]

One might think that some of those associated with Tulsa Vision Builders and the arena project would not mind contributing to this effort.  
I forget, where do those construction companies get their funding from?

Of course, maybe no one has asked them.

[bentleytulsa]

Yes this is a copy of the letter that I sent to UTw which was printed this week.  I also emailed it to the Tulsa world, and hope they will print it as well!

[Breadburner]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

The crane will be provided either free or at labor cost.  

However, I would like to point out that crane services are not heavily advertised as they have a limited audience.  So seeing a crane from Tulsa on CNN or whatever probably wont help that company too much.  The local exposure to business people is much more valuable.

Thank you for the valuble marketing lesson,but you answered your own question....Crane services are specialized buisnesses and frequently travel out of state for jobs...Another note an aquaintance of mine has a crane company here in town....Now back to topic.....

[brunoflipper]

what a load of crap...

i'll watch it on cnn...

so the "dignitaries" are the only ones who can see the "unearthing" live but then they'll charge for the "unveiling" or you can just wait and go to see it for five bucks at the car show? e

[Hawkins]

There isn't any parking downtown on a normal day, how are they going to handle an event like this?

[rwarn17588]

Um, yes, there is.

Hawkins, you've already displayed your ignorance of downtown on other threads. Don't aggravate the situation.

[TheTed]

quote:Originally posted by bentleytulsa

Instead I will be left with 2 choices: Pay to park in downtown Tulsa...

The event's on a Saturday. It will be incredibly easy to find parking for free on the street. Just park a few blocks away.

quote:Originally posted by hawkins
There isn't any parking downtown on a normal day, how are they going to handle an event like this?

Has anyone complaining about parking in Tulsa ever been to an actual major city? You can find ample, affordable parking within a block or two of just about anywhere in downtown Tulsa at any time of day or night.

If you can't find parking downtown, then perhaps you're not smart enough to be operating a motor vehicle.

All these people constantly complaining about downtown parking should just move to mayberry. there's plenty of free parking downtown there.

[Conan71]

$25 my donkey.  I bet the brass hats from Vanguard will get comps. [B)]

[TulsaSooner]

Metered parking in downtown Tulsa has got to be among the cheapest in the western hemisphere.  I'm not so sure it isn't cheaper to feed the meter for 8 hrs than it is to pony up an ungodly $3 or $4 to park in the parking garage.