UPDATED: Timeline of events leading to the formation of the Mayor's Citizens Commission on City Government
UPDATE: BatesLine has posted that Tulsans for Better Government has filed their ethics, or lack thereof, report with the City Clerk's Office. In his post titled, Tulsans for Better Government contributors: Whirled money, mouth coincide, Michael has sorted the list in descending order with the number one contributor to TfBG. I'll give you three guesses who the largest contributor is..... If you guessed Bill LaFortune you would be close, but not quite. Robert J. LaFortune, his uncle, contributed only $2500 to the cause. If you said Howard Barnett, you'd be wrong too. Barnett probably needs money for his own State Treasurer campaign bid. If your answer was... THE TULSA WHIRLED, then you win the prize! Their donation was a whopping $10,000. I'm sure this doesn't include the cost of ink for all their slanted editorials and biased local reporting that went to print.
I'm amazed at the Whirled's diversity. Not only do they report the news, they make it as well. First Great Plains Airlines, next the Whirled's generous donations to the Recall movement, and now their support of Recall - Part Deux (aka, Tulsans for Better Government). Their bag of tricks also includes failure to report on the news as well.
Tulsans should demand to know a candidate's stance on changing the city government and at-large councilors! Ben Faulk, Al Nichols and Chris Medlock went on record Friday night at a candidate forum. Here's the audio of the candidates in the order listed above:
ORIGINAL POST - Dated December 18, 2005
In this post I try and "tie-in" all the related events in a timeline leading up to Mayor LaFortune forming the Citizens Commission on City Government. If you see an event that needs to be added to this list, please feel free to comment on this post or send me an email.
In my opinion, the Tulsa World has been a major player in the formation of the Citizens Commission on City Government. Instead of just reporting the news in an unbiased and objective fashion, our so-called paper of record has opted to be a proactive player in Tulsa's political arena. Tulsa Topics urges you to read the "fair use disclaimer," and please realize the intent of this post is to comment on and educate Tulsans regarding the timeline of events leading to the formation of the Citizens Commission on City Government. The purpose and character of this post is for criticism and nonprofit educational purposes only
11/21/2004: Tulsa World Editorial: A city in crisis. Tulsa's form of government should represent all citizens.--by Ken Neal, Editorial Pages Editor
Pertinent excerpts of Mr. Neal's editorial:
While the city ought to be enthusiastically pushing the projects listed in the mammoth Vision 2025 package, approved by voters last year, or concentrating on elections to gain voter approval of a new city-county library and a housekeeping bond issue for infrastructure, it must take time out to spend energy and money on a recall. The very action casts a pall over the city and puts it in a bad light in the state and the nation.Mr. Neal makes a reference to the low voter turnout in the spring elections. Unfortunately low voter turnout isn't exclusive to Tulsa. In the recent "4 to Fix" election, out of 332,406 registered voters in Tulsa County, only 12.76% or 42,418 registered voters voted. Following Mr. Neal's reasoning, should I be upset that only a few voters control the purse strings? Is it grounds to completely dismiss the process or should I just realize the effect of voter apathy and concede that the will of the people was served?But what's the choice? For years, Tulsa civic leaders have known there is a sizable group of "aginners" in the city. The city council form of government, adopted in 1989, has provided the vehicle for a few citizens to wreak havoc with the city. Remember, the five councilors now running a city of 400,000 received fewer than 7,000 votes combined in the spring elections.
Regardless of the outcome of the recall war, the majority of Tulsans who want to see the city thrive must reclaim City Hall. After a sad experience with the current council form, the city government needs to be changed to better reflect the views of all citizens. That can be done by amending the city charter to require at least three of the councilors to be elected at large.This is the first time that I heard "amending the city charter" mentioned. What's even more amazing is his statement "by amending the city charter to require at least three of the councilors to be elected at large" which is exactly what Tulsans for Better Government proposed in their initiative petition filed almost eleven months later.City elections should be non-partisan to encourage Tulsans of both political parties to unite to find and support progressive candidates without regard to partisan advantage.
Without change, even a successful recall will not accomplish much. The cause of the current mess, a form of government that encourages strife and factionalism, has to be cured. The recall of a couple of councilors is not enough.
Did Mr. Neal, Tulsa World Editorial Pages Editor, come up with this thought on his own, thereby planting the seed that set the initiative petition in motion, or was he echoing the thoughts of the people he associates with?
Meanwhile a major defeat to the status quo -
07/12/05: Special Election for the Recall of Councilor Chris Medlock (District 2) and Councilor James Mautino (District 6) fails.
Not only did the recall fail, it failed miserably! The "will of the people was served" with authority. Mr. Neal made reference to only 7,000 people voting for 5 councilors in the Spring 2004 elections. In contrast, over 7,886 registered voters in Council District 2 and 6 voted in the recall election.
It was also brought to light by Michael Bates of BatesLine.com that the proponents of recall, Tulsans for Responsible Government, were the benefactors of a $2500 donation from chairman and CEO of World Publishing Company, Robert E. Lorton. Check out Michael's posts about this here and here.
The revelation of Lorton being pro-recall also explained why the Coalition for Responsible Government website was able to use Tulsa World articles word-for-word on their website without the same legal intimidation that was bestowed upon BatesLine.com, Tulsans for Election Integrity, Councilor Chris Medlock's blog and TulsaNow.org.
Instead of recognizing defeat and letting the City of Tulsa get on with business at hand, the Tulsa World editorial staff shot another editorial across the bow with the following editorial -
NOTE: The above link takes you to the Tulsans for Better Government website. What is interesting here is that the Tulsa World editorial is reprinted by permission with the disclaimer "Not an endorsement."
09/18/05: Tulsa World Article - Charter Revamp Considered --P.J. Lassek, World Staff Writer.
Councilor Tom Baker, City Council District 4 and Mayoral candidate, is quoted in the Tulsa World article saying "he will present a resolution that for the first time since the late 1980s would create a citizen-based group to review the charter and address possible changes including a new form of government."
Michael at BatesLine.com does a good job analyzing Councilor Baker's proposal here.
The Tulsa World Editorial Writers take this as a queue to fire yet another editorial across the bow -
09/21/05: Tulsa World Editorial - Good Idea: Councilor wants resident charter review--World's Editorial Writers.
This Tulsa World editorial applauds Councilor Baker's forthcoming resolution to create a citizen based group to review the charter. The writers continue to lament their woes of the current form of government via the following statements in the editorial -
Baker is correct. It is time that residents take a long, hard look at the charter. Councilors are not likely to propose reforms that dilute their power.What the editorial writers fail to mention is that "at-large Councilors" dilute a citizen's voice as well. Currently there are 9 councilors for an approximate population of 400,000, or roughly 44,444 citizens represented per Councilor. If that number of districts is reduced to 6, the ratio would roughly be 66,666 citizens per Councilor. The editorial goes on to proclaim the following tidbit-
The most important reforms are a change to nonpartisan elections and addition of some at-large councilors.Most important for who? The Tulsa World, the Metro Chamber, the Homebuilders Association or the suburbs? Surely they don't mean the citizens of Tulsa since their voice would be diluted almost 50%.
10/20/2005: Tulsans for Better Government files Initiative Petition with City Clerks Office.
You can view a PDF version of the Initiative Petition by clicking here.
There's nothing like having friends in high places. Especially if they own a newspaper and are sympathetic to your cause. I've heard numerous people tell me that they have written letters to the paper proclaiming they did NOT support charter change or at-large councilors. Where are their letters? The formula is quite simple, if you agree with the World, your letters get printed. If you disagree with the World, you're labeled a persistent naysayer or "aginner," and your letter is filed in the trashcan.
Must Read!: Michael Bates's Urban Tulsa Article - Seeing the Light on City Charter Reform.
Meanwhile, the Tulsa World Editorial Staff goes into full spin cycle mode giving credence to their local handle of choice - "Tulsa Whirled"
At this point in the proposed charter change game, I'm beginning to wonder just exactly who is the Quarterback and who are the Cheerleaders.
11/09/2005: Tulsans Defending Democracy formed.
Related Tulsa Topics link: Newton's Third Law - Tulsans Defending Democracy
Related Links: Tulsans Defending Democracy website.
11/10/2005: Tulsa World Article - Foes of council change organize--P.J. Lassek, World Staff Writer
Herb Beattie, spokesman of TDD is quoted in the article as saying -
"In my opinion, over 50 percent of the problems that we have at City Hall come from the Mayor's Office -- a weak mayor in a strong-mayor form of government with a staff he has put together based on bureaucracy, not democracy. That's a serious problem."The thought of having a strong Mayor would be a welcome change from what we have now. Imagine a Mayor that actually gives the Mayor's Report at the City Council meetings. A Mayor who doesn't put regionalism ahead of Tulsa's best interests. A Mayor willing to hold Townhall and Neighborhood leader meetings when he's not up for re-election.
12/02/05: Tulsa World Letter - Include at-large councilors--William Weinrich, Tulsa
In William Weinrich's letter to the Tulsa World he enlightens us with this jewel-
Dr. W.V. Holloway, the late dean of University of Tulsa's graduate school, wrote in his state and local government textbook: "Objective observers believe election at large is vastly superior to the ward system. ... This method enables the city to elect better qualified councilmen."Quick question Mr. Weinrich. Define "better qualified councilmen."
12/02/2005: Mayor meets with Tulsans for Better Government.
Why did the Mayor choose to meet with TfBG behind closed doors without the knowledge of TDD? Things that make you go hmmmm....?
12/05/2005: Mayor forms Citizens Commission on City Government. Tulsans for Better Government announces that the group will "stand down" on it's Initiative Petition.
AUDIO: 1170KRMG News Audio
NOTE: As of this post there is not an official press release on the Tulsans for Better Government website. Also the outside petition signature gathering group still lists this petition on their website, PoliticalActivists.org. Here's Oregonian Jeffrey M. Johnson's initial reaction to news that Tulsans for Better Government has gone into "stand down" mode.
AUDIO: PoliticalActivist.org's comments on TfBG "standing down."
12/06/2005: Tulsa World Article - Panel named to study City Council makeup--Brian Barber, World Staff Writer.
The "A List" is out and the Mayor doesn't name anybody from Tulsans Defending Democracy to the Citizens Commission. Two Tulsans for Better Government members, Howard Barnett and C.S. "Bud" Lewis III, make the short list. The Tulsa World article states that "Other commission members are expected to be named within a week."
12/06/2005: Mayor's comments in regard to a question asked about the Citizens Commission on City Government at the Mayors "Night In" Neighborhood Leaders meeting.
AUDIO: Mayor's comments on Citizens Commission
12/08/2005: 3b. Requested briefing by the Administration and discussion on the Mayor's recently announced "Citizen's Commission To Study Charter Reform". 96-5-84. Note: Mayor was a no show.
12/09/2005: Tulsans Defending Democracy holds Press Conference at the Tulsa Press Club.
Note: TDD learned about the Mayor naming 22 people to the Citizens Commission on City Government from Brian Barber, Tulsa World Staff Writer, who attended the Press Conference.
AUDIO: Tulsans Defending Democracy Press Conference.
12/10/2005: Tulsa World Article: Mayor names 22 to panel--Brian Barber, World Staff Writer.
The "A List - Redeux" is out and still no members of Tulsans Defending Democracy are included in the makeup of the Citizens Commission.
12/11/2005: Tulsa World Readers Formum: Commission will study form of city government.--Mayor Bill LaFortune.
I'm still trying to figure out whether this is spin mode or damage control.
Related Links: Michael Bates article at Urban Tulsa: Hizzoner's Agenda
12/15/2005: City Council Meeting Agenda - 3b. Discussion on the "Citizen's Commission To Study Charter Reform." 96-5-86
AUDIO: Mayor briefs City Council on Commission.
Two Tulsans Defending Democracy members, Jane Malone and Becky Darrow, are named to the Citizens Commission on City Government.
12/16/2005: Tulsa World article: Councilors: Mayor is crossing the line--Brian Barber, World Staff Writer.
NOTE: I've installed some code from del.icio.us called Play Tagger. It may take a moment to load, but you can listen to the audio file without having to download the file. Here's their spill about it:
Play Tagger allows you to easily play mp3 files directly on your website or blog. Simply include a tiny javascript, and your mp3 links will automatically become playable right on the page. In addition, your visitors will have the opportunity to easily tag and post the mp3 link to del.icio.us. This script is extremely lightweight, as is the flash movie that plays on demand.Since this website and blog is one big experiment and learning experience to me, I decided to try it out for a bit. Any MP3 link, which is usually either a PodCast or sound clip file here at Tulsa Topics will have the following graphic preceding it -You can learn more by clicking here.
(Not actual size)
If and when you see that little "Play Tagger", it means the MP3 file can be played just by clicking on the arrow and bookmark it in del.icio.us if you desire. You can also download the MP3 file to your computer by clicking on the hyperlink if you wish to do so.
UPDATE: Del.icio.us has been experiencing some difficulties with their website since experiencing a power outage. The Play Tagger code might not be available at times until they resolve their ghost in the system. Also, del.icio.us was recently purchased by Yahoo.
Posted by Bobby on 
February 5, 2006 12:32 AM | 
Tulsa Tulsa+World Tulsans+Defending+Democracy Tulsans+for+Better+Government
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.tulsatopics.com/mt/bracktracks.cgi/28
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference UPDATED: Timeline of events leading to the formation of the Mayor's Citizens Commission on City Government:
» A timeline of the "at-large councilor" push from BatesLine
Bobby of Tulsa Topics has done a great service by collecting in one place, in chronological order, the petition origins of the recent drive to dismember three Tulsa City Council districts and add three at-large seats on the Council, and the parallel th... [Read More]
» At Large Councilors? from Tulsa Topics
The Citizens' Commission on City Government had their first meeting on January 13th at the Civic Center. Speakers that addressed the newly formed commission included - Former City Councilor Robert Gardner Professor and Former Mayor of Tulsa Roger Randl... [Read More]