Tulsa Topics

Tonight the City Council voted for Councilor Medlock's moratorium on using eminent domain for private purposes. It's interesting that the two NO votes were cast from councilors who aren't running for reelection, Susan Neal (District 9) and Randy Sullivan (District 7). Tom Baker, District 4, was absent. I might have some more color commentary to add to tonight's meeting, but the important thing is the resolution passed with a 6-2 vote. This resolution was of major importance to homeowners that I have conversed with since the Supreme Court ruling on Kelo v. New London.

During the Council Meeting, I had the opportunity to talk with some other Tulsa Bloggers and Larry Wilson, co-founder of Citizens for Fair & Clean Government. The conversation turned to the 3rd Penny Sales Tax and "wants" vs. "needs" in our city. I have to admit, I enjoy walking the trails and the parks in Tulsa, and I'm sure a bright shiny new soccer complex in North Tulsa would be a pretty nice thing to have, but what about the "needs" of Tulsa. Here's a topic that's rising like a bullet (forgive the pun)... Public Safety.

Just today, I sent out a mass email to the residents that live in the Lewis Crest Neighborhood Assoc. area. The subject of this email was to look out for your neighbors since a resident tipped me that she had a neighbor who had her car stolen. I also added a graphic of the crime mapping for our neighborhood. Needless to say, I was amazed at the sheer number of crimes committed in our area.

I'm all for "Quality of Life" projects like parks, walking paths, and soccer complexes, but only after the primary needs of the citizens has been met. "Quality of Life" projects are kind of hard to enjoy if you dead; capiche? I'm pretty sure that the 3rd Penny Tax is earmarked for capital improvements and not operations, like more policemen. Seems like building capital improvements and "quality of life" projects should take a back burner to insuring Tulsa is a safe place to live.

Of all the Mayoral candidates I've heard lately, the only one that I've heard who has some answers to Public Safety issues has been Chris Medlock. So just remember when you get capped by some drive by shooter in route to the shiny new fairgrounds, you had your chance. In the meantime, enjoy this obvious endorsement of Chris Medlock because I do believe he can make a difference in regards to Public Safety.

Tulsa Crime Statistics via CityRating.com