Tulsa Topics

Michael has an update regarding SB1324 over at BatesLine.com. If you don't know what SB1324 is about, make sure you check out Michael's article at the Urban Tulsa website regarding this legislation.

This legislation is sponsored by Oklahoma State Senator Brian Crain and Oklahoma State Representative Ron Peters. Ron Peters just happens to be my representative in SH District 70. I have emailed Rep. Peters on two occasions and didn't receive any replies to either of my emails.

Generally there's more than enough going on in Tulsa to keep my activist mind busy, but since this legislation can ultimately have an adverse effect on homeowners and neighborhoods, it has been prominent on my radar screen. I recently acquired Rep. Peter's Ethics Report for Monetary Contributions for person other than committees. Like me, I think you'll find some of the names on Peter's contribution list that cause you to raise your eyebrows and make your spider senses to tingle.

Ron Peters - Sch. A - Period Ending 12/31/2005

Ron Peters - Sch. A - Period Ending 3/31/2006

George B. Kaiser, $1000 Stacy Schusterman, $1000 Robert LaFortune, $500 Dewey Bartlett, Jr., $250 Leonard Eaton, $100 Kenneth Levit, $125 Margaret Erling Frett, $1000 Steve Turnbo, $250 David Littlefield, $250 Robert Poe, $500

If you've been keeping abreast of local issues, i.e. recall and "at-large" councilors, some of those names should sound familiar to you.

Here's an excerpt from a recent post at BatesLine on the roots of SB1324:

This bill has its roots in the frustration of one developer, John Bumgarner, who didn't get everything he wanted as quickly as he wanted when he built a bank and parking lot that encroached upon a historic preservation overlay district and resulted in the demolition of three contributing homes to that district. He knew what the rules were when he bought the land, and he could have chosen to develop within those rules. By seeking a zoning amendment, he should have been open to the possibility that his request would be denied or accepted only on certain conditions. Had he been willing to compromise with the concerns of homeowners, who have their own investments to protect, he would have been able to start building much sooner.

But rather than work in a spirit of cooperation, he has sought to have the rules changed, not by our local legislature, who is in the best position to strike the balance between competing interests in the overall best interests of Tulsa, but by state legislators from Oklahoma City, Altus, Slapout, and Bugtussle. I was disturbed to learn that no Tulsa city councilors were consulted about this bill at any point in the process.

I'm beginning to question whether Rep. Peters is representing all of his constituents equally. Of course if you believe that developers should be able to operate "laissez faire" at the expense of neighborhoods and homeowners, maybe Rep. Peters is doing a wonderful job in your opinion. I'm probably naive, but in my humble opinion I believe campaign contributions that buy access to our elected representation are counter productive in the quest for "Fair and Responsible" government.

More Links:

Michael ties a lot of information and posts together about SB1324. MUST READ!