Calling all kings and queens

Tulsa World columnist Jay Cronley recently wrote about what it might be like to be in charge of the city.

“For a day,” he wrote. “Maybe for a long weekend.”

Under his reign, pay parking would go away, for a day. Lottery tickets would be handed out, one per citizen. Weathermen would quit running their warnings on top of NCAA basketball scores. Branch banks would cease and desist - at least from opening on opposite corners.

But … what if you were king or queen? In what direction would you take our fair city? What would you close or cancel, open or revive? Would you decree more work, or play? Whom might you fire, or hire?

Cronley addressed all of these and more in his column (reprinted here for inspiration). In 300 words or less, send us your own ideas and to the victors will go the spoils. Leave a comment until Saturday, April 18. Out of all the entries, one person picked at random will win 2 tickets to the Sunday, May 3, Fleetwood Mac concert at the BOK Center. For complete rules, click here.

We can’t promise you the key to the city, but we’ll make it worth your while.

If I were king of the city

Who wouldn't enjoy running this city?

For a day.

Maybe for a long weekend.

These would be the plans for a few shining moments.

Park it: Parking everywhere would be free.

Downtown streets with stoplights every block would be reprogrammed to operate under a system whereby a motorist driving the speed limit could make all the greens. The way it is now, sometimes you have to stop every block.

Residents would be asked for opinions about such things as where a new ball park might go and would get to express thoughts about matters such as what should be done with the perfectly good ball park we have now.

Everybody would get a free lottery ticket.

One public official could be dismissed.

The same bank could not have branches across the street from one another.

Team foul: A fine would be levied if KOTV ever runs another weather crawl over a score in the NCAA basketball tournament.

Under nonthreatening conditions, the weather segment on the local news would occupy no more than two minutes.

Companies using little bitty sons and daughters for television commercials would be warned for violating general principle standards.

People responding to articles in the newspaper online would be required to use their real names.

Garbage cans would be left in their original upright position by the refuse technician and not flung, pitched or rolled.

Water talks: Nobody's water gets cut off without a conversation.

Plans for something fascinating within six blocks of the BOK Center would be considered.

People who work cash registers would be instructed not to say, when making simple change, "No problem."

Television anchors would be asked not to say, in response to banter from a co-anchor, "Cool."

Neighborhoods could put in speed bumps.

Leasing agents would be held responsible for bad renters.

Casinos would post their slot machine takeout percentages.

Local politicians would be questioned between elections.

Jailbirds would pick up litter.

Ratty houses and buildings would be cited.

Tolls would take a holiday.

Good moods would reign supreme.