QLC, (7/15/2008 7:12:02 AM)

I hope Bjorklund OWNS the fairgrounds after the truth comes out and the lawsuit is settled!

It will be very interesting to see how many people are going to be willing to lie under oath. Or do they have some executive privilege against being sued? If Perry has any of the integrity that he claims, then I can't see how Miller is going to be protected by a trial.

It just doesn't make any sense that RB would have wanted to be so buddy buddy with the Murphys after such a short time here, now Miller on the other hand... plenty of time, plenty of contributions, plenty of reasons.

I just hope we hear the truth before the county settles behind closed doors. And please, please remember the names Miller, Smaligo, and Perry when they come up for election. It is time for them to try to find a real job, and let them see what it is like to have arbitrary, political, corrupt, and greedy people in charge of their lives.

@HomeInTulsa, (7/15/2008 7:44:03 AM)

Hurry Randi! You'll need to print your resume on paper paid for by the County. You will not have access to those resources after you lose the election. Time grows short!

HA, (7/15/2008 8:27:21 AM)

Past and present commissioners were/are ultimately responsible for the fairgrounds, They do receive finanacial reports. Now do they face the public and say "we too have failed to do our jobs?" However, the section 2, as mentioned in the article, is a catch-all for the commissioners. It is high time for a change w/ the commissioners. I hear ORU is still looking for a president.

Fruits&Nuts, (7/15/2008 8:32:33 AM)

Don't worry, all of the paper at her house WAS paid for by the county. Probably a lot more.

This is going to get good. Once enough pressure is put on the varying investigative powers, the truth will be driven out into the open. I feel sorry for any of the board members that can't muster the display of integrity that they claim to have.

I also feel sorry for the Bjorklunds that took a leap of faith to come to Tulsa and try to make it better. The fairground changes have been amazing while everyone focuses on the bizarre handling of a politically entrenched carney family.

Good luck Rick, I hope they make you well. At least your lawsuit may go a long way toward exposing the corruption.

Fruits&Nuts, (7/15/2008 8:35:18 AM)

Good one HA.

I suspect that ORU is only interested in Randi when she can do something FOR them.

HA, (7/15/2008 8:45:59 AM)

Fruits&nuts, your last comment sounds like the Miller/Bjorklund situation...only wanted him when they (Miller and co) can use him. He was brought here in the insistance of Murphy and now, even Murphy is not saying a word. There may be a need for guards at GITMO and Miller can work on her tan at the same time.

Eric, Tulsa (7/15/2008 9:05:31 AM)

The plot thickens!
This is sad commentary when our elected officials can't or won't act in the public interest and end up looking like incompetent boobs.
And now it leads to finger-pointing and possible lawsuit.

Stevielee, (7/15/2008 10:28:31 AM)

Why cant there be a bidding process for the midway at the fairgrounds. This would not only stop the monopoly that the Murphy's have on the fairgrounds. But, it could also keep prices down for the working class. I know I would love not to spend an arm and a leg. Plus those like myself who boycotted the fair because of the Bell's decision could come back.

zig, tulsa (7/15/2008 11:22:18 AM)

Note to Rick Bjorklund's successor:

Wear a wire when dealing with any members of the fair board.

Of course he was instructed to deal with the payments exactly as he as tells it. His mistake was in trusting Randi Miller.

Graychin, Eucha (7/15/2008 11:56:05 AM)

Murphy's status as a favored insider goes way, way back, even before the present County Commissioners took office.

The corruption in Tulsa County goes very deep. Remember
Bob Dick's sweetheart deal with a private company to build a private toll bridge over the Arkansas River in South Tulsa? Remember the Bell's fiasco?

Call the Grand Jury ASAP!

snoop, (7/15/2008 12:27:35 PM)

Interesting on how everyone is blaiming Miller. Do some investigating and you will find two items of interest one Bjorklund had a long close relationship with the Murphy's, much, much longer than his Tulsa job. Two if the World will print the entire contract you will notice Bjorklund has to have WRITEN directions from the board to conduct any business. He knows what's in his contract, hiss suit no grounds.

The Murphy's are the one's to be investigated. FOLLOW THE MONEY

SRV, (7/15/2008 12:40:29 PM)

I wish my landlord would allow me to pay next year's rent in 2010.....

snoop, (7/15/2008 12:46:24 PM)

Look at Bjorklund's last postion with Wisconsin State Fair, interesting that Murphy was the vendor there as well

Fruits&Nuts, (7/15/2008 12:48:33 PM)

How does snoop know that RB had either a long or close relationship with the murphys? Please point me to something other than that they were in another fair that he worked for. thank you.

Fred, (7/15/2008 1:20:50 PM)

Graychin,

Well said. I am willing to sign the petition for a grand jury to open up this rotten apple and sort out the good flesh from the worms. I am tired of this old eight track, it just keeps playing the same bad tune.

I don't like what Bjorklund and the fair board did to Bells. I have however marveled at the fine improvements his leadership has brought to our fairgrounds. It is so much nicer than it used to be. I wish him the best.

I would like to get Randi Miller under oath in a Grand Jury Investigation and see what happens. I wish she would just leave Tulsa. She is one "Greasy Weasel".

eddieo, (7/15/2008 1:49:24 PM)

Why is it that Randi Miller gets caught up in controversy all over town? Reminiscent of the Vickie Cleveland days!

QLC, (7/15/2008 1:55:11 PM)

Ahhh, Vickie Cleveland. Those were the days. Great call.

Randi is slipping in her desperation.

snoop, (7/15/2008 3:26:52 PM)

Fruits and nuts do some homework. RB created a long term "no-bid" contract with the Murphys while in wisconsin in the late 90's. RB created a long term no-bid contract in Tulsa with the Murphy's.

RB ousted Murphy's competitor, Bells

RB held checks

RB violated his contract

RB is a bad apple, follow his career

nuf said

Kippered, Cleveland (7/15/2008 5:25:59 PM)

Rick Bjorkland is one of the most talented and professional managers in the business. I had the pleasur of working with RB both when he managed Wembley Stadium in the UK and at the Wisconson State Fair. He brings a vast business knowledge to the table and is a sound and proven decision maker. It will be a sad day for Tulsa if he is lost and as for politics and pressure he is suceptable to neither. His carrer has produced some remarkable improvements and certainl boosted cash flows for every venue he has operated. Some people are scared of the truth, Rick Bjorkland is not, nor do I believe he has any ties to Jerry Murphy , sharp business professionals surround themselves with other business pros and Murphy and Bjorkland both hit bulls eyes in that catagory. Tulsa and especially Tulsa World for some reason has a love hate relation with Expo Square and it's various enterprises, maybe they should get rid of the Jerry Springer editorial staff and go back to professional journalism and truthfully report the facts and maybe it would make Tulsa a better place for all, Rick Bjorkland certainly was trying, How about the rest of us??

Bluebird48, Sand Springs (7/15/2008 8:35:15 PM)

If my memory serves me well...Mr. Bjorkland was Wilbert Collins boy....

Funny thing years ago...I found commissioners to be odd people. When there were various public events for every district, all commissioners were to attend each others functions.

In my experience of working in public occupation, I recall that Mr. Collin rarely attended Bob Dick or Randy Miller's public events and vise versa. It was a kinda weird. When all three show, it was BIG. When Bjorkland was introduce, I remember only Bob Dick and Collins. I don't recall Miller at the expo dinner.

I think he is lying.

Just my two cents.

debra, (7/15/2008 8:42:23 PM)

I keep noticing how Randi Miller's name keeps showing up in highly controversial issues not a coincidental.

I would like to know more about her illegally obtaining ORU students to help with her bid for Tulsa mayor. Then all the conversations about how Miller was going to help the Roberts onto the various board and give them political favors.

I think there is truth the RB's statements regarding Randi Miller.

Fred, (7/16/2008 2:16:38 AM)

Randi Miller was pulled into ORU by Richard Roberts. He had some serious problems with the creek that ran through the campus. He wanted it stabilized but he really didn't want to pay for the work. He was able to quid pro quo Randi Miller by offering her ORU students to work for her different political campaigns.

Illegal, but Randi does Illegal like you and I breathe air.

A $5,000 dollar contribution for her last campaign from the Murphys? And she says she has spent it? Cough it up to "Daycare for the homeless" Randi, and crawl back under your slimy rock.

oneostatefan, (7/16/2008 9:31:47 AM)

Kippered-
You must have experienced a very different Bjorklund than I did. Then again, maybe he used to be a very different sort of person. But then again, so did Randi Miller, who used to fight for "the little guys" when she was a city councilor. But now look at them. I am sorry, but if my boss told me to do something I knew was not in the best interest of the company I served (possibly bordering on illegal, even), I would take it to the next level, not follow instructions. He acted as her stooge and now it is coming around to bite him where he sits. Like he said in his first statement to the press when he was fired, sometimes you make decisions that you feel are in the best interest of those you serve, and sometimes those don't work out like you had hoped, and you have to face the concequences... Looks like that is exactly what is happening.

HA, (7/16/2008 10:29:30 AM)

Have you ever looked at Tulsa County's website and read Randi Miller's bio? I guess one of the funny things is that when her name appears, its in bold type. None of the other county officials have that. Read the minutes to the meeting of the TCPFA