Tulsa World: Mayoral hopefuls trade jabs

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Mayoral hopefuls trade jabs

DEMOCRAT
Tom Adelson: The PlaniTulsa proposal is "asking us to be much smarter about our growth," he said.

By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
Published: 10/1/2009 2:29 AM
Last Modified: 10/1/2009 3:54 AM

See the Tulsa World’s city elections Web page for continuing coverage

Mayoral candidates Tom Adelson and Dewey Bartlett Jr. sparred in a Wednesday morning radio debate, with each asking the other pointed questions to highlight philosophical, political and personality differences.

Bartlett, the Republican, asked his Democratic challenger to explain how he can advocate for Tulsa to become more urban and compact, yet promote regionalism for government.

Adelson, an Oklahoma senator and attorney, said the PlaniTulsa comprehensive plan in the works is asking for Tulsa to be much more concentrated.

"I do favor just that," he said. "It's asking us to be much smarter about our growth. It's asking us to say 'yes' to investments along existing corridors, to have a discipline we haven't had in the past, and to say 'no' to investments that might expedite the loss of our sales tax to surrounding cities, like the south Tulsa bridge."

With a regionalist approach to government, Adelson said, he is looking to end inefficiency and duplication of services between government levels and save taxpayer dollars.

Bartlett, a former city councilor and the president of Keener Oil & Gas, said his own solutions "do not involve heavy-handed, Big Brother governmental approaches to planning our city."

Government should not be in the position

of mandating where people locate their businesses, he said, adding that it will not help business or job growth. Later in the debate, Bartlett said no politician should make a firm decision on the south Tulsa bridge and that it should be made by the next mayor in consultation with experts.

Adelson countered: "Great cities don't just happen; they do require planning, and this is a good-faith difference between us."

The hourlong debate was aired on the KFAQ 1170 AM morning show.

Bartlett criticized Adelson's first campaign ad, which proclaimed that he would "stand up to the City Council," saying it shows that Adelson doesn't have the temperament to lead the city.

Adelson said the quote "captures

my personality, which is one of deep passion, deeply held beliefs and firm convictions."

"I fight hard for the things I believe in," he said. "The City Council, since the 1990 change in the charter, has always had a combative relationship with the mayor. It's frankly the nature of politics."

Bartlett said there has been enough bickering in city government.

"That is simply not the type of personality, the type of aggressiveness that we need to work with people," he said. "The last thing you can do is walk in the room, hit someone in the nose and then try to shake their hand."

Adelson jumped on Bartlett for recommending at least $1 billion in new sales and property taxes as the co-leader of the citizens streets task force to address Tulsa's infrastructure woes.

Bartlett said the public needed to be adequately informed about the condition of the streets and what was required to fix them.

Ultimately, a smaller package was put forth by city leaders and approved by voters.

"That's what the process is about," he said.

Adelson said that one of Bartlett's recommendations was to have the Broken Arrow Expressway turned into a toll road as a source of street funding. Bartlett said it was just one idea of many that was put forth.

"The money that would be realized from that concept would go toward paying the entirety of our street maintenance system, as well as funding the completion of the Gilcrease Expressway," he said.

Adelson pledged that, if elected, he would not add toll roads in the city, saying they would inconvenience thousands of motorists daily.

Bartlett said Adelson is a supporter and donor of President Barack Obama's and wondered whether Adelson would promote Obama's agenda from the Mayor's Office.

But Adelson said Tulsans aren't interested in Washington politics being part of the mayor's race.

Adelson said his "politics are what they are. I do support the president, but it has nothing to do with the role of being a chief executive of the city. It has nothing to do with managing 4,000 employees."

The two candidates will be on the Nov. 10 general election ballot with independents Mark Perkins and Lawrence Kirkpatrick, who were not invited to participate in the radio debate.

Tulsa County GOP elected officials endorse Bartlett for mayor

Tulsa County republican elected officials on Wednesday endorsed Dewey Bartlett Jr. to be Tulsa’s next mayor.

Those lending their support to the GoP nominee include Tulsa County Commissioners Fred Perry and John Smaligo, Sheriff Stanley Glanz, Assessor Ken Yazel, Clerk Earlene Wilson and Court Clerk Sally Howe Smith.

Bartlett said his friendship with these elected leaders will help promote a better relationship between the city and the county.

“What I want to emphasize is that the city of Tulsa and the county of Tulsa are all in the same boat,” he said.

“We’re affected by the same economy. We all are affected by the same tax structure. But at the end of the day, we provide public services, and we can support each other very well.”

The county’s relationship with mayor Kathy Taylor has been volatile, particularly in the negotiations over the Tulsa Jail, which led to lawsuits.

Yazel said Bartlett is the only candidate to pledge not to raise taxes. And Glanz said Bartlett will be a mayor “with a forceful arm to combat crime in the Tulsa region.”

Perry cited Bartlett’s experience as a businessman, on the City Council and a member of civic groups as making him the best candidate for the mayor’s job.

Brian Barber 581-8322
brian.barber@tulsaworld.com By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Tulsa mayoral candidates spar in Wednesday debate," which was published on 9/30/2009.

	Report Comment okierose, Glenpool (9/30/2009 10:06:10 AM) I haven't seen one add that Bartlett has run about how good of a mayor he would be. All of his ads that I have seen are attacking Adelson. He must not have anything good to say about himself. I would vote against Bartlett just on that alone, but obviously I can't vote.
	Report Comment irwindale, Tulsa (9/30/2009 10:20:51 AM) Bartlett needs to stay at Keener with his eight employees and get out of politics. He sounded evasive at best.
	Report Comment Mar, Tulsa (9/30/2009 10:22:38 AM) Neither candidate has ran ads telling us why we should vote for them. So far the only ads I've seen is why not to vote for the other candidate. Also, what is it that I hear about Adelson voted for Obama and donated money to his campaign? If that is correct, then I've narrowed down my choice between Bartlett and Perkins. Okierose, then why are you even commenting since you apparently live in Glenpool?
	Report Comment Scooterman, (9/30/2009 10:23:04 AM) Nov 10th election.... Oh please don't tell me I have to put up the both of their ads for that much longer.....
	Report Comment orly, Tulsa (9/30/2009 10:29:54 AM) Perkins is looking better and better
	Report Comment Whirled Peas, (9/30/2009 10:30:42 AM) Bartlett is running his campaign like Inhofe. That should tell you something right there.
	Report Comment my view, Sand Springs (9/30/2009 10:43:36 AM) Now they'll have to face each other and discuss their lies. Won't it be fun, blow hard Bartlett and empty suit Adelson. Tulsa it's your city and your election. I take another look at the third party candidate.
	Report Comment Mar, Tulsa (9/30/2009 10:48:27 AM) Okierose, then why are you even commenting since you apparently live in Glenpool? Ditto to my view.
	Report Comment OPEN YOUR EYES TULSA, Tulsa (9/30/2009 10:50:25 AM) Why isn't Mark Parkins in the debate? KFAQ should give equal time to all the candidates. Boo.
	Report Comment Jay of Tulsa, (9/30/2009 10:51:32 AM) They need to put on boxing gloves and duke it out...last man stading wins..
	Report Comment Jay of Tulsa, (9/30/2009 10:51:46 AM) standing..oops...
	Report Comment fwjen, Sand Springs (9/30/2009 10:57:03 AM) Those of us not living in Tulsa care about your mayoral election because we are suburbs of Tulsa. What happens in Tulsa, affects us.
	Report Comment okierose, Glenpool (9/30/2009 11:00:35 AM) Mar, Tulsa (9/30/2009 10:48:27 AM) Okierose, then why are you even commenting since you apparently live in Glenpool? Ditto to my view. I have lived in Tulsa County my whole life. I now work 2 jobs in Tulsa. Therefore, I do have concerns in the direction Tulsa takes. BTW, I have seen ads Adelson runs about himself about why he should be voted for, but not one Bartlett runs about why he should be voted for. Also, this is an open forum and I have the right to comment.
	Report Comment yep, Tulsa County (9/30/2009 11:19:29 AM) Both were equally umimpressive. Do you choose Beavis or Butthead to run your city? Maybe it comes down to choosing which one does the least damage. Do you want another Bill Lafortune who might have more harmony and better working relationships with the various city/county government organizations, but who doesn't have much vision? Or do you want Kathy Taylor Jr, who has his own vision designed around the wants/needs of his midtown/BOK supporters (and to heck with north and south Tulsa), but stomps on people and is limited by a lack of cooperation?
	Report Comment Loophole, (9/30/2009 11:34:39 AM) We know from experience that a mayor who doesn't need the paycheck, is not qualified for the office. That type of mayor went out in 1990 with the charter change. At that time we had an effective city commission to run the city while the mayor cut ribbons. The change was a mistake.
	Report Comment Getnoldr, (9/30/2009 11:36:35 AM) Saw one of Adelson's attack ads -- wonder if his parents are proud of that, too?
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (9/30/2009 11:38:26 AM) I think voting for Barlett is voting for another mayor like Cathy Taylor... that can be good or bad, it just depends on what one thinks, but that's just my BA opinion.
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (9/30/2009 11:39:24 AM) They only attack each other because they can make no real promises to the people on why the would be a good mayor.
	Report Comment jett rink, (9/30/2009 11:40:57 AM) "Bartlett said there has been enough bickering in city government." That's democracy in action, Dewey. Stay in business if you want to be a dictator...
	Report Comment Beentheredonethat, Tulsa (9/30/2009 11:47:35 AM) I think they are both pretty much the same. Bartlett has support of Coburn and Inhoffe...enough reason for me to vote for Adelson.
	Report Comment TulsaJulie, (9/30/2009 11:52:53 AM) I am so sick of the commercials!! I mean really it is enough! Why don't they stick to the issues? I would love to hear more from Mark Perkins too. I think he should be involved in all debates and public forums. Who decides if he should be there? By not including him, they are imposing their beliefs that he isn't worthy. That is NOT right!!!
	Report Comment Polar Bear, (9/30/2009 11:58:57 AM) Mr Bartlett is on public radio right now.He said right away Tulsa needs a CEO.Ceo s rule the world thru corporate powers like big Oil And Coal and Health . Down with CEOs.I hope someone will be a statesperson...As the World Burns from fossil fuels.
	Report Comment ProTulsa, (9/30/2009 12:20:59 PM) Perkins just posted a speech on his website at MARK FOR TULSA DOT COM
	Report Comment Lance-a-lot, Tulsa (9/30/2009 12:25:54 PM) Let go of status quo...vote Mark Perkins. Dewey and Tom are just Tweedledumb and Tweedledumber. Of course, if Perkins does get in on this debate, Adelson will probably just say he wants him shot.
	Report Comment Lance-a-lot, Tulsa (9/30/2009 12:26:56 PM) Come on Tulsa! Think independent, vote Independent.

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