Tulsa World: Three-way race has big rivalry

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Three-way race has big rivalry

Patrick

By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
Published: 10/18/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 10/18/2009 5:15 AM

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

The District 3 City Council race is round eight in the battle between Councilor David Patrick, an independent, and former Councilor Roscoe Turner, a Democrat.

The only difference in this longtime rivalry for the seat is that this year's Nov. 10 general race includes a third candidate, Republican Karl Hulcher.

District 3's representation has bounced back and forth between Patrick and Turner since 1996. The district has 10,921 Democratic voters, 4,871 Republicans and 2,473 independents.

Patrick, 58, said he is seeking re-election because he wants to finish some district projects and neighborhood improvements.

"My goal is to not only improve District 3 but the city as a whole," he said. "It's hard to do that in one term."

Patrick, owner of Patrick Auto Service, was a registered Democrat but changed his party affiliation to independent before the 2007 council elections.

Patrick said the difference between them is that he makes decisions for the future and works to get along with the administration.

"We have to take care of now, but it's not all about now," he said. "I think I've been a visionary of some sorts and have applied some common sense to decisions."

Patrick said if he is re-elected he wants to focus on extending the Port Road to Oklahoma 11, which would open up a large area for industrial and commercial development.

"That could bring in big business and big business hires a lot of people," he said.

Patrick flew into some controversy last year when Mayor Kathy Taylor ferried him back to Tulsa aboard her private jet for a council vote on the creation of a downtown assessment district to fund a portion of the Drillers' new ballpark. He said once people realized nothing illegal occurred, the issue was basically dropped.

"If I knew the implications of it, I would have driven back," he said.

Turner, 77, said Patrick is wrong to think the private jet ride has faded away.

"A lot of people didn't think that was right," he said.

A former city worker, Turner said he wants to get back into office because he is "sick and tired of just watching everything happen with nobody asking any questions."

Turner said the city lacks transparency and "it seems like we just can't get anyone to represent my district."

Turner said with Patrick in office, nothing is changing.

"He's just giving in to the mayor and getting nothing for the district," he said. "Nobody that I've talked to seems to be happy with him."

Turner said Patrick has failed the residents of Layman-Van Acres housing addition, who were promised home buyouts. The area near the Tulsa International Airport has been plagued with noise issues.

Turner said he is disappointed about the move to the new City Hall.

"Everything the administration promised hasn't come true," he said. "They said it wouldn't cost more, and it does. They promised handicapped parking, too. I'd really like to move back into the former city hall building."

Turner said the residents of District 3 know "I've always been for the people and will continue to be with the people and for the people. That will never change."

Hulcher, 47, said he decided to jump into the race due to a lack of response from Turner and Patrick.

"I thought someone else needed to run for office who cares and will do something and have actual answers," he said.

Hulcher said his message to the voters is that "if you're tired of the Roscoe and David show, vote for me."

He said Turner and Patrick have represented District 3 for more than a decade "and the voters need to ask whether they're any better off than they were 13 years ago, and the resounding answer is no."

"District 3 could be Tulsa's jewel," he said.

Hulcher said one of his top priorities would be code enforcement.

Hulcher has had numerous run-ins with the law. A Tulsa World review found that in 2002 he pleaded guilty to second-degree arson and no contest to driving under the influence in Cherokee County. In Tulsa County, he faced assault and battery charges in 2005 and 2006 that were later dropped.

P.J. Lassek 581-8382
pj.lassek@tulsaworld.com By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer

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