Tulsa World: Mayoral candidates mum for once

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Mayoral candidates mum for once
Adelson, Bartlett and Perkins can't say anything nice about each other.

Tulsa mayoral candidates Dewey Bartlett Jr. (from left), Mark Perkins and Tom Adelson wait on stage prior to a forum at OSU-Tulsa's Helmerich Advanced Technology Resource Center on Tuesday. STEPHEN HOLMAN/ Tulsa World

By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
Published: 10/28/2009 2:22 AM
Last Modified: 10/28/2009 4:51 AM

Tulsa Elections: Read bios of candidates for mayor, City Council and city auditor and view a map of City Council districts.

The three top mayoral candidates participated in an hourlong, televised forum Tuesday evening, tackling head-on all of the questions asked — except one.

Like true politicians, Democrat Tom Adelson, Republican Dewey Bartlett Jr. and independent Mark Perkins "danced a little sidestep" when it came to answering a question that would force them to publicly tout one of the others' attributes.

The question was: "If you were not a mayoral candidate, which of the other candidates is more qualified and why?"

Bartlett, who took a couple of quick breaths before speaking, said only he has the high level of experience in a variety of areas that is needed to run the city.

"I don't believe the others have that level that is required for the city," he said.

Perkins asked: "You really think you're going to get a good answer?"

He said there are only two choices — himself and them.

"There is a mentality of perspective that is important that involves leadership and judgment and understanding that I think I'm the only one that has exhibited thus far," he said.

Adelson said he would be happy to have his resume examined alongside his opponents', "whether it's experience, effectiveness

or working just to get things done."

"If I had to choose between the two," he said, "I'd go with Dewey Perkins or Mark Bartlett."

That was one of nine questions posed to the candidates during the forum at OSU-Tulsa, moderated by former radio host John Erling and sponsored by the Tulsa World, Cox Communications, the League of Women Voters and the university.

The candidates will face off in the Nov. 10 general election. Also on the ballot is independent candidate Lawrence Kirkpatrick.

The questions were submitted by Tulsa World readers, and the forum aired on cable channel 3.

The remaining eight questions focused on issues facing the city and ranged from layoffs announced Tuesday to the importance of good relationships with the Creek, Cherokee and Osage nations.

Bartlett said "good economic development opportunities" exist with the tribes because they provide "a way to circumvent some of the overzealous regulatory rules that, unfortunately, are detrimental to some aspect of economic development because they can do it in their own way."

Pointing to the impact of their tens of millions of dollars in casino payrolls, Adelson said the tribes are a growing economic force in Tulsa.

Although he wants to work with the tribes, Adelson said, he has some concern with the impact of gambling and one tribe's desire to put land in trust.

Perkins said the tribes are major employers and that the city can't underestimate their impact on the economy as well as on the quality of life for Tulsans. He said it is important to keep the lines of communication open and to use candor to resolve issues on which the tribes and city differ.

All three candidates acknowledged the difficulty of the recent notice of 37 layoffs, including 21 police officers, and stated the importance of not cutting public safety.

All talked about finding other cost savings in the city that could help fund more police officers.

Adelson and Perkins said they would support amending the city's equal opportunity employment policy to prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Adelson said he hopes the city joins other progressive cities in the country — including Muskogee — that have made that change. Muskogee is the only city in the state with that policy, he said.

Bartlett said the city needs to evaluate its existing policy and change it if there is a problem.

"If it is something that is not a problem, then hurray," he said.

Bartlett said the move to the new City Hall "is a tough situation," especially with the economy and the city's inability so far to lease out the vacant space in the building.

Bartlett suggested that the city "cut somebody a pretty good deal" by trading services with engineering, accounting and attorney firms.

"If we give them a good rate to lease some space, then they can give us a good rate on the money they charge us for their services," he said.

Perkins said the city won't know for probably 10 years whether the move was good for Tulsa.

He said the critical issue is to lease the space by giving a great deal on rent and dividing the floors to attract smaller businesses. The open floor plans are too big, limiting the tenant pool, he said.

Adelson also said the city needs to adjust the space to accommodate smaller businesses.

"I think the move was a good move for the city," he said. "Nobody could have predicted this significant downturn. We'll come through it."

Other questions included what the candidates will look for in the next police chief, their strategies on increasing jobs, how they'll monitor the street package funding and how they'll tackle crime.

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

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Mayoral candidates face off Tuesday evening," which was published on 10/27/2009.

	Report Comment Mar, Tulsa (10/27/2009 9:53:04 PM) I understood this debate was to be televised on Cox Channel 3. I wasn't home at the time, so I didn't get to view it, if it was on tv. I hope they re-run it later. It did sound like Adelson got softball questions like Obama received during the Presidential election. "...Perkins only got two specific questions. He was asked by the moderator to comment on the negative tenor of his opponents' campaigns, and whether he was in the race to keep his opponents honest "since your chances of success are limited." Who ever made that smart-a@s remark, has just about helped me make up my mind who I will be voting for and it won't be Adelson or Bartlett!
	Report Comment Mar, Tulsa (10/28/2009 10:54:46 AM) "The question was: "If you were not a mayoral candidate, which of the other candidates is more qualified and why?" What a stupid question to ask, Perkins gave a good answer, implying he thought it was a stupid question. I agree Thunder196. The A Team, Mark Perkins didn't flounder, he just thought it was an ignorant question to ask.
	Report Comment irwindale, Tulsa (10/27/2009 5:04:35 PM) I do not believe that we have enough strong willed people in Tulsa to force a change. I recommend we elect a person without any political background. Perkins law degree will help combat the status quo group!
	Report Comment my view, Sand Springs (10/28/2009 12:18:22 AM) If you even tried to answer the question, which of the other two would make a better candidate. You would hear your answer played over and over in a political ad. I would answer that question with a stare and nothing more and a request for another question. Stupid qestion.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (10/28/2009 12:25:26 AM) Whoever is elected Mayor, we're in for some fun time on the TW. Personally, after today, I'd keep my money job. Forget politics and the zoo the winner is about to enter.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (10/28/2009 12:34:45 AM) You know the game Thunder. The TW wants a gaff. something cherry to print in the morning. My View had a good response to the question. "Next Question".
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (10/28/2009 2:05:33 AM) Thunder, yes and no. Understand he is an at will slave of the Mayor. He has no civil service protection. I think as citizens the Chief of Police should be above politics. suppose the Mayor was a drug dealer. An dher police chief was making $80,000 a year. You see what I mean. She could fire him just because of a bad hair day. I like Palmer. He always focused on the North Side. But, North side politcs got him in trouble the last time. Well I say, go in there and get the job done. So I guess I have to say, I support Chief Palmer. I live 1/3 mile from OSU Tulsa. Crim ei snot an issue in my neighborhood. For me Chief Palmer has been good.
	Report Comment Slatz, Tulsa (10/28/2009 9:03:05 AM) Observer3: If you think the new City Hall is so bad, when was the last time you visited the old one? Nets hang from the ceiling of the parking garage to catch falling concrete. The fountains quit working (leaked into the garage below) a year or two after being built, and were turned off. The Police/Courts building is like working in a refrigerator in the winter, a sauna in the summer: no insulation. And the old City Hall building looks like a Russian prison - which is to say it has not aged well.
	Report Comment born okay the 1st time, tulsa (10/27/2009 10:55:06 PM) I attended the forum & I thought all 3 candidates did well. Mark Perkins & Tom Adelson were somewhat nervous sounding but they didn't have prior knowledge of more than 10 minutes of the questions. A few were wild cards. I will say this; Perkins took the time to talk to people & shake their hands, no matter who they were. The other 2 seemed to be above everyone else.
	Report Comment born okay the 1st time, tulsa (10/28/2009 12:21:12 AM) Their initial reactions were priceless. The look on Bartlett's face was hilarious.
	Report Comment born okay the 1st time, tulsa (10/28/2009 8:15:46 AM) Perkins didnt flounder. Not everyone is great at public speaking.I could care less if he looks polished, as long as he gets the job done & doesnt forget why he is there, which it seems, Adelson & Bartlett have done. Thie rprimary purpose is to just advance their career, not actually help Tulsa. Adelson & Bartlett, more of the same.
	Report Comment OUFAN22, (10/27/2009 11:55:34 PM) Perkins is what? Adelson is what? You people are sooo naive...won't even look them up! Beginner attorneys...I'll have to swallow my puke and do what Bates and Meelock said to do last time...even though they are holding out to the last minute this time because it's their turn to puke...lol... Hold that party line...GOP ALL THE WAY!!! Isn't that PRAGMATIC enough? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
	Report Comment Bullhead, - (10/28/2009 8:18:53 AM) Mum? Uh, no they're not. Just this morning I seen that same one against Adelson. They'll never shut up. I hope the Lib candidate wins.
	Report Comment TK1, (10/27/2009 8:17:41 PM) Not following the logic Whoknew? I would agree that during the debate all three seemed to answer the questions with very similar answers despite their ads.
	Report Comment BettyRubble918, Tulsa (10/27/2009 4:30:37 PM) All 3 w/b on the radio Wed. morning @7:00 on KFAQ 1170am. I hope the TW doesn't delete info on their media nemesis.
	Report Comment Jack9, somewhere (10/28/2009 6:25:45 AM) Prays for the best one to win...
	Report Comment The A Team, (10/28/2009 1:54:16 AM) Perkins predictably floundered, proving he isn't ready for prime time.
	Report Comment The A Team, (10/28/2009 3:00:19 PM) My comment was in regards to Perkins overall performance, not just that question. The Perkins supporters sure do make many lame excuses for their candidate.
	Report Comment forkandknife, Tulsa (10/27/2009 4:35:51 PM) I want to run.
	Report Comment Oilsooner, Tulsa (10/28/2009 3:19:38 PM) A monkey on his death bed would be better than Kathy Taylor. Unfortunately, our current choices for replacement fair only slightly better.
	Report Comment veteran_TPD, Tulsa (10/28/2009 5:10:52 PM) Folks let get something straight here. Several of the former Chiefs of Police who retired, were asked to retire by the Mayors. It simply wasn'r discussed wiht the local media. One, was very recent. The at will issue is being overimphasized.
	Report Comment Whoknew?, Tulsa (10/27/2009 8:14:21 PM) I think all three are the same, therefore, I choose Adelson.
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (10/28/2009 12:28:51 AM) What does that question have to do with telling us where they stand on the issues.
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (10/28/2009 12:38:26 AM) I would have liked to have heard something much more interesting. For instance, are you happy with the performance of our present Chief of Police? If you are, why and if not, why? . That would have been interesting.
	Report Comment WhoseLeft, Tulsa (10/27/2009 4:42:51 PM) Forkandknife, I think you should. I am looking forward to the Friday evening forum at AllSouls--three mayoral candidates and the candidates for city auditor.

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