Tulsa World: Bartlett has name recognition going

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Bartlett has name recognition going

RELUCTANT POLITICIAN
Republican mayoral candidate Dewey Bartlett: Bartlett Jr. has followed in his father's footsteps, first into the oil business and later, somewhat reluctantly, into politics. Bartlett served on the council from 1990 to 1994, and during that time, he said, he was able to see the effect local government has on citizens.

By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
Published: 11/1/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 11/1/2009 3:43 AM

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A decade ago, Dewey Bartlett Jr. planted 1,600 pecan trees on 80 acres in southeastern Osage County.

"I put every one of those seedlings into the ground, by hand, proudly," Bartlett said with a laugh in remembrance.

It's a place the 62-year-old likes to go to chop firewood, ride his tractor and do some physical work.

"That's totally different than what I do behind a desk," he said. "At the end of the day, you can really see you've done something."

Only now are the orchard's trees starting to produce nuts. What began as sort of a hobby will one day be a viable business.

"If you start one from scratch, which is what I did, you have to be determined and really have a long-term focus," he said.

It's that same determination,

the Republican mayoral candidate said, that he would use to lead the city.

The Bartlett name is well-known in Tulsa. Downtown's Bartlett Square is named in honor of his father, Dewey Bartlett Sr.

He is the eldest of the late Oklahoma governor and U.S. senator's three children.

Being his father's namesake is both a benefit and a challenge, Bartlett said.

"I hope that, if people don't know me personally, they assume the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," he said. "From my prejudiced point of view, that is true. My dad was a great guy and taught me so much about life, what is right and wrong and how to treat people."

Bartlett Jr. has followed in his father's footsteps, first into the oil business and later, somewhat reluctantly, into politics.

After earning his undergraduate degree from Regis College in Colorado and his master's from Southern Methodist University in Texas, Bartlett began establishing his reputation in the oil industry while working for various companies.

In 1979, he joined the family's Keener Oil & Gas Co. as a landman and co-managing partner. By 1994, he had assumed the presidential title.

"I love this industry because the people involved with it are fascinating," he said. "They are very smart, motivated and are self-starters. They are also very caring about their country, state and city."

Following his father's death from lung cancer in 1979, plenty of people encouraged Bartlett to give politics a try. He wasn't interested.

"As the son of a governor and then a senator, I knew the toll politics can take on a family," he said. "I hated the campaigns, and it hurt me when people would say bad things, false things about him."

But then in 1990, Tulsa switched its form of government to the mayor-City Council structure it has now. Republican Howard Barnett, a member of Bartlett's Leadership Oklahoma class, urged him to consider running for the inaugural council.

"Howard told me that I'd really be able to help mold the way the city would run and have a positive impact, and that got me thinking," he said.

Bartlett served on the council from 1990 to 1994, and during that time, he said, he was able to see the effect local government has on citizens.

Bartlett made unsuccessful bids for mayor in 1992 and the Oklahoma Senate in 2004.

But since his time on the council, he has contributed through his service to various government and civic entities.

His resumé is filled with stints on the American Red Cross board, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, the Tulsa Airport Authority and the Grand River Dam Authority, among others.

Out of elected office for 15 years now, Bartlett married his wife, Victoria Bartlett, a federal law clerk, last summer.

He has a grown son, Dewey Bartlett III; an adopted daughter, Ann Bartlett; and a stepdaughter, Andrea Petersen.

Now, Bartlett said, he's ready to lead the city out of this rocky economic time and into prosperity.

His folksy pledge to be the "job-gettingest" mayor Tulsa has ever had is a page out of his father's playbook.

The elder Bartlett had a ceremonial shovel collection he acquired during his time in the Governor's Mansion that represented all of the big and small businesses he lured to the state.

"I wouldn't call him a politician," Bartlett said. "He was a businessman, and that's the way he thought.

"He would reach out to business owners on a like-minded level to see what he could do to bring them here. That's what I'll do for Tulsa."Beyond political affiliations and issue talking points, Tulsa's mayoral race has come down to three men — Tom Adelson, Dewey Bartlett Jr. and Mark Perkins — who share a passion for this city. Voters will decide Nov. 10 whose passion will shape Tulsa for the next four years.

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

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	Report Comment Tony G, Tulsa (11/1/2009 6:13:05 AM) What has Cherokee 1 been smoking? This isn't the place for his story. About Bartlett--I don't care--I'm voting for Adelson!
	Report Comment Nuff, (11/1/2009 6:47:38 AM) VOTE PERKINS!!
	Report Comment Spect8r, (11/1/2009 8:15:44 AM) What is up with this puff piece TW?
	Report Comment irwindale, Tulsa (11/1/2009 8:19:08 AM) Keep Bartlett behind the desk where he does nothing to speak of. Better yet let him roam the forest.
	Report Comment peelumba, (11/1/2009 9:05:12 AM) name recognition has caused this country to have career politcal hacks who have drove this country into the ground. If your running on name recognition your on empty!
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (11/1/2009 9:28:49 AM) Bartlett has no connection to Obama going, too.
	Report Comment Ray, (11/1/2009 10:42:34 AM) VOTE MARK PERKINS.........if the "T W" won't do an article on him, it's a good reason to vote for him.
	Report Comment ProudTulsan73, (11/1/2009 11:17:06 AM) There's profiles on all three of them today, Ray.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/1/2009 5:38:15 PM) When voting, close your eyes, hold your nose, and just pick one. It doesn't really matter who, as we have no good choices.
	Report Comment hapbarb, (11/1/2009 11:35:15 PM) Actually, skinny, your screen name says a lot more about your intelligence (or lack thereof) than a picture of THE PRESIDENT says about anyone running for anything.

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