Tulsa World: Candidates debate education at forum

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Candidates debate education at forum

Mark Perkins (right), an independent candidate for mayor, answers questions during a mayoral candidate forum Sunday at All Souls Unitarian Church while Democrat Tom Adelson (left) and Republican Dewey Bartlett Jr. take notes. SHERRY BROWN/Tulsa World

By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Published: 11/1/2009 1:20 PM
Last Modified: 11/1/2009 10:18 PM

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

Tulsa's next mayor should take an active approach in the city's education programs, the candidates said at a forum Sunday.

"It should be a priority for us," independent candidate Mark Perkins said. He added that the city can help by investing in health and safety programs for school children.

Republican Dewey Bartlett agreed, saying he would want a liaison from the city to serve as a nonvoting member of the school board to create an ongoing dialogue.

Democrat Tom Adelson, who has served as an adjunct teacher for four years at Booker T. Washington High School, said the city should use its resources to recruit teachers and offer credit recovery programs.

Adelson also said he has broken with his party by supporting charter schools.

They spoke at a noontime forum at All Souls Unitarian Church. Adelson and Perkins also attended an event at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Bartlett did not go to that forum, despite requesting a change of date to accommodate the campaign.

The election is Nov. 10.

Another independent candidate, Lawrence Kirkpatrick was in the audience at the first forum, but not on stage with the rest of the candidates. The forum moderator, Clayton Vaughn, said organizers wanted to involve Kirkpatrick in the event, but could not get in touch with his campaign. Kirkpatrick was not invited to the latter forum.

Vaughn, a member of the All Souls Unitarian Church, asked candidates their reaction to public charges their campaigns have been too negative.

Perkins, who has not had the campaign coffers to run television advertising, said his opponents' campaigns have relied on politics of fear.

"I just this it is not the hallmark of statesmanship," Perkins said. "People should run on ideas - on leadership."

Adelson said he has to respond to charges against him, adding that he is, "in this race to win."

He said he called for an end to negative advertising weeks ago, but Bartlett would not agree to the conditions.

Bartlett said advertising needs to point to differences between candidates, and that is what he aims to do.

Perkins said he is in favor of nonpartisan politics, and he has the vision to unite Tulsans.

"Age is overrated," said Perkins, 30. "It's judgment and leadership and talent that count."

Bartlett countered that experience is key to success as mayor, and said again that he would the "job-gettingist" mayor Tulsa has ever seen.

Adelson continued to advocate for a more regional-based government and said he wants Tulsa to grow up instead of out.

The candidates did find a few things to agree on Sunday.

All said school children should have been able to listen President Barack Obama's speech to students in September.

They also celebrated the presence of independent candidates in the race and advocated more televised debates during the campaign.

By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer

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Reader comments for this story have been moved to the most updated version of the story, now under the headline "Role in schools backed," which was published on 11/2/2009. So far, 33 comments have been made.