Tulsa World: City history

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City history
They gather to tape interviews for the new Tulsa Mayors Library.

Six former Tulsa mayors — James Hewgley (from left), Robert LaFortune, Terry Young, Dick Crawford, Rodger Randle and Bill LaFortune — join Mayor Kathy Taylor in the lobby of the BOK Center on Friday to record interviews about their tenures that will be archived at the new Tulsa Mayors Library at City Hall. The only other living former mayors, Jim Inhofe and Susan Savage, were unable to attend. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World

By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
Published: 11/21/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 11/21/2009 3:47 AM

Six former Tulsa mayors and Mayor Kathy Taylor gathered Friday at the BOK Center to tape group and individual video interviews that will be part of the new Tulsa Mayors Library.

The library, paid for with a $16,000 donation from the Lobeck-Taylor Foundation, will open in a room on the 15th floor of City Hall next spring. It will be available for viewing by tour groups and by appointment.

"My family and I wanted to give a lasting gift to the city," Taylor said. "As you look back over the history of Tulsa, the impact that each mayor has had is important for people to understand.

"I really hope this encourages more people to put their names on the ballot and to make a difference in our community."

In addition to the interviews, the library will feature detailed biographies of each of Tulsa's 38 mayors, along with Dewey Bartlett Jr., who is set to become the 39th mayor on Dec. 7. It will also have historical items, including the first City Charter, the original plans for the highway system and financial documents.

Taking part in Friday's taping and luncheon at the downtown arena were former Mayors James Hewgley, Robert LaFortune, Terry Young, Dick Crawford, Rodger Randle and Bill LaFortune. The only other living mayors, Jim Inhofe and Susan Savage, were unable to attend but are expected to record their interviews later.

At 93, Hewgley is the oldest. The Republican served from 1966 to 1970 and said people still call him "mayor."

"It's a title you never really lose," he said. "It becomes part of who you are. Being mayor allows you to develop a lot of friendships and a lot of connections that will last a lifetime."

Robert LaFortune, 82, is a Republican who served from 1970 to 1978.

"The scope of the mayor's job is immense," he said. "Every hour and every day, you have a different challenge in front of you. That variety, I think, keeps one focused on doing a good job."

Young, 61, is a Democrat who was mayor from 1984 to 1986 and wanted the job from the time he was on a sixth-grade field trip to City Hall.

"It was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream," he said, noting he hopes he is remembered for aggressively pursuing flood control in the wake of the 1984 Memorial Day flood.

Crawford, 75, is a Republican who served from 1986 to 1988 and said there is "no higher honor" than being Tulsa's mayor.

"When I sit and reflect on my life, that time is a highlight," he said. "I mean that very sincerely. This is a lovely city."

Randle, 66, is a Democrat who served from 1988 to 1992.

"This was a nice community for which to be mayor," he said. "People were considerate and thoughtful. I didn't really encounter too many people who were unpleasant about stuff. Even the most rabid critics were lovable."

Bill LaFortune, 52, is a Republican who served from 2002 to 2006.

"There is no position that can ever prepare you for being mayor," he said. "You have to actually put on the shoes. Once you get the job, it's only then that you realize how difficult it is.

"All of us had a vision for the city and where we wanted to take it. But it's really a balancing act with the daily running of a very complex government."

Advice for Mayor-elect Dewey Bartlett

“Don’t lose your sense of humor.” — James Hewgley

“Accessibility to me is the most important thing a mayor can have. I would encourage him not to just keep appointments but to get out and be among people.” — Robert LaFortune

“Let Tulsa be Tulsa. We are a very unique city.” —Terry Young

“It’s critical for him to assemble the best staff possible and know that this is a job that will demand sacrifices of him.” — Bill LaFortune

“Elections are so expensive, and that means lots of fundraising. Some people who contribute feel like they deserve special consideration. But it is very important for every mayor to remember they are mayor for the whole city, not just those who fill the campaign coffers.” — Rodger Randle

“Start courtships to find more jobs. Companies are starting to think about their plans for when the economy turns around. meanwhile, focus on making sure Tulsa’s infrastructure is in shape because that’s what companies want to see.” — Dick Crawford

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 "Current and former Tulsa mayors announce library," which was published on 11/20/2009.

	Report Comment r0rschach, (11/20/2009 2:31:58 PM) if this is intended to hold their accomplishments then maybe they should rename it the Tulsa Echo Chamber....or at least call it what it is, the Tulsa Mayor Ego Trip.
	Report Comment forkandknife, Tulsa (11/20/2009 2:41:14 PM) ^^^LOLOL^^^
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (11/20/2009 2:43:04 PM) Does anyone else think Robert LaFortune looks like Montgomery Burns from "The Simpsons"?
	Report Comment GARFIELD, TULSA (11/20/2009 2:46:53 PM) A very thoughtful gesture by Mayor Taylor and her husband. I remember all of these mayors! Where is Mr. Hewgley? They have all had a cross to bear, but we really do want to remember them in a positive light.Each did the best job they could, many things considered. We can't expect perfection.
	Report Comment r0rschach, (11/20/2009 2:50:29 PM) we can't expect incompetence either.
	Report Comment owl, Tulsa (11/20/2009 3:02:27 PM) Too bad former mayor Hewgley couldn't have stuck around a few more weeks for this nice acknowledgment. And Inhofe's missing, as well.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/20/2009 3:09:42 PM) Just what we need. A library full of bad memories.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/20/2009 3:11:01 PM) But I have to admit Taylor's money has a long stroke indeed.
	Report Comment Rupert Shootman, Tulsa (11/20/2009 3:11:54 PM) What an ego Taylor has. I guess they wouldn't let her build a pyramid to herself.
	Report Comment Daven, Tulsa (11/20/2009 3:12:30 PM) Ditto garfield! Everyone needs to learn to say Thank you!
	Report Comment okierose, Tulsa County (11/20/2009 3:13:21 PM) It also will have many historical documents, including the first City Charter and the original plans for the highway system. I think this is a great idea. Each town should have its own historical museum. Regardless of whether you like each Mayor or not they are a part of history. Plus the fact there will be more in it than just Mayor stuff is great. I'm not a KT fan, but she had a good idea.
	Report Comment Lance-a-lot, Tulsa (11/20/2009 3:17:04 PM) Don't get carpel tunnel from stroking that ego and patting that back!
	Report Comment irwindale, Tulsa (11/20/2009 3:22:31 PM) There will be a huge section on lost opportunity and greed. How our leaders failed to fund the city properly and failed to unite Tulsa. Most of these people were around during segregation of our schools. Pre 1976.
	Report Comment okkevin, Tulsa (11/20/2009 3:50:00 PM) Where are the gonna put the secret map to the treasure that Nicholas Cage will have to come and find. Taylor has hidden all the money!!! The Gates (cage's movie guy) family will have to use all of their resources to find it. is it in sercret code only visible by using lemons on the back of the City Charter? Oh, and when you find all that money..give it back please!
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/20/2009 3:57:19 PM) Where's Savage?
	Report Comment recyclemichael, Tulsa (11/20/2009 4:08:28 PM) Hewgley was sitting just to the right of Mayor Bob LaFortune. I don't know why he isn't in the picture.
	Report Comment edelweiss, Tulsa (11/20/2009 4:16:01 PM) Thank you Mayor Taylor and Mr. Lobeck. And yes "few clothes": Where is Mayor Savage?
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (11/20/2009 4:17:04 PM) Hey folks the following statement from KT "It will be available for viewing by tour groups and by appointment". . She didn't say how much it will cost to go on a tour of our own city hall. . Her famous "my door will always be open" still comes to mind.
	Report Comment mayor_maynot, Tulsa (11/20/2009 4:17:08 PM) It's still geometric she got a cube. Quite appropriate for tulsa full of squares.
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (11/20/2009 4:23:13 PM) She used how much of our money to buy a building to dedicate a floor to herself. I am beginning to understand what vanity means.
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (11/20/2009 4:26:28 PM) I see she has her basic little black dress on. Well it might not be little, but basic. Does she own any other colors?
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (11/20/2009 4:31:55 PM) Rupert - Maybe a Borg Cube is the next best thing. I'll bet she had to give up a shopping spree at Saks to cover that $16,000 donation. Talk about sacrifice! irwindale - rofl! They also need to include a Tribute to Tulsa Streets and a gallery showcasing our high crime rate, complete with a weapons display and bank robbery disguises. okkevin - $7.2 million of it is "hidden" at Bank of Kaiser, in plain view.
	Report Comment Charley, (11/20/2009 4:43:42 PM) These folks are blatantly saying to Tulsa, "I done a good job for me & my friends. That's my story & I'm stickin' to it". We call this bunch of no-good-nicks anything we want to, they already got away with the cash.... You can't insult some folks...
	Report Comment Webmeister, Tulsa (11/20/2009 5:33:21 PM) Mayor Taylor says: "My family and I wanted to give a lasting gift to the city,” Taylor said. You have. Oh, you have. You gave us gifts that just keep on giving...... We'll be giving the Bank of Kaiser debt service payments for the grossly overpriced new City Hall for the next 30 years. And, the downtown property owners will get to support the Stadium Authority (with Bank of Kaiser financing) due to the BID assessment for the new, and UNNECESSARY downtown Drillers baseball stadium, for: 30 years. Thirty years is a long, long time to service debt. Didn't Mayor Taylor give Bank of Kaiser a $7.1 million gift that just keeps on giving??? A purported "settlement" for 100-cents on the dollar for Great Plains Airlines. Wasn't Bank of Kaiser Mayor Taylor's former employer? Oh, we get it now.
	Report Comment Ignatz, A nice place where Democrats hold every office in the County. (11/20/2009 6:10:26 PM) tfromtulsa..lol re. "Monty Burns." Terry Young doesn't appear to have missed many meals.

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