getreal, (10/24/2009 7:48:45 AM)

Twice the article uses the term "energy". Is this a dig at the Phil Woods' age?

nosurprise, (10/24/2009 8:14:09 AM)

As usual, TW's editorial nitwit doesn't use facts to back up his opinion. The Fire Fighters, while remaining my most respected public servants, used poor tactics in trying to cover up a few rouge men. Wood did not simply 'drop the audit' and if you had done any basic research you would have know that. About the only thing you got right is Phil's number of years as a PUBLIC SERVANT. in all of those years, you want to throw him under the bus now. Go to his website and look through the countless audits he has performed and the level of detail. There is no reason for a change in this elected position, just has there hasn't be for the last 21 years.

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (10/24/2009 10:45:04 AM)

nosurprise,
I'm with you in total support of the firemen. I have two firmen living in my neighborhood. the rank & file firemen had nothing to do with that mess they went thru with crooked records. These men have told me that even though two top chiefs were asked to resign or retire, the department now is left with horribly low morale.
Then, their union decided to get into endorsing politicians. These two men say they do not support them getting into politics, other than the campaign to get councilor Bill Martinson out of office. They tell me that Martin had it in for both Policemen and firemen.
They have also told me that the Tulsa fireman who is appearing in Tom Adelson TV spots is not one of the respected members of the department. They say he only works for liberal democrats, and uses the work to get promotions, when the liberals win their races. They tell me that politics is still alive and well in the fire department, and the top chief is 100% politician.
On a side note:
I like tom Adelson and think he was good for Oklahoma in the state senate. But have you watched this guy in his TV spots where he is talking to citizens about the streets, etc. It is a pitiful performance. Adelson is not a speaker, PERIOD.
Why couldn't his campaign manager see this?
Why didn't someone in the campaign inner-circle speak up about his poor speaking abilities?

afarhat, (10/24/2009 10:52:56 AM)

Jesus talked a lot about turning the other cheek. Many people may think this is a sign of weakness or a super-ability to forgive. I always felt that this was the wisest statement I ever heard. It stresses the importance of responding to an event rather than reacting. Reacting to an event is almost always hasty, not thought through, and rather foolish. Whatever was referred to as complacency in the way Phil Wood handled the firefighter issue is actually a wise and well-thought-out action. What the city needs in an auditor is a wise, thoughtful, well-experienced, and sharp person who knows how to choose his battles, where to put his energies, and how best to use the limited resources the City has available for auditing. The last thing the city needs is a bouncy, hyperactive person who runs squealing to the press every time something goes wrong in the city. Then every little problem would get sensationalized and every molehill would become a mountain. The people would get lots of entertainment, but nothing would really get done.

Speaking of experience, Preston Doerflinger has absolutely no qualifications to be a city auditor. Running a small business and auditing a big city are totally different. It is true that he has STARTED the process of becoming qualified for the job. But by the time he takes (and passes) all the tests his term will be over. Go to Phil Wood's website (just search for "City Auditor Phil Wood") and feast your eyes and your mind on the tremendous energy and intelligence and achievements that he has taken the initiative to share with the public since the early days of the Web. That's what our beloved city needs. Not a dashing razzle-dazzle bouncy young man who looks good in a suit.

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (10/24/2009 11:01:16 AM)

afarhat,
your words are very good
but,.....should there be something of a term limit?
It seems to me like when term limits were forced on the Oklahoma State legislature, their effectiveness improved tremendously.
The old "cronies" are pretty much gone, along with a lot of crooks (I don't need to name names, you've seen them in the paper). What do you think of term limits? Positive or negative?

Royce, Tulsa (10/24/2009 2:02:37 PM)

I don't know either Mr. Doerflinger or Mr. Wood, but if Mr. Doerflinger is endorsed by the Tulsa World that settles it. I'm supporting Mr. Wood.

afarhat, (10/24/2009 2:41:13 PM)

Corvetteguy,

The auditor's job has a big learning curve, so I'm not sure it would be good to switch auditors every two years. I'm all for bringing in new blood, but the problem is with the candidate. He's just not up to par. As far as I am concerned, he is welcome to try again in another two years, AFTER he finishes the minimum qualifications. Right now, he's just relying on an image, without any substance to back it up. It is a very nice image, but it does not qualify him for this particular job.

Fantasy Cats, Meow, Meow (10/25/2009 1:31:12 AM)

I don't think it matters who gets elected. Nothing will change. Those that don't want to answer questions won't. Wouldn't surprise me to find out they have had orders not to answer questions.

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (10/25/2009 11:36:52 AM)

WOW!, Royce....

Why are you on the Tulsa World website,.... may I ask? There are other choices.
Anyone who clicks on the TW website, is helping the TW with the views "counter".
Personally, I disagree frequently with the TW editorial board, yet.....I see some light at the end of the tunnel. Light by the name of.... Bobby.

Hows this for a featured comment, TW?

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (10/25/2009 11:39:30 AM)

afarhat,

I am not hearing anyone say "only one two year term".
But, a reasonable length could be a huge plus for this city. Couldn't we agree that a "lifetime" appointment is not a good thing?
It's hard to beat an incumbent. You have to really, really screw up. Ask former City Councilor Maria Barnes.

Smoothie, (10/26/2009 8:50:02 AM)

To the Tulsa World Editorial Board, whoever you are. Seems ironic that you support the change to the City Charter that would require a candidate be a Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor before filing for the City Auditor position, yet the candidate you endorse had neither certifications. Moreover, Preston Doerflinger does not have any prior auditing experience.

Seems you are basing your opinion on one issue; firefigher training records. I understand that corrective measures were taken in that area prior to City Auditor Wood recommending that no further audit procedures be performed after the firefighter refused to respond to the auditor questionnaires.

Auditor Wood is highly qualified and has performed an excellent job as City Auditor and deserves the job if the citizens agree at the polls.

Brooksider, Tulsa (10/29/2009 11:46:48 AM)

Auditing is about more than money. It is also about process and internal controls. To be effective the auditing department needs sufficient staff and budget to review the many, many activities of the city. The auditing department seems competent, as least the staff I've talked to, but there aren't enough of them. If the firemens' training records is the worst auditing scandal we have, we are doing pretty good. Auditing is a complex, specialized skill requiring years of training and experience. Phil Woods at 100 would be better than someone looking to start their political career with neither.

bill m, (11/10/2009 5:59:06 PM)

Is the need for a new auditor so important that we should elect Mickey Mouse? Preston D. isn't much better in my opinion.

As a retired CPA, I can tell you that we can't afford to give Preston on the job experience - unless he wants to start as a staff member of the department to get that experience.

To elect him as City Auditor would be like making a small businessman editor of a newspaper, because he has reviewed business plans for spelling and content while running his companies.

I'm a registered republican, but this is one instance where I will vote for the democrat candidate because he is the most qualified for the job!

YRM, (11/11/2009 12:38:50 AM)

What exactly does Preston Doerflinger's company PLD Management Inc. do?

What are the names of his other successful businesses and what do they do?

The Tulsa Beacon in their article "Doerflinger Is Ready to Serve Tulsa" stated,

"His smallest company will do $500,000 in revenue this year and the largest is on schedule to do $100 million in revenue."