Tuesday elections to decide members, changes to council

BY BRIAN BARBER & P.J. LASSEK World staff writers
Sunday, November 06, 2011
11/06/11 at 3:52 AM

Learn more about the proposed City Charter amendments.

Tulsa voters Tuesday will decide the fate of four proposed City Charter amendments and seven City Council races.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For those who want to vote early, in-person absentee voting will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday at the Tulsa County Election Board, 555 N. Denver Ave.

Voters must present a valid photo identification card with an expiration date, such as a driver's license, passport or a voter registration card.

A state ID issued to a person older than 65 also may be used, even though it lacks an expiration date.

On the four proposed charter amendments, voters who want no changes to the city's government should vote against them. Voters who want changes should vote for one or more of the amendments.

Proposition 1: A majority of city councilors is seeking to replace the current strong mayor-city council form of government with a council-city manager structure. The mayor would join the council and essentially be on the same footing as the councilors.

The proposal also would extend council terms to four years, institute a 12-year term limit for Tulsa's elected officials and switch to nonpartisan races.

Initiative Petition Proposition 1: The proposal placed on the ballot by Save Our Tulsa would add three at-large councilors to the current nine-member council and have the mayor control the council meetings and agenda topics.

Initiative Petition Proposition 2: Also pushed by Save Our Tulsa, this proposal would return City Council terms to two years and bring municipal elections in line with the state and federal cycles.

Initiative Petition Proposition 3: The final proposal initiated by Save Our Tulsa would change the current partisan municipal races to nonpartisan. Candidates could identify themselves as Republican or Democrat while campaigning, but the party affiliation would not be on the ballot. At the primary stage, the candidates whose votes make up a majority would advance to the general election.

Voters also will decide who the next councilors will be in Districts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

In District 1, Councilor Jack Henderson, a Democrat, was re-elected in September's primary, while in District 5, newcomer Karen Gilbert defeated Councilor Chris Trail and another candidate in the GOP primary to win the seat.

District 2: Republican Jeannie Cue, a retired nurse, will face off against Democrat Phillip Oyler, an information technology consultant. Republican Councilor Rick Westcott did not seek re-election.

District 3: Democrat David Patrick, a mechanic and former councilor, will compete against Republican David Bell, a retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol lake patrol officer. Democrat Councilor Roscoe Turner was defeated in the primary.

District 4: Republican Blake Ewing, a downtown entrepreneur, is vying for the seat against Democrat Ken Brune, an attorney. Democrat Councilor Maria Barnes was knocked out in the primary.

District 6: Republican Byron "Skip" Steele, a computer repairman, will face Democrat Robert Gwin Jr., a convenience store clerk. Republican Councilor Jim Mautino lost in the primary.

District 7: Republican Thomas Mansur, a civil engineer, is competing against Democrat Michael Rainwater, a former Department of Human Services supervisor. Republican Councilor John Eagleton did not seek re-election.

District 8: Republican Phil Lakin Jr., Tulsa Community Foundation CEO, will battle Democrat William Suliburk, a retired banker. Republican Councilor Bill Christiansen did not run for re-election.

District 9: Republican Councilor G.T. Bynum, a government relations consultant, will try to stave off a challenge from Democrat Mike Batman, a car salesman.

Original Print Headline: Vote to decide council, changes

Brian Barber 918-581-8322
brian.barber@tulsaworld.com

P.J. Lassek 918-581-8382
pj.lassek@tulsaworld.com