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Bill Martinson
Office sought: City Council District 5 incumbent
Political affiliation: Republican
Age: 52
Web site: none
Occupation: Precision Sintered Parts CEO
Marital status: Married, three grown children
Civic organizations: Tulsa Area Manufacturers Association, National Association of Manufacturers, Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Resided in district: 26 years
Previous political races: Won the City Council District 5 seat in a 2005 special election and was re-elected in 2006.
Education: Master's degree in accounting from Oklahoma State University and bachelor's degree from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo.
How do you think the city should finance the estimated $1.6 billion in street improvements necessary to bring them to an average grade?
Streets. The condition of our streets and what we need to do to correct the situation is a complicated issue. The Council has been studying the problem for several months and I believe we can have a proposal completed by the end of March. Although it is too soon to discuss specifics, I believe we can minimize the impact on the taxpayers if we focus on how we allocate our resources. Before launching a proposal to increase taxes, we have an obligation to the citizens to make sure we effectively deploy the funds we currently have.
What do you think the city should do to further development along the Arkansas River and how should it be funded?
River development. I think we all support sensible development along the Arkansas River. However, the city's primary financial responsibility is to provide infrastructure and public safety to its citizens, and our needs in those areas will always exceed our resources. I believe the city should focus on creating an environment that would allow the market place to most efficiently develop the river in a manner conductive to maximizing the value of that asset to the community and improving our quality of life.
River development is a prime example of why we must coordinate activities of all interested parties and participating governmental entities. For instance, Tulsa County has a responsibility to fund river development projects identified in Vision 2025, and in November, Congress authorized $50 million for Arkansas River development that needs to be appropriated. The City should refrain form a wholesale river development plan until these have transpired or been coordinated.
Would you support/not support public financial assistance to further downtown commercial development that could include a baseball stadium for the Drillers team? Please explain your position.
Baseball park. Again, I believe the city's primary financial responsibility is to provide infrastructure and public safety to its citizens. Government's role should be to assist, not dictate, how, when and where development takes place.
What would be three goals you would like to accomplish if you are elected?
Three goals. My focus since first running for office has been to seek and find the most efficient use of our resources.
We need to develop a long term and comprehensive program that will enable the city of Tulsa to ensure that it can meet its obligations to the citizens to maintain and fund its streets and infrastructure.
We must ensure the vitality of our neighborhoods.
What do you see as personal strengths that you would bring to the position?
I believe my accounting and business experience add a valuable perspective to issues facing the city of Tulsa and the City Council.
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