About the Tulsa City CouncilOn February 14, 1989, Tulsa voters approved the most sweeping changes in city government since the original 1908 charter. A new council-mayor form of government was chosen to replace the outdated city commission.The mayor acts as chief administrator, prepares the initial draft of the operating budget for City Council review, and is in charge of all administrative departments, including, but not limited to: Police, Fire, Finance, Human Resources, Airport, Working in Neighborhoods, Planning and Development and the City Attorney s Office.The city auditor regularly reviews the city s financial activities for efficiency, effectiveness and legality. Findings of any investigations are reported to the mayor and the City Council.The Tulsa City Council functions as the legislative branch of city government, is the governing body of the City of Tulsa and essentially acts as the Board of Directors for the City of Tulsa. The City Council passes all local laws, reviews and approves the city s annual budget, monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of city operations and conducts investigations. Councilors also listen to concerns and suggestions from the residents of their districts.In November 2009, Tulsan s voted to change the City Charter to end staggered terms for city councilors. Since 2014, all city councilors elected serve two-year terms.
Campaign Phone
918-359-2727
Age
44
Education
Bachelor's Degree and partial Master's of Public Administration
Volunteer Service
Served in AmeriCorps and current member of the Forum for Real Economic Emancipation.
I worked as an EMT for 7 years and as a police dispatcher for 6 years, so I bring personal knowledge of how public safety, and the ways that policy failures effect people's lives. Both crime and medical emergencies are often driven by material factors like expensive health care and a lack of economic opportunity rather than the personal failures of a patient or a victim. In addition, I worked in the city's planning department for more than two years, so I've seen how the planning process works and have concrete ideas for how the zoning code could be reformed to improve housing affordability across Tulsa.
In my view, addressing housing and utility affordability are crucial in attracting new employers. When citizens have more money in their pockets thanks to lower rent or mortgages, they can spend that money either on local goods and services, or they can save up to start businesses of their own. By building a city with lower housing costs and a vibrant local economy, our city will become more attractive to outside employers. This attractiveness will make it less necessary to offer tax breaks or engage in smokestack chasing.
I would use the criteria of liberty and longevity to evaluate infrastructure investment. Put another way, I would ask - does this project contribute to the personal or economic freedom of Tulsans, and will it improve the health of the community. Projects like sewers and water systems are key to both community health and economic activity, and should receive top attention, while projects like sidewalks and bike lanes help Tulsans navigate our city without dependence on a car. What can be done through public works to free up the personal and economic capacities of our citizens, while also enriching their lives, must take priority.Address housing affordability issues by launching a reform of the zoning code. The zoning code needs more flexibility to allow the construction of additional dwelling units on single-family lots, construction of 2, 4 and 6 plex housing, and more mixed use of housing and commercial along major thoroughfares.
Allocated funding under Improve Our Tulsa needs to be
Address housing affordability issues by launching a reform of the zoning code. The zoning code needs more flexibility to allow the construction of additional dwelling units on single-family lots, construction of 2, 4 and 6 plex housing, and more mixed use of housing and commercial along major thoroughfares.
Allocated funding under Improve Our Tulsa needs to be assigned to projects and work started. These monies are available for use and need to be put to use improving infrastructure and, where applicable, housing.
Extension of the data center moratorium until water availability issues can be addressed. Project Anthem will push Tulsa’s water supply to the limit of capacity, and with a need for major overhaul of the aging system on the horizon, we need to ensure that citizens will drink before computers.
The southwest area of the district along 61st from Peoria to Lewis needs both pedestrian improvements, as well as some kind of grocery store. Ideally, these needs could be satisfied by using councilor discretionary improvement dollars for sidewalks, and creation of a food co-op along the lines of CHOP, which is starting up in north Tulsa.
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Campaign Phone
9184082415
Age
48
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications, minor certificate in Sociology
Volunteer Service
Regional Food Bank, Reading Partners Program, City Lights, Church
My 25+ years of experience in the broadcast and media industry as a news director and talk show host puts me in a unique position to understand the right questions to ask. Wisdom is less about having all the answers and more about knowing the right questions to ask.
Provide business-friendly incentives and programs that attract new businesses and give them the ability to invest in Tulsa and District 9. Programs like Remote Tulsa have shown that this city has the ability to attract workers of the highest caliber. Those types of initiatives need to continue to make Tulsa a place that makes it beneficial for new businesses to start.
Tulsa, and all of Oklahoma for that matter, are in desperate need to repair it's current infrastructure, especially when it comes to roads and bridges. Oklahoma routinely ranks among the bottom 10 in highway system performance and cost-effectiveness. The evaluation process for new infrastructure should include criteria such as impact to traffic flow, neighborhoods, and cost.
My top priorities for the City of Tulsa are improving public safety and city services, fixing roads and bridges, and neighborhood growth and development.
One of the top priorities that is near and dear to my heart is tackling homelessness without judgement. We need more empathetic solutions to the issue that is definitely going to be a priority for me in District 9. I personally would like to cultivate more public/private partnerships to try to reduce our homeless population.
