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Martinson, 2009: Tulsa Metro Chamber "advocates... blind obedience"

In 2009, incumbent Councilor Bill Martinson was defeated by Chris Trail, a well-funded challenger, a newcomer to politics and to the city limits, funded and supported by forces that didn't like an intelligent skeptic on the Tulsa City Council scrutinizing their schemes. I recently came across Martinson's response to the...

Posted by Michael Bates on July 28, 2011 2:05 AM

Kathy Taylor's Trail to revenge: Martinson defeat financed by Lobeck, associates

What many of us suspected was confirmed by the post-primary ethics filing from Tulsa District 5 City Councilor-elect Chris Trail: Trail was Mayor Kathy Taylor's instrument of revenge against City Councilor Bill Martinson, who opposed her on the ballpark improvement district, raised concerns about the overly rosy revenue projections in...

Posted by Michael Bates on November 5, 2009 7:18 AM

Primary post-mortem: Some initial thoughts

A few thoughts before turning in: Thanks to news director Dan Potter and the KRMG news team for the chance to contribute to tonight's coverage of the primary election. It was a pleasure, and I look forward to the next opportunity. Many thanks to Chris and Cheryl Medlock for their...

Posted by Michael Bates on September 9, 2009 1:17 AM

District 5: For Bill Martinson, number cruncher, straight talker, grownup

As long-time readers are no doubt aware, I was not a fan of Bill Martinson's when he first sought and was elected to the Tulsa City Council. Martinson replaced Sam Roop in District 5 after Mayor Bill LaFortune hired Roop as his chief information officer. Martinson was the candidate of...

Posted by Michael Bates on September 5, 2009 1:38 AM

Martinson responds to FOP

Tulsa City Councilor Bill Martinson has issued a response to Saturday's press release from Tulsa FOP president Philip Evans. Evans attacked Martinson's budget presentation from last Thursday night, a presentation that highlighted the growth and size of the Police and Fire departments' portion of the city's general fund revenues, characterizing...

Posted by Michael Bates on June 25, 2009 5:42 PM

FOP responds to Martinson

On Saturday, I received the following press release from Philip Evans, president of the Tulsa Lodge #93 of Fraternal Order of Police, in response to Tulsa City Councilor Bill Martinson's presentation during the Council's debate on Thursday, June 18, 2009, about the budget. Here is Evans's statement, verbatim: The Fraternal...

Posted by Michael Bates on June 22, 2009 7:59 AM

Mayor's budget approved 5-4

Tonight the Tulsa City Council approved Mayor Kathy Taylor's budget by a vote of 5-4. The budget reflects deep cuts due to falling revenues and includes mandatory unpaid furloughs for city employees. The four councilors who voted against Taylor's budget supported an alternative by Councilor Bill Martinson. Before your knee...

Posted by Michael Bates on June 19, 2009 1:20 AM

Martinson explains his vote against the Mama Bear streets package

An open letter from Tulsa District 5 City Councilor Bill Martinson, explaining his decision to vote against the two streets propositions on Tuesday's ballot: Dear Tulsa Voter, November 4th is just around the corner, and the citizens of Tulsa will be voting on two street propositions. Councilors Henderson, Christiansen, Bynum,...

Posted by Michael Bates on October 31, 2008 7:32 PM