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Rick Westcott for District Judge

I have known Rick Westcott for over 15 years, and I've consistently observed his diligence to determine facts, his careful reasoning, his clarity of expression, and his fairness to all. It would be a blessing to have Rick Westcott serving as our District Judge. I urge you to join me in voting for Rick Westcott on June 26.

Posted by Michael Bates on June 15, 2018 12:32 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

The 2009 Build PAC boys

Build PAC is a political action committee registered with the Tulsa City Clerk. The PAC shares an address with the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Tulsa. In 2005, Build PAC Issues was the single biggest contributor to the attempt to recall City Councilors Chris Medlock and Jim Mautino. The recall...

Posted by Michael Bates on September 3, 2009 2:35 PM

District 2: For Rick Westcott

There are some very powerful people in this town that evidently would rather not have grownups on the City Council. They'd rather have children, nine naifs easily led to the preferred conclusion. But we ordinary citizens need grownups to look after our interests. We need people who have the intelligence...

Posted by Michael Bates on September 2, 2009 10:12 PM

Candidate background checks: Part 1: Bart Rhoades

The Tulsa World today, on page A-14, presented a summary of information turned up during background checks of the candidates for Tulsa city offices. Some of the information had been reported previously -- Eric Gomez serving alcohol to a minor in 1993 and being arrested for public intoxication in 1997;...

Posted by Michael Bates on August 23, 2009 9:22 PM

Rick Westcott responds

Tulsa District 2 City Councilor Rick Westcott is using his blog to provide detailed rationales for his positions on some controversial issues, one of which resulted in him and other councilors being denounced by Mayor Kathy Taylor on a live CNN interview. The latest entry addresses the concern that Westcott...

Posted by Michael Bates on August 10, 2009 7:36 AM

Running out the clock on ballpark assessment protests

Tulsa City Councilor Rick Westcott emailed me a short time ago to point out the bind into which downtown property owners have been put by Mayor Kathy Taylor's administration's insistence that owners had only limited rights to protest the assessment for the new Tulsa Stadium Improvement District, which will finance...

Posted by Michael Bates on May 28, 2009 12:58 PM