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Urban Tulsa Weekly Questionnaire (Printable VersionE-mail to a Friend )
Answers from canidates in the general election for Tulsa City Council
by Edited by Michael Bates

Introduction

Below are the responses submitted by candidates in the general election for Tulsa City Council to the Urban Tulsa Weekly questionnaire. The following candidates submitted a response, and their responses are printed in district order. The responses from Turner, Mautino, and Carter were submitted prior to the primary.

Roscoe H. Turner, District 3, Democrat

Gerald A. Rapson, District 3, Republican

James Savino Mautino Sr., District 6, Republican

Phil Kates, District 9, Democrat

Cason Carter, District 9, Republican

For comparison purposes, here is a link to the responses from UTW’s primary preview.

The City Council website has details about the six charter amendments, including ballot language and the changes to the charter text for each. UTW endorses passage of all six.

For more information about the candidates, www.TulsaTopics.com has links to all the candidate websites, a printable "tournament bracket" for the city elections, and audio of the mayoral forum sponsored by TulsaNow and Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa. David Schuttler’s Our Tulsa World blog has video from many Mayoral and Council candidate forums.

To look up your district and polling place and to see sample ballot images, visit the Tulsa County Election Board website.

The Questionnaire

1. Suppose the City has $20 million dollars available to build new water and sewer lines. Your choices are to use that money to build new water lines to the suburbs, to build water and sewer mains to undeveloped parts of Tulsa that have been in the city limits for 40 years and still lack city utilities (making it more affordable for developers to build new subdivisions), or to increase capacity and replace lines in parts of Tulsa where the old lines are inadequate. How would you allocate the money among these priorities? Explain your choice.

Turner (3-D): I would split the money, probably equally, between the inadequate areas and the undeveloped areas in the city limits. Older areas need to be improved and undeveloped areas must be upgraded to entice developers.

Rapson (3-R): $10 million to underdeveloped parts of Tulsa, as a basis to increase the tax base; $8 million to replace old inadequate lines; $2 million for new lines to the suburbs. Let’s quit growing the suburbs, and grow Tulsa.

Mautino (6-R): I can refer to District 6 because I am more familiar with the needs of this district. I would put the $ 20,000,000 in sewer projects because there is already a proposed distribution system that requires that much money, but will not happen for about 15 years. 20 million would make it happen now and open up 25 sections (square miles) of land for development, homes, and retail. Water is more reasonable to install; with sewer present developers would be willing to move forward with developing an area.

Kates (9-D): When I grew up in Tulsa 50 years ago, there was no sales tax. Revenues were generated from the sale of water, sewer, and refuse collections. Since then, sales tax has become a necessary generator for capital improvements and the funding of city operations.

Water, in the next ten years, will continue to be one of the growing industries. Look at private companies, like Aqua America, that are slowly growing their business by acquiring water utilities. Tulsa's ability to see the future of 'water' as a source of revenue cannot be understated. That is if it ever rains again. The city has failed in it's desire to grow from the center of town out in all directions, and as a result we are still a very segregated community, failing to allow diversity to grow and prosper. As a result, the north and east sides of the city have not prospered and grown.  The city needs to encourage balanced growth. What makes this a difficult question are the other two options. Old lines need to be replaced to avoid maintenance costs, and developers who spend money want to do so out south.

The city of Tulsa has become the 'hole in the donut! Is it too late to achieve balanced growth? Difficult question. I would start with the current infrastructure to eliminate repair and maintenance costs. The cost savings should be measurable allowing the city more money to concentrate on the second goal, and that would be developed the undeveloped area of the city that would complement the Vision 2025 efforts to rebuild downtown from the 'worlds largest parking lot', to something all of us can enjoy and live in.  The final priority is to look where developers want to build, which now goes both way north and way south. If energy and gasoline costs continue to stay at the current high levels, past experience, for those of us that have experience, should predict that the center of the city will rebound and help achieve a new vision for balanced growth. Public Transportation also becomes an issue if the city continues to grow in one direction.

Taking a seemingly simple question like 'water' is more serious than most citizens realize, because water is going to become the next 'oil'.

Carter (9-R): In an ideal world we would fund all three options. I think it is important to cooperate with the surrounding regions, to provide economic opportunities in undeveloped parts of Tulsa, and to maintain adequate lines. However, when faced with these decisions, what will drive my vote is which option offers the best return on investment for Tulsans and what option is best for all Tulsans. In the scenario you’ve laid out, I’d want answers to the following questions:

Taking a long term view, what revenue will be generated for Tulsa by building waterlines to the suburbs? For example, will the suburbs generate long term revenue for our City? Will the suburbs subsidize our law enforcement budget in exchange for our subsidizing their infrastructure?

Likewise, before investing the money in water and sewer mains within Tulsa, I’d want to make sure that development in those areas was a realistic and viable option... the last thing we’d want to do is invest and have no one take advantage.

2. By a 5-4 vote the U. S. Supreme Court said it's constitutional for a city to condemn private property in order to let some other private entity have it for their own use. The Oklahoma legislature plans to limit this use of eminent domain, and the Tulsa City Council has approved a one-year moratorium on this type of condemnation. What limits should be placed on the government's eminent domain powers? Under what circumstances is the use of eminent domain abusive?

Turner (3-D): Involuntary condemnation should never be used for private purposes and should only be used as a last resort for public purposes. To use it for private gain is abusive.

Rapson (3-R): Eminent domain should be severely limited when the property is occupied by the owner, for public use only. Less restrictive when the property has an absentee owner, allowing sale to a private developer (increasing property values). Adequate compensation in all cases.

Mautino (6-R): (a) As the new law states Eminent Domain would be more acceptable if it were for public good and knowing that the landowner would be made whole. (b) [Eminent domain abuse is] when land is taken for private use without due compensation or regard to the landowners’ rights.

Kates (9-D): Phil Kates, a lawyer, wrote the 'bible' for the city of Tulsa planning group. In 1911 he published and presented 'The Necessity for the Scientific Restatement of the Law Governing Municipalities, and for the Passage of a City Planning Act'. This was delivered before the first annual conference of the Oklahoma Municipal League January 5th, 1911.

The very first paragraph of this speech reads, "I do not believe that there is so grave a problem before the State of Oklahoma, nor one so fraught with good or evil, as the building of our cities". This was 1911! "Cities which grow in order and design will become more pleasant places to live". Further, "I believe that if it is definitely pointed out that cities have certain powers, they will use these powers for the public welfare". The key to these words are 'evil' and 'public welfare'. Phil Kates was Tulsa's first City Attorney and third City Attorney, and fired the city as his employer when he was pressured into allowing an eminent domain request by the Mayor and Council to divide Owen Park so a brick company could use part of it for its business. This, he considered, was an abusive use of eminent domain power, and he would not write the ordinance change, and resigned. I'll stick with that 1911 decision.

City officials are clamoring for changes to allow businesses to acquire property through eminent domain. 'Desperate men/women do desperate things.'  However, the world changes, and it is quite possible that some issue would arise where deviating from the eminent domain principle, could at face value, make sense. At that point, the debate should be public, and 'good and evil' should be exposed, and intelligent citizens should be able to 'see' an intelligent answer.

Carter (9-R): The city should limit its eminent domain powers to the ones it enjoyed pre-Kelo v. New London. The power to forcibly take private property should not be exercised for purely private pecuniary gain and should be limited to serving the public interest.

3. Thinking of the current members of the City Council, whose work as a member of the Council do you most admire, and why? (If you are a sitting councilor, pick someone other than yourself.)

Turner (3-D): For his integrity and his sincere effort to work for his constituents, Jim Mautino is the Councilor I admire most.

Rapson (3-R): Chris Medlock, for his courageous stand for his beliefs.

Mautino (6-R): Chris Medlock, Roscoe Turner, Jack Henderson. There is a trust factor that’s shared. Before becoming a councilor I observed Chris Medlock and listened to what he said. After working with him on the council I have found him to be to the point, keeps his word and is honest.

Kates (9-D): None. None of them are the solution to the problem, and they are the reason a civil servant, myself, has entered this mess. The councilors have it backwards. It SHOULD BE City of Tulsa first, District second, individual (squeaky wheel) in the district third, and ME fourth. They have it backwards, as does my opponent. His is his future mayoral candidacy first, all of his constituents, (including two unions, a Republican supported by two unions!) who donated a 'Mayflower' of money from non-district 9 supporters, individuals, the city with special interest groups, and the District last. Pressured, I would probably pick Jack Henderson, as it seems he has stayed fairly focused. I am against ANY councilor who has walked out of a meeting. I consider that a resignation (insubordination).

Carter (9-R): I deeply admire the work of my current representative on the Council, Susan Neal. I share her dedication to our community, and admire her steadfast commitment to seeking out opinions from a variety of interested parties in order to reach reasonable solutions.

4. There's a measure of neighborhood livability called the "popsicle test" -- "An eight-year-old in the neighborhood should be able to bike to a store to buy a Popsicle without having to battle highway-size streets and freeway-speed traffic." Most Tulsa neighborhoods don't pass this test, and every trip to the store requires the use of a car. Do you think this is a problem, and if so, what would you propose to do about it?

Turner (3-D): This is a problem and a change of zoning laws to allow small neighborhood, mom-and-pop, businesses/stores to come into the neighborhoods is needed.

Rapson (3-R): Super stores such as Wal Mart have effectively killed Mom & Pop stores, and competition has resulted in many convenience stores closing. No solution at this time.

Mautino (6-R): I do think there is a problem having grown up in a community where you could walk to most places (work and businesses) I find myself wishing Tulsa was more pedestrian-friendly.

Kates (9-D): How can you ask a kid to bike to a store when the Police and Fire Department have failed in their mission statements to provide a safe place to live! I would suggest that people move back into mid-town where the Popsicle test could almost pass. If the Popsicle test is a 'quality of life issue', then it should be up to the leaders of the City and TMAPC/INCOG accomplish this whenever possible.

Carter (9-R): I’m happy to report most of the neighborhoods in my district pass the Popsicle test. Even in neighborhoods with busy streets, measures can be taken (reduced speed zones, etc) to make them more family friendly.

5. Tulsa's homicide rate is twice the national average, and our violent crime rate is 1.83 times the national average. Police investigative units are shorthanded, and the street crimes unit has been disbanded. The suburbs pay their police officers better than Tulsa does. What should the city do to fix this? Where should the city get the money to fix this?

Turner (3-D): As a quick fix we should write and ordinance to change capital funds for operational funds to hire new police officers immediately. As a more long-term fix we need to come up with a method to use our third penny tax monies for emergency services and remove them from the budget and use that money to spread to other services.

Rapson (3-R): Citizens must become more involved in aiding police in reporting crime and apprehending criminals. More officers will have to be hired, and paid prevailing wages. The tax base must be increased for funding. A tax increase would be counterproductive.

Mautino (6-R): One option would be to lower the requirements for college education and hire military police from military services, with an option for education. The County needs to be excluded from Sales Tax. They should be able to operate with the ad valorem Tax they collect. 2025 and four to fix Sales Tax needs to be eliminated.

Kates (9-D): Crime is a socio-economic behavioral problem. I have 5 plus years experience working with two police chiefs. One was Jack Purdie. I recruited for the departments and oversaw their operations from a Human Resources support position. In my opinion, the whole crime situation, pandering fear, during an election, is a disservice to our citizens and the city of Tulsa.  Six months before the campaign no one was clamoring for two hundred police officers. My background is Human Resources, Organizational Development, Purchasing, and Production Control. Here is a private industry organizational solution to crime in Tulsa, (this is free of the normal $300/hr. consulting fee).

First, read the mission statements for the departments. They are the same.  Police: Work with the community to provide quality service, protect life and property, PREVENT CRIME, and resolve problems so people can live in a safe environment. THEY HAVE FAILED IN THE EYES OF ALL POLITICIANS.

Fire Department: Basically the same, but also includes fire services. They have failed to provide a safe environment. But not in the eyes of Politicians. By the way, the Fire Departments are great first responders, I know from first hand experience.

Let the record show there is no bigger fan of both departments. I want them to be successful and become the 'best of class' in the country!

Now that they recognize that they have failed, they admit it and regroup.  They will probably not do that. They will ask for more personnel to avoid the embarrassment of failing. Point the finger elsewhere. In private industry, one of the things you learn is a 'good boss' will allow you to fail, and then help pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and then HELP YOU SUCCEED THE NEXT TIME. The citizens are the police and fire departments ultimate boss, we love them, and we will help them succeed. It's OK to fail.  The mistake is your inability to accept that fact.

The next step is the future, not the past. Think 'HOMELAND SECURITY' not POLICE AND FIRE. Think HOMETOWN SECURITY FOR THREE YEARS, HOME COUNTY SECURITY IN 5 YEARS AND SMASH HOMELAND SECURITY IN 10 YEARS. Homeland security should occur before it is required by a terrorist act. Create a HOMETOWN SECURITY position, and place both the police and fire departments under that director. Now look at your organizational charts. You have approximately 1700 employees whose mission statement is the same. You will have overlapping 'retired on the job' administrative positions that can be reduced. The headcount for the Police Department is 936. The fire department is 721. That is 1657 FUNDED POSITIONS. THE CITY HAS NO INTENTION, NOR DOES ANY PRIVATE COMPANY, having all positions filled at once. That is how you control your budget. Now, do you think that a city should be able to provide a safe place to live with approximately 360,000 citizens and 1657 EMPLOYEES whose mission statement is to provide us a safe place to work. YES!!!

The Police and Fire Departments will scream and holler about coming together. No politician will have the courage take this on, because it's political suicide. But the two departments THEMSELVES should make this move, because its the RIGHT THING TO DO in order to effectively move towards the bigger picture, which is HOMETOWN SECURITY'.

The police and Fire Departments always ask for more personnel. I learned this from the TWO POLICE CHIEFS AND THEIR STAFFS that I worked with everyday for five years. The FIRST reason is: SICK LEAVE. The second is: MORE MANPOWER FOR THEIR UNIONS. Sick leave; The two departments have an antiquated sick leave policy that should have been changed in the late 80's and early 90's with the rest of the world. They can accrue an astounding 980 hours of sick leave, and after that, they have to take their sick as vacation. They also have to take overtime as vacation, after their overtime budget has expired. If you add more officers, the older officers that have accrued 980 hours, can now start slowly taking more sick days. Go ahead and don't believe it, but if you FOLLOW THE MONEY you will understand. Same for the Fire Department.

Where does the city get the money to fix the crime rate by adding FTE's (Full time Equivalents)?. It doesn't. The two departments should merge, DEVELOP A PLAN OF HOW TO REDUCE CRIME IN EACH DISTRICT IN EVERY SINGLE CATEGORY; set goals of reducing, say, burglaries by 50% the first year, 33% the second year, and 25% the third year. Measure the results. Communicate to the citizens frequently, daily, WHERE CRIME HAS OCCURRED AND WHY. Make changes as required. And then the citizens reward them with bonuses in pay and pat them on the back for being successful. THEY GET POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT (R+), feel good about themselves, and continue their quest to eliminate crime knowing they are appreciated by everyone!

If you add police officers, it does two things. YOUR CRIME RATE GOES UP!  Counter intuitive but true. They don't arrest more people, remember, they only respond to crime. THEY RESPOND AND FILE MORE REPORTS. If we add more police officers, WE CAN LEAD THE NATION IN CRIME. That'll be a good drawing card for bringing in new business. If crime is reduced, which I would argue it wouldn't because it is a socio-economic behavioral problem, then you have too many police officers, and they become ex-police officers.

This free and warning to all the inexperienced politicians. YOU CAN'T GIVE THEM A PLAN. THEY MUST BE REQUIRED TO GIVE YOU THEIR PLAN! If you give them your 'CALIFORNIA PLAN' it won't work because they (the police and firemen) WILL OUTLAST YOU. PLANS COME AND GO, AND THEY STAY. That's the first rule you learn. The secret is to LEAD THEM to be successful. Business leaders know this, LAWYERS AND POLITICIANS don't have a clue. A leader mobilizes human energy, helps them be successful by removing roadblocks, and gives the RECOGNITION FOR ACHIEVING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. Critical mass occurs, and you can go shake hands with the world. The Police and Fire Departments know their business better than you campaign managers and consultants, let them do their job.

Carter (9-R): Clearly this is one of the most urgent challenges facing Tulsa today. I’d be open to the possibility of increasing the percentage of the general fund dedicated to providing police and fire services, and might explore using part of the enterprise fund as well. But the long-term solution will require us to grow our sales tax base.

6. The Brookside neighborhood infill plan calls for design guidelines to ensure that new residential and commercial development is compatible with existing development, to preserve the character of the neighborhood. Right now, these design guidelines don't have the force of law. Many cities, including Oklahoma City, have special neighborhood conservation districts in which design guidelines become part of the zoning code. Would you support doing this in Tulsa? If not, what would you do to preserve the character of Tulsa's traditional urban neighborhoods while allowing for new development?

Turner (3-D): Yes, I would support this.

Rapson (3-R): I would support design guidelines

Mautino (6-R): I am familiar with the Brookside Plan and certainly could support this in Tulsa.

Kates (9-D): This is the District I am running in. I lived in Brookside for 5 years.  It is quirky, quaint and charming, for six blocks. The rest of Brookside, from 36th to 61st needs a 'makeover'. Brookside really needs a new concentrated plan that the homeowners and planners can come up with. If the Brookside business area was not their, I wonder what the attraction would be. The homeowners and businesses must work together, because they both benefit. I would never back myself into a zoning order, which would eliminate flexibility in those unique circumstance that make sense to everyone. This is a good example of where the City comes first, then the district then the individual in the district, and then me. If you provide alternatives, a consensus by intelligent people should occur.

Carter (9-R): We need to maintain the integrity of our culturally rich and beautiful neighborhoods. But I do not think increased red tape by giving design guidelines the weight of zoning law is necessarily the answer. Instead I would promote open and frequent communication and cooperation between all the stakeholders, including neighborhood associations and developers. It is my intention to advance integrity in our municipal government and, to me, that means acting as a mediator of interests to achieve mutually beneficial solutions before an issue is presented to the Council and in making well-reasoned and open decisions after an issue is presented to the Council. I think we can attain significant accomplishments by having the interested parties meet at the outset of development initiatives. I also believe that appointments to the Board of Adjustment and the Planning Commission are very important to the integrity of our neighborhoods, and I think neighborhoods can be benefited in selecting open-minded and fair citizens to serve in such positions.

7. Some say that there should be at least one part of Tulsa that is truly urban, where it is possible to live, work, and shop without having to own a car. Do you agree, and if so, what should the city do to help make it happen?

Turner (3-D): Yes, I agree. Again there is a need to change zoning laws for these businesses and residents to coexist.

Rapson (3-R): The only way to create a truly urban area would be to persuade retailers to abandon shopping malls, and go where the customer live, rather than have the customers drive to them.

Mautino (6-R): As I stated in question four I do not agree. First the Comprehensive Plan needs to be updated and that is in progress. Downtown Tulsa is a perfect place to start.

Kates (9-D): I think it would be great if private developers see opportunities to do this. Without taxpayers 'rebates'. Once you head down that path, you're cooked. The city should work with, encourage, and EXPEDITE ALL THESE PLANS SO THEY HAPPEN NOW! If people want to spend their money, we should help them as quickly as possible.

Carter (9-R): I agree that a truly urban section of Tulsa would be attractive to both businesses and young professionals. The best way to develop this environment is to work with the private sector by helping to provide infrastructure for dedicated projects that meet specific urban benchmarks.

8. In 2008, Tulsa will host the National Preservation Conference, the annual meeting of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Meanwhile, downtown buildings continue to be demolished and paved over for parking. Downtown Tulsa is on Preservation Oklahoma's most endangered list. Does this embarrass you? What should the city do to ensure that there are still some historic buildings around when the preservationists come to town in two years?

Turner (3-D): Yes it embarrasses me! People go to Europe to look at old buildings and we tear them down to look at nothing. We should create an ordinance requiring buildings in older areas of the city to be evaluated by the Historical Society before they are set for demolition.

Rapson (3-R): Historic buildings need to be adequately maintained and occupied, possibly designated as Historic Sites, not just referred to as Historic old buildings

Mautino (6-R): I would not say I am embarrassed, more like shocked at the complete disregard of the structures that made Tulsa the Oil Capital. I believe that buildings can be changed to other uses that would be compatible to downtown living and shopping, a truly urban make over. Implementing a plan to do this would slow down the destruction of buildings.

Kates (9-D): It doesn't embarrass me. We all get old and die. It's happening to our city. It's life. What is important is working with the Preservation Society to immediately determine what can be preserved and what is too far gone, and work on what has life left.

Carter (9-R): [No response. Carter appears to have overlooked the question, as his answer to 9 is numbered 8, and his answer to 10 is numbered 9.]

9. Some have called for adding "sexual orientation" to the list of protected classes in the City of Tulsa's human rights ordinance (Title 5, Chapter 1). Would you support or oppose such a move?

Turner (3-D): I support everyone’s human rights.

Rapson (3-R): I would oppose adding "sexual orientation" to the list of protected classes

Mautino (6-R): I would oppose such a move.

Kates (9-D): I have a Human Resource background and have profound knowledge in this area. Sexual Orientation should not be added to any list. It's an insignificant publicity issue created to draw attention to something that we should all accept, be comfortable with, and we should get on with our lives.  I wouldn't 'oil that squeaky wheel'. Let the rest of the world perfect this issue, and if we eventually have deal with it, we just pick the 'best of class' sexual orientation policy. By now, we should all be tolerant of sexual orientation.

Carter (9-R): I strongly believe that all persons should be treated equally and that discrimination against anyone is wrong, but feel that privileges granted to certain classes of persons are only appropriate in rare circumstances where a demonstrable pattern of discrimination has been firmly established.

10. Each year, Tulsa gets a chunk of money from the Federal Government called Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which it distributes to local non-profits for various projects. In the past, some controversial groups have asked for CDBG funds for non-controversial purposes. Supposing the local chapter of Planned Parenthood, which engages in abortion rights lobbying at the State Capitol and refers clients to abortion providers, sought CDBG funding for their pediatrics clinic. Would you support or oppose such funding, and why?

Turner (3-D): I would support providing funds that benefit the health of our children.

Rapson (3-R): Although I am not opposed to abortion, which is a woman's choice, I am opposed to public funding for abortions, or funding to any group that advocates government funding for abortions.

Mautino (6-R): I would oppose funding for their clinics. It is against my personal beliefs.

Kates (9-D): Oppose. That's not the intent of the funding. It must be driven by lawyers, whose job is extortion, the transfer of someone else's wealth to themselves, their plaintiffs attorney, and the plaintiffs. Come up with a Community Development Squeaky Wheel Block Grant and give them money. If it's a good idea, there may be money for it.

Carter (9-R): I would oppose distributing CBDG money to groups like Planned Parenthood because I think there is no shortage of non-profit organizations that enjoy broader and deeper support within our community and are therefore more appropriate recipients for the funds. Money meant to strengthen our community should not be transformed into yet another divisive incident.

11. Of the six charter amendments on the April 4 ballot, which do you support, which do you oppose, and why?

Turner (3-D): [As a Councilor, Turner voted in favor of all six items.]

Rapson (3-R): 1. Opposed. The city attorney should be the council's legal advisor.  2. Support. The public needs to be better informed of council actions.  3. Support. 4. Oppose. Municipal electons are the duty and responsibility of the municipality, not the County or State. 5. Support. 6. Support.

Mautino (6-R): [As a Councilor, Mautino voted in favor of all six items.]

Kates (9-D): 1. AGAINST. The council members are not personally liable for their non-criminal behavior on the council. The City Attorney is paid to represent both the Civil Service Commission and the council. Just because the council doesn't always get the answers they want to get, they need to be 'big boys and girls' and sometimes accept what the City Attorney says, or TMAPC and INCOG for that matter. I say let the trained professionals do their job, and keep the political hacks and more lawyers out of the picture. In fact, I would recommend they go play in the street. 2. Against. The coin came up tails. 3. Against. Some boards may need special knowledge, skills, or abilities that someone outside the city has and we would benefit from. If an appointment is made for 'evil' reasons, then someone needs to review the 'whistle blowers' survival kit and just tell us that 'something is rotten in Denmark!.' 4. For on four. 5. Against. Don't mention recall for volunteer civil servant positions whose tenure only lasts two years. Don't re-elect them. The people who get into this are spoiled brats. 6. For. Maybe I should rethink my position on the City Attorney question. Did Yogi Berra, the lawyer, write these things?

Carter (9-R): [Did not respond.]

Bonus question for Council candidates: Who is your choice to be Tulsa's next mayor, and why?

Turner (3-D): [Answer from primary questionnaire.] I have worked with many of the candidates running for mayor and will work with whoever wins the race. However, as a Democrat, I am supporting a man who has lived in my district and knows the plight of my constituents. I am supporting my former state representative for 18 years, Don McCorkell.

Rapson (3-R): [Did not respond.]

Mautino (6-R): [Answer from primary questionnaire.] Chris Medlock. He is honest, keeps his word.

Kates (9-D): Kathy Taylor. First, she's the only one who looked me in the eye when she talked to me. Second, she appears to have an enthusiastic base of support. Third, I have an extensive private industry background with 5 plus years experience working for the city of Tulsa and the city of Jackson, Ms. as Personnel Director, so I think she would be more receptive to listening and using my experience, allowing me to be a difference maker; and lastly, Mayor Lafortune looks like he forgot to use his vacation days, while my opponent who is running for Assistant Mayor out of District Council 9 proves a friend's theory that 90% of life is looking good, the other 10% is showing up.

Carter (9-R): [Answer from primary questionnaire.] Throughout my campaign I’ve stressed my desire to help create an atmosphere of civility, mutual respect and dignity in city hall, endorsing a mayoral candidate could needlessly jeopardize these goals. So while I realize this is not the answer you want to hear, I am not endorsing any particular candidate.

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