They’re Back

The geese are back at work. For several years at this time of year, geese have been hanging around the green space at work. Last year I took some crummy pictures with my camera phone. This year the pictures are slightly better.



Technorati Tags: geese

My New Toy

Right now I’m listening to music and looking at pictures that are being streamed off my computer upstairs over my TV through my new XBOX 360. They say that the 360 is more than just a game console but this is too cool.


Technorati Tags: XBOX 360

Left Home Without It?

Michael Wallace found an interesting vending machine on his way to Canada.

Technorati Tags: ipod
vending machine
ipod vending machine

Dollar Thrifty's Outsourcing

I’ve heard through the IT grapevine that Dollar Thrifty will be outsourcing it’s entire IT department. This much I’m sure is fact. I’ve also heard that EDS is getting the contract and they plan to send the jobs to India but am not 100% certain that is true.

This is bad news for Tulsa.

Technorati Tags: Tulsa
outsourcing
Dollar Thrifty

NCAA Bracket Update

Better luck next year I guess.

Technorati Tags: NCAA
March Madness

District 6 Town Hall Tomorrow

If you missed Jim's last town hall meeting, you have a second chance. Tomorrow, March 29, 2006 @6:30 pm, Jim will be hosting another town hall meeting at the Martin East Regional Library. The format will be similar to last time.

I encourage district 6 voters to take this opportunity to visit and listen to Jim. Compare and contrast his knowledge of zoning, planning, development, and city government with that of his opponent. I think you will be very impressed with councilor Mautino.


Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Town Hall Meeting
District 6
Jim Mautino
Tulsa City Elections 2006

First Anniversary

Today marks the birth of Roemerman on Record. Over the past year we have seen so much together. As a retrospective I’ve chosen 13 posts. I have also included a link to all the posts in each month. I encourage you to check it out; I had a really hard time picking out only one post a month.

March 2005:
My first political post, concerning recall.

April 2005:
I started a bible study based on Handel’s Messiah. I’ve not yet finished it, however I’ve not forgotten about it.

May 2005:
I became interested in the toll bridge.

June 2005:
I asked if Poker is just harmless fun.

July 2005:
We won recall!!!

August 2005 :
I got mad over Channel 8’s coverage of a proposed gas tax increase.

September 2005:
I went to Gretna to help the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

October 2005:
The Tulsabloggers had their first meeting.

November 2005:
More Toll Bridge coverage.

December 2005:
I noticed something interesting about LaFortune.

January 2006:
I asked Teresa Buchert some questions.

February 2006:
Kathy Taylor’s commercials make me mad.

March 2006:
Councilor Martinson freaks out about the Tulsa Hills TIF.

So there you have it, I hope you enjoy Roemerman on Record as much as I do. Thank you for all your support. Let's do this again next March.

Technorati Tags: Anniversary

The GOP is Your Party

I’ve noticed that a lot of you are upset at the Tulsa County Republican Party. Whether or not the Tulsa County Republican leadership is doing a bad job I’ll leave up to you. If anger spurs you into action then far be it from be to dissuade you.

If you want to see a change in our county party, the best way to do this is to attend your Republican precinct meetings. Then volunteer to represent your precinct at the Tulsa County Republican Convention. You will then have a say on who you want your leadership to be.

The GOP is your party. If you have no control it is only because you have relinquished it! My wife and I, plus one other, are the only ones who attend our precinct meetings. For a brief stint I was the House District director for House Distinct 23. While in that office, one of the real challenges I faced was trying to recruit precinct leaders for the party. Most of the precincts did not have any leadership at all. No leadership meant no precinct meetings which meant no representation at the County Convention. I think that is a problem.

If you are upset, good, use that anger and channel it into action. Determine which precinct you are in and contact the local party leadership, tell them you want to be involved. Sitting on the sidelines will get you nowhere.

Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Tulsa County Republican Party

Email from State Rep. Fred Perry

I received the following email from Republican State Rep, Fred Perry.

Dear Fellow Republicans: As you know, the election for Tulsa Mayor is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4th. The election is important to everyone in the Tulsa Metro area. So, even if you live outside the city limits, I hope you will read this.

I am supporting our Republican incumbent Mayor, Bill LaFortune. I know that many people are not completely satisfied with Bill. I have talked to a some Republicans who are unhappy with him. Many receiving this email know Bill personally. I have gotten to know Bill well since the 1990's when he was the Tulsa District Attorney and we worked together to get some victims' rights legislation passed. He is a good man with a good heart. I believe he will be a good mayor in his second term. He is a hard worker, dedicated to making Tulsa a better place to live for us, our children and grand children.

While at the capitol, I have gotten to know Kathy Taylor, his opponent in the election. Like many people in public life, she is a pleasant person to talk to. She has a number of positive attributes. However, she is a part of the Henry administration which has brought us unprecedented casino gambling and the lottery. Much of our crime increase is due to the increase in gambling. Mrs. Taylor is also very close to Susan Savage, now Secretary of State, who was appointed by Gov. Brad Henry. Ms. Savage pushed the Henry gambling agenda. No doubt Kathy Taylor will rely on Tulsa former mayor Susan Savage for advice in governing the city.

Bill's political beliefs and value system are much more compatible with we Republicans than are his opponent's. I hope you will VOTE for Bill LaFortune in the election of April 4th. For more information about Bill and his campaign and record, visit www.mayorlafortune.org

Technorati Tags: Bill Lafortune
Kathy Taylor
Tulsa
Tulsa Mayoral Race
Tulsa City Elections 2006

Brooklyn Bridge

I bought this painting at The Antiquary on Cherry Street in Tulsa. I believe that the artist is Pepe Mendez.

Technorati Tags: Brooklyn Bridge
Pepe Mendez
painting
art

Art Work

Here are some paintings by my three-year-old daughter.

She said that this one is the ocean.


I don't know what this painting supposed to be. I think it looks like a meadow at sunset.


Technorati Tags: art
painting

Dear Chris Medlock,

When I heard you endorsed Bill LaFortune, I trusted that you knew what you were doing. I never believed that you sold out. Now having heard why you did it, I’m pleased with your judgment, and I’m more contented with my decision to vote for Bill LaFortune.

Thank you for all your hard work for Tulsa, as a Councilor and as a Mayoral Candidate. I trust that you will continue to work hard for Tulsa. Know that I will continue to support you.

Technorati Tags: Chris Medlock
Bill Lafortune
Tulsa
Tulsa Mayoral Race
Tulsa City Elections 2006

Decided

Two weeks ago I told you that I’d decide between Taylor and LaFortune for Mayor of Tulsa. It took me several days but I finally decided that I would not vote for Taylor. Even though I said that I wouldn’t vote for Faulk, the prospect of voting for LaFortune was unpalatable enough to make me think twice about it.

However, I’ve learned to listen to my gut feelings when it comes to politics. Also, Medlock’s endorsement helps me feel more at ease with my decision. Come April 4th, I’m going to stick with the devil I know, I’ll (gulp) vote for Bill LaFortune.

Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Tulsa Mayoral Race
Tulsa City Elections 2006
Bill LaFortune
Kathy Taylor
Chris Medlock
Ben Faulk

Weather in Oklahoma

This morning...

This afternoon...

Don't like the weather in Oklahoma? Just wait...it will change.


Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Oklahoma
weather
snow

Vote!

Take a look at the chart below. It compares the amount of dollars in deferred projects from the 2001 Third Penny Sales Tax, per council district, with voter turnout. Notice anything interesting?
(click on image for a larger clearer view)

District 2 and District 6 citizens, you simply must exercise your right to vote! If you don’t, you will be marginalized and forgotten.

Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Thrid Penny Sales Tax
Vote
deferred projects

Vote for Jim Mautino, Council District 6

Recently a reader asked, “So what has Jim Mautino done for your district?” Let me take a minute to answer that question. Few councilors, past or present, have worked harder for their district that Jim Mautino. This is good because few districts need as much help as District 6. District 6 is brimming over with un-tapped potential, potential that has been neglected for years. Since Jim has been in office, he has worked hard to bring about the infrastructure that is so desperately needed to develop that potential.

If you spend 5 minutes with Jim you’ll hear a lot of sewer talk. Not foul language but talk of sanitary sewer lines, then you’ll hear a lot of talk about water lines, followed by a lot of talk about improving streets. He is passionate about improving the infrastructure in East Tulsa because Jim knows that infrastructure spurs development, and development spurs economic growth. Despite stiff opposition Mautino’s hard work has paid off. Jim has brought sewer lines to East Tulsa businesses that were threatening to leave because they were still operating on sewage lagoons. When Jim is not working on acquiring water or sewer he is working on our streets. Jim drives all over District 6 taking pictures of poor road conditions, dangerous intersections, and car wrecks.

All that hard work has paid off. It is Jim Mautino’s tenacity that has brought 28 million dollars of new project dollars through the 2006 Third Penny Sales Tax. But Steven, I thought Jim voted against the Third Penny Sales Tax. I thought Jim was doing nothing but causing problems downtown.

First I’d say that you have to be contentious sometimes, to get things accomplished downtown you have to sometimes be controversial. And second I’d say that the results speak for themselves. (for a larger clearer view, click on the graph)

On April 4th, vote for Jim Mautino!

Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Third Penny Sales Tax
District 6
Jim Mautino
Tulsa City Elections 2006

Town Hall Meeting Reminder

Town Hall Meeting

March 22, 2006 6:30 p.m. Martin East Regional Library 2606 South Garnett

So that you may have the opportunity to make an informed decision about who you want to be your voice at City Hall Short informational powerpoint presentation on the 3rd penny sales tax extension What street, water, and sewer projects are in the works and what is proposed What can be done for all of us to feel safer and what can be done to improve our streets What are our options regarding Eastland Mall "From the Floor" Question and Answer Session covering all your areas of concern -- Questions will NOT be prescreened

Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Town Hall Meeting
District 6
Jim Mautino
Tulsa City Elections 2006

World for Troyer

The Tulsa World has, in today's paper, thrown its support behind Council District 6 candidate, Dennis Troyer. I've said in the past that I view the World as a reverse barometer. If my position on any given issue is the opposite of the World’s, then I know I am on the right track. Art Justis is also supporting Troyer. Well that should about sum it up. If you had any doubt about who to support then this ought to make it clear.

For me, Jim Mautino is the clear choice. No one works harder for District 6. Whether it is trying to bring water and sewer, or bring new development, or fix the roads, Jim Mautino is doing the job that we have elected him to do. Because he has asked some tough questions about the airport, the water board, and Public Works, he has been vilified by the Tulsa World and by those who don’t put Tulsa first. These are the people that are backing Troyer. These are the people who will be directing Troyer should he be elected.

Vote against special interest, vote against unbalanced regionalism, and vote against the Good ol’ Boy Network. Vote for District 6, vote for Tulsa, for neighborhoods, vote for Jim Mautino.

Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Tulsa World
District 6
Tulsa City Elections 2006
Jim Mautino
Dennis Troyer

Lessons to be Learned

One would think that we would have learned our lesson with the three-year-old but apparently not. We have re-experienced an ugly lesson with our one-year-old. That is, it is a bad idea to give a toddler unlimited, all you can eat access to raisins. While we have no excuse for making this mistake again, fortunately a steam cleaner, a bath tub, and a washing machine erased our mistake.

Unfortunately for Bill LaFortune, it is not so easy to clean up the mess he as made with his mistake. That is, it is a bad idea to capitulate to the Tulsa World. He also doesn’t have an excuse as he received a warning and a prediction from Chris Medlock.

Technorati Tags: raisins
parenting
Tulsa
Tulsa Mayoral Race
Bill LaFortune
Chris Medlock

Campaign in the Rain

At 6:30 pm on Wednesday March 22 Jim Mautino will host a town hall meeting at Martin East Library.

This afternoon 10 dedicated Mautino supporters journeyed out in the rain to inform the Citizens of District 6.


Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Town Hall Meeting
District 6
Jim Mautino
Tulsa City Elections 2006

But Mommy!

Yesterday my wife and the three-year-old were driving though our neighborhood, on the way to the post office. Regarding a larger than normal yard sign my wife remarked, “Wow someone sure wants LaFortune to be Mayor!” To which the three-year-old replied, “But Mommy! Medlock is supposed to be Mayor!”

It is remarkable what children pick up. She is three years old, and already having to taste the bitter realities of political defeat. Don’t worry honey, it looks like we are going to have a great council.

Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Tulsa Mayoral Race
Tulsa City elections 2006
Chris Medlock
Bill LaFortune

Martinson's Tiff over TIF

Tonight’s City council meeting was one of the more riveting of late. I found myself fascinated by two of the items.

The first was from Mayor LaFortune. He read a proclamation in praise of the Tulsa Police Department for the investigation and capture of Gary Graham, the accused serial rapist. Before he read the proclamation LaFortune explained the size of the group of officers standing beside him. He said, “Not every one is here…some are on duty…” At which point I thought, “Yeah, and some are on administrative leave!"

For the second item, I’m pleased to announce that despite Councilor Martinson, the council passed the TIF(Tax Increment Finance) district that will allow development of the Tulsa Hills shopping center between 71st and 81st along highway 75. Several people spoke in favor of this TIF including Commissioner Randi Miller, Darla Hall, Rick Westcott, Michael Bates, Kaye Price, and myself.

After the public comments came the council discussion. Councilor Neal got things started off by trying to delay this one more week. She suggested that this TIF go back to committee. Martinson liked that idea; he said he would feel more comfortable if it were brought back to committee. This turned out to be disingenuous as it later became clear that he had no intention of supporting this TIF. Baker also agreed that the committee format would be better.

Much to Martinson’s chagrin, Councilor Christiansen indicated his willingness to not only support the TIF but to move on it this evening. Earlier in the meeting Martinson passed a note to Christiansen. He later professed his dismay for Christiansen’s apparent reversal. I guess he thought he had him in his back pocket.

Councilor Mautino made some very good points about funnel theory. This is the idea that tax dollars funnel into Tulsa from outside the communities. However, as the surrounding communities grow the funnel moved from Tulsa to the neighboring communities. A good example of this is the shift of shoppers away from Eastland Mall in East Tulsa to Owasso. He feared that if the TIF was not passed that the same thing would happen to West Tulsa.

Councilor Henderson made some fascinating comments about North Tulsa, “I’m excided about the opportunity that West Tulsa has. I’ve always felt that West and North Tulsa are tied at the hip”. He went on to say that both North Tulsa and West Tulsa have been neglected for too long. That if this TIF failed it would send a strong message to North Tulsa that they don’t matter.

Councilor Sullivan asked “What’s wrong with asking?” He asked “Is this the way we want to spend the money”. The gallery emphatically answered his rhetorical question for him. We yelled out “YES!“ I can’t wait for his term to expire by the way.

Martinson was finally up to bat. Here are some of my notes “Blah blah blah.” He went on and on and on. Most of the stuff he was saying did not even make sense. In fact, in response to Martinson’s ramblings, I over heard Randi Miller make the following comment to an associate “This does not even make sense!”

For example, Martinson in reference to the $16.5 million TIF dollars, kept making comments about how that money could be spent in better places. “This money could be used better,” he said at one point. What money Councilor Martinson? The land in question has nothing on it. Ergo it generates no sales tax revenue. The money in question does not and will not exist without the creation of the TIF. He kept referring to the tax payer’s money, but again THERE IS NOTHING THERE!!!! Unless you live inside the TIF you aren’t a tax payer who is affected by the TIF. Only money from tax payers inside the TIF are at issue. And who “lives” inside the TIF? The developer! The one that wants the TIF, the TIF that ensures the creation of the very tax dollars that Martinson is so desperate to protect.

Both Councilor Medlock and Turner pointed out Martinson’s inconsistency when it comes to protecting the tax dollar and the tax payer. Medlock pointed out that Martinson did not blink at the passage of a 3rd Penny sales tax package that was full of fluff. Fluff like $3 million for a soccer complex. Where is the positive fiscal impact from a soccer field? Medlock said “I’d like to see some consistency from you, both politically and intellectually.” Turner pointed out that, a while back Martinson wanted the city to pay money to BOK that it didn't owe.

I wish I understood his resistance to this project. Is there more to his dissent than honest disagreement and good stewardship?

Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Tulsa City Council
Bill Martinson
Tulsa Hills
TIF

My 2006 NCAA Bracket

I'm not a big Basketball fan but I like to fill out a bracket every year.


Technorati Tags: NCAA
March Madness

Blu-Ray or HD-DVD?

If you are all hot and bothered about the upcoming next generation of DVDs but are weary of the impending format war, then LG has a solution for you. LG says they are considering a dual-format player. Dual-format players like this will be a good way of protecting the consumer from the VHS/Betamax redux that Sony and Toshiba have created. Good job LG!

Technorati Tags: Blu-Ray
HD-DVD
LG
Sony
Toshiba

New Domains

I’ve been meaning to register roemerman.com…unfortunately I’m too late. Roemerman Feed and Grain grabbed it in February. So instead, I’ve registered roemerman.net and roemermanonrecord.com.

You can now get to Roemerman On Record by going to http://roemermanonrecord.com or http://roemerman.net/blog, or just keep doing what your doing. Now that I have my own domain, I’ll be able to post movies, pictures, documents, etc for use on my blog. If I decide to do anything more with it I’ll let you know.

Technorati Tags: Roemerman
domains

Prison Time for Gary Graham

I asked the DA's office about potential prison time for accused serial rapist Gary Graham.

Do you plan to entertain a plea deal with accused serial rapist Gary Graham? Assuming Mr. Graham is found guilty and depending on the answer to the first question, how much prison time can Mr. Graham expect?

Here is the reply from an attorney in the DA’s office

We just recently charged Mr. Graham and have made no decisions at this juncture as to whether any plea recommendation will be made. Those decisions are generally made after preliminary hearing and before a trial. He has some 36 charges and, if you were to add them up, it would put him in prison for the rest of his life. However, as with any case, he is presumed innocent and we will have to present evidence at the appropriate time and go from there.

I started tabulating the maximum prison time for these offences and I did not get all the way through the list before I realized the DA was right. If he is convicted, Graham is going to prison for the rest of his life.

Here is a list of the charges.
Count # 1. CHPM, POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.
Count # 2. CHPM, POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.
Count # 3. BRG1 BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 4. RAPE, RAPE BY INSTRUMENTATION, FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 5. BRG1, BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 6. KID, ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING.
Count # 7. LEWD, LEWD MOLESTATION.
Count # 8. BRG1, BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 9. RAPE, ATTEMPTED RAPE, FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 10. SEXB, SEXUAL BATTERY.
Count # 11. BRG1, BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 12. LEWD, LEWD MOLESTATION.
Count # 13. LEWD, LEWD MOLESTATION.
Count # 14. BRG1, BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 15. RAPE, RAPE BY INSTRUMENTATION, SECOND DEGREE.
Count # 16. RAPE, RAPE BY INSTRUMENTATION, SECOND DEGREE.
Count # 17. SOD, FORCIBLE SODOMY.
Count # 18. BRG1, BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 19. RAPE, RAPE BY INSTRUMENTATION, FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 20. RAPE, RAPE BY INSTRUMENTATION, FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 21. LEWD, LEWD MOLESTATION.
Count # 22. BRG1, BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 23. RAPE, RAPE, FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 24. RAPE, RAPE BY INSTRUMENTATION, SECOND DEGREE.
Count # 25. RAPE, RAPE BY INSTRUMENTATION, SECOND DEGREE.
Count # 26. LEWD, LEWD MOLESTATION.
Count # 27. LEWD, LEWD MOLESTATION.
Count # 28. BRG1, BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 29. RAPE, RAPE BY INSTRUMENTATION, FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 30. RAPE, ATTEMPTED RAPE, FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 31. LEWD, LEWD MOLESTATION.
Count # 32. BRG1, BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE.
Count # 33. FSOD, FORCIBLE ORAL SODOMY.
Count # 34. LEWD, LEWD MOLESTATION.
Count # 35. KID, KIDNAPPING.
Count # 36. PCRG, PEEPING TOM.

Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Tulsa Serial Rapist
Gary Graham
prison time

Faulk For Mayor?

There is a lot of talk about backing Ben Faulk for Tulsa’s Mayor. I had an opportunity in February to hear Faulk during a mayoral forum. Here was my impression of him then.

This is the first time I’ve heard Faulk speak. My overall impression of the man is that he is intelligent and fair. I was impressed by the answers he gave, however, I don’t think he is ready to be mayor. We learned that his primary reason for running for mayor is to take a stand against illegal immigration.

Now that Medlock is out of the race will I support Faulk? Almost certainly, I will not. Faulk has no chance of winning this election. Tulsa’s next Mayor will be Bill LaFortune or Kathy Taylor. I’ve said before that I find both of these choices unpalatable. However, they are surely not equally unpalatable; one candidate is inexorably is the poorer choice. I plan to try to determine which one I dislike least, and support (or at least root for) that candidate. Tulsa’s future is at stake and I won’t throw my vote or my support away on Ben Faulk. I’ve received a bit of criticism for this attitude, that perhaps my stance is not a principled one.

I prefer to take a more pragmatic stance.

1. Faulk is not going to win.
2. He is a one issue candidate.
3. I don’t think he is ready to be mayor.
   

If the candidate I determine to be tolerable is way ahead in the polls, then…maybe…I’ll vote for Faulk. He makes for a good protest vote, but that is about it.

Technorati Tags: Bill LaFortune
Kathy Taylor
Ben Faulk
Tulsa
Tulsa Mayoral Race
Tulsa City Elections 2006

Pearson’s Heresy

A few months ago I heard a piece about Carlton Pearson on This American Life. I had planned to eventually do a post on this, but I never got around to it. There is now no point as Rich Tatum over at Blog Rodent has written this wonderfully thourough and well researched piece.


Technorati Tags: Carlton Pearson

Indian Casinos Always Win

Kudos to my sister in Texas, who tipped me to this story about the WinStar Casino just north of the TX/OK border. WFAA out of Dallas is reporting on the apparent shady practices of this Indian casino.

The WinStar casino has been drawing several Texas citizens north of the border with hopes of striking it rich. A trend that is starting to reverse itself as more and more Texans trade horror stories, not about losing, but about “winning”. One such story is Stanly Rosemond’s. Last summer he was gambling on a machine at the WinStar that told him he had won $11,289,874! But when it came time to pay WinStar told Mr. Rosemond that they wouldn’t pay because the machine had malfunctioned.

Rosemond had no legal recourse because the Casino was on sovereign Indian land. "It is the Chickasaw Nation that makes the laws," his lawyer said. "It is the Chickasaw Nation that interprets the laws. It is the Chickasaw Nation that enforces the laws."

WFAA interviewed William Thompson, an expert in the gambling industry from the University of Nevada. He disagreed with the practices of WinStar Casino, “Las Vegas slot machines can clear $100,000 a year per machine…You pay the player off. Your machine was wrong. You screwed up. How about a malfunction when the player's supposed to win and it shows a loss?" He continued with this suggestion for a sign on the border, "You ought to have a sign on the border of Oklahoma: 'You're about to enter Oklahoma and gamble in a casino. Two things can happen. They are both bad. You can lose and you can win. You ain't getting paid,'"

The word is spreading and many North Texas residents are opting to spend their money in Louisiana. So much for the supposed oversight that Gov. Henry promised would come with his glorious casino compact. Every deal he has made with the Indians has been a complete disaster.

Technorati Tags: gambling
Indian Casinos
Texas
Oklahoma
Brad Henry
Chickasaw Nation
WinStar Casino

So Where Do We Go From Here?

I am dreadfully disappointed in the results of last night’s mayoral primary election. I believe that Medlock would have made a wonderful mayor for Tulsa. Chris Medlock would have brought the leadership and vision that is so terribly needed at City Hall. Unfortunately he didn’t win, so where do we go from here? Bill LaFortune or Kathy Taylor will be the next mayor of Tulsa and neither choice is terribly palatable.

As a Republican precinct official, some would say that I should fall behind our Republican candidate. But I’m not sure that I buy into the party first mentality. Based on my conversations with many other republicans, Bill LaFortune has a lot of ground to make up. While he did win the election, his performance was dreadful. For Bill LaFortune, an incumbent politician with terrific name recognition and lots of money, to receive only 42.7 percent of the vote is, I think, bad news for him. LaFortune needs to convince the 57.3 percent of Republicans, like me, why they should trust him again. Taylor needs only convince the disenfranchised Republicans that she will bring the strength and leadership that LaFortune seems to lack back to City Hall.

So where we go from here depends entirely on the candidates. Bill, Kathy, convince us we should vote for you. Convince us you have a vision beyond simple campaign rhetoric. Convince us that you are a strong leader that can be trusted. Convince us that you will put Tulsa first. Convince us that you will revitalize this city. And above all else, convince us that you will get the crime in this city under control, that you will make us safe again. And then when you get elected, do it. Do the things you said you would do in the election.

Technorati Tags: Chris Medlock
Bill LaFortune
Kathy Taylor
Tulsa
Tulsa City Elections 2006
Tulsa Mayoral Race

You Can’t Buy Me Love

Theresa Buchert tried to win District 6 over with an impressive amount of spending. But District 6 has shown us two things:

1. We love Jim Mautino.
   
2. You can’t buy us with lots of money and no substance.

We voted for Jim when he ran against Art Justis even though Jim was out spent. During Recall, money did not make any difference, we voted for Jim and against Recall. Buchert was no different. We were not impressed Theresa…

Kudos Jim, while your campaign coffers aren’t terribly impressive, your leadership and representation on the council are very impressive. That is why we continue to vote for you. Congratulations.


Technorati Tags: Tulsa City Elections 2006
Tulsa City Council
Jim Mautino
Theresa Buchert
Art Justis
District 6
East Tulsa

Election Day

I'll keep this post updated until the results of today's elections...

March 7th 2:22 am -
I just got back from helping Mautino place signs. We placed the few Medlock signs we had. I plan to go out again a little later and put signs out for Medlock.


Update 7:05 am –
I went up to the Medlock headquarters at 4:30 am to get coordinated for the placement of signs at polling places. I took my 7 assignments and 30 some odd signs and drove back to East Tulsa. I finished by 6:00 am.

At 6:30 am I preformed my poll watching duties at precinct 99. For those of you who are unfamiliar with poll watching, the duties include watching the initial set up of the polling place and writing down the first number of the ballots. Then, at the closing of the poll,l the poll watcher rights down the number of the final ballot, and records the totals. That’s it.

At 7:00 am I voted yes to the proposition, For Medlock, and For Mautino! I was the first voter! That’s cool.


Update 8:30 am -
Bobby Holt from Tulsa Topics and I are sitting here at Shades of Brown blogging. Since 5:00 am we have been driving around the streets of Tulsa with our makeshift Medlock signs attached to our tail gates. We parked on Peoria at an acute agle for the maximum affect.


Update 1:17 pm –
I just got home. After Shades of Brown, Holt and I drove around in his truck careful to obey all the traffic laws… We stopped of at the Medlock campaign HQ where we learned the results of the Metro Christian Academy’s civics class vote. Medlock won by a landslide Medlock received 35 votes, followed by LaFortune’s 17 votes, followed by Miller’s 9votes, followed by Taylor’s 8votes, followed by McCorkell’s 4 votes.

On the way back to my Shades of Brown I took the following interesting pictures. One is of Jeff Stava standing on the corner of 51st and Lewis. The other one…well, let's see if you can see what’s wrong with that picture (click on the picture for a larger view)... I’m going to go to sleep.




Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Tulsa Mayoral Race
Tulsa City Elections 2006
Chris Medlock
Jim Mautino
Jeff Stava
Randy Sullivan
Tulsabloggers

Roemerman’s Picks

I wish the following candidates good luck tomorrow.

Chris Medlock for Mayor (Rep)
Jack Henderson for Council District 1 (Dem)
Rick Westcott for Council District 2 (Rep)
Roscoe Turner for Council District 3 (Dem)
Al Nichols for Council District 5 (Dem)
Jim Mautino for Council District 6 (Rep)
John Eagleton for Council District 7 (Rep)
Clifford Magee for Council District 8 (Rep)

Hey those look a lot like MadOkie’s Picks! I don’t know enough about the council district 4 and 9 races to make a pick.

Also I’m for the proposition…vote yes

The following are the politicians that I’m particularly hopeful will lose, big time, tomorrow.

Bill LaFortune for Mayor (Rep)
Kathy Taylor for Mayor (Dem)
David Patrick for Council District 3 (Dem)
Bill Martinson for Council District 5 (Rep)
Theresa Buchert for Council District 6 (Dem…oops I mean Rep)
Bill Christiansen for Council District 8 (Rep)

Medlock Supporters,
It is crucial that you get out the vote tomorrow. The recent polls that seem to indicate that Bill LaFortune has this thing locked, but I don’t believe it. The fact that LaFortune is under 40% is not good. For an incumbent mayor with the great name recognition, to be under 40% is terrible news. Medlock has a real chance to win if we get out the vote.

To the Miller supporters,
I’d ask that you vote for Medlock. There is no way that Miller will win. If you are tired of LaFortune and want to see a real change, Medlock is your man. He will be the strong mayor that Tulsa needs.

Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Tulsa Mayoral Race
Tulsa City Elections 2006
Chris Medlock
Jack Henderson
Rick Westcott
Roscoe Turner
Al Nichols
Jim Mautino
John Eagleton
Clifford Magee
Bill LaFortune
Kathy Taylor
David Patrick
Bill Martinson
Theresa Buchert
Bill Christiansen

The Roemermans and the Oscars

Tonight marks the second year in a row that we have not watched the Oscars. It marks the third or fourth year that we have been upset with the movies that were nominated, the movies that won(save the Lord of the Rings), and the actor’s political statements. Does this have anything to do with the fact that we have been parents for three and a half years now? Have we moved away from Hollywood, or has Hollywood moved away from us?

I think it is a bit of both. Rregardless, we aren’t watching…the movies or the Oscars.

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Hollywood
Movies

Come on Collinsville!

My friend Terry just got an automated call about the Tulsa Mayoral Election...not terribly strange until you consider that he lives in Collinsville!!!


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Tulsa
Collinsville

Theresa Buchert's Lies

District Council Candidate Theresa Buchert has been telling lies about current District 6 Councilor Jim Mautino. The Citizens For Fair and Clean Government has refuted these lies here. We do not need a councilor like Teresa Buchert in District 6; we need to keep Jim Mautino. On March 7th please don't forget to vote for Jim Mautino

Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Jim Mautino
Theresa Buchert
District 6
Council Election
Lies

Car Trouble

Yesterday, like Kathy Taylor, I tasted a bit of what it is like to struggle. I had a bit of “car trouble”. NAHH who am I kidding, I ran out of gas. I was trying to make it to my destination without filling up. I thought I could make it but obviously I was wrong.

My car stopped westbound I-44, just east of 51st and Lewis. I thought to my self, “Hey this is Bobby's neck of the woods. I called him and he graciously agreed to help me out. Just before I called him I noticed a TPD Seat Belt Enforcement squad at 51st and Lewis. Unfortunately I got caught unprepared again…NO CAMERA! Bobby took care of that too by snapping a great shot of several Tulsan’s getting nailed for not wearing a seatbelt…(he also got a “great shot" of my bald head filling my truck with gas…)

Thanks Bobby! Lessons learned:

1. Keep gas in your vehicle
   
2. Never leave home without your camera
   
3. Wear your seatbelt
   
4. Wear a hat
   
5. Make sure you have good friends all over the city

Technorati Tags: Tulsa
TPD
Tulsa Topics
Tulsa Bloggers
car trouble

Free USB Thumb Drive?

Apparently so, it looks like Microsoft is giving away free USB thumb drives. Terry has all the details over at his blog.


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Micorsoft

Help Is On The Way

I met Debra Snell, while I was Gretna helping with the Katrina recovery. You may remember her guest post on my blog. Her intent was to create a video that would be released several months after the Hurricane. She knew that people would be very generous with their time and money immediately after the disaster, but her fear was that, with time, people might forget about the Gulf Coast.

It has been several months now, and the video is out, free for anyone who wants a copy. Go to help-isontheway.com and order a copy for you and your church. It is easy to let your heart become hardened. Let it not be!

Technorati Tags: Hurricane Katrina
New Orleans
Debra Snell
Help Is On The Way

Two Taylors

We now know why there are records that indicate that Kathy Taylor voted in the 2000 election in both Florida an Oklahoma…There are two Kathy Taylors.

• One is a single mother struggling to make ends meet, and the other is a uber-rich socialite.
• One is registered to vote in Oklahoma with a homestead exception in Oklahoma and the other is registered to vote in Florida with a homestead exception in Florida.
• One is a politician , the other isn’t.
  

"That's crazy!"

All we need to do now is determine which one is running for Mayor of Tulsa.

Technorati Tags: Tulsa
Tulsa Mayoral Race
Kathy Taylor
2000 election

Blu-Ray set for May

Blu-Ray, one of the competing formats in the next generation DVD war, will be launched on May 23rd. Along with the first player from Samsung, Sony and Lionsgate will be releasing movies on that date. I’ve seen reports that these movies will cost between 30 and 40 dollars. How much can you expect to play for the first Blu-Ray player? $1000!

These prices, coupled with the uncertainty of which format will reign supreme, lead me to believe that makes sense to wait until the market has decided or at least until the prices come down before jumping into the next-gen arena.

For the record, I officially back HD-DVD. My reasons include but are not limited to my assertion that Sony is an evil company. I've not yet, nor do I think I'll ever forgive them for the rootkit fiasco.

Technorati Tags: Blu-Ray
HD DVD
Sony
rootkit
Lionsgate
Samsung