Rock the Vote in Tulsa Tuesday Election November 12, 2013
Civic reminder: Nov. 12 election. In addition to selecting Tulsa’s next Mayor and City Auditor in this election, we will vote on “Improve our Tulsa” package. Please read up on the candidates and issues so that you can be an informed voter next Tuesday. Both Taylor and Bartlett support the “Improve our Tulsa” initiatives. Polls are open Tuesday 7:00am-7:00pm.
Tulsa Mayoral Race
For Mayor, former Mayor Kathy Taylor is challenging current Mayor Dewey Bartlett. During Taylor’s tenure, we built the BOK Center, the ONEOK baseball field, and consolidated all city offices into one convenient location.
Tulsa City Auditor Race
Candidates for City Auditor are Cathy Criswell and Clift Richards.
Rock the Vote in Tulsa Tuesday Election November 12, 2013
Improve Our Tulsa
The new funding package will replace the previous 2008 Fix Our Streets program, which expires in 2014. The 2008 package, which was funded by a 1.167 percent sales tax and general obligation bonds, went entirely toward fixing streets. The next package will continue street improvements, public safety upgrades, street repairs and address needs in other City departments.
It also includes monies earmarked for zoo improvements, the Tulsa animal shelter, public transportation, sidewalk improvements, and bicycle lane infrastructure. Read more details below.
View more information on “Improve Our Tulsa” via the City of Tulsa website.
View the full list of draft projects and the budgeted amount for each.
Peoria Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project
Bus Rapid Transit Project Details:
• Improved quality of life and economic development along Peoria Avenue
• Improved bus service, cutting wait times in half, from 30 to 15 minutes
• 36 bus stop locations redesigned
• 20% of Tulsa’s jobs are located along this route
• 14% of Tulsans live within a 10-minute walk to Peoria
• Funding for the BRT will come from a 1.1% extension of an existing 1.167% sales tax (NO increase in existing sales taxes)
• “Green” solution to transportation issues in Tulsa
Read more about the Bus Rapid Transit Project.
Improve Our Tulsa Bond Issue
Submitted by Elaine Meek
The Tulsa Animal Shelter is asking for $3.5 million in the Improve Our Tulsa bond issue on the ballot Nov. 12. Of these funds, $750,000 will be used to make immediate improvements to the aging, overcrowded facility. The remaining $2.75 million will be used for Phase I on an expansion project that will build an adoption center to help promote adoption of unwanted pets. The adoption area would hold 30 dogs and 30 cats, and include a reception area, administrative offices, a get-acquainted room, and a temperament-assessment room. Please support these improvements which will save thousands of pets’ lives by voting YES on Improve Our Tulsa.
The city is asking for $30 million in funding for public transportation in the Improve Our Tulsa bond issue. Fifteen million would be used to buy 33 new CNG fixed-route buses and 39 LIFT buses. The remaining $15 million would be used to build a state of the art bus rapid transit system along Peoria, from North Tulsa to the Jenks Aquarium. Improvements would include 36 bus stations with a unique Tulsa theme, 9 high-tech buses, improved crosswalks, and bus service every 15-20 minutes. The project would increase property values, increase access to business and recreation centers on Peoria, and attract new residents and businesses to the area. Please support this project which will provide a substantial stimulus to our local economy.
The Improve Our Tulsa bond issue also includes $23.4 million for sidewalk improvements, and bicycle lane infrastructure, which are so important to many residents of our city.
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Demetrius and I are supporting Kathy Taylor for Mayor, Cathy Criswell for City Auditor AND we are supporting the city improvements packages – we hope you will also!
