Issues
Tulsa World: Mayoral Candidates Mum for Once
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009He said there are only two choices — himself and them.
“There is a mentality of perspective that is important that involves leadership and judgment and understanding that I think I’m the only one that has exhibited thus far,” he said.
Tulsa World: Hopefuls: Preserve Police Force
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
Perkins, a lawyer, said independent manpower studies have shown that the Tulsa Police Department needs more officers.
“I don’t believe in a time where it seems our crime rate has been rising that we need to reduce our manpower level,” he said during the forum, which was co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Tulsa County News.
“That would send us in the wrong direction.”
Tulsa World Mayoral Q & A: Budget & Revenues
Sunday, October 25th, 2009I will make budget decisions like I make all decisions: after thorough consultation with knowledgeable professionals, armed with all the information and carefully calculated to produce results. My approach: 1) What are the primary expectations of the taxpayer citizens? 2) Is the funding directly related to fulfilling those expectations? 3) Are the allocated funds being used efficiently and effectively to satisfy those expectations? 4) Can we make modifications that enable us to produce the same results at a lower cost?
Tulsa World: Mayoral Hopeful Puts Finance First
Saturday, October 24th, 2009He said his administration would immediately examine “our municipal protocols, contracts, positions, and procedures so they can make recommendations to me for improving efficiency and eliminating waste.”
“The financial health of the city is my first priority,” he said. ”I believe it is the fundamental responsibility of government to respect every taxpayer dollar by maximizing efficiency in every government function.”
Perkins said the city needs to support “intelligent economic development initiatives” designed to increase revenues.
Channel 6: Tulsa Mayoral Candidates Talk About Small Businesses
Friday, October 23rd, 2009“I think most businesses just want you to stay out of the way, and so long as we maintain and respect our safety and health requirements, I think we should do that,” said Independent candidate Mark Perkins.
NPR: Listen to the Kiwanis Mayoral Debate
Friday, October 23rd, 2009Tulsa World: Hopefuls Address Strife
Monday, October 19th, 2009Perkins said he favors energy audits, discussions with the state about tapping the “rainy day” fund, and modifying permit regulations and zoning codes to ease the way for businesses.
[Actually, what I said, after days of hearing Bartlett's "outside the box" energy audit "proposals", was that energy audits are nothing new but already city law under Title 12. Of course there was an article about Bartlett's "proposals", silence when I pointed out they were already city law...]
“If you want to expect different results, you need to elect a different kind of leader,” he said. “I want to unite Tulsans in a nonpartisan way to overcome our nonpartisan challenges.”
Tulsa World: Mayoral Q & A on Economic Development
Sunday, October 11th, 2009With suburban communities whittling away at Tulsa’s sales tax base, what would be your specific strategy to minimize this trend?
[List not intended to be in a particular order...] “1. Reduce crime and improve our public schools so we are more attractive to families and businesses looking to relocate. 2. Maintain parks and open pools. 3. Get the politics out of the development process. 4. Work to cut layers of bureaucracy and multi-step permitting, i.e. INCOG involvement in Tulsa zoning, some permitting, etc. The city of Tulsa can handle this like most cities. 5. Facilitate proper implementation of the Infrastructure Development Process. Time is money. 6. Sensible code modifications [see No. 2] 7. River development. 8. Infrastructure improvements (South Tulsa). 9. Support our colleges and universities.”
