Tag Archives: David Arnett

TPS Leadership Panic Proposal Passed

By David Arnett

Analysis: With millions of missing money still under investigation, the Tulsa Public School District (TPS) Board of Education Monday voted to approve a staff proposal to close or consolidate 14 elementary schools, two middle schools and one alternative program beginning with the 2027-28 school year.

The decision came after a short series of public meetings in which parents, grandparents, teachers, state legislators, education specialists (including a candidate for State School Superintendent), and citizens spoke against the plan. Public comment at the final meeting was respectful, reasoned, and at times tearful as they begged District officials to delay or reject what they considered a deeply faulted school disaster.

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Gentner Drummond’s Agenda

By David Arnett

Tribal Relations, Drug Grows, School Audits, and Accountability

A recent meeting of Tulsa’s longest running breakfast discussion group hosted by Jon M. McGrath, featured Gentner Drummond who outlined his background, current role as Oklahoma’s Attorney General, his candidacy for governor, and general policy priorities directing his public service. AG Drummond also welcomed complex audience questions. The audience included former-Interim President of the Pawnee Nation Business Council, Charles Lone Chief as a most honored guest.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and Charles Lone Chief
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Transparency Triumph Across Lanes

By David Arnett

It worked for Tulsa County twenty years ago.

The new normal in government is transparent and accountable which is increasingly popular, but maybe it always has been. For the record, Tulsa County set this standard in the early 2000s. President Bill Clinton, even earlier, promoted government efficiency in a National Partnership for Reinventing Government but now Democrats claim the effort unconstitutional – screaming like toddlers deprived of their blankie.

Vision 2025 funded BOK Center in downtown Tulsa.
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Elections result: Campaigns advance

By David Arnett, Publisher

TulsaDawnMayor Dewey Bartlett and former-Mayor Kathy Taylor are headed to November’s ballot in a general election mayoral contest.  Tulsa’s first nonpartisan city election has generated humor, but little lowering of partisan perspectives.  In fact, the joke going around Tulsa Today’s office is the question, “So how NOT nonpartisan are you?”  The feeling that Tulsans made a mistake in changing to this nonpartisan form is a growing opinion throughout the city.

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Election Preview: The race for mayor

By David Arnett, Publisher

TulsaTodayLogoPicAnalysis:  Tuesday the City of Tulsa will vote to decide who will lead the city as mayor.  The three top contenders are incumbent Mayor Dewey Bartlett, former-Mayor Kathy Taylor and former-City Councilor Bill Christiansen.  All are well known and, from internal polls provided to Tulsa Today from multiple sources, voter support of each candidate is not moving much despite a barrage of direct mail and broadcast advertising.

Bartlett and Christiansen both interviewed with Tulsa Today and you may read those interviews for detail on their positions, click here for Mayor Dewey Bartlett and click here for former-Councilor Bill Christiansen.

Former-mayor Kathy Taylor, despite claims of transparency and openness, failed to respond to repeated requests for an interview.  Taylor has focused on limited interviews, glittering generalities and paid public pronouncements.  The joke during her term was a question of how many lawyers does a lawyer need to serve as Mayor of Tulsa?  The answer for Taylor didn’t matter as the Oklahoma Supreme Court set aside Taylor’s payback of tax money to the Bank of Oklahoma for the Great Plains Airline debacle – so much for competent council.
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