Why is South Tulsa not a factor in city politics?

People who live and work in Midtown and Downtown dominate Tulsa policies and spending. Yet much of Tulsa’s retail business is outside those areas and they produce much of the funding for city government. Not too long ago, Woodland Hills Mall at 71st Street and Memorial Drive produced 24 percent of the city’s sales taxes. And Tulsa Hills at 71st Street and U.S. 75 is the largest shopping addition in recent years.

The people in South Tulsa are mostly conservative and the majority consider themselves Christian. But more and more, those values are evaporating as they go to the polls.

City and chamber officials tricked South Tulsa voters into supporting a change in municipal elections to make them “nonpartisan.” This was a successful scheme to deny voters critical information about the politics of city councilors and mayoral candidates.

The result was a “go along to get along” hodge podge of councilors who obediently follow the lead of Downtown/Midtown business overlords. No councilor dares to stand up to them.

This is why Mayor G.T. Bynum and the councilors are plotting to spend another $100,000,000.00 or so Downtown for more parks, subsidized housing and partial public financing for private hotels.

Why don’t voters in South Tulsa care?

Part of the blame belongs with the news media. The Tulsa World and most of the TV stations don’t present both sides of the issues – just the chamber view.

And South Tulsans are busy, raising families, earning a living and trying to cope with everyday life.

As a result, big-spending liberals (Republicans and Democrats) have control of our city and their goal is to raise taxes as high as possible and spend a disproportionate amount Downtown.

Streets and parks suffer in most of the city but Downtown gets the best and newest.

It’s time for South Tulsa voters to awaken and demand fiscal conservatism.