Why I Run

As a life-long Tulsan, I have been honored to serve District 4 as City Councilor. Over the past two years, we have restored civility to City Hall and begun to move Tulsa forward. My husband James and I have lived and raised our three kids in District 4 over the past 22 years. As a mom and a neighborhood advocate, I understand the unique challenges that our midtown neighborhoods face. I am working hard to find solutions to those problems.

Our long-neglected streets need our immediate attention. I am working with Councilor Martinson to find new approaches and funding to resolve our decaying streets. I believe that we must first address those streets within the core of our city--streets that frequently have not been repaired or repaved since they were originally built. Those streets must be our first priority, before we begin widening and expanding streets out to the suburbs. I support the Oklahoma Municipal League's plan to have the state return half a cent of sales tax to cities to address street problems, which could bring Tulsa $34 million dollars for needed street repair.

Crime continues to plague many of our neighborhoods. As a graduate of the Citizen's Police Academy, I know how individuals can play key roles in assuring safe neighborhoods. Therefore, I have worked with neighborhood associations to address problems such as truancy and vandalism. By coordinating with the police, as well as schools, we can pinpoint problem areas, allowing the police to more efficiently patrol and stop crime before it occurs. I have organized police presentations to neighborhoods to educate homeowners on what they can do to protect themselves. I am committed to the independent study that will tell us precisely the number of police that our city requires to address crime effectively.

We desperately need a new plan for our city. The last large-scale update of our comprehensive plan was over 30 years ago and is no longer relevant to the issues that face our city. We need a plan that will allow us to make informed, predictable decisions and to move our great city forward. We need a plan that represents all of our citizen's vision for what type of city we will become. I am on the Steering Committee for the Comprehensive Plan Update, a document that will guide our decisions on land use, transportation, capital expenditures, and economic development. Playing a key role in that process, I will ensure that the update is productive, participatory, and transparent.

Like most people, my home is my most valuable asset. I know that what happens in my neighborhood directly affects the value of my home. Therefore, I have made sure that inappropriate infill does not harm surrounding neighborhoods in my district.

To succeed, our great city must continue to seek out opportunities for economic development. To spur economic development, we should focus on those assets of our city that make us unique. Perhaps our greatest under-utilized asset is our river. I believe that we need additional development, development that is sensitive to its surroundings and that does not rely too heavily on taxpayers for funding. Our downtown needs to continue to develop, as it is the showpiece of our city. We need to encourage more downtown residential development, as well as amenities such as grocery stores. I also am working diligently to keep the Drillers in Tulsa, preferably downtown.

In addition to our downtown and river, Tulsa must capitalize on its history. For example, our art deco buildings are gems admired by the world. We must continue to look for ways to increase knowledge about the economic benefits of historic preservation. I am so proud that the National Trust has chosen Tulsa for its annual conference this fall, and I am excited about showcasing our wonderful homes, buildings, and gardens to the rest of the country.

It has been a privilege to represent you these past two years, and I am looking forward to another two years. I pride myself in my availability to my constituents, whether it is to attend a neighborhood meeting, listen to a complaint, or simply help you solve a problem. Please feel free to contact me at the City Council office at anytime. Together, we can continue to move Tulsa forward.