NEWS UPDATES

Application Deadline Extended For Zoo Job

The application period for the executive director's job at the nonprofit organization overseeing the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum has been extended by two weeks, meaning interested parties have until July 15 to toss their hat in the ring.

Angela Evans, the zoo's spokesperson, said once the application window is closed, a search committee made up of board members from Tulsa Zoo Management Inc. -- the nonprofit organization that took over the zoo's management earlier this year -- would review those applications and score them before turning over its findings to the full board. The board hopes to have a new director hired before October, she said.

"It is definitely very important to get that position in place because we're holding off on making some decisions" that the new executive director will have a role in, Evans said, describing the nature of those decisions as ranging from the zoo's long-term direction to day-to-day operations.

Meanwhile, Terrie Correll continues to serve as the zoo's director, while Holly Becker is serving as the interim director of TZMI.

In addition to having a new executive director in place soon, zoo officials also are scheduled to learn this fall if the facility will continue to be accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, a Silver Springs, Md.-based organization that sets and maintains standards of care for zoos and aquariums across the country. The Tulsa Zoo's reaccreditation application was tabled last year after the organization fell short of those standards in many areas.

But zoo officials say the new management structure has given them reason to be optimistic about the future.

District 7 Candidate Emerges

With District 7 City Council incumbent John Eagleton having decided not to see re-election, the first of his potential replacements has emerged, with Steve Roemerman declaring his candidacy for the seat last week.

Roemerman, who will be seeking the Republican nomination, is a senior programmer at Avis Budget Group and has lived in Tulsa since 1998. He serves on the city's Sales Tax Overview Committee, which reviews and reports on the expenditures of the city's third penny sales tax and bond programs.

"I love Tulsa and deeply feel the needs of the people," Roemerman stated in a press release. "My goal is to help forge a future for Tulsa that my children and their children will be proud of. Guided by my strong conservative principles, I will work with the mayor and the rest of the council to do the people's work at City Hall."

Roemerman said he would work to reduce the size of the budget by creating new efficiencies that reduce waste, enact fair zoning laws that foster economic growth, invest more in technology and create a balanced budget that meets the needs of citizens. He also said he hopes to usher in a new age of civility when it comes to working with the mayor.

"I believe elected officials must be able to work together regardless of personal feelings," he stated. "If I'm elected to office, that is what you can expect from a me -- a willingness to work with others and build trust in our city's leadership. I pleased to be honest and open, relentless in my pursuit of growth and prosperity for Tulsa, and firm in my conservative values and principles."