Why Randi?

Or: What lessons can elitists learn from Randi's defeat?

Reform minded citizens of Tulsa got a shot in the arm last Tuesday when Sally Bell defeated incumbent Randi Miller in the Republican primary. What lessons can other elected officials learn from the debacle that was her reelection campaign?

It would be shortsighted to dismiss such a large (81% Bell 19% Miller) margin on vengeful voters disgusted with the part Randi played in the eviction of Bells. I am sure many voters saw the election as payback for Bell's, but rather vengeance, I believe most voters saw the eviction as an eye opener. Before Bell's eviction this blogger was unaware of many of Randi policies. I knew a few stances she took and disagreed with some, but not until Bell's were my eyes opened. Once I saw Miller on the news leading the charge to force Bell's out I not only started paying more attention to her antics, but researched her past positions. By the time Randi was cheer leading for the River Tax I was better informed. I knew about the double standard between Big Splash and Bells. It was discovered Randi received a sizable donation from Murphy Bros. making her do their bidding. From there the public learned of Big Splashes inability to pay rent; no actions taken against the water park and Randi's attendance record. Oh, did I mention Big Splash was owned by the same Murphy Brothers that gave her such a sizable campaign donation?

All this to say Randi lost touch with the base. Somewhere along the way she started paying more attention to those who had power and money than the common folk. When caught, there was always an excuse but the more Randi talked, the worse of a liar she proved to be. By the time of the election July 29Th, most Republicans in her district had enough. They were tired of the secret meetings, back room deals, Randi's inability to stand up for them, and her constant love affair with higher taxes.

Other elected officials better take notice. Tulsans are slowly getting sick of being taxed higher and higher while seeing their utility rates go up. Our leaders better look to the defeat of Randi and learn from it. Even KIT in her multi million dollar mansion is not immune from getting voted out of office.

Remember elected officials. Different areas of the county also killed three different tax hikes.

It's worth repeating. Tulsans have had enough.

Randi Miller Out

I know there were other elections on the ballot but the one that caught my eye was the Republican primary for County Commissioner. If you are just waking up Randi Miller was defeated by Sally Bell in a landslide. I figured Randi overplayed her hand, supporting every tax increase, evicting Bell's with no good reason, and showing more interest to her good ole boy buddies than to those who put her in office. Those kind of actions will one day catch up with you, so I wasn't surprised to see her go. What I was surprised was the margin of her defeat. At last count it was somewhere in the 80/20 margin.

The wide margin should be a wake up call not only to Randi Miller but to others who are more interested in lining the pockets of their buddies than doing their civic duty. Mayo Taylor are you listening? It sounds like the public, sick of the corruption, had little tolerance for Randi's excuses.

It ain't over yet though. Now Mrs. Bell faces a well funded opponent Karen Keith in November.

Let's not lose focus. Maybe we can get a real grass roots County Commissioner who for once has our back elected in November.

Congratulations Sally Bell on a well deserved victory.

Bell V. Miller

KFAQ had a debate between Sally Bell and Randi Miller. For the record, I am biased towards Sally Bell but I did my best to give the debate a fair hearing. All in all it was very interesting and I felt Ms. Bell carried the day offering satisfactory answers while County Commissioner Miller was stuck in defensive mode.

I have noticed a pattern the last several times Randi Miller has spoken. She will either get very defensive and/or start sounding like she's scolding a child. Both were on full display during the debate.

Besides defensive behavior, Randi also did a great deal of either avoiding the subject or flip flopping.

Hopefully Sally Bell will carry the day July 29th.

Something's Fishy at 21st and Yale

It has been revealed there are some not so honest dealings at the Tulsa Fairgrounds.

Let's take Big Splash. No so long ago they flunked the safety inspection. When ordered to fix rotting wood on their water slide, they did not. No eviction. Now we learn they are (or were till they supposedly paid up) one year behind on their rent. In fact, the rent check was held at the bottom of homebody's desk. Again, no eviction.

Compare the treatment Bell's Amusement Park received. For no good reason, County Commissioner Randi Miller, with the help of the Fair Board, gave this family owned business a very hasty boot. So fast, in fact, Bell's was unable to take some of the park inventory. Nor was it able to say goodbye to legions of Tulsans (this blogster included) who have many memories of spending childhood summer days at Bells.

It's upsetting really. Randi and her fair board buddies have not given a satisfactory answer as to the double standards employed. I do not know why Bell's was forced to leave, seeing they had credit enough to purchase a new ride while Big Splash, who was a year behind in rent until a day or two ago, is allowed to stay.

Since Randi won't answer Tulsa's questions, I guess we need to follow the money. Big Splash is owned by Murphy Bros. Murphy Brothers also gave at least $5,000 to candidate Randi Miller as an election contribution. This same Murphy Bros. was allowed to sign an exclusive non competitive contract with the fair.

Am I too paranoid when I say it sounds like Bell's was evicted because they were too much competition with the Murphy Brothers run fair?

No Tax, and NO FAIR

No tax and NO FAIR.

Is anybody going to the fair this year? I’m not and I’ll tell you why. I don’t appreciate a certain County leader (Chairman Miller) using strong armed tactics to force a long standing business out of our city so their buddies can have no competition. Furthermore, I don't appreciate said leader (Chairman Miller, hey, Chairman Mao used strong armed tactics, so the name fits for her) thinking she can decide which business stay and which go, as if we are her little playthings. As much as I hate conspiracy theories, KOTV did a revealing story showing the connections between contributions to Randi Miller and the Bell’s eviction. They also showed documentation that Murphy Bros, who runs the Midway at the fair was allowed to sign a sweetheart deal with no competitive bidding whatsoever. I remember Bell’s as a kid and it sickens me my daughter will not be able to spend time there like I did when I was her age. Bottom line, I’m excursing my freedom of choice and not giving the fair my $$$. (Gee, I am able to be pro choice and not kill any babies, talk about cool!)

As for the River tax, I will be voting a resounding NO Tuesday for the simple reason I believe we are overtaxed. Any person who will do the research can see this for themselves. Why should hard working Tulsans pay for the extras for our city when our streets are in such bad shape and our crime is out of control? I can think of better ways our city could spend our money. No right thinking person is against river development but why should the citizens of Tulsa pay for something the private sector should be paying for themselves. And if I hear one more commercial about how it’s for the children, I’ll throw up. I’m voting no for MY child so myself and her when she’s older will not be saddled an unnecessary debt.

One more thing to ponder when you pull that lever, remember, the plans are not fully developed, so think long and hard whether you trust Chairman Miller with what amounts to a blank check. Any doubt? Remember Bells.

Also remember, it’s YOUR money, not the city’s. Only by holding them accountable will we be able to turn this city around and restore it to the great city it is meant to be.