This week, to mark Veterans Day, I would like to thank those of you who have served our great nation. If it was not for your sacrifice and patriotism none of us would be able to enjoy the liberties and freedoms that we do everyday.
Presently, the State of Oklahoma is ranked third in the nation with its number of Guard and Reservists deployed in the War on Terror. Many of these service members have already begun the process of returning home to Tulsa. In addition, Tulsa is ranked high among cities across the nation with its number of veterans with over 40,000 living in the city of Tulsa.
Because Tulsa has such a large number of veterans and service members on active duty, we have established many programs to help cope with current deployments and past conflicts. You can find them at www.tulsaveterans.com
Last week, Tulsans decided to invest in our future by approving the 5-year streets plan. This plan will provide one of the most significant public investments in our infrastructure in Tulsa's history.
Over the past year, engaged citizens and my colleagues on the City Council attended town hall meetings all across Tulsa. Ultimately, the citizens designed the plan to fix our streets. Now that package has been approved, Public Works engineers are busy setting the work schedule. After the bonds are sold, we will provide updates and public meetings to track our progress. You can look for updates online on our City website.
Sincerely,
Mayor Kathy Taylor
Tulsa Goes Global
with Entrepreneurship
A first-ever worldwide entrepreneurship event is inspiring activities in more than 75 countries, and now Tulsa is taking part in this endeavor. Global Entrepreneurship Week, originated by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, helps foster the advancement of entrepreneurial ideas and opportunities through activities that engage entrepreneurs, government bodies, non-profit leaders and educators.
Groundbreaking for John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park
Mayor Kathy Taylor, Tulsa City Councilors and community leaders will break ground Monday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. on the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park at 2nd Street and Elgin Avenue. The groundbreaking is hosted by the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park Inc. Board of Directors.
Taylor said this is an event that is long overdue.
Tulsa Million Miles,
Going Strong
Tulsa Million Miles, a healthy and fit initiative of Mayor Kathy Taylor and Mayor’s Fitness Challenge is off to a solid start! Since Oct. 21 – the launch date of the Web site – Tulsans have already logged more than 25,000 miles!
TulsaMillionMiles.com keeps track of individuals’ progress, such as walking, running, biking, swimming, and a host of other exercises and runs. The Web site also displays the total number of miles Tulsans have logged at the top of the homepage, with a running total of the number of miles that Mayor Kathy Taylor has completed.
Tulsa Dedicates New
Downtown Park
Mayor Kathy Taylor, together with officials from Land Legacy and the Oklahoma Centennial Commemoration Commission, dedicated the H.A. Chapman Centennial Green as Tulsa’s newest city park on Friday, Nov. 7. The downtown park is located on the south side of Sixth Street between Main Street and Boston Avenue.
“Thanks to this unique partnership including the City, Land Legacy and the philanthropic community, downtown Tulsa now has a wonderful new public amenity,” Mayor Taylor said. “The H.A. Chapman Centennial Green is a crown jewel in our ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown Tulsa.”
Sid Patterson Statue Unveiled
Mayor Kathy Taylor assisted in the unveiling of a statue, “Planting for the Future,” commemorating Up With Trees founder Sid Patterson last week. The event took place in RiverParks near 31st and Riverside.
Others on hand to assist in the ceremony to unveil the original bronze statue included: Rosalind Cook, the artist who created the statue; Anna America, executive director of Up With Trees; and Matt Meyer, executive director of River Parks.
Southwest Airlines Offers New Non-Stop Service to Denver
Southwest Airlines is now offering twice daily service to Denver International Airport. This is the first new service initiated at Tulsa International Airport in more than five months and will add 274 seats for passengers arriving to and departing from Tulsa.
Read more to find out about Tulsa International Airport
Animal Shelter Celebrates
Appreciation Week
Mayor Kathy Taylor visited Tulsa’s Animal Welfare Shelter last week to celebrate Animal Shelter Appreciation Week with shelter staff members.
During their morning celebration, staff members talked with the Mayor about their years of experience at the Shelter. Staff members have more than 200 years of combined expertise. During discussions the Mayor also touched on future shelter improvements, staffing levels and program development.