Greetings!
It is time to show off the excitement and energy we are creating in Tulsa! Enter our Bring a Friend to Tulsa drawing at each Neighborfest for an opportunity to win round-trip tickets on Southwest Airlines to treat two out-of-town guests to the arts, cuisine and entertainment of Tulsa. The prize package is growing everyday with lunches and dinners provided by McNellies, Stonehorse Café and Philbrook restaurant, and a weekend stay for two at the Crowne Plaza downtown. To enter Mayor Taylor's Bring a Friend to Tulsa, stop by your district's Neighborfest (schedule). Contest rules can be found online at www.bringafriendtotulsa.com.
While you are at Neighborfest, you can hear talent show contestants from around the city. The winner will perform at the final Neighborfest on August 5.
The City of Tulsa will soon be bringing community and civic leaders together as we host the America's Promise Alliance Dropout Prevention Summit this summer, focusing on reducing the rate of high school dropouts in the city. I'm looking forward to presenting this summit along with our partners, schools and businesses as we focus on this important issue.
As we look ahead the next few weeks, please mark your calendars on June 3 for our first Town Hall meeting for the proposed streets package to be at McClure Community Center, 7440 E. Seventh St, and June 10 for our second Neighborfest in District 6 at Clark Park, 11440 E. Admiral Blvd.
Sincerely,
Kathy Taylor,
Mayor
Monday, June 3, 2008
Citizens Have Options
for Storm Debris Disposal
Tulsans who have tree limbs and other greenwaste to dispose of in the wake of this weekend’s storms have three options for disposal.
They can take limbs and other yard-wastes to the City’s greenwaste recycling site at 10401 East 56th Street North. The site is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on official City of Tulsa holidays. Tulsans can also pick up free wood-chip mulch there for landscaping and gardening use.
Anyone dropping off tree limbs, grass clippings or other yard wastes should have a recent City of Tulsa utility bill to show, or have a drivers license with an address within the city limits.
Brookings Institute Ranks Metro
Areas for Carbon Footprint
Last week, the Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C., released a report on the carbon footprint of American citizens living in the 100 largest cities.
Both Tulsa and Oklahoma City had high per capita carbon footprints, meaning that the energy use and activities of individuals are responsible for high levels of carbon dioxide being released into the air. Other large cities with high per capita carbon footprints were east of the Mississippi River, with the exception of Little Rock, St. Louis and Kansas City.
First Meeting on Streets Set
for Tuesday, June 3
The first of a series of seven town hall meetings concerning street improvements and funding will be held Tuesday, June 3, at 6:30 p.m. in the McClure Community Center, 7440 E. Seventh St. The meeting location is in Council District 3, but all Tulsans are invited to attend.
City departments including Finance, Public Works, and Legal, are working with the Tulsa City Council to prepare lists of street projects and funding sources for voters to consider in an election later this summer.
City of Tulsa Supports Dropout Prevention Programs
The City of Tulsa and other local businesses, schools, and organizations have teamed up to initiate a program that allows young people to make money while they train for careers in the construction industry and complete their high school diploma or GED.
This community project seeks to recover Tulsa-area high school dropouts, and those at risk of dropping out, by providing an opportunity to receive high school credentials and occupational training for a group of 20 Tulsa-area youth, ages 18 to 22. Participants are offered incentives for good training attendance and are paid for their work-based learning experiences. After demonstrating proficiency in the program, participants will have an opportunity for employment with a local construction company.
Fire Academy Graduation Promotes Twenty Nine
Twenty nine new Tulsa Firefighters were sworn in at the graduation of the Tulsa Fire Academy Class of 2008. Mayor Kathy Taylor and Tulsa Fire Chief Allen LaCroix presided over ceremonies.
The cadets completed 23 weeks of intense field training and classroom work. All 29 are nationally registered Emergency Medical Technicians.
The graduates are being assigned to fire companies and support units throughout the department.
Buy Fresh, Buy Local OK
It’s the season of fresh vegetables, and in Tulsa we are lucky to have many local producers and many farmers markets. Join the Buy Fresh, Buy Local OK movement. Check out local farmers’ markets and buy your produce there.
BOK Center Announces
Two More Events
Mayor Kathy Taylor has announced two additional shows for this fall at the BOK Center. These shows will be the first comedy and first contemporary Christian concert in the new arena. America’s number one ventriloquist, Jeff Dunham, brings his Spark of Insanity tour and five show-stealing puppets to Tulsa on Friday, October 3, 2008. The Grammy-winning contemporary Christian group Casting Crowns will perform their Christmas Celebration show on Sunday, November 30.
Economic Incentives – Improving Your Bottom Line
The North Tulsa Economic Development Initiative (NTEDI) invites you to the Economic Incentives – Improving Your Bottom Line luncheon, Wednesday, June 4.
Industry experts, Chris Saxon and Scott Wright along with Certified Public Accountant, Frank Wright, will discuss economic incentives – laws, tax credits and programs designed to help businesses grow.