As you pause to spend this holiday season with your families and friends, please continue to keep an eye out for your neighbors and friends who may still need help.
Please be safe and enjoy this holiday season.
Mayor Kathy Taylor
Tulsa E-News December 24, 2007
Thank You Tulsa!
Tulsans came together.
Tulsans are known for their generous spirit. The ice storm and ultimately the disaster declaration called for all of us to help one another. This city pulled together and help also poured in from all over the nation. Six thousand linemen from 14 states came to help restore power to Tulsa homes. State and federal emergency response agencies also pledged and delivered needed support.
PSO continues to work to restore power. Operation Power Up!, still in full swing, has already helped hundreds of Tulsans get power restored even more quickly.
I want to thank the numerous volunteer organizations such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and others, who worked in the cold and dark for long hours. All worked above and beyond, even when their own homes were without power.
City of Tulsa employees were at the core of the response team. The Tulsa Fire Department, EMSA, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department and the Tulsa Police Department were first responders. Public Works crews worked to clear debris from streets and power lines. Employees in the 911 Center, the 211 Center and the Mayor’s Action Center took thousands of calls from citizens who needed help and information. EVERY city department stepped forward at a critical time to get us back on our feet.
I also want to thank Tulsa media outlets who worked diligently to get critical information to citizens.
The work isn’t finished. A lot has been accomplished in the past two weeks, but I assure you we won’t rest until power is restored to everyone possible, and Tulsa’s streets and neighborhoods are free of storm debris.
As you pause to spend this holiday season with your families and friends, please continue to keep an eye out for your neighbors and friends who may still need help.
Please be safe and enjoy this holiday season.
Mayor Kathy Taylor
Tulsa Zoo Reopens
And It’s Free!
After being closed for several days while workers cleared fallen trees and downed power lines, the Tulsa Zoo re-opened Saturday, Dec. 22, and will be free to all visitors through the last day of the year.
The Zoo’s Christmas present to Tulsans means that visitors will be welcomed every day except Christmas Day, beginning daily at 9 a.m.
“The Tulsa Zoo has an amazing group of employees,” said Tulsa Zoo Friends Exec. Director Keegan Young. “Thanks to the dedication of our professionals and effective leadership, including Mayor Taylor and Zoo Director Stephen Walker during this ordeal, that we are able to open our doors,” Young said.
“I would like to thank the citizens of Tulsa for their great community spirit and encourage them to enjoy one of Tulsa’s treasures and one of America’s favorite zoos,” said Mayor Taylor.
The Tulsa Air & Space Museum is joining with the zoo to offer free admission through Dec. 31st.