Oklahoma: Tulsa police reject plan; mayor says layoffs next

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January 28, 2010

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Thu Jan 28, 2010, 11:37 PM CST

The Associated Press

TULSA, Okla. — The Fraternal Order of Police in Tulsa have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal that Mayor Dewey Bartlett says would have prevented the layoff of 155 officers.

Officer David Turner, representing FOP Lodge 93, confirmed Wednesday night that 91 percent of the union’s membership took part in the 24-hour vote and that 90 percent rejected the mayor’s proposal. He said he could not release the specific vote tally.

The layoffs are set to go into effect Friday, dropping the force’s manpower from about 808 to 653, unless the FOP and city administrators cut a last-minute deal.

“It’s with great sadness that we are going to see 155 of our brothers and sisters leave at the end of the week,” Turner said.

While officers had issues with the proposal, he said, the main reason for voting it down seemed to be the “lack of confidence and trust in the mayor’s administration.”

Most officers thought the city would be back later to try to take more away from them, Turner said. There is still hope that something will happen to prevent the layoffs from taking place.

Bartlett said the vote’s result is regrettable.

“The people of Tulsa were let down tonight by the very people they hired and trained to protect them,” he said.

But the only thing that will keep 155 officers from having to leave the force, Bartlett said, is for the union to reconsider the same proposal, which calls for 5.2 percent salary cuts, eight unpaid furlough days next fiscal year, no step pay increases and other concessions.

“If they don’t re-vote and change their minds, to those who are laid off, I will wish them well and best of luck in finding new jobs,” he said.

Bartlett said he is not worried about the functioning or efficiency of the Police Department with so many officers gone.

“We are going to be just fine,” he said, adding that the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office can assist the police if necessary.

The mayor said he doesn’t understand why the police would not trust him or his administration.

“I’ve always spoken to them very directly, and I’ve never mislead them at all,” he said. “So I have no idea where that could come from.”

The Police Department’s budget hole makes up $3.5 million of the total $10.4 million the mayor must cut from the city’s general fund due to revenue shortfalls.

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2.6 magnitude earthquake recorded in Oklahoma
The U.S. Geological Survey has recorded a 2.6 magnitude earthquake near Wellston in central Oklahoma.
No injuries or damage is reported.

January 19, 2011
Audit: $108,000 taken from Missouri Veterans Commission JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A former employee of the state auditor’s office embezzled nearly $108,000 while working as an accountant for the Missouri Veterans Commission, the state auditor alleged Monday.

Stacy Griffin-Lowery was fired by the Veterans Commission in March 2008 and pleaded guilty three months later to a misdemeanor theft charge. She repaid the state $17,665, the auditor’s office said.

But Missouri Auditor Susan Montee on Monday accused Griffin-Lowery of swiping an additional $90,192 by getting reimbursed for cash advances and purchases made on her personal credit card.
April 12, 2010
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State Sen. Dennis Pyle’s actions in recent months suggest the Hiawatha farmer, who’s served in the Legislature since 2001, is running against Jenkins in the Aug. 2 primary. He set up a campaign organization in November and has a Web site featuring a brief video of him on his farm, asking viewers for support.
April 12, 2010
Oklahoma tea party leaders, lawmakers envision militia OKLAHOMA CITY — Frustrated by recent political setbacks, tea party leaders and some conservative members of the Oklahoma Legislature say they would like to create a new volunteer militia to help defend against what they believe are improper federal infringements on state sovereignty.

Tea party movement leaders say they’ve discussed the idea with several supportive lawmakers and hope to get legislation next year to recognize a new volunteer force
April 12, 2010
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April 8, 2010
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April 8, 2010
Oklahoma: Groups oppose education spending initiative OKLAHOMA CITY — A coalition of business and labor groups said Thursday it will work to defeat a ballot initiative to dramatically increase spending on public education that coalition members said would devastate the budgets of many other state services and possibly force tax increases.
April 8, 2010
Missouri: Gov. Nixon affirms support for tuition freeze COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has no plans to sit idly while lawmakers consider whether to preserve a tuition freeze deal he assembled before the state’s dire financial status was fully known.
April 7, 2010
Kansas: Agency uses YouTube to illustrate road woes TOPEKA, Kan. — It’s one thing to hear about potholes and state budgets. It’s another to see how the two are connected. That’s part of the thinking behind a new video presentation on YouTube this week from the Kansas Department of Transportation.
April 7, 2010
Oklahoma: Pathologist says girl’s throat might have been cut OKLAHOMA CITY — A 7-year-old girl who was found dead in Oklahoma near the body of her suspected kidnapper likely died after her throat was cut, an independent pathologist said Wednesday, the same day the child’s funeral attracted hundreds of mourners.
April 7, 2010
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Oklahoma: Tulsa police reject plan; mayor says layoffs next

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