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Tulsa's mayoral candidates answer pressing questions.
Why I should be Tulsa’s next mayor:
Adelson: As a fourth-generation Tulsan, I want to give back to the city which has given my family and me so much. I will be an effective mayor for all Tulsa residents. I will lead our city through the current financial crisis and provide a broad vision for a rich and vibrant future. Tulsa is at the verge of greatness, as we revise the comprehensive plan with an unprecedented citizen-led process.
Bartlett: As a fiscally conservative businessman, I am ready to lead Tulsa through these difficult financial times. We need a mayor who has a record of success, who has business knowledge and who knows what it takes to make Tulsa a better place to live and do business. I have had to make my company more efficient to survive trying times and to thrive in good times. I will use this management and leadership experience as mayor. 
Perkins: I believe politicians should reflect the character of those they represent, and I embody Tulsans. I am honest, pragmatic, forward-thinking and passionate. I have the humility to listen, the judgment to make good decisions and the clarity to distinguish healthy debate from politics. I have the educational foundation to understand the complexities of municipal governance, the wisdom to surround myself with capable leaders and the vision to move Tulsa beyond the status quo.
Three things that set me apart from the other candidates:
Adelson: As a legislator, I worked across the aisle and created coalitions. Every bill I passed had a Republican co-author. I am experienced in nonprofit public service (that is) responsive to the needs of constituents and ensuring that promised services are delivered. I have an ambitious vision for Tulsa — we’ll connect our neighborhoods to encourage a stronger sense of community.
Bartlett: First is my conservative political and fiscal philosophy. I am a supporter of other conservatives such as Dr. Tom Coburn and Sen. Jim Inhofe. This says a lot about our differences and how we would govern. Second, my temperament sets me apart. I am a unifier, not a divider. Third, I am the only candidate with an MBA in finance and business management experience.
Perkins: Perspective: My message is based on building Tulsa up, not tearing others down. I am the nonpartisan voice trying to bring Tulsa together to overcome our nonpartisan challenges.
Age: There is a unique passion involved in having the ability and opportunity to impact the place where I will raise my children.
Candor: My campaign has been open and honest with the citizens so they can make an informed choice on Nov. 10.
What I plan to accomplish first, if elected:
Adelson: Tulsans deserve to feel safe and secure in their homes, to drive to and from good jobs on well-maintained streets. The basic public services come first. We have a $451 million bond package to improve streets; I want that process to be fair and transparent. Tulsans expect clean air and water, to have their trash picked up and strong leadership in any emergency. I am the best candidate to accomplish these important goals.
Bartlett: We must first get our house in order. I will focus on the basics: public safety, strong police and fire protection, improved streets and infrastructure. Without high-quality infrastructure, we will not have the ability to move commerce, much less our citizens, throughout our city. I will be certain people are safe, basic infrastructure is maintained and our roads are in good repair.
Perkins: My first objective is to improve our financial condition by eliminating wasteful practices and positions and improving efficiency in every government function. I will surround myself with capable leaders by identifying the best individual for every appointed position. Without regard to political party, I will recruit the best and the brightest. I will instruct him or her to audit every protocol, review every contract and make recommendations for improving efficiency using the most current information.
The issue I am most passionate about is:
Adelson: In the short term, the impact of the economic downturn on direct services is the most critical issue facing our city. I will focus my energy on the best possible solutions to this crisis. Tulsa is on the verge of greatness with new urban energy. For the long term, I have a powerful vision for Tulsa, which begins now as we implement PlaniTulsa, committing to improving existing structures and limiting urban sprawl.
Bartlett: We need to improve our economy to better our city. I want to grow jobs, not government. We will emerge stronger from this fiscal crisis by becoming a place where businesses want to come and expand. We need to roll out the red carpet, not the red tape. We must reduce bureaucratic setbacks, such as inadequate zoning or poor permit processes that discourage development. I will be the job-creating mayor.
Perkins: Education. For decades, our kids have been undereducated in underfunded and underperforming schools. Education is a complex issue involving the city, county, state and federal governments, but in the end it is our children who are underprepared for higher education and other economic opportunities. Therefore, I will unite the citizens and their representatives behind the fundamental priority of public education. There are better solutions, and we must find or create the solutions that can work for Tulsa.
How Tulsa will look in four years if I’m elected:
Adelson: Tulsa will have a regional approach to collaboration throughout the area. My plan to consolidate specific services will save money, improve service delivery and end duplication of services. The economies of scale will help us weather the economic downturn. In four years, I see community-oriented projects to cultivate a dynamic environment for growth. I see a city that recognizes its greatest assets are the health and education of its citizens.
Bartlett: We will have a balanced budget that did not require us to cut services. Visually, you will see that I believe there is only “One Tulsa,” because there will not be parts of town neglected or left behind. You will have a safer city, where crime is down and is replaced by neighborhood pride. There will be a sense of Tulsa as one community working together and with each other for the betterment of our city.
Perkins: Tulsa will be a vibrant city that embraces small business and private investment and is attractive to a young-professional workforce. Tulsans will enjoy their diverse perspectives and lifestyles but will identify themselves not by what part of town they call home but because they call Tulsa home. And Tulsa will be a safer place to live and a better place to educate the next generation.
What I think the role of the mayor should be:
Adelson: The mayor is responsible for a 4,000-person organization. He or she must ensure effective delivery of nonprofit public services. The job also requires leadership for transformation. I want to create a city where my children and your children will choose to live because of its vibrancy and opportunities. The mayor must ensure that every resident is heard and included in the prosperity of the city.
Bartlett: A mayor has to be a great leader and manager. The mayor must have a plan to move the city forward, reduce crime, fix streets, promote the city and be able to unite the city. As mayor, I will have the skills to manage the city government most effectively and also be the leader who has the vision to improve our city and set the stage for a better future with more jobs and opportunity for our city.
Perkins: A mayor must serve the city and its interests without regard to personal gain, political influence or future ambition. A mayor must be a leader who can unite Tulsans under a common purpose. A mayor must have the focus and skill to address current problems and the vision to prevent future ones. A mayor must be able to make hard decisions with good judgment, foresight and conviction. And our mayor must adapt, improve and let go of the status quo.
Editor's note: As of press time, Independent candidate Lawrence Kirkpatrick had not responded to a request to complete a questionnaire.
Meet the candidates
Tulsa’s mayoral candidates have diverse backgrounds and experiences. Get to know three of the men vying to become Tulsa’s next leader.
Tom Adelson
www.adelsonformayor.com
A native Tulsan, Adelson attended Barnard Elementary and Edison junior and senior high schools. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University. He has been engaged in the practice of law since 1992 with experience in commercial litigation, banking and oil and gas.
Prior to forming his own law practice in 1998, Adelson operated a fourth-generation family oil and gas business, where he held primary responsibility for the New Mexico and west Texas regions, and he remains a partner in the firm.
Serving as Gov. Brad Henry’s first secretary of health, Adelson helped pass Oklahoma’s first clean air legislation, and he worked to protect public health funding for 75,000 Oklahoma children. He also stepped in when schools in his district were losing their nurses to help establish school-based comprehensive medical clinics at Eugene Field and Mark Twain elementary schools.
Adelson won election to the Oklahoma Senate from District 33 in 2004. He continues active participation in the University of Oklahoma’s Health Care Task Force, Tulsa Coalition of Children’s Health and Tulsa Community Hospital Authority.
Adelson and his wife, Julie, have four children—Emily, Andrew, Sam and Jack
Dewey Bartlett
www.deweybartlett.com
Bartlett was born in Tulsa and has raised his family in Tulsa. He graduated from high school in Tulsa before getting degrees in accounting and in finance. When he completed his MBA, he came back to Oklahoma, where he started in the energy field as a landman. He worked his way up through the ranks and earned himself the opportunity to become a partner, managing partner and now president of an Oklahoma independent energy producer.
Bartlett was elected to serve two terms on the Tulsa City Council and has volunteered his time for Tulsa Community College as a Foundation board member. He has been an advocate of better roads in Tulsa and the state by serving on the Turnpike Authority, and he has been an advocate for those in need by working in his spare time with the American Red Cross.
Bartlett and wife Victoria, who has worked for the past 25 years in public service, have three children.
Bartlett is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma’s second class, and he is on the board of directors for the Oklahoma Academy of State Goals — a legacy of former Gov. Henry Bellmon. He is also the chairman of the board of directors for the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board, which helps protect the environment through voluntary participation of energy producers who feel an obligation to the same environment that sustains their industry. Additionally, Bartlett has served on the board of Woolaroc Museum and the American Theater Company.
Mark Perkins
www.markfortulsa.com
Perkins is a fourth-generation Tulsan, the youngest of the five children of Lindsay and Diane Perkins. He grew up in Tulsa with his siblings, Teresa, David, Brandon and Marlow.
Perkins attended The University of Oklahoma, where he was involved in a myriad of campus organizations and was recognized by the university with an award for “Excellence in Scholarship and Service to the University.” He also earned academic honors, was the sole proprietor of a management and booking agency and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and an academic minor in four years.
After working in Tulsa, Perkins returned to OU to pursue his doctorate in law. During law school, he received academic achievement awards, was a member of the American Indian Law Review and represented the entire College of Law as its senator. He was also the president of his class.
In addition, Perkins was elected to represent the interests of all the graduate students in the university system as the chairman of the Graduate Student Senate. Because of these contributions and more, Perkins received an award from OU President David Boren for “outstanding service to the university community, leadership in extracurricular activities and academic achievement.”
After receiving his juris doctorate, Perkins returned to his hometown, passed the bar exam and started his own law practice before joining another firm Of Counsel. He works with both entities today. He also owns a residential property management business.
Perkins has raised money and volunteered for many local organizations, such as the Tulsa Zoo and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He is active in Tulsa’s Young Professionals and was named one of Tulsa’s Twenty New Leaders. He currently volunteers at the Tulsa Boys’ Home and serves on the board of directors for the Tulsa Ballet, where he is the chairman of The Barre Society.
Mayoral candidate appearances
Meet the candidates and hear about their plans for Tulsa at these upcoming events.
Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Forum hosted by KRMG, Tulsa’s Young Professionals and Leadership Tulsa 6:45 p.m., program; 7 p.m., debate. Jewel, 3340 S. Peoria Ave.
Wednesday, Nov. 4 — Tulsa Youth Council forum 5:30 p.m. City Council chambers, One Technology Center, 175 E. Second St.
Thursday, Nov. 5 — Forum for members of Associated Builders and Contractors 3 p.m. ABC headquarters, 1915 N. Yellowood Ave.,
Broken Arrow
