June 4, 2009

Mayor Kathy Taylor today announced that she will not seek another term as Tulsa’s Mayor.

“The next six months are going to be pivotal, and frankly, very difficult for our City,” said Taylor. “Tough decisions will have to be made that may not be popular, but they will be fiscally responsible, and they will help secure Tulsa’s future. After some heartfelt analysis, I knew that the best thing for Tulsa is for me to spend these next months running the city, and not running a campaign for political office.”

Taylor stated that the partisan politics that come with campaigns cloud decision-making. “Partisanship has no place in city government and slows our progress,” said Taylor. “I have a reputation for acting decisively. I’m looking forward to continuing work on some of the initiatives we have started – and doing it from the private sector.”

Elected in 2006, Taylor pledged progress for the city by forming public/private partnerships. Her term as Mayor has been marked with the successes of those partnerships, including the opening of the BOK Center, the partnership with Tulsa University to strengthen the Gilcrease Museum, the partnership with Billy Casper Golf to improve city courses, the relocation of City Hall to a high-tech and energy-efficient building, and a significant investment in Tulsa’s’ street infrastructure. She credited the revitalization of Tulsa’s downtown to the many private citizens that have come forward to invest in projects like the new baseball stadium.

Taylor’s most noted accomplishments include the relocation of City Hall into One Technology Center, passage of the Fix our Streets bond issue and the implementation of High Performance Government initiatives, saving taxpayers several million dollars.

To bring awareness to energy efficiency, Taylor launched a set of initiatives under BeGreen Tulsa. Following the December 2007 ice storm, she reached out to the community to help replace Tulsa’s thousands of damaged trees. In partnership with Up With Trees, significant progress has been made to “ReGreen Tulsa”.

Noting that Tulsa has one of the highest deployments of military troops in the nation, Taylor recruited a former Marine to serve as a liaison to veterans and military families. Under her watch, the Mayor opened the Veterans and Military Resource Center at the Tulsa Airport and helped start only the third Veteran’s Court in the United States. By partnering with the Community Service Council’s “211” helpline, veterans can link to needed resources.

Taylor also placed a priority on getting Tulsa off the so-called “fat lists”. She launched “Tulsa Million Miles” and trained with kids from at-risk schools to be a celebrity runner in the Tulsa Run.

In the area of public safety, Taylor credits the work of the city’s first responders, police officers and firefighters in making significant improvements throughout the city.

She also credited the city’s progress to the many city employees whom, she says comprise the most hard-working and dedicated team she has worked with throughout her career.

“I have been in public service now for 6 years,” said Taylor.  “First as Secretary of Commerce and Tourism for the State and these last three years as Mayor.  It is reinforced my belief that amazing things that can be accomplished when private citizens get engaged in their community.”

Taylor has made no definite plans or commitments beyond the end of her term as Mayor, but of course will continue to pursue the interests which are her passions to decrease the drop-out rate and expand the mentoring and entrepreneur initiatives she began as Mayor. The Mayor’s Mentoring to the Max program has recruited hundreds of volunteers for kids in at-risk schools, most recently in adding Mayor’s Mentoring to the Max with Music. Her website, http://www.taylorfortulsa.com <http://www.taylorfortulsa.com/> will track activities.

Web Links:

Taylorfortulsa.com
Mentoring: mentoringtulsa.org
BeGreen Tulsa: begreentulsa.com
ReGreen Tulsa: regreentulsa.com
Veterans: tulsaveterans.com
Tulsa Million Miles: tulsamillionmiles.com