"Elections are about choice and the citizens of Tulsa have chosen progress. We are thrilled that Tulsa voters approved all three propositions of the Vision Tulsa package as well as the Tulsa County proposition.
The investments approved tonight will drive economic progress, moving Tulsa up the ranks among our peer set of cities. The confidence voters showed at the polls means we are a community that will not sit still while other cities pass us by.
Voters recognize the challenges we face with this economy, yet choose to live in a community that is vibrant and focused on growth. Addressing our public safety and street needs while creating jobs and economic impact is truly visionary.
The Tulsa Regional Chamber would like to extend our gratitude to Tulsa Mayor Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr., our Tulsa City Councilors and our Tulsa County Commissioners who worked tirelessly to present this balanced package to voters. These elected leaders have continued Tulsa’s spirit of determination and fortitude and we are thankful for their leadership.
We now look forward to working closely with many of our community partners to do our part as the Tulsa Regional Chamber to fulfill the promises of Vision Tulsa for a better Tulsa.” -Jeff Dunn, Tulsa Regional Chamber Chairman and President and CEO of Mill Creek Lumber and Company.
Tonight’s vote was truly visionary, and would not have happened without the hard work and commitment of hundreds of leaders and grassroots volunteers who led this campaign to success, including Tulsa Mayor Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr, and the Tulsa City Council, including the following councilors who led individual task forces related to portions of the package: Councilor Karen Gilbert with the public safety task force; Councilor Blake Ewing with the Vision task force; and Councilor G.T. Bynum with the River Infrastructure task force.
In addition to the City of Tulsa, the Tulsa County Commission, and other area elected officials, community-wide organizations, business leaders, regional communities and citizens across northeast Oklahoma all worked collaboratively to create a successful package, providing their unanimous support for its passage.
Voters went to the polls armed with the knowledge they needed thanks to the tremendous work of the campaign team, led by Fount Holland and Trebor Worthen with AH Strategies; Pat McFerron with CMA Strategies; Jesse Boudiette and team from Propeller Communications; Sheila Curley and team from SixPR; Barrett Waller with Waller and Company; and Walsh Branding. Additionally, I give tremendous applause and thanks to the Chamber team, specifically Nick Doctor, senior vice president of government affairs, for his work guiding the campaign team, grassroots efforts and fundraising.
Ultimately, Tulsans came together tonight to say yes, we want to collectively move our region forward through public investment.
In addition to the public safety and economic development investments approved tonight in Tulsa County, Jenks, Owasso, Collinsville and Glenpool, voters in the cities of Jenks and Tulsa took a monumental step toward finally realizing a plan to bolster our greatest natural asset, the Arkansas River. After sixty years of plans, discussions and failed opportunities to invest, after tonight's vote, we will finally begin to see river development take shape.
The investment voters approved tonight will enhance progress already under development next to the Arkansas River, and drive new investment, tourism and quality of life opportunities for all residents of northeast Oklahoma.
This would not be possible without the commitment of Tulsa Mayor Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr, Tulsa City Councilor G.T. Bynum, and the regional River Development Taskforce that spent countless months developing a plan….the blueprint that gave voters the confidence to vote yes, and made this tremendous, important step possible.
I’m proud of my fellow Tulsans, for tonight we’ve laid the groundwork toward monumental growth and success in our community for generations." -Mike Neal, President and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber