$65 Bad Review

So, my silly wife signed up for requisite Sky fitness membership.  It cost her $39, plus $65 per month.  Because it was less than quarter mile from our house, we walked, to Sky, and then back home.  After a while, we just kept walking and really didn't need the membership anymore.

So, she decides to cancel her membership after a month.  First, Sky calls demanding payment after her cancellation.  Then, we got a letter threatening to tack on fees for chargebacks and threatening to ruin our credit rating.  

We finally WALKED to Sky to demand explanation.  They still insisted on the $65 payment.  I kindly and assertively asked the payment be waived in exchange for not writing this bad review.  They still insisted on payment.  F.A.I.L.

Here ya go, Sky.  $65 bad review.  If ONLY one person decides NOT join Sky or another fitness center scam, $65 is worth it, right?

Why join Sky or another other fitness center scam, when you can walk/bike to the grocery store, to your favorite restaurant, or wherever you go drink?  Work your workout into your daily simple pleasure of leaving that overpriced, over-engineered monstrosity of glass, metal, and rubber, on your driveway.

Yes, admittedly, those TV screens on the stair stepper are nice.  But, how about the simple quiet of walking through your tree-lined neighborhood?  If you can afford Sky, you probably have enough disposable income to afford the mortgage on a Mid-Town or South Tulsa house.

Instead of fighting traffic driving that monstrosity of glass, metal, and rubber on four wheels, why not enjoy walking that two mile round trip to Sprouts?  Hey, how about the simple sublime pleasure of biking to Braum's for frozen yogart?  Coffee and bagettes at Panera after a quick jog, without driving, anyone?

Think about how totally STUPID to drive just to go to the spinning class at Sky.

The REAL problem in the Great Tulsa Sidewalk Controversy

Nobody wants to admit the REAL problem in the conflict between Tulsa hipster walktavists and Maple Ridge is George Kaiser FF Gathering Place.  It is simply an over-the-top, New York City white elephant being shoved up a Tulsa crack.

Michael J. Sanditen, one of Tulsa's esteemed real estate developers, noted, "$3 million per acre of runaway development."

Tulsa is obviously not New York City.  They get around town, by walking, biking, or transit.  There's only ONE real convenient, comfortable way for Tulsans to get around, the car.  Tulsa simply has NO infrastructure to support the Gathering Place.

The Gathering Place is a ridiculous, enormous traffic generator, sure to convert Maple Ridge into a perpetual motor vehicle parking lot.  Such a waste of $350 million, which could have been simply gifted to Tulsa Transit.

How the police can beat the protests, without really trying

Meanwhile over at PoliceOne, "Everyone is just demonizing the police. But police follow orders and laws. Nobody talks about the responsibility of the politicians to explain to the community why quality-of-life enforcement is necessary."

Maybe if the police would lose the weaponry, join the coup to stick it to stupid politicians and laws? 

Who Polices the Police?

The Justice Department investigated five police departments.  Results are unsurprising to anyone who has kept up with Tulsa's own history.

When to Shoot the Police

Indiana has had a state statute since 2012 describing scenarios when to shoot the police:

(i) A person is justified in using reasonable force against a public servant if the person reasonably believes the force is necessary to:

(1) protect the person or a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the imminent use of unlawful force;

(2) prevent or terminate the public servant’s unlawful entry of or attack on the person’s dwelling, curtilage, or occupied motor vehicle; or

(3) prevent or terminate the public servant’s unlawful trespass on or criminal interference with property lawfully in the person’s possession, lawfully in possession of a member of the person’s immediate family, or belonging to a person whose property the person has authority to protect.

Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/state-passes-law-legalize-self-defense-police/#KlUco2JUm6otpGp7.99

When NOT to shoot the police:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/radley-balko/myths-and-misconceptions-_b_1596846.html

Citizen Tay Calls for Tulsa Christmas Parade Cancellation

To the Tulsa Christmas Parade organizers:

We can't breathe.  And, we are asking you to cancel this year's parade, in a show of respect and solidarity with the truly neediest of America's criminal injustice system.  We are also asking Tulsa Police to stand down, in a show of cooperation and community unity.

Have some guts to show the world you care for the most vulnerable among us this Christmas. How can we celebrate Christian values, knowing there are two Christmases, one white, another black?

The Eric Garner police chokehold homicide clearly shows the true plight of two Americas.  We ask you to show some modicum of humanity for this gross injustice toward your fellow American.

This is not just a black problem, or a brown problem, or a Native American problem.  It's an American tragedy.

Please consider our NON-violent request.  Until ALL Americans enjoy the same rights, the same justice, no one will enjoy the same Christmas.  In the grand words of JFK, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."

Thank you.

What He Said

Citizen Tay Calls for TPD Body Cams

"Trust, but verify."  ~~~Ronald Reagan.

In the aftermath of so many police shooting tragedies, can it be any more obvious the time for body cams on all police officers who come in contact with the public has arrived?

POTUS44 is asking Congress for $263 million for police body cams.

Call, email, or write Representative Jim Bridenstine.

I am calling for the Tulsa City Council Resolution Requiring Body Cameras on All Tulsa Police Officers Who Come in Contact with the Public.

UPDATE:  Obviously, the Eric Garner police chokehold murder case proved body cams is just ONE small piece of a more far-reaching effort to restore trust in TPD.  Maybe Tulsa City Council should keep quiet about Shannon Kepler's pension too?

How to do Police Accountability, Without Really Trying

In almost every city across the US, tax dollars are used to cover the damages and settlements from lawsuits filed against their police departments due to officer misconduct. Taxpayers in essence pay out massive amounts in damages for officers not doing their job properly. Additionally, the cost is compounded because taxpayers are forced to continue paying the salaries of these criminal cops.

City officials don’t have the guts to hold officers accountable for their actions. So a new approach is necessary to hold rogue officers responsible for their conduct.

Just like doctors have to carry malpractice insurance, police officers should be required to carry professional liability insurance as a condition of employment.

How this can be achieved is through an amendment to the city charter itself.

Read more at Free Thought Project.

What is City Council Covering Up?

So, at the 20 November Council meeting, I raised the issue of the G.T. Bynum conflict of interest scam, on Agenda Item 8A.  City Attorney O'Melia tried to shut me up.  Good grief, if there's really no conflict of interest, why didn't he just simply let me make a total fool out of myself?

Bynum called me out, claiming I'm trying to trash his reputation.  He claims the Ethics Commission has looked into this issue.  So, why is he the only one pitching the claim?  From America's favorite Republican, trust, but verify.

Good grief, if there's nothing wrong about an elected City official pinch hitting for the other team for six figures, why even bother to get totally bent out of shape?

For now, I leave this issue to other more intelligent genius rocket scientists to follow up.  I doubt I will be the last to bring this up.  What is City Council covering up?

Did POTUS44 Just Gifted InhofePOTUS2016?

POTUS44 just picked his own successor, Jim Inhofe?  Nooooooooooooooo waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.  Can't possibly be true.

Jeff Stava Wants Mo' Buses to Gathering Place. Heads in Maple Ridge EXPLODE!

According to Tulsa World, Jeff Stava is on the warpath to get more buses to Gathering Place.  Good luck with THAT!  Seriously.

Maple Ridge riots in 5....4....3.....

How To Do Water in the River, Without Extorting Taxpayers

If all the Tulsa voters who plan to vote for the upcoming $500 million River Tax would simply donate $500, every year, for the next five years, they would have water in the River.

Donors could claim a tax deduction, like George Kaiser.  Voluntary donation, instead of taxpayer extortion.

If water in the River is such a great idea, why extort taxpayers?

Source:  http://libertyontap.org/2014/11/06/meeting-our-needs-without-violence/

15.7% Saw Right Through the G.T. Bynum Conflict of Interest SCAM!

Holy M.A.C.K.E.R.E.L.  I voted for myself, only to avoid a big fat goose egg next to my name on the ballot for the snickering enjoyment of millions and billions.  Instead, 15.7% of all you people in District 9, ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE of you out there, stayed with Tay, on a cold, wet, rainy day.  THAT said ALOT.

District 9 totally blew away the turnout numbers, almost 13,000.  We are engaged in the political process.  For 1,961 voters to reject the Bynum agenda, is even MORE impressive.

I want to believe the support as a significant rejection of putting lipstick on the pig, aka water in the River.  If elected, I would have DISBANDED the Arkansas River Development Task Force, to put the water where it would have made the difference, 6th Street Canal.

If anyone still want water in the River, I would have established a tax-deductible City account to accept donations.  If water in the River is such a great idea, why extort taxpayers?  Instead of tax burden, tax deduction.

I want to believe that you saw through the obvious conflict of interest issues of an ELECTED Tulsa City Councilor, making enough to pay the mortgage on a $400,000 Mid-Town house, by working as a federal lobbyist on behalf of Cities of Bartlesville, Claremore, Miami, OK, and Miami, FL.

To put it bluntly, for every federal dollar going to those cities, Councilor Bynum's clients, is one LESS dollar coming into Tulsa.  That is the reason why Bynum is pushing hard for the upcoming $500 million River Tax.  Again, who does G.T. Bynum really work for?

Maybe all of you simply have a sense of humor?

First day in Urban Economic Development Committee, I would have INSISTED on the City Council Resolution Repealing the Off-Street Parking Requirement, Tulsa Ordinance Title 42, Section 1300.  This action would have allowed the market/developers to decide how much parking for their properties, what type of parking, NOT ridiculous, outdated, arbitrary government numbers I.N.F.R.I.N.G.I.N.G. on private property.

Of course, I would have taken a victory lap on the Broken Arrow Expressway.   Cya in '16!

Michael Bates Endorses River Tax

The only logical conclusion that could be made from this morning's Batesline is Michael Bates actually ENDORSES River Tax.  He's so distracted by my personal conduct.  Good grief, which personal conduct of mine distracts Mr. Bates?  And, is it so egregiously over-the-top as the coming River Tax, asking taxpayers to WASTE $500 million to put lipstick on the pig?

I ask you kind readers, "Who is the REAL village idiot?"

Call for the IMMEDIATE Resignation of Councilor Bynum

For the greater cause of water in the River, I call for the IMMEDIATE resignation of City Councilor G.T. Bynum from either the City Council or Capitol Ventures Government Relations, LLC.

According to Congressional records, Councilor Bynum is partner of Capitol Ventures Government Relations, LLC, a federally registered lobbying firm.

No City Attorney has EVER issued a legal opinion on the $60,000 lobbying fee paid by the City of Bartlesville to Councilor Bynum.  The City of Claremore paid $30,000, from 2013 to 2014.  The City of Miami, FL recently paid $10,000. 

Every federal dollar going to Bartlesville, Claremore, Miami, OK, and, Miami, FL, is one LESS dollar coming to Tulsa.  Councilor Bynum has been responsible for millions from the federal government going to other cities in competition with Tulsa for the same urban development funds.

While those cities are privy to privileged information from the City of Tulsa, neither the other eight Councilors, the Mayor, nor the Tulsa Chamber are privy to privileged business dealings between Councilor Bynum and his clients.

Obviously, Tulsa City Councilor Bynum is doing a great job for the City of Miami, OK.  That City has kept Councilor Bynum on retainer since 2010, paying him $150,000 to date of the most recent reporting.  https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/firmsum.php?id=D000065463&year=2010

In 2010, George Kaiser FF paid $55,000 for Councilor Bynum's services to secure federal funds for the Arkansas Low-Water Dam Development, ahead of Gathering Place.  Obviously, he was unsuccessful in convincing his old boss, Senator Tom Coburn, aka Dr. NO. 

Who Does G.T. Bynum Really Work For?

Suspicions Confirmed

So, Tulsa BizPAC calls me in for a candidate interview.  First, I was surprised why they would even give me a chance to speak directly face-to-face to some of Tulsa's most esteemed business movers and shakers.  Tulsa World wouldn't even talk to me, before endorsing Bynum, even with the white elephant in the room.  After the initial shock, I indulged the situation.

My strategy was to generate some give and take debate on some controversial issues such as water in the River, off-street parking requirements, and form-based codes.  Predictably, QuikTrip's Mike Thornburgh jumped right in.

Some interesting insights and suspicions confirmed:

1)  Kaiser et al won't fund water in the River, without public tax;

2)  Pearl District Association over-reached on form-based code;

3)  I'm once again at least five years ahead of the curve.  Mike Neal likes to drive fast.

Tulsa World Calls Out Bynum

O.U.C.H.  In a pointed editorial, Tulsa World called out Bynum in a politically damaging piece.  Ya think maybe water in da River just got totally slammed dunked for good?  Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.  NOT a chance.

G.T. Bynum to Tulsa: Dammit Dammit Dammit!

How did I know to skip the G.T. Bynum Arkansas River Roadshow at the last Dive Bar Town Hall?  Maybe some genius inside source tweeted about a wayward memo no one wanted to talked about?  Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.  NOT a chance.  NOT in a million years.

Tulsa World reported the bad news on Friday, 12 September, when EVERYBODY in the know already knew by 25 August.  A few days later, 28 August, Bynum was front and center on the six o'clock news with a perfectly straight face, taking a wishful thinking tour of da River, in front TV cameras.  W.O.W.

If G.T. has been hiding the real costs of the dams, what else is he hiding?

First dam estimate: $185 million;

Second estimate: $300 million;

Above-the-fold Tulsa World tell-all:  P.R.I.C.E.L.E.S.S.

Isaac Rocha's Top Ten Tulsa Ordinances Hit List

A recent Tulsa World article reported Tulsa Young Professionals Chairman Isaac Rocha had quite an "ah-ha" moment regarding Tulsa's laundry list of local ordinances.

Ever since I refused to pay the $15 fine or perform community service, and insisted on going to jail for waving the American flag, while bicycling, 37 TRO 1007, I have been compiling a laundry list of ridiculous city ordinances which really do nothing, except appoint Tulsa Police as nothing more than tax collectors.

If Isaac and TyPros are really serious about making changes, here's the Top Ten Most Ridiculous Tulsa City Ordinances that have overstayed their welcome:

10.  37 TRO 1007 Waving the American flag, while bicycling, criminalized.

9.   37 TRO 622 Bicycling on city streets, criminalized.

8.  27 TRO 1213 Spitting on streets, criminalized.

7.  27 TRO 1205 Dancing on streets, criminalized.

6.  27 TRO 1405 Cussing, criminalized.

5.  37 TRO 1104 Walking on the wrong side of the streets, criminalized.

4.  37 TRO 1102 Jaywalking, criminalized.

3.  27 TRO 500  Catch-all criminalizing the First Amendment.

2.  37 TRO 606 Disobedience to arbitrary dangerous traffic control devices, criminalized.

1.  42 TRO 1300 Not enough off-street parking, criminalized.  

Confessions of a Recovering Traffic Engineer

City Councilors and the Mayor love to blame internet sales as the culprit to the City's never-ending financial woes.

Here's the Times article and the Confessions of a Recovering Traffic Engineer with the real reasons why City transportation and land use policies are the real problems.

Who does G.T. Bynum really work for?

According to Title 12, Tulsa Revised Ordinances, Section 600, elected city officials "shall not use their public positions for personal gain nor should they act in such a way as to give an appearance of impropriety."

Good grief, if it looks like a duck, quack like a duck, ya think maybe it IS a duck?  Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.  NOT a chance.  NOT in a million years.  Can't possibly be true!

The Shannon Fallout for OK GOP

While going through all the rumblings flying all over the Net about the Shannon loss, it occurred to me that national GOP needed Shannon more than he needed them.  National GOP seems to be grasping at straws to put up some black guy, just about any random black guy, in a huge sea of white guys to put the lipstick on the pig.

Unfortunately, OK GOP wouldn't/couldn't deliver.  I suspect Steve Fair and crew are probably gonna get the back seat treatment at the next RNC.  It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, who out-walks any G.T. Bynum within spitting distance.

Citizen Tay Endorses Denis Palmer for Tulsa City Council District 1

Lost in the bruising battle between incumbent Jack Henderson and Vanessa Hall-Harper, is Denis L. Palmer.  He's made no public appearances.  He doesn't speak to media.  What's going on?  Who is he or she?

Who cares?  He can't possibly do any worse than either Henderson or Hall-Harper.  It turns out VH-H has very close ties to Victoria Bartlett, the brains behind the last Dewey win over Queen Kathy.  VH-H is also married to a TPD detective Marcus Harper.

Henderson's reaction to challengers is somewhat disconcerting.  He really didn't have to come across as the high and mighty something on a stick.

So, what say you, Denis Palmer?

UPDATE (25 JUN 14):  From Vanessa Hall-Harper..."I have absolutely NO connections to either Dewey or Victoria Bartlett.  It's all lies."   So, there you have it, people.  Citizen Tay stands to be corrected.  B.A.M.

Palmer lands 217 votes, 5%!  Take dat, Jim Rogers!

The first Air Force One

Citizen Tay Endorses Ewing for D4

After the TulsaNOW D4 candidate forum, my money's on Blake Ewing for D4 City Council.

Ewing said what was really on everyone's minds about Dan Patten, Dewey ringer.  B.A.M.

Patten doesn't seem to have a solid grasp of D4 issues, was spotty, and grasping at straws.  If he wins, it would because of NRA money.

Elissa Kay Harvill turned out to be the brightest bulb on the hot seat.  But, she will need to run at least a couple of more times, like John Eagleton, before she's ready for prime time to clearly articulate polished responses to the issues.

A few times, from the burning issues on everyone's minds, she came across as having no clue.  It would have highly entertaining if she had a better grasp of the issues to really put the stink up Ewing's butt.  But, dang it, it was not to be tonight or this primary.

Kudos to TulsaNOW for doing it.

Ann Coulter Endorses Citizen Tay!

Citizen Tay Calls on Tulsa Police to End War on Drugs

According to SoonerPoll, Oklahomans want government to stop infringing on personal choice to put whatever they want in their bodies.  According to Judge Jim Gray, the government has as much right to decide what citizens put in their bodies, as what we put in our minds.  It's NONE of the government's business.

To TPD drug warriors, it's time to join other LEOs who have seen through the senseless war on drugs, and put down your weapons.  When warriors refuse to fight, the war will end.

I know of some of your colleagues with young kids, who NEED cannibis treatment.  To believe no current police officers are STILL on the take because of war on drugs is to believe in Santa Claus.

You know who you are.  The Chief knows who you are.  Your supervisors know who you are.  Until the public knows who you are, the "good" cops will say NOTHING.

When you guys dug deep to bust Austin Hingey, all you did was inspire job opportunities for many more dealers to fill orders for that missing 22 pounds.  The profits are high enough to be worth the risk.  Somebody WILL fill that order.  You have done no favors to the public.

As long as you keep busting drug addicts, they won't be able to get the treatment they need.  We, the regular law-abiding citizens, will continue to suffer stolen AC units, car airbags, and valuable tools, to feed the artificially inflated prices of drugs.

Drug abuse should be a public health issue, NOT a criminal issue.  Prohibition didn't work back in the day.  It's NOT working now.

If Vietnam is any lesson, NO brute force power will EVER defeat the will of the people.  You have already lost the war.  In spite of the State Legislature, totally OWNED by the private prison industry, I call on TPD to unilaterally end the war on drugs.

Citizen Tay calls for Tulsa City Council Resolution Banning the Death Penalty

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TULSA CALLING ON THE OKLAHOMA STATE LEGISLATURE TO BAN THE DEATH PENALTY.

WHEREAS, the death penalty can not be administered without violence;

WHEREAS, the death penalty violates the Eight Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment;

WHEREAS, the death penalty does not deter capital crimes;

WHEREAS, the death penalty wastes millions of tax dollars;

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TULSA CALLING ON THE OKLAHOMA STATE LEGISLATURE TO BAN THE DEATH PENALTY.

Citizen Tay calls for City ordinance increasing citizens' participation in transparency and accountability of all police activities

On April 23rd, 2014, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed a new law that was the first of its kind in the nation. The new law requires an independent investigation of police officers when someone dies or is killed while in police custody.  It’s an important new law for many reasons, but none more important than the fact that police departments and officers across the county often elude accountability and transparency by conducting internal investigations of shootings and civilian deaths involving their officers. The police get to investigate themselves and determine whether a crime has been committed when someone dies in their custody.  As to be expected in a system that judges its own, most police officers walk from these incidents with barely a slap on the wrist.
Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/mans-activism-led-law-requiring-independent-investigations-deaths-police-custody/#YTpM6gQDHJVdgwJ2.99

Should Tulsa Police investigate itself?

Citizen Tay gittin' da job did dun!

Since getting back from Portland's first Sunday Parkways, Citizen Tay advocated for Tulsa Saturday Parkways, in City Council, Transportation Advisory Board, and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Well, it finally happened.  It's only a one day shot.  But, thanks and kudos to TYPros for doing Citizen Tay's dirty!

Hey, let's fix Tulsa's butt ugly intersections!

Big Bad John's Road Trip to Stop Senselessly Stupid Suicides

On the early afternoon of 17 March 2014, my brother, John, hung himself in my garage, with a nylon tie-down strap.  Mom found him too late.

Since his late teens, he suffered from mental illness.  He should have received affordable, professional mental health care, NOT criminalized.  He didn't have to die a totally preventable death.

For a time, Mom and Dad committed him to private care.  The bill came to $45,000 for three months. In the last year of his life, he kept himself in solitary confinement, as if he was still in prison.

Please no sympathies.  And, I don't do closures.

John's life and death is all too common in Oklahoma.  The private prisons are Oklahoma's de facto torture chambers for the mentally ill.  The State has no real way to care for them.

Today, tomorrow, the next day, next day after that, and so on, another senselessly stupid suicide will continue, unless YOU call, email, or personally speak with your State Representative or Senator.

You NEED to tell them no matter how much money they get from the private prison lobby, you still have the power of the vote.

Every contact counts against the all too powerful, all too vast private prison industry, which enriches the select few, at the expense of millions, on the backs of continuing supply of inmates, who are regularly tortured by solitary confinement, in violation of international law.

If you are in pain, and have suicidal thoughts, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE talk to someone, ANYONE.  Talk to me.

There will ALWAYS be a better tomorrow, GUARANTEED.  Please spare your family and friends of needless pain.  You deserve affordable, competent professional help, NOT jail time or death sentence.

To continue John's legacy, Big Bad John's Road Trip to Stop Senselessly Stupid Suicides will roll Tulsa streets in a solar/human hybrid vehicle.  Believe in Oklahoma values of caring, comfort, and compassion for those who can least able to care for themselves.

Citizen Tay Declares War on Off-Street Parking Requirements

Buried deep within Tulsa Revised Ordinances, Chapter 42, Section 1300, Tulsa's off-street parking requirements set arbitrary standards for parking.  They are completely inconsistent with today's land use patterns in Tulsa.

First of all, Tulsa can no longer grow out.  The City is completely surrounded by fast growing suburban cities.  The only way the City can increase its sales tax base is in-fill development.

According to Shawn Schaffer, OU Tulsa School of Architecture, Tulsa's parking spaces occupy almost 80 square miles.  It's driven largely by the off-street parking requirements all developers wastes precious resources.

One, it's not cheap to acquire land area devoted to "free" parking on retail and commercial property.  Even homeowners are taxed unnecessarily by the arbitrary off-street parking requirements.

Two, parking lots are non-revenue generating square footage, with expensive maintenance costs and associated debt service costs.  Thus, retail prices must be high enough to pay for the "free" parking.

Three, parking lots don't generate sales tax either.  Parking lots stretch the City's abilities to provide utilities.  Water and sewer lines are longer.  Police, fire, and ambulance drive longer distances.

Instead of arbitrary standards for parking spaces for different land uses, simply allow the market and developers to make parking decisions, WITHOUT government infringement.

Source: Tulsa Wins Golden Crater Award

Citizen Tay Calls for De-annexation of North Tulsa

In May, 2010, the City of Coweta deannexed some neighborhoods, because they were draining the City's ability to provide services.

The idea to de-annex North Tulsa is nothing new.  Homer Johnson, a longtime North Tulsa activist, pitched it during his lifetime.  I never knew Mr. Johnson or his efforts, until I pitched the idea myself to former Councilor Roscoe Turner and current Councilor Jack Henderson.  Great ideas never die.  They reincarnate.

The news media never tires of portraying North Tulsa as the bastion of crime, gang activity, and poverty.  Yes, there's much truth to that.  Most of South Tulsa buys into that.  News media never tires of dismissing North Tulsa views and the one lone black City Councilor as some sort of cartoonish figure.

The blunt truth is black and white.  If that is offensive to some, I don't care.

If the mostly white South Tulsa views the mostly black North Tulsa harshly, simply de-annex all land area north of Admiral, Tulsa's 38th Parallel.  The black people I've talked to are mostly unsupportive, mainly because they fear black people can't govern.  They even point to black Boley as example of failed black governance.  How sad.

White people in South Tulsa mostly complain and grouse about black people in North Tulsa as mostly welfare single moms living off Section 8.  But, they don't do anything about it.

To be sure, there's a lot of creative Section 8 financing, food stamp horse trading, and a million and one ways of making a buck most of District 9 will never know.  In a lot of ways, North Tulsa is the closest equivalent to a large third world city I know well, Rangoon, Burma, the place of my birth.

But, I truly believe the mostly black North Tulsa can govern themselves successfully.  Certainly, there's no shortage of highly intelligent black people, like Ray Pearcy, Bobby Eaton, Reuben Gant, Lester Shaw, Regina Goodwin, Rose Washington, Kristi Williams, Chris Brown, Shonda Crews, and many others. 

White South Tulsa should quit with the complaining and whining.  If elected, I intend to carry out Homer Johnson's vision, and introduce for committee discussion the City Council Resolution De-Annexing North Tulsa.

The High Cost of Free Parking

Citizen Tay Calls for Transparent Regulatory Guidelines on the Use of License Plate Scanner

On 13 March 2014, Steven Roemerman sounded the alarm on the use of license plate scanners, during the regular City Council meeting.  He raised major privacy concerns and called for specific transparent regulatory guidelines.

Jack Henderson, D1, cast the lone vote addressing his concerns.

Citizen Tay Calls for Tulsa bFest: Bicycle Music Festival

Citizen Tay Calls for Tulsa Saturday Parkways

Inspired by Portland's Sunday Parkways, Tulsa Saturday Parkways prioritizes non-motorized travel, every Saturday morning, 0945, from April to October, starting at Coffee House on Cherry Street.  Utilizing "soft" street closures to reduce traffic speed, motorists share the road with bicyclists and pedestrians.

The route would roll east on 15th Street, south to Utica Square, west to Woodward Park, south on Peoria to Brookside, west on 31st Street, north on Cincinnati, east on 18th Street, north on Peoria, back to Farmers' Market.


Source: Portland Sunday Parkways

Citizen Tay Calls for Chamberlin Park Urban Food Forest

City of Tulsa's Chamberlin Park is located in a food desert, designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Every 4th of July, police are called out to break up fireworks wars between rival gang members setting fire to the building.

Instead of wasting millions and billions to grow and maintain the lawn, grow food.

Source: Seattle, WA Beacon Hill Food Forest

Citizen Tay Declares War on Tulsa Bike Lanes

Since the voter approval of the so-called Improve Our Tulsa $1 BILLION capital improvement program (CIP), INCOG, through the sham called Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee, is all set to bestow Tulsa with dangerous bike lanes.  

They hired yet another predictable out-of-town consultant to draft the Bicycle Master Plan, Toole Designs, of Maryland, "experienced in planning and design of on-street bicycle facilities (i.e. bike lanes, bike boulevards, cycle tracks)."  The total contract amount is nearly $400,000.

Through back-channel dealings typical of Tulsa City Council, $4.2 million is the allocation for potential bike lanes.  Upon Council approval of the Plan, the City of Tulsa is all set to definitively encourage clueless, inexperienced new bicyclists into the far, right hand side of the road, in motorists' blind spots, the roadkill zones.  

An Illinois case, Boub v. Wayne, instructs on the extent of municipality responsibility for adverse tort claims.  More than a few experienced Tulsa cyclists have warned the City Council, INCOG, and the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee.  

Portland, OR has an extensive history of bike lanes roadkills.   There are more than a number of sites warning of bike lane fallacies.  Through a number of emails to City Council, and BPAC, all warnings have been completely ignored.  This should be duly noted by every personal injury attorney representing future victims bicycling in bike lanes.

Neither Oklahoma State Statutes, Title 47, nor Tulsa Revised Ordinances, Title 37, legally define "bike lanes," "bikeways," or "bike routes."  Oklahoma Driver Manual makes no mention of bike lanes, or any roadway treatments specifically for bicyclists.

Without legal definitions, City of Tulsa Chief Prosecutor Bob Garner testified during the August 1, 2013 Urban Economic Development meeting bike lanes will create more legal issues for both motorists and cyclists.  

At the May 9, 2013 meeting of the City Council Public Works Committee, INCOG Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee made dangerous recommendations to the City Council.  They called for funding to be set aside for future "bikeways," to be described by the upcoming 2013 Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan.

In many well-documented cases of major bicyclists injuries or deaths, bike lanes were the common denominator.  Bike lanes are NO solutions for bicyclists' safety.  

The intents of both legislative bodies are completely CONTRARY to BPAC recommendations. Both 37 TRO 100 and 37 TRO 1000 define bicycles as vehicles.  37 TRO 100 goes further to define traffic as the collective of all vehicles operating on public roadways.  Therefore, bicycles are traffic.

Defined by FHWA MUTCD Part 9, the widely accepted technical definition of bike lanes is CONTRARY to legislative intent:  "A portion of a roadway that has been designated by signs and pavement markings for preferential or exclusive use by bicyclists."

Interpreted through the lens of the State and City legislative intent, "bikeways," as defined by MUTCD Part 9, has NO meaning:  "A generic term for any road, street, path, or way that in some manner is specifically designated for bicycle travel, regardless of whether such facilities are designated for the exclusive use of bicycles or are to be shared with other transportation modes."

With foreseeable and well-documented combined circumstances, bike lanes are potential death traps, which channel new, inexperienced cyclists into motorists' blind spots.  

Source: ATTENTION: Jeff Martin

Citizen Tay Declares War on Tulsa's Vague and Confusing Traffic Ordinances, Chapter 37, Section 600

Edward Lawson was a law-abiding black man of unusual deportment (he wore his hair in long dreadlocks). Lawson was frequently subjected to police questioning and harassment in San Diego County, California, where he lived when as a pedestrian he walked in so-called "white neighborhoods." He was detained or arrested approximately 15 times by the San Diego Police within 18 months, was prosecuted twice, and was convicted once (the second charge was dismissed).

Lawson challenged California Penal Code §647(e), which required persons who loiter or wander on the streets to identify themselves and account for their presence when requested by a peace officer to do so. A California appellate court, in People v. Solomon (1973), 33 Cal. App.3d 429, had construed the law to require “credible and reliable” identification that carries a “reasonable assurance” of its authenticity.

Using the construction of the California appellate court in Solomon, the Supreme Court held that the law was unconstitutionally vague because it gave excessive discretion to the police (in the absence of probable cause to arrest) whether to stop and interrogate a suspect or leave him alone. The Court hinted that the California statute compromised the constitutional right to freedom of movement.

Sources: Kolender v. Lawson  Ruling Out the Rule of Law

Citizen Tay Declares War on Tulsa Traffic Lights

There are approximately 531 traffic lights within Tulsa City Limits.  Collectively, they limit the AVERAGE speed limit of all vehicles moving from any given Point A to Point B, to approximately 25 mph.

Of course, EVERYBODY hates getting stuck behind a long line at red lights.  They're way OVER-rated for safety.  51st/Memorial and 71st/Memorial landed on State Farm's Most Dangerous Intersections.

Traffic lights encourage that small, but dangerous, group of impatient motorists, to criminally speed, recklessly risking lives, trying to catch green.

Traffic lights create congestion.  While half the motorists get the green to go, the other half are stuck in a long line, at the red.

Instead of watching out for other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists, motorists are trying to beat the red.

There is a better way.  11th/Elgin intersection, right at the Downtown Home Depot, uses traffic circle.  Neither the Admiral Circle or the 36th/Hudson Circle has ever landed on America's Most Dangerous Intersections.

The 2007 Snow Storm knocked out the 41st/Yale traffic lights for days.  What happened?  Everybody simply slow down, looked out for each other, and went about their way.  I dare the traffic engineers to show me the crash numbers.

If elected, I will propose the resolution to eliminate ALL traffic lights and replace them with traffic circles.  Vote November 4 to declare war on stupid Tulsa traffic lights!

Source: Traffic Control: An Exercise in Self Defeat

Citizen Tay will fight the war on guns with this woman

Citizen Tay will fight the war on government infringement with this judge

Government has as much right to decide what I put in my body as what I put in my mind.  It's NONE of their business.  War on drugs is one of most insidious form of government infringement.

If elected, I will use the City Council as a pulpit to stop it.  Drug abuse is a public health issue, NOT a criminal issue.  Meth addict are not getting proper, affordable, professional treatment because meth is criminalized.

If they are not getting treatment to get off meth, they continue to go down a predictable destructive path.  Unless the cycle is broken, they will continue to abuse their kids, break into your homes, and steal copper.