Seven New Tulsa City Councilors Sworn In Monday

The members of Tulsa's new city council were sworn into office Monday. They're promising a new spirit of cooperation at City Hall.

The seven new councilors are: 

• Jeannie Cue, District 2
• David Patrick, District 3
• Blake Ewing, District 4
• Karen Gilbert, District 5
• Byron Steele, District 6
• Tom Mansur, District 7
• Phil Lakin, District 8

Seven newcomers are on the Tulsa City Council now, and both the new faces - and the two returning councilors promise a new direction for city hall - starting now.

"We've got some people who say they're ready to go to work and learn and do whatever it takes to move the city forward," said City Councilor Jack Henderson.

City Auditor Clift Richards took the oath first, in front of several hundred people at the University of Tulsa. Then a judge gave the oath to the nine councilors.

Mayor Dewey Bartlett summed up his feelings on the transition by reading song lyrics.

"I think I can make it now, the pain is gone. All the bad feelings have disappeared. Here's the rainbow I've been praying for. It's going to be a bright, bright, bright, sun shiny day," Bartlett said.

In their first meeting, right after the ceremony, the councilors signed their oaths of office and elected a new council chair - G.T. Bynum.

Bynum says new council has already had multiple briefings with the Mayor, the Chamber, and city departments in the month since the election.

"It was a lot more time and I think there's recognition by the mayor's office, and not just the council, that we need to do things differently," Bynum said. "They've been very cooperative in answering questions and making themselves available."

The new council Vice Chair is David Patrick, who says everyone got the message of change.

"I hope to show good leadership and bring this group together to we can move the city forward," Patrick said.

The first big issue this council will try to influence is the trash service - starting with meetings Tuesday morning.

"I think we have a wonderful council with a positive attitude who loves the city of Tulsa," said City Councilor Jeannie Cue.

The council's first business meeting is Tuesday morning at 8. They already have some questions about the trash service - and getting information out of the mayor's office and city departments on their agenda.

11/9/2011 Related Story: Newly Elected Tulsa Council Members, Mayor Hope For Closer Cooperation