Outgoing Tulsa City Councilors Begin Final Push

Emory Bryan, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Several Tulsa City Councilors started the final push to get things done before they leave office. A few knew their terms were ending; some didn't until voters pushed them out the door a week ago.

9/13/2011 Related Story: City Council Incumbents Lose Big In Tulsa Primary Elections

Every councilor showed up for their first meeting since the primary election Tuesday. Even though voters turned several of these councilors out of office; they're back at work, finishing out the last two months of their service.

"My big disappointment right now is West Bank development," said outgoing City Council member Rick Westcott.

Councilor Westcott still hopes to influence the effort to bring in passenger rail.

"So before I leave office in December, I want to make sure that's fully staffed and operational and we're ready to assist the state of Oklahoma in bringing passenger rail to Tulsa," he said.

In the last few months before the election, the council avoided the kind of public arguments that framed the last two years. But the outgoing councilors still hope they can make some changes.

"I hope by the time I have my last meeting, we've found a way to give the citizens of Tulsa a louder voice on the trash issue," said Bill Christiansen, Outgoing Tulsa City Councilor.

Of the nine member council, three incumbents didn't run, four were voted out, and just two advanced through the primary.

Councilor Chris Trail was voted out, and says he's disappointed he didn't have more time to address issues other than the city budget.

"When you first come into office, faced with the largest financial crunch the city has ever had, you have to put stuff on the back burner and focus on the basic services," Trail said.

The outgoing councilors have until December 5th to wrap up loose ends, that's when at least 7 new councilors will take office.