Tulsa Mayor Hires His Own Press Secretary

By Emory Bryan, The News on 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett has hired a press secretary. Lloyd Wright was hired to the newly created position within the mayor's office, and is an "at will" employee not protected by civil service rules.

Mayor Dewey Bartlett said he hired Wright after recognizing the need to have someone directly involved in representing him with the media.

The City of Tulsa has a Communications Department, which until now has been handling media inquiries for Bartlett, along with coordinating all city publicity efforts, ranging from water bill inserts to media interviews and employee newsletters.

Kim MacLeod, Director of Communications, will remain in her current post.

Wright's salary will be $75,000.

Wright recently worked for Tulsa Public Schools coordinating the Broadcast Magnet program at Webster High School and has formerly worked as a media consultant and television news director in Colorado.

8/3/2010 Related story: Tulsa City Council Agenda Full Of Mayor Bartlett Questions

City Councilor Jack Henderson said Tuesday that mayor Dewey Bartlett needed someone to help mend fences with the city council.

"He has nobody to tell him what to say, when to say it, how much to say, to watch his back for him. He needs that," said Jack Henderson.