Commissioner Candidates Debate On Radio

The state primary is less than a week away and the two candidates for the Republican ticket in the Tulsa County Commission race squared off in a debate Wednesday morning.  Current Tulsa County Commissioner Randi Miller is being challenged by fellow Republican Sally Bell.  News On 6 anchor Terry Hood reports the debate was sponsored by KFAQ radio.

Sally Bell pledged she would not vote for any new taxes if elected county commissioner.  While Randi Miller says it her experience that sets her apart.

Sally Bell is the former CFO of Bell's Amusement Park.  Randi Miller is in her sixth year as a Tulsa County Commissioner.

The two debated for an hour on the Pat Campbell show on KFAQ radio.  One of the hot topics was the fair board's treatment of Bell's Amusement Park.

"It was very unfair.  It was done behind closed doors, and it was an outrageous and blatant abuse of power," said Sally Bell.

Randi Miller says the decision not to renew the park's lease was made by former Expo Square CEO Rick Bjorklund.  Miller went along with it for several reasons, she says, including neighbors in the area who had complained about crime.

"We had to protect the citizens and made that decision," said Tulsa County Commissioner Randi Miller.

Sally Bell also pointed to the recent troubles at Big Splash

Last month it was discovered the water park had not paid last year's $130,000 rent and another check for $68,000 had gone uncashed since 2006.

Miller says the entire commission was fooled.

"We trust the employees that over see that day-to-day operation to deposit those checks and when they chose not to do that, then there's an issue," said Tulsa County Commissioner Randi Miller.

But, Bell says the commission should have known.

"The first thing I would do is I would look at those financial statements and I guarantee you I would have known that the $200,000 wasn't there," said Sally Bell.

Miller also used the debate to counter a News On 6 Investigation that uncovered her poor attendance at important county meetings.

Bell says it shows a lack of commitment to the job, while Miller claimed a county commissioner has to prioritize their time, adding she does go to meetings that are required by law.

"But, if you look at the six required meetings by state statute that commissioners are required to attend you will see my record is 89%," said Tulsa County Commissioner Randi Miller.

The winner of the primary will face Democrat Karen Keith in the November General Election.