Candidates for Tulsa Mayor participate in debate on KOTV

The candidates who want to be Tulsa's next mayor took to the airwaves Wednesday night to make their case to voters. <br><br>Democrat Gary Watts and Republican Bill LaFortune squared off at our Channel

Thursday, March 7th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The candidates who want to be Tulsa's next mayor took to the airwaves Wednesday night to make their case to voters.

Democrat Gary Watts and Republican Bill LaFortune squared off at our Channel Six studios. Whoever wins will face a city budget shortfall of $4-million, or more. Gary Watts says his term could start with salary cuts and lay-offs.

Gary Watts/mayoral candidate: "I think that each of those is a possibility. I think we have to be straight about what we're facing this next year. Itâ€™s always possible to accomplish the cutbacks through attrition, but attrition isn't always the best way to manage your services."

Bill LaFortune/mayoral candidate "Like any corporation that has a shortfall, we need to have a hiring freeze. Number two; defer major capital expenditures until you see how bad the shortfall is. And third, is asking your department heads to recommend to you as mayor a number of cuts."

Three independent candidates are also in the race. Voters will choose Tulsa's new mayor next Tuesday.