Three Tulsa City Councilors Will Not Seek Re-election

Friday, November 19th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Tulsa City Council is sailing on unsettled waters. With three councilors giving up their seats and a fourth thinking about it, it is the biggest turnover in the council's nine-year history.

The city council class of 2000 will look much different than the council of the last four years. Vickie Cleveland, Darla Hall and Terry Doverspike are leaving, and city council chairman Joe Williams is considering it. "It's a rewarding experience but I think all of us think from time to time think we need to concentrate more on our full time job or our family," said Williams.

The changes could significantly alter the political makeup of the council or it might not change at all. Councilor Doverspike was the first to decide against another term. He says the time consumed by the council was hard to balance with his work and family. "It's a difficult position,â€ he said. â€œI think it probably limits the number of people that give it serious consideration. But it's healthy to have change."

Councilor Hall is leaving and hopes to devote more time to her insurance agency.
"I've thought about it long and hard and I don't feel the Lord is leading me to run again,â€ said Hall. â€œI feel after ten years, it's time to step aside and let someone else step up and take the reins."

Of the three councilors leaving, only Vickie Cleveland has immediate plans for another political race. She's running for Tulsa County Clerk. "This has been a really enjoyable experience for me," said Cleveland.

So far, no candidates have stepped forward to announce for the three seats that will definitely be open on the council. Whoever might run has to decide soon. The primary election is February 1.

A seat on the council pays $12,000 a year. One councilor says it takes about 30 hours a week to do the job well.