Tulsa city council candidates

An election for a new Tulsa city councilor is less than three weeks away. Seven candidates are running for the council district 5 seat, serving northeast Tulsa. <br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan

Wednesday, April 20th 2005, 10:31 am

By: News On 6

An election for a new Tulsa city councilor is less than three weeks away. Seven candidates are running for the council district 5 seat, serving northeast Tulsa.

News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan profiles the candidates.

All but one are first time candidates and all but one are against the recall of two other councilors. The exception is Andy Phillips, a retired Tulsa police officer who says he's neutral on the recall, and concerned about crime and public safety."We can have the most beautiful, most liveable city in the world and if people don't feel safe with their families they're not going to come here"

Phillips is one of two Democrats running - the other is Al Nichols, who wants to reform the city charter and the council. "We thought we were going to get something done and then they tried to recall two of them and hired one out, and now we're back to status quo 4 and 4."

Candidate Bill Martinson, a business owner, believes Tulsa is at an economic crossroads and the council can't afford to be distracted by infighting. "I'm really sicked by what I see from the city council right now, I think we need to restore some objectivity and civility to the city council."

Charlotte Harer, a nurse, says she too wants to bridge some of the division on the council. "I think they need someone like me, who gets along with people"

Candidate Nancy Jackson is also a nurse, who believes her jobs skills will help the council. "I decided that could be turned into something, civics wise, for the community" And candidate David Weaver says concern for Tulsa is what prompted him to run. "I love Tulsa, it's been good for me and my family. So I just decided that this was a chance to give back."

Whoever wins this seat could possibly change the direction of an often divided council.

There is another candidate in the race, Republican Allen Harjo. He is a 70 year old retired accountant who works for the Creek Nation in Okmulgee.

The election is May 10th. Click here to view pictures of the candidates.