Town Hall Forum

I am having another Town Hall forum a week from Tuesday. Please forward this to friends and neighbors that live in District 4 too. As always, I want to hear from you in advance what you would like to talk about so that I can have the answers for you or the right people there to answer your questions. Here is a link to the Google map for Yale Ave. Presbyterian Church:

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=Yale+Avenue+Presbyterian&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Yale+Avenue+Presbyterian&hnear=Tulsa,+OK&hl=en&view=map&cid=11945750371464786928&ved=0CGwQpQY&ei=V2KvTOnSHpDAyQX18rGUBA&ll=36.155029,-95.923047&spn=0.007883,0.013626&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A

The meeting will take place in the sanctuary.
Thank you and have a great weekend,

Maria Barnes
Tulsa City Council, District 4, Vice-Chair
175 East 2nd St., 4th Floor
Tulsa, OK 74103
918.596.1924
dist4@tulsacouncil.org

A Letter From Maria Barnes

I wanted to take the time and let you know that, even though it sounds as though nothing is getting done at City Hall, we are working every day to make District 4 and the City of Tulsa a better place. I know that newspaper articles and TV news stories make it seem as if this City is not moving forward. When you have financial strains in any family, group, or organization, someone will not be happy with the decisions that have to be made. The City of Tulsa will make it past these tough times, and I know that progress is being made in District 4, despite the City’s financial troubles. Just to let you know, these are the things that I have worked on since you put me in office eight months ago:

· We passed a budget that reduces spending for the City, while restoring services that had been cut in the last budget.

· We revived LIFT program after budget cuts limited service hours to 5:00 p.m., with no Saturday service. Now the LIFT is back in service until 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdays.

· I organized meetings with District 4 hospitals and neighborhood association leaders, to get a dialog started on hospital expansion plans.

· I initiated and hosted a meeting with the Day Center for the Homeless and the neighborhoods around the proposed Hudson Villas.

· I hosted two town halls meetings.

· I hosted a meeting for the Refuse and Recycling Task Force, to get out the word and to receive input on the upcoming trash and recycling contract.

· I hosted a PlaniTulsa meeting, to inform my constituents of the comprehensive plan update.

· I worked with the local merchants and secured Council approval for road closures for the Cherry Street Farmers Market on Saturdays.

· I lobbied for two more parking enforcement positions, which are included in this year’s budget.

· I have helped in establishing an honorary street named for Leon Russell, with the goal of encouraging recording studios in Tulsa to create a “studio row” on 3rd Street.

Currently, I am actively working on:
· Changing the parking policies downtown, to make them fair and equitable, and to ensure that the parking meters are installed and functioning.

· Changing the City’s donation policy, for a more transparent and open local government.

· Establishing guidelines for the disposition of City-owned historical properties, to take historical values into account, in addition to financial considerations.

· Initiating small area plans, to begin implementing PlaniTulsa, and to give neighborhoods a voice in community development.

And I want to do more. I need you to let me know what you think I should be doing for the betterment of District 4 and Tulsa. Nothing is too small or too big. I can’t promise that I will be able to do everything, but those things that I am able to make happen, I will. Please feel free to pass this on to your friends and neighbors and let them know if they would like to receive future emails from me, to email me back and I will put them on my list.

Thank you for being the Best Constituents in the Best District in the Best City!

Maria Barnes
Tulsa City Council, District 4
175 East 2nd St., 4th Floor
Tulsa, OK 74103
918.596.1924
dist4@tulsacouncil.org

Refuse and Recycling Task Force Meeting

When: April 6th 6:00 pm

Where: Marquette School Cafeteria - 1519 S. Quincy‏

The tentative agenda is as follows:

1. Introduction by Councilor.

2. Presentation by TARE, Task Force, and City staff members on current trash situation

3. Breakout sessions with attendees to get their preferences for trash service.

4. Closing comments/Q&A

Please let your friends and neighbors know about this meeting. The input from this meeting will help define how Tulsa will move forward with the handling of refuse and recycling. If you are not able to attend this meeting, please send me an email with your thoughts before April 6th so that I can take them with me to the meeting to make sure your voice is heard.

Thank you,
Maria Barnes
Vice-Chair, Tulsa City Council, District 4
175 East 2nd St., 4th Floor
Tulsa, OK 74103
918.596.1924
dist4@tulsacouncil.org