What's really right for Tulsa's Future?

What makes Tulsa different? What makes us a place?
Brien Willard-Southward writes in the TU Collegian about the many visions for Tulsa's future that seem to be on the horizon. He makes some great points that once you get south of about 51st street, this town looks pretty much like any other (okay, except for a few gated enclaves). Places like Woodland Hills Mall are nothing special,, repeated from coast to coast.

We should be very grateful for the philanthropists that care about our city. But perhaps we feel uncomfortable because it doesn't feel like islands in the river, or spaceship arenas play to our history of oil, art deco, and native american heritage. Will these new visions be successful in putting us on the map by 'leap frogging' other cities?

Here's his article: Keeping Tulsa Alive

9/11, Five Years On

It seems that Sept. 11th is more present with us this year than ever. There are lot's of stories out there about where we are. I felt taking a look back. A good first place is the 911 Rememberance site.

Another interesting story is in Vanity Fair. The violence on the Twin Towers was watched and photographed more than any other disaster in history. One man lost his son, no piece of him was ever found, but he believes he is the man in the window.

Vanity Fair also has a group of seldom seen photos from 9/11. We usually see the same pictures over and over. You may not have seen these.

Lastly, if you ever start thinking that Cindy Sheehan is beginning to make sense, then this horrific video will help put into perspective why we fight. Cindy's brave son gave his life so that this would never happen to my countrymen again.


**** VIEWER DISCRETION STRONGLY ADVISED ****

When disaster struck, a pair of tourists from Seattle had a breathtakingly close view from a hotel window. The couple was directly facing the World Trade Center, and on Sept. 11, they unwrapped a new video camera and started recording.

They've never provided the tape or told the full story. Until now.

Dollar/Thrifty/EDS One More Time

Just some thoughts on the new job for Don Himmelfarb as Tulsa's Economic Development director. No one with a position like his, with as many years under his belt, retires willing at age 61. Also, I doubt that, with a resume like his, you aspire to a civil servant position. The fact is that he is likely a victim of the outsourcing efforts at DTAG. Mayor Taylor used to be a attorney with Dollar/Thrifty years ago, and likely is helping an old friend land as softly as possible. (I'll try to get the specifics dates if I can, but Kathy Taylor was an attorney for Dollar/Thrifty many years ago when those were separate brands. At the time they were owned by Pentastar, I believe.)

Mr. Himmelfarb has not been the only casualty either. Lloyd St.Clair, Executive VP of Information Technology, another long time employee has already left the company. These two guys who were major players in leading the meeting at the AMC theater when the announcement was made to IT that the outsourcing was under consideration. Mr. St. Clair's abrupt exit may have been due to the nature of the options available to IT employees. The short story is that any IT person that chose not to interview with EDS would receive a 13 week severance pay if they stayed until the outsourcing was complete. With the uptick in IT demand, many of the IT folks who are left are going to take this severance option and then go into the market place to look for new work. Factor this in with the fact that many IT employees have already left, and the brain power needed to successfully transition to EDS is thin at best. This can't be being received well at the very top. I am just speculating, there certainly may be other behind the scenes reasons that these gentlemen are no longer at DTAG.