Former State Representative Don McCorkell, Democratic candidate for Mayor, has responded to several questions from Tulsans for Defending Democracy:
TDD: If elected would you support a change in Tulsa's form of government?
McCorkell: No
TDD: Specifically, what is your current position regarding the recent proposal regarding "at-large" councilors?
McCorkell: Strongly Oppose
TDD: Are you prepared to say the initiative petition process proposal by Tulsans for Better Government was NOT a good way to change the city charter?
McCorkell: Emphatically yes…
TDD: Do you think the proposal by Tulsans for Better Government was divisive?
McCorkell: Yes
TDD: If elected, what will you do to prevent or stop bad or divisive proposals?
McCorkell: We would fully engage the City Council & employ other methods to re-animate public participation in Tulsa City Government. We are intrigued by the so called “Deliberative Democracy “ movement—see “The Deliberative Democracy Handbook: Strategies for Effective Civic Engagement in the Twenty-First Century” John Gastil (Editor), Peter Levine (Editor) -2005
TDD: If you are opposed to changing Tulsa's form of government by adding at-large councilors, please describe your past efforts and future plans to stop this proposal.
McCorkell: DM campaign wrote all Tulsans for Better Government board people expressing D. McCorkell’s opposition to the concept. The DM campaign has written all democratic precinct officials expressing our opposition to this effort. Senior staffer R. Pearcey has been leader in TDD efforts. If elected we will dismantle the current “charter” change commission” —we will also explore forward looking concepts for augmenting democracy in Tulsa—by rethinking key boards and commissions, vastly improving citizen involvement in the capital process, ratcheting up neighborhood participation in the zoning regime and other initiatives.
TDD: If you are opposed to changing Tulsa's form of government by adding at-large councilors will you commit now to this position even if the Citizen's Commission on the Structure of Tulsa’s government appointed by Mayor LaFortune recommends some form of at-large council representation.
McCorkell: Yes –we are completely opposed to this effort