Scott Grizzle for Tulsa City Council

Election Day!

2009-09-08T06:38:00.002-05:00

Don't forget to Vote! Polls are open 7am-7pm, but the election board is predicting low turnout due to the holiday weekend.

Good luck to all of the other candidates!

4 days away

2009-09-04T08:14:00.003-05:00

It's 4 days until the election and I find myself picking up steam. I was on KFAQ this morning and that interview is available here. They hosted a verbal sparring match between the other two candidates yesterday and I was told that they "wanted me on" but I was not part of Thursday's show because they "had trouble getting ahold of me." When you listen, you will notice the reasons he gave on-air were quite different.

I will also be posting some video online later this weekend to let you know why you should vote for me. Endorsements are flying around and I am proud of a couple in particular. One is from a Doctor very close to the Lakin family who posted his support of me on his website. The second is in the Tulsa Beacon where they specifically came out in opposition to Lakin, but put Christiansen and I on level terms.

Speaking of researching voters, Gerald Bradley wrote a great letter to the editor that can be read here in today's Tulsa World.

District 8 Debate, Tonight!

2009-09-01T13:48:00.002-05:00

The last major stop on the campaign trail is tonight at Hardesty Regional Library. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters, we have a debate featuring all 3 candidates for District 8 starting at 6pm.

Also, if you want to know about my finances, or that of my competitors, you can see how much we've raised, spent, and who is bankrolling us from this story in the Tulsa World.

Great Article in Urban Tulsa Weekly

2009-08-27T11:03:00.004-05:00

Gives a lot of information on all three candidates in District 8, including the fact Christiansen had no intention of running for re-election. In fact, he only decided to run for re-election because he didn't believe he could win the Mayor's race this year.

Check out the full article here.

Greetings Voters!

2009-08-25T12:22:00.002-05:00

Many of you are coming here as a result of the signs that are being put out of due to my walking campaign across the district. I hope you look around and feel free to email me and let me know if you have any questions. Also, I make trips daily delivering signs to houses so make sure and let me know your where so I can bring one by your home or place of work.

Thank you for your consideration.

Get Involved!

2009-08-20T08:57:00.004-05:00

Many people have asked me how they can help the "Vote Grizzle" campaign so I put together this short list.

GET A YARD SIGN
Display support to your neighbors with a "Vote Grizzle" yard sign. Just send an email to scott@votegrizzle.com with your address and the quantity you need, we will get them to you.

GET A T-SHIRT
We have "Vintage Style" t-shirts featuring a worn-look "Vote Grizzle" logo printed in white on a red tee. Sizes M,L, XL and 2X available. Send an email to scott@votegrizzle.com if you're interested. A small donation to cover costs is requested.

VOLUNTEER
We can always use your help getting the word out! You can sign up to volunteer either through our newsletter signup or by sending an email to scott@votegrizzle.com.

DONATE
I'm a grassroots candidate so every dollar counts. You can donate to the campaign either online or by mail.

GET CONNECTED
You can always join in the online community by becoming a fan of the campaign on Facebook or by following Scott Grizzle on Twitter.

What a Tuesday!

2009-08-18T13:08:00.003-05:00

The Kiwani's/KWGS debate just aired. Hopefully they will post the debate on their site shortly, then I will link to it here. A story about the debate was run in the Tulsa World here which is a very good writeup, save for the fact that I am NOT for tax increases. My view on Fire Districts is that I have not seen much more than a few comments and won't state an opinion on something I don't have any real information on. I did however, applaud the idea of trying to find stable funding sources for city services. I'm sure all the candidates would agree you can't have a well run city when your income stream is extremely volatile.

In other news, yard signs are now available. E-mail me and let me know how many and what address and I'll bring them your way. They will also be with me at the KRMG/Typros candidate mixer starting at 5:30 at 2nd & Greenwood and then later tonight at the Tulsa Republican Assembly meeting at Golden Corral at 71st & Mingo.

Starting off the week right

2009-08-17T08:50:00.004-05:00

Today at 12:30 there will be a debate hosted by the Kiwanis club between myself and the other two District 8 candidates on KWGS, moderated by John Durkee. Correction: It will air on 89.5fm or kwgs.org tomorrow (8/18) at 11:30am.

Tomorrow night starting at 5:30pm is a candidate Mixer sponsored by KRMG and Tulsa's Young Professionals. It's free to get in and there will be no speeches or debates, just mingling with the candidates. It will be downtown at Flytrap Music Hall, east of 2nd and Elgin.

Updates

2009-08-12T12:37:00.004-05:00

Thank you to all the voters and volunteers who came out last night to the "Vote Grizzle" party at Joe Momma's. Everyone had a great time! Special thanks to Joe Momma's and the Momma's Boys!

We still have some Vote Grizzle Vintage T-shirts available! You can have one for a $15 donation (slightly higher if I need to mail them.) Just email scott@votegrizzle.com letting me know how many and what size. (M, L, XL, 2X)

Today I'll be back on the asphalt introducing myself to the residents of District 8. You gotta love this August weather...

Mark your calendars for 12:30 Monday when there will be a District 8 debate sponsored byt he Kiwanis club. You can hear it live on KWGS (89.5fm) or you can listen online at KWGS.org. Also, Tuesday night is a candidate mixer sponsored by KRMG and Tulsa's Young Professionals starting at 5:30 at Flytrap Music Hall downtown.

Who supports me?

2009-08-07T09:31:00.013-05:00

First and foremost I am supported by my church, my friends and my family. Secondly, I am supported by a diverse group of citizens in Tulsa just like you who feel I am the right choice to represent District 8. Here is a sampling of some of them:
_____________________________________________

The hardworking volunteers of Transport Worker's Union, Local 514
(which serves the employees of American Airlines)
_____________________________________________

Bil Roland, President of American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, Local 1180
(which serves the non-emergency workers at the City of Tulsa)
_____________________________________________

Mary Jo Sartain, Festival Chair - Tulsa International Mayfest
"Scott has great ideas and knows how to put them into practical applications. He’s a thinker and a doer – a winning combination."
_____________________________________________

Jesse L. Fettkether, Attorney at Law
"I know Scott Grizzle through a number of non-profit organizations we both do work with in an attempt to make Tulsa a better place to live, grow, and raise a family. Scott has consistently impressed me with his enthusiasm for Tulsa and his willingness to put forth the work required to improve his community. By supporting Scott Grizzle for District 8 City Council I am confident my support is behind a candidate who will work tirelessly to improve all aspects of the place I proudly call home."
_____________________________________________

Nancy Helvey, Treasurer - Valley South Neighborhood Association
"I have lived across the street from Scott Grizzle & his lovely family for 4 years; they are a very nice young couple with 2 well behaved children. Scott helped establish a neighborhood association, of which he was Vice President. I have served with him in the association, (I am secretary) and his dedication for the betterment of the neighborhood and Tulsa is a breath of fresh air. He would be an asset to the City Counsel."
_____________________________________________

What you don't see on the list is any midtown millionaires or major corporations because they don't support me. Why? Because I believe it's a City Councilor's job to support the residents of his district, not special interests. If you think so too, I encourage you to get involved with my campaign to make sure that opinion is heard loud and clear.

It's time to Party with Grizzle!

2009-08-06T12:27:00.003-05:00

Regardless of district, Republican or Democrat, the only party that matters is this one!

Come join us as Joe Momma's downtown becomes "Vote Grizzle HQ" at 8pm on Tuesday, August 11th! We will close down the restaurant and then the fun begins! Live music from "The Momma's Boys," karaoke, free pizza, soft drinks and even some free beer. Cash bar will available for those interested in premium beverages.

Our new "Vote Grizzle" vintage tees will also be available at the event!

All we ask is a small donation ($20 per person) to go towards our campaign printing costs.

Event details can also be seen on my calendar and facebook. Please RSVP on facebook or by email if possible!

Busy Schedule..

2009-08-04T13:15:00.002-05:00

There is a lot going on in the next few weeks so I've added a calendar to the site on the left-hand side. This way you can see where the campaign trail takes me. Look for many more dates to appear shortly.

I'd love to see you for any of these events. Make sure and also follow the links to follow me on facebook, twitter, and sign up for my newsletter!

Meet me at the Park!

2009-07-29T10:39:00.004-05:00

The Tulsa Republican Headquarters is hosting a Meet & Greet for all of the Republican candidates for city office on August 4th, starting at 6pm. This is an informal social event so feel free to bring your ideas and questions. I look forward to meeting all of you.

Where: Centennial Park, SW corner of 6th and Peoria
When: Tuesday August 4th, 6-8pm
Cost: Free

My Family

2009-07-28T09:34:00.010-05:00

Behind every strong Councilor is a strong support system. My support system involves my church, my family and my friends. I have been happily married since June 28, 2003 to my better half, Krystal. Krystal grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana where her family ran a store specializing in retail mattress sales, long before such stores became common country-wide. They eventually closed the family business due to the passing of her father while she was still in high school. Following graduation, Krystal, her mother and stepfather moved to Tulsa where she pursued an education in medical office work. I met Krystal while she was still working her way through school. We hit it off instantly and dated for two years before finally getting engaged underwater, in the shark tank dome at the Oklahoma Aquarium months before it opened.

In 2003, during our wedding preparations, we decided we wanted a home to call our own . We gave our real estate agent our price range, house size, and geographic location preferences. Coincidentally, the geographic range we gave was very similar to the District 8 boundaries. We found the house we currently reside in and began our lives as newlyweds in our new home in District 8. We soon starting looking at community needs and getting involved. Krystal was working in the mental health field, we volunteered at the Oklahoma Aquarium for a year, then got more involved in civil issues and even a car club for a time.

In December of 2004, we had our first child Natalie Diane, born 6 weeks early due to preeclampsia. Her middle name is the same as my only sibling, Amy Diane, who passed 10 days after birth. Being a preemie, Natalie had a rough start at life, and we spent most of the Christmas season with her in the special care nursery. After a year spent focusing on her development, we decided to have a second child. In September of 2006, Logan Manuel was born. He was twice his sister's birth weight and full term, but even he spent several days in the special care nursery due to an infection.

While raising our children, Krystal has worked part-time, currently at Tulsa Pediatric Urgent Care at 91st & Memorial. She puts a lot of volunteer time in with online support groups for mothers, specifically those who suffered from preeclampsia. In addition, Krystal and two of her friends are starting their own business called "Tulsa Makes Cents" which teaches people how to budget and save money on everyday items like groceries and household products. They teach classes, give hands-on training, and also "pre-shop" every store in the area for the best deals weekly.

Natalie is now four and a half, and Logan will celebrate his third birthday right after the election. They are still just preschoolers but their favorite activity is the same as their parents; helping other people.

Why am I running?

2009-07-22T07:39:00.006-05:00

I believe it is time for a new kind of politician in Tulsa – a version 2.0, if you will. Tulsa has been invigorated with "A New Kind of Energy," and from that, a new kind of politician is born. You don't have to be wealthy, run a corporation, or be from a connected family anymore. A person such as me who didn't grow up in the best neighborhood, went through public schools, got his first job at 15, and has a passion for Tulsa can be a leader in this new era. Since I can be a leader in Tulsa, I want nothing more than to be the Councilor for District 8 so I can help Tulsa become the most vibrant and well run city it can be.

Community Connected with Government

As your District 8 Councilor, the first thing I will do is to initiate monthly public meetings for District 8 residents. I will host the meetings in a public venue, paying out of my own pocket if necessary. I want to create opportunities to connect in person and let the residents know what is going on with District 8 and the rest of the city. The residents in turn will be able to voice their opinions directly to me as well. I would encourage discussion between everyone in attendance on the issues facing our district and the city as a whole. In addition to these meetings, I will make myself available by phone, e-mail and in person for one-on-one conversations.

The city, and District 8 in particular, has seen several instances recently where the residents were not well informed about what was being built in their own backyards until it was already too late. I will set up an e-mail newsletter system so that the citizens in District 8 will be informed about zoning requests, and new developments in the area and will know about them in plenty of time for their voices to be heard. In addition, I will push for a requirement to notify adjacent property owners by mail in advance of any zoning or PUD (Planned Unit Development) changes that may directly affect them. The newsletter will also be an opportunity to include community events and other stories to help bring the citizens of District 8 together.

Unless you are able to go downtown every Thursday evening, or subscribe to Cox Cable, you have no ability to see what is going on in your city government. I will push to get council meetings shown live over the internet so that anyone with internet access at home, in the library, or on their mobile device can see the council meetings. I will also push for all public meetings and other TGOV content be made available on the website for viewing at any time. The technology to do this has been around for years and the costs have dropped dramatically, but Tulsa is still behind the curve. Once public meetings are available on the internet, groups of residents can have public viewings from churches, community centers, libraries and schools.

Tulsa has done a poor job of educating, and getting feedback from, the public and I believe with these three things, the citizens in District 8 can be well informed, well connected and it will make me the best representative for my constituents.

Crime

Every district has its own types of crimes to deal with. District 8 sees a large amount of non-violent crimes, and I myself have been the victim of numerous break-ins and vandalism at my own residence. In talking with law enforcement officers, I was told that a lot of the criminal acts we see in District 8 are from individuals from other cities who come in to what is seen as the nicer areas of town to try to steal cars, electronics, and even identities. They are often out of our area and back home before the sun comes up. Since tracking down these criminals is extremely problematic, I believe we should focus on deterring them. We need to focus on getting neighborhood watch programs established across the district in cooperation with the Citizen's Crime Commission. I was instrumental in establishing the first real neighborhood association in my 35+ year old neighborhood so that we could implement a neighborhood watch program.

I believe that once established, these groups should work closely with the Tulsa Police Department to meet the officers that work in their area and discuss any recurring crime issues that the neighborhood may face. I also believe that Tulsa Police Department should, in turn, make visible neighborhood patrols and would like them to park along busier streets and neighborhood entrances when they need to type up a report instead of parking at QuikTrip or Walgreens.

Infrastructure

District 8 is literally where all the widened roads end. We sit just south of one of the busiest areas in Tulsa and yet we exist almost entirely on two-lane roads. I do not believe widening is the solution to every problem; however, I would like to work cooperatively with INCOG to develop a District-8-specific transportation plan. This process would involve community meetings and public input sessions to determine what the residents want to see in terms of widened roads, sidewalks, and public transit. Once that plan is created we can then prioritize future road projects in Tulsa more effectively.

As for what I am personally interested in, I want a Park-and-Ride site in District 8. Shortly after I wrote my initial draft of these plans, my own vehicle broke down. This left me relying on others because Tulsa's transportation system is incapable of providing me timely transportation for my daily commute. I can ride an express bus straight from a Park-and-Ride site in Sand Springs or Broken Arrow to my office but I can't do it in Tulsa, the city our transit system is supposed to be serving. In terms of street improvements, I believe widening a few main roads like Yale would take the burden off of the rest of the streets and also better prepare us, should a South Tulsa river bridge come to fruition.

City Services

Once elected, I will pursue efforts to "Green" District 8. As a supplement to the City's own "Operation CleanSweep" I will create special cleanup days in District 8 and have the citizens not only focus on their own neighborhoods, but also have focused cleanup days in certain parks and roadways.

I will also push for a re-evaluation of our trash service. Our existing service will become more costly in the future with the higher gas prices and landfill costs that are already affecting the city. We could curb the cost growth, add recycling, and possibly even lower our current-day bills by going with once-a-week trash and recycling pickup citywide. There are some issues to address particularly with our residents of advanced age, but if we don't start working on it now, we will pay for it in the long run.

Lastly, I will push for improvements to District 8 parks, particularly Hunter Park, to make it the shining cornerstone of the District 8 community and a park to be envied citywide. I believe that this, like all of the improvements listed above, can be done with little or no cost to the city by leveraging community involvement, public-private partnerships, and better utilization of our city assets and budget dollars.

Who am I?

2009-07-21T11:49:00.008-05:00

My name is Scott Grizzle, and I'm a candidate for Tulsa City Council - District 8. I am a well-rounded Tulsan who grew up in District 6, took classes in District 1, got my first apartment in District 2, works in District 4 and moved to District 8 six years ago. My wife and I chose to live in District 8 when we got married because we felt it embodied all of the high quality of life elements for which Tulsa is famous.

Since 1998 I have worked in the IT department of American Electric Power ---- where I quickly moved up from an hourly temp to a role that involves 24-hour support, project management, regulatory compliance, and information security.

While I grew up in Tulsa, my wife is from Louisiana, and together we have dedicated ourselves to improving the city we call home. We started out as volunteers at The Oklahoma Aquarium when they were first opening and have been avid volunteers since. You can find out more about my family here.

Here are some highlights of my civic commitments:

TulsaNow - Executive Board President: I currently lead this large grassroots organization focused on implementing new ideas and best practices in Tulsa's future growth while preserving its historical heritage. We regularly organize extensive in-person and online community forums with a focus on connecting the general public with the development and political issues that affect the city's future. TulsaNow is proud to host Tulsa's most visited online message board focused on all things Tulsa.

Mayfest - Tech Committee Chair: My focus with Mayfest is to help connect the public with the festival using online social media such as Facebook, Myspace and Twitter.

Land Legacy – Advisor: Land Legacy is a land preservation and green-space organization with whom I have been working to increase urban green space (parks), particularly in the City of Tulsa.

Leadership Tulsa - Class 40 Graduate: I participated in a nine-month program learning more about the social and economic issues and services in Tulsa, as well as connecting with other civic-focused individuals and non-profits from all over Tulsa.

New Freedom Fellowship Church - Church Elder: Along with other Elders, I manage the day-to-day welfare of the church members and business. My focus has been directed towards the areas of administration and policy including co-writing the bylaws.

Valley South Neighborhood Association - Original Vice President: I helped found the neighborhood association with my focus being on administration and policy as well as crafting the bylaws based on examples of neighboring associations.

Tulsa Community College - Adjunct Instructor: For five great years I taught college-level courses with the majority of my students being adults in career retraining programs. Education has always been a passion of mine.

I have also performed similar duties for other nonprofits and small businesses including MET Recycling and Riverparks. While this may seem like an exhaustive list, it has only served to make me more interested in civic service. After months of coaxing from my coworkers, friends, and associates, I declared my candidacy for City Council District 8 because I want to give even more to the city I call home.

Moving along...

2009-07-18T23:52:00.003-05:00

Campaign planning is running ahead full steam, except for than the occasional break for a few hours of sleep. We have been receiving some interest from people wanting to volunteer which is great and now we are also able to start accepting financial contributions to the campaign via the links below.

Online Donation Form
Mail-in Donation Form

I will be posting my platform and background information tomorrow.

Looking forward to a great campaign!

-Scott

I'm running...

2009-07-15T23:05:00.001-05:00

Well it was all kind of sudden but here I am. I'm running as a relative unknown for Tulsa City Council District 8. I'll spend the weekend getting this site built out and let you all know more about me and why I'm running for City Council.