So, who do you want to lead Oklahoma?
Save the date for Aug. 25 to vote: A friendly reminder that voters are in charge. The Aug. 25 run-off election determines who will be on the ballot in November for governor and superintendent. Plus there’s a number of other items to vote on depending where you live. Here are the voting guides from the Tulsa Flyer and Tulsa World to get you started if you want to go in depth.
The Tulsa World’s Randy Krehbiel wrote profiles Sunday on both governor candidates who Republicans need to choose from:
- Drummond says he’ll do what’s right, even if it’s not always popular
- Mazzei trying to complete his ‘zero income tax’ mission
From the Tulsa Flyer’s Libby Hobbs: Where the two governor candidates stand on key issues.
Oklahoma Watch newsroom did a good job of fact checking a recent debate between Drummond and Mazzei. Read it here or watch some of it here.
If you want to hear from the governor and superintendent candidates, the University of Tulsa’s Office of Civic Engagement, the Tulsa Press Club, Oklahoma Watch and the Tulsa Flyer will host the candidates on stage tonight, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m. at TU’s Lorton Performance Center.
The nuclear option that might come to Oklahoma
Before he goes, Gov. Kevin Stitt is throwing his support behind a proposal to support uranium enrichment, fuel fabrication, power generation, spent fuel reprocessing, recycling, and the transportation and disposal of radioactive waste thousands of feet below ground in Oklahoma. The Tulsa World’s Steve Metzer reports that a Tulsa company would be right in the middle of such a plan and offers more details on the idea.
One of the most talented people working anywhere is cinematographer Kelly Kerr. He and I worked together at the Tulsa World for years and he’s continued to create photos and videos that are worth your attention. This short documentary he recently released examines the culture of the Black Cowboy and Black Rodeo in Oklahoma. Follow him at @camera3728.
This & That
Meddy’s is coming to Brookside, going in where Churchhill’s Cigar Lounge used to be.
Pony Coffee is opening another location out south on 71st Street, where Southside Auction used to be.
Tucker’s Onion Burgers is going in on Cherry Street, across the street from Bramble Breakfast & Bar.
Peppers Grill & Cantina in Utica Square is closing after 48 years.
Cherry Street Kitchen downtown is closing after nine years.
Question & Answer
I answered this question and thought I would share if you aren’t voicing your emails yet.
Q: Just plowed through a severely overfull email inbox. I have to find a way to stay on top of email better. It’s a beast! If anyone has any tips, please share them with me. I don’t want to admit how many times I just typed “I apologize for the late reply, but this got buried in my inbox.”
A: Timebox and voice your inbox. Here’s what I mean: Make folders in your email called reply, read, defer and delegate. Pick three times a day to deal with email: morning, lunchtime and before you head home. At those times, open up your inbox and then look at each email and drag it to the appropriate folder. This will feel impossible at the beginning but do not respond to any email in the morning except from your bosses or immediate dangers. Just drag them to the appropriate folder. Then come back at lunchtime and open up the reply folder (the priority) and just reply for 30 minutes. But here is the biggest tip: Download Willow Voice. It offers fast accurate voice dictation for emails. You can talk 4x faster than you can type. I’ve used it for six months and it’s a game changer.
Quotable quotes
On students not being able to argue without screens
“We started pretty early on in September, October, recognizing like, ‘Oh my gosh, kids don’t know how to have a conflict anymore. Like, they don’t know how to argue. Everything has sort of been on their phones, or maybe they argue on social media.”
– Stephanie Andrews, executive director of Student and Family Support Services for Tulsa Public Schools, in a story by the Tulsa Flyer’s Anna Colletto about the district’s new “No Fight Zone” campaign. Conflict resolution cards and wellness rooms are being introduced.
On Tulsa’s Bouldergate
“This is officially a ‘Parks and Recreation’ episode.”
– Tulsa City Councilor Laura Bellis in a story by the Tulsa World’s Kevin Canfield about the boulders that used to line the downtown Tulsa bus station along Fourth Street. The city council rejected the donation of the 24 boulders that landed on the sidewalk last summer. The boulders are now in the city’s green waste facility. Bellis had suggested that the boulders could be turned into a traveling art exhibit.
Notable numbers
$942 million
– The amount a New Mexico judge ordered Meta Platforms to pay and limit the time young people in the state can spend on its apps. The judge said that Meta must create a new $567 million abatement fund in addition to paying $375 million in civil penalties a jury previously ordered. The Facebook and Instagram owner must also enact certain safety features, including hiding the number of likes on their photos by default and disclosing the risks of its platforms to users. Meta said it disagreed with the ruling and planned to appeal, the Wall Street Journal reported.
2,286
– How many cases were processed involving 759 people on July 31’s “Clear Your Warrants” event, put on by the City of Tulsa. More than 1,200 people showed up. The Oklahoma Eagle’s Ismael Lele was there to talk to people who waited in line and never got in. He reported before the event, the city reported 129,579 outstanding warrants with $5.8 million owed in fines.
When you message 311
On my way to my downtown office, I saw some jagged, metal edges of a pipe coming out of 13th Street. I avoided it for a few days, thinking someone was going to call it in. They didn’t. And then I was almost hit by someone on my way to work who tried to avoid blowing out a tire.
So I messaged 311. I’ve done it three times, including to report the biggest pothole I have ever seen next to the entrance of Booker T. Washington High School. So far, each one has been addressed.
I’m happy to say that within hours, I received an email from Ronnie from the city letting me know it was a flipped water valve lid that was stuck and he took care of it.
The Tulsa Flyer’s Libby Hobbs recently explained how the city responds to your 311 requests.
Why I Love My Book Club by Janelle Wagner
This is the latest in the “Why I” series, where I give people a chance to say in their own words why they do something. Could be interesting or important. Quirky or significant. Funny or wild.
In 2009, I moved from the East Coast back to Oklahoma. A recent family tragedy had changed our lives forever. I now had a 9-month-old son, and I had left a promising career in academic medicine and dear friends to be near family. At 33, how would I make new friends in a place in which I had so many fond memories but hardly any current adult connections? A childhood friend introduced me to her book club. I love to read, so I was hopeful that this group would meet several of my needs.
Seventeen years later, these women are still very much in my life. We have had babies and sent kids off to college. We’ve buried loved ones. Encouragement has been offered in career disappointments and celebration for accomplishments. We have aged and shared doctors and advice (Unfortunately, we’ve not found a cure for menopause). We have inside jokes, and we laugh. Honestly, now we often don’t remember the jokes, so we laugh at that. Laughter is good for the soul. We’ve all struggled with the political climate, at times having ardent discussions. Some tell you exactly what they think; others are much more reserved. Yet, there is so much respect in this circle. The space is safe. It is sacred, and we protect it.
These women are not my closest friends. I rarely see them outside of our monthly dinners, but we now have a history akin to a childhood friendship. Over 17 years, we have a shared history of milestones, grief, and joy across the transitions of life. I’ve been in their homes. I know their families, if not personally, then through them. They are some of the strongest women I know, each with a beautiful soul. Maybe it’s in the reflection of turning 50, but I am more grateful than ever for these genuine relationships. I joined a book club hoping for a few new friends. What I found was a treasure. And, yes, we also talk about the books.
– Janelle Wagner is a pediatric psychologist who lives in Tulsa.
Previous essays in this series:
- Why I paint by Lauren Leigh Henson
- Why I row by Barrett Waller
- Why I write by Meredith Poling
- Why I curate small delights by Dee Harris
If you want to give me the why behind something you do, email me at jc@jasoncollington.com.
I appreciate the continued support with this movement toward truth and understanding in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There is no cavalry. It’s up to us. Forward this to those in your circles who you think would enjoy it.
All together now. jc
The Collington Index is a free weekly news summary written by Jason Collington that explains quickly what’s important and interesting, shared in weekly wraps, popular lists, conversations and cheat sheets. Skim or go deep. A movement toward truth and understanding in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Subscribe for free on Substack to get an email newsletter each Tuesday morning. See the archive at collingtonindex.com.
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