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Chamber encourages Tulsans to vote YES tomorrow Passage of the $354 million Tulsa Public Schools bond proposal means better schools for Tulsa
Tulsa Metro Chamber stresses the importance of passing the TPS Bond Issue to continue the improvement of education in TPS without raising taxes. The bond issue is a comprehensive, $354 million proposal that addresses critical needs facing the TPS school system.
By state law, passage of school bonds requires a supermajority vote of 60 percent, so the Chamber encourages its members to head to the polls to vote yes.
“The Chamber is committed to educating Tulsa voters about the direct impact this investment will have on the community’s economic development, workforce and quality of life,” said Chamber President and CEO Mike Neal. “With 97 percent of the TPS buildings at more than 30 years old, we have a long way to go, and Tulsa's children deserve safe, up-to-date facilities and high-quality learning environments. Tulsa must continue to invest in our schools.”
Formulated over the past year by the Citizens Bond Development Committee, a group of citizens, educators and community leaders, the proposal is a continuation of the citizen-led, 20-year plan that began in 1995-96. A watchdog Bond Oversight Committee ensures that bond monies will be spent as promised and keeps tax rates level. The committee holds regularly scheduled public meetings.
The proposal allocates $261.4 million for building construction and repairs and focuses on new facilities, classroom additions, heating and air conditioning, replacing aging windows and roofs, and other needs most would consider as basic necessities, according to TPS Superintendent Dr. Keith Ballard.
Other crucial-needs areas in the plan are libraries, including six new ones; technology, computer work stations, and learning materials; school safety; school buses and transportation computer software (10,000-plus students ride TPS buses daily); fine arts; and physical education.
“School safety is paramount,” stressed Ballard. “This bond issue includes significant improvements to safely control entry access points at all TPS sites and add and improve surveillance camera systems to make our schools safer not only for students and teachers but for family members, workers and others who visit school sites.”
For more information, call campaign headquarters at 918.946.1317 or visit the campaign Web site at www.dothesmartthingtulsa.com. Follow the campaign on Facebook and @DoTheSmartThing on Twitter.
C-USA Championships tip off next week
Click the image above to see the
C-USA commercial now airing. |
Buy tickets now at BOKCenter.com
As the Conference USA Championships near, Tulsa is getting mad about basketball.
Several partners within the community have joined forces to help promote the 2010 C-USA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships for a week of collegiate basketball at its finest, and Northeast Oklahoma residents have a unique chance to catch all the action live as it unfolds.
But beyond the entertainment factor, the C-USA Championships provide an opportunity for Tulsa to show it has the space, interest and community support to attract large sporting events and competitions to the region. By making a great showing, Tulsa will be a strong contender for similar events of this or greater caliber.
The competition tips off in the heart of Tulsa on March 8 with the women playing at the Donald W. Reynolds Center and the men occupying the BOK Center beginning March 10.
Local TU fans also have a rare opportunity to watch their team live in action during the championship and with TU’s recent victory over East Carolina and attention attracted by star player, Jerome Jordan, it promises to be exciting.
The combined championship will be the first for C-USA and the enthusiasm and community support displayed in Tulsa this year will go a long way in determining the city's ability to host future championship events.
Click on the image above to see the local commercial now airing to promote the 2010 C-USA Championships.
For more information, contact Whitney Miller or Debbie Majors at the Tulsa Sports Commission or call 918-560-0205. To purchase tickets directly visit BOKCenter.com.
For updated news and information about the Tulsa Sports Commission and Conference USA Championships, add the organization to your social networks by following @TulsaSportsCom on Twitter and becoming a fan of the Tulsa Sports Commission on Facebook.
C-USA All-Session (11 games, 6 sessions)
Men's Ticket Prices:
o Lower Level sides $302- (includes ONEOK Club access)
o Lower Level - $172
o Upper Level - $82 & $67
Personal Partner packages with hospitality, parking, advertising (two and four premium tickets, located first five rows) are $1,500 and $3,000 respectively. Please contact Miller about these packages.
Local event sponsors include Tulsa World, Cox, Cox Radio, Lamar, Tulsa Community College, Bank of Oklahoma, Bill Knight Ford, Flying Colors, Hinkle Creative Design Services, Odyssey Digital Printing, Oklahoma Offset, Spears Travel, TU Advertising Program, Irving Productions, Jim Knight Design, Robert Billings Productions and Linda Layman Agency.
Read about TU’s Jerome Jordan in the New York Times
Legislators, members attend Legislative Briefing
The Tulsa Metro Chamber hosted a Legislative Briefing last Friday to hear from legislators, including Speaker of the House Chris Benge, on progress-to-date for the 2010 legislative session.
Nearly 200 attendees heard from the Oklahoma delegation on OneVoice priorities including funding for the Gilcrease Expressway project, Workers’ Compensation, and instituting a provider fee to help maintain and increase access to health care.
The Legislative Briefings are breakfasts organized by the Chamber’s government affairs division as part of the Chamber’s commitment to legislative success and continuing advocacy efforts for issues on the OneVoice Regional Legislative Agenda.
The OneVoice Legislative Agenda is endorsed by the following cities and organizations: City of Jenks; City of Bixby; City of Sapulpa; City of Broken Arrow; City of Sand Springs; City of Collinsville; City of Catoosa; City of Glenpool; INCOG; City of Mannford; City of Owasso; City of Tulsa; Tulsa City Council; Tulsa County; Coalition of Tulsa Area Governments; Jenks Chamber of Commerce; Bixby Metro Chamber of Commerce; Glenpool Chamber of Commerce; Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce; Tulsa Metro Chamber; Broken Arrow Area Chamber of Commerce; Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation; Catoosa Chamber of Commerce; Greater Muskogee Chamber of Commerce; Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Owasso Chamber of Commerce; Skiatook Chamber of Commerce; Greenwood Chamber of Commerce; Mannford Chamber of Commerce; Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce; Bartlesville Regional Chamber of Commerce; Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce; Southwest Tulsa Community Chamber; and Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.
To read more about the Chamber’s OneVoice agenda and Legislative Briefing see the following stories:
Chamber leaders: OneVoice grows larger and louder
Legislators eye workers’ comp
State lawmakers push for Gilcrease expansion
Money promised to OSU Med Center is called safe, for now
Resource Campaign volunteers wanted
If you have ever wanted to get more involved with the Tulsa Metro Chamber, consider volunteering for the Chamber's annual Resource Campaign, which kicks off Tuesday, April 6.
With the second highest grossing campaign in the nation, the Tulsa Chamber's Resource Campaign is a successful volunteer-led campaign that plays a major role in the organization's strength and ability to deliver business-building events and benefits to members.
Members play a valuable role in the campaign each year, and the Chamber hopes to increase participation in 2010. Volunteers gain valuable face-to-face networking opportunities with Chamber staff, leadership and Chamber members.
Involvement in the Chamber's Resource Campaign means being part of a 150-member volunteer group working to raise resources and capital for the Chamber's numerous programs. The 10-week campaign generates revenue by selling sponsorships and memberships and contributes approximately 22 percent of the Chamber's total annual budget.
Volunteers are treated to weekly lunches to recognize and reward dollars raised and allow for relationship building opportunities. Top producers can earn an incentive trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico as reward for their dedication and commitment to seeing the Chamber succeed.
Please contact Karen Humphrey at karenhumphrey@tulsachamber.com if you are interested in volunteering.
Chamber adds new position
Krisann Grace joins the Tulsa Metro Chamber this week as the new manager of human resources.
Grace has 15 years experience in human resource management, strategic development and high-performance leadership.
She previously served as human resources manager at Continental Industries Inc., a manufacturer in Tulsa with 2,500 employees in four countries.
In her new role with the Chamber, Grace will be responsible for developing and implementing human resources, benefit and talent management strategies for the chamber’s 50-person professional team.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology from Northeastern State University.
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