Standing Outside the Fire:

An open letter to Mayor Dewey Bartlett

Friday September 23^rd, 2011

Mayor Bartlett,

            The news of your Chief of Staff Terry Simonson’s actions has the Tulsa Community shocked, disappointed and angry.   We demand that you excuse him of his duties effective immediately.  As you know, Mr. Simonson used his influence as your Chief of staff to ensure that his son received a spot in the testing cycle of the Tulsa Firefighter’s academy.  Because of the weight of Mr. Simonson’s position, this spot was given to Mr. Simonson’s son as a result of what could only be described as a request from the Mayor’s office.  This kind of preferential treatment is a direct affront to our City’s integrity and our proud fire department.

            We feel for our firefighters who earned their positions through hard work, perseverance and extensive training without calling in any favors.  Failure to act on your part will tell the people of Tulsa that under your administration, power and influence has more weight than hard work and due diligence. Is that the message that you want to send to our city?  Our firefighter’s reputation has been tarnished by the actions of your staff and by your continuous hostility toward the working men and women who serve the Tulsa Fire Department.  Mr. Simonson’s actions are yet another example of your administration’s lack of respect for the men and women who save Tulsan lives and work to keep our citizens out of harm’s way.

            Mr. Simonson defended himself by saying that he “did what any other parent would do.”  Of course parents want to help their children, but I for one will encourage my children to earn their way, obey the law and above all, not step over anyone to get what they want.  Additionally, are we to believe that your Chief of staff has such poor judgment that he would risk the integrity of your office and of this city in order to ensure that his son became a firefighter? Are these the type of people who you are trusting to run our city?

            As a city employee, using a position of power to influence others is flatly unethical. Title 12 of the City of Tulsa’s internal ethical code provides that “City officials and their immediate family shall not directly or indirectly solicitor receive gifts, entertainment, or other favors which may influence or be reasonably perceived as influencing a City official in the performance of their official duties.”  Mr. Mayor, the code is clear and Terry Simonson grossly violated it.  It is now up to you to rectify this situation by removing him from his position.  The City of Tulsa deserves no less.

Sincerely,

__________________________

Michael Whelan

Vice Chairman

Tulsa County Democratic Party