Tulsa Election 2020, District 4: Kathryn Lyons questionnaire

McGirt ruling and tribal relations: The Supreme Court's ruling in the McGirt case raises questions about the authority of Oklahoma and its political subdivisions to enforce laws in the reservations that everyone had previously believed had been disestablished in 1907. The too-large, too-low, too-bright billboard on the northwest corner of 39th and Yale is an example of how Tulsa's zoning and land-use laws are unenforceable in Indian Country, a term that was previously defined as land held in trust within historic tribal boundaries but, now, in light of McGirt, includes all property within historic tribal boundaries, regardless of ownership. The ruling also creates an apartheid-like situation where a minority of the population will make laws for the rest of us, who by reason of our ethnicity can never participate in the election of tribal officials. Will you lobby Oklahoma's congressional delegation to pass legislation formally disestablishing the Creek and Cherokee reservations, in order to restore the understanding of jurisdiction that existed prior to the McGirt ruling?

Lyons: Without a doubt the Supreme Court has delivered a curve ball to many Oklahomans with this determination. You are correct in assuming that disestablishing the reservation - which everyone thought for many decades had been accomplished - is the best solution. I am concerned about the impact, though, if Congress does not have the will to fix it. Enormous resources are being wasted - TPD is called to a scene, a question about the status of the perpetrator, the owner of the business, or the victim arises and the investigation might grind to a halt. The FBI and the United States Attorney's Office or the DA's Office might need to lend guidance. Dozens of pending cases are being dismissed and referred to the U S Attorneys Office or the Lighthorse. Convicted persons are realizing that they may be able to mount a challenge to their conviction. While law enforcement is struggling to perform at full capacity, this situation is not sustainable.

COVID-19: Locally-owned businesses were hurt, to the benefit of the likes of Amazon and Walmart, by the city's shutdown of "non-essential" businesses in March. The city's decision not to block President Trump's June rally was controversial, as is the current mask mandate. What is the proper role of city government in response to a pandemic? What would you have changed about the city's response to COVID-19?

Lyons: Unfortunately, I know quite a few friends and neighbors whose businesses or livelihood suffered due to the "shutdown." The City itself will, of course, recognize a negative impact in sales tax collection. I'm not sure what could have been done to prepare for this pandemic - but I do know that we should de everything in our power to prepare for the next one! The City's push to become a "tech" friendly City is the right move. Work here remotely or start your new company in a focused incubator. COVID-19 has significantly, personally impacted my family. My husband is a physician and never missed a day of work. When my family had to be tested, we waited for too long to receive our results. Recently, my mother was diagnosed with COVID and, as you can imagine, it's a difficult time. Even so, I would likely not have voted for the mask mandate. Masks may be a very good idea, like hand washing and keeping a distance. But there is a limit as to what government can legislate for us.

Police oversight: The proposed Office of Independent Monitor, modeled after Denver's OIM, tasked with overseeing the police department, would exclude those who have law enforcement experience from participation. Should Tulsa have a Denver-style OIM? What reforms and changes to police oversight would you support?

Lyons: The brave men and women who risk their lives on a daily basis so that we can sleep at night deserve proper funding and our full support. While I can envision some common sense measure of oversight, TPD is a professional, degreed, highly trained and specialized force. The type of oversight should be tailored to account for that and not driven by anti-police sentiment

Crime: State Question 780 reduced penalties on many crimes involving theft, which now seem to be on the increase in Tulsa. State Question 805, on the ballot in November, would further ease penalties against repeat offenders. Do you support or oppose SQ 805? Would you support rolling back some of the changes in SQ 780, and taking a harder line against thieves?

Lyons: I am concerned about the incarceration rate in Oklahoma and Tulsa. But, on this issue, I stand with Oklahoma's District Attorneys and the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and would vote against SQ 805. Criminal felons have earned an enhancement of their sentence.

Philanthropists and influence: Large foundations, most prominently the George Kaiser Family Foundation, have widespread influence in the government and non-profit sectors in Tulsa, as documented in Michael Mason's recent article on "The Kaiser System." The incumbent mayor was once a lobbyist for GKFF. The head of the Tulsa Community Foundation is a member of the City Council. Many Tulsans are concerned that the opinion of major philanthropists carries more weight at City Hall than the opinion of the voters. What relationship, if any, do you or the organizations you work for or support have to these philanthropic foundations? Do you believe they have too much influence over city policy?

Lyons: Every job that I've had and organization I've worked with is revealed on my Facebook page - I certainly want to be fully transparent. I'm not aware of any relationship I, or any member of my family, have to GKFF. I have not received any financial support during this campaign from GKFF or Mr. Kaiser. I appreciate some of the quality of life projects spearheaded by Kaiser, including the Gathering Place. You are entirely correct, however, to remind Tulsa to stay vigilant for centralized control, unelected persons in charge and conflicts of interest.

Diversity on city boards and committees: When Mayor Bynum appointed a commission to revise the city's animal ordinance, he chose a former mayor, a lawyer from a prominent, GKFF-connected law firm, a construction heiress, a veterinarian (who happens to be the DA's wife), and a non-profit manager. No one on the committee lived in north Tulsa, west Tulsa, or east Tulsa. Recent mayors have had a bad habit of calling on the same small group of people from the wealthiest part of Tulsa to serve on authorities, boards, and commissions. Do you believe that mayoral appointments should be more geographically, sociologically, and ideologically diverse, and how would you go about making our city's authorities, boards, and commissions more representative of Tulsa's 400,000 people?

Lyons: I have had the honor of serving on the Citizens Advisory Board. I was impressed with the diversity of the group - which included stakeholders in the law enforcement community. I recognize the challenge of recruiting volunteers in some instances and of keeping a board or committee small enough to be effective. Still, I understand that diversity on these groups leads to better results, coalition building and out-of-the-box thought. When possible, I would like to see the community of each Tulsa District be represented on boards and commissions. Citizen volunteers should be solicited and considered.

Population decline: The City of Tulsa's population (as estimated by the Census Bureau in 2019) has declined since Mayor Bynum took office in 2016, while the metropolitan area grew over the same period. What do you think has caused this decline in population, and what would you do to reverse it?

Lyons: Unfortunately, I do see that some of the next generation of Tulsans no longer see the full promise of opportunity in our City. The move to make Tulsa more attractive to those in the tech industry is a great start. I also think enhancement of walkability and bicycling are attractive to the next generation (as long as auto traffic is not impeded). Post-pandemic, Tulsa has a remarkable - once in a generation - opportunity. There is an exodus of major cities. The cities where our young Tulsans may have moved, such as Chicago and New York, just no longer seem safe and those municipal governments are a mess. Tulsa can establish itself as the spot to relocate, with affordable housing, amenities and safe neighborhoods. It would be ideal if Tulsa could also boast of excellent schools.

School choice: Mayors like Cory Booker in Newark and John Norquist in Milwaukee (both Democrats) have been enthusiastic supporters of school choice -- charter schools, opportunity scholarships, tuition tax credits and other means to allow all parents to select the best education for their children, without regard to income or geography. Mayor Norquist noted that school choice encourages families with children to stay in the center city instead of moving to the suburbs for better schools. What would you do as mayor to encourage the legislature to expand school choice for Tulsa families?

Lyons: I am an enthusiastic supporter of school choice. If parents had the ability to choose where their children were education, they will demand the highest quality education. They can make choices that are right for their family.

Transgenderism: Trans rights advocates assert that "Trans Women are Women," and that the law should forbid any distinction, under any circumstances, between actual females and people who are male but claim to be women. Mayor Bynum endorsed this perspective in his executive order declaring "gender identity" to be a protected class on par with race and ethnicity. But many people agree with author J. K. Rowling that it's important to protect private, female-only spaces like restrooms, changing rooms, and domestic violence shelters, and to protect opportunities for women and girls to excel in sports, without having to compete against stronger and faster "trans women." Do you agree that "Trans Women Are Women" -- period -- or do you think that it's appropriate to draw a distinction between women and "trans women" under certain circumstances? What actions should the City of Tulsa take to protect private female-only spaces?

Lyons: Gender is a biological fact. My children learned in science class about x and y chromosomes and I believe those lessons are still correct. Unfortunately, the liberal politics of the day deny this fundamental truth. And it is a hurtful and destructive disservice to women. Women are on the verge of equality and parity in so many areas, but if men are allowed to declare themselves to be women and appropriate our identities, that progress falls. Women have fought hard for, and deserve, the right to be safe and secure when they visit a restroom or change clothes in a locker area or dressing room.

Road diets and bike lanes: Many Tulsa motorists are perplexed and frustrated by the city's use of scarce infrastructure funding to re-stripe downtown streets and arterial streets to accommodate current fashions in planning like back-in angle parking, reducing available street parking, parallel parking away from the curb, bike lanes between parking and curb, and "road diets." Do you support the new road striping and parking practices, or would you halt their implementation and revert streets to their previous configurations?

Lyons: On my Facebook page, Tulsa Midtown Neighbors, there have been several animated discussions about the bike lanes. I agree with the idea of making Tulsa a more walkable and more bicycle friendly city. I assume there was study of the issue before these changes were implemented, but I hope the City is able to revisit some of the modifications. Safety and convenience of both the biker and the driver must be balanced.

Eminent domain: The Tulsa Development Authority, Tulsa's urban renewal agency, has been seeking to declare near-downtown neighborhoods like Crosbie Heights and Crutchfield as "blighted" areas, which would allow TDA to condemn and clear homes and businesses, even if they are in good condition, for redevelopment. Do you support expanding the TDA's authority and domain? What limits should be placed on urban renewal and eminent domain in Tulsa?

Lyons: Eminent domain is a powerful tool that every government (federal, state, local) has. But with that great power is a need for oversight and careful attention. From my perspective, the TDA needs additional oversight and perhaps careful restricting. The recent upheaval of leadership causes me concern. Removing blight and nuisance properties, along with economic development of the city are important reasons why a government might want to consider use of the eminent domain power. But, of course, there must be a constitutionally and legally sound basis for the condemnation. Further, Tulsa needs to think in terms of a long term plan and not create a patchwork of property taking around town. The character and charm of Tulsa neighborhoods can be vital to our City - in quality of life, attracting new residents, encouraging neighborhood cohesiveness, fostering pride of home ownership.

Pearl District detention ponds: The City has been acquiring properties in the Pearl District for stormwater detention ponds, displacing families who have been attracted to an improving, near-downtown neighborhood, where they can afford to buy a historic home and fix it up. The Dawson family recently was given a reprieve as the city rescinded its condemnation, but the neighborhood (including Paul Harvey's boyhood home) remains under threat and homeowners are in limbo. City Public Works officials say the pond is necessary to protect the Spirit Bank building against a 100-year flood. Other experts suggest a combination of creative solutions can provide stormwater protection without requiring a neighborhood to be demolished for a detention pond. Would you support deleting the Pearl District ponds from the stormwater plan, so that Pearl District neighborhoods can be preserved?

Lyons: I am aware of the issue described and I've read about it in the paper. This is one issue that I would want to study before giving an opinion. Understanding the effective use of stormwater detention ponds and the use of other options is a problem I look forward to tackling.

Neighborhood conservation districts: All of Tulsa's peer cities have the ability to overlay a conservation district on existing, well-established neighborhoods to ensure that new residential and commercial development is compatible with existing development. Attempts to enact similar districts in Tulsa have been fought tooth-and-nail by influential developers. Would you support the establishment of neighborhood conservation districts in Tulsa?

Lyons: These districts may well be necessary - especially in District 4, which has seen scraped lots and infill houses increase steadily.

Panhandlers: Panhandlers seem to be more visible and aggressive in Tulsa, on street corners and in front of stores. There seem to be more encampments of people who appear to have chosen vagrancy as a way of life and don't want social services. What is your plan for the problem we have in Tulsa with panhandlers and vagrants?

Lyons: Again, this is a problem that is discussed often on my page, Tulsa Midtown Neighbors. I understand that Tulsans are compassionate, but I also know that aggressive panhandling can lead to safety issues. There are laws that address loitering, trespassing and assault. Aggressive community based policing may be one part of the answer. But law enforcement faces challenges and has resources stretched thin between COVID and McGirt issues. I understand from the District Attorney's press conference that vagrants and law-breakers believe claiming to be a Native American is a "get out of jail free" card. Given the limited resources, I would hate to think that's correct.

River projects: Many Tulsans are questioning the wisdom of spending hundreds of millions of dollars on building a new Arkansas River dam near Jenks, replacing the existing low-water dam at 31st St, and demolishing and replacing the historic and beloved Midland Valley pedestrian bridge. Critics cite the negative impacts of dams on wildlife, the negligible effect on tourism, the need for recreational facilities in other parts of the city, and the backlog of infrastructure needs throughout the city. Would you support an alternative plan to remove the Zink Lake dam, negotiate a Keystone Dam water-release plan with the Corps of Engineers to keep water flowing in our reach of the Arkansas River, and rehabilitate the existing pedestrian bridge, so that the money for the dams could be reallocated for more urgent needs?

Lyons: I understand the issue described. This is another issue that I would want to study and consider before giving opinion. There are state, local and federal interests involved and the complex operation of a dam and navigation system.

Backyard chickens: Many Tulsa families have started raising chickens in their own backyards as part of a sustainable way to feed themselves, but current limits in the city ordinance mean that a family cannot keep enough chickens to have a sufficient supply of eggs. (Meanwhile, the city ordinance allows people to keep as many as 300 racing pigeons in a residential area.) Advocates see backyard chickens as one aspect of a strategy to enable greater access to affordable, healthy food. Do you support increasing the number of chickens allowed in residential neighborhoods?

Lyons: While I don't keep chickens, I know responsible neighbors who do. When chicken coops are maintained and animals cared for and caged properly, chickens can provide a food source. Within reason, this sort of self-sufficiency can be encouraged and I am not opposed to revisiting the current limit on number of chickens (or pigeons!) allowed. We do, of course, give up certain self-sufficiency options when we live in the city - most of us are not allowed to keep cows, for example.

National politics: Oklahoma voters will have six choices for president on the November ballot: Joe Biden, Jo Jorgenson, Brock Pierce, Jade Simmons, Donald Trump, and Kanye West. Which presidential candidate has your vote, and why?

Lyons: [Did not answer.]

The Mayor's race: Does Mayor Bynum deserve re-election? Without regard to electability, which candidates in the race would you be willing to support?

Lyons: I think Mayor Bynum deserves to be re-elected. He's a proven public servant. I trust him to make the right decisions. Right now, I don't think it would be wise to bring about another administration change. We can't afford to have a lapse in savvy leadership. Especially if we elect someone who is a political outsider, it will take time to train them to do the job.

Questions about your campaign:

Please name the principal leaders and advisers in your campaign, whether paid or unpaid (e.g., campaign manager, campaign consultant, media consultant, treasurer, volunteer coordinator, communications director, social media manager).

Lyons: The principal leaders and advisers in my campaign have been friends and neighbors, including Kimberly Norman, Cathy McClanahan, Cheryl Cohenour and others. My campaign manager, communications director, treasurer, and volunteer coordinator is my son Marcus Lyons. He's a senior in Civil Engineering at Purdue, but due to current circumstances he ended up at home this summer - helping me with my campaign. Nobody had contacted me to encourage me to run and neither was I groomed to run. My campaign headquarters in is my back den!

For challengers only: Incumbents have a massive name recognition advantage. Other than social media, what methods are you using to reach voters who may never have heard of you? (Examples: Direct mail, phone calls, door knocking, TV and radio advertising.)

Lyons: I have used social media to reach voters and intend to use mailers as well. But I also have made hundreds of phone calls and sent hundreds of personalized e-mails or messages to voters. As well, my volunteers and I have worked nearly every day to knock on doors and introduce my campaign to District 4.