Opiníon For Mykey Arthrell
ENGLISH
Amidst all of the hype of the presidential campaign, many Tulsans may have forgotten that there are also municipal races to be decided on November 3, runoffs due to inconclusive results in the August election. What voters should keep in mind is that races such as that for City Council often have a more direct and significant impact on their daily lives than do higher profile contests, a fact brought sharply into focus this year as city leaders struggled to contend with both a deadly pandemic and a racial justice reckoning.
City government needs leaders of strong character willing to set aside partisan rhetoric and make the difficult decisions based on what is best for all Tulsans rather than seeking out predictable photo-ops and inflammatory sound bites. Sadly, Council District 5’s incumbent is not such a leader, but La Semana believes his challenger, Mykey Arthrell, possesses the necessary qualities to represent District 5 and the City of Tulsa with honor, integrity, and intelligence.
Arthrell, who has over 17 years’ experience in social service and advocacy, knows the needs of the people of Tulsa and has a clear vision to bring to city government. Arthrell’s Tulsa is one where our children’s education is prioritized and the mentally ill are treated humanely rather than incarcerated in the county jail.
He believes in a city where the police department is truly a part of the community, where housing is affordable to all, and public transportation is an option of first choice rather than the only choice or the last resort.
Arthrell will work to make Tulsa a place where equality for everyone is the norm rather than a distant goal.
But perhaps the most compelling reason to elect Arthrell is that he embodies a quality too often missing in elected officials – empathy. Arthrell listens rather than judges, is open to new ideas and welcomes healthy and civil debate.
Whether you vote by mail, early in person, or at the polls on November 3, if you live in District 5 make sure to mark your ballot for Mykey Arthrell for City Council.