Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum delivered a jubilant third state of the city address on Thursday at the Cox Business Center.
Bynum said accomplishments of the past year include major business announcements, improvements in public safety, various programs to help local schools, and a united, regional response to spring natural disasters. Bynum said afterward his job as mayor won’t be finished by the end of next year.
"Oh, I’m absolutely going to be running again next year. The work that we’re doing, we’re taking on big goals, and there’s so much that needs to be done. And we’re making good progress, but there’s so much more to do," Bynum said.
Bynum added he will stick to his plan to serve only two terms as mayor if re-elected.
While past speeches have presented new ideas, this one was full of praise: for city officials for a collaborative approach to government, first responders for their efforts throughout spring floods, businesses for committing to Tulsa and citizens for investing in it by approving a $639 million sales tax package this week.
Bynum said even more is coming, from bus rapid transit launching this month to a low-water dam to fulfill a decades-old plan to put water in the Arkansas River going out for bid early next year.
"And when we can be the kind of city — that kind of city — one in which we work together to achieve our highest aspirations, then the state of our city is strong," Bynum said.
But there was also recognition from Bynum that north Tulsa still trails the rest of the city in health and income. Bynum said new employers and training programs will help, but he also gave a call to action: Invest in Greenwood. Bynum said perpetrators of the 1921 Race Massacre wanted to drive black businesses out forever.
"The only black-owned property in that area are churches, and thats why supporting business growth — and in particular, black-owned business growth — in Black Wall Street is so important for our community," Bynum said.
Bynum said a new generation of Black Wall Street entrepreneurs is ready to take the lead.
