Education is the key to our city's future. Better education will mean a better educated workforce. This, in turn, will make Tulsa a better place to do business and make it easier for employers to find qualified people to fill skilled positions. We must also be concerned about not only educating the mind, but also the heart. That is why Councilor Bird is an advocate of character education.
Crime is another area of major concern.
While statistics indicate that crime is decreasing, polls indicate that people feel less safe than ever before. Race Relations must also be improved. Tulsa is becoming more and more diverse in its cultural make-up. We need to include this issue in our vision for the future and develop a vehicle to find common ground and, at the same time, grow respect in our differences. Again, community involvement is the essential component in making this happen.