Mayor Bartlett takes some heat for OKC fundraiser

Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett's campaign is getting some criticism for his upcoming fundraiser next week in Oklahoma City.

But Bartlett Campaign Manager Dan Patten says it's a logical move.

"We're one state here and as Oklahoma City prospers, so does Tulsa, and as Tulsa prospers, so does Oklahoma City," Patten said.  "So we really need to do joint efforts between each other."

But some, like local conservative blogger Michael Bates, questions why Bartlett doesn't keep the events here to benefit local hotels and caterers and generate sales taxes locally.

He also points out that the invitation to the OKC event came on State GOP Party letterhead, which he said could be seen as an undue advantage with two other Republicans still in the Mayor's race.

The fundraiser seems to be creating some division in the ranks.

One person posted a link to the Batesline blog entry on the Republican Woman's Club of Tulsa County Facebook page, and then complained that their post had been deleted, saying candidates need to be vetted.