I’ve always thought Jim Mautino was a good Tulsa city councilor. He has represented his district aggressively and fairly, and I believe he has been motivated by good intentions. Until now.

Several weeks ago, a developer wanted to build a subdivision in Mautino’s district and the councilor went to bat for him. Under recently enacted rules, the city will install sewers and water lines in new subdivisions if the developer would guarantee the cost. In other words, the city didn’t want to get hung with the expense of running these sewers without assurances of the development ultimately repaying the city.

Councilor Mautino told the Public Works Department that the developer's ‘word’ was good enough for him and that the Public Works should agree. When the Public Works required the developer to put up a letter of credit, the developer refused because the project was ‘too risky’.

Now, out of the blue, Councilor Mautino wants an audit of . . . . guess what department? The Public Works Department! Plus, the councilor wants to spend $100,000 and have the funds taken out the Public Works Department’s budget. Time for Councilor Jim Mautino to go.