During the past two years as District 4 City Councilor, Maria Barnes has maintained her strong grassroots ties that brought her to City Hall.  Born in Tulsa to a military family, Councilor Barnes lived in numerous communities throughout her childhood.  In 1982, she returned to her home in Tulsa, and has lived in District 4 ever since.

     Awarded the City of Tulsa Picket Fence Award for neighborhood volunteers, Councilor Barnes’s hard work on behalf of Tulsa’s citizens prepared her well for the City Council.  As the president of Kendall-Whittier, Councilor Barnes is very familiar with the concerns of midtown neighborhoods.  Having served on the Tulsa Infill Study Task Force, as well as the Midtown Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, Councilor Barnes understands the complexities of infill development, and knows how to balance the needs of neighborhoods and developers.  Councilor Barnes helped generate the 1988 Kendall-Whittier Master Plan that has encouraged that area’s positive growth, and, using that experience, she negotiated a plan that allows proper commercial development along part of Lewis Avenue while protecting the surrounding neighborhoods. 

    Councilor Barnes has also worked on the Human Rights Commission, the Police Community Relations Committee, the Police Oversight Committee, and she graduated from the Citizens Police Academy.  With her strong working relationship with the police, Councilor Barnes has been able to bring together neighborhoods and police to provide better and more efficient protection ensuring safer neighborhoods.  Her work on the 2005 Tulsa Public Schools Citizen Bond Committee and the Vision 2025 Tulsa Neighborhood Fund task force encouraged her to scrutinize government spending, and she is using that knowledge to help identify ways to improve our streets through more efficient spending.

    Even while working hard as Councilor, Maria Barnes continues her full-time job as wife and mother.  She and her husband of 22 years, James, are proud of their three children and want them to grow up in a Tulsa that is safe and full of opportunity.  Councilor Barnes is excited about continuing her hard work for her neighborhoods in District 4, and about continuing to improve the lives of all the citizens of Tulsa.  She is passionate in her commitment to Tulsa’s needs, and asks for your support once again.