Whoever is at the helm of the ship doesnt need a learning curve, she said last month. As one of the common refrains among candidates, police funding is likely to be top of mind when Norman residents head to the polls Feb. 8. They each spoke about what they believe makes them the best choice for Norman. There was a problem saving your notification. [We need] to combat the ease with which alcoholism, casino addictions can all cause the moral corrosion and collective decay of our society and the common culture, he said. When our city council made Norman the first city in Oklahoma to commit to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035, the community was all for it. The City has deviated tremendously from the mission of a municipal government, and has begun focusing its efforts on small segments of the population," he said in a news release. Larry Heikkila defeated incumbent Norman Mayor Breea Clark on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. I want you to know that I felt like I was the best person for the job, and Norman residents decided otherwise, and I will handle that, she said before congratulating Heikkila on his victory. Long-term maintenance and staffing of such facilities could pose an obstacle for the city, Clark said. E-mail:[email protected] Updated Apr 5, 2022 Mayor Breea Clark continues to deliver her concession speech, saying "she hopes Norman holds Larry Heikkila to the same high standards that she was held to" while in. Bill Hickman, the current Norman Ward 4 council member, works as an attorney and small-business owner. OU women's gymnastics: Trautman's 10 helps Soon, Paramedic reunites with tornado victim family, Train ride home turns unusual for county commis, By Mindy Ragan Wood | Transcript Staff Writer, Digging out: Tornado damages home, downs power lines; minor injuries reported, Maverick's brings dive bar feel to Campus Corner, Norman man charged with murder in Lake Thunderbird case, Cleveland County Sheriff's Office identifies inmate who hanged himself, Judge sides with homebuilder in lawsuit against city, Southern Baptists oust Saddleback Church over woman pastor, Cleveland County Detention Center inmate hangs himself, Tornado Coverage: Highway 9 reopening among second day developments. I would like to be added to the WB's monthly newsletter, "A Family Matter". If passed, the city would be able to allocate more resources to make infrastructure improvements to stormwater conveyance and collection systems. Some have argued my being a staff member at the university is a detriment, Clark said. We've got people in Norman right now with Section Eight vouchers and no Section Eight housing available. Part of that solution should involve more collaboration between rural and urban Normanites, she added. The election results listed online are unofficial until they are certified by the Oklahoma State Election Board. Its very clear that everyone wants to keep moving in a positive direction.. You have permission to edit this article. The individuals who do it, they dont take on debt. Breea Clark, the current Norman Ward 6 council member, works as the director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Program at the University of Oklahomas Michael F. Price College of Business. Norman voters will also vote inNorman City Councilraces on Feb. 12. On today's date in 1911, record cold temperatures replaced record warmth on the same day. She earned a Juris Doctorate in 2008, and became director of OUs JCPenney Leadership Program in 2018. 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Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Phone: (405) 325-2501. In 2019, propositions for stormwater utility bond projects and a stormwater utility fee. At OKC, a record high temperature of 83 degrees occurred mid-day, then plummeted to a record low of 17 degrees at midnight. There was a problem saving your notification. Weve had issues with deciding is it a flat fee, is it based on water usage, is it based on impervious surface, Clark said. I think accountability is always good, and voter education. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. As an employee he served as the City of Norman Street Supervisor, then as a Personnel Analyst, and finally as the Safety Manager. The fire department is down 8 or 9 percent, and police is down about 7 percent. The money should instead be used to fund the city's "essential needs," she said. The proposition called for the monthly base fee to all customers to be raised from $6 to $7.80 for metered users. Former Mayor Breea Clark Dunn is the only candidate who does not support the stormwater utility bond. Municipal actions and municipal policies can change the way Oklahoma brands itself and how Oklahoma can go from being one of the least-desirable states to being a leader in shaping our foreign policy and shaping our domestic policy, Dunn said. University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D., 2008. She also served on various task forces with Norman Public Schools. If they appreciate that, it is an immediate change in how they think about their suburban homes.. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2008, she started working for the . "Because of Mayor Clark, I bet youre going to see the pendulum swinging conservative.". Current Term Ends: 07/01/25. Post Office Box 370 Norman, OK 73070. After beginning her stint in local government as Normans Ward 6 city council member in 2016, Clark defeated opponents Bill Hickman and Evan Dunn in the 2019 mayoral election with 51.43 percent of the vote. Specifically, Clark said she aims to produce long-term facilities solutions for Normans homeless population, pass a stormwater utility for Norman and bolster local infrastructure. First off, the defunding of the police department, they managed to truly deflate our wonderful police department that used to be a premier agency in Oklahoma, Heikkila said last month. I think Norman Public Schools could use a lot more transparency. She . Some Norman conservatives are hopeful this election could lead to a sea change in city leadership, especially after two Republicans with ties to Unite Norman were elected to the council over the summer. What tribal leaders are saying about Stitt inauguration. Around the world, communities are grappling with what Mayor Heikkila and his wife have two adult children. No education information on file. This is a really important election for Norman, Hickman said, adding that the new mayor will appoint a new city manager and a new city attorney and that he has the necessary experience to do so. "We were the first todeclare a state of emergency," she said. Sworn In: 07/05/22 Mayor, City of Norman, Oklahoma, 2019-present. government. Stephenson-Leuck, 67, said she jumpedinto the mayoralrace due to thepolice budget cut in 2020. 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The two candidates made their cases to voters in a final push to get out the vote. Were trying to clean water and build roads.. "Therivalry that isset up between the mayor and Unite Norman just looked like there was no end to it.". Kish was endorsed by Unite Norman, a group that formed in the summer of 2020 to restore police funding after the council reallocated $865,000 from the Norman Police Departments proposed budget increase. Gender: Female. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. "Adequately funding itjust seems obvious.". After nearly deciding she would surrender the mayorship after a single . He credited "a grassroots campaign" who wanted a change. In-person absentee voting takes place Thursday and Friday, Feb. 3-4. Norman mayor-elect Larry Heikkila Norman's new mayor will be Larry Heikkila, who is far to the right of the more progressive Clark, as he made clear in a campaign ad earlier this year. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Low near 40F. Its hard to focus on my professional career when the City of Norman requires so much attention. Norman, OK 73019-4004. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Theres no room for political ideology or political party in local government, because were not tackling issues like abortion or gun rights. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. 210.65.88.143 Norman Mayor Breea Clark wasn't always certain she would pursue a second term after a tumultuous three years in office. Cockfighting fight turns back time at Oklahoma Capitol, The awkward family affair of Gov. In-person absentee voting takes place Thursday and Friday, Feb. 3-4. In the race are incumbent Breea Clark, Bob Thompson, Dr. Nicole Kish, Larry Heikilla and Alice Stephenson-Leuck. This is hard.. Her mayoral tenure became defined largely by the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide policing debate. So I'm glad that people are watching and participating.. One group, Unite Norman, attempted to recall Clark later that year, falling short of the required number of signatures required to trigger a recall election. The City Charter dictates that if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, candidates who receive the most votes will face an April runoff. On campus, she has served on the Universitys Legal Panel, Speakers Bureau, and the Committee on Discrimination and Harassment. Clark said she had not heard from other candidates, but was working to contact them. on the 2021 Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index a measure of how supportive municipal governments are of their 2SLGBTQ+ residents as a notable accomplishment of her term. Ultimately, despite what many have characterized as a year of polarizing local politics, Clark said she is grateful more Normanites have been interested in local participation. I assume its the DNC agenda, but we dont like that here. Norman voters have chosen Larry Heikkila to be the city's next mayor, preliminary election reports indicated Tuesday. The mayoral race came down to incumbent Mayor Breea Clark and challenger Larry Heikkila. Its a need for our city, Hickman said. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Prior to seeking elected office, she served on the Norman Tree Board, Library Board, and the Norman Forward Sales Tax Citizens Financial Oversight Board. Click to reveal Citizen efforts to force a recall election of Norman Mayor Breea Clark have fallen short, yet the recall effort also showed broad public displeasure with Clark's performance. 2023 Whitbeck Bennett | Website By CC&A Strategic Media. "I hold the confidence the citizens have given me to bring a change to Norman very serious," he said. She also serves as director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Program in the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. "I know I can't force the nearby casino (to pay), but I would march up there and say, 'you're contributing tohomelessness in Norman by your presence here,'" she said. Larry Heikkila was elected as the 61st mayor of Norman in 2022. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to stretch those federal dollars, build partnerships and collaborate to solve long-standing problems in our community.. Heikkila opposed mask mandates and other COVID-19 measures, while Clark had supported them. Runoff: Mayor Breea Clark to face Larry Heikkila in April. She said her experience in guiding Norman through the COVID pandemic and directing funding from federal sources, like the CARES Act and federal grants, will also be vital as Norman looks to emerge from the pandemic. I dont make partisan decisions, because partisan politics dont fill potholes. Newcomer Alex Ruggiers defeated longtime incumbent Dan Snell in the race for Norman Public Schools Board of Education Office No. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The Wichita, Kansas natives Norman ties began in 2005, when she moved to Oklahoma to attend the OU College of Law after receiving a bachelors degree in political science at Wichita State University. It is vividly clear that she inclines toward the democratic party. But I actually see it as an advantage. Hickmans campaign has received$48,670 in contributions, Clark has received$18,781, and Dunn did not raise enough to meet the minimum reporting requirement. He retired as the Command Master Chief, 9th Naval Construction Regiment. In April, Norman will vote for a second time on a stormwater utility bond to address flooding and pollution problems. (NonDoc) Support Journalism In the culmination of two years worth of debate over city leadership, Larry. Mindy Wood covers City Hall news and notable court cases for The Transcript. She swore, if elected,not toimpose a maskmandateorimplement business lockdowns due to the pandemic. Kevin Stitts endorsement of mayoral candidate Nicole Kish is a wildly inappropriate breach of municipal governments non-partisan nature, Clark said. Clear skies. KOCO 5 asked the five about COVID-19 mitigation measures, working with a divided City Council, police funding, federal funds for cities and how to address Norman's growing homeless population. Largest Oklahoma United Methodist church may cut denominational ties. Clark broadcast her concession speech to her official Facebook page. She earned a Juris Doctorate in 2008, and became director of, After beginning her stint in local government as Normans Ward 6 city council member in 2016, Clark, defeated opponents Bill Hickman and Evan Dunn. Eventually, her supporters in city government and the community at-large led her to reconsider. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Clark faced notable backlash after the Norman City Council voted to reduce a proposed Norman Police Department budget increase by $865,000 in June 2020. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Clark received 4.45% more of the votes than Heikkila in the primary. Heikkila,70, is retired after serving 26 years in the U.S. Navy and working for the city for 17 years, ending his career as a safety manager who ensuredmunicipal departments hadsafe workplaces. She also completed the 2018-19 Oklahoma Municipal Leagues Community Leadership Development class and founded the Norman Eastside Business Association. "These people messed with my livelihood, and that is cancel culture and that should never happen in the city of Norman," Kish said. faculty, staff and alumni on campus and around the world for more than 100 years? #okwx #texomawx. Breea Clark is originally from Wichita, Kansas, where she graduated with her B.A. 13h. Thevote theOklahoma Supreme Court later said violated the state's Open Meeting Actlargely led to the formation of grassroots group Unite Norman and misleading allegations that the council voted to "defund the police. I think theres a lack of trust with what they did with our money.. He also serves as an ordained Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at a local church. or anything. One of her top issues is addressinghomelessness. Theres no room for political ideology or political party in local government, because were not tackling issues like abortion or gun rights. Norman remains the largest city in Oklahoma without a dedicated stormwater utility. "Everyone who ran entered the mayoral race had one central goal, and that was to improve the City of Norman. Don't knowingly lie about anyone I dont make partisan decisions, because partisan politics dont fill potholes. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. There was a problem saving your notification. In addition to her role with the City of Norman, she serves as the Director of the JCPenney Leadership Center in the Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. Breea Clark (incumbent) Breea Clark Profession: Current mayor of Norman and director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Center at the University of Oklahoma. I was new to Norman and didn't know anybody. I know theres a candidate (Bob Thompson) trying to say that we shouldnt be red or we shouldnt be blue, and I absolutely agree, Clark said. Her challengers in the nonpartisan race are Nicole Kish, Larry Heikkila, A.E. The 2022 Norman, Oklahoma, mayoral election was held on February 8, 2022, with Larry Heikkila and Breea Clark going in the runoff. Her portrayal as a raging liberal by campaign opponents is wildly untrue and inaccurate, Clark said, given her voting record and past political experience. In his campaign announcement, Heikkila chided the council for its focuson addressing homelessness. I love Norman, Hickman said. Be Truthful. Were not your typical city that just has an urban feel to it if you look at our map, it goes way past Lake Thunderbird, Clark said. The incumbent also thanked Thompson for running a clean race. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2008, she started working for the Universitys Office of the Provost on the main campus and was instrumental in the creation of the Office of Academic Integrity Programs. I will do everything I can in power to support mayor-elect Heikkila, she said to a crowd of supporters. Its all around our city, Clark said. I believe its a citizen-based solution to a city-wide problem.. Address: 307 W. Brooks Some formed a group called Unite Norman and began collecting signatures with help from Norman police officers and Republican political strategists to recall Mayor Breea Clark, Bierman. that is degrading to another person. Incremental increases based on water usage were also included in the proposition. Breea Clark's Political Summary . Analysis Efforts in Norman, Oklahoma, to recall Mayor Breea Clark and councilmembers Kate Bierman, Alison Petrone, Sereta Wilson, and Stephen Holmam were initiated in July 2020. While the decision still resulted in an overall budget increase for NPD, the meeting encouraged the formation of Unite Norman. Heikkila received 53.39 percent of the vote, compared to 46.61 for Clark, who was seeking her first reelection after winning in 2019. In an interview, Hickman talked about restoring public trust in the City of Norman. Clark also thanked her volunteers, her campaign workers and her family for their support. Hickman views it as a way to balance the budget while Clark acknowledged TIFs as a valid economic tool, but that Norman residents wanted it removed. The City of Norman has made this mistake before. Asked his priority now that he is elected, Ruggiers said he wants to ensure families trust the district. She cited Norman's low unemployment rate and record sales tax revenue as signsthe city's economy is strong. UPDATED: Heikkila edges out Clark in mayoral race. Mayor Breea Clark will face Larry Heikkila in a runoff after neither candidate captured a majority of the vote Tuesday, preliminary election results indicated. The past three months have been a bumpy ride for Clark, 37, a Kansas native who put herself through college at Wichita State and law school at OU. You have permission to edit this article. Low near 40F. Mayor Heikkila earned a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Clark also stated a desire to increase the civic engagement of OU students, describing them as student citizens of Norman. She called local business closures at the start of the pandemic"devastating" forher practice. If elected, Thompson said he wants to drop the political temperature by changing how the mayor's office is presented. Use the 'Report' link on By July 2020, the group attempted to trigger a recall election. Clark received 36.46% of the. . (Kyle Phillips / The Transcript). She also touted the city's hiring of a sustainability officer and a chief diversity and equity officer, saying the latter and the city council passingpro-LGBTQ policies and protectionscontributed to Norman getting a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's municipal equity index.