Citing a study the council commissioned to better address homelessness and identify gaps in prevention programs, Thompson said he wants to follow through on those recommendations. Heikkila opposed mask mandates and other COVID-19 measures, while Clark had supported them. Low near 40F. Clark also stated a desire to increase the civic engagement of OU students, describing them as student citizens of Norman. 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. Norman Mayor Breea Clark wasnt always certain she would pursue a second term after a tumultuous three years in office. Three years ago, the police union endorsed Clark, but the group rescinded its endorsement after the 2020 vote on the police budget that led the Norman Police Department to eliminate nine unfilled officer positions. Norman Mayor Breea Clark looks up her election numbers during her watch party, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at Blackbird Gastropub. "I think our next mayor needs to be able to steer us from … the waters of calamity into the sea of reason," he said. Elections Summary Voter Registration & Polling Place Ballot Measures Issues Public Statements Political Parties Election Contacts Political . person will not be tolerated. He moved to Norman in 1978 and was a longtime City of Norman employee who now sits on several Cleveland County citizen boards. is a wildly inappropriate breach of municipal governments non-partisan nature, Clark said. I told everyone I have one more term left in me and then someone else can have all the fun.. racist or sexually-oriented language. The Norman Transcript recently published analysis of Norman campaign finance reports through Jan. 28. Numerous polls show most Republicans agree with Trump's falseclaim that the election was stolen. When asked to provide evidence of her claim,Stephenson-Leuck, who is retired, cited statistics that homelessness and gambling cango hand-in-hand, but she had no Norman-specific data to show the casino is contributing to homelessness in the city. Norman, OK 73019-4004. By July 2020, the group attempted to trigger a recall election for Clark and several Norman city council members. Norman, OK 73070. A total of 22,712 voters cast ballots, with 8,281 for Clark, 7,269 for Heikkila, 4,292 for Thompson, 2,838 for Kish and 32 for Leuck, preliminary results from the Oklahoma State Election Board showed. The married mother of two boys has been praised and vilified for signing Norman's emergency stay-at-home order earlier than most cities and waiting later than other cities to ease restrictions. accounts, the history behind an article. You can make a one-time donation or a recurring pledge. The turnout in Tuesdays election significantly eclipsed the turnout in 2019. Midway Bob, Dr. Kish, Ms. Leuck, and again, mayor-elect Heikkila, I wish you the very best.. (NonDoc) Support Journalism In the culmination of two years worth of debate over city leadership, Larry. Potential affordable housing solutions under consideration now include single-room occupancy spaces near the intersection of Robinson Street and Berry Road. Breea Clark (incumbent) Breea Clark Profession: Current mayor of Norman and director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Center at the University of Oklahoma. (They asked), Why would you want the progress youve made to be undone, Clark said. Mayor Breea Clark pursues second term, prioritizes homelessness, stormwater, encouraging voter participation, 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. Keep it Clean. Its about long-term water quality and supply, its also about our stormwater drainage pipes, which we have never looked at, so therell be lots of replacement, and then lots of maintenance.. Clark missed the mayoralforum due to a work conflict, but later said in an interviewshe supports fully fundingthe police department. "We were the first to put a maskmandate in place, the last to remove it, and so I'm very, very proud of how we managed to protect our residentswhile keeping our economy going.". 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. Votes cast totaled 24,345 with 12,999 for Heikkila and 11,346 for Clark. Clark graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wichita State University in 2005 and then received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2008. Norman voters selected him to lead a transformation of our community. In 2019, propositions for stormwater utility bond projects and a stormwater utility fee. There arent just parts of Norman, little pockets, having this issue. She teaches several undergraduate courses, includingIntroduction to LeadershipandLeadership in International Settings. He also serves as an ordained Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at a local church. During the Feb. 8 primary, Heikkila and Clark defeated opponents "Midway" Bob Thompson, Dr. Nicole Kish and Alice Stephenson-Leuck. In the end, Clark survived the recall effort but could not prevail against Heikkila. He also recently chaired thecitys Charter Review Committee. I thanked him for a clean race and spoke to him about how we can work together for a round two, she said. The 2020 presidential election spurred a wave of voting laws that some say could restrict access to the polls. I will do everything in my power to support Mayor-elect Heikkila as he faces these challenges, she said. Ruggiers is a former Norman Public Schools teacher, and he said his election shows that the community wanted to give teachers a voice. Previous experiences with similar projects and collaboration at the county level could help alleviate those issues. Norman voters will cast ballots Tuesday, Feb. 12, to decide which of three candidates will become the next mayor of Norman. An example is our animal welfare shelter, Clark said. No education information on file. [1] Recall organizers submitted enough signatures to put the recall election against Councilwoman Petrone on the ballot. "These people messed with my livelihood, and that is cancel culture and that should never happen in the city of Norman," Kish said. On campus, she has served on the Universitys Legal Panel, Speakers Bureau, and the Committee on Discrimination and Harassment. Personal keyboard_arrow_down. Weve made a lot of progress in the last three years, and were just getting started. 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. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a27ac526b8852e3 He is also a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 122-Gold. She was endorsed by Sallys List and the Red Earth Group, Normans Sierra Club affiliate. If no candidate gets a majority of the vote inTuesday's election, the top two vote getters will square off in an April 5 runoff election. I was new to Norman and didn't know anybody. While the decision still resulted in an overall budget increase for NPD, the meeting encouraged the formation of Unite Norman. "I am humbled, and so very honored the citizens of Norman have chosen me to become Normans next mayor," Heikkila said. 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. She represented her city in the 4th class of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership initiative and is currently a fellow in the VV Engage Global Fellowship with Vital Voices. Mayoral and city council elections will take place Tuesday, Feb. 8. Affiliations:Member of the Oklahoma Bar Association; Oklahoma Bar Foundation; member of the Family Law Section; member of the OBA Law Schools Committee; member of the OBA Legislative Monitoring Committee. Prior to his election as mayor, he served as the Chairman of the Excise Board and Equalization Board, Vice-Chair of the Tax Roll Correction Board and as a Member of the Industrial Authority for Cleveland County. I want to say thank you to my supporters and all the volunteers and communities that rolled out, Clark said Tuesday. faculty, staff and alumni on campus and around the world for more than 100 years? 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. Heikkila was endorsed by Cleveland County Commissioners Darry Stacy and Harold Haralson, the local fraternal order of police and the firefighters union, among others. He serves at the Cleveland County Detention Center and at Mission Norman as a Chaplain endorsed by the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. I assume its the DNC agenda, but we dont like that here. Low near 40F. During her tenure as mayor, the Norman City Council allocated CARES Act funding to local businesses and vaccine distribution. The incumbent also thanked Thompson for running a clean race. Cockfighting fight turns back time at Oklahoma Capitol, The awkward family affair of Gov. Its very clear that everyone wants to keep moving in a positive direction.. You have permission to edit this article. Norman resident and lifelong Republican John Trice, 68, said he envisionsthe political winds shifting this election cycle. Box 370, Norman 73070 Phone: 405-876-9216 Phone: 405-366-5402 e-mail: mayor@NormanOK.gov Vital Information: Sworn In: 07/05/22 Current Term Ends: 07/01/25 But, we are the county seat and it doesnt need to just be Normans problem, because its a countywide problem, its a nationwide problem. Incremental increases based on water usage were also included in the proposition. 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. Her campaign for a second term, she said, is focused less on restating commitments made in her first three years and more on goals she will pursue, if reelected. Kish said she was grateful to supporters, and intends to work with the next mayor. Full Name: Breea Clark. Evan Dunn, a community activist and former teacher, attempted to set himself apart from his opponents by discussing moral problems in Norman. On campus, she has served on the Universitys Legal Panel, Speakers Bureau and as an interim Pre-Law Club Advisor. In his campaign announcement, Heikkila chided the council for its focuson addressing homelessness. Breea serves as the Mayor of Norman, the 3rd largest city in the state of Oklahoma. Like Clark, Hickman has dealt with his own public backlashafter using his role asmoderator in a Ward 4 Facebook page to delete comments he judged as personal attacks. To achieve this transformation, the management of it must be pragmatic, productive and visionary, and must redefine Norman into a city of excellence. In 2022 he was named one of Cleveland Countys Men of Influence. Liberal Oklahoma Mayor Faces Recall Posted August 16th, 2020 by Iron Mike Unite Norman just turned in 20,560 signaturesin their attempt to force a recall election of their new mayor - Breea Clark. Norman voters have chosen Larry Heikkila to be the city's next mayor, preliminary election reports indicated Tuesday. The more we can collaborate, the more we can stretch our dollars to do the most good.. Im invested in both [the City of Norman and OU], and so Im going to make sure our negotiations are fair.. "We're still in the middle of this crisis,and there's no one better equipped to keep us going forward in our recovery,with an optimistic view to the future," Clark said. Heikkila received 53.39% of the votes, beating incumbent Breea Clark. Mailing Address: P.O. Clark and Hickman were united on the removal of the University North Park TIF. recognition from the Oklahoma State Medical Association, ties to Unite Norman were elected to the council, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. If elected, Thompson said he wants to drop the political temperature by changing how the mayor's office is presented. Heikkila received 53.39% of the votes, beating incumbent Breea Clark. Once she returned from the nation's capital, Kish said she was harassed, stalked and doxxed by "leftists" that called her practice numerous times a day for weeks on end, leading her to hire off-duty Norman police officers as security. 2023 Whitbeck Bennett | Website By CC&A Strategic Media. Phone: (405) 325-2501. He and his wife Janet were married in 1976, and moved to Norman from Tulsa in 1978. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Clear skies. Prior to seeking elected office, she served on the Norman Tree Board, Library Board, and the Norman Forward Sales Tax Citizens Financial Oversight Board. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism 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. Clark broadcast her concession speech to her official Facebook page. He began his quest to become Normans mayor amid a crowded field of five candidates that took part in Februarys general election. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Kishhas litigation pending against several people she says made false statements about her that led her to endure death threats andlose clients and business income. or anything. Office:Adams Hall, Suite 106 Theres no room for political ideology or political party in local government, because were not tackling issues like abortion or gun rights. NORMAN Larry Heikkila won a first term as mayor of Norman on Tuesday, unseating incumbent Breea Clark. "Because of Mayor Clark, I bet youre going to see the pendulum swinging conservative.". 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. In a recent election she fought against the conservative, so it is certain that she ain't conservative. #okwx #texomawx. 32. In that race, 13,068 total votes were cast. Asked if she still has concerns about election integrity or if she has faith in the 2020 presidential election results, Kish said polling shows people across the country have concerns about election integrity. She also wants the city to vote on reallocating Norman Forward dollars generated from a 15-year sales tax increase intended to fund quality-of-life improvements across the city. Low near 40F. As a first-time candidate and a businesswoman not a politician I am proud of the race that we ran. Clark graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wichita State University in 2005 and then received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2008. 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. In a news release, she called the visit a "field trip" to watch democracy in action, spurred by reports of election integrity issues in the 2020 presidential election. Dunn is the only candidate who does not support the stormwater utility bond. We've got people in Norman right now with Section Eight vouchers and no Section Eight housing available. 405-876-9216. Who is rating Clark ? Earlier in the pandemic, some Norman residents criticized Clark for requiring some businesses to closeand imposing capacity limits onbusinesses andpublic gatherings to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Heikkila and Leuck did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. 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. news. Here's how they could affect voters in future elections. Affordable housing has always been the missing piece in Norman, and something that Norman has kind of always struggled with.. [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. Mayor, City of Norman, Oklahoma, 2019-present. Post Office Box 370 Norman, OK 73070. I tend to be right about in the middle. While the decision still resulted in an overall budget increase for NPD, the meeting encouraged the formation of Unite Norman. news. Were trying to clean water and build roads.. But initially, as they are right now, I dont think theyre equitable, I dont think they summon or motivate our residents to change the way that their homescapes are designed so that stormwater isnt the problem.. Her challengers in the nonpartisan race are Nicole Kish, Larry Heikkila, A.E. She also serves as director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Program in the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. I believe in collaboration, positive hands-on leadership, and I think those should be priorities for the next leader of our city, Clark said. After that, I am not at all opposed to these bond sales as an alternative or adjunct approach. Long-term maintenance and staffing of such facilities could pose an obstacle for the city, Clark said. journalism is worth and how to fund the civic good that robust news organizations can generate. At a watch party Tuesday night, Clark told supporters she will weather the loss. Thompson said he jumped into the mayoral race because he figured the only way to stop the political divisiveness inNorman was a change in leadership. Breea Clark is Of Counsel at WhitbeckBennett. "We were the first todeclare a state of emergency," she said. government. I have a servants heart and I want to be a voice for the people. After a single term as Norman's mayor, Breea Clark was defeated in Tuesday's runoff election, by a vote of 53.4% to 46.6%. Breea Clark, the current Norman Ward 6 council member, works as the director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Program at the University of Oklahoma's Michael F. Price College of Business. He also retired in 2010, after twenty-six years of service in the United States Navy. As the current Director of the JCPenney Leadership Center, she advises the JCPenney Leadership Program and teaches leadership courses and Passport to Success workshops. I think accountability is always good, and voter education. The mayoral race came down to incumbent Mayor Breea Clark and challenger Larry Heikkila. As an employee he served as the City of Norman Street Supervisor, then as a Personnel Analyst, and finally as the Safety Manager. I also dont like the university elite hijacking Normans government. But I actually see it as an advantage. She teaches several undergraduate courses, including. I give this to God.. Clark also praised NPDs efforts in interacting and building relationships with Normans unhoused residents, and said she hopes to pass additional funding to help the department staff its community outreach services. Clark said the issue remains too important to continue administering band-aid solutions. I would like to create a rural commission to educate the city folk, if you will, on issues facing our rural community because I dont know what its like to have livestock and run a farm as my profession, and I dont pretend to know. Kevin Stitts endorsement of mayoral candidate Nicole Kish is a wildly inappropriate breach of municipal governments non-partisan nature, Clark said. Ill really start digging into the budget, Ruggiers said. He is a member of the Norman Chamber of Commerce. At a mayoral forum held by the Norman chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police last month, the candidatesvowed toprioritizepublic safety funding after the Norman City Council, including Clark, in 2020 approved a cut to the proposed police budget an issue that has embroiled the city ever since. She addressed her relationship with the university in an interview with NonDoc. One of the silver linings of the pandemic is people really did start paying attention to local government more, and regardless of what side you're on, I don't think that's a bad thing, Clark 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. I felt like it would be a disservice to my community and my legacy of service and all that weve accomplished over the last three years to walk away. He said he wants to rebuild public confidencein the city council and bring backcivilizeddialogue and respectful disagreementto local politics by working with all sides of an issue to find compromises. For accessibility assistance please contact the ADA Technician at 405-366-5424. The citys unique position as the only Oklahoma municipality required to vote on the creation of a public utility poses a challenge for city officials to create an easily understandable, equitable funding solution, Clark said. 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