If elected, Thompson said he wants to drop the political temperature by changing how the mayor's office is presented. 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. I will do everything in my power to support Mayor-elect Heikkila as he faces these challenges, she said. She is also a proud graduate of the 2018-19 OU Leadership Council class. Affordable housing and homelessness solutions would be prioritized with further federal aid dollars if she is elected to a second term, Clark said. However, there is no clear answer about her affiliation. "Everyone who ran entered the mayoral race had one central goal, and that was to improve the City of Norman. Part of that solution should involve more collaboration between rural and urban Normanites, she added. 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. Full Name: Breea Clark. #okwx #texomawx. 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. He also wants the city to cut red tape and speed up the permitting process for businesses in order to spur more development. Then consider helping fund our endeavors. In-person absentee voting takes place Thursday and Friday, Feb. 3-4. At OKC, a record high temperature of 83 degrees occurred mid-day, then plummeted to a record low of 17 degrees at midnight. If elected, Stephenson-Leuck plans to ask the tribe to build a new, state-of-the-art homeless shelter. Ruggiers picked up 64.17 percent of the vote, compared to Snells 35.83. She also serves as a member of the Oklahoma Municipal League Board of Directors and the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments Board of Directors. Breea Clark, the incumbent, had been mayor since 2019. "I think our next mayor needs to be able to steer us from … the waters of calamity into the sea of reason," he said. person will not be tolerated. Norman Mayor Breea Clark wasn't always certain she would pursue a second term after a tumultuous three years in office. One of her top issues is addressinghomelessness. As the only non-incumbent candidate who has served on the city council before, Thompson said his two terms representing Ward 1from 2005 to 2009will help him lead the council without the learning curveother candidates might face. 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. During her tenure as mayor, the Norman City Council allocated CARES Act funding, Norman remains the largest city in Oklahoma without a dedicated stormwater utility. While on council, Thompson supported the city's first public safety sales tax that funded additional police officers. He is a member of the Norman Chamber of Commerce. 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. In 2019, propositions for stormwater utility bond projects and a stormwater utility fee received 42.62 percent and 39.68 percent yes votes, respectively. Norman Mayor candidate Larry Heikkila watches as election numbers come in Feb. 8 during his watch party for the general election at Red Rock Canyon Grill. Breea serves as the Mayor of Norman, the 3rd largest city in the state of Oklahoma. in Political Science from Wichita State University in 2005. 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. Asked his priority now that he is elected, Ruggiers said he wants to ensure families trust the district. 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. I am not at all in favor of it, Dunn said. They each spoke about what they believe makes them the best choice for Norman. Clark said the rise in partisan politics that has saturated notable Norman City Council issues for the past year has no place in local decision making, and that shes glad to see candidates run with a focus on minimizing those influences in municipal government. Clark faced notable backlash after the Norman City Council voted to, reduce a proposed Norman Police Department budget increase by $865,000. I was new to Norman and didn't know anybody. Office:Adams Hall, Suite 106 I look forward to April 5.. 405-876-9216. Who is rating Clark ? I want to say thank you to my supporters and all the volunteers and communities that rolled out, Clark said Tuesday. Together they owned a small glass business on Main Street for four years. 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. 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. Evan Dunn, a community activist and former teacher, attempted to set himself apart from his opponents by discussing moral problems in Norman. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma's law school anddirector of OU'sJ.C. Penney Leadership Center, Clark decided to run for reelection because she believes she's the best person to continue guiding Norman through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She teaches several undergraduate courses, includingIntroduction to LeadershipandLeadership in International Settings. Click on the video above to hear what . In that race, 13,068 total votes were cast. Votes cast totaled 24,345 with 12,999 for Heikkila and 11,346 for Clark. Both Kish and Heikkila have said they want to increase the number of police officers and boost pay across public safety departments. Phone: 405-366-5402 each comment to let us know of abusive posts. On Tuesday, the total ballooned to more than 24,000. Sworn In: 07/05/22 I would like to be added to the WB's monthly newsletter, "A Family Matter". 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. NORMAN Although the four mayoral candidates challenging Norman Mayor Breea Clark span the political spectrum, they all agree public safety fundingwould be theirtop budget priority upon taking office. In April, Norman will vote for a second time on a stormwater utility bond to address flooding and pollution problems. Voting rights and elections: How new state laws could affect you. Midway Bob, Dr. Kish, Ms. Leuck, and again, mayor-elect Heikkila, I wish you the very best.. 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. For more information on where, when and how to vote, visit the, Support independent journalism serving OU. Heikkila received 53.39% of the votes, beating incumbent Breea Clark. 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. Clark was elected mayor in a three-way contestin 2019after serving on the city council for three years. Kevin Stitt, Kishsaid she wants tobring a new perspective to the Norman City Council and draw on her experience managing her own practice to create a more inviting business environment in Norman. Heikkila opposed mask mandates and other COVID-19 measures, while Clark had supported them. 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. 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. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Each petition failed to gather enough signatures, Members of a Facebook group opposing Normans COVID response, Clark said she was continually targeted and harassed. Reach her atmwood@normantranscript.com or 405-416-4420. online throughout the pandemic. Mayoral and city council elections will take place Tuesday, Feb. 8. Potential affordable housing solutions under consideration now include single-room occupancy spaces near the intersection of Robinson Street and Berry Road. 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. Larry Heikkila defeated incumbent Norman Mayor Breea Clark on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. He also voiced support for no-tax transportation bonds that would allow Norman to build a new traffic management center. Helen Grant won the Norman City Council Ward 4 seat Tuesday, defeating opponent Gale Hobson. 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. Grant won 54.41 percent of the vote, compared to 45.59 for Hobson. Be Nice. 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. in June 2020. We believe The The Norman Transcript recently published analysis of Norman campaign finance reports through Jan. 28. The 2022 Norman, Oklahoma, mayoral election was held on February 8, 2022, with Larry Heikkila and Breea Clark going in the runoff. (They asked), Why would you want the progress youve made to be undone, Clark said. Ultimately, local government issues, such as infrastructure, policing, zoning and economic development should not be partisan, Thompson said. In an interview, Hickman talked about restoring public trust in the City of Norman. 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. Clark broadcast her concession speech to her official Facebook page. Whoever is at the helm of the ship doesnt need a learning curve, she said last month. I give this to God.. He won over incumbent Mayor Breea Clark. Im really excited about the win tonight, Ruggiers said. 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. Her portrayal as a raging liberal by campaign opponents is wildly untrue and inaccurate, Clark said, given her voting record and past political experience. I thanked him for a clean race and spoke to him about how we can work together for a round two, she said. "If you aren't questioning the actual elections, and if they are free and fair, then I don't think you're paying attention," Kish said. This is amazing. 32. Norman, OK 73019-4004. [2] General Results [ edit] Clark said the main separation between her and Hickman was leadership style. For accessibility assistance please contact the ADA Technician at 405-366-5424. 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. Mayor Clark's police budget-cutting seemed to many as a ME-TOO reaction to the groundswell of DEFUND movements following the death of George Floyd. You have permission to edit this article. news. I am not in favor of the school bond, Im not in favor of any of the transportation bonds. Around the world, communities are grappling with what [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. As mayor, he said he would deliver on projects people had voted for. 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.. Runoff: Mayor Breea Clark to face Larry Heikkila in April. Blake Douglas joined the OU Daily news desk in October 2018, and is currently the editor-in-chief. Click to reveal Clark said the election was not about her nor was it about her opponent it was about improving Norman. I also dont like the university elite hijacking Normans government. Breea Clark is Of Counsel at WhitbeckBennett. Eventually, her supporters in city government and the community at-large led her to reconsider. Before receiving her J.D. Heikkila received 53.39 percent of the vote, compared to 46.61 for Clark, who was seeking her first reelection after winning in 2019. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Before receiving her J.D. If reelected, Clark aims to find solutions to Norman's storm water issues, improve infrastructureand focus on making the community more sustainable and inclusive. Issue Category All . Kish, 50, a cofounder of Unite Normanandlocal optometrist who has owned and operated her own practice for more thantwo decades, has made boosting police funding a centerpiece of her campaign. "I am humbled, and so very honored the citizens of Norman have chosen me to become Normans next mayor," Heikkila said. He said the city needs the silent majority of non-fundamentalists to come into the fold and to make the arguments and to shame people into becoming more moral.. Lets work this out so that we can make the town that we want and help me define it, he told supporters. She also previously served as interim Pre-Law Club Advisor and was a member of the 2018-2019 OU Leadership Council class. We spoke truthfully about the issues that I know are important to voters including public safety, homelessness and jobs. "Because of Mayor Clark, I bet youre going to see the pendulum swinging conservative.". In the end, Clark survived the recall effort but could not prevail against Heikkila. is a wildly inappropriate breach of municipal governments non-partisan nature, Clark said. City of Norman, 201 W Gray St,Norman, OK 73069, Information on City Council and Committee Meetings. The mayoral race came down to incumbent Mayor Breea Clark and challenger Larry Heikkila. 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. "Adequately funding itjust seems obvious.". racist or sexually-oriented language. 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. With Mayor Lynne Miller not seeking re-election, two city council members and a community activist seek to fill her spot. Eventually, her supporters in city government and the community at-large led her to reconsider. We moved to Norman in 2005 from Wichita, Kansas, and started our family while I was in law school at the University of Oklahoma. Her mayoral tenure became defined largely by the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide policing debate. Your IP: The proposition called for the monthly base fee to all customers to be raised from $6 to $7.80 for metered users. This is hard.. As an employee he served as the City of Norman Street Supervisor, then as a Personnel Analyst, and finally as the Safety Manager. She also said she wants to help the city prioritize how to spendmillions in federal aid comingfrom the American Plan Act and the $1 trillion infrastructure package. Heikkila got 32 percent of the primary vote, and Clark received 36.5 percent. 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. E-mail: breea@ou.edu. I will do everything I can in power to support mayor-elect Heikkila, she said to a crowd of supporters. 405-876-9216. perm_identityWho exactly is Clark? Breea Clark, Larry Heikkila make final cases to voters ahead of Norman mayoral runoff election Ari Fife, senior news reporter Apr 3, 2022 Updated Apr 4, 2022 0 Mayoral incumbent Breea. Floyds death led to efforts across the country to reduce police funding, but calls to defund the policy also gave birth to a movement among people who opposed the idea. If no candidate receives 50 percent of the vote, the runoff election will take place Tuesday, April 5. Norman Mayor Breea Clark wasnt 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. tomorrow by helping launch the careers of media professionals. Clark also thanked her volunteers, her campaign workers and her family for their support. E-mail:breea@ou.edu Prior to seeking elected office, she served on the Norman Tree Board, Library Board, and the Norman Forward Sales Tax Citizens Financial Oversight Board. 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.