32. She faced criticism for the city's response to the pandemic and for a vote over the city's police force that many deemed as "defunding". I dont make partisan decisions, because partisan politics dont fill potholes. Low near 40F. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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.. Elections Summary Voter Registration & Polling Place Ballot Measures Issues Public Statements Political Parties Election Contacts Political . 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. I love Norman, Hickman said. No education information on file. There arent just parts of Norman, little pockets, having this issue. Kish said she was grateful to supporters, and intends to work with the next mayor. Sworn In: 07/05/22 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 2019, propositions for stormwater utility bond projects and a stormwater utility fee received 42.62 percent and 39.68 percent yes votes, respectively. Phone:(405) 325-2501 Use the 'Report' link on 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. Mayoral and city council elections will take place Tuesday, Feb. 8. He is a member of the Norman Chamber of Commerce. for Clark and several Norman city council members. The incumbent also thanked Thompson for running a clean race. Theres no room for political ideology or political party in local government, because were not tackling issues like abortion or gun rights. Breea serves as the Mayor of Norman, the 3rd largest city in the state of Oklahoma. She serves on Normans ABLE Board, and continues to champion opportunities for the disabled. Asked his priority now that he is elected, Ruggiers said he wants to ensure families trust the district. On Tuesday, the total ballooned to more than 24,000. NORMAN, Okla. (AP) Former Norman safety manager Larry Heikkila defeated incumbent Breea Clark on Tuesday in the race to be mayor of Oklahoma's third-largest city. I find it sad that local government has the lowest voter turnout, because the decisions we make on the second and fourth Tuesday at the city council chambers impact Normanites lives way faster and more directly than any decisions you're going to see at the state and federal level. 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. I think theres a lack of trust with what they did with our money.. 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. It was built, but we were not prepared for the staffing and maintenance costs. Clark highlighted Normans perfect score 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. But I actually see it as an advantage. He said its the key to bringing our community back together., Im proud that my message has been both positive and optimistic, he said. After that, I am not at all opposed to these bond sales as an alternative or adjunct approach. 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. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Mayor Heikkila is a pro-business, pro-growth, avid supporter of Normans Police and Fire Departments. He began his quest to become Normans mayor amid a crowded field of five candidates that took part in Februarys general election. Theyve taken the force from 180 to 150, and their salaries are really low. 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. 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. Mayoral and city council elections will take place Tuesday, Feb. 8. Low near 40F. "We were the first todeclare a state of emergency," she said. We believe The "Everyone who ran entered the mayoral race had one central goal, and that was to improve the City of Norman. At a packed election watch party in Norman on Tuesday night, Heikkila called for a more conservative Norman and encouraged other conservative candidates to run for upcoming City Council seats. Mailing Address: P.O. Her mayoral tenure became defined largely by the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide policing debate. The vote occurred in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May 2020. Share Background Report Overview of Breea Diane Clark Lives in: Norman, Oklahoma Phone: View phone number Age: 39 Breea Clark's Voter Registration Heikkila received 53.39% of the votes, beating incumbent Breea Clark. 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. Mayor Heikkila earned a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Norman voters selected him to lead a transformation of our community. She teaches several undergraduate courses, including. Earlier in the pandemic, some Norman residents criticized Clark for requiring some businesses to close and imposing capacity limits on businesses and public gatherings to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Thats why I really like what the stormwater citizen committee has come up with. Breea Clark is Of Counsel at WhitbeckBennett. Mayor Breea Clark will face Larry Heikkila in a runoff after neither candidate captured a majority of the vote Tuesday, preliminary election results indicated. Clark said the issue remains too important to continue administering band-aid solutions. Norman voters will cast ballots Tuesday, Feb. 12, to decide which of three candidates will become the next mayor of Norman. 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. For accessibility assistance please contact the ADA Technician at 405-366-5424. In a recent election she fought against the conservative, so it is certain that she ain't conservative. First elected to the Norman City Council to represent Ward 6 in 2016, she was elected in 2019 as Normans 60th mayor and first millennial mayor. Heikkila was endorsed by Cleveland County Commissioners Darry Stacy and Harold Haralson, the local fraternal order of police and the firefighters union, among others. On today's date in 1911, record cold temperatures replaced record warmth on the same day. By July 2020, the group attempted to trigger a recall election. In the race are incumbent Breea Clark, Bob Thompson, Dr. Nicole Kish, Larry Heikilla and Alice Stephenson-Leuck. We moved to Norman in 2005 from Wichita, Kansas, and started our family while I was in law school at the University of Oklahoma. Dunn advocated for a Ward-by-Ward, door-by-door approach to inform people of oils value. Numerous polls show most Republicans agree with Trump's falseclaim that the election was stolen. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Clear skies. Incremental increases based on water usage were also included in the proposition. Norman, OK 73070. I told everyone I have one more term left in me and then someone else can have all the fun.. I give this to God.. recognition from the Oklahoma State Medical Association, ties to Unite Norman were elected to the council, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. But, we are the county seat and it doesnt need to just be Normans problem, because its a countywide problem, its a nationwide problem. Helen Grant won the Norman City Council Ward 4 seat Tuesday, defeating opponent Gale Hobson. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. OU Daily and Crimson Quarterly magazine provide real value to this community both now by covering OU, and Saying Heikkila's years of public servicemake him the "stable, experienced leader Norman needs right now," the Norman Fraternal Order of Police endorsed the conservative candidate who has vowed to "rebuild" the city's police and fire departments. Norman voters have chosen Larry Heikkila to be the city's next mayor, preliminary election reports indicated Tuesday. In April, Norman will vote for a second time on a stormwater utility bond to address flooding and pollution problems. Norman, OK 73019-4004. Theres no room for political ideology or political party in local government, because were not tackling issues like abortion or gun rights. 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. Lets work this out so that we can make the town that we want and help me define it, he told supporters. 405-876-9216. Who is rating Clark ? I think we could have a ward-specific citizen commission, and experts in stormwater infrastructure and water quality combine again and make a proposal.. person will not be tolerated. Clark faced notable backlash after the Norman City Council voted to, reduce a proposed Norman Police Department budget increase by $865,000. He retired as the Command Master Chief, 9th Naval Construction Regiment. in June 2020. 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. City officials have also consulted with Griffin Memorial Hospital which sits on state-owned land under the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services about constructing multifamily affordable housing. Be Proactive. 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. In his campaign announcement, Heikkila chided the council for its focuson addressing homelessness. I will do everything I can in power to support mayor-elect Heikkila, she said to a crowd of supporters. I want to thank every candidate, she said. 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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 She . Funding the project has been. Upon graduating from law school and passing the bar exam, I helped to create the Office of Academic Integrity Programs at the University of Oklahoma. I think Norman Public Schools could use a lot more transparency. 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. Office: Mayor (Norman, OK) Track This Politician . A Democrat,Thompson, 65, aims to get national politics out of local politics, create harmony among the city council and bring civility and collaboration to municipal governing, whichhe says should remain nonpartisan. 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. Clark said she stands by her handling of the pandemic that earned her recognition from the Oklahoma State Medical Association. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Be Truthful. Potential affordable housing solutions under consideration now include single-room occupancy spaces near the intersection of Robinson Street and Berry Road. Breea Clark is Of Counsel at WhitbeckBennett. Dunn spoke on his vision for Norman and set lofty goals for the citys role in national politics. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, won the electiondespitewidely debunked claims of election fraud spread by Trump and his supporters. She also previously served as interim Pre-Law Club Advisor and was a member of the 2018-2019 OU Leadership Council class. Heikkila said he wants the city council to focus on bread-and-butter municipal issues,such as police, fire, roads, bridges, sewerand trash pick up. He won over incumbent Mayor Breea Clark. Norman, OK 73019-4004. Grant won 54.41 percent of the vote, compared to 45.59 for Hobson. 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. Clark received 36.46% of the. (The office) came at great personal cost to me, Clark told The Daily. We make a whopping $100 a month to do this, so its certainly not for the money. Mayor Heikkila and his wife have two adult children. In an interview, Hickman talked about restoring public trust in the City of Norman. Im voting no on all of them because we have bypassed, I think, the opportunity to turn the funding source for the implementation of those programs to be derived from resident investments. Clark broadcast her concession speech to her official Facebook page. Norman got to this point in the race after neither Clark nor Heikkila secured 50% of the vote against numerous other candidates during the February election. (Kyle Phillips / The Transcript). Saying she couldnt previously support the status quo of policing in Norman, Clark defended her vote nearly two years ago to cut $865,000, or 3.6%, from thedepartments proposed budget request that sought a funding increase. 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. . Phone: (405) 325-2501. I am not at all in favor of it, Dunn said. Norman residentCasey Holcombrecently filed a lawsuit against Hickman on the grounds of free speech violations. 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. You have permission to edit this article. Norman voters will also vote inNorman City Councilraces on Feb. 12. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. 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. University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D., 2008. "These people messed with my livelihood, and that is cancel culture and that should never happen in the city of Norman," Kish said. "I am humbled, and so very honored the citizens of Norman have chosen me to become Normans next mayor," Heikkila said. However, there is no clear answer about her affiliation. Ruggiers is a former Norman Public Schools teacher, and he said his election shows that the community wanted to give teachers a voice. 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. 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Clark also thanked her volunteers, her campaign workers and her family for their support. Norman Mayor Breea Clark wasn't always certain she would pursue a second term after a tumultuous three years in office. A political outsider endorsed by Gov. He also recently chaired thecitys Charter Review Committee. It looks like Norman was really ready to put a teacher on the school board, Ruggiers said. They each spoke about what they believe makes them the best choice for Norman. Her portrayal as a raging liberal by campaign opponents is wildly untrue and inaccurate, Clark said, given her voting record and past political experience. 210.65.88.143 Heikkila got 32 percent of the primary vote, and Clark received 36.5 percent. Part of that solution should involve more collaboration between rural and urban Normanites, she added. Bill Hickman, the current Norman Ward 4 council member, works as an attorney and small-business owner. I was new to Norman and didn't know anybody. "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. Click on the video above to hear what . Weve had issues with deciding is it a flat fee, is it based on water usage, is it based on impervious surface, Clark said. There has been a little bit of mistrust that has built up over the last couple of years.. Eventually, her supporters in city government and the community at-large led her to reconsider. . Previously, Blake has served as an intern reporter, senior news reporter, summer news editor and news managing editor. "I will be the champion Norman needs to make a positive impact for everyone in our community.". 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. "Adequately funding itjust seems obvious.". The number of citizens who supported Clark's ouster was 153-percent greater than the number of citizens who voted to elect Clark mayor in 2019. We spoke truthfully about the issues that I know are important to voters including public safety, homelessness and jobs. I want to thank everyone for putting their name on the ballot, she said. Department: JCPenney Leadership Program Around the world, communities are grappling with what Address: 307 W. Brooks Blake Douglas joined the OU Daily news desk in October 2018, and is currently the editor-in-chief. It appears, for now, that voters wanted someone from the establishment on both sides. On campus, she has served on the Universitys Legal Panel, Speakers Bureau, and the Committee on Discrimination and Harassment. The turnout in Tuesdays election significantly eclipsed the turnout in 2019. After withstanding a recall attempt in 2020 and coming under fire from some residents for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Clark, a Democrat,is vying for a second three-year term on the nine-member city council. AlthoughHeikkila saidthe council shouldn't be sofocused on issues related to homelessness, he said the city should work with the state to get mental health treatment for those who need it and try to entice moreproperty owners to offer government-subsidizedaffordable housing. 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. Stephenson-Leuck, 67, said she jumpedinto the mayoralrace due to thepolice budget cut in 2020. 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. Larry Heikkila defeated incumbent Norman Mayor Breea Clark on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Ruggiers picked up 64.17 percent of the vote, compared to Snells 35.83. Affordable housing and homelessness solutions would be prioritized with further federal aid dollars if she is elected to a second term, Clark said. 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. This is amazing. There was a problem saving your notification. The election results listed online are unofficial until they are certified by the Oklahoma State Election Board. Fighting for the mayoral position of Norman, Oklahoma, Heikkila got around 53% of the total votes which was around 1600 more than what Clark got. Address: 307 W. Brooks. Snell had served on the school board for more than two decades. If youre able, please "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.". It is absolutely possible for us to sell war bonds, not necessarily just stormwater bonds or school bonds, but if you sell war bonds to residents, you save on underwriters fees. (They asked), Why would you want the progress youve made to be undone, Clark said. The Norman Transcript recently published analysis of Norman campaign finance reports through Jan. 28. "Alice" Stephenson-Leuck and "Midway" Bob Thompson. Clark missed the mayoralforum due to a work conflict, but later said in an interviewshe supports fully fundingthe police department. 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%. With Mayor Lynne Miller not seeking re-election, two city council members and a community activist seek to fill her spot. ", What happened in June 2020 was hours of listening to residents saying that the current system is not working for them, and if your policing is not working for everybody in your community, then you have to change, Clark said. The 2022 Norman, Oklahoma, mayoral election was held on February 8, 2022, with Larry Heikkila and Breea Clark going in the runoff. 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. In that race, 13,068 total votes were cast. I have a servants heart and I want to be a voice for the people. "I think our next mayor needs to be able to steer us from … the waters of calamity into the sea of reason," he said. Law School:University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D., 2008. Members of a Facebook group opposing Normans COVID response sent Clark death threats online in May 2020, and Clark said she was continually targeted and harassed online throughout the pandemic. She called local business closures at the start of the pandemic"devastating" forher practice. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2008, she started working for the . Affordable housing has always been the missing piece in Norman, and something that Norman has kind of always struggled with.. After nearly deciding she would surrender the mayorship after a single term, Clark said support shes received from community leadership inspired her to run again. Prior to seeking elected office, she served on the Norman Tree Board, Library Board, and the Norman Forward Sales Tax Citizens Financial Oversight Board. She also serves as director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Program in the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. 2. Education keyboard_arrow_down. Mayor | City of Norman, OK Information on City Council and Committee Meetings City of Norman, OK Building an Inclusive Community Mayor How Do I? Full Name: Breea Clark. Heikkila received 53.39 percent of the vote, compared to 46.61 for Clark, who was seeking her first reelection after winning in 2019. Midway Bob Thompson swept up 18.90% of the votes, while Nicole Kish gained 12.50%; Alice Stephenson-Leuck obtained 0.14% of votes. 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. In addition he holds many technical certifications in Disaster Relief Operations, Occupational Safety, and Construction. Clark and Hickman were united on the removal of the University North Park TIF. 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. Its very clear that everyone wants to keep moving in a positive direction.. I dont make partisan decisions, because partisan politics dont fill potholes. 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. 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. [2], "Breea Clark, Larry Heikkila enter runoff election for Norman mayoral seat", "Pro-mask Oklahoma college-town mayor loses to rival backing 'personal freedoms', "Oklahoma Election Results: February 8, 2022", "FOP reverses course to back Heikkila; other organizations announce endorsements", "Oklahoma Election Results: April 5 Norman mayoral runoff election", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2022_Norman,_Oklahoma,_mayoral_election&oldid=1131202528, Sallys List, a PAC supporting progressive women candidates, Lions Den, a faith-based Christian business association, Oklahoma Second Amendment Rights Association, Oklahomans for Health and Parental Rights, an organization that helps parents opt out of compulsory vaccines for children, Unite Norman, a pro-police political organization, This page was last edited on 3 January 2023, at 01:29. Cockfighting fight turns back time at Oklahoma Capitol, The awkward family affair of Gov. Janet was employed as a Special Education Teacher for 38 years, most of that time by Norman Public Schools. With offices around the country, including in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Texas, Oklahoma and Florida, you can choose the right location for you. I would like to be added to the WB's monthly newsletter, "A Family Matter". Clear skies. I am grateful and humbled for the votes I received in Norman, Kish said in a prepared statement. She is also a proud graduate of the 2018-19 OU Leadership Council class. [2] General Results [ edit] Breea Clark (incumbent) Breea Clark Profession: Current mayor of Norman and director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Center at the University of Oklahoma. The mayoral race came down to incumbent Mayor Breea Clark and challenger Larry Heikkila. Current Legislative Committees keyboard_arrow_down. Currently, the mayor is presented as superior to the rest of the council when the mayor should really be more of a collaborative peer who works closely with all of the other members, he said.
