Reach her atmwood@normantranscript.com or 405-416-4420. "I will be the champion Norman needs to make a positive impact for everyone in our community.". Heikkila received 53.39% of the votes, beating incumbent Breea Clark. After that, I am not at all opposed to these bond sales as an alternative or adjunct approach. Funding the project has been. 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. She earned a Juris Doctorate in 2008, and became director of OUs JCPenney Leadership Program in 2018. One of her top issues is addressinghomelessness. I assume its the DNC agenda, but we dont like that here. Heikkila told NonDoc he decided to run in the wake of the Norman City Councils decision to shift more than $850,000 of a planned increase in the police budget to other municipal programs. 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. Phone: 405-366-5402 [1] On April 5, 2022, Larry Heikkila won the runoff election and became mayor of Norman, Oklahoma. He won over incumbent Mayor Breea Clark. Then consider helping fund our endeavors. 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. 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. 2023 Whitbeck Bennett | Website By CC&A Strategic Media. In-person absentee voting takes place Thursday and Friday, Feb. 3-4. Her challengers in the nonpartisan race are Nicole Kish, Larry Heikkila, A.E. 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. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. He said that the failure of city government to deliver on the Norman FORWARD project, including the construction of a new senior center, had eroded public trust. Stephenson-Leuck, 67, said she jumpedinto the mayoralrace due to thepolice budget cut in 2020. In 2022 he was named one of Cleveland Countys Men of Influence. 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. 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. Mayor Breea Clark will face Larry Heikkila in a runoff after neither candidate captured a majority of the vote Tuesday, preliminary election results indicated. A proposition that would have raised the base fee charged to Norman residents who use city water services failed Tuesday, capturing just 45.75 percent of the vote. There arent just parts of Norman, little pockets, having this issue. As mayor, he said he would deliver on projects people had voted for. online throughout the pandemic. Around the world, communities are grappling with what In the race are incumbent Breea Clark, Bob Thompson, Dr. Nicole Kish, Larry Heikilla and Alice Stephenson-Leuck. Lets work this out so that we can make the town that we want and help me define it, he told supporters. 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. Be Proactive. He won over incumbent Mayor Breea Clark. Newcomer Alex Ruggiers defeated longtime incumbent Dan Snell in the race for Norman Public Schools Board of Education Office No. Norman voters will cast ballots Tuesday, Feb. 12, to decide which of three candidates will become the next mayor of Norman. Affordable housing and homelessness solutions would be prioritized with further federal aid dollars if she is elected to a second term, Clark said. If elected, Stephenson-Leuck plans to ask the tribe to build a new, state-of-the-art homeless shelter. "Everyone who ran entered the mayoral race had one central goal, and that was to improve the City of Norman. 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. Norman residentCasey Holcombrecently filed a lawsuit against Hickman on the grounds of free speech violations. Clark was elected mayor in a three-way contestin 2019after serving on the city council for three years. Norman Mayor Breea Clark wasnt always certain she would pursue a second term after a tumultuous three years in office. I believe its a citizen-based solution to a city-wide problem.. Clark received 36.46% of the. The City of Norman has made this mistake before. Runoff: Mayor Breea Clark to face Larry Heikkila in April. Grant, who works at Oscillator Press in Norman and serves on several municipal committees, ran on a platform of bridging the divide between Normans urban core and its outlying areas. Long-term maintenance and staffing of such facilities could pose an obstacle for the city, Clark said. We'd love to hear eyewitness She also previously served as interim Pre-Law Club Advisor and was a member of the 2018-2019 OU Leadership Council class. Heikkila received 53.39% of the votes, beating incumbent Breea Clark. 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. After a decade of service in that office, I . 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. 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. If elected, Thompson said he wants to drop the political temperature by changing how the mayor's office is presented. Votes cast totaled 24,345 with 12,999 for Heikkila and 11,346 for Clark. Snell had served on the school board for more than two decades. Full Name: Breea Clark. Mailing Address: P.O. 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. . After nearly deciding she would surrender the mayorship after a single . Ultimately, local government issues, such as infrastructure, policing, zoning and economic development should not be partisan, Thompson said. She currently serves as Vice President of the Mayors Council of the Oklahoma Municipal League and on the Board of Directors for both the Oklahoma Municipal League and the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments. 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. NORMAN Larry Heikkila won a first term as mayor of Norman on Tuesday, unseating incumbent Breea Clark. Blake Douglas joined the OU Daily news desk in October 2018, and is currently the editor-in-chief. Gender: Female. Stephenson-Leuck said she isnot accepting campaign contributions, and was relying on a series of public mayoral forums to promote her campaign. "I really object to the idea that funding the police department has turned into a Democrat-versus-Republican question," he said. Im really excited about the win tonight, Ruggiers said. 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. . Click on the video above to hear what . Mayor Heikkila and his wife have two adult children. 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. Breea Clark is originally from Wichita, Kansas, where she graduated with her B.A. In 2019, propositions for stormwater utility bond projects and a stormwater utility fee received 42.62 percent and 39.68 percent yes votes, respectively. There was a problem saving your notification. For accessibility assistance please contact the ADA Technician at 405-366-5424. We moved to Norman in 2005 from Wichita, Kansas, and started our family while I was in law school at the University of Oklahoma. 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. Weve made a lot of progress in the last three years, and were just getting started. Each petition failed to gather enough signatures, Members of a Facebook group opposing Normans COVID response, Clark said she was continually targeted and harassed. The future of our community and the future of our state is not something I'm willing to risk. An example is our animal welfare shelter, Clark said. 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. 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. I would like to be added to the WB's monthly newsletter, "A Family Matter". She cited Norman's low unemployment rate and record sales tax revenue as signsthe city's economy is strong. During her tenure as mayor, the Norman City Council allocated CARES Act funding to local businesses and vaccine distribution. "I think our next mayor needs to be able to steer us from … the waters of calamity into the sea of reason," he said. The money should instead be used to fund the city's "essential needs," she said. Click to reveal In April, Norman will vote for a second time on a stormwater utility bond to address flooding and pollution problems. Clark received 4.45% more of the votes than Heikkila in the primary. She is also a proud graduate of the 2018-19 OU Leadership Council class. 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. Elections Summary Voter Registration & Polling Place Ballot Measures Issues Public Statements Political Parties Election Contacts Political . Were trying to clean water and build roads., endorsement of mayoral candidate Nicole Kish. 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. Clear skies. Heikkila is a 26-year Navy veteran. She swore, if elected,not toimpose a maskmandateorimplement business lockdowns due to the pandemic. Norman, OK 73070. 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, Emergency Authorization of Medical Treatment, Family Law, Criminal Law & Other Cases Involving Mental Health Issues. Kevin Stitts endorsement of mayoral candidate Nicole Kish is a wildly inappropriate breach of municipal governments non-partisan nature, Clark said. 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. 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 broadcast her concession speech to her official Facebook page. To achieve this transformation, the management of it must be pragmatic, productive and visionary, and must redefine Norman into a city of excellence. 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. If reelected, Clark aims to find solutions to Norman's storm water issues, improve infrastructureand focus on making the community more sustainable and inclusive. Breea Diane Clark (age 39) is listed at 718 E Johnson St Norman, Ok 73071 and is affiliated with the Democratic Party. Affordable housing has always been the missing piece in Norman, and something that Norman has kind of always struggled with.. person will not be tolerated. 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. 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. Thompson, who has owned and operated the Norman eatery Midway Deli for 36 years, is mounting an intraparty challenge against 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. Larry Heikkila defeated incumbent Norman Mayor Breea Clark on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Low near 40F. Breea Clark is Of Counsel at WhitbeckBennett. 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. Breea Clark's Political Summary . Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. 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. When it comes to my experience as the incumbent, this is the most unique situation our city has been in in a century, Clark said. 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. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Theres no room for political ideology or political party in local government, because were not tackling issues like abortion or gun rights. The mayoral race came down to incumbent Mayor Breea Clark and challenger Larry Heikkila. At OKC, a record high temperature of 83 degrees occurred mid-day, then plummeted to a record low of 17 degrees at midnight. 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 Political Experience keyboard_arrow_down. I dont make partisan decisions, because partisan politics dont fill potholes. Previously, he served the citizens of Norman with seventeen years of service as an employee of the City of Norman. She was endorsed by Sallys List and the Red Earth Group, Normans Sierra Club affiliate. I dont make partisan decisions, because partisan politics dont fill potholes. Breea serves as the Mayor of Norman, the 3rd largest city in the state of Oklahoma. Office: Mayor (Norman, OK) Track This Politician . It looks like Norman was really ready to put a teacher on the school board, Ruggiers said. news. Eventually, her supporters in city government and the community at-large led her to reconsider. 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. Address: 307 W. Brooks. Norman Mayor Breea Clark looks up her election numbers during her watch party, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at Blackbird Gastropub. In the end, Clark survived the recall effort but could not prevail against Heikkila. Evan Dunn, a community activist and former teacher, attempted to set himself apart from his opponents by discussing moral problems in Norman. As the current Director of the JCPenney Leadership Center, she advises the JCPenney Leadership Program and teaches leadership courses and Passport to Success workshops. Its the same reason why Donald Trump won after leftist Barack Obama left the White House," he 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. 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. Here's how they could affect voters in future elections. "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. She serves on Normans ABLE Board, and continues to champion opportunities for the disabled. in Political Science from Wichita State University in 2005. Heikkila and Leuck did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. 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. "If you have a city that has good public safety, there isn't a homeless issue, the crime isn't going up, your city is going to prosper," she said. 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.. "Adequately funding itjust seems obvious.". Im thankful for Maricha and my family, as well as the many friends and volunteers who have supported me.. UPDATED: Heikkila edges out Clark in mayoral race. Previously, Blake has served as an intern reporter, senior news reporter, summer news editor and news managing editor. Your IP: We believe The Be Truthful. 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. [1] Recall organizers submitted enough signatures to put the recall election against Councilwoman Petrone on the ballot. 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. 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. As a first-time candidate and a businesswoman not a politician I am proud of the race that we ran. . 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. Largest Oklahoma United Methodist church may cut denominational ties. recognition from the Oklahoma State Medical Association, ties to Unite Norman were elected to the council, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. (Kyle Phillips / The Transcript). Before receiving her J.D. 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. 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. 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. E.W. With offices around the country, including in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Texas, Oklahoma and Florida, you can choose the right location for you. 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.
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