Largest Oklahoma United Methodist church may cut denominational ties. tomorrow by helping launch the careers of media professionals. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism He is also a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 122-Gold. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, (The office) came at great personal cost to me, Clark told The Daily. Her mayoral tenure became defined largely by the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide policing debate. 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. It appears, for now, that voters wanted someone from the establishment on both sides. It was an election both candidates fought on battleground issues facing Norman, from increasing police funding to boost staff levels to economic development and quality of life projects to retain families and attract tourism to the city. UPDATED: Heikkila edges out Clark in mayoral race. As a first-time candidate and a businesswoman not a politician I am proud of the race that we ran. Do you appreciate the work we do as the only independent media outlet dedicated to serving OU students, But, we are the county seat and it doesnt need to just be Normans problem, because its a countywide problem, its a nationwide problem. Mayoral and city council elections will take place Tuesday, Feb. 8. Share Background Report Overview of Breea Diane Clark Lives in: Norman, Oklahoma Phone: View phone number Age: 39 Breea Clark's Voter Registration Personal keyboard_arrow_down. Clark faced notable backlash after the Norman City Council voted to, reduce a proposed Norman Police Department budget increase by $865,000. for Clark and several Norman city council members. . NORMAN Larry Heikkila won a first term as mayor of Norman on Tuesday, unseating incumbent Breea Clark. Lets work this out so that we can make the town that we want and help me define it, he told supporters. For more information on where, when and how to vote, visit the Cleveland County Election Board website. Both Kish and Heikkila have said they want to increase the number of police officers and boost pay across public safety departments. 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. 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. online throughout the pandemic. 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. E.W. Ryan Walters to retain secretary role, draw 2 paychecks. On Tuesday, the total ballooned to more than 24,000. 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. If passed, the city would be able to allocate more resources to make infrastructure improvements to stormwater conveyance and collection systems. As mayor, Dunn said his first priority would be for people to understand the need to conserve oil and fossil fuels in society. Previously, Blake has served as an intern reporter, senior news reporter, summer news editor and news managing editor. We make a whopping $100 a month to do this, so its certainly not for the money. In that race, 13,068 total votes were cast. Clark said the election was not about her nor was it about her opponent it was about improving Norman. I dont make partisan decisions, because partisan politics dont fill potholes. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. e-mail: mayor@NormanOK.gov, Vital Information: Be Truthful. You can make a one-time donation or a recurring pledge. 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. Be Nice. Low near 40F. Votes . Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. 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. Heikkila opposed mask mandates and other COVID-19 measures, while Clark had supported them. Low near 40F. 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. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. [1] On April 5, 2022, Larry Heikkila won the runoff election and became mayor of Norman, Oklahoma. Norman Mayor Breea Clark looks up her election numbers during her watch party, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at Blackbird Gastropub. Clark said the issue remains too important to continue administering band-aid solutions. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Clear skies. "Therivalry that isset up between the mayor and Unite Norman just looked like there was no end to it.". He won over incumbent Mayor Breea Clark. 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. The fire department is down 8 or 9 percent, and police is down about 7 percent. Sworn In: 07/05/22 University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D., 2008. 13h. Reach her atmwood@normantranscript.com or 405-416-4420. Share with Us. An example is our animal welfare shelter, Clark said. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Clear skies. Potential affordable housing solutions under consideration now include single-room occupancy spaces near the intersection of Robinson Street and Berry Road. 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. Affordable housing doesn't just affect the homeless, it affects people who live paycheck-to-paycheck, Clark said. Stephenson-Leuck, 67, said she jumpedinto the mayoralrace due to thepolice budget cut in 2020. 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. Mayor Heikkila is a pro-business, pro-growth, avid supporter of Normans Police and Fire Departments. 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.. 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. Law School:University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D., 2008. "I will be the champion Norman needs to make a positive impact for everyone in our community.". I think we could have a ward-specific citizen commission, and experts in stormwater infrastructure and water quality combine again and make a proposal.. 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. First. in June 2020. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Mayor | City of Norman, OK Information on City Council and Committee Meetings City of Norman, OK Building an Inclusive Community Mayor How Do I? Current Term Ends: 07/01/25. Larry Heikkila has defeated Breea Clark and clinched the position of Mayor in the recent election. I am not at all in favor of it, Dunn said. If youre able, please 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. "I really object to the idea that funding the police department has turned into a Democrat-versus-Republican question," he said. 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. You have permission to edit this article. 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. I am grateful and humbled for the votes I received in Norman, Kish said in a prepared statement. He retired as the Command Master Chief, 9th Naval Construction Regiment. 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. Clark was elected mayor in a three-way contestin 2019after serving on the city council for three years. Clark had planned to make this her final term as mayor. 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. Your IP: Thats not who we are. Clark said she had not heard from other candidates, but was working to contact them. Phone: (405) 325-2501. Threats of harming another #okwx #texomawx. 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. He credited "a grassroots campaign" who wanted a change. 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. The election results listed online are unofficial until they are certified by the Oklahoma State Election Board. What tribal leaders are saying about Stitt inauguration. 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. . Prior to seeking elected office, she served on the Norman Tree Board, Library Board, and the Norman Forward Sales Tax Citizens Financial Oversight Board. Its the same reason why Donald Trump won after leftist Barack Obama left the White House," he said. On campus, she has served on the Universitys Legal Panel, Speakers Bureau, and the Committee on Discrimination and Harassment. She cited Norman's low unemployment rate and record sales tax revenue as signsthe city's economy is strong. 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. I think accountability is always good, and voter education. I love Norman, Hickman said. Elections Summary Voter Registration & Polling Place Ballot Measures Issues Public Statements Political Parties Election Contacts Political . 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. 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. She also previously served as interim Pre-Law Club Advisor and was a member of the 2018-2019 OU Leadership Council class. They each spoke about what they believe makes them the best choice for Norman. She teaches several undergraduate courses, includingIntroduction to LeadershipandLeadership in International Settings. Phone:(405) 325-2501 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. 2023 Whitbeck Bennett | Website By CC&A Strategic Media. 32. "These people messed with my livelihood, and that is cancel culture and that should never happen in the city of Norman," Kish said. Were trying to clean water and build roads., endorsement of mayoral candidate Nicole Kish. 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. Experience: Before her election. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Heikkila received more than 53% of votes, with . She is also a proud graduate of the 2018-19 OU Leadership Council class. Breea Diane Clark (age 39) is listed at 718 E Johnson St Norman, Ok 73071 and is affiliated with the Democratic Party. 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 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. I give this to God.. 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. Midway Bob Thompson swept up 18.90% of the votes, while Nicole Kish gained 12.50%; Alice Stephenson-Leuck obtained 0.14% of votes. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. The second attempt had more support than the first, so Im hopeful we can get it across the finish line. Clark said the main separation between her and Hickman was leadership style. I think Norman Public Schools could use a lot more transparency. 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. Clark said she stands by her handling of the pandemic that earned her recognition from the Oklahoma State Medical Association. Don't Threaten. 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. She also serves as a member of the Oklahoma Municipal League Board of Directors and the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments Board of Directors. Norman, OK 73019-4004. For accessibility assistance please contact the ADA Technician at 405-366-5424. 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. She swore, if elected,not toimpose a maskmandateorimplement business lockdowns due to the pandemic. 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. I want to say thank you to my supporters and all the volunteers and communities that rolled out, Clark said Tuesday. I would like to be added to the WB's monthly newsletter, "A Family Matter". Mayor Heikkila earned a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Thats why I really like what the stormwater citizen committee has come up with. 2. Were trying to clean water and build roads.. 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.. Helen Grant won the Norman City Council Ward 4 seat Tuesday, defeating opponent Gale Hobson. 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. Part of that solution should involve more collaboration between rural and urban Normanites, she added. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. person will not be tolerated. She addressed her relationship with the university in an interview with NonDoc. 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. E-mail: breea@ou.edu. Office: Mayor (Norman, OK) Track This Politician . 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. Dunn spoke on his vision for Norman and set lofty goals for the citys role in national politics. Thompson said he hopes his message of nonpartisan local politics continues to be heard. The conservative candidatehas been criticized for being in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, for a rally led by former President Donald Trump, although Kish says she was nowhere near the U.S. Capitol when a pro-Trump mob stormed the building. He is a member of the Norman Chamber of Commerce. 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. Ruggiers is a former Norman Public Schools teacher, and he said his election shows that the community wanted to give teachers a voice. Clark and Hickman were united on the removal of the University North Park TIF. It is vividly clear that she inclines toward the democratic party. Clark said the issue remains too important to continue administering band-aid solutions. Dunn advocated for a Ward-by-Ward, door-by-door approach to inform people of oils value. Former Mayor Breea Clark On campus, she has served on the Universitys Legal Panel, Speakers Bureau and as an interim Pre-Law Club Advisor.