Heikkila opposed mask mandates and other COVID-19 measures, while Clark had supported them. He also retired in 2010, after twenty-six years of service in the United States Navy. 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. Evan Dunn, a community activist and former teacher, attempted to set himself apart from his opponents by discussing moral problems in Norman. After that meeting, the police department has since restructured and created a community service and outreach bureau, more specific to building neighborhoods, building relationships, and better targeting at crimes.. She was endorsed by Sallys List and the Red Earth Group, Normans Sierra Club affiliate. Theres no room for political ideology or political party in local government, because were not tackling issues like abortion or gun rights. It appears, for now, that voters wanted someone from the establishment on both sides. that is degrading to another person. Weve had issues with deciding is it a flat fee, is it based on water usage, is it based on impervious surface, Clark said. In 2019, propositions for stormwater utility bond projects and a stormwater utility fee received 42.62 percent and 39.68 percent yes votes, respectively. OK firm says some groups get special treatment in managed care bids. While the decision still resulted in an overall budget increase for NPD, the meeting encouraged the formation of Unite Norman. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2008, she started working for the . Kish said she was grateful to supporters, and intends to work with the next mayor. She serves on Normans ABLE Board, and continues to champion opportunities for the disabled. Three years ago, the police union endorsed Clark, but the group rescinded its endorsement after the 2020 vote on the police budget that led the Norman Police Department to eliminate nine unfilled officer positions. You have permission to edit this article. (The office) came at great personal cost to me, Clark told The Daily. Thompson said he hopes his message of nonpartisan local politics continues to be heard. 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. Previously, he served the citizens of Norman with seventeen years of service as an employee of the City of Norman. Breea Clark is Of Counsel at WhitbeckBennett. I am not at all in favor of it, Dunn said. He also voiced support for no-tax transportation bonds that would allow Norman to build a new traffic management center. 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. 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. There was a problem saving your notification. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Eventually, her supporters in city government and the community at-large led her to reconsider. While the group also endorsed candidates in Wards 2, 4 and 6, none were elected. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. He also touted his experience as a small business owner and attorney, saying he had the tools to negotiate contracts and stand up for his client when the need arises. Breea Diane Clark (age 39) is listed at 718 E Johnson St Norman, Ok 73071 and is affiliated with the Democratic Party. The fire department is down 8 or 9 percent, and police is down about 7 percent. 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. 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. Its hard to focus on my professional career when the City of Norman requires so much attention. Its the same reason why Donald Trump won after leftist Barack Obama left the White House," he said. Cockfighting fight turns back time at Oklahoma Capitol, The awkward family affair of Gov. Cockfighting fight turns back time at Oklahoma Capitol, The awkward family affair of Gov. UPDATED: Heikkila edges out Clark in mayoral race. As mayor, he said he would deliver on projects people had voted for. 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. Heikkila received 53.39% of the votes, beating incumbent Breea Clark. (NonDoc) Support Journalism In the culmination of two years worth of debate over city leadership, Larry. 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 humbled, and so very honored the citizens of Norman have chosen me to become Normans next mayor," Heikkila said. Larry Heikkila was elected as the 61st mayor of Norman in 2022. 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. Current Term Ends: 07/01/25. She teaches several undergraduate courses, including. 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. In a recent election she fought against the conservative, so it is certain that she ain't conservative. Bill Hickman, the current Norman Ward 4 council member, works as an attorney and small-business owner. 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. No education information on file. Current Legislative Committees keyboard_arrow_down. Clark also stated a desire to increase the civic engagement of OU students, describing them as student citizens of Norman. 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. 80 talking about this. If they appreciate that, it is an immediate change in how they think about their suburban homes.. faculty, staff and alumni on campus and around the world for more than 100 years? Clark broadcast her concession speech to her official Facebook page. The two candidates made their cases to voters in a final push to get out the vote. Share Background Report Overview of Breea Diane Clark Lives in: Norman, Oklahoma Phone: View phone number Age: 39 Breea Clark's Voter Registration received 42.62 percent and 39.68 percent yes votes, 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. I will do everything in my power to support Mayor-elect Heikkila as he faces these challenges, she said. 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. Elections Summary Voter Registration & Polling Place Ballot Measures Issues Public Statements Political Parties Election Contacts Political . They each spoke about what they believe makes them the best choice for Norman. There has been a little bit of mistrust that has built up over the last couple of years.. I am grateful and humbled for the votes I received in Norman, Kish said in a prepared statement. Eventually, her supporters in city government and the community at-large led her to reconsider. "I really object to the idea that funding the police department has turned into a Democrat-versus-Republican question," he said. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. She cited Norman's low unemployment rate and record sales tax revenue as signsthe city's economy is strong. We've got people in Norman right now with Section Eight vouchers and no Section Eight housing available. Voting rights and elections: How new state laws could affect you. racist or sexually-oriented language. Phone: 405-366-5402 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. Votes cast totaled 24,345 with 12,999 for Heikkila and 11,346 for Clark. Your IP: 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. Around the world, communities are grappling with what Whoever is at the helm of the ship doesnt need a learning curve, she said last month. As a first-time candidate and a businesswoman not a politician I am proud of the race that we ran. She teaches several undergraduate courses, includingIntroduction to LeadershipandLeadership in International Settings. for Clark and several Norman city council members. If youre able, please I want to thank everyone for putting their name on the ballot, she said. Incremental increases based on water usage were also included in the proposition. Previously, Blake has served as an intern reporter, senior news reporter, summer news editor and news managing editor. 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. She also supported the city council ordinance requiring masks in public. We moved to Norman in 2005 from Wichita, Kansas, and started our family while I was in law school at the University of Oklahoma. 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. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 122-Gold. 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. Snell had served on the school board for more than two decades. "I know I can't force the nearby casino (to pay), but I would march up there and say, 'you're contributing tohomelessness in Norman by your presence here,'" she said. 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. There arent just parts of Norman, little pockets, having this issue. The more we can collaborate, the more we can stretch our dollars to do the most good.. 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. Use the 'Report' link on 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 we could have a ward-specific citizen commission, and experts in stormwater infrastructure and water quality combine again and make a proposal.. After a decade of service in that office, I . She is also a proud graduate of the 2018-19 OU Leadership Council class. She also completed the 2018-19 Oklahoma Municipal Leagues Community Leadership Development class and founded the Norman Eastside Business Association. E-mail:breea@ou.edu Performance & security by Cloudflare. Funding the project has been. I think theres a lack of trust with what they did with our money.. Updated Apr 5, 2022 Mayor Breea Clark continues to deliver her concession speech, saying "she hopes Norman holds Larry Heikkila to the same high standards that she was held to" while in. At OKC, a record high temperature of 83 degrees occurred mid-day, then plummeted to a record low of 17 degrees at midnight. government. 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 very clear that everyone wants to keep moving in a positive direction.. Dunn stressed oils importance and called several times for residents and businesses to use less of it. 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. 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. in June 2020. 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.. Because weve got a lot of major issues and difficult issues we will be facing. Be Nice. Mayor, City of Norman, Oklahoma, 2019-present. . Breea is registered to vote in Cleveland County, Oklahoma. Office:Adams Hall, Suite 106 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. 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. 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. Clark and Hickman were united on the removal of the University North Park TIF. The city also needs to update its master plan for development that reflects how Norman intends to grow, he said. 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. Helen Grant won the Norman City Council Ward 4 seat Tuesday, defeating opponent Gale Hobson. yiddi cappe scouting report,