For accessibility assistance please contact the ADA Technician at 405-366-5424. Previous experiences with similar projects and collaboration at the county level could help alleviate those issues. 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. Ill really start digging into the budget, Ruggiers said. This is a really important election for Norman, Hickman said, adding that the new mayor will appoint a new city manager and a new city attorney and that he has the necessary experience to do so. If no candidate receives 50 percent of the vote, the runoff election will take place Tuesday, April 5. [1] On April 5, 2022, Larry Heikkila won the runoff election and became mayor of Norman, Oklahoma. Theres no room for political ideology or political party in local government, because were not tackling issues like abortion or gun rights. Clark and Hickman feel the same about many Norman issues and both have city council member experience. Address: 307 W. Brooks. 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. One group, Unite Norman, attempted to recall Clark later that year, falling short of the required number of signatures required to trigger a recall election. Lets work this out so that we can make the town that we want and help me define it, he told supporters. 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. 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. In the Norman community, she served on the Norman City Council from 2016-2019 representing Ward 6 in NE Norman and currently serves as its first Millennial Mayor. 405-876-9216. Who is rating Clark ? Janet was employed as a Special Education Teacher for 38 years, most of that time by Norman Public Schools. Mayor Heikkila earned a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. 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. in Political Science from Wichita State University in 2005. 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. racist or sexually-oriented language. 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. Low near 40F. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Norman Mayor Breea Clark looks up her election numbers during her watch party, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at Blackbird Gastropub. Clear skies. Low near 40F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Clear skies. Mayor Breea Clark will face Larry Heikkila in a runoff after neither candidate captured a majority of the vote Tuesday, preliminary election results indicated. 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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. There has been a little bit of mistrust that has built up over the last couple of years.. Previously, Blake has served as an intern reporter, senior news reporter, summer news editor and news managing editor. The proposition called for the monthly base fee to all customers to be raised from $6 to $7.80 for metered users. 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. Click on the video above to hear what . The turnout in Tuesdays election significantly eclipsed the turnout in 2019. 405-876-9216. perm_identityWho exactly is Clark? If they appreciate that, it is an immediate change in how they think about their suburban homes.. Experience: Before her election. Clark said the main separation between her and Hickman was leadership style. What Is Breea Clark's Political Party? 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. I believe in collaboration, positive hands-on leadership, and I think those should be priorities for the next leader of our city, Clark said. 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. 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. Heikkila got 32 percent of the primary vote, and Clark received 36.5 percent. Helen Grant won the Norman City Council Ward 4 seat Tuesday, defeating opponent Gale Hobson. 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. University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D., 2008. Her challengers in the nonpartisan race are Nicole Kish, Larry Heikkila, A.E. Full Name: Breea Clark. Were trying to clean water and build roads., endorsement of mayoral candidate Nicole Kish. Eventually, her supporters in city government and the community at-large led her to reconsider. I think we could have a ward-specific citizen commission, and experts in stormwater infrastructure and water quality combine again and make a proposal.. It appears, for now, that voters wanted someone from the establishment on both sides. To achieve this transformation, the management of it must be pragmatic, productive and visionary, and must redefine Norman into a city of excellence. SUPPORT US TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $1. 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. 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. Norman, OK 73070. I love Norman, Hickman said. 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. Mindy Wood covers City Hall news and notable court cases for The Transcript. I was new to Norman and didn't know anybody. Clark encouraged Norman residents to address the citys challenges and to shop local, regardless of whomever has the job. Heikkila received 53.39% of the votes, beating incumbent Breea Clark. Heikkila opposed mask mandates and other COVID-19 measures, while Clark had supported them. 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.. 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. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, 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. 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 . 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. Political Experience keyboard_arrow_down. In that race, 13,068 total votes were cast. As a first-time candidate and a businesswoman not a politician I am proud of the race that we ran. UPDATED: Heikkila edges out Clark in mayoral race. If no candidate receives 50 percent of the vote, the runoff election will take place Tuesday, April 5. Its very clear that everyone wants to keep moving in a positive direction.. In a recent election she fought against the conservative, so it is certain that she ain't conservative. Elections Summary Voter Registration & Polling Place Ballot Measures Issues Public Statements Political Parties Election Contacts Political . "I hold the confidence the citizens have given me to bring a change to Norman very serious," he said. There was a problem saving your notification. It is vividly clear that she inclines toward the democratic party. 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. 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. Her mayoral tenure became defined largely by the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide policing debate. Potential affordable housing solutions under consideration now include single-room occupancy spaces near the intersection of Robinson Street and Berry Road. 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. Your IP: 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.. Ultimately, local government issues, such as infrastructure, policing, zoning and economic development should not be partisan, Thompson said. So I'm glad that people are watching and participating.. The individuals who do it, they dont take on debt. in June 2020. for Clark and several Norman city council members. At OKC, a record high temperature of 83 degrees occurred mid-day, then plummeted to a record low of 17 degrees at midnight. He credited "a grassroots campaign" who wanted a change. accounts, the history behind an article. The incumbent also thanked Thompson for running a clean race. We make a whopping $100 a month to do this, so its certainly not for the money. He also wants the city to cut red tape and speed up the permitting process for businesses in order to spur more development. 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. 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. Breea Clark, the incumbent, had been mayor since 2019. Address: 307 W. Brooks But I actually see it as an advantage. Some Norman conservatives are hopeful this election could lead to a sea change in city leadership, especially after two Republicans with ties to Unite Norman were elected to the council over the summer. She addressed her relationship with the university in an interview with NonDoc. 2. Education keyboard_arrow_down. The money should instead be used to fund the city's "essential needs," she said. E.W. 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. 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. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism In an interview, Hickman talked about restoring public trust in the City of Norman. I am grateful and humbled for the votes I received in Norman, Kish said in a prepared statement. Norman voters have chosen Larry Heikkila to be the city's next mayor, preliminary election reports indicated Tuesday. The future of our community and the future of our state is not something I'm willing to risk. 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. E.W. Office:Adams Hall, Suite 106 . Her mayoral tenure became defined largely by the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide policing debate. I am not in favor of the school bond, Im not in favor of any of the transportation bonds. By July 2020, the group attempted to trigger a recall election for Clark and several Norman city council members. The election results listed online are unofficial until they are certified by the Oklahoma State Election Board. 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. 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. Use the 'Report' link on Before receiving her J.D. Prior to his election as mayor, he served as the Chairman of the Excise Board and Equalization Board, Vice-Chair of the Tax Roll Correction Board and as a Member of the Industrial Authority for Cleveland County. The mayoral race came down to incumbent Mayor Breea Clark and challenger Larry Heikkila. First. 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. Dunn acknowledged that selling war bonds might not generate the revenue of stormwater utility bonds, but called it a first step in finding some financing. We spoke truthfully about the issues that I know are important to voters including public safety, homelessness and jobs. If youre able, please Incremental increases based on water usage were also included in the proposition. Gender: Female. By July 2020, the group attempted to trigger a recall election. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, won the electiondespitewidely debunked claims of election fraud spread by Trump and his supporters. 80 talking about this. 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. Both Kish and Heikkila have said they want to increase the number of police officers and boost pay across public safety departments. Cockfighting fight turns back time at Oklahoma Capitol, The awkward family affair of Gov. Dunn is the only candidate who does not support the stormwater utility bond. The fire department is down 8 or 9 percent, and police is down about 7 percent. 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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. We need someone who can bring us together moving forward.. 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. In addition he holds many technical certifications in Disaster Relief Operations, Occupational Safety, and Construction. Do you appreciate the work we do as the only independent media outlet dedicated to serving OU students, One of her top issues is addressinghomelessness. I think accountability is always good, and voter education. Threats of harming another Mayor Heikkila and his wife have two adult children. "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. While the group also endorsed candidates in Wards 2, 4 and 6, none were elected. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. He won over incumbent Mayor Breea Clark. Don't knowingly lie about anyone I interned for (former President) George W. Bush, and at the state capitol of Kansas.. 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. Dunn spoke on his vision for Norman and set lofty goals for the citys role in national politics. Her portrayal as a raging liberal by campaign opponents is wildly untrue and inaccurate, Clark said, given her voting record and past political experience. Clark also thanked her volunteers, her campaign workers and her family for their support. "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.". 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.