Clear skies. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The youngest female and first Millennial to hold this seat, she is invested in. Kish said she was grateful to supporters, and intends to work with the next mayor. 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. Midway Bob Thompson swept up 18.90% of the votes, while Nicole Kish gained 12.50%; Alice Stephenson-Leuck obtained 0.14% of votes. 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. [We need] to combat the ease with which alcoholism, casino addictions can all cause the moral corrosion and collective decay of our society and the common culture, he said. But I actually see it as an advantage. . 32. She also supported the city council ordinance requiring masks in public. By July 2020, the group attempted to trigger a recall election. As the current Director of the JCPenney Leadership Center, she advises the JCPenney Leadership Program and teaches leadership courses and Passport to Success workshops. Larry Heikkila celebrates winning Norman mayoral race, Breea Clark No education information on file. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. 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. Low near 40F. The 2020 presidential election spurred a wave of voting laws that some say could restrict access to the polls. The City of Norman has made this mistake before. I dont make partisan decisions, because partisan politics dont fill potholes. Clark and Hickman feel the same about many Norman issues and both have city council member experience. For accessibility assistance please contact the ADA Technician at 405-366-5424. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Mayor and city council recall, Norman, Oklahoma (2020-2021) - Ballotpedia Im really excited about the win tonight, Ruggiers said. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. 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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. Potential affordable housing solutions under consideration now include single-room occupancy spaces near the intersection of Robinson Street and Berry Road. 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. "Alice" Stephenson-Leuck and "Midway" Bob Thompson. "I hold the confidence the citizens have given me to bring a change to Norman very serious," he said. Citing a study the council commissioned to better address homelessness and identify gaps in prevention programs, Thompson said he wants to follow through on those recommendations. E-mail: breea@ou.edu. 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. Address: 307 W. Brooks. So I'm glad that people are watching and participating.. He also recently chaired thecitys Charter Review Committee. Cockfighting fight turns back time at Oklahoma Capitol, The awkward family affair of Gov. Its hard to focus on my professional career when the City of Norman requires so much attention. One of her top issues is addressinghomelessness. She was endorsed by Sallys List and the Red Earth Group, Normans Sierra Club affiliate. Law School:University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D., 2008. [1] On April 5, 2022, Larry Heikkila won the runoff election and became mayor of Norman, Oklahoma. Clark also stated a desire to increase the civic engagement of OU students, describing them as student citizens of Norman. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. accounts, the history behind an article. During his service, he served four years in the Submarine Force, and twenty two years as a US Navy Seabee. Janet was employed as a Special Education Teacher for 38 years, most of that time by Norman Public Schools. She teaches several undergraduate courses, includingIntroduction to LeadershipandLeadership in International Settings. Full Name: Breea Clark. He said its the key to bringing our community back together., Im proud that my message has been both positive and optimistic, he said. government. There was a problem saving your notification. 2022 Norman, Oklahoma, mayoral election - Wikipedia Its very clear that everyone wants to keep moving in a positive direction.. We need someone who can bring us together moving forward.. Phone:(405) 325-2501 It is vividly clear that she inclines toward the democratic party. 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. e-mail: mayor@NormanOK.gov, Vital Information: Then consider helping fund our endeavors. Sworn In: 07/05/22 Mayor Breea Clark pursues second term, prioritizes homelessness, stormwater, encouraging voter participation, 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. Gov. 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. in Political Science from Wichita State University in 2005. 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. 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. City of Norman, 201 W Gray St,Norman, OK 73069, Information on City Council and Committee Meetings. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Clear skies. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Liberal Oklahoma Mayor Faces Recall Posted August 16th, 2020 by Iron Mike Unite Norman just turned in 20,560 signaturesin their attempt to force a recall election of their new mayor - Breea Clark. 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. She earned a Juris Doctorate in 2008, and became director of OUs JCPenney Leadership Program in 2018. Around the world, communities are grappling with what Votes . With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Heikkila received more than 53% of votes, with . She serves on Normans ABLE Board, and continues to champion opportunities for the disabled. Breea serves as the Mayor of Norman, the 3rd largest city in the state of Oklahoma. 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. 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. Current Term Ends: 07/01/25. Liberal Oklahoma Mayor Faces Recall - Rabid Republican Blog Just a Mayor Who Can't Say No to Renewable Energy | Sierra Club 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. Education keyboard_arrow_down. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Prior to seeking elected office, she served on the Norman Tree Board, Library Board, and the Norman Forward Sales Tax Citizens Financial Oversight Board. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. "Because of Mayor Clark, I bet youre going to see the pendulum swinging conservative.". Reach her atmwood@normantranscript.com or 405-416-4420. With offices around the country, including in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Texas, Oklahoma and Florida, you can choose the right location for you. Clark was elected mayor in a three-way contest in 2019 after serving on the city council for three years. By July 2020, the group attempted to trigger a recall election for Clark and several Norman city council members. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. Phone: 405-366-5402 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Thats not who we are. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Every election cycle, someone will point out I started out in Norman as a registered Republican, Clark said. He won over incumbent Mayor Breea Clark. Share with Us. In the culmination of two years worth of debate over city leadership, Larry Heikkila defeated incumbent Norman Mayor Breea Clark in todays runoff election, which featured significantly more turnout than the citys 2019 race. 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. Use the 'Report' link on Larry Heikkila unseats incumbent Breea Clark, wins first term as Norman 80 talking about this. On Tuesday, the total ballooned to more than 24,000. Phone: (405) 325-2501. Be Truthful. 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. online throughout the pandemic. I give this to God.. I want to thank every candidate, she said. With Mayor Lynne Miller not seeking re-election, two city council members and a community activist seek to fill her spot. Heikkila is a 26-year Navy veteran. He retired as the Command Master Chief, 9th Naval Construction Regiment. Norman mayor Breea Clark unseated in election by newcomer Larry - KOKH She also serves as director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Program in the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. 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. 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. Norman's Heikkila Defeats Incumbent Clark in Mayor's Race in Political Science from Wichita State University in 2005. I also dont like the university elite hijacking Normans government. I want to say thank you to my supporters and all the volunteers and communities that rolled out, Clark said Tuesday. But, we are the county seat and it doesnt need to just be Normans problem, because its a countywide problem, its a nationwide problem. 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. To achieve this transformation, the management of it must be pragmatic, productive and visionary, and must redefine Norman into a city of excellence. She . A political outsider endorsed by Gov. (Kyle Phillips / The Transcript). I have a servants heart and I want to be a voice for the people. 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. Larry Heikkila ousts Breea Clark as Norman mayor - NonDoc Heikkila received 53.39% of the votes, beating incumbent 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 money should instead be used to fund the city's "essential needs," she 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 Oklahomas Michael F. Price College of Business. I think accountability is always good, and voter education. Breea Clark (@clarkfornorman) / Twitter Incremental increases based on water usage were also included in the proposition. Kevin Stitts endorsement of mayoral candidate Nicole Kish is a wildly inappropriate breach of municipal governments non-partisan nature, Clark said. Breea Clark is originally from Wichita, Kansas, where she graduated with her B.A. Norman Mayor Breea Clark wasn't always certain she would pursue a second term after a tumultuous three years in office. Her mayoral tenure became defined largely by the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide policing debate. Norman Mayor Breea Clark wasnt always certain she would pursue a second term after a tumultuous three years in office. Larry Heikkila has defeated Breea Clark and clinched the position of Mayor in the recent election. The future of our community and the future of our state is not something I'm willing to risk. Office:Adams Hall, Suite 106 She also serves as a member of the Oklahoma Municipal League Board of Directors and the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments Board of Directors. 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. Breea Clark is Of Counsel at WhitbeckBennett. There has been a little bit of mistrust that has built up over the last couple of years.. Affordable housing and homelessness solutions would be prioritized with further federal aid dollars if she is elected to a second term, Clark said. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. For more information on where, when and how to vote, visit the, Support independent journalism serving OU. Recall effort highlights Norman mayor's unpopularity - Oklahoma Council "I am humbled, and so very honored the citizens of Norman have chosen me to become Normans next mayor," Heikkila said. 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. Breea Clark's Political Summary . Share Background Report Overview of Breea Diane Clark Lives in: Norman, Oklahoma Phone: View phone number Age: 39 Breea Clark's Voter Registration 405-876-9216. Who is rating Clark ? Ruggiers picked up 64.17 percent of the vote, compared to Snells 35.83. How a debate over police funding escalated in Norman, Oklahoma and This is hard.. Thats why I really like what the stormwater citizen committee has come up with. At one point during the pandemic, I called our city manager (Darrel Pyle) and said, Darrel, I am like 99 percent sure Im not running again.. We make a whopping $100 a month to do this, so its certainly not for the money. We spoke truthfully about the issues that I know are important to voters including public safety, homelessness and jobs. Clark said the issue remains too important to continue administering band-aid solutions. Norman chooses new mayor, as Larry Heikkila unseats incumbent Breea Clark The election results listed online are unofficial until they are certified by the Oklahoma State Election Board. 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. He also serves as an ordained Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at a local church. 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. SUPPORT US TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $1. Dunn advocated for a Ward-by-Ward, door-by-door approach to inform people of oils value. 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. At a watch party Tuesday night, Clark told supporters she will weather the loss. Norman voters have chosen Larry Heikkila to be the city's next mayor, preliminary election reports indicated Tuesday. 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 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. 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. Helen Grant won the Norman City Council Ward 4 seat Tuesday, defeating opponent Gale Hobson. 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. She also completed the 2018-19 Oklahoma Municipal Leagues Community Leadership Development class and founded the Norman Eastside Business Association. 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. Clark was elected mayor in a three-way contestin 2019after serving on the city council for three years. "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. Your IP: Kish, 50, a cofounder of Unite Normanandlocal optometrist who has owned and operated her own practice for more thantwo decades, has made boosting police funding a centerpiece of her campaign. 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. This is amazing. We believe The Breea Clark, Larry Heikkila make final cases to voters ahead of Norman 2023 Whitbeck Bennett | Website By CC&A Strategic Media. Clark said the main separation between her and Hickman was leadership style. The Voter's Self Defense System - Vote Smart 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. Cheat sheet: Norman mayoral race a clash over city's direction - NonDoc 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. 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. Largest Oklahoma United Methodist church may cut denominational ties. On campus, she has served on the Universitys Legal Panel, Speakers Bureau, and the Committee on Discrimination and Harassment. 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 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 is the 60th Mayor for the City of Norman. It appears, for now, that voters wanted someone from the establishment on both sides. Her campaign for a second term, she said, is focused less on restating commitments made in her first three years and more on goals she will pursue, if reelected. Evan Dunn, a community activist and former teacher, attempted to set himself apart from his opponents by discussing moral problems in Norman. Runoff: Mayor Breea Clark to face Larry Heikkila in April 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. There was a problem saving your notification. Previously, he served the citizens of Norman with seventeen years of service as an employee of the City of Norman. (NonDoc) Support Journalism In the culmination of two years worth of debate over city leadership, Larry. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 122-Gold. In 2022 he was named one of Cleveland Countys Men of Influence. Click on the video above to hear what . E.W. Current Legislative Committees keyboard_arrow_down. Votes cast totaled 24,345 with 12,999 for Heikkila and 11,346 for Clark. Newcomer Alex Ruggiers defeated longtime incumbent Dan Snell in the race for Norman Public Schools Board of Education Office No. The two candidates made their cases to voters in a final push to get out the vote. She cited Norman's low unemployment rate and record sales tax revenue as signsthe city's economy is strong. Office: Mayor (Norman, OK) Track This Politician . 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. While the decision still resulted in an overall budget increase for NPD, the meeting encouraged the formation of Unite Norman. Im thankful for Maricha and my family, as well as the many friends and volunteers who have supported me.. Before receiving her J.D. 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. (Kyle Phillips / The Transcript). Its a need for our city, Hickman said. Heikkila and Leuck did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. Her portrayal as a raging liberal by campaign opponents is wildly untrue and inaccurate, Clark said, given her voting record and past political experience. 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. [2] General Results [ edit] Low near 40F. 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.. If they appreciate that, it is an immediate change in how they think about their suburban homes.. I dont make partisan decisions, because partisan politics dont fill potholes. 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. Political Experience keyboard_arrow_down. Mayor Heikkila and his wife have two adult children. Ultimately, despite what many have characterized as a year of polarizing local politics, Clark said she is grateful more Normanites have been interested in local participation. 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.