2019 City Council Election Guide

Transcription

1 City Council Election Guide

2 Thirteen candidates filed to run in the Feb. 12 primary election for the Oklahoma City Council seats in Wards 2, 5, 6 and 8. The nonpartisan election will decide who represents those Wards on the Council for the next four-year term, which begins in April 2019 and ends in April See a Ward map at okc.gov/wardmap. All candidate information was supplied from NonDoc.com. How the election proceeds in each Ward depends on the number of qualified candidates: If one qualified candidate filed to run, that candidate is automatically elected to office. If two qualified candidates filed to run, the winner of the primary election on Feb. 12 is elected to office. If three or more qualified candidates filed to run, the primary election on Feb. 12 determines whether a runoff on April 2 is necessary. o If a candidate earns more than half of the votes on Feb. 12, he or she is elected to office. No runoff is necessary. o If no candidate earns more than half of the votes on Feb. 12, the two candidates with the most votes advance to the April 2 runoff. The runoff winner is elected to office. The City Council has nine members: the Mayor, who is elected citywide, and one member from each of Oklahoma City s eight Wards. They serve part-time at the head of the City s Council-Manager form of government. The Mayor s annual salary is $24,000, and each Council member s annual salary is $12,000. Voting information All voters in Wards 2, 5, 6, and 8 are eligible to vote in the Feb. 12 primary election. See a Ward map at okc.gov/wardmap. You can download a voter registration form at ok.gov/elections. They re also available at your local county election board, post offices, tag agencies, libraries and other public locations. Voters who have disabilities can find more information about voter assistance in Oklahoma at ok.gov/elections. State law requires proof of identity to vote. Acceptable forms of ID are a voter ID card, driver s license or another form of ID issued by the federal government, state government or federally recognized tribal government. Voters may also cast a provisional ballot by proving their identity with a signed, sworn affidavit, which is available at the polling station. Overseas voters, including military members, can get more information about overseas absentee votingat ok.gov/elections. Early voting for the primary election is 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 7-8 at your local county election board: Oklahoma County Election Board, 4201 N Lincoln Blvd., (405) Cleveland County Election Board, 641 E Robinson Street, Suite 200 in Norman, (405) Regular voting is 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at your usual polling location.

3 WARD 2 James Cooper P ro f e s s i o n : O k l a h o m a C i t y P u b l i c S c h o o l s t e a c h e r, a d j u n c t c o l l e g e p r o f e s s o r a n d w r i t e r Experience: A resident of the Paseo Arts District, Cooper is a teacher and serves as a trustee on the Central Oklahoma Transpor tation and Parking Authority. Platform: Improvements to city streets and sidewalks feature among the issues for which Cooper advocates. He also wants a better city bus system, expansion of the downtown s t r e e t c a r t o o t h e r a r e a s o f t h e c i t y a n d a d e q u a t e f u n d i n g f o r t h e c i t y s a n i m a l w e l f a r e department. A s a t e a c h e r i n O k l a h o m a C i t y P u b l i c S c h o o l s a n d a t r u s t e e o n O K C s t ra n s p o r t a t i o n b o a r d, I m c o m m i t t e d t o p u b l i c s e r v i c e, C o o p e r s t a t e s o n h i s c a m p a i g n w e b s i t e. I l l f i g h t f o r b e t t e r schools, safer and stronger neighborhoods, reliable public transit, and to preserve and r e v i t a l i z e o u r d i v e r s e h i s t o r i c d i s t r i c t s. I l l b e a v o i c e f o r a l l w h o c a l l o u r c i t y h o m e. h t t p : // w w w. j a m e s f o r o k c. c o m / Mike Dover Profession: Retired nonprofit director E x p e r i e n c e : D o v e r s p e n t 2 7 y e a r s a s e x e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r o f Va r i e t y H e a l t h C e n t e r, a n o n p r o f i t community health center serving low-income families. He has also served on the MAPS 3 Citizen Advisory Board. Platform: Dover is an advocate for promoting small business in Oklahoma City. He has also called for expanding the number of city council wards, continued investment in public transit and expanding community policing. He has also advocated for the city to take a more active role in managing its public school system. I w i l l a l w a y s b e a n a d v o c a t e t o i m p r o v e t h e q u a l i t y o f l i f e f o r a l l f a m i l i e s, D o v e r s t a t e s o n h i s website. I have a particular concern for the most vulnerable among us including children and senior citizens, the disabled the disenfranchised and the homeless. I will be a proponent for t h e w e l l - b e i n g a n d q u a l i t y o f l i f e c o n c e r n i n g a n i m a l w e l f a r e. h t t p : // m i k e 4 o k c. c o m / Tracey Halley-Terrell Profession: Bail bondsman Experience: Halley-Terrell is new to politics. P l a t f o r m : T h e r e i s l i t t l e i n f o r m a t i o n o n H a l l e y - T e r r e l l s p l a t f o r m o n h e r s o c i a l m e d i a o r campaign website. She has said she intends to advocate for a wide range of people, and has a c l e a r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f h e r w a r d s b i g g e s t i s s u e s. N e w t o p o l i t i c s b u t n o t n e w t o t h e n e e d s o f O k l a h o m a C i t y a n d t h e g o o d p e o p l e w h o l i v e h e r e, Halley-Terrell wrote in a Facebook post announcing her candidacy last month. h t t p : // w w w. t r a c e y 4 w a r d 2. c o m /

4 WARD 2 Suzanne Broadbent Profession: Community leader and activist Experience: A life-long Oklahoman, Broadbent grew up on a ranch near Leedey. She served as the president of the American Association of University Women Oklahoma and five years as president of the Putnam Heights Preservation Area, where she has lived for more than 25 years. Former Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett appointed her to the Oklahoma City Historic Preservation Commission. Platform: Broadbent has expressed concern over Oklahoma City Public Schools closings. She has also been an advocate for economic development in the ward and throughout the rest of t h e c i t y a l o n g w i t h p r e s e r v a t i o n o f t h e c i t y s h i s t o r y. S o m e o f o u r h i s t o r y i s n t v e r y p r e t t y, b u t w e c a n l e a r n f r o m p a s t m i s t a k e s, B r o a d b e n t s t a t e s on her campaign website, and we have had some outstanding leaders who guided us through difficult times to progress Clara Luper and Patience Latting, the first woman mayor of a m a j o r c i t y c o m e t o m i n d. Marilyn Davidson Profession: President and founder of Davidson Consulting, an Oklahoma City communications and lobbying firm Experience: Davidson served as legislative liaison for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and on the young professionals board at the Oklahoma City Zoo. She has also served in l e a d e r s h i p ro l e s w i t h t h e O k l a h o m a A l l i a n c e o n H e a l t h o r To b a c c o a n d t h e O k l a h o m a F i t K i d s Coalition. Platform: Davidson advocates for proper police staffing and improving relations between the community and its police department. She also wants more oversight of Oklahoma City Public S c h o o l s b y t h e c i t y a n d i m p r o v e m e n t o f h e r w a r d s i n f ra s t r u c t u r e. h t t p s : // m a r i l y n f o r o k c. c o m /

5 WARD 5 David Greenwell (incumbent) P r o f e s s i o n : C PA Experience: Greenwell is the incumbent for Ward 5 and seeks his third term on the council. He is also a director of the Oklahoma City Redevelopment Authority and trustee of Oklahoma City Airpor t Trust, Central Oklahoma Transpor tation and Parking Authority, and the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust. Platform: Greenwell is an advocate for economic development. He also wants continued i m p r o v e m e n t s i n t h e c i t y s s t r e e t s, s i d e w a l k s a n d p a r k s. T h o s e t h i n g s a r e c r i t i c a l i n t h e c o n t i n u e d e f f o r t t o m a k e O k l a h o m a C i t y a g r e a t p l a c e f o r b o t h i n d i v i d u a l s a n d b u s i n e s s e s, h e said. Greenwell has also been pleased in the continued improvement of the quality of jobs available in the city. We used to get excited when a company announced new jobs, unfortunately they were often c a l l c e n t e r s a n d m i n i m u m - w a g e j o b s, h e s a i d. W e v e s e e n a n i n c r e a s e o f h i g h e r - p a y i n g j o b s a n d w e n e e d t o c o n t i n u e a t t r a c t i n g t h o s e t h r o u g h i n n o v a t i o n a n d d e v e l o p m e n t. Favorite thing about Oklahoma City: Greenwell has enjoyed watching the city change for the b e t t e r o v e r t h e l a s t 2 0 y e a r s. I t s a g r o w i n g c i t y a n d w e r e s t i l l s o m e w h a t o f a n i n f o r m a l t y p e o f c i t y, h e s a i d. G o i n g b a c k t o t h e s m o s t p e o p l e n e v e r t h o u g h t w e w o u l d h a v e a b i g g e r a r e a f o r c o n t i n u e d a c t i v i t i e s l i k e t h e T h u n d e r. I l o o k f o r w a r d t o w a t c h i n g i t c o n t i n u e t o e v o l v e. Why should someone vote for you?: I have eight years experience on the council and I m able t o b e m o r e e f f e c t i v e i n m y r o l e. M o s t o f u s s e r v e o n t r u s t s a n d c o m m i t t e e s, a n d I m o n C O T PA and the airport trust. Those areas are important to the future of our city and we need to have e x p e r i e n c e d p e o p l e i n t h o s e r o l e s t o h e l p u s m o v e f o r w a r d. h t t p s : // w w w. o k c. g o v / g o v e r n m e n t / c i t y - c o u n c i l / w a r d - 5 Kristina Hull Occupation: Marketing E x p e r i e n c e : T h i s i s H u l l s f i r s t p o l i t i c a l ra c e. Platform: Hull would like to see city council meetings move to the evening hours so more people can participate in the process, which dovetails with her overall theme of improving accessibility for citizens to their government officials. It can be difficult for people to get t i m e o f f f r o m w o r k s h e s a i d. I t s h a r d f o r p e o p l e w i t h r e g u l a r j o b s t o b e a p a r t o f i t. She would also like to see the number of city council wards increased. Looking at how the w a r d s a r e l a i d o u t, t h e r e a r e s o m e t h a t d o n t h a v e v e r y g o o d r e p r e s e n t a t i o n, s h e s a i d. T h e s e are often low-income areas. These are the areas that need to be serviced the most. We need to b e a b l e t o c o n c e n t r a t e o n i m p r o v i n g t h i n g s a t a g r a n u l a r l e v e l. Favorite thing about Oklahoma City: I really love the improvements in the city, including the p a r k d o w n t o w n. I l o v e h o w a f f o r d a b l e t h e c i t y i s. I t s a r e a l l y g o o d p l a c e t o l i v e. I h a v e a g r e a t l i f e h e r e. Why should someone vote for you?: Because I want you to have access and the tools you need to be an active par ticipant in our society. I don t want to shut you out, and most impor tantly f o r W a r d 5, I w a n t t o s e e s a l e s t a x m o n e y s p e n t o n p r o j e c t s t h a t b e n e f i t u s. h t t p s : // w w w. f a c e b o o k. c o m / H u l l O K C w a r d 5 /

6 Nathaniel Harding Occupation: Founder and president of Antioch Energy Experience: Harding was a captain in the United States Air Force Reserve. He served on the MAPS 3 Advisory Board and worked on the streetcar subcommittee. Platform: Public education, improving transportation throughout the city and better funding for public safety are among Harding s top issues. Knocking on doors throughout the ward I hear a lot about public education and how that can be improved, Harding said. Public education is a very important social-equity issue and also an economic-development issue. We need to provide a quality education for every family. WARD 6 Favorite thing about Oklahoma City: Harding is a fan of Oklahoma City s can-do vibe. I love our dream-big spirit, Harding said. Sam Anderson captured so well in his book Boom Town. We have a constant desire to improve, an ambition that we can always be better and I think that s been a big part of the secret to our success as a city. Why should someone vote for you?: To me it s really important to listen to every part of Ward 6. I want to advocate for everyone. The ward is very diverse, and I think I bring experience I have had working with the city and various non-profits to solve complex challenges. JoBeth Hamon Occupation: Education coordinator for Mental Health Association Oklahoma Experience: After graduating from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Hamon joined the Episcopal Service Corps in Chicago, which offers young adults the opportunity to serve a community. Back in Oklahoma, her professional work has focused on mental health education. Platform: Hamon s work and life experiences have shaped her platform. Working in social services, I know that everyone talks about how complicated homelessness is, Hamon said. It s actually pretty simple: People need homes and we don t have enough affordable housing. If we want to keep our reputation up as a great place to live, that needs to be addressed. Favorite thing about Oklahoma City: Hamon likes the city s creative side. I think it s a place where we have a lot of younger people who are doing unique things in art and music and in social services, she said. That s creating a community that spans a lot of different spectrum. It s neat to see how a lot of those things are possible in Oklahoma City. Why should someone vote for you?: There s been this whole discussion about diversity among our elected officials, Hamon said. To me, those things are race, gender and class but also diversity of experience. Typically people elected to office come from a business or real estate background. Diversity lends itself to different priorities and a broader connection to what s happening in our community. We need a lot of different kinds of people at the table.

7 WARD 6 Occupation: Retired auto dealer Jim Holman Experience: Holman had a lengthy career in business and served on the Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle and Parks Commission. In the past, he served on the Oklahoma Alzheimer s Association board of directors. Platform: Among Holman s top issues are improving public safety, more oversight of Oklahoma City Public Schools and continued repair of streets in his ward. Everyone has their eyes on our school system, he said. That s not a typical task for the city council, but I do believe it has a role in making the system better. Favorite thing about Oklahoma City: Above all, Holman believes the key to Oklahoma City s success are its citizens. The streetcar and NBA are all wonderful but when you re out talking to the people you see it s them that make it special. There s a very pro-okc attitude out there. Why should someone vote for you?: I think my skill set is a good match for the council, Holman said. We have a new mayor and a new city manager. By the time this is over, half the city council will be new. I m a quick study with a lot of experience.

8 WARD 8 Mark Stonecipher (incumbent) Occupation: Attorney Experience: Stonecipher is the incumbent councilman for OKC Ward 8 and currently serves as vice mayor of Oklahoma City. Platform: Stonecipher said he wants to improve streets, increase funding public safety and complete projects for which citizens voted. W e m u s t c o n t i n u e t o f u l f i l l t h e p r o m i s e s w e h a v e m a d e t o v o t e r s, h e s a i d. T h i s m e a n s finishing MAPS 3 on budget and with high quality projects. Looking at the usage of the senior c e n t e r i n m y w a r d p r o v e s w e a r e w e l l o n o u r w a y t o d e l i v e r i n g o n t h e s e p r o j e c t s. Favorite thing about Oklahoma City: As a city councilman, Stonecipher has observed and participated in city government at work. He values the approach from those involved. I really like that, when it comes to our city, we set partisanship and ideology aside and just a c t l i k e g o o d n e i g h b o r s a c t t o w a r d o n e a n o t h e r. W e c o m e t o g e t h e r a n d f i n d w a y s t o a c c o m p l i s h g r e a t t h i n g s. W h y s h o u l d s o m e o n e v o t e f o r y o u? : O u r c i t y s l e a d e r s h i p i s u n d e r g o i n g a t r e m e n d o u s a m o u n t of change, so we need the experience I can bring. Our city really does a lot. Whether it is d e a l i n g w i t h s t r e e t s, p u b l i c s a f e t y, t h e a i r p o r t, w a t e r, t ra s h s e r v i c e, p e r m i t t i n g, e c o n o m i c development, animal welfare, parks or a myriad of other issues, we need a city councilor with t h e e x p e r i e n c e t o h e l p d r i v e t h e s e i s s u e s. h t t p : // m a r k s t o n e c i p h e r f o r c i t y c o u n c i l. c o m / Lauren Durmus Occupation: Director of Leadership and Engagement at Teach for America Experience: A native of Okarche, Durmus has worked extensively in the education field including time in the classroom as a teacher and working for non-profits focused on education. P l a t f o r m : D u r m u s w o u l d l i k e t o s e e O k l a h o m a C i t y s c o m m u n i t i e s b e t t e r c o n n e c t e d t h r o u g h p a r k s, e x p a n d e d i n d o o r s p a c e s a n d e v e n t s. S h e s a l s o f o r i m p r o v e d p u b l i c t ra n s p o r t a t i o n a n d sidewalks throughout the city. I think the senior wellness centers have been great, but I d like to see spaces for a broader r a n g e o f d e m o g r a p h i c s, s h e s a i d. I t h i n k o u r p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t a t i o n s h o u l d a l s o b e t t e r c o n n e c t o u r c o m m u n i t i e s. Favorite thing about OKC: Durmus sees a will to improve the city by its citizens which she believes in crucial to making it a better place to live. People are committed to the cause of making the city a better place and you see that when people show up and take action, as we s a w i n t h e t e a c h e r w a l k o u t l a s t y e a r. W e s a w c h a n g e h a p p e n. T h e o t h e r t h i n g i s I t h i n k o u r leaders are accessible. I recently spoke to Mayor Holt for 30 minutes on the phone. There a r e n t a l o t o f c i t i e s t h i s s i z e w h e r e y o u c a n d o t h a t. Why should people vote for you: I have experience working with diverse communities to make c h a n g e a n d I v e b e e n d o i n g t h a t m y e n t i r e p r o f e s s i o n a l c a r e e r. I h a v e e x p e r i e n c e l e a d i n g p r o j e c t s a n d m a n a g i n g b u d g e t s. I t h i n k I h a v e w h a t i t t a k e s t o h e l p t h e c i t y m o v e f o r w a r d. h t t p s : // w w w. l d f o r o k c. c o m /

9 vote!