Business group now wants toturn out the candidates
Chambers of Commerce at the state and local level have made a concentrated push over the past few years to raise the percentage of registered voters that actually take the time to fill out ballots on election day. At the state level, the campaign seemed to have started with the Right to Work vote several years ago.
The local chamber's "Get Out the Vote" Committee is credited with raising the number of voters in the mayoral race last year. The turnout has been embarrassing of late. Now, the same committee is looking to increase the number of city council candidates. They are hoping to recruit those with business experience.
They're not backing any particular candidate. That's prevented in the chamber's bylaws. They believe the council is strengthened "with more and more diverse, business experience" in the governing body.
That being said, the chamber committee is hosting a city council candidate tutorial from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Norman Public Library Rooms A/B. Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8 are up for grabs and at least one incumbent, David Hopper, is not planning to seek re-election.
Former Norman mayors Bob Thompson and Bill Nations will serve as adjunct instructors. They are to cover job basics, responsibilities, time commitment and the campaign itself. Filing for the offices is open Jan. 7 through Jan. 9. The election is March 4.
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