Cindy Rosenthal has announced that she would seek a second term as Norman's mayor

Cindy Rosenthal has announced that she would seek a second term as Norman's mayor.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to work with citizens across our community to try to sustain the outstanding quality of life that we have come to expect in Norman," Rosenthal said. "While we have accomplished a lot as a city and a community over the past two and a half years, we face a critical set of challenges that we can tackle by pulling together."

Rosenthal pointed to several accomplishments during her first term, including passage by voters of a public-safety sales tax, which has allowed the city to implement a community-oriented policing strategy and improve fire services. "Plans are well under way for construction of two new fire stations, and we have developed a five-year strategic plan for community-oriented policing that will put more police officers on neighborhood patrols and increase community partnerships aimed at preventing crime," she said. She added that other public safety initiatives include plans to improve city streets, enhance bicycle safety, and replace the city's outdoor warning system, which will be brought to the voters for approval in March.

"I have been privileged to lead a hard-working City Council that has passed a number of new, comprehensive policies to improve public events, animal welfare, ethics, maintenance of public facilities, and energy efficiency," Rosenthal said. "Citizens also soon will benefit from technological improvements that make City Council meetings more accessible on the Internet and other efforts to help ensure city government is more transparent and responsive."

Under Rosenthal's leadership, the city has launched curbside recycling, adopted a fleet management policy utilizing CNG and alternative fuels vehicles, promoted health and recreational initiatives, begun inclusive community dialogues, conducted its first comprehensive citizen satisfaction survey, and promoted beautification efforts that include a master plan for bridge designs in the I-35 corridor.

"We have major challenges ahead on which I hope to work with Council and our citizens during a second term," she said. "We continue to work on the management of storm water to protect water quality in Lake Thunderbird and to mitigate the periodic flooding that threatens homes and businesses. In addition, we have begun the important work of assessing our park and recreation needs, identifying opportunities for trails and greenways for both pedestrians and bicyclists, and evaluating strategies to revitalize the Porter Corridor."

Rosenthal recently was elected vice president of the Oklahoma Municipal League and also serves on the steering committee of the Regional Transit Dialogue sponsored by the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments.

"Norman must be a leader in addressing some of the critical issues facing the metropolitan area, including the creation of a 21st century public transit system and dealing with such long-range challenges as water supply and air pollution," she said.

Rosenthal noted that as Norman deals with the effects of the current economic downturn in the coming months, responsible and transparent management of city resources will be a high priority.

"Norman has been recognized by various national media as a great city and our citizens tell us that they are very pleased with city services. Nonetheless, we can always make improvements, and that will be the goal of my second term working with the Council, the City Manager and our citizens," she said.

Twice elected to represent Ward 4 before winning the mayoral election in 2007, Rosenthal also is the director of the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center at the University of Oklahoma and a professor of political science and public administration. In 2009, she was awarded the distinguished public service award by the Oklahoma chapter of the American Society of Public Administration.