I am sure that CAIR-OK, the 

Mayor's of both Moore and Norman, 

with the help of Home Creations, 

will have something like this...

Only in the People's Republic of Norman

Got this in a email...

I was on Flood at the tire shop and we were talking about The City.

He said the merchants were told the work on Flood would include replacing the sewage line.

He said they just did that 2 years ago and was told no they didn't.

They had to go down town and finally someone realized it had been done under contract and they didn't have that in the roads department records so they didn't know.

Oklahoma Election Results for March 2, 2010

(x) = winner.
(r) = runoff.

CADDO COUNTY

Anadarko schools
Proposition 1: $785,000 for reroofing the high school, air conditioning the field house, playground equipment at the three elementary schools and computer equipment. Yes 520 (70.5%); No 218 (29.5%). Passed.

Proposition 2: $400,000 for four buses and surveillance cameras. Yes 509 (69.4%); No 225 (30.7%). Passed.

County commissioner, District 2
Democrats: Stephen Novotny 86 (8.5%); Deborah J. Goodfellow 111 (10.9%); (x) Randy Wilford McLemore 444 (43.7%); Willie Ray Pelzer 39 (3.8%); Bobby L. Bilyeu 315 (31.0%); Ray Mills 20 (2.0%)

CANADIAN COUNTY
County commissioner, District 3 primary
Democrats: C.A. Wilkinson 121 (20.5%); (x) John Morris 468 (79.5%)
Republicans: Audre Knott 58 (4.2%); Joshua C. Moore 436 (31.6%); (x) Jack Stewart 764 (55.4%); Daniel Pegh 95 (6.9%); Ray Melvin 26 (1.9%)

City of Yukon
Ward 1: Marsha Provence 68 (26.7%); Terry Martin 31 (12.2%);
(x) Nick M. Grba 156 (61.2%)

CARTER COUNTY

Plainview schools
$975,000 for technology, heat and air conditioning, replacing some the flooring at the intermediate and high schools, 6-foot playground security fence, repairs to the middle school parking lot and concessions and a rest room for the girls’ softball fields. Yes 658 (83.3%); No 132 (16.7%). Passed.

CLEVELAND COUNTY

City of Norman

Mayor: (x) Cindy Rosenthal 6,798 (53.7%); Hal Ezzell 5,872 (46.3%)

Ward 4: Austin Dyches 151 (8.4%); (x) Carol Price Dillingham 1,303 (72.4%); J. Michael Sherrod 81 (4.5%); John O. Dawson 265 (14.7%)

Ward 6: Matt Zellner 823 (49.1%); (x) Jim Griffith 853 (50.9%)

Ward 8: Stephen A. Lucas 716 (34.7%); Leonard Youngblood 173 (8.4%); (x) Dan Quinn 1,176 (56.9%)

Proposition 1: $19 million for citywide street improvements. Yes 8,170 (64.7%); No 4,454 (35.3%). Passed.

Proposition 2: $2.25 million for an updated and expanded emergency warning system. Yes 7,814 (62.1%); No 4,776 (37.9%). Passed.

COMANCHE COUNTY

Cache schools
Proposition 1: $29 million for a new fifth- and sixth-grade center and expansion of the mid-high school. Yes 539 (79.7%); No 137 (20.2%). Passed.
Proposition 2: $1 million for buses. Yes 551 (80.4%); No 134 (19.5%). Passed.

CREEK COUNTY

City of Sapulpa
Proposition 1: $4 million for sewer system repairs. Yes 813 (67.8%); No 386 (32.2%). Passed.
Proposition 2: $2.8 million for a 2 million gallon water tank. Yes 805 (67.0%); No 395 (33.0%). Passed.

Allen-Bowden School
Proposition 1: $4.1 million to buy new computers for students, a new roof for the school’s gym and paving for the school’s parking lot. Yes 103 (57.5%); No 76 (42.5%). Failed.
Proposition 2: $300,000 for three buses. Yes 108 (61.4%); No 68 (38.6%). Passed.

CUSTER COUNTY

Clinton schools
$17.2 million for new classrooms at Nance, Southwest and Washington elementary schools; renovation work at the middle school auditorium; and roof repairs. Yes 1,194 (76.6 %); No 364 (23.4%). Passed.

GARFIELD COUNTY

Drummond schools
$3.2 million for a new multipurpose building that will house a large commons area for concerts, four classrooms and a band room; construction of a new Vo-Ag building and bus barn. Yes 114 (55.6%); No 91 (44.4%). Failed.

GARVIN COUNTY

City of Lindsay
City council (top three elected): Fannie Stephens 159 (10.1%); Wanda Clagg 20 (1.3%); (x) Ronnie Akerman 297 (18.9%); Joe Lindsey 185 (11.8%); L.B. Hoyle 245 (15.6%); David Griffith 100 (6.4%);
(x) Steven Whitworth 285 (18.1%); (x) Steve Abram 283 (18.0%)

GRADY COUNTY

Town of Alex
Board of trustees: (x) Roy Gage Marcum 56 (73.7%); Justin Bailey 20 (26.3%)

City of Chickasha
City council Ward 3: (x) Ryan Posey 460 (68.8%); David Thomas 209 (31.2%)

Friend School
$415,000 to build a multipurpose center, move the school library and gymnasium improvements. Yes 90 (83.3%); No 18 (16.7%). Passed.

KAY COUNTY

City of Newkirk
Ward 2: (x) A.J. Ford 143 (75.7%); George H. White 46 (24.3%)
Tonkawa schools

Proposition 1: $620,000 for a two-classroom addition, heating and air system replacements and parking improvements at the elementary school. Yes 272 (75.7%); No 47 (24.3%). Passed.

Proposition 2: $150,000 for a school activity bus. Yes 267 (85.3%); No 51 (14.7%). Passed.

KINGFISHER COUNTY

Kingfisher schools
$5.97 million to renovate the old middle school and turn it into a third- and fourth-grade center; build a hallway to connect high school buildings; upgrade technology and add parking at the high school. Yes 687 (68.3%); No 319 (31.7%). Passed.

KIOWA COUNTY

Mountain View-Gotebo schools
$2 million for new roofs on all buildings; replace windows at the elementary and high schools; refurbish the auditorium; replace the two gym floors; and build a concession stand for the softball field. Yes 220 (52.6%); No 198 (47.4%). Failed.

MCCLAIN COUNTY

Purcell schools
$3.8 million to reroof the elementary, middle and junior high schools; replace heating, ventilation and air conditioning units; and build a physical education area at the middle school. Yes 368 (76.2%); No 115 (23.8%). Passed.

MURRAY COUNTY

Davis schools
$2.5 million to build an elementary school, reroof an auditorium and to buy heating, ventilation and air conditioning units at all schools. Yes 734 (87.3%); No 107 (12.7%). Passed.

OKLAHOMA COUNTY

City of Midwest City
Mayor: (x) Jack Fry 1,842 (50.7%); Russell Smith 1,790 (49.3%)
Ward 3: (r) Espaniola Bowen 236 (32.6%), (r) Rick Dawkins 339 (46.9%), Leroy Halstead 54 (7.5%); Steve Parrott 94 (13%)

City of Nicoma Park
Ward 4: Jerrie Reagan 7 (36.8%); (x) Robert E. Pittman 12 (63.2%)

City of Oklahoma City
Mayor: Steve Hunt 10,061 (41.7%); (x) Mick Cornett 14,073 (58.3%)

PAYNE COUNTY

Ripley schools
$2.5 million to build a leadership and performing arts center; two safe rooms to double as band and physical fitness rooms; four dressing rooms and a competition track. Yes 140 (78.7%); No 38 (21.3%). Passed.

City of Cushing
Ward 4: James Ree 49 (17.4%); Ray Singley 39 (13.9%); (x) Tommy Johnson 193 (68.7%)

City of Stillwater
Ward 1: Rodney Wayne Goodner 864 (22.3%); (x) Joe Weaver 2,279 (58.6%); Dennis Gronquist 599 (15.4%); David Lingelbach 145 (3.7%)
Ward 2: (r) Gary L. Stanton 1,060 (27.1%); (r) John W. Bartley 1,933 (49.3%); Hank Moore 926 (23.6%)

City of Yale
Ward 1: Martha Petitt 13 (5.2%); Maurice Lozier 101 (40.2%); (x) Michael P. McCullough 137 (54.6%)

PONTOTOC COUNTY

City of Ada
Ward 4: (x) Matt Layton 919 (67.8%); Barbara Young 437 (32.2%)

Allen schools
Proposition 1: $850,000 to remodel the agriculture education building; replace the high school ceiling; and put a metal roof on the district’s auditorium, among other renovations. Yes 149 (90.85%); No 15 (9.15%). Passed.

Proposition 2: $250,000 to replace buses and other district vehicles. Yes 150 (90.9%); No 15 (9.1%). Passed.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY

Dale schools
$2.5 million to build a new cafeteria that will also serve as a community center and storm shelter. Yes 248 (79.2%); No 65 (20.8%). Passed.

TULSA COUNTY

Tulsa schools
Proposition 1: $261.4 million to build classroom additions at 26 schools; remodel two existing buildings to be early childhood centers; renovate East Central High School and build three multisport field houses, among other upgrade projects. Yes 19,042 (74.6%); No 6,486 (25.4%). Passed.
Proposition 2: $19.6 million for six library additions and materials. Yes 19,219 (75.3%); No 6,304 (24.7%). Passed.
Proposition 3: $11.7 million for 130 buses and route maintenance software. Yes 18,074 (72.6%); No 6,822 (27.4%). Passed.
Proposition 4: $61.3 million for a textbook management system, science safety equipment, classroom computers and other technology. Yes 18,815 (75.5%); No 6,098 (24.5%). Passed.

City of Collinsville
Ward 3: (r) Melodie Bateman 29 (39.7%); Volinda Pope 18 (24.7%); (r) Sherri L. Davis 26 (35.6%)

Liberty schools
Proposition 1: $2 million for a new art room and administration area; additions to the multipurpose center; roof repairs and field house additions and renovations. Yes 164 (77.4%); No 48 (22.6%). Passed.
Proposition 2: $200,000 for two buses. Yes 175 (82.5%); No 37 (17.5%). Passed.

WASHITA COUNTY

Town of Rocky
Board of trustees (two seats):
(x) Jim Hazelton 48 (41.8%); David L. Jones 12 (10.4%); (x) Jackie Galloway 55 (47.8%)

Polls open 2 March 2010 (This Tuesday)

CADDO COUNTY

Anadarko schools
Proposition 1: $785,000 for reroofing the high school, air conditioning the field house, playground equipment at the three elementary schools and computer equipment.
Proposition 2: $400,000 for four buses and surveillance cameras.

County commissioner, District 2
Democrats: Stephen Novotny, Deborah J. Goodfellow, Randy Wilford McLemore, Willie Ray Pelzer, Bobby L. Bilyeu, Ray Mills

CANADIAN COUNTY

County commissioner, District 3
Democrats: C.A. Wilkinson, John Morris
Republicans: Audre Knott, Joshua C. Moore, Jack Stewart, Daniel Pegh, Ray Melvin

City of Yukon
Ward 1: Marsha Provence, Terry Martin, Nick M. Grba

CARTER COUNTY

Plainview schools
$975,000 for technology, heat and air conditioning, replacing some flooring, playground fence, repairing a parking lot and concessions and a rest room for the girls softball fields.

CLEVELAND COUNTY
City of Norman
Mayor: Cindy Rosenthal, Hal Ezzell

Ward 4: Austin Dyches, Carol Price Dillingham, J. Michael Scheriod, John O. Dawson

Ward 6: Matt Zellner, Jim Griffith

Ward 8: Stephen A. Lucas, Leonard Youngblood, Dan Quinn

Proposition 1: $2.25 million for an updated and expanded emergency warning system.

Proposition 2: $19 million for citywide street improvements.


COMANCHE COUNTY

Cache schools
Proposition 1: $29 million for a new fifth- and sixth-grade center and expansion of the mid-high school.
Proposition 2: $1 million for buses.

CREEK COUNTY

City of Sapulpa
Proposition 1: $4 million for sewer system repairs.
Proposition 2: $2.8 million for a 2 million gallon water tank.

Allen-Bowden school
Proposition 1: $4.1 million to buy new computers, a new roof for the gym and paving for the parking lot.
Proposition 2: $300,000 for three buses.

CUSTER COUNTY

Clinton schools
$17.2 million for new classrooms at Nance, Southwest and Washington elementary schools; renovation work at the middle school auditorium; and roof repairs.

GARFIELD COUNTY

Drummond schools
$3.2 million for a new multipurpose building, four classrooms and a band room; construction of a new Vo-Ag building and bus barn.

GARVIN COUNTY

City of Lindsay
City council (top three elected): Fannie Stephens, Wanda Clagg, Ronnie Akerman, Joe Lindsey, L.B. Hoyle, David Griffith, Steven Whitworth, Steve Abram

GRADY COUNTY

Town of Alex
Board of trustees: Roy Gage Marcum, Justin Bailey

City of Chickasha
City council Ward 3: Ryan Posey, David Thomas

Friend school
$415,000 to build a multipurpose center, move the school library and gymnasium improvements.

KAY COUNTY

City of Newkirk
Ward 2: A.J. Ford, George H. White

Tonkawa schools
Proposition 1: $620,000 for a two-classroom addition, heating and air system replacements and parking improvements at the elementary school.
Proposition 2: $150,000 for a school activity bus.

KINGFISHER COUNTY

Kingfisher schools
$5.97 million to renovate the old middle school and turn it into a third- and fourth-grade center; build a hallway to connect high school buildings; upgrade technology and add parking at the high school.

KIOWA COUNTY

Mountain View-Gotebo schools
$2 million for new roofs; replace windows at the elementary and high schools; refurbish the auditorium; replace the two gym floors; and build a concession stand for the softball field.

MCCLAIN COUNTY

Purcell schools
$3.8 million to reroof the elementary, middle and junior high schools; replace heating, ventilation and air conditioning units; and build a physical education area at the middle school.

MURRAY COUNTY

Davis schools
$2.5 million to build an elementary school, reroof an auditorium and to buy heating, ventilation and air conditioning units at all schools.

OKLAHOMA COUNTY

City of Midwest City
Mayor: Jack Fry, Russell Smith
Ward 3: Espaniola Bowen, Rick Dawkins, Leroy Halstead, Steve Parrott
City of Nicoma Park
Ward 4: Jerrie Reagan, Robert E. Pittman

City of Oklahoma City
Mayor: Steve Hunt, Mick Cornett

PAYNE COUNTY

Ripley schools
$2.5 million to build a leadership and performing arts center; two safe rooms to double as band and physical fitness rooms; four dressing rooms and a competition track.

City of Cushing
Ward 4: James Ree, Ray Singley, Tommy Johnson

City of Stillwater
Ward 1: Rodney Wayne Goodner, Joe Weaver, Dennis Gronquist, David Lingelbach
Ward 2: Gary L. Stanton, John W. Bartley, Hank Moore

City of Yale
Ward 1: Martha Petitt, Maurice Lozier, Michael P. McCullough

PONTOTOC COUNTY

City of Ada
Ward 4: Matt Layton, Barbara Young

Allen schools
Proposition 1: $850,000 to remodel the agriculture education building; replace the high school ceiling; and put a metal roof on the district’s auditorium, among other renovations.
Proposition 2: $250,000 to replace buses and other district vehicles.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY

Dale schools
$2.5 million to build a new cafeteria that will also serve as a community center and storm shelter.

TULSA COUNTY

Tulsa schools
Proposition 1: $261.4 million to build classroom additions; remodel two buildings to be early childhood centers; and build three multisport field houses, among other upgrade projects.
Proposition 2: $19.6 million for six library additions and materials.
Proposition 3: $11.7 million for 130 buses and route maintenance software.
Proposition 4: $61.3 million for a textbook management system, science safety equipment, computers and other technology.

City of Collinsville
Ward 3: Melodie Bateman, Volinda Pope, Sherri L. Davis

Liberty schools
Proposition 1: $2 million for a new art room and administration area; additions to the multipurpose center; roof repairs and field house renovations.
Proposition 2: $200,000 for two buses.

WASHITA COUNTY

Town of Rocky
Board of trustees (two seats): Jim Hazelton, David L. Jones, Jackie Galloway

People's Republic of Norman Mayor & Council filing

Nine residents completed candidacy declarations on the first day of filing Monday for Norman City Council Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8, as well the mayor's office, although none filed on Tuesday.

Races are assured in the March 2 election for Norman City Council Wards 4, 6 and 8, as well as the mayor's office after the filing period ended at the close of business Wednesday.

Councilman Tom Kovach, Ward 2, will run unopposed.

Councilwoman Carol Dillingham, Ward 4, filed a candidacy declaration for the upcoming municipal elections at the Cleveland County Election Board on Wednesday, making her the last incumbent council member to do so.

The battle for the Ward 4 seat on the Norman City Council is now a four-way contest.

John Dawson, 65, filed his candidacy declaration earlier Wednesday at the Cleveland County Election Board.

Two challengers already had filed in Ward 4 earlier in the week.

Austin Dyches, 28, 619 Kansas St., and J. Michael Sherrod, 55, 904 N. Peters Ave., filed candidacy declarations for Ward 4 on Monday.

Dillingham, 57, lives at 1711 S. Pickard Ave.

In Ward 6, the incumbent, Dr. James Griffith, filed for re-election. The 60-year-old dentist lives at 5 Wildwood Court. Challenger Matt Zellner, 23, 105 W. Vida Way, filed for the seat as well.

Filings in Ward 8 include the incumbent, Realtor and former high school principal Dan Quinn, 63, 3221 Greenwood Drive, and X-Norman police officer (retired) now now Cleveland County Sheriff's deputy Steve Lucas, 52, 804 Fairway Drive.

Leonard Youngblood, 50, filed his candidacy declaration for Ward 8 late Wednesday, joining Quinn and Lucas.

Youngblood lives at 3201 Swan Hollow Drive.

Mayor Cindy Rosenthal, 59, 903 Carey Drive, and attorney Hal Ezzell, 39, 4601 Fountain Gate Drive, filed for the mayor's post on Monday.

People's Republic of Norman Mayor & Council filing for Monday

The filing period for potential City of Norman council members representing Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8, as well as the mayor's office, began Monday morning.

Interested parties must file at the Cleveland County Election Board by the close of business on Wednesday.

The fee for filing for a city council seat is $50, the mayor's office fee is $75.

For more information, call the CCEB, 614 E. Robinson St., at 366-0210.

9 residents completed candidacy declarations on the first day of filing Monday for Norman City Council Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8, as well the mayor's office.

Ward 2 Councilman Tom Kovach was the first to file for re-election Monday morning. Kovach, 47, resides at 1426 Beverly Hills.

Mayor Cindy Rosenthal, who teaches political science at the University of Oklahoma, was the first to file a candidacy declaration for the mayor's race. Rosenthal, 59, resides at 903 Carey Drive.

Councilman Hal Ezzell, Ward 3, filed his paperwork for the mayor's race Monday as well. Ezzell, a lawyer, is 39. He lives at 4601 Fountain Gate Drive.

Austin Dyches, 28, filed paperwork Monday to join the race for the Ward 4 council seat. Dyches resides at 619 Kansas St.

J. Michael Sherrod, 55, also filed a candidacy declaration for Ward 4 Monday. Sherrod resides at 904 N. Peters Ave.

Ward 4 Councilwoman Carol Dillingham said last month she'd run for re-election, but didn't file paperwork to do so by mid-afternoon Monday.

Ward 6 Councilman James Griffith also filed his candidacy declaration Monday. Griffith, 60, a dentist, lives at 5 Wildwood Court.

Matt Zellner, 23, filed his candidacy declaration for Ward 6. Zellner lives at 105 W. Vida Way.

X-Norman PD (Ret), now Cleveland County Sheriff's deputy Steve Lucas (52), filed his declaration of candidacy Monday to become the next Ward 8 council member. He lives at 804 Fairway Drive.

Ward 8 Councilman Dan Quinn, a real estate agent, filed his paperwork Monday. Quinn, 63, lives at 3221 Greenwood Drive.

(RINO?) Ezzell announces for People's Republic of Norman Mayor

Just like we said, Ward 3 city councilman (RINO?) Hal Ezzell has announced his candidacy for Mayor of the People's Republic of Norman.

Mayor Cindy Rosenthal announced that she would run earlier in the month.

(RINO?) Ezzell said the city is failing miserably at taking care of the resources and infrastructure that already exists in Norman, adding there are $8 million in capital maintenance. He also said the city relies too heavily on costly outside consultants as they make decisions and undertake costly and ambitious projects.

"I want to restore fiscal responsibility and transparency to Norman city government," (RINO?) Ezzell said. "While searching for solutions to difficult and far-reaching issues, we must be mindful of the unprecedented economic circumstances that confront the city, state and nation."

Pointing to his promotion of the curbside recycling program, a better animal control facility and a measured approach to city growth, (RINO?) Ezzell said he's done plenty while a councilmember to benefit Norman.

"I am proud of all I have accomplished during my service on the city council," he said. "I am especially proud of being actively involved with police officers, firefighters and the citizens' group Rescue Norman to pass the public safety sales tax."

(RINO?) Ezzell also criticized Rosenthal and other members of the city council for not adopting tougher ethics reform, instead choosing "weak policy with no real teeth or consequences."

"As mayor, I will adopt a meaningful ethics ordinance to prove we are serious about transparency in city government and fully answers the question of conflicts of interests," he said.

The filing dates for the upcoming election, which includes Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8, are Jan. 11-13, 2010.

The election will be March 2, 2010.

Norman Mayoral, council seats up for grabs

Norman City Council seats for Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8 will be up for grabs in early 2010.

Filing dates for interested candidates will be Jan. 11-13, 2010. The election is scheduled for March 2, 2010.

Council members Tom Kovach (Ward 2), James Griffith (Ward 6) and Dan Quinn (Ward 8) all said they expect to run again. Calls to Carol Dillingham (Ward 4), weren't returned, although Kovach says he believes all the council members, including Dillingham, will run again.

Mayor Cindy Rosenthal announced Monday that she will seek another term. Councilman Hal Ezzell, Ward 3, said last week that he would run against Rosenthal in the mayor's race.

City council seats and the mayor's office are up for re-election every two years. Next year, odd-numbered ward seats will be up for re-election.

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.

Hal Ezzell to run for Mayor of Norman

It look like Ward 3 Councilman Hal Ezzell has jump off the cilff and is running for Mayor of the People's Republic of Norman

Ezzell is making phone calls all over Norman and has call most of the City Council telling them that He is running for Mayor.

Councilman Ezzell has lived in Norman for over 30 years. Hal is an attorney in private practice specializing trusts, estate planning and taxation. He began his service on City Council in July of 2007. Council Member Ezzell currently serves on the Council Finance Committee and the Board of Trustees of the City of Norman Retirement System.

Hal graduated from Norman High School. Hal received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

Councilman Ezzell has served on the board for the Center for Children and Families and is previously served on the board of Independent Living Services for Youth (ILSY). Hal is also on the Board of Directors for the First Presbyterian Church of Norman Foundation. Hal is a member of the Norman Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of the Leadership Norman Class in 2005.

People's Republic of Norman leaders have already made up their minds ?

People's Republic of Norman have leaders have already made up their minds ?

Will Cindy Rosenthal just say let them eat cake ?

Who care what the people want...

Norman residents
say they prefer 2-way roads
By James S. Tyree
Staff Writer

NORMAN — Norman residents and business people prefer keeping the Interstate 35 frontage roads as two-way streets, according to early survey results revealed Thursday.

With work to widen Interstate 35 in Norman scheduled to begin in January, the city council hopes to decide by early fall what changes, if any, to make with the frontage roads.

Kip Strauss of HNTB Corporation, a company hired by the city to study the frontage road issue, said results came from an online survey on the city's Web site and from postcards sent to 376 residents and businesses in the frontage road area.

The online frontage road survey will remain at www.normanok.gov through July 31. Anyone interested is invited to respond.

When asked what they liked most about Norman's frontage roads, 47 percent said that they're two-way streets and another 32 percent stated they like the easy access.

Only 12 percent said they didn't like the frontage roads, Strauss said, although public safety officials have told him the current arrangement delays their response times. [I would like to see data on this point]

Traffic safety is another concern. Strauss said Norman has had 330 collisions on or near the frontage roads from January 2004 through last month.

Published studies have shown one-way frontage roads have better traffic flow and have fewer crashes than two-way roads, although they do add travel distance. [Yes on the first point, but NOT on the second point]

"The community likes the ease and access of the two-way,” Strauss said. "There are concerns that a decision has already been made and about congestion and safety on the east/west streets (like Robinson and Main).”

Matt Bauer, of Development Strategies Inc., another company working with the city, said the frontage road decision would make little economic difference as a whole either way, though individual businesses could be affected. [Then why did OKC make 1-way streets into 2-way for economic and businesses, just a few weeks ago ?]

If the city opts for one-way roads, Bauer suggested creating "Texas turnarounds” — U-turn lanes placed right before intersections that give drivers easier access to the other opposing one-way road — and more secondary access roads. [Who are they trying to FOOL ??? Texas turnarounds work great for underpass's, BUT, IN NORMAN WE HAVE OVERPASS's !]

Shawn O'Leary, Norman public works director, said a third public meeting will be planned after city staff receives the state Transportation Department's traffic analysis. He said that study has been delayed, so the city won't make a final decision on frontage roads until September or later. [But it not on Ch 20, Funny how Mayor Cindy "them eat cake" Rosenthal shut down the people voice on Ch 20, just a few weeks ago]

[City of Norman] Questions seem vague
on one-way frontage road survey

Editor, The Transcript:

The City of Norman has posted a survey on the city Web site asking for input on the Interstate 35 frontage roads. Two of the questions on this survey suggest the city leaders have already made up their minds and want one-way frontage roads along I-35. One question asks whether drivers will accept delays crossing I-35 at Main Street or Robinson Avenue in order to maintain two-way frontage roads. The next question asks how much of a delay the driver will accept in order to maintain two-way frontage roads. As written, these questions imply that if you don't want to be delayed crossing I-35 on Robison or Main, you'd better not be in favor of two-way frontage roads.

My first concern is that these questions are vague. Is the city asking us to accept a delay greater than what we are currently experiencing? Is the city saying that after spending millions of dollars in design and construction the best they can do for us is make traffic worse?

My second concern is that this line of questioning seems to pit drivers who primarily cross I-35 at Robinson or Main against drivers who primarily use the frontage roads to travel to and from their residences and who patronize businesses on the frontage roads. Many residents and businesses along the frontage roads have been very vocal in their opposition to one-way frontage roads. Now the city is implying that if it maintains two-way frontage roads that cross-town travelers will be forced to accept increased (but unspecified) delays crossing I-35 at Robinson or Main. Is this the best we can do -- spend millions of dollars in design and construction for a zero sum game -- one group wins and the other loses? This also overlooks the fact that there aren't really two groups of drivers. Frontage road drivers often need to cross I-35 at Robinson or Main and I-35 crossers often need to drive along the frontage roads.

My third concern is that these questions make the survey unbalanced. A balanced survey would also ask questions such as, "In order to minimize delays crossing I-35 at Robinson or Main, how many extra miles are you willing to travel (and gallons of gas used) along a one-way frontage road system to get to your residence, school, retail store, favorite car dealership or restaurant?" "In order to minimize delays crossing I-35 at Robinson or Main, how many extra minutes are you willing to wait for police, fire and ambulance to respond to an emergency at your business, school or residence?"

The attributes of a redesigned I-35 frontage road system have been accurately expressed from the first city council meeting on this subject way back in late 2006: safety, accessibility, responsiveness of emergency services, orderly flow of increasing traffic volume and how the Rock Creek bridge fits into the picture. More surveys will not shed any further light on this issue. What we need is design options which include both one-way and two-way frontage roads and how each option will fulfill these attributes. While there may be some trade-offs, the "winning" design should benefit everybody -- a win/win solution. Who knows, maybe a one-way frontage road system is the best fit. Unfortunately, the current scope of the contract with HNTB to study this issue will not answer this question.

DAVE McCLURKIN Norman

Norman Transcript say Rosenthal soliciting commitments "an illegal act"

Norman Transcript Editorial
A giant step backward
Published July 12, 2008

During Mayor Cindy Rosenthal's 2007 campaign for her seat, she campaigned vigorously on open and transparent government and bringing the trust back to municipal government.

At the June 24 City Council meeting, outgoing Ward 2 councilmember Richard Stawicki used language indicating that he had "promised" Rosenthal he would vote a certain way. He also apologized to the mayor for breaking his "agreement" with her on a vote.

E-mails to several citizens also indicate Rosenthal worked to poll councilmembers beforehand.

Other councilmembers have indicated this may not have been an isolated incident.

It's become apparent that Rosenthal believes it's her mayoral duty to poll councilmembers before discussion in open session on certain issues.

The Oklahoma Open Meeting and Records Act clearly states that securing commitments to vote a certain way is a violation of the act.

Ending back-room arm twisting was the reason the Open Meeting Act came into being. And while we don't believe the mayor intended any skullduggery, we also believe that appearances of not being open and transparent don't inspire trust in our local government.

The Open Meeting Act indicates that any vote taken in violation of the act is invalid.

City Attorney Jeff Bryant asserts that considering the facts of the case that there was no violation of the Open Meeting Act.

Other attorneys believe that comments made in public meetings indicate there was more pressure behind the scenes than just getting "a sense of the opinions of other members," as Rosenthal said.

To our way of thinking, a promise is a commitment. And an agreement is a commitment.

The mayor indicates that the fact that some councilmembers changed their minds on the vote is an indication no commitments were made. We disagree. The two instances are separate actions and have to be judged separately. Whether promises were kept has no bearing on the allegation that soliciting commitments at the outset is, in our view, an illegal act.

In several Oklahoma Attorney General's opinions, it states, "The Open Meeting Act is enacted for the public's benefit and it is to be construed liberally in favor of the public."

We urge councilmembers to consider "owning" the problem and voluntarily revoting the issue in question.

We also highly recommend hosting a seminar or study session on the Oklahoma Open Meeting and Records Act in council chambers and broadcast on Cox Channel 20. There are officials with the Oklahoma Municipal League who do an excellent job of conveying the essence of the act. Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson also does a very thorough job on the act in partnership with the Oklahoma Press Association.

It could potentially take what has been a giant step backward in the trust the community has in its leaders -- to a giant step forward.

Norman Mayor Cindy Rosenthal violated Open Meetings Act

Norman city councilmembers may have to take a revote of a controversial 5-4 defeat of an amendment regarding University North Park Tax Increment Financing District funds.

Retired state attorney Lawrence Edmison told councilmembers in the miscellaneous discussion portion of Tuesday's meeting that actions by Mayor Cindy Rosenthal asking for prior commitments on how councilmembers would vote violated the Oklahoma Open Meeting and Open Records Act.

The vote in question was on an amendment offered by Ward 1 councilmember Bob Thompson at the council's June 24 meeting to reduce the total amount pledged to UNP TIF No. 2 by $8.75 million. The funds would be left over from the City's not purchasing the conference center for $16.5 million including contingency funds, after hotelier John Q. Hammons asked that the City build a Rock Creek overpass instead and released them from their commitment to him.

Rosenthal had urged the council to pass a compromise amount of $4.375 million, taking $4.375 million -- or half of the $8.75 million -- off the table, reducing the TIF to a total of about $50.3 million. She said the compromise was needed because some councilmembers wanted to keep the $8.75 million in the TIF and others wanted to eliminate it totally.

Councilmembers defeated Thompson's amendment to Rosenthal's compromise by a 5-4 vote.

When the vote was taken, former Ward 2 councilmember Richard Stawicki told the mayor that he was not going to be able to honor his commitment to her on her compromise.

In an e-mail to several members of the Citizens for Financial Responsibility, Rosenthal wrote that, "I talked with all of the members of council to try to keep them informed of the progress and to get a sense of the opinions of other members ..."

After coming up with her compromise, Rosenthal wrote that she again polled the members.

"I made another round of calls to councilmembers to gauge what members thought of the proposal...," Rosenthal wrote.

Edmison said another unnamed councilmember wrote in an e-mail to a constituent that he had a commitment to the mayor to vote for her compromise. That councilmember helped defeat Thompson's amendment.

Rosenthal's compromise passed by a 7-2 vote, with Thompson and Ward 4 councilmember Carol Dillingham voting against it.

Edmison, who said he had extensive experience with the Open Meeting Act as former general counsel for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, cited an Oklahoma Attorney General's opinion from 1981 about getting commitments on votes before discussion was held on the subject in an open meeting.

"It is illegal for a single councilmember or mayor to poll individual councilmembers one at a time or as a group to get a consensus or to get commitments from them on how they will vote," Edmison said. "You can't do one at a time what you can't do by having a quorum together outside of this room. ... I believe ... that the commitments that were made that night to the mayor violated the Open Meeting Act."

Edmison said the penalty for violating the Open Meeting Act is that the action is invalid.

"Anyone who willfully violates it can be removed from office and precluded from office for five years," he said. "I think the only legal way to fix it is to reconduct these votes."

Edmison also asked that the council have a special study session with officials from the Oklahoma Municipal League to refresh the councilmembers on the Open Meeting and Records Act.

Vice Mayor and Ward 7 councilmember Doug Cubberley, acting as mayor in Rosenthal's absence, said he believes the City staff needs to look at the issue.

"I do believe it would be prudent," Cubberley said, of Edmison's suggestion for an Open Meeting study session. "We get into a rut from time to time. ... It would be good to have a study session so we don't violate (the Oklahoma Open Meeting and Open Records Act.)"

Cubberley and councilmembers did not make any commitment as to whether there should be a revote.

Earlier in the meeting, new Ward 2 councilmember Tom Kovach challenged whether the Norman Economic Development Coalition meetings should be open, because of the contributions of the University of Oklahoma and the City of Norman as two of the three partners in NEDC. The Norman Chamber of Commerce is the third partner with the contributions of 132 Sooner Centurion business members who contribute $1,000 each for the NEDC efforts.

Carol Cole-Frowe 366-3538 ccole@normantranscript.com




http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_192003028

Mayor's vote commitments may have violated Open Meetings Act

By Carol Cole-Frowe

Day number 2 filling for Norman Council Seat

Democratic Consultant Chebon Marshall filed for the Ward 2 council race Tuesday afternoon. Marshall, 33, was the sole candidate to add his name to the slate today.

He is a Democratic General and Direct mail Consultant, who served four years as Chief of Staff to former Congressman Brad Carson.

Marshall said he has been involved in all levels of government — local, state and federal. He has launched a Web site at www.marshallfornorman.com.

He will face former assistant city attorney Michael McKee.

While working for the City of Norman, McKee worked on rewriting the municipal code, was a prosecutor for the City, was assigned as the Norman Police legal advisor and evaluated and defended workers’ compensation claims against the City.

Only candidate per ward has filed for the other three council seats, Wards 4, 6 and 8.

Two incumbents filed Monday for their City council seats, with two newcomers filing for seats being vacated by councilmembers.

Ward 4 incumbent councilmember Carol Price Dillingham, filed to defend her central Norman seat. Dillingham was appointed to the seat after Mayor Cindy Rosenthal vacated the post after winning the mayor’s race last spring.

Dillingham is a former assistant district attorney and has done outside work with the City of Edmond on employment, civil rights, contracts, workers' compensation litigation and a suit regarding inverse condemnation over the sanitary sewer system.

Incumbent Ward 8 councilmember Dan Quinn filed for his northwest Norman seat. He is a retired educator and a Realtor with Old Town Realtors.

Small businesswoman Lou Mansfield, filed for the open northeast Norman Ward 6 slot. Ward 6 councilmember David Hopper chose not to run again.

Mansfield is vice president and a ward representative for the Hall Park Homeowners Association. She and her husband Bob had Mansfield’s and Woman and Mansfield’s hair salons. She is a hairdresser for the Cedar Creek nursing home and an artist, published magazine writer and playwright and sells antiques from her booth at the Company Store.

The filing period continues through 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Cleveland County Election Board.

Ist day of filling in Norman

Two incumbents filed Monday for their City council seats, and two candidates filed for seats being vacated by councilmembers.


Even-numbered wards are up for the March 4 election.

Ward 4 incumbent councilmember Carol Price Dillingham, filed to defend her central Norman seat. Dillingham was appointed to the seat after Mayor Cindy Rosenthal vacated the post after winning the mayor’s race last spring.

Incumbent Ward 8 councilmember Dan Quinn filed for his northwest Norman seat.

Former assistant city attorney Michael McKee, filed for the south central Norman Ward 2 seat. Richard Stawicki has said he won’t run again.

Lou Mansfield, filed for the open Ward 6 slot. Ward 6 councilmember David Hopper chose not to run again.

Democrat Partisans Behind Quran Attack Ad?

Hat Tip to Mike @ http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/11/democrat-partisans-behind-quran-attack.html


The signers of a half-page ad attacking state lawmakers for declining copies of the Quran are largely partisan Democrats, State Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, said today.

"Virtually every person involved in this attack ad is a Democrat or Democratic campaign contributor," said Reynolds, who monitors political dollars with an intensity few can match.

Headed "A Letter to Oklahomans," the advertisement is signed by more than 100 individuals, including
Attorney General Drew Edmondson and his wife Linda,
and
Secretary of State Susan Savage, a former Tulsa mayor.

Others signing the letter include
former Treasurer Robert Butkin, now a University of Tulsa law professor;
Energy Secretary David Fleischaker;
former Senate President Pro Tem Cal Hobson;
Pulitzer Prize-winning author N. Scott Momaday;
Norman Mayor Cindy Rosenthal;
Secretary of Environment Miles Tolbert;
former Attorney General Mike Turpen; and
former Tulsa lawmaker Penny Williams.

A spokesman said those signing the letter belong to no formal organization, although many of them met through the Oklahoma Symposium, a three-day event held every year at Quartz Mountain State Park.

"It's clear this group is simply throwing up a smokescreen to divert attention from Governor Brad Henry's sponsorship of Muslim activists in state government."

The Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council, which consists of Muslim activists, recently received national attention for its efforts to provide "Centennial edition" copies of the Quran (the holy book of Islam) to Oklahoma state lawmakers. Several legislators did not accept copies of the book.

The council's official efforts have included "outreach" programs targeting Oklahoma school children and efforts to introduce Muslim content into school textbooks endorsed by state regulators, Reynolds said.

On Sunday, a half-page ad signed by 147 individuals ran in the state's two largest newspapers attacking lawmakers who did not cave in to the demands of council members, Reynolds said. Of the 147 signers, 123 are registered Democrats, seven are registered independents and seven are Republicans according to voter registration records, Reynolds said.

He said 10 individuals could not be found in state voter registration records. Records show that four of the 14 signers registered as Republicans or independents have contributed money exclusively to Democratic candidates, Reynolds said. Over half of those 14 individuals also share an address with one of the registered Democrat signatories.

"This ad is nothing more than a partisan attack funded by Democrats to benefit Governor Henry. If they don't have the backbone to criticize the militant strain of Islam that resulted in the murder of thousands of our fellow citizens on American soil, that's their right, but I think it's sad that they have allowed political considerations to cloud their judgment," Reynolds said.

He noted that campaign records indicate Ethnic American Advisory Council member Mohammad Farzaneh and members of his family have donated more than $100,000 to Oklahoma candidates, including Henry.

Reynolds renewed his call for Henry to disband or at least reform the council so its membership will include a "truly diverse group of people of Middle Eastern heritage who represent all faiths in that region, not just one."