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.

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.

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 City Council race Controversial flier traced back to Marshall volunteer

Controversial flier traced back to
Marshall volunteer
Ward 2 winner Kovach outspent by 2 to 1 margin

The person who ordered and paid for a controversial flier distributed during the recent Ward 2 Norman City Council race has been identified.

In a June 4 e-mail from City Clerk Brenda Hall to Adam Gleason, a worker in the Chebon Marshall campaign, Hall wrote FedEx Kinko's had confirmed that Gleason had ordered and paid for the flier with a credit at the bottom, "Paid for People Tired of Tom's Lies." The e-mail was obtained through an Open Records Act request by The Transcript.

The target of the flier, Marshall's opponent Tom Kovach, was the winner of the Ward 2 race in a runoff vote May 13. Although most allegations on the flier contained a kernel of truth, many the flier's assertions were pulled out of context and manipulated.

Kovach said he feels like the overall effect of the flier was negative.

"There's some people who were outraged by it and felt like that kind of politics don't belong in Norman," Kovach said. "But I think there were others who didn't get all the facts and probably voted against me. ... It probably did work against me in the whole."

Gleason will be required to file a campaign contribution and expenditure report with the City of Norman, although he missed the June 12 deadline for final City reports.

"It is my understanding that for this to be necessary, a committee must spend a certain amount of money as defined by state law at $500 in an issues campaign and for donors' names to be taken down donations must be in (aggregate) of $25 that were accepted from any source," wrote Gleason back to Hall in an e-mail.

But the City of Norman requires that candidates detail all contributions and expenditures and document them in a report.

Hall said she hopes to have the report before the Norman Enforcement Authority meets July 2 to evaluate any discrepancies in campaign reporting. She said if the form is not filed at that time, the Enforcement Authority could choose to ask the City to prosecute Gleason for not filing the form. Hall said it would likely be a misdemeanor.

She said Marshall denied to her any knowledge of who printed the flier.

Efforts to reach Marshall were unsuccessful.

The City reports indicate Marshall raised and spent more than twice as much as Kovach.

The Kovach campaign raised $10,153, with the Marshall for Norman campaign reporting $22,037 in contributions.

Kovach reported expenditures of $9,274.36 during the campaign.

Expenditures following the initial election period included $300 to Step Brothers for an election night party, $75.25 to Hooper Printing for printing, and $268.13 to the Norman Transcript for a thank you ad.

His in-kind contributions tallied $958.95 after the primary election, with most going for copies and mailing supplies.

Contributions of more than $100 included $500 from June Holyfield; $350 from the State Federation of Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats; $200 from attorneys Lydia Barrett or Richard L. Denney; and $100 from Ben Hayden.

Marshall reported $8,450 in additional contributions after the primary. He spent all $22,037 that he raised during the campaign.

Contributions came from Tracey Bates, $500; Trey Bates, $500; Todd Booze, $500; Vernon McKown, $500; Gene McKown, $500; Judy McKown, $500; Rebecca Adair, $500; Josie Armstrong, $500; Hajeh Farzaneh, $500; Azam Farzaneh, $500; Mohammed Farzaneh, $500; and James Adair, $475.

Other contributions over $25 came from Stanton Nelson, $250; Roy Oliver, $250; Gail Armstrong, $250; Gary Armstrong, $250; Stephen Wyse, $200; Jay Dee Chase, $200; Harold Heiple, $200; Marc Young, $200; Peter Liesenfield, $200; Karen Kuhlman, $150; Steve Williams, $100; Nell Pryor, $50; Steven Corley, $50; Edward Adwon, $50; Jan Cunningham, $50; and Jerry Privett, $25.

Marshall's expenditures after the primary of more than $100 included Scott's Printing for $3,402.19; Norman Transcript, $1,907.87; Norman Transcript, $1,134.38; L.L. James Printing, $663.21; Cingular/ AT--T, $386.09; Legend's Restaurant, $300; Scott's Printing, $236.42; Cingular/AT--T, $208.63; U.S. Postal Service, $168; Wal-Mart, $190; and On the Border, $110.09.

He donated his remaining balance of $59.06 to the Center for Children and Families.

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

May 13, 2008 Statewide election results

Atoka County

Farris School District: Annexing the school district to the Lane School District. Yes, 23, (10.3%); No, 201 (89.7%). Failed.

Caddo County

Countywide: A five year, -cent sales tax to fund senior citizens nutrition centers, sheriff's department, firefighting, repair and maintenance of the county courthouse and for the general fund. Yes, 1,018 (82.5%); No, 216 (17.5%). Passed.

Canadian County

Countywide: A .35 percent, 15-year county sales tax increase to fund construction of a new county jail. After 15 years, the tax would drop to .25 percent and become permanent. Yes, 1,321 (30.7 %); No, 2,985 (69.3 %). Failed.

Carter County

Lone Grove Schools: A $9.75 million bond issue for 9 elementary classrooms, elementary cafeteria expansion, 1,500-seat gymnasium and 600-seat auditorium. Yes, 499 (78%); No, 140 (22%). Passed.

Choctaw County

Hugo Schools: Proposition 1 — A $11.515 million bond issue for a new high school, new girls locker room, renovations to old high school. Yes, 507 (36.7 %); No, 874 (63.3 %). Failed.

Proposition 2 — A $155,000 bond issue for school buses. Yes, 490 (35.5 %); No, 892 (64.5 %). Failed.

Cleveland County

Countywide: A 2-mill property tax increase for improvements to the Pioneer Library System. Yes, 7,858 (52.6%); No, 7,068 (47.4%) Passed.

City of Norman

Proposition 1 — -cent sales tax increase for more firefighters, police officers and two new fire stations. Yes, 8,301 (65.8 %); No, 4,307 (34.2 %). Passed.

Proposition 2 — A $49.5 million bond issue for a new Norman library. Yes, 6,132 (48.9 %); No, 6,412 (51.1 %). Failed.

Proposition 3 — A $11.2 million bond issue to renovate city buildings. Yes, 6,460 (51.8 %); No, 6,008 (48.2 %). Passed.

Ward 2 Council runoff

Chebon Marshall, 985 (47.7 %)

Tom Kovach, 1,079 (53.3%)

Comanche County

Lawton Schools: Proposition 1 — A $33.5 million bond issue for 40 elementary classrooms, 25 middle school classrooms and 25 high school classrooms; 2,000 computers and 800 Smartboards. Yes, 3,544 (58.0 %); No, 2,566 (42.0 %). Failed.

Proposition 2 — A $5 million bond issue to upgrade the bus fleet. Yes, 3,655 (59.8 %); No, 2,462 (40.2 %). Failed.

Custer County

Butler Schools: Voters will decide whether to annex the school district to the Arapaho School District. Yes, 139 (85.3 %); No, 24 (14.7 %). Passed.

Grady County

Bridge Creek Schools: A $9.685 bond issue for a new high school. Yes, 838 (65.8 %); No, 435 (34.2 %). Passed.


Hughes County

Holdenville Schools: A $2.97 million bond issue to add 12 classrooms, a computer lab and a new restroom to the elementary school, and move all prekindergarten through fifth-grade students into a single school. Yes, 431 (40.9 %); No, 624 (59.1 %). Failed.

Kay County

Countywide: A 2/3-cent sales tax to build and operate a new county detention facility and to pay for existing jail renovations and operations, with 1/3-cent expiring in 20 years and the remaining 1/3-cent remaining in effect unless repealed in a county election. Yes, 3,038 (64.1 %); No, 1,704 (35.9 %). Passed.

Lincoln County

Stroud Schools: A $9.5 million bond issue for a new gymnasium. Yes, 455 (74.2 %); No, 158 (25.8 %). Passed.

McClain County

Countywide: A 2-mill property tax increase for improvements to the Pioneer Library System. Yes, 818 (68.9 %); No, 369 (31.1 %). Passed.

Muskogee County

City of MuskogeeMayor runoff
Hershel Ray McBride, 1,616 (30.4 %)
John Tyler Hammons, 3,703 (69.6 %)

Ward 2 Council runoff

Frank C. Borovetz Jr., 2,574 (49 %)

Charles Shawn Raper, 2,683 (51 %)

Ward 4 Council runoff

Jackie Dewayne Luckey, 3,407 (62.6 %)

Troy Earl Stoutermire, 2,037 (37.4 %)

Oklahoma County

Countywide:

Proposition 1 — $55 million bond issue to acquire vacant General Motors facility, to be leased to Tinker Air Force Base. Yes, 20,773 ( 52.71 %); No, 18,635 ( 47.29 %). Passed.

Proposition 2 — $10.5 million bond issue for courthouse improvements, including replacing utility systems. Yes, 20,167 ( 51.83 %); No, 18,744 ( 48.17 %). Passed.

Proposition 3 — $5.75 million bond issue for additional storage and management system for county records. Yes, 17,595 ( 45.38 %); No, 21,180 ( 54.62 %). Failed.

Proposition 4 — $7.25 million bond issue for new Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service building. Yes, 17,618 ( 45.43%); No, 21,159 ( 54.57 %). Failed.

Proposition 5 — $6 million bond issue for flood control and countywide flood relief plan. Yes, 22,061 ( 56.97 %); No, 16,661 ( 43.03 %). Passed.

Crooked Oak Schools:

A $15.3 million bond issue for a fifth and sixth grade center, board of education building and demolition of the current board of education building. Yes, 49 ( 50.79%); No, 58 ( 54.21%). Failed.

Oakdale Schools:

Proposition 1 — $2.7 million for construction of an addition to the middle school. Yes, 229 ( 73.4%); No, 83 ( 26.6%). Passed.

Proposition 2 — $400,000 bond issue for transportation. Yes, 230 ( 73.72%); No, 82 ( 26.28%). Passed.

Crooked Oak Schools: A $15.3 million bond issue for a fifth and sixth grade center, board of education building and demolition of the current board of education building. Yes, 49 (45.79 %); No, 58 (54.21 %). Failed.

Oakdale Schools: Proposition 1 — $2.7 million for construction of an addition to the middle school. Yes, 229 (73.4 %); No, 83 (26.6 %). Passed.

Proposition 2 — $400,000 bond issue for transportation. Yes, 230 (73.72 %); No, 82 (26.28 %). Passed.

Pittsburg County

City of McAlester: Voters are considering an updated, revised city charter that incorporates all amendments previously adopted. Yes, 803 (61.7 %); No, 498 (38.3 %). Passed.

Pottawatomie County

Countywide: 2-mill property tax increase for improvements to the Pioneer Library System. Yes, 1,211 (74.1 %); No, 423 (25.9 %). Passed.

Wanette Schools: Proposition 1 — A $235,000 bond issue for heating and air conditioning, roof repair, gymnasium remodeling and new floor, classroom and cafeteria repairs, technology. Yes, 143 (58.4 %); No, 102 (41.6 %). Failed.

Proposition 2 — A $265,000 transportation bond issue for buses and an agriculture pickup. Yes, 127 (52.9 %); No, 113 (47.1 %). Failed.

Sequoyah County

Sallisaw Central School: A $1.6 million bond issue for six classrooms, science lab, high school rest rooms, and to start construction of a high school gymnasium. Yes, 216 (37%); No, 368 (63 %). Failed.

Tulsa County

Tulsa Community College: Proposition 1 — $76 million bond issue for annual operations, learning center to be built on land donated by the city and construction and remodeling at the college's four campuses to expand course offerings. Yes, 9,958 (45.1 %); No, 12,102 (54.9 %). Failed.

Proposition 2 — Increasing operating millage from 6 mills to 7.7 mills. Yes, 9,565 (43.4 %); No, 12,486 (56.6 %). Failed.

Washington County

City of Bartlesville: Proposition 1 — Continue existing -cent sales tax through June 30, 2014. Yes, 3,606 (60.97 %); No, 2,308 (39.03 %). Passed.

Proposition 2 —$8 million bond issue for road construction and improvement. Yes, 3,492 (59.05 %); No, 2,422 (40.95%). Passed.

Proposition 3 —$2 million bond issue for constructing and improving the Frontier Pool and Frontier Park. Yes, 3,628 (61.3 %); No, 2,288 (38.7 %). Passed.

PUBLIC MEETING ON I-35 FRONTAGE ROADS

PUBLIC MEETING
ON I-35 FRONTAGE ROADS

The City of Norman is hosting a public meeting to discuss I-35 Frontage Roads between Tecumseh and Main on Monday, May 19 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Norman Holiday Inn in the Main Ballroom.

The City of Norman has initiated an analysis of the I-35 Frontage Road system, and is seeking public input. The analysis will evaluate current conditions and lay the groundwork for possible improvements in the area. The analysis will include consideration of one-way frontage roads. The results of the analysis will help guide future improvements, and will include consideration of ODOT plans to improve I-35 in the area.

The team is seeking public input and assistance in the development of plans. The first of two public meetings is scheduled for Monday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Norman Holiday Inn. There will be a brief presentation, and then a series of stations where the team will be asking for the public’s input on current concerns and the future of these corridors. An additional public meeting, where possible improvement scenarios will be discussed is tentatively scheduled for later this summer.

“This is an important analysis, given the role of businesses located along I-35 in our community and the importance of the corridor in our transportation system” said Norman’s Shawn O’Leary, Director of Public Works. “We really hope that residents, members of the business community, retailers and general users of the Frontage Road system will participate and give their input.”

NORMAN CITY COUNCIL ELELCTION VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE APRIL 18, 2008

Friday, April 18, 2008, is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the May 13, 2008, City of Norman Primary, City of Norman Special & Cleveland County Special Election, Cleveland County Election Board Secretary Paula G. Roberts said today.

Roberts said that persons who are United States citizens, residents of Oklahoma and at least 18 years old may apply to become registered voters.

Persons who have never been registered to vote before or who are not currently registered in the county of their residence and persons who are registered but who need to change their registration information may apply to register or to change name or address or political affiliation by filling out and mailing an Oklahoma Voter Registration Application form in time for it to be postmarked no later than midnight Friday, April 18. 2008.

Roberts said that applications postmarked after that time still will be accepted and processed, but the applications will not be approved until after May 13, 2008.

The County Election Board will respond in writing to each person who submits an application for voter registration. The response will be either a Voter Identification Card listing the new voter’s precinct number and polling place location or a letter that explains the reason or reasons the application for voter registration was not approved. Roberts said that any person who has submitted a voter registration application and who has not received a response within 30 days should contact the County Election Board Office.

Oklahoma Voter Registration Application forms are available at the County Election Board office located at 122 S. Peters Avenue, Norman, and at all tag agencies, post offices, and public libraries in the county.

Dillingham, Griffith win Norman council seats, runoff set for Ward 2

The biggest Loser last night was
Mayor Cindy "Hillary lite" Rosenthal.

After getting appointed by "Hillary lite" Rosenthal. Carol Price Dillingham made one vote that "Hillary lite" Rosenthal, did not like so She went out and got Gregory Jungman to run against Dillingham.

Carol Price Dillingham and Jim Griffith won council seats in Wards 4 and 6 respectively, in unofficial tallies and light city voting.

There will be a runoff in Ward 2 between (Democratic Consultant) Chebon Marshall and Tom Kovach, with both candidates polling less than 50 percent.

In Ward 4, incumbent Dillingham received 524 votes for 53.3 percent against Gregory Jungman with 425 votes and 43.2 percent. Chris Jingozian received 34 votes and 3.4 percent of the vote.

In Ward 6, Griffith garnered 446 votes for 64.6 percent of the vote versus Lou Mansfield’s total of 244 votes for 35.3 percent.

Marshall led the three-way race for Ward 2 with 507 votes for 45.19 percent. Kovach received 425 votes for 37.8 percent and Michael McKee garnered 190 votes for 16.9 percent.

Marshall and Kovach will meet in a runoff election May 13.

Norman City Council Wards 2, 4, 6 Contributions list

Ward 2

Thomas Kovach

Glen Brown, $500; Sid Burton, $50; Jan Burton, $50; Jeanette Coker, $100; Lawrence C. and Roswitha Allin, $150; Gerald Eugene Baker, $200; Karin Schufjer and Ben Alpers, $50; Elizabeth Smith, $100; Will Weir, $50; Lyntha and Charles Wesner, $100; Steven and Judy Vasiloff, $50; Jim Stanley, $200; Ellen Frank and Tom Fredgren, $25; Edwin Kessler, $20; Sarah Iselin, $50. In-kind: Ken Davis, $150; Barney Gibbs, $50.

Total: $1,645 with $200 in-kind.

Michael McKee

Michael S. Geigerman, $200; Jeanette Coker, $100.

Total: $300

Chebon Marshall

Mona Nelson, $100; Benjamin Odom, $500; Teresa Craig, $500; Don Eckhoff, $100; Joe Carter, $100; Jennifer Shaw, $100; Matthew Erickson, $100; Sarah Flowers, $500; Christopher Klose, $100; Melissa Hebert, $100; Ravi Rajan, $50; Loyd Benson, $50; David Hunter, $250; Anthony Zahn, $35; James Fullerton, $35; Jack Bonny, $50; Chastity Bedonie, $60; David Walters, $100; Penny Tullis, $100; Juanita King, $100; Don Davis, $100; Pat Hall, $200; Steven Flowers, $200; Jalal Farzaneh, $500; Dick Reynolds, $50; Preston Trimble, $50; Carolyn Krumme, $200; Michael Bergey, $200; Nawaz Mudassir, $50; Marge Liesenfeld, $100; Craig Knutson, $50; Allison Kiesel, $50; Diana Hartley, $50; George Krumme, $250; Brad Carson, $250; Diane Wiley, $50; Tonya Lopez, $100; Peter Leisenfled, $100. In-kind, Michael Duncan, $250.

Total: $5,530 with $250 in-kind

Ward 4

Carol Price Dillingham

Jim Barger, $100; Jeannette Coker, $100; Tommy Karns, $100; Keith Kerr, $100; Tom Kovach, $50; O. Gail Poole, $50; Jim and Robin Ringo, $50; Laurie Williams, $100; Ben Alpers and Karin L. Schutjer, $100; Don and June Holyfield, $500; Joseph H. Carter, $50; Tim and Georjana Mauldin, $50; Rebecca A. Wilson, $50; Keith R. Allen, $100; Bobara E. De Caulp, $100; Kathleen Heiple, $200; Victor and Lisa Long, $50; J. David Rambo, $100; Jayne Crumpley, $50; Hal Ezzell, $500; Mindy Jones, $50; Tim and Pat Regan, $200; Jim Stanley, $200; Judith Wilkens, $50; Jim R. Flood Jr., $50; W.E. Duff, $100; Pam J. Ezzell, $500; Jim Jones, $500; David B. Miller, $200; Charles and Lyntha Wesner, $100; Stanley J. Grossman, $200; Josh Lee, $100; Barbara Jones $500; Fred and Laura Shaeffer, $100; In-kind: Bob Mansfield, $250; Mary Katherine Long, $50; Fenilda Rambo, $58.38; Bob Thompson, $47.23; Carol Dillingham, $10.19; Larry Dillingham, $101.71.

Total: $5,340 with $517.51 in-kind

Chris Jingozian

No contributions

Gregory Jungman

Synthia Haddad, $30; Billie Spector, $50; Russell and Barbara Mathis, $50; Kieran Mullen and Teres Vaughn, $50; Jayne Crumpley, $50; Nancy Yoch, $50; Mary Jane and Jim Thompson, $50; Sue Schrems, $50; Betty Hardiman, $50; Alice and Bob Woodford, $50; Sharon Pyeatt, $75; Lois Lawler Brown, $100; Judi and John Hadley, $100; Max and LaDonna Benningfield, $100; Terry and Mary Cline, $100; Robert and Birthe Flexner, $100; Rick Lambert, $100; Jason Claborn, $100; Charles and Dana Anderson, $125; Theresa and Trent Baggett, $150; Rick and Debbie Poland, $300; Hawkins Adams and Nancy Curry, $500; contributions under $25, $110; in-kind: Lois Lawler Brown, $51.58; Theresa Baggett, $49.80; Judi and John Hadley, $75; Chuck and Dana Anderson, $75; Alice and Robert Woodford, $75; Jason Claborn, $48.

Total: $2,330 with $374.38 in-kind

Ward 6

James C. Griffith

Chuck Thompson, $200; Kathy Heiple, $200; self-contribution, $400.

Total: $800


Lou Mansfield

Rita Baker, $100; Sarah Delay, $100; Kay Holladay, $30; Anita Jones, $50; Roland Lohmann, $100; Dale Piper, $50; Sue Schrems, $50; Ann Jacobs, $100; George Ingels, $100; Bert Humphrey, $50; Catharine Ewing, $40; Patricia Garrett, $200; Ron Henderson, $100; Jody McCall, $50; Dolores Pasierb, $50; George Shaw, $35; Marilyn Burr, $100; Barbara Schindler, $50; Sarah Iselin, $50; Charles and Lyntha Wesner, $100; Les and Donna Brown , $75; Larry and Lisa Reed, $100; Marty and Neil Dirling, $50; Glen Brown, $500. In-kind: Kathy Moad, $500; Deji Dugger, $125. Contributions of less than $25: $165.

Total: $2,395 with $625 in-kind

Ward 8

Dan Quinn (unopposed)

Realtors Political Action Committee, $500.

Source: City of Norman City Clerk’s Office

Campaign war chests modest in comparison to 2007 Norman City Election

Campaign war chests modest
in comparison to 2007 city election
By Carol Cole-Frowe
Transcript Staff Writer

The eight candidates vying for Norman City Council even-numbered seats in Wards 2, 4 and 6 appear to have relatively modest campaign war chests this year, totalling a little more than $20,000 in contributions as of noon Friday in required filings for the 2008 campaigns. The figures will doubtless go up some when final expenditures are turned in after Tuesday’s municipal election.

But they hardly compare to last year’s total of $101,093 in final expenditures for seven council candidates in the 2007 races in Wards 1, 3 and 5. Incumbent Ward 7 councilmember Doug Cubberley did not draw an opponent in 2007.

For the 2008 races, Ward 2 candidate (Democratic Consultant) Chebon Marshall leads the way for the open seat being vacated by Richard Stawicki, with $5,530 and $250 in in-kind contributions. Marshall, who owns a small (Democratic) advertising and marketing firm in Norman, was chief of staff for former Oklahoma Congressman Brad Carson.

Many of Marshall’s contributors read like a Who’s Who on the state political scene. Among his donors are Carson, $250; former Oklahoma governor David Walters, $100, former Oklahoma Speaker of the House Loyd Benson, $50; former Congressional candidate David Hunter, $250; and former Congressional candidate and Democratic Party vice chair Ben Odom, $500.

Ward 2 candidate Tom Kovach, a Norman small businessman, raised $1,645, with $200 in in-kind contributions. His largest donations came from geologist Glen Brown, $500; former Ward 3 councilmember Jim Stanley, $200; and Gerald Eugene Baker at $200.

Michael McKee, Ward 2 candidate and a Norman attorney, trails the field with $400 in donations: $200 from Michael Geigerman and $200 from Jeannette Coker.

Ward 4 incumbent Carol Price Dillingham, a Norman attorney, is not far behind Marshall, with $5,340 in contributions. Included in her backers are two sitting Norman councilmembers, with Ward 3 councilmember Hal Ezzell donating $500 and Ward 1 councilmember Bob Thompson contributing an in-kind donation of $47. Former Norman police chief Don Holyfield and his wife June contributed $500 to Dillingham’s campaign, as did Jim Jones and Barbara Jones, with $500 apiece.

Gregory Jungman, Ward 4 candidate, brought in $2,330 with $374 in-kind.

Jungman, an adjunct political science professor at Rose State College and a senior advisor for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, opposed the Norman City Council’s recent vote in favor of an appeal to overturn a Historic District Commission denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness for a large addition at 516 Chautauqua Ave., owned by Glen Brown.

Jungman garnered several donations from Brown’s neighbors, including $500 from physician Hawkins Adams and Nancy Curry; $150 from Theresa and Trent Baggett; $50 from Russell and Barbara Mathis; and $300 from Rick and Debbie Poland.

He also received donations from several current or former Historic District Commission members including Jayne Crumpley, $50; Nancy Yoch, $50; and Judi Hadley with husband John, $100.

Former councilmember Lois Lawler Brown also contributed $100 to Jungman’s campaign.

Ward 4 councilmember Chris Jingozian, a mental health worker, did not list any contributions.

In Ward 6, small businesswoman Lou Mansfield received $2,395 in contributions and $625 in-kind in her quest for the open seat being vacated by David Hopper.

Mansfield’s largest contribution was from Glen Brown at $500.

Also supporting her campaign were former Norman mayor Ron Henderson with $100; and former councilmember Lyntha Wesner and husband Charles at $100.

Ward 6 candidate Jim Griffith, a Norman dentist, listed $400 in contributions and another $400 in a self-contribution. His contributors include Chuck Thompson at $200 and Kathy Heiple at $200.

Incumbent Ward 8 councilmember Dan Quinn did not draw an opponent, but received a $500 contribution from the Realtor Political Action Committee.

Norman City Council Monday forum set

Norman City Council candidates have been invited to appear at a forum 7 p.m. Monday in the City Council Chambers. Sponsors are the League of Women Voters of Norman.

Questions from League members and the audience will be presented to the candidates. The forum is the first for council candidates who will be on the ballot March 4.

There are eight candidates seeking seats in Wards 2, 4 and 6.

More information is available from League President Barbara Robinson, 701-1907.

Council candidates' voting records vary widely

Council candidates'
voting records vary widely

Transcript Staff Writer

A Norman Transcript analysis of voting records of the eight candidates for Norman City Council showed records ranging from the mediocre at 27 percent to one candidate with a stellar 100 percent voting record for the past four years, according to records obtained at the Cleveland County Election Board.

Ward 4 candidate Chris Jingozian topped the field, the only candidate with a 100 percent voting record. The 25-year-old candidate, who works in the mental health field, is the youngest of the council candidates and registered to vote in 2000. He cast his vote in-person in all 16 elections he was eligible for during the past four years.

"If you don't vote, you can't complain," Jingozian said, joking that he has always enjoyed complaining. "I had to go vote."

He is aware that many of his generation don't vote and encourages them at every opportunity. He said he enjoys politics and the political process.

"Get out there and say what you need to say," Jingozian said.

Jingozian was one of four candidates who braved darkened precinct voting stations to vote in the Dec. 11 school bond election, the day after the disasterous Dec. 10 ice storm in central Oklahoma left more than half of Norman without power and dodging downed tree branches and power lines. He was joined at the polls Dec. 11 by Ward 4 incumbent Carol Price Dillingham and Ward 2 candidates Chebon Marshall and Tom Kovach.

Dillingham voted 14 times out of the 18 votes she was eligible for, using in-person and absentee voting methods for a 77 percent record. She had a perfect record in 2006 and 2007. In 2004, Dillingham missed the Presidential primary election and missed three out of four votes in 2005.

The other Ward 4 candidate, Greg Jungman, cast his vote only five times of the 18 votes in which he was eligible, for a 27 percent voting record. Jungman registered to vote in 1996.

Jungman, a Rose State University professor and federal employee, cast his vote in-person in one out of seven elections in 2004, none in 2005, three of four in 2006 and one out of three in 2007. None of the votes were in school-related elections.

"I honestly could not say why I didn't vote," he said. "Usually it's a matter of do you get there or do you not."

Jungman said he knows it's a low number of votes and he believes it's important to vote.

In Ward 2, political consultant Chebon Marshall voted in 13 of the 18 elections in which he was eligible for a 72 percent record. As the former Chief of Staff for former Congressman Brad Carson, Marshall cast three absentee votes in eight elections in 2004 and 2005. But after returning to Norman in early 2005 when Carson left office, Marshall voted in-person in 100 percent of the elections in which he was eligible.

Ward 2 candidate Tom Kovach, a Norman small businessman, voted in 12 out of 18 elections in the four-year period checked, for a 66 percent voting record. Kovach voted in four of seven 2004 votes, two of four in 2005, three of four in 2006, and all three of 2007 votes.

Michael McKee, also in Ward 2, voted a third of the time. The Norman attorney voted in six of the 18 elections in which he was eligible, voting half absentee and half in-person in two general elections, three primary and runoff elections and one state question on gas tax hikes. Records show he did not vote in any school elections.

In Ward 6, small businesswoman Lou Mansfield voted in 72 percent or 13 of the 18 elections where she was eligible. Mansfield voted in 100 percent of the 2006 elections and two out of three elections in 2007, missing the Dec. 11 election.

Ward 6 candidate James Griffith, a Norman dentist, voted in 10 of 18 elections for a 55 percent voting record. Griffith voted in five of seven 2004 elections, one of four in 2005, three of four in 2006, and one of three in 2007. He did not vote in any of the school-related elections.

Carol Cole-Frowe

366-3538

ccole@normantranscript.com

Norman Enforcement Authority invites candidates to an orientation meeting

Candidates have started their campaigns to fill Norman City Council seats for wards 2, 4, 6 and 8. Each campaign season the City of Norman Enforcement Authority invites candidates to an orientation meeting.

The meeting is designed to familiarize candidates and their volunteers with the report forms that are required by the City Code. The session will be held at 5:30 pm Wednesday, Jan. 23 in the Norman Municipal Building Conference Room.

"Article II. Campaign Disclosures of Contributors, Contributions and Expenditures was established in the City Code over thirty 30 ago," said Judi Knapp, chair of the Authority.

"The intent of the rule has been to give voters a view of the candidates financial activity during the election cycle. The candidates and their volunteers do a good job of submitting the information ," Knapp said.

"There has been confusion and misunderstanding, however, about others who must submit reports. The code defines who shall file," she said.

"Sometimes well-meaning citizens work for or against a campaign outside a candidate's organization. That makes them a "committee" as described in the code. Reports need to be filed in the same manner and on the same schedule as candidate reports," explained Knapp.

More detailed information is available in the Office of the City Clerk. Norman is the only city in Oklahoma that has its own elections rules. Other government bodies go by the State of Oklahoma Ethics rules.

The Norman Council Races are Set

Three races developed in late Wednesday city council filings for Wards 2, 4 and 6.

Incumbent Ward 8 councilmember Dan Quinn did not draw a challenger in his northwest Norman ward.

Ward 2

In the south central Norman Ward 2, three filed for the open position being vacated by long-time councilmember Richard Stawicki.

Small businessman Tom Kovach, 45, a previous candidate for the seat, is customer service manager for Astronomics. He attended the Norman Citizens Academy and participated in all the Community Dialogues. He has worked with the Citizens for Financial Responsibility.

Michael McKee, worked on rewriting the municipal code as an assistant city attorney in the 1970s, was a prosecutor for the City, was assigned as the Norman Police legal advisor and evaluated and defended workers’ compensation claims against the City.

Democratic Consultant Chebon Marshall, 33, filed for the Ward 2 council race Tuesday afternoon. He is a Democratic General and Direct mail Consultant, who served four years as Chief of Staff to former Congressman Brad Carson.

Ward 4

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.

She drew two challengers who both filed Wednesday afternoon.

Facing Dillingham for the seat will be Rose State professor and federal government employee Greg Jungman, 31, of 715 S. Crawford Ave. in the Miller Historic District.

Chris Jingozian, also will challenge for the seat.

Ward 6

In Ward 6 in northeast Norman, small businesswoman Lou Mansfield will face Jim Griffith, a local dentist, for the seat being vacated by Ward 6 councilmember David Hopper.

Griffith, filed Wednesday afternoon. He was a longtime member of the Norman Parks Board and was a member of Leadership Norman about 10 years ago.

He said he wants to make sure the quality of life in Norman remains what it is and wants to be responsive to the citizens of the ward.

Small businesswoman Lou 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.

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.

McKee announces bid for Norman Ward 2

Norman attorney Michael McKee announced Friday that he will seek the Ward 2 council seat currently held by Richard Stawicki. Stawicki announced Jan. 7 he will not seek re-election.

McKee is a former assistant city attorney, hired by former city manager Jerry Smith in July 1971. He resigned in 1977 to go into private practice.

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.

McKee said he wrote more than $250,000 in grants for the City from the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments, as well as writing major construction contracts for the City of Norman and training police cadets in the Norman Police Academy.

He served a short period of time as acting city attorney.

McKee helped establish and was president of the Norman Oklahoma Municipal Employees Credit Union for municipal and hospital employees. NOME later merged with Tinker Federal Credit Union.

McKee graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1964. He worked four years with the Social Security Administration in Gallup, N.M., and Farmington, N.M., and later in Clinton. He received his juris doctorate degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1971.

He worked as an intern in the office of the Oklahoma Attorney General drafting appellate criminal briefs and wrote administrative policies for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife. He was appointed by the Oklahoma Supreme Court as a judge of the Court of Appeals, Temporary Division No. 128.

McKee is married with four children. His wife Jonee was a registered nurse, teaching anatomy and physiology at COACH, to high school level home schoolers.

His daughter Stacey Kierstan is married to a professor at Oklahoma State University. His three sons Kurt Michael, Frederick Dow and Stephan Kern are students at Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., University of North Texas at Denton, Texas, and Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. McKee said all are musically talented.

The McKees are members of the Trinity Baptist Church and he tutors Chinese students and professors in English.

Why would anybody want to run for Norman City Council

Help wanted:
City council candidates
Carol Cole-Frowe
Transcript Staff Writer

Two former mayors with 11 municipal elections between them had lots of advice for potential council candidates at a forum Tuesday, sponsored by the Norman Chamber of Commerce "Get Out the Vote" committee at the Norman Public Library.

"The goal tonight is to provide a tutorial, a primer," said Michael Bergey, president-elect of the Norman Chamber of Commerce. He said although the Chamber can't endorse candidates, they believe encouraging business people to run for council is good for the community.

Council seats in even-numbered wards are up for election -- wards 2, 4, 6 and 8. The filing period opens Monday and goes through Wednesday at the Cleveland County Election Board, 122 S. Peters Ave.

About a dozen people attended the forum, including Mayor Cindy Rosenthal, Ward 2 councilmember Richard Stawicki and Ward 4 councilmember Carol Price Dillingham.

Dillingham, who was appointed to fill the Ward 4 seat vacated by Rosenthal, said she will run for her seat. Stawicki, the longest serving councilmember and vice mayor, said he won't be running.

"I think eight years is enough," Stawicki said.

Ward 6 councilmember David Hopper previously had announced he won't run for re-election. Ward 8 councilmember Dan Quinn has not announced his plans officially.

Former mayors Bob Thompson and Bill Nations joked that they're far enough removed from the council to provide some good insight to potential candidates.

Thompson -- not the same as Ward 1 councilmember "Midway Bob" Thompson -- outlined duties and what kind of time commitment is required for councilmembers. Thompson served four terms on council from 1984 to 1992 and was mayor from 1998 to 2001.

"The role of the city council is to set policy for the city manager," he said. "The most important thing the city council does is approve the City's budget."

Thompson said it's important to realize the city manager is responsible for the department heads and other employees.

"The department heads don't work for council. The employees of the City don't work for council," he said.

Thompson said he knows that a lot of times one issue sparks the desire to run for council.

"But you can't be a one issue councilperson," he said.

Thompson said it's not unusual to have to cast a vote on controversial issues that aren't all black and white.

"A lot of times what your constituency wants and what's best for the community as a whole are at odds," Nations said.

And Thompson said there would be votes that aren't perfect.

"You're going to vote the best way you know how," he said.

And then there are conflicts between different factions and philosophies.

"People in different wards don't know the problems of other wards," Thompson said, noting that some west Norman residents may never drive east of Berry Road if there isn't a football game. "You need to bring the needs of your ward forward to try to solve problems."

They said a time commitment is a minimum of about 20 hours per week.

"It's a lot of work, but it's very rewarding," Dillingham said.

Nations served three terms on council from 1986 to 1992 and two terms as mayor from 1992 to 1998. He has served as the state representative from House District 44 since 1998.

He had lots of campaign advice for potential candidates.

"Dollars, direct mail and doors," he said. "Doors in a city council race are the most important. ... Knocking on doors allows two things to happen. You get to engage in democracy face to face. More importantly, the person who answers the door gets to engage in democracy."

Nations sends cards out that he's going to be in the neighborhood, then knocks doors there. If residents aren't home, he sends a card out afterward, saying he is sorry that he missed them.

"You have to ask yourself, how much time do you have to knock doors," he said.

He called having to raise money "distasteful."

"Part of running is asking your friends for money," Nations said. "Fortunately, in a council race, it doesn't take enormous amounts of money."

He suggested checking campaign contributions and expenditures from previous council races to see about how much is needed.

Nations recommended yard signs and direct mail, although he had a warning about yard signs.

"There are a lot of people who will let you put signs in their yards that just don't vote," said Nations, noting that there have been elections where there are more yards signs out than the total vote in the election. "Don't get tricked by them. The ones that knock the doors win. The ones that don't knock the doors lose."

He said debates, while they do inform voters on the issues, don't garner many votes.

"It won't win the election, it won't even move it," he said. "People vote for you because they trust you."

Carol Cole-Frowe

366-3538

ccole@normantranscript.com