(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.

RINO Cox selling interest in conflict of interest

RINO/Rep/Dr. Doug Cox said Friday he is selling his part-interest in two nursing homes after receiving criticism for his ownership.

"I didn't like being accused of conflict of interest," Cox said.

(But Doug,
it was a conflict of interest
LOL)

Cox owned 25 percent interest in a 29-bed nursing home at Fairland and a 60-bed facility at Kingston.

Last session, Cox was criticized when he stripped a clause from a bill that called for $250,000 worth of mandatory insurance provided by nursing homes.

The lawmaker said his pulling the clause was not a conflict of interest because the requirement would have impacted all nursing homes, not only his.

Cox said he is selling the homes in a lease-purchase agreement. He had hoped to sell the centers outright, but because of the economy, it had to be done by lease-purchase, he said.