Ward 8 Norman election.

[ou48A]

http://normantranscript.com/

Harvest Church business administrator Chad Williams will be the next Ward 8 Norman City Council member.
Williams took 54 percent of the vote to defeat small business owner Jackie Farley.
Details in tomorrow's Transcript

[Questor]

I saw that. In the end I was generally happy with both candidates because they were more or less against some of the nutty things that Planning has been doing lately, which was my primary issue. I was really disappointed with how negative and nasty some of the 'anonymous' mailings that 'supporters' of Chad Williams, who apparently make the exact same spelling and grammar errors as those on his official fliers, were sending out. Making insinuations about your opponents life style choices, their moral integrity, and so forth is never above board in my mind and particularly nasty for any of his supporters who consider themselves to be religious folk. I nearly voted against him for the degree of hyperbole that came out in the last few days. That and the fact that his consistent message on why he was qualified to be on the council was that he had a baby on the way. He seems like a nice man, but really I am sick of the low-brow crap that our politicians shovel out these days.

I thought Farley was much more well spoken and had a clearer message at a business and finance level on what she wanted to do. Unfortunately I disagreed with all of it.

In the end I begrudgingly supported Williams. I'm writing this so that maybe he will read it and take note, and tone these negative aspects down when he takes his seat on the council. It's just unprofessional. Not only that, I view Norman first and foremost as a college town, and with that comes a certain mindset and a certain openness. I have no desire to see anyone try and change that. I have no desire to see Norman become some super suburban hell like every other town in the metro. I have no desire to see the council try to push things having anything to do with or against social issues. I did like his message about focusing on fiscal matters and hope he sticks with that.

It was an interesting race. I don't recall a city-level election ever getting this nasty before.

[Hutch]

I have no desire to see Norman become some super suburban hell like every other town in the metro.

Well, then you may have voted for the wrong candidate.

I first got involved in City issues about 5 years ago when some new development activity began taking place in the floodplain area behind my home. To keep the story short, my investigation into the matter led me to discover what was then a predominate good ol' boy system and how much of the decision-making at City Hall was being driven by the development community, regardless of its impacts on the citizens and community and Norman's quality of life. Since that time, many of us have worked hard to help elect City Council members who are not beholden to the development community and to affect policy changes to ensure our municipal government functions in the best interest of the citizenry and community and not special interests.

That has been a difficult battle, as the development community has organized together and fought to maintain control over City Hall. They have formed the Norman Developers Council and the Norman Builders Association and hired attorneys to press City officials and continue their influence. They have taken over leadership of the Norman Chamber of Commerce and now use it as a tool to influence City Council and the decision-making process.

I have nothing personal against builders and developers. We all live in homes or apartments built by builders on developments developed by developers. They serve an important and necessary function in the growth of every town and city. But they are not non-profit organizations. They are for-profit businesses. The problem that I and many in Norman have with the development community has nothing to do with the important services and products they provide the community. The problem we have is with their organized, special interest efforts to control City Hall and the municipal decision-making processes in Norman in order to accelerate growth, increase housing demand, weaken ordinances and codes that protect the community, and force taxpayer subsidies for roads and utilities to support their projects, for the sole purpose of increased profits and financial gain.

Myself and many, many others in Norman have dedicated much time in the last number of years to try to keep control of City Hall in the hands of those who are dedicated to the best interests of the citizenry and the community. It hasn't been easy and the battle continues. Most recently over efforts by the development community to establish an economic development authority controlled by their unelected cronies who would be granted permanent power to give away our tax dollars to lure private companies to move to Norman. They claim its all about providing "quality jobs" for our children, but it's really just about artificially stimulating growth and increasing housing demand. At the same time, they are trying to find a way to get City Council to approve spending our tax dollars to build a new $80 million north side sewer plant even though we can provide the same needed capacity by expanding the south plant for less than half the cost. Their attorneys even threatened City Council recently with opposing the much needed upcoming transportation bond issue that will fix many existing problems with our streets and drainage if Council didn't set aside $6 million of existing tax revenues and start designing the plant. They claim its all about running out of sewer capacity, but it's really just about finding a way to get a sewer system on the north side of the Little River so that they can start developing that area, and they want the taxpayers to subsidize it through higher utility rates.

For all of those who truly want Norman to maintain its unique character and great quality of life and not become just another Edmond or an extension of Moore, then its important to pay attention not just to what City Council candidates say or print on their mailers, but who it is that's funding their campaigns. That information is required to be reported to the City Clerk prior to every Council election and its easily obtainable by any citizen who wants to review it. Here's the link for those who are interested:

Norman 2012 City Council Campaign Contribution Reports

Of the nearly $13,000 that Chad Williams reported as his total campaign contributions, more than 1/2 came from individuals and entities associated with the development community.

In comparison, less than 5% of Ms. Farley's contributions came from individuals involved in real estate matters.

The big question now is just what does the development community expect from Chad Williams for their investment and just what does Chad Williams feel obligated to do for the development community in return for their contributions.

If you live in Ward 8 and voted for Mr. Williams and don't want to see "Norman become some super suburban hell like every other town in the metro", then you'd better stay involved in the issues mentioned above and other important matters that come before City Council and make sure to let your new Councilmember know that you expect him to make decisions based on what's in the best interest of the citizens and community and Norman's quality of life, and not based on satisfying the growth and subsidy demands of the development community which paid for the majority of his campaign.

[rcjunkie]

Well, then you may have voted for the wrong candidate.

I first got involved in City issues about 5 years ago when some new development activity began taking place in the floodplain area behind my home. To keep the story short, my investigation into the matter led me to discover what was then a predominate good ol' boy system and how much of the decision-making at City Hall was being driven by the development community, regardless of its impacts on the citizens and community and Norman's quality of life. Since that time, many of us have worked hard to help elect City Council members who are not beholden to the development community and to affect policy changes to ensure our municipal government functions in the best interest of the citizenry and community and not special interests.

That has been a difficult battle, as the development community has organized together and fought to maintain control over City Hall. They have formed the Norman Developers Council and the Norman Builders Association and hired attorneys to press City officials and continue their influence. They have taken over leadership of the Norman Chamber of Commerce and now use it as a tool to influence City Council and the decision-making process.

I have nothing personal against builders and developers. We all live in homes or apartments built by builders on developments developed by developers. They serve an important and necessary function in the growth of every town and city. But they are not non-profit organizations. They are for-profit businesses. The problem that I and many in Norman have with the development community has nothing to do with the important services and products they provide the community. The problem we have is with their organized, special interest efforts to control City Hall and the municipal decision-making processes in Norman in order to accelerate growth, increase housing demand, weaken ordinances and codes that protect the community, and force taxpayer subsidies for roads and utilities to support their projects, for the sole purpose of increased profits and financial gain.

Myself and many, many others in Norman have dedicated much time in the last number of years to try to keep control of City Hall in the hands of those who are dedicated to the best interests of the citizenry and the community. It hasn't been easy and the battle continues. Most recently over efforts by the development community to establish an economic development authority controlled by their unelected cronies who would be granted permanent power to give away our tax dollars to lure private companies to move to Norman. They claim its all about providing "quality jobs" for our children, but it's really just about artificially stimulating growth and increasing housing demand. At the same time, they are trying to find a way to get City Council to approve spending our tax dollars to build a new $80 million north side sewer plant even though we can provide the same needed capacity by expanding the south plant for less than half the cost. Their attorneys even threatened City Council recently with opposing the much needed upcoming transportation bond issue that will fix many existing problems with our streets and drainage if Council didn't set aside $6 million of existing tax revenues and start designing the plant. They claim its all about running out of sewer capacity, but it's really just about finding a way to get a sewer system on the north side of the Little River so that they can start developing that area, and they want the taxpayers to subsidize it through higher utility rates.

For all of those who truly want Norman to maintain its unique character and great quality of life and not become just another Edmond or an extension of Moore, then its important to pay attention not just to what City Council candidates say or print on their mailers, but who it is that's funding their campaigns. That information is required to be reported to the City Clerk prior to every Council election and its easily obtainable by any citizen who wants to review it. Here's the link for those who are interested:

Norman 2012 City Council Campaign Contribution Reports

Of the nearly $13,000 that Chad Williams reported as his total campaign contributions, more than 1/2 came from individuals and entities associated with the development community.

In comparison, less than 5% of Ms. Farley's contributions came from individuals involved in real estate matters.

The big question now is just what does the development community expect from Chad Williams for their investment and just what does Chad Williams feel obligated to do for the development community in return for their contributions.

If you live in Ward 8 and voted for Mr. Williams and don't want to see "Norman become some super suburban hell like every other town in the metro", then you'd better stay involved in the issues mentioned above and other important matters that come before City Council and make sure to let your new Councilmember know that you expect him to make decisions based on what's in the best interest of the citizens and community and Norman's quality of life, and not based on satisfying the growth and subsidy demands of the development community which paid for the majority of his campaign.

With that mind set, couldn't you ask what those that contributed to Ms. Farley's campaign expect to gain from her if she had won ?

[Hutch]

With that mind set, couldn't you ask what those that contributed to Ms. Farley's campaign expect to gain from her if she had won ?

I could and I'm sure I know what most would say...better government without undue influence from those who profit from the decisions at City Hall at the expense of the everyone else.

[Questor]

I have nothing personal against builders and developers. We all live in homes or apartments built by builders on developments developed by developers. They serve an important and necessary function in the growth of every town and city. But they are not non-profit organizations. They are for-profit businesses. The problem that I and many in Norman have with the development community has nothing to do with the important services and products they provide the community. The problem we have is with their organized, special interest efforts to control City Hall and the municipal decision-making processes in Norman in order to accelerate growth, increase housing demand, weaken ordinances and codes that protect the community, and force taxpayer subsidies for roads and utilities to support their projects, for the sole purpose of increased profits and financial gain.

You know, one significant problem that I see with Norman is that it has two extremely opposed groups trying to control planning in the city. One wants to develop the crap out of every last square inch of land, and they could really care less how it looks or what goes in, just so long as something goes in and they get paid. The other half apparently wants us to return to the dark ages, trading our cars in for bicycles and go live in large communal packs where we eat at Earth Cafe seven times a week. To me both of these positions seem irrational and are probably just self-serving.

I'm not opposed to development at all if it is the right development. If this Williams guy does vote against the proposed apartment complex on Tecumseh, and as a result we instead somehow landed a Whole Foods there, I would be ecstatic. Actually I would be very happy with high-quality fast casual restaurants or full service restaurants as well. I just don't want any more ugly developments, developments that destroy property values, or developments that attract the overly-annoying crowd. When I think of a suburban hell I think of a place that is overcrowded and has had no zoning laws applied at all, and as a result is just a big mess of whatever anyone wanted to throw together on a plot of land. I hope that is not where we are headed. But I also hope we aren't headed to a place where the West side starts to look like the East side. Perhaps more planned, but it is also much more run-down looking.

What Norman doesn't need is another car lot, or another corrugated metal warehouse in massively visible areas, or another bad-looking strip mall or shady hotel. The expansive West side isn't going away, and it's unrealistic to think that development can be curtailed there or that mass transit is going to replace the highways and streets in that part of town anytime in the next 50 years. So that being the case the pragmatist in me says it is going to be developed. What I personally hope for is that these developments are of high-quality, that they are not dense believe it or not because that's not the part of town Ward 8 is, and that each one is unique and not competing on someone else's doorstep like what has been going on over in UNP (e.g. Panda in Pei Wei's parking lot, Matress Firm across the street from Mathis, and so on).

I think your advise of staying involved in the issues is great advise for anyone who voted for any candidate in any of the wards.

[soonerfan123]

I was glad to know that Mr. Williams mentioned having kids. It doesn't necessarily "qualify" him; however it will make him more family oriented in his decision making which means alot to a large group of people in Norman. I think someone with family values in the council seat is important....it is hard to have family values in your decisions if you don't have children.

In regards to the negative campaigning. I completely agree that the low blows should stop in campaigns, but to blame Mr. Williams is ignorant. This same group attacked him in the first election...there are people in the community that do not represent his views or religion, but still think he is best choice for the position. So nobody can be sure these were "religious" folk who put out this mail piece. I was impressed to see that he filed an official complaint with the Norman Election Commission and wrote a letter of apology stating that the mail piece was disgusting and inappropriate at the least. Mr. Williams also stated in blog that he contacted Ms. Farley immediately an apologized that such a thing was done with his name on it. That to me is very professional and show much character and integrity.

The downside to Mr. Williams was his voting record but it was not a deal breaker for me. There are many people who don't have a great voting record but decide at some point to get involved an make a difference. Overall, both candidates ran a positive campaign and talked about themselves and not each other....then the idiots had to get involved and make it negative.

[venture]

I was glad to know that Mr. Williams mentioned having kids. It doesn't necessarily "qualify" him; however it will make him more family oriented in his decision making which means alot to a large group of people in Norman. I think someone with family values in the council seat is important....it is hard to have family values in your decisions if you don't have children.

Eeesh. You have way more faith in politicians than I do. Having children almost never equals having strong family values. Politicians are normally always going to be selfish and the fact they have offspring really doesn't mean anything. There are plenty of politicians with children that know nothing about "family values" and couldn't really care less about making a decision based on them. I wish I had your faith, but I just would find myself being naive if I actually thought that way. Not calling you that, just how I would feel about myself.

For me if someone it boasting about their faith or strong family values in their first 3 talking points given in a presentation (live or written) I almost immediately strike them off my list. They are essentially just pushing talking points to get the sheeple to vote for them at that point. They know their base of voters love hearing those words so they use them to lock them in.

[Questor]

When most people who live in Norman Ward 8 have children or eventually will have children, and when something like 95% of survey respondents in Oklahoma declare they are religious in some way, I think it means we as a society are setting the bar pretty low if this is all that matters to us when electing an official. Why not support someone because they can breathe on their own? It's nearly just as bad. As I said in my first post I'm sure Williams is a nice man and all, but when you have so little going for you as a candidate that you have to trumpet being proud of a handful of attributes that nearly everyone else living on the planet has, then that's a bad campaign. When we buy into it as voters we are allowing ourselves to be railroaded. This would be the reason I 'begrudgingly' voted for him. I thought he ran a horrible campaign. But in the end he clearly came out against the apartment development on the west side and there were reasons I didn't like the other candidate and so I voted for him. I won't do it again if there is a stronger candidate next time and Williams runs an equally vapid campaign. If he uses a few brain cells in his next campaign then maybe I will again.

Also, I just want to say that I think it is ignorant to say that someone most likely can only have 'family values' if they have children. I have a neighbor who is single but is taking care of his sick mother, who lives with him in his house. Seems like a great guy to me. I am tired of the 'us' and 'them' crap that has now even infiltrated our city politics. No matter who the candidate is next go around I hope that when I receive a mailer from them it is a bulleted list of what it is they want to do, and what directions they want to take the city's resources in, and nothing more.

[king183]

I am tired of the 'us' and 'them' crap that has now even infiltrated our city politics. No matter who the candidate is next go around I hope that when I receive a mailer from them it is a bulleted list of what it is they want to do, and what directions they want to take the city's resources in, and nothing more.

As a political consultant, these statements always catch my eye. As a citizen, I completely agree with the statement, but the fact is almost every voter, if asked, will say the exact same them. Unfortunately, every bit of data shows that candidates who do send out a bulleted or detailed list of what is they want to do are more likely to lose than the candidate who sends out the us vs. them and boilerplate crap. Negative campaigning is done in politics so often for one reason: 9 times out of 10, IT WORKS. (Of course there are a few caveats to it, but as a general rule, it's true).

So everyone says they want more substance from their candidates, but we know from massive amounts of research into the minds and habits of voters that it really won't make a difference. So, until there is some game change in the psychology of voters, each one of you good and loyal voters can expect the boilerplate mail piece that hits on tired phrases and slogans and has little substance. (Actually, you can expect 8 of them)

[ABryant]

Wow....family values. Mary Fallin is the newt David Walters. And you think these are people are people?

[kevinpate]

the anti-development crowd's candidate was 50%(mol) funded by the development movers and shakers.
rut rho raggy, ain't that a stale lil' scooby snack to gnaw on for a bit.

[Questor]

Whatever helps you sleep at night. All I read was that you are part of the problem and are making money off of it. Might as well be conning old ladies who are just "asking for it."

[king183]

Whatever helps you sleep at night. All I read was that you are part of the problem and are making money off of it. Might as well be conning old ladies who are just "asking for it."

Haha. You just proved what I said without intention of doing so. Thanks! You displayed the exact reaction someone uninformed about the political process would be expected to. I simply told you the reality of the political situation (i.e., you get those stupid, boilerplater mail pieces because that's how the vast majority of voters make decisions, and not because they want "substantive" pieces).

By the way, I'm not a communications/messaging consultant; I'm someone who helps the candidates find which voters to target. I don't expect you to know the difference, but don't take out your frustrations with the political process on me.

[Questor]

Haha. You just proved what I said without intention of doing so [...]

http://tinyurl.com/7euthvy

[Hutch]

Just saw this in the Norman Transcript this morning:

http://normantranscript.com/headline...nditure-report

Apparently, the Norman City Attorney is investigating possible ethics and campaign violations by the Cleveland County GOP PAC and Norman City Councilmember Dave Spaulding for involvement in distributing partisan mailers in support of Chad Williams. The CCGOPPAC is also being fined for failing to file a campaign contribution report in the race.

Under the Norman City Charter, Council races are supposed to be non-partisan. However, in the last few years the CCGOPPAC has begun to search for and promote candidates for City Council as a means to insert their political agenda into local City Council decisions on social issues and other matters. Current Ward 2 Councilmember Dave Spaulding was heavily supported by the CCGOPPAC when he won the Ward 5 City Council race a year ago. At the time, Bobby Cleveland was Chairman of the CCGOPPAC. The news story says that Councilmember Spaulding is now Chaiman of the CCGOPPAC and that his wife is Treasurer. It appears Councilmember Spaulding is being investigated for possible ethics violations and violations of the City Charter for knowingly being involved in partisan campaign activity in a City Council election. Mr. Spaulding apparently admitted the partisan campaign materials were his idea. Chad Williams apparently denies any prior knowldege of Mr. Spaulding's involvement and actions or of the campaign materials. What the news story didn't mention is that Mr. Williams and Mr. Spaulding are apparently close associates and members of the same church. If that's true, I would find it hard to believe that Mr. Spaulding would distibute any type of campaign materials that Mr. Williams didn't review and approve.

[rjstone208]

I live in Ward 6 on the east side. Develop it all. The more the better. Several years ago Sunny Side Cafe wanted to move to east Norman from Robinson and the council turned them down. They left and moved to Moore. I'm tired of driving to the City or west side to have anything. We get banks and fast food joints here. Only one decent restaurant--"O" and not much else. Looking forward to Sunflower/Sprouts at the old Hobbly Lobby near downtown just to have something decent closer. So again, turn the developers loose. Let's have lot's of new housing, retail and anything else we Eastsiders can get our grubby little hands on. We might even get 24th Ave East widened from the two-lane farm road it is now to an actual four-lane road. And yes I'd leave Norman if I could. Getting too close to retirement and we're more or less locked in here now. So more, more, more!!!!! Esthetics be damned.

[clrthinker]

I live in Ward 6 on the east side. Develop it all. The more the better. Several years ago Sunny Side Cafe wanted to move to east Norman from Robinson and the council turned them down. They left and moved to Moore. I'm tired of driving to the City or west side to have anything. We get banks and fast food joints here. Only one decent restaurant--"O" and not much else. Looking forward to Sunflower/Sprouts at the old Hobbly Lobby near downtown just to have something decent closer. So again, turn the developers loose. Let's have lot's of new housing, retail and anything else we Eastsiders can get our grubby little hands on. We might even get 24th Ave East widened from the two-lane farm road it is now to an actual four-lane road. And yes I'd leave Norman if I could. Getting too close to retirement and we're more or less locked in here now. So more, more, more!!!!! Esthetics be damned.

Land and houses are cheaper on the EAST side precisely because it is farther from the business and other core activities. The east side has less stuff because it is not as dense and businesses need enough market to be profitable. Even if the East side is developed like mad, it will still have less than the West due to its proximity to I35 which is a major draw for businesses. If you want to be closer to stuff, then the answer is simply to move and pay the higher housing prices.This is the basic tradeoff that is made when choosing housing and neighborhood location. You can't have it both ways.

[rjstone208]

Land and houses are cheaper on the EAST side precisely because it is farther from the business and other core activities. The east side has less stuff because it is not as dense and businesses need enough market to be profitable. Even if the East side is developed like mad, it will still have less than the West due to its proximity to I35 which is a major draw for businesses. If you want to be closer to stuff, then the answer is simply to move and pay the higher housing prices.This is the basic tradeoff that is made when choosing housing and neighborhood location. You can't have it both ways.

Agree. Reply was partly tongue in cheek and a little poking the bears. East side housing is increasing but far east Norman single family homes were restricted to large lots and no typical neighborhood developments with mass produced housing. West-siders conspiracy. I'm fairly active politically and keep track of what's going on and don't think east-siders have ever had strong representatives on the council who pushed for east side development. Generally went with the preservationists and west-siders. Only hope is that the last couple of elections, candidates who advocated no development and a roll back to the early 1900's were soundly defeated. Maybe I'll run. Any developers on board. Just poking the bears again folks.

[venture]

Agree. Reply was partly tongue in cheek and a little poking the bears. East side housing is increasing but far east Norman single family homes were restricted to large lots and no typical neighborhood developments with mass produced housing. West-siders conspiracy. I'm fairly active politically and keep track of what's going on and don't think east-siders have ever had strong representatives on the council who pushed for east side development. Generally went with the preservationists and west-siders. Only hope is that the last couple of elections, candidates who advocated no development and a roll back to the early 1900's were soundly defeated. Maybe I'll run. Any developers on board. Just poking the bears again folks.

It might not be a bad idea to see Wards redrawn as well.

http://ci.norman.ok.us/sites/default...e%20WebMap.pdf

Ward 5 is mainly to cover the rural portion of Norman and the lake. Current Ward 5 Councilman Dave Spaulding clearly doesn't represent the views of those in Ward 5 west of 48th.

Dave believes he represents the rural community and the values and interests inherent to country living. Dave recognizes that there needs to be balance and believes he can help the council in merging those country living values with the views and interests of those living in more populated areas.

Source: http://ci.norman.ok.us/content/profile-dave-spaulding

If the councilman wants to focus on the rural community and the "values and interests" of those type of folks, he shouldn't be representing the more urban/suburban areas of Ward 5 since he clearly doesn't represent them. If anything Ward 1 should cover anything south of Alameda and west of 48th. Let the Tea Party Cheerleader Spaulding take care of his rural people that he is more interested in.

[king183]

Just saw this in the Norman Transcript this morning:

http://normantranscript.com/headline...nditure-report

Apparently, the Norman City Attorney is investigating possible ethics and campaign violations by the Cleveland County GOP PAC and Norman City Councilmember Dave Spaulding for involvement in distributing partisan mailers in support of Chad Williams. The CCGOPPAC is also being fined for failing to file a campaign contribution report in the race.

Under the Norman City Charter, Council races are supposed to be non-partisan. However, in the last few years the CCGOPPAC has begun to search for and promote candidates for City Council as a means to insert their political agenda into local City Council decisions on social issues and other matters. Current Ward 2 Councilmember Dave Spaulding was heavily supported by the CCGOPPAC when he won the Ward 5 City Council race a year ago. At the time, Bobby Cleveland was Chairman of the CCGOPPAC. The news story says that Councilmember Spaulding is now Chaiman of the CCGOPPAC and that his wife is Treasurer. It appears Councilmember Spaulding is being investigated for possible ethics violations and violations of the City Charter for knowingly being involved in partisan campaign activity in a City Council election. Mr. Spaulding apparently admitted the partisan campaign materials were his idea. Chad Williams apparently denies any prior knowldege of Mr. Spaulding's involvement and actions or of the campaign materials. What the news story didn't mention is that Mr. Williams and Mr. Spaulding are apparently close associates and members of the same church. If that's true, I would find it hard to believe that Mr. Spaulding would distibute any type of campaign materials that Mr. Williams didn't review and approve.

Hutch, this type of stuff happens every election. The Cleveland County Democrats supported Mayor Rosenthal (even held a fundraiser for her) and many other members. The County GOP supported Hal Ezzell and other members, too. The idea that city elections are non-partisan hasn't been true, except in the very literal sense, for a very long time.

Unfortunately, Norman's ethics committee has no power, so absolutely nothing will come of this, except maybe a slap on the wrist. Bobby Cleveland is notorious for that kind of stuff and the ethic committee always threw a fit right after the elections and then did nothing about it.

EDIT: You will also note that an expenditure report it ALWAYS filed late. This happens every single election. Why? So nothing can come out before the election and because there is no real consequence for filing it late.

[venture]

It was interesting to see that Dave Spaulding, the worthless pile of garbage Ward 5 is stuck with, was the one who came up with the postcard that caused the most issue in the Ward 8 campaign. Go figure. A typical radical nutjob that loves the partisan game. Now if only during the next election voters would wake up and put him out on his ear.

[rcjunkie]

It was interesting to see that Dave Spaulding, the worthless pile of garbage Ward 5 is stuck with, was the one who came up with the postcard that caused the most issue in the Ward 8 campaign. Go figure. A typical radical nutjob that loves the partisan game. Now if only during the next election voters would wake up and put him out on his ear.

Care to explain how your childish name calling make you any better the Mr. Spaulding ?

[Mary Wollstonecraft]

Edit: If you have any concerns about board moderation send a PM to mmm or Pete. Thanks. ~ Pete

[Mary Wollstonecraft]

I live on the east side in ward 7, and am also close to retirement, living modestly. Frankly I do not understand rjstone208. We go to OKC almost exclusively for medical care from specialists, and almost never go west of I-35, because we have enjoyed QUALITY development downtown. I am thankful we have access to healthy foods (farmers' market, stores, cages, restaurants) instead of unhealthy fast foods, to locally owned businesses instead of big corporate franchises. There are esthetics-be-damned places everywhere; if you want an anesthetic environment, it is surely easy to find! But the arts and esthetics (not to ve confused with west-side luxury) make Norman a wonderful place to live. As I approach retirement, I want more & better sidewalks; the bicycle routes, lanes, and paths need lots more development; and the bus service needs to be much more accommodating. I'd like to see Main Street between University and Crawford become a pedestrian mall with excellent bus route access and parking garages in the current city lots, and a one-way loop around it on Gray, Porter, Eufala, and University. I'd like to see arts fairs, music festivals, local vegetable stands, local vendors' booths & food/drink food carts, playgrounds, etc. on the mall. This is the sort of development that can support local small business ownership, age-friendly convenience, intergenerational community. Out of state developers be damned, I say! Let Norman be a real HOMETOWN that we can love, not just an interstate-highway stop.

I am deeply concerned about persistent lack of transparency in Norman's deliberations about development.