City Council Races Starting to Take Shape

[ljbab728]

Oklahoma City Council races develop after first day of filing | News OK

[kevinpate]

Be interesting to see if folks want younger, fresher perspectives regarding MAPs3 matters, public safety, Blvd., etc. or whether the current guard is considered adequate to advance their interests. Four open seats and Shadid offers an opportunity for a new set of gatekeepers at the horseshoe ... if folk want it enough to work the trenches door to door. Necessary as the old guard isn't likely to be outspent, or make any significant changes in city mgmt. style or personnel.

Luck to all as you go forward, whatever path is chosen.

[LakeEffect]

I'm unimpressed with Ward 1's new candidate so far. His website is slick, but I don't see any issue statements about real City issues, only generalities. We'll see where that one goes.

As for the 3 Ward 7 candidates, it doesn't appear that any have websites at this time.

[LordGerald]

I'm unimpressed with Ward 1's new candidate so far. His website is slick, but I don't see any issue statements about real City issues, only generalities. We'll see where that one goes.

As for the 3 Ward 7 candidates, it doesn't appear that any have websites at this time.

God told him to run for Council?

Quote from his website:

"The most important reason that I am running is I believe that I have been called to do so. So this is an act of obedience, and I am trusting God to take me where He wants me to go. My goal in life is to glorify God in everything that I do, and that’s why I decided to run for Oklahoma City Council."

[betts]

God told him to run for Council?

Quote from his website:

"The most important reason that I am running is I believe that I have been called to do so. So this is an act of obedience, and I am trusting God to take me where He wants me to go. My goal in life is to glorify God in everything that I do, and that’s why I decided to run for Oklahoma City Council."

I have a couple of questions for him. What is God's plan for Oklahoma City? And, in what church do you worship? There's one church that needs no representation on the council, IMO.

[LakeEffect]

I have a couple of questions for him. What is God's plan for Oklahoma City? And, in what church do you worship? There's one church that needs no representation on the council, IMO.

Covenant Community Church

[onthestrip]

God told him to run for Council?

Quote from his website:

"The most important reason that I am running is I believe that I have been called to do so. So this is an act of obedience, and I am trusting God to take me where He wants me to go. My goal in life is to glorify God in everything that I do, and that’s why I decided to run for Oklahoma City Council."

Great, just what we need in our city government, an extreme fundamentalist...

[zookeeper]

Filing goes through tomorrow at 5pm. Surely some of you have considered serving a term or two on the council?

[Teo9969]

If there are any good candidates for these wards, we need to find an easy to explain, well crafted argument in favor of core-first investment being advantageous for those who live in Suburban-OKC.

[CuatrodeMayo]

I'm getting tea party vibes.

[LakeEffect]

I'm getting tea party vibes.

Maybe? He's got a Brian Walters feel. However, since he's fighting an incumbent, I think it'll be more uphill. Walters won because it was an open race, James will have a tougher time I think.

[Larry OKC]

onthestrip: How does the statement: "The most important reason that I am running is I believe that I have been called to do so. So this is an act of obedience, and I am trusting God to take me where He wants me to go. My goal in life is to glorify God in everything that I do..." equate "extreme fundamentalist"?

[onthestrip]

onthestrip: How does the statement: "The most important reason that I am running is I believe that I have been called to do so. So this is an act of obedience, and I am trusting God to take me where He wants me to go. My goal in life is to glorify God in everything that I do..." equate "extreme fundamentalist"?

Ha, how does it not? If you "believe" that god spoke to you to run for city council then how do you think he will base his decisions? He will probably be the type that will vote against allowing the gay pride parade. Sorry, people like him probably aren't best for a city council.

[Larry OKC]

Ha, how does it not? If you "believe" that god spoke to you to run for city council then how do you think he will base his decisions? He will probably be the type that will vote against allowing the gay pride parade. Sorry, people like him probably aren't best for a city council.

That same quote could have come from any person of faith...doesn't automatically equate to extremism on either side, conservative, liberal or even Christian. What it means is that they will prayerfully consider their actions. Just as many of the founding fathers and elected officials have done running the whole spectrum of religious and political beliefs.

[LakeEffect]

That same quote could have come from any person of faith...doesn't automatically equate to extremism on either side, conservative, liberal or even Christian. What it means is that they will prayerfully consider their actions. Just as many of the founding fathers and elected officials have done running the whole spectrum of religious and political beliefs.

But that doesn't explain how he'd vote on a city issue at this point... I'd really like to see him put some concrete examples on his website. For instance, answer a policy question like "Oklahoma City saw a large increase in violent crime and homicide last year. OKCPD requests 40 new officers in the budget. Should we add them and how?"

[Midtowner]

That same quote could have come from any person of faith...doesn't automatically equate to extremism on either side, conservative, liberal or even Christian. What it means is that they will prayerfully consider their actions. Just as many of the founding fathers and elected officials have done running the whole spectrum of religious and political beliefs.

It's indicates either narcissism in that God actually cares who Ward 1's city Councilor is or insanity, which is common with people who have chats with God. Neither of which I'm particularly interested in.

But you're right, his website, aside from going on and on and on about God takes no positions on anything except..more police. Yeah, I suppose that's good.. and also, I think he could run on a platform of more ice cream for everyone 'cuz that'll poll about the same.

On the one hand, you have your God fearing, possibly insane graphic designer. On the other hand, there's Carolyn Sims, who actually talks about the city, talks about parks and open spaces and walkability (very needed in Ward 1--why no bike trails or sidewalks on NW Expressway?). She's an advocate for OKC's neighborhoods, which frankly could use some TLC about now. In short, Sims' website is about the Ward and its needs. Greiner just seems very young and inexperienced and out of touch with what city government is even about.

[rezman]

Ha, how does it not? If you "believe" that god spoke to you to run for city council then how do you think he will base his decisions? He will probably be the type that will vote against allowing the gay pride parade. Sorry, people like him probably aren't best for a city council.

So the fact that he is a Christian makes him unfit to hold a position on the city council? And you base this on the assumption that will "probably" vote against the gay parade.

[onthestrip]

So the fact that he is a Christian makes him unfit to hold a position on the city council? And you base this on the assumption that will "probably" vote against the gay parade.

Him being a Christian doesnt make him unfit, the fact that he throws his Christianity in your face has me worried. His quote for the paper about his campaign was, “I think without the Bible the world doesn't make much sense to me.” Id prefer someones quote for their profile in the Oklahoman to, I dont know, maybe address actual issues and not show off how Christian you are. I want people to vote on facts, current issues, constituent concerns, etc, not based on the bible. Save that for your home and church, dont bring it into city politics

[rezman]

Save that for your home and church, dont bring it into city politics

I started to ask if it's the fact that he publicly professed his faith. I understand what you are saying, and in that light, gay agendas and issues should be left out of city, and all politics as well.

[ljbab728]

The filings should be complete now.

Seven candidates file for Ward 7 seat on Oklahoma City Council | News OK

[LakeEffect]

Really interested to see how the Ward 1 election plays out. The 3rd candidate has a few actual stances listed on her website. Should be a fun ride.

Ward 7 (my ward) has an incredible amount of candidates. Hopefully I'll start getting literature at home so I can decipher who they all are. Can't find anything online yet.

[Larry OKC]

I'm ok with White but McAtee really needs to go...he has made a few statements during Council that bordered on out-right lies & no one challenges him on it...too bad he didn't draw an opponent.

[kevinpate]

given the relatively light showing during the filing period, I suppose one could opine that the vast majority of folks are ok with the overall makeup of the current city leadership.

[Dubya61]

given the relatively light showing during the filing period, I suppose one could opine that the vast majority of folks are ok with the overall makeup of the current city leadership.

-- or, as has been opined in another thread, no one who is not retired or otherwise wealthy can afford to give up their day job and work on the City Council for free. I hate the job they're doing, but I can't afford to take a lengthy sabbatical from work and do the job.

[OKCisOK4me]

Is there some place we can go to see what they're for or against in regards to the future of OKC?