City Council Races Starting to Take Shape

[BBatesokc]

I'm in Ward 4 (for now) and represented by Pete White.

I'll be voting for him.

Don't know a lot about him, but I do know he has worked well with No Boundaries Int'l and their efforts to positively impact the South Robinson Ave. area. He was instrumental in getting the city to agree to let them take possession of the former fire station at SW 34 and Robinson - to be used as a community center and outreach base for their efforts on Robinson.

[LuccaBrasi]

I hear that both Greiner and Sims are both very nice and level headed citizens with integrity and good intentions, but if eithger one manages to upset Marrs, which I seriously doubt, that would likely end any future support for urban related issues from what I've been told. Sure, we all want better neighborhoods, more sidewalks, etc, but not at the expense of the urban core.

[Midtowner]

Yeah, notice how that buzzword "common sense" is all over his page. It's even one of his issues.

I live in Ward 1 and don't frankly want to be represented by someone who thinks God told him to run for office. Folks who think God really cares whether they win the seat of Ward 1 in OKC frankly scare me and come off maybe as being either mentally ill or having delusions of grandeur. He doesn't have one actual issue on his website which doesn't come right out of the Republican consultant playbook. I don't need another Fallin clone to represent me.

I understand that Sims has a picture of downtown, but I agree with her that places not downtown could use some TLC. Especially in Ward 1. A lot of our neighborhoods are close to 50 years old and infrastructure and roads could use a little attention.

[Architect2010]

I'm glad Pete White ran again for Ward 4. His brother, Mike or Michael, lives about 8 houses down from us in the home he and Pete grew up in [which is the South Walker neighborhood in Ward 4]. Our family was very close with theirs as my mother tells me, and I believe it as Pete has been my mother's lawyer to this day. He even used to babysit my mother and his brother back in the 50's when he was a teen. He's true to the Southside neighborhoods that he grew up in and I'm very glad he is able to represent a part of town that I'm sure is very sentimental to him.

[LandRunOkie]

So what are people's thoughts on John Pettis for Ward 7? Seems like just the fresh blood the council could use?

[adaniel]

So what are people's thoughts on John Pettis for Ward 7? Seems like just the fresh blood the council could use?

I think he would be pretty good. I'm pretty sure if elected he would be the youngest on the council.

I will add my extended family is pretty involved in the Eastside community and they are doing everything in their power to get Skip Kelly out of office. I was shocked he even decided to run considering he would have to relinquish his seat if/when he is convicted.

[LakeEffect]

So what are people's thoughts on John Pettis for Ward 7? Seems like just the fresh blood the council could use?

I don't see anything specific about issues. I see a lot of "I want more ... and more ..." but not the how.

With that many candidates in my ward, I'm going to be looking for a lot more information from all of them.

[OKCTalker]

Why do we even care about party affiliation at the horseshoe? It brings nothing in my opinion, except the opportunity to fragment those trying to unite behind visions to move our city forward. Those pushing party agendas are usually the craziest nutjobs out there, all heat and no light, and they always attract media coverage which detracts from coverage of the real issues.

[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.

[Larry OKC]

I'm in Ward 4 (for now) and represented by Pete White.

I'll be voting for him. ...

No need, since he is running unopposed, you don't get to vote for or against him...he & McAtee are automatically retained.
http://newsok.com/seven-candidates-f...rticle/3750754

[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.

[CaptDave]

Isn't it odd how the far right always wants more police, but then turns around and refers to them as "jack booted thugs"? Interesting......

Ms Sims appears to be a pretty reasonable choice. I think she recognizes a thriving city core is important for all the Wards but has some good ideas for improvements in her ward.

[Larry OKC]

Please understand, I don't know anything about him or what his beliefs are, I was just trying to point out that it is a mistake to jump to the conclusion that someone is a extreme fundamentalist because they are a person of faith. Maybe he falls into the category. Maybe he doesn't.

[Midtowner]

Larry, if you follow political races in Okieland, you'll notice that all of their campaign materials sound --exactly-the-same-- I mean to the letter. This sort of content feels like something developed by a consultant. Sims actually has issues to talk about because she brings something to the table. It's even quite possible that she's a religious person.

We're not electing the best preacher, we're electing the best person to represent the Ward.

[Larry OKC]

Midtowner, I agree but to automatically dismiss someone because they are a person of faith is a mistake. Can't someone believe in God and all of what that entails AND be the best person to represent the ward? There are many great elected leaders that it would leave out. Wouldn't it? I take it much the same as party affiliation etc, it gives you an insight to the person but just as a D or R next to a persons name doesn't tell you the whole story it gives you a starting point. That is why I have never voted straight party, but vote for the person instead. Sometimes that means I voted all for one party. Most often it does not.

[Midtowner]

Midtowner, I agree but to automatically dismiss someone because they are a person of faith is a mistake.

I don't care whether they are a person of faith. I find it completely irrelevant. The fact that he talks more about his faith and that God told him to run than actual city issues, and really we need more police? What derp of a consultant came up with that?

Can't someone believe in God and all of what that entails AND be the best person to represent the ward?

Yes. Except this guy is a graphic design major who presumably has quite a bit of experience in marketing. It shows youth and inexperience to launch a bid for city council, be an actual professional website designer, and still not have a position of substance on any issue except... we need more police (but how to pay for them, he doesn't have a plan).

There are many great elected leaders that it would leave out. Wouldn't it? I take it much the same as party affiliation etc, it gives you an insight to the person but just as a D or R next to a persons name doesn't tell you the whole story it gives you a starting point. That is why I have never voted straight party, but vote for the person instead. Sometimes that means I voted all for one party. Most often it does not.

It's totally irrelevant. But I can tell you that in the context of government candidates who seem fixated on their own religion score in the 20-30% range in recent years. Ask Hearron how it all worked out for him.

[zookeeper]

Isn't it odd how the far right always wants more police, but then turns around and refers to them as "jack booted thugs"? Interesting......

Ms Sims appears to be a pretty reasonable choice. I think she recognizes a thriving city core is important for all the Wards but has some good ideas for improvements in her ward.

I agree. Carolyn Sims is the easy choice for me in this race. Ward One has many problems that are going unaddressed yet it's not either/or with her. She was President of the Myriad Gardens Foundation at one time, she obviously loves what we're doing downtown. Ward One needs an advocate though and I think she makes it pretty clear she would be one. In my opinion it's time for Marrs to go as he's a City Manager and establishment lackey and seems to give very little thought to anything, he's just kind of there.

[s00nr1]

It appears to me that Midtowner should have filed to run for a seat considering his passion in this thread.

[LandRunOkie]

Well John Pettis never got back to me on a range of issues. I asked him what his positions on the quiet zone, boulevard, and the convention center were but didn't get a response. So my enthusiasm for Big John has waned and now I'm just hoping for "anybody other than Skip."

Wish the Oklahoman would pick up coverage of the council races. There are some good candidates that need the exposure, especially Ms. Sims.

[Urban Pioneer]

Last night, all three Ward 1 candidates were on the Gwin Faulconer Lippert Show. Very insightful.

[kevinpate]

Interesting conflict regarding political coverage. Just how much position and background information should the media be expected to seek out and report as contrasted to how much position and background information should fall to the campaigns via funding and distributing their respective messages through paid political space?

[Dubya61]

Interesting conflict regarding political coverage. Just how much position and background information should the media be expected to seek out and report as contrasted to how much position and background information should fall to the campaigns via funding and distributing their respective messages through paid political space?

In other words, does the organization make money by being a great provider of information thereby attracting subscribers and advertisers? or by being a mediocre provider of information with a percieved monopoly on local info that defaults to a few subscribers and advertisers?

[ljbab728]

It's not surprising that fund raising favor the incumbents.

Incumbents lead in the Oklahoma City Council money race | News OK

I'm not sure how much difference that makes though. I, personally, have seen no campaign promotions for any candidate so far.

[Frustratedoptimist]

The Ward 7 candidate that will commit to and coordinate a joint monthly meeting with the school board reps, principals, PD, clergy, businesses, and neighborhood leaders within the Ward would have my vote if I lived in it. Ward 7 has some serious problems to contend with and these leaders need to communicate and come up with a joint plan for addressing them.