Norman mayoral candidates disagree on issues
NORMAN — When Breea Clark was elected mayor of Norman in February 2019, there was no way to foresee that her first term would be largely consumed by dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now as the runoff for mayor on April 5 draws closer, Clark views that experience as the key to her reelection.
“After reviewing everything still facing our community and with my experience and my skill set, there’s simply no one better for the job,” Clark said.
“We do not need a leader who has a learning curve. We need to continue moving forward because there’s a lot of big issues facing our community.”
Her opponent, Larry Heikkila, a veteran employee of the city’s streets and safety departments, believes he has the experience necessary to do the job.
“I worked for the city for 17 years, so I know, as they say a lot of the times, where the bodies are buried,” Heikkila said. “There are a lot of things that we could do better.”
The candidates say that Norman is facing several issues, but they differ on which they believe hold the greatest importance.
Norman Mayor Breea Clark and opponent Larry Heikkila discuss priorities
Clark said at the top of her list for the city is working to make sure remaining coronavirus relief money is stretched to cover as many needs as possible. She also has been focusing on the water rate increase that will be on the ballot alongside her race.
“I’ve been making sure people know about that and what it’s going to provide and making sure that voters are aware of it and understand how it’s needed,” she said.
Clark also wants to help establish a stormwater utility for the city saying “it’s time,” and that Norman remains the largest city in the state without a stormwater utility.
“A stormwater utility is something that’s going to have to be a whole process, where I put together a committee of experts, residents, city staff, and we come up with a new proposal,” she said.
Heikkila’s primary area of concern for the city is strengthening its police and fire departments. He said the western and central portions of Norman receive better coverage and protection from the police and fire services based on the way they are currently staffed.
“I think that there needs to be a protection equity,” he said.
“We need to actually put in two new fire stations, move one fire station, and really increase the patrol.”
Heikkila said the council’s “defunding of the police department” negatively impacted the service. The statement was referring to a 2020 vote by the city council to reduce the police department’s budget by $865,000 and reallocate the money. The vote was later reversed by a judge’s decision.
Heikkila also said that salaries for Norman police and fire are less competitive than surrounding towns and need to be brought “up to par.”
Clark said she would like to see more resources invested in the newly formed Community Services and Outreach Bureau of the police department.
“I think that will help a lot — repair the relationship of the police department with residents, build relationships with residents they did not have one with previously,” she said. “I’d like to see that fully staffed and see where that goes.”
Norman’s rise in homelessness
Another major discussion point in Norman recently is an increase in the homeless population in the city, a microcosm of larger national trend.
Heikkila said Clark’s handling of homelessness made the population into “dependents” instead of working toward “getting them on the road to being good citizens.” Heikkila did not name any specific policies enacted by Clark that contributed to homelessness.
He said the homeless should be offered some help, but money for city improvements like streets, sewer, fire and police should not be used on homeless shelters.
“We’re getting a real population of violent people in here. It was obvious, it was evident by the shooting that happened downtown,” Heikkila said, referring to a January 2022 fatal shooting in the city.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness, a non-partisan nonprofit, says that the homeless are “more likely to be victims of violent crime than they are to commit such crimes.”
Clark said homelessness is an issue the city has been working on and she plans to continue pushing for improvements and building collaborations with other government entities.
“While it appears that homelessness is on the rise, which it is internationally, frankly, but especially nationally,” Clark said. “We’re not immune to that in Norman, but we’re also not sitting on the sidelines letting it happen.”
“A main issue is affordable housing, and we’re hoping to use some of our ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) recovery funds to help us with that,” she said.
“My goal would be to also work with the county and the state because we need to be treating the root cause of homelessness, not just the symptoms, and I think that involves all levels of government, not just the city level.”
Proposed turnpike a concern
Concern has been on the rise among Norman residents concerning an Oklahoma Turnpike Authority proposal for a section of turnpike set to run through the city.
Clark said the timeline for the turnpike construction would likely extend beyond the upcoming mayoral term, but because of its lasting effects she is intent on following the conversation as it progresses.
“Should it go forward, it will completely change the character of who we are and who we’ve been since our founding,” Clark said. “We’re going to keep watching it, we’re going to keep fighting it and look for something more fair and appropriate for Norman.”
Heikkila agreed that the turnpike would change Norman, but did not express outright opposition to its construction.
Instead, he focused on what Norman would look like following its completion.
“How are we going to redefine Norman after the turnpike comes through?” Heikkila said.
Clark and Heikkila both expressed a desire to see citizens stay actively involved in the affairs of city government.
Heikkila, without offering specific examples, said Clark does not listen to all citizens and is “very partisan.” He said his goal would be to listen to “almost everyone” while working to avoid those people with “self centered” and “radical or reactive views.”
“I want the citizens to redefine who we are as a town. I want the citizens to be able to sit down and tell us what their expectations are for our city employees and for the efforts of the city,” he said.
Clark said all of city hall is nonpartisan government and making important city decisions takes civility and respect. She said she wants to see projects that have been on hold get back underway and get back to “the business of Norman.” Clark said local government is driven by the engagement of residents and is the most important level of government.
“I may not always be the right person for the job, but I am currently and I owe it to my community to keep us moving forward,” Clark said.
What else is on the ballot in Norman?
In addition to the mayoral runoff, Norman residents will vote in two other runoffs and a proposed water rate increase.
Items on the ballot will include:
Norman City Councilmember - Ward 4
● Helen Grant
● Gale Hobson
Norman Public Schools - Office No. 2
● Alex Ruggiers
● Dan Snell
Proposition 1 - Increasing Monthly Water Rates
● Yes (For the proposition)
● No (Against the proposition)