The measure, authored by Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid (pictured right) and Ward 4 Councilman Pete White, failed in a 4-5 vote. Ward 7 Councilman Ronald “Skip” Kelly and Ward 5 Councilman David Greenwell joined Shadid and White in voting to approve the measure. Shadid criticized The Oklahoman at the meeting. Prior to the citywide […]
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Mapmakers
The City Council wards, as required by federal law and the city charter, are redrawn every 10 years after the census is taken to ensure that each encompasses near-equal populations. There are a few proposed changes in the ward lines, such as all of the Capitol Hill community being included in Ward 6. The city […]
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That’s the ticket
If you were a member of the Oklahoma City Council, you could have gone to see them for free. Over the course of three years, current and former City Council members received thousands of free event tickets, mostly for Oklahoma City Thunder games, but also included tickets to rock concerts, stand-up comedians, ballet performances and […]
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Emergency functions
At a special Oklahoma City Council meeting July 12, Fire Chief Keith Bryant presented the city’s “window of opportunity” to opt out of the Emergency Medical Services Authority trust and either hand over ambulance services to the fire department or have the city or fire department manage emergency medical services and contract with a private […]
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Crossed wires
Shadid said he plans on introducing the measure in place of a joint resolution that was considered and deferred at the May 31 council meeting. That resolution would have required certain contracts be subject to at least three public meetings before eligible for a vote. Councilman Pete White spoke in support of the majority of […]
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Losing Momentum
By far, the group that spent the most in the elections was an independent expenditure group known as the Committee for Oklahoma City Momentum. Funded at least in part — if not fully — through a Greater Oklahoma City Chamber program, the group employed the services of one of the most influential political strategy companies […]
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Shadid’s surge
Shadid faced opponent Charlie Swinton, senior vice president and registered lobbyist for BancFirst, in the runoff for the council seat being vacated by outgoing Councilman Sam Bowman, who decided not to run for another term. The runoff election was the result of the March 1 primary race, which featured six candidates in the Ward 2 […]
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Money wins
WARD 8 Ward 8 challenger Clifford Hearron raised a total of around $13,700. Hearron’s opponent, incumbent Patrick Ryan, raised about $122,400, with legal maximum donations of $5,000 coming from Clayton Bennett, owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder, chairman of Dorchester Capital LLC and past chair of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber; Larry Nichols, Devon Energy […]
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‘Mo’ money
A Chamber spokesman confirmed to Oklahoma Gazette that the economic development group Forward Oklahoma City IV contributed to a nonprofit that then sent the money to a committee conducting the campaign operations. The 527 group Committee for Oklahoma City Momentum purchased ads endorsing several candidates and issued critical direct mail pieces against Ward 5 Councilman […]
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Don’t count out the tea party
Don’t rush to judgment. There are several factors why these City Council races were not a good indicator of the strengths or weaknesses of the tea party. First, municipal elections are nonpartisan. (I don’t want to debate the merit of such a system. I’m just stating a fact). Picking up the trash, fixing potholes, and […]