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New faces

OKC city hall Credit: Mark Hancock With Marrs and Kelly no longer at the council chamber’s horseshoe, 14 combined years of council experience are being replaced by rookies James Greiner and John Pettis Jr., two men who now find themselves in the middle of critical decisions, including several MAPS 3 projects. The new council members […]

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Lucky 7

Ronald \”Skip\” Kelly Pettis and Kelly, the top two candidates to emerge from a crowded primary race early this month, will square off in Tuesday’s runoff election. Kelly received 31 percent of the primary vote while Pettis garnered 26 percent. The remaining votes were shared by five other candidates, four of whom have endorsed Pettis. […]

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Middling money

Gary Marrs The Ward 7 city council race included seven candidates vying for the seat currently held by OKC attorney Ronald “Skip” Kelly, and three candidates battled for the Ward 1 seat held by retired fire chief Gary Marrs. Ward 3 Councilman Larry McAtee and Ward 4 Councilman Pete White ran unopposed. The results of […]

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Seven up

Kelly, an attorney, drew fire last year after being charged with driving under the influence, his second DUI charge since 2009. A felony conviction — the case is still pending — would require him to step down. His challengers include John E. Bilbury III, Lillie R. Buckner, Randon Gibson, John A. Pettis Jr., Ben T. […]

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Zoning out

Residents of the targeted 20-block area had fought the rezoning application until the city’s turnabout late last week. Still, many residents in the predominantly African-American neighborhood believe the city will try again. J.J. Chambless, head of the city’s development services department, told Oklahoma Gazette that the rezoning application officially will be withdrawn when the Oklahoma […]

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Skip the bathroom

It was tough enough that the Ward 7 council member was busted last week for drunk driving. Now, it turns out that Kelly wasn’t simply what the Brits would call “pissed” — he was literally pissed, too. A police officer arrested Kelly early the morning of Jan. 20 after the councilman was found sitting behind […]

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Protective measures

The measure faced strong opposition from some Oklahoma City-area churches, but also was praised by other area groups and individuals. Proponents and opponents filled the City Council chambers to capacity, waiting for their turn to speak on the issue. The proposal, authored by Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid, passed 7-2, with Ward 7 Councilman Ronald […]

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Protective measures

The measure faced strong opposition from some Oklahoma City-area churches, but also was praised by other area groups and individuals. Proponents and opponents filled the City Council chambers to capacity, waiting for their turn to speak on the issue. The proposal, authored by Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid, passed 7-2, with Ward 7 Councilman Ronald […]

Posted inNews

Protective measures

The measure faced strong opposition from some Oklahoma City-area churches, but also was praised by other area groups and individuals. Proponents and opponents filled the City Council chambers to capacity, waiting for their turn to speak on the issue. The proposal, authored by Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid, passed 7-2, with Ward 7 Councilman Ronald […]

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Delayed reaction

The policy amendment, which was introduced by Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid, would provide protections for city employees who have faced discrimination because of their sexuality — an issue that has failed to win support at the federal and state levels. The council appeared divided on the issue when it came up for discussion. “There […]

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