OUâs Student Government Association is holding a forum for Norman City Council candidates from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m Friday via Zoom.
According to an email sent by OU SGA, the forum will be divided into five wards moderated by SGA members. Candidates from each ward will have a 20-minute discussion. Â
Ward 1 candidates Chris Lewis and Brandi Studley will debate from 6:35 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. followed by Ward 2 candidates John Argo and Matt McGarry from 7:00 p.m. to 7:20 p.m. Ward 3 candidate Sam Talley will answer questions from 7:25 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., then Ward 5 candidates Billy Davison and Michael Nash will debate from 7:50 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. and Ward 7 candidates Stephen Holman, Monica Marsh and Christopher Jourden will close the event from 8:15 p.m. to 8:35 p.m.
CORRECTION: The Transcript previously reported, based on information provided by the City of Norman, that an additional 291 small businesses would be receiving the newest grant. A corrected update from
Jan 23, 2021
Editor s note: this article has been updated to reflect that the Ward 7 candidate endorsed by Unite Norman and FOP is Monica Marsh. Previously it read Monica Nash. The Transcript regrets the error.
Several organizations have announced endorsements for City Council races ahead of the Feb. 9 election, citing multiple reasons for their support.
While Unite Norman and the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police supported the same candidates, FOP President Robert Wasoski said it was not a conspiracy.
âWe invited all the candidates to talk with us,â Wasoski said, adding that FOPâs endorsements were based on those conversations and not because âof who Unite Norman endorsed.â
The Norman City Council approved a $100,000 contract to develop a strategic plan against homelessness, a plan for the rebuilding of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity house and an allocation of $140,000 to clean up remaining debris from the October ice storm during a Tuesday meeting.Â
The strategic plan on homelessness follows the failed General Obligation Norman 2020 bond package, which included a proposition to devote $5 million toward constructing one or more built solutions assisting individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Michelle Evans, Normanâs homeless program coordinator, said the failed bond sparked conversation on the need to allow outside parties to assess the cityâs homelessness programs before allocating substantial capital funding.
It seemed like the news never slowed down in 2020.
The Transcript staff has compiled a list of the 10 biggest news events in Norman this year, from attempted recalls to record election participation. These are not necessarily our most popular news stories â for those, see our list of The Transcriptâs 10 most-read stories this year.Â
Instead, these are the issues and events that have left the biggest mark on Norman this year:Â
COVID in NormanÂ
Much of the news that happened in Norman this year was touched by one event: The arrival of COVID-19 in the state. The initial wave triggered school and business shutdowns and eventually, Norman issued one of the first mask mandates in Oklahoma.