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From left to right: Councilmembers Stephen Tyler Holman, Ward 7, Kelly Lynn, Ward 3, and Rarchar Tortorello, Ward 5, are sworn in Tuesday during the Norman City Council meeting at City Hall. Kyle Phillips / The Transcript
Two new members of the Norman City Council were sworn in and swept into their official term with a warm welcome from those who remain on the dais.
New councilors for Ward 3 Kelly Lynn and Ward 5 Rarchar Tortorello thanked outgoing members Alison Petrone and Michael Nash.
Tortorello noted Nashâs eagerness to meet with him following the election.
âWe met and had a lot of conversations at my house over coffee,â he said. âHe kind of brought me up to speed on a lot of the issues here that the city is facing, so I appreciate that a lot.â
The Norman City Council welcomed Ward 3 Councilmember Kelly Lynn and Ward 5 Councilmember Rarchar Tortorello to the dais during its Tuesday night swearing-in ceremony at City Hall.Â
Cleveland County Judge Thad Balkman led Lynn, Tortorello and re-elected Ward 7 Councilmember Stephen Holman through their oaths into office. Norman Mayor Breea Clark said Ward 1 Councilmember Brandi Studley, who was sick and therefore absent, will make up her oath next Tuesday.Â
Council members unanimously approved resolutions to commend now-former Ward 3 Councilmember Alison Petrone and Ward 5 Councilmember Michael Nash for their service in the City of Norman.
In Petroneâs resolution, Clark thanked her for her over two years of service from July 2, 2019, to July 6 and focus on equality issues, homelessness, affordable housing and environmental accountability. In Nashâs, Clark commended him for his service in the interim â after his predecessor, Sereta Wilson, resigned â from
Incoming Norman councilors sworn in normantranscript.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from normantranscript.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A sign posted outside City Hall noting that the June 8 budget meeting had reached capacity. Via Russell Rice, an administrator for the Social Injustice League of Norman
It all meant that at 6:30 p.m., June 8, the simmering pot was set to boil. City groups from all backgrounds would have the opportunity to speak on several law enforcement items, including the approval of the NPDâs budget and discussion surrounding two amendments made by Ward 1 Councilmember Brandi Studley to fund an unarmed non-police mobile crisis response program.
For some, however, four words not used surrounding council meetings in recent decades would prevent them from taking the podium.