NOBLE — County government will take a direct hit in its budget next year but measures taken to save money are paying off, District 3 Commissioner Rusty Sullivan told fellow Republicans meeting here Tuesday.
Sullivan, who faces Democrat Jim Robertson in the Nov. 2 General Election, said he has reduced his workforce from 23 to 17 employees, eliminated seven take-home vehicles and saved $1.2 million.
An energy audit has resulted in the savings of $7,000 a month in utility costs. “We just keep paring down the budget,” Sullivan said.
He said emergencies have been plentiful in the county, with fires, ice storms, floods, snow and tornadoes resulting in eight presidential emergency declarations during his tenure in office.
Sullivan was the featured speaker at this month’s GOP luncheon at Kendall’s Restaurant. He was joined on the podium by Republican state candidates Sharon Parker (Senate District 16), Kent Hunt (House District 44) and Aaron Stiles (House District 45). Even though judicial races are non-partisan, one candidate for judge was there and the spouses of two others were in attendance and handed out literature.
Many of the comments and questions concerned the Norman City Council’s recent passage of an ordinance declaring the month of October as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender History Month. All of the candidates said they would have voted against the resolution.
Organizer Bobby Cleveland singled out Norman Councilman Hal Ezzell for his support of the ordinance. Ezzell ran for the non-partisan mayor’s post in 2009.
“He’s changed directions all the way,” Cleveland said. “In the future, I’m not going to vote for someone just because he’s a Republican.”
Cleveland handed out a one-page flier recommending how Republicans should vote on the 11 upcoming state questions. Former state Rep. Thad Balkman reviewed the upcoming judicial races for the party members in attendance. The next meeting will be Nov. 2, election day.
Andy Rieger 366-3543 editor@normantranscript.com
