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February 28, 2010

Two vie for mayor’s post

The Norman Transcript

Norman — Mayor Cindy Rosenthal, 59

903 Carey Drive

What are the biggest challenges facing the Norman City Council right now?

“Pulling our community back together will be the first order of business after a difficult campaign,” Rosenthal said. “Then we must carefully monitor our resources in the near-term and continue to plan wisely for future infrastructure.”  

Rosenthal said the council has done an excellent job of being fiscally responsible, noting that unlike Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Norman’s budget is sound and financially secure. She added that Norman isn’t facing any layoffs or cuts in citizen services, that its bond rating has improved and that it boasts the leanest city staff and lowest utility rates of any comparable Oklahoma or Big 12 conference city.

“Like a smart household, we are balancing our budget and protecting our reserves in tough economic times. Our community has been nationally recognized for its outstanding quality of life, and major employers like Hitachi are reinvesting in Norman,” Rosenthal said. “Clearly, we wouldn’t have earned those accolades by accident.   

“We have been accessible, accountable, citizen-driven and committed to progress.”

“Longer term,” she added, “we must continue to work with our citizens on quality of life initiatives which make Norman great.”

Other than the city itself or the people living in it, what is your favorite thing about Norman?

“My favorite thing about Norman is the commitment of its engaged and energetic citizens who are willing to roll up their sleeves and tackle tough challenges,” Rosenthal said. “As we look to the future and take seriously the legacy that we will pass to our children and grandchildren, I am heartened by the many citizens who volunteer to help shape our choices with respect to storm water management, water quality and new supplies, and reinvestment in our parks and cultural facilities.”

Rosenthal said planning efforts by the council have succeeded because of the generous gift of time from many Norman citizens. She said as mayor, she tries to recognize that generosity by making herself available to schools, businesses and social service agencies.

“In turn, I learn about the concerns, aspirations and expectations of our citizens,” Rosenthal said.

“On a strictly personal level, I love the excitement, energy and enthusiasm that is being generated downtown and on Campus Corner,” she said. “We are enjoying the results of the foresight of previous community leaders to create a vision for a lively arts district and revitalized commercial areas.”

If you’re re-elected Tuesday, what are some things you’re looking forward to working on over the next three years?

“We will weather these tough economic times through prudent management of resources and careful oversight of city services,” Rosenthal said. “I appointed the first-ever Council Oversight Committee and I am confident that as we move forward that committee, along with our Finance Committee, will be watchful on behalf of the citizens.”

She also said the council must implement strategies for better storm water management to protect water quality in Lake Thunderbird, the source of more than 75 percent of Norman’s drinking water, and protect private property from damage and flooding.

“Many of our citizens have been actively engaged in helping shape storm water solutions and I look forward to adopting new policies and mechanisms to correct the problems we face,” Rosenthal said. “We cannot ignore these long-standing issues.

“In the long term, we must make difficult choices about our future water supplies,” she said. “Almost 50 years ago, city leaders invested in the creation of Lake Thunderbird, and today we face similar challenges to provide for our children and grandchildren.”

Why is voting so important for holders of public office?

Voting is a sacred right that should not be neglected or abused. Similarly, to be entrusted to serve as an elected representative is an enormous honor and responsibility. Leadership, performance and results come with showing up, working hard, listening to the citizens, and being committed to serve them. I am proud of my record of doing all of those things as Norman’s mayor.

Councilman Hal Ezzell, 39

4601 Fountain Gate Drive

What are the biggest challenges facing the Norman City Council right now?

“In my opinion, the budget is the biggest challenge facing the council presently,” Ezzell said. “Our revenues will be down roughly 5.6 percent this fiscal year and the council Finance Committee and the city manager are working to close the $1.5 million hole that exists in this year’s budget as a result.”

Ezzell said that as council looks to next year’s fiscal budget, “the council will be challenged to meet the city’s operating requirements without a material impact on services and hopefully without invading the city’s reserves.”

“In addition, we must continue to prioritize and address the city’s deferred maintenance needs,” he said.

Other than the city itself or the people living in it, what is your favorite thing about Norman?

“My favorite thing about Norman is the diversity that exists because we are home to the University of Oklahoma,” Ezzell said. “We have a quality of life second to none in the state.”

But it’s not just OU that make Norman special, Ezzell said.

“The vibrant cultural, arts and athletic events that we all have the opportunity to enjoy are fantastic, as well as the quality of our school system and the enrichment activities that my children are able to experience,” he said. “I wouldn’t live or raise my family anywhere else.”

If you’re elected Tuesday, what are some things you’re looking forward to working on over the next three years?

“If I am elected mayor on Tuesday, I look forward to the opportunity to really address and prioritize the deferred maintenance responsibilities of the city and work on the significant policy issues before the city with an ever-vigilant eye on costs and necessity,” Ezzell said.

Why is voting so important for holders of public office?

“Voting is important for everyone, not just those that hold public office,” Ezzell said. “It is our civic responsibility and obligation as part of living in a free society.”

“So many people have sacrificed so much for me to have that right to vote,” he added. “That is the primary way we have to keep our government accountable and in check.”

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