7 minute read
Edmond Life and Leisure - January 30, 2025
From the Publisher
Hornbeek for Mayor 2025
Four candidates for Mayor will appear in a primary election ballot on Tuesday, Feb. 11. 2025. The top two vote-getters in that race will advance to the general election for City Council on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. We are blessed here in Edmond with all the candidates being good choices, so Edmond wins no matter who wins in the primary or general election. I admire folks who are willing to put themselves out there and run for any public office. It sure is not an easy task and takes a great deal of personal sacrifice on the part of the person running and their family.
While all four of the candidates are appreciated by me and qualified there is only one candidate that I can pick for the office of Edmond Mayor for 2025. It is David Hornbeek, and I hope you will join me in casting your vote for this guy who is the perfect choice for mayor of our town especially at this time.
None of the other candidates know Edmond as well as Hornbeek, has the leadership skill level he has or has as much ability to bring people together. I have served on many boards with Hornbeek and to be completely forth coming, he is one of my best friends. You should interpret that to mean I know him well folks and it is what I know about the man that causes this endorsement and not just the fact that we are friends.
Here is some information from Hornbeek’s campaign that says it best. What I can do is verify that it is all true.
A Foundation of Service
David Hornbeek’s campaign for Mayor of Edmond is built on a legacy of service to the community. His deep commitment to improving the quality of life in Edmond stems from his unique combination of volunteerism, professional expertise, and civic engagement. He believes that thriving community organizations are essential to a healthy and prosperous city. Throughout his career, David has positioned himself at the intersection of architecture and community, designing social, cultural, and educational infrastructure that serves the public.
From his work as a volunteer architect for Pepper’s Ranch, where he helped build homes for foster care families, to his role in the creation of the renowned UCO Jazz Lab, David has consistently demonstrated his belief that building physical spaces can strengthen social bonds. As mayor of Edmond, David Hornbeek will champion public projects that foster cultural engagement, entrepreneurship, and education.
David’s perseverance is a defining characteristic that makes him uniquely qualified to lead Edmond as its mayor. His 25-year dedication to the First Americans Museum stands as a testament to his tenacity, leadership, and commitment to seeing complex projects through to completion. His efforts involved navigating political, environmental, and funding challenges—culminating in a national and international cultural landmark that connects the public with the rich heritage of Oklahoma’s First American tribes.
Edmond is a growing city, and David understands that it requires leaders who are unafraid to tackle big challenges. From advocating for collaborative development and financial stewardship to ensuring that Edmond is prepared for future growth, David’s leadership style is one of collaboration with transparent processes, accountability, and long-term strategic planning.
As mayor, David will bring that same innovative thinking and dedication to the future of Edmond.
His focus will be on creating policies that promote economic development, support local businesses, and foster a vibrant downtown area. He understands the importance of infrastructure development and will prioritize forward-thinking solutions that benefit future generations
David Hornbeek’s platform is centered on three pillars: service, progress, and community. His record of volunteerism, advocacy, and professional leadership proves that he is dedicated to making Edmond a more connected and thriving city. He has the experience to lead, the vision to inspire, and the dedication to turning ideas into action.
The common theme in all the debates and forums we heard from Hornbeek was transparency. He emphasized this repeatedly and I believe it is what voters want in our city government. The lack of transparency has led to distrust of the issues before the council. Hornbeek will rebuild that trust by making sure the process is transparent and that citizens have enough time to give input into the projects before the city.
He is retired and sold his firm so now he has the time to take all that expertise to work in service to others. Think about it folks, what developer will have a chance of pulling the wool over Hornbeek’s eyes when it comes to their project. He gets it and knows what is possible to ensure quality. He wants growth but quality growth in Edmond and who better than an experienced architect to make sure that happens. If you have not done so, please tour the First Americans Museum then try and tell me any other candidate has been involved in such an immense project.
His character is beyond reproaching folks. Heck, even one of the other candidates, Leonard Scott, took time during one of the forums to speak of how good Hornbeek would be as mayor and what a good person he is.
I am going to tell you that this is a guy who not only designed the UCO Jazz Lab, but he went on to create the not-for-profit Tres Amigos that has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the UCO Foundation for creating music scholarships. None of those scholarships carry his name. There are three of them and they are in honor of past and current professors in the Jazz Program at UCO. Not talk but action folks. Other candidates can talk about what they want to do but Hornbeek has done his service and is ready to apply what he has learned and knows to better our Edmond.
In the primary election for Edmond Mayor, Vote Hornbeek!
Girl Scout cookies are here
Girl Scout Cookie time has arrived in central Oklahoma, and it is time to unbox the possibilities! Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma (GSWESTOK) announced regional sale dates for the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie program. They stopped by to bring some boxes last week so I could do proper research on this year’s cookies. I can announce that they are all great!
In Oklahoma, digital cookie sales begin Jan. 25 when consumers can pre-order cookies through their local Girl Scout's individual Cookie links to have the sweet treats shipped to their door or hand delivered. In-person activity begins Feb. 1, with girls developing their marketing skills and business sales during door-to-door sales and order deliveries. Customers will see Girl Scouts selling cookies at booths throughout their communities starting Feb. 7. Cookie sales will conclude March 23. Each year, some 2000 Girl Scouts in the GSWESTOK council run their own cookie business.
“When you buy a box of Girl Scout Cookies, you’re making an investment in the future of our girls and their communities,” said Kat Marran, interim CEO of Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma. “Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls develop essential skills like goal setting, money management and business ethics, preparing them to become the leaders of tomorrow. And in return, you are rewarded with a box of cookies that is as impactful as it is delicious.”
Each package of Girl Scout Cookies retails for $6. Cookie proceeds stay in Oklahoma to benefit local Girl Scouts, creating opportunities for them to enjoy new experiences and adventures like camps, leadership development and STEAM activities. GSWESTOK is recognized as one of the top councils nationwide for the amount of cookie proceeds reinvested in local troops.
(Ray Hibbard, publisher of Edmond Life & Leisure, may be reached at ray@edmondpaper.com)
