Feb. 1-7, 2022

W E E K LY E D I T I O N | F E B . 1 -7, 2 0 2 2 | O U D A I LY. C O M

Preview of ward races available in full at oudaily.com

OUDAILY

The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916

OU mask mandate expires despite rising cases University returns to masking ‘expectation’ PEGGY DODD @pegdodd As OU’s two-week mask mandate is set to end on Jan. 31, the university announced in an email to students on Friday that it will revert to its fall semester “expected” masking guidance.

Beginning Feb. 1, the university will expect masking in all indoor settings.

According to the email, if a student in a class tests positive, the entire class will be required to mask for two weeks.

During the fall semester, OU cited Senate Bill 658 and Executive Order 2021-16 as the preventing factors in enforcing a general mask mandate.

SB 658 prevents some entities from enforcing vaccination mandates and masking requirements for unvaccinated individuals, while the executive order forbids state operated buildings and spaces from enforcing mask mandates.

When the two-week mask mandate was announced on Jan. 10, a university spokesperson told The Daily that there is some “ambiguity in the interpretation” of what is classified as a public space. The “high likelihood” some

students would return to campus infected with COVID-19 was provided as the reason behind the mandate.

The spokesperson did not answer whether OU could have implemented a mask mandate last semester.

Both the OU chapter of the American Association of University Professors and OU Law Professor Joseph Thai publicly criticized OU’s lack of a mask mandate.

“OU leadership deliberately spread COVID misinformation that state law forbids the university from adopting a general mask mandate. But read the law for yourself OU: state law only forbids a target ‘mask mandate for

students who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.’ It does not forbid a general mask mandate for all students, faculty and staff,” Thai wrote in a statement on Jan 13.

While cloth masks are still allowed on the Norman campus, KN95 masks or disposable surgical masks are recommended by the university, according to the email.

OU Staff Senate Chair Justin Daniels announced on Jan. 19 that OU will not distribute any more KN95 masks once their current supply of approximately 100,000 runs out.

The university continues to recommend the use of the Healthy Together

App Passport and “strongly encourages” all members of the OU community to complete a vaccination series, including a booster shot.

Since the semester began, 214 students, staff and faculty have tested positive according to the OU COVID-19 Dashboard. In Cleveland County, The New York Times COVID-19 Dashboard reported 976 positive cases for Jan 26.

According to the New York Times, Oklahoma ranks No. 4 in cases per 100,000 and No. 9 in hospitalizations per 100,000. peggy.f.lail-1@ou.edu

Mayoral election nears

Breea Clark seeks reelection following community support

Larry Heikkila pushes Nicole Kish calls against council for ‘absolutely new ‘overreach’ in campaign leadership’ in Norman

Alice StephensonLeuck touts ‘essential needs’ of residents

Bob Thompson strives for accessibility, openness in run for mayor

BLAKE DOUGLAS @Blake_Doug918

JONATHAN KYNCL @jdkyn

PEGGY DODD @pegdodd

ALEXIA ASTON @alexiaaston

JILLIAN TAYLOR @jilliantaylor__

Norman Mayor Breea Clark wasn’t always certain she would pursue a second term after a tumultuous three years in office.

After nearly deciding she would surrender the mayorship after a single term, Clark said support she’s received from community leadership inspired her to run again. Her campaign for a second term, she said, is focused less on restating commitments made in her first three years and more on goals she will pursue, if reelected.

Specifically, Clark said she aims to produce long-term facilities solutions for Norman’s homeless population, pass a stormwater utility for Norman and bolster local infrastructure.

After beginning her stint in local government as Norman’s Ward 6 city council member in 2016, Clark defeated opponents Bill Hickman and Evan Dunn in the 2019 mayoral election with 51.43 percent of the vote. Her mayoral tenure became defined largely by the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide policing debate.

Clark faced notable backlash after the Norman City Council voted to reduce a proposed Norman Police Department budget increase by $865,000 in June 2020. While the decision still resulted in an overall budget increase for NPD, the meeting encouraged the formation of Unite Norman. By July 2020, the group attempted to trigger a recall election for Clark and several Norman city council members. Each petition failed to gather enough signatures or was invalidated by duplicate signatures.

Members of a Facebook group opposing Norman’s COVID-19 response sent Clark death threats online in May 2020, and Clark said she was continually targeted and harassed online throughout the pandemic. Eventually, her supporters in city government and the community at-large led

Long-time Norman resident and self-identified conservative, Larry Heikkila, is running for mayor on a platform focusing on supporting first responders and limiting the city government’s power.

Heikkila, former City of Norman safety manager and retired Navy command master chief, announced his candidacy for Norman mayor July 9, 2021, according to his website.

The Daily requested to speak with each mayoral candidate, including Heikkila. Heikkila declined to interview. All information in this article is sourced from Heikkila’s campaign website, previous interviews and social media pages.

Heikkila, who is also an ordained deacon at Bethel Baptist Church Norman, decided to run to “give the city government back to the citizens of Norman,” according to a press release on his website.

“City government is not a master, it is a servant to its citizens,” Heikkila said in the release. “I want to protect our freedoms and end the government overreach into faith, family, and business. I will also facilitate economic growth, ensuring our businesses prosper.”

Heikkila was the first candidate to challenge current Mayor Breea Clark and received early support from Unite Norman-backed Ward 3 Councilmember Kelly Lynn, according to The Norman Transcript.

In an interview with The Transcript, Heikkila Heikikila, a self-identified conservative, said Norman will always be a “liberal town” but that is “part of the fun” of running for mayor.

Heikkila also said the city has “deviated” from the mission of city government and has focused too much on small segments of the population, including the homeless population.

“For example, our current

After announcing her bid for mayor in September of last year, local optometrist Nicole Kish is advocating to increase police funding and support small businesses as she campaigns for Norman’s mayoral seat.

Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, Kish came to the U.S. to further her education, graduating with a doctorate of optometry from Pacific University in 1997.

She found her way to Norman after becoming a U.S. citizen in 1999. Kish was practicing optometry in Dallas when a doctor she was working with suggested a location in Sooner Mall. She moved to Norman shortly after, where she opened her practice, and joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

Kish said her introduction to local politics was in June 2020, following the city council’s vote to reduce the Norman Police Department proposed budget increase by $865,000. Following this vote, the grassroots organization Unite Norman was founded.

Kish, a co-founder of Unite Norman, is also endorsed by the group. On Jan. 13, Gov. Kevin Stitt also endorsed Kish, making her the only candidate in Norman and the first candidate in a local election to ever be endorsed by the governor.

“This city needs bold, common-sense leadership to help capitalize on the momentum the rest of Oklahoma is experiencing with booming economic growth, and Dr. Kish has the grit and will to make it happen,” Stitt said in his endorsement.

Kish decided to file in August 2021 after another potential Unite Norman candidate opted against placing a bid for mayor.

She said her involvement in local politics and business experience made this election cycle the “right time to run.”

Kish said her biggest priority is police funding, specifically restoring the $865,000 and nine

“Unlikely candidate” and Norman native Alice Stephenson-Leuck placed her bid for Norman mayor to address Norman’s “essential needs” and ask the Riverwind Casino to build a “state-of-the-art” homeless rehabilitation center.

Leuck is retired from a 20acre farm and said, from 2004 to 2009, she spent her free time speaking with people across the globe on Dr. Phil’s message board. Leuck said she consoled many people who expressed thoughts of suicide and helped over 20 people “choose life.”

Leuck said her decision to run was a Christmas gift to herself, and she is campaigning in memory of her parents and grandparents. The Norman City Council’s decision to reallocate $865,000 from a proposed police budget increase in 2020 also sparked Leuck’s interest in the mayoral seat, she said.

Projects like the opening of the Blake Baldwin Skatepark at Andrews Park in 2020 are an example of how the city doesn’t focus on “essential needs” like the Norman Police Department, Leuck said. If elected, Leuck said she would work to reallocate money from Norman Forward — a citizen-initiated proposal to renovate and expand public facilities — to fund infrastructure, sewage, police and recycling.

Leuck said, just as people should respect the police, the police should respect people.

She said sometimes police officers get “carried away,” citing an incident in Dallas in which she was threatened as an example.

In the early-to-mid ’90s, Leuck said she was stopped by an officer while driving through a North Dallas neighborhood.

At the time, robberies involving a white truck, similar to the vehicle she drove, had occurred in the area, Leuck said.

“When I was slow (to grab my driver’s license), (the officer) said, ‘Don’t try to run off unless

“Midway” Bob Thompson is stepping out from behind his deli counter to place his bid for Norman mayor with a “nonpartisan” and “local focus” on economic development, homelessness, public safety, stormwater and making city government accessible.

In 1981, Thompson was in his twenties when he decided to move to Norman. There, he bought Midway Deli, where, after 36 years, he continues to balance family life and sandwich making.

It was behind the counter of his deli that Thompson said he recognized local issues that affected him and his neighbors.

He ran for and secured Norman’s Ward 1 city council seat in 2005 after three-term incumbent Kevin Hopkins decided not to run again.

While on council, Thompson supported the first voter-approved Public Safety Sale Tax, which provided a temporary sales tax increase of one-half to 1 percent to fund an addition of 41 police officers and revive the city’s community-oriented policing program. The tax transitioned into a permanent onefourth cent sales tax in 2014, requiring the city to add 41 police officers and 30 firefighters.

By 2009, Thompson had two terms under his belt. When his daughter turned six, he felt he had used up enough evenings, or “dad time,” behind the dais and decided he wouldn’t run for reelection. Now, Thompson said the timing is right for him to return, with his daughters in college or starting families.

Although Midway Deli is a sandwich shop first, Thompson said he is proud of how the space serves as a community and local political hub, where people from different backgrounds can feel welcome.

Thompson said his understanding of his community, paired with experience in hearing contentious issues on Norman’s

see CLARK page 2

see HEIKKILA page 3

see KISH page 4

see LEUCK page 3

see THOMPSON page 2

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NEWS

• Feb. 1-7, 2022

CLARK:

partnerships and collaborate to solve long-standing problems in our commucontinued from page 1 nity.”

During her tenure as her to reconsider. mayor, the Norman City Clark highlighted NorCouncil allocated CARES man’s perfect score on the Act funding to local 2021 Human Rights Cam- businesses and vaccine paign Municipal Equality distribution.

Index — a measure of Affordable housing and how supportive municipal homelessness solutions governments are of their would be prioritized with 2SLGBTQ+ residents — as further federal aid dollars a notable accomplishif she is elected to a secment of her term. She said ond term, Clark said. her experience in guid“Affordable housing ing Norman through the doesn’t just affect the COVID-19 pandemic and homeless, it affects people directing funding from who live paycheck-to-payfederal sources, like the check,” Clark said. “We’ve CARES Act and federal got people in Norman grants, will also be vital as right now with Section 8 Norman looks to emerge vouchers and no Section 8 from the pandemic. housing available.”

“When it comes to my Potential affordable experience as the inhousing solutions uncumbent, this is the most der consideration now unique situation our city include single-room ochas been in in a century,” cupancy spaces near the Clark said. “We have a intersection of Robinson once-in-a-generation op- Street and Berry Road. portunity to stretch those City officials have also federal dollars, build consulted with Griffin Me-

morial Hospital — which sits on state-owned land under the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services — about constructing multifamily affordable housing.

Long-term maintenance and staffing of such facilities could pose an obstacle for the city, Clark said.

Previous experiences with similar projects and collaboration at the county level could help alleviate those issues.

“The city of Norman has made this mistake before.

An example is our animal welfare shelter,” Clark said. “It was built, but we were not prepared for the staffing and maintenance costs. … But, we are the county seat, and it doesn’t need to just be Norman’s problem because it’s a countywide problem, it’s a nationwide problem. The more we can collaborate, the more we can stretch our dollars to do the most good.”

Clark also praised NPD’s efforts in interacting and building relationships with Norman’s unhoused residents, and said she hopes to pass additional funding to help the department staff its community outreach services.

Norman remains the largest city in Oklahoma without a dedicated stormwater utility. Funding the project has been a lengthy process featuring multiple failed proposals. Clark said the issue remains too important to continue administering “Band-Aid” solutions.

The city’s unique position as the only Oklahoma municipality required to vote on the creation of a public utility poses a challenge for city officials to create an easily understandable, equitable funding solution, Clark said. Part of that solution should involve more collaboration between rural and urban Normanites,

she added.

In 2019, propositions for stormwater utility bond projects and a stormwater utility fee received 42.62 percent and 39.68 percent “yes” votes, respectively.

“The second attempt had more support than the first, so I’m hopeful we can get it across the finish line. … We’ve never addressed this, ever. It’s about long-term water quality and supply, it’s also about our stormwater drainage pipes, which we have never looked at, so there’ll be lots of replacement, and then lots of maintenance,” Clark said.

Clark said the rise in partisan politics that has saturated notable Norman City Council issues for the past year has no place in local decision making, and that she’s glad to see candidates run with a focus on minimizing those influences in municipal government.

Gov. Kevin Stitt’s endorsement of mayoral

candidate Nicole Kish is a “wildly inappropriate” breach of municipal governments’ non-partisan nature, Clark said.

Her portrayal as “a raging liberal” by campaign opponents is “wildly untrue and inaccurate,” Clark said, given her voting record and past political experience.

“I tend to be right about in the middle. Every election cycle, someone will point out I started out in Norman as a registered Republican,” Clark said. “I interned for (former President) George W. Bush, and at the state capitol of Kansas.”

Ultimately, despite what many have characterized as a year of polarizing local politics, Clark said she is grateful more Normanites have been interested in local participation.

THOMPSON:

homeless services system, 266 people were identified as experiencing homelessness during 2020, which is a 100 percent increase from 133 homeless individuals in 2015.

Norman has previously been comfortable with the idea that Food and Shelter, the Salvation Army, churches and nonprofits provided adequate care to the population, Thompson said.

The issue’s dynamics have changed, Thompson said, as businesses and neighborhoods experience its effects. He said the city must understand its role in addressing homelessness, as it seeks to protect the interests of individuals, businesses, neighbors and public safety officials.

In the short term, Thompson said Norman should address the “needs that humanity requires of us.” He said he sees immediate needs in the Norman Warming Shelter — which has a 35-guest capacity limit — and transportation. In the “longer short-term,” Thompson hopes to increase access to affordable housing.

One thing Thompson said sets him apart from his opponents is his non-partisan campaign, as he believes each mayoral candidate has “tacit affiliations with the major political parties.” He said he took “great care” in his messaging — down to his teal and purple campaign signs — to increase voter awareness of his values.

Thompson said in a campaign video that a local approach to city government is necessary, as everything that allows a city to function has “no place in the partisan divide.” He said having a partisan focus inhibits the city’s ability to work together to face challenges, solve problems and

determine its future.

Thompson also criticized the city council’s decision to cut $865,000 from the Norman Police Department’s proposed budget increase in a campaign video as “shooting from the hip.” In the video, he said the vote felt like a “nod to one of the national political party’s agendas,” to some, causing individuals who are aligned with the other national party to “take offense and take up arms.”

His criticism, he said, wasn’t particularly about the decision the council made, but that it was done “without careful process.”

Adding a “plain talk” policy to the city’s agenda is another solution to lowering barriers between city officials and residents,

Thompson said. He hopes to increase access to city issues by releasing city council agenda summaries with common language and improving the city’s website to be more “interactive, intuitive and informational.”

He said he also saw a missed opportunity in Ward 6 Councilmember Elizabeth Foreman’s proposal on participatory budgeting during the 2022 budget meeting, which failed by a vote of 7-2.

Participatory budgeting, a policy that originated in Brazil, allows community members to engage in dialogue with elected officials on “what services the municipal budget should prioritize.”

The reaction to the proposal was “terrible,”

Thompson said, but he sees participatory budgeting as an opportunity to involve people in a way that will “actually make some changes.”

“We should never forget that our best ideas typically come from somebody else. Most of us don’t think of all of our own best ideas,” Thompson said.

Thompson said he refers to himself as the “Mayor for Everyone” because it reflects his sense of commitment to being open.

To him, becoming mayor means knowing that he will still owe something to the people that didn’t vote for him, as his place as a representative includes everyone.

city of this size to have a rural area, but it’s part of our character, and it’s continued from page 1 also part of our function,” Thompson said. “So when Charter Review Commis- we look at solutions, we want to make sure that sion, made him feel like we include those unique he could be helpful in things about us that really Norman. help us to continue to see “I have a good underourselves the way that standing of the process we’d like to see ourselves.” and issues, and I have Thompson said Nora good track record of man needs a “systemic having done what I’m approach” to stormwasaying I will do — which ter issues and suggestis to be accessible … to be ed mirroring the city’s available and to push for transportation bonds to the interests of our comaccomplish a series of munity,” Thompson said.

“That’s one of the reasons stormwater projects. The bond would be revolving, I’m not the darling in the Chamber of Commerce. I allowing citizens to continue voting on the issue. try to consider the entire During his time on city community in my system council, Thompson also of values.” opposed the University In approaching city North Park Tax Increment issues, Thompson said he Finance District, which he will abide by a four-step said encouraged developdecision-making process ment by relying on sales in asking “who will this tax revenue to cover parbenefit, who will it hurt, tial infrastructure costs. what alternatives have been considered and how He said using sales tax revenue over property taxdoes that recommenes puts the city’s treasury dation help our entire at risk because revenue community.” gained from sales taxes Citizens in Norman’s depends on a building’s rural areas, for example, commercial success. are concerned about the Although several preservation of their way projects were completof life, which Thompson ed under the University said contributes heavily to North Park TIF, the city the city. He said the rural council voted to end the area acts as an aquifer for “contentious issue” in runoff near Lake Thunder2019 following the combird and keeps the water pletion of the remaining usable.

When Thompson spoke projects. If sales tax TIF with residents of the rural projects are considered in the future, Thompson said community, he said they he would want to allow requested a discount on citizens the right to vote stormwater payments. on them, considering the Thompson said they are “enormous contributors” risk involved.

Thompson’s campaign to the city’s stormwater also considers the issue of solution through utility homelessness in Norman, fees. This was an issue he which he said possesses felt would benefit from “complex causes and being approached by his consequences.” He said four-step process. the first step in address“Who are we going to ing the issue comes from help? Obviously, we’re understanding how it has trying to help the entire changed. city. And who might we According to a gap analhurt or leave out? … It’s ysis of Cleveland County’s pretty unusual for this

Food pantry starts ‘Cozy Cube’ GABBY BROWN Senior culture reporter

The Norman Food Pantry is giving away crocheted hats and other winter items to people in need from its location in downtown Norman.

Located on Comanche Street is a wooden structure called the “Cozy Cube,” which houses donated food and clothing for those in need. The Cozy Cube is not managed by the city or the shelter, but rather a group of volunteers unassociated with either.

Jenna Ziegler, a volunteer, said the Cozy Cube was put in place last week.

“Previously, we didn’t

accept clothes just because it’s hard to keep them organized and visible in that small space, but there is a huge need for winter wear,” Ziegler said.

“We’ve created a bin for each item that’s most frequently needed so it’ll move quickly. ” Ziegler said they enjoy being a part of this project because of its accessibility.

“You don’t have to be at a certain place at a certain time and find the right door to go in,” Ziegler said, “and for anybody who’s needing help, you’re not getting to meet some checklist of criteria before you can get assistance.”

Acceptable donations include new or gently used

coats, blankets, tents, gloves, socks, hats or scarves. Items not in this list are not accepted.

Donations must also be separated into the appropriate bins in order to be accepted, according to the food pantry’s flier for donations, because the Cozy Cube is not a manned donation site.

Donation items can be dropped off at 325 E. Comanche St. in Norman. The food pantry also accepts donations via Venmo (unr_resonatorfridge) and Cashapp ($unrresonatorfridge), and asks that “cozy cube” is written in the donation text box.

bdoug99@ou.edu

jillian.g.taylor-2@ou.edu

Unfortunately, yes. Lots of things contribute to looking older and alcohol is on the list. And not in a good way. Most people are familiar with the negative effects over-use of alcohol can bring to our internal organs but may not be aware of how it looks on the outside (besides the beer belly, of course).

Look no further than the face. How does that work? Alcohol is notoriously dehydrating – it increases the rate at which the body excretes water and limits the absorption of nutrients vital for healthy skin. The dehydrating factor causes your kidneys to pump out more water which is why you’re urinating more when drinking. One way to minimize this effect is to drink plenty of water before, during, and after drinking alcohol. Actually, it’s a good idea to drink water, period. Because the drier your skin gets, the more wrinkles you get.

Also, alcohol is a vasodilator, meaning it causes the small blood vessels in the face to widen, producing flushed, coarse skin and eventually tiny broken veins. And we haven’t even gotten to the bloating or the bloodshot eyes look (that happens when alcohol inflames and enlarges the small blood vessels on the surface of your eyes).

Don’t forget the sugary alcohol drinks some of us like. As you may already know, our bodies convert sugar to glucose which attaches to skin proteins. What does that have to do with looking older? Well, the more sugar we consume, the more our body’s collagen and elastin, which help maintain our skin’s firmness and elasticity, get compromised. Bottom line: too much sugar eventually leads to sagging, wrinkled skin.

Of course, these effects are a process and don’t mean an over-the-top Friday night will result in extra wrinkles Saturday morning. With moderation of alcohol, sun, diet, and no smoking, your skin will look better longer.

This Red Cup Q&A is written by Charlene Shreder, MPS, ICPS, Chloe Sanders, LCSW, and Mackee Slattery, BSW from OU OUtreach Southwest Prevention Center. Content provided

by University of Arizona Health Promotion and Preventative Services department of the UA Campus Health Service.

Red Cup Q&A is paid for

by SAMHSA SPF-PFS

NEWS

Feb. 1-7, 2022 •

COMING UP AT OU Tuesday Black History Month kickoff, 11 a.m.

Visit the Henderson-Tolson Cultural Center for free food, an organization fair and giveaways for the kickoff of Black History Month.

For more information, visit www.ou.edu/ studentlife/diverse_communities/african_ americanstudentlife

Saturday Women’s basketball vs. West Virginia, 3 p.m.

The No. 18 Sooners will take on the West Virgina Mountaineers at the Lloyd Noble Center. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit soonersports.com. Don’t forget, students get in free with an OU ID. For game day coverage, visit oudaily.com and follow us on Twitter @OUDaily or @OUDailySports.

– From staff reports

LEUCK:

lessness to gambling in Norman.

“I will march over there and ask them to (pay for a facility),” Leuck said. “I think they should accept responsibility.”

In January 2020, the Norman Human Rights Commission recommended Norman enact policies to become a sanctuary city. In response, Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) filed a bill preventing cities and state agencies from creating any sanctuary policies, according to The Oklahoman.

Leuck said if she were mayor during the time, she would have vetoed the potential policy, although the mayor does not have veto power. She said immigration laws maintain order, prevent organized crime and the exploitation of illegal immigrants for cheap labor.

“The exploitation of children to enter the country illegally (and) using children for emotional blackmail and for aid both in the (U.S.) and abroad is abhorrent,” Leuck said.

“The exploitation of illegal

immigrants taking their life savings to be lied to that it is okay to enter America illegally.”

When asked about her plans to address the COVID-19 pandemic, if elected, Leuck said she’s “unsure” of how she feels about face masks. She began masking before it was recommended by health officials and continues to mask but said improper care of masks and wearing them incorrectly “defeats the purpose” of masking.

“A lot of children and adults are stuffing their face masks into their pockets,” Leuck said. “If they have change in there that day, that’s a contaminator.”

Leuck said she feels people’s reluctance to wear face masks might be a result of poor leadership in the Republican and Democratic parties. She said she was offended by the Black Lives Matter protests and campaign rallies held by former President Donald Trump during the pandemic.

Norman is painted as a “poster child for rac-

ism,” Leuck said. She said Norman has progressed in terms of diversity and, because of it, she’s not prejudiced.

“I feel like Norman has come a long way,” Leuck said. “A lot of people have internalized hatred over history they’ve read or being from other cities.

It doesn’t mean racism doesn’t exist here. It just means that Norman isn’t the poster child of it.”

Leuck’s campaign is founded on her love for the Earth, young people and a desire to “back the blue,” she said. Leuck said she wants Norman residents to take care of each other.

“Life itself is a team effort. What can I say? I love people, I love Norman (and) I love the Earth,” Leuck said. “Let’s be good stewards of the Earth and one another, behaving reasonably, responsibly, rationally and respectfully.”

citizens. For example, we shouldn’t spend our time trying to figure out how to continued from page 1 legally place refrigerators on our city sidewalks for Mayor and Council have the homeless.” dedicated City resourcThe Norman City Counes for the welfare of the cil voted Oct. 12, 2021, transient population, to modify city code to which has become a place community fridges detriment to the City, our with valid permits.

This citizens and local busidecision came after the nesses,” Heikkila said in city removed community the release. “We must use compassion within limits fridges on July 31, 2021, to decrease the homeless due to enforcement of “antiquated codes.” population.”

The change in code In the blog on his weballowed community fridgsite, Heikkila wrote the es to stay open without city council needs a leader constant supervision, to focus on infrastructure over issues like supporting increasing the access for Norman’s homeless popthe homeless. ulation to resources.

“Our current mayor Another council vote concentrates so much of Heikkila said motivated her energy on the homehis decision to run was less and on limiting our the $865,000 decrease personal freedoms using from the Norman Police Norman’s resources.

Department’s proposed This must stop,” Heikkila 2020 budget increase. wrote. “It’s critical our “I want us to be able council gets back to the to go to the park at 11 at purposes of city governnight or walk down the ment, roads, bridges, street and feel safe, and sewers and serving the

I don’t think right now we do,” Heikkila said in an interview with The Transcript. “Ten minutes is too long to wait if someone is trying to hurt you or your kids. It’s not the cops’ fault. There’s just not enough of them.”

Heikkila’s focus on the police department and first responders earned him endorsements from the Norman Fraternal Order of Police and the Norman chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

In the interview with The Transcript, Heikkila also said the length of Norman’s mask mandate was problematic for businesses and an overreach of the city government.

“The mask mandate didn’t bother me,” Heikkila said in the interview.

“What did bother me was that the mandate was longer and more restrictive than the state mandate.

That is overreach. Norman is not an island, nor is it

an autonomous area of our state. The overreach hurt our businesses.”

On Heikkila’s blog, he wrote that his desire to end the “council’s overreach” is similar to the way America ended the overreach of Great Britain during the revolutionary war.

“It’s time we declare independence from our mayor and the progressive members on our council on Feb. 8, 2022,” Heikkila wrote. “For far too long, the citizens of Norman have been victimized by the overreaching of the extremist council. … The people of Norman say ‘No More!’ We say no more to the defunding of our police, no more to government overreach with our health freedoms and parental rights, no more to the inequities demonstrated by the participants in the redistricting committee.”

continued from page 1

you think you can outrun my shotgun,’” Leuck said.

“That really scared me. I burst into tears. I know sometimes they do get carried away. I wasn’t even thinking about running away. I just had my license in the glove box.

The day any of us thinks we can’t do better is the day we need (to do better) most and today’s that day on all sides.”

To address Norman’s homeless population, Leuck said she’d request the Riverwind Casino fund a “state-of-the-art” recovery center. Leuck said she believes there’s a link between homelessness and gambling.

Leuck cited a 2012 article by the Philidelphia Magazine that compiled various studies, including a survey of 1,100 clients at Rescue Missions nationwide that reported 18 percent of clients said gambling was a cause of their homelessness. There is no data linking home-

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• Feb. 1-7, 2022

TREY YOUNG/THE DAILY

Redshirt senior utility Jocelyn Alo during the game against Seminole State on Oct. 20, 2021.

Alo ‘here to enjoy’ final season Redshirt senior utility sets sights on home run record, Olympics

following OU’s championship win over Florida State.

While her next chance at the Olympics is nearly seven years away, due to the Olympics skipping softball in 2024, she’s already preparing with a chip on her shoulder. OU coach Patty Gasso has worked her out at first base this offseason, which should help her chances in the Olympic trials.

Simultaneously, Alo has her sights on breaking former Sooners standout Lauren Chamberlain’s all-time NCAA home run record of 95, which she is eight away from.

Alongside her hopes of more accolades, Alo knows this is her last chance to wear crimson and cream, and she’s relishing every moment.

“It’d be nice to be the last team standing,” Alo said. “I think you guys kind of know about the other record going, but honestly, I’m just here to enjoy my last year. I want to enjoy every moment and just be present in every moment.

Coach Gasso said, ‘You won’t ever get this again,’ and I really

“Just by eliminating all of those hoops and the regulations, we can absocontinued from page 1 lutely make this a more positions that were cut. attractive place for people Seven of those positions to develop not only houswere vacant in 2020, as ing, but their businesses the department did not as well,” Kish said. hold a police academy Kish said she hopes to that year. In October 2021, find solutions to decrease NPD requested the reinNorman’s homeless popstatement of these posiulation, as the issue adds tions. Kish said she wants to businesses not wanting to add more positions to to be in the city. Kish said the police department. there aren’t enough police Kish said she thinks officers to “go out and public safety department deal” with homeless indiworkers are “leaving Nor- viduals or crimes happenman in droves” because of ing within the population. a “hostile work environKish cited a recent offiment,” which she blames cer-involved shooting as on city council action and an example of a “criminal Mayor Breea Clark. Kish aspect” involving homesaid Norman should give less individuals in Norretention and sign-up bo- man. On Jan. 20, NPD was nuses to improve the pub- involved in the shooting lic safety environment. on East Comanche Street.

The current city counIn response to gunfire, ofcil is “not friendly” to ficers shot Iris McMullen, housing developments, a homeless individual, in Kish said, citing a vote to the legs and arms after strike down an addition to McMullen shot two other the Eagle Cliff neighborpeople, killing one. hood in October 2021. The Kish praised Senate council denied their reBill 1381, filed by Oklazoning requests in a vote homa State Senator Rob of 7-2, which would’ve Standridge (R-Norman) allowed 144 new homes on Jan. 19. This bill to be built in this addition. would require homeless Multiple letters of obencampments to have jection and protest from permits, similar to campneighbors citing stormgrounds. On Dec. 8, 2021, water runoff and flooding a homeless encampment issues were included in on Alameda Street was the council’s agenda. served a notice to vacate

JASON BATACAO @J_batacao

With the arrival of a new season comes a new set of goals for Jocelyn Alo. Following a 2021 NCAA Women’s College World Series championship and a USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year nomination, many would think the redshirt senior slugger doesn’t have much left to achieve in her final year with Oklahoma.

Last season, Alo was the force behind OU’s fifth national championship, breaking school single-season records for home runs and total bases with 34 and 203, respectively.

Alo’s batting average of .475 was also the highest in program history.

Despite a platter of accolades, Alo fell short of her dream to represent Team USA during the 2020 Olympic trials

KISH:

won’t.

“I won’t get to grind the same way that they push me to. I won’t get to play for these coaches again. I won’t get to play with this team again.

I won’t get to wear Sooners across my chest again.”

Alo’s final season hasn’t come without challenges.

Oklahoma’s new right-handed pitchers — redshirt senior North Texas transfer Hope Trautwein and freshman Jordyn Bahl, the 2020-21 National Gatorade Softball Player of The Year — have given OU’s hitters trouble during training camp.

In past seasons, Oklahoma’s

pitching rotation struggled against the Sooners’ potent lineup in scrimmages, but that’s not the case this season.

As Gasso described, it’s an example of “iron sharpening iron” in the best way.

“I can say that, as a hitter, I’m very excited to not have to face them anymore,” Alo said.

“Jordyn Bahl, everyone in the United States of America, get ready because she is legit.

She’s one of the best pitchers I’ve ever seen. … She’ll be a great asset for the Oklahoma Sooners and hopefully one day for Team USA. That’s how good I think she is.”

The Sooners return several proven standouts to their lineup, like sophomore stars Tiare Jennings and Jayda Coleman and junior catcher Kinzie Hansen, a member of the 2022 USA Softball Women’s National Team. They also have newcomers like Oregon transfer utility Alyssa Brito, who’s getting up to speed ahead of her sophomore season and should contribute.

With Oklahoma looking to

defend its title in 2022, Gasso feels she has one of the most complete teams in all of college softball.

“This offense was demoralizing ... our pitching staff last season,” Gasso said. “This year, our pitchers are handling our hitters, and that’s good news for us. It’s not fun for our hitters, but it should be good news for them as well because, in my mind, they’re facing some of the best pitchers in the country right now.

“It’s a good feeling for us as coaches, because we know we’ve got a very good pitching staff. And we also know that we have very good hitters.”

As Oklahoma looks forward to its season-opening matchup against UC Santa Barbara at 4:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, Feb. 10 in Santa Barbara, California, it has a tough string of matchups looming beyond that. OU will face No. 3 UCLA, No. 11 Arizona and No. 16 Tennessee this season.

Alongside those matchups, Gasso announced she scheduled a midweek game against

the premises. NPD assisted with clearing after this notice was enforced on Dec. 14.

Founded by Cleveland County Sheriff Chris Amason, the Community Response Unit aims to provide Norman’s homeless population with a variety of resources. Kish said Norman is “very fortunate” to have Amason in that position.

“We absolutely cannot allow the homeless population to increase, but under Breea Clark’s watch, it has. It’s gone up 100 percent in a year. We had about 130-ish homeless residents a year ago in Norman, and now it’s over 230, if not more than that,” Kish said.

According to a gap analysis of Cleveland County’s homeless services system that was released in December 2021, there was a 100 percent increase in the homeless population over the course of five years. There were 133 homeless individuals living in Cleveland County in 2015, but in 2020 that number rose 100 percent to 266 individuals. Clark was sworn into office on July 2, 2019.

On COVID-19, Kish said she believes in “medical freedom” and the Constitution, adding that she’s

opposed to any mask or vaccine mandate.

“I’ve never seen the politicization of a medical condition like this in my entire life. This is absolutely asinine, and there’s no reason for this. … If you want to take the vaccine, go right ahead.

If you don’t, then don’t. If you want to wear a mask, go ahead. If you don’t, that is your choice. There should absolutely be no mandates or anything like that at all,” Kish said.

In 23 years of optometry in Norman, Kish said she’s seen patients from “all different persuasions” and has made decisions for them, regardless of their beliefs.

“Everybody has different beliefs, and I’m okay with that. … I’m good at making decisions, listening to people and coming up with answers. I do this in my business as well, (as) I am a businesswoman,” Kish said.

Kish traveled to Washington, D.C. with Ward 5 Councilmember Rarchar Tortorello in January 2021 to attend former President Donald Trump’s #StopTheSteal rally on Jan. 6, 2021.

In a press release titled “I Went through Hell,” Kish described the rally as a “block party” type

atmosphere. She also said in the release that neither she nor Tortorello were present for the insurrection that followed the rally. Both say they were back at their hotel room watching the riots at the Capitol on television.

Kish said in the release that she was a victim of “cancel culture” and harassment, as people campaigned to have her optometry license revoked and her business at Sooner Mall shut down.

She also filed a lawsuit against three Norman citizens who shared her Washington trip on their private and city ward Facebook pages, though this case was later dismissed.

Kish added that she felt the city requires new leaders, and that she fits this role.

“I think I am a great match for the city, and the city needs absolutely new leadership. I’m excited to do it. I’m looking forward to February 8, and I would appreciate y’all get out and vote on the eighth and vote for me,” Kish said.

OU SOFTBALL When: 4:30 p.m., Feb. 10 Where: Santa Barbara, California Info: Season opener vs.

UC Santa Barbara How to watch: ESPN+

peggy.f.lail-1@ou.edu

Kentucky for Tuesday, March 22. The game could aid preparation for OU’s transition to the SEC, slated to take place no later than 2025.

Realignment notwithstanding, SEC games prove an ample challenge, anyway.

Last season, Gasso similarly scheduled a midweek doubleheader against Georgia, which handed the Sooners their first loss of 2021.

Gasso hopes all of OU’s daunting games, especially the early ones, will help it find its best self ahead of conference play.

“These games always show us where our weaknesses are, and it still allows me to tinker some with the lineup, whether it’s the batting order or the defense or matchups with pitchers,” Gasso said. “So the first three or four weeks are really important for us to get prepared for the conference.

“I always like to put us in the fire and see what we look like in that way.” jason.f.batacao@ou.edu

Election information Norman mayoral and City Council elections: Tuesday, Feb. 8 Early voting begins: Thursday and Friday Feb. 3-4 Runoff election date: Tuesday, April 5 Live election results will be posted on oudaily.com, on Twitter @oudaily and The OU Daily Facebook page For more information on where, when and how to vote, visit the Cleveland County Election Board Website.