'Unite Norman' endorses Kish for mayor

Unite Norman Endorses Dr. Nicole Kish

Norman — Unite Norman, the leading grassroots organization in Norman, announced today it is endorsing Dr. Nicole Kish for Mayor.

Unite Norman co-founders lauded Dr. Kish’s experience as a doctor, small business owner, and military veteran as key to the endorsement, and to winning in February:

“Dr. Kish has the experience that Norman desperately needs right now,” said Sassan Moghadam, co-founder of Unite Norman and prominent businessman in Norman. “She is a doctor in the midst of a never-ending pandemic; she is a military Veteran who has served Oklahoma and her country honorably; and she has been a Small Business Owner in Norman for 22 years. She will make Norman less hostile to business than the current regime at City Hall.”

Dr. Kish, a co-founder of Unite Norman, was instrumental in helping the group garner nearly 25,000 signatures last year to recall the current Mayor, as well as recalling two city council members. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes while also running her thriving medical practice business full-time.

It was a trifecta of events that led Dr. Kish to consider running for Mayor. Her thriving business was negatively affected by the Mayor’s COVID-19 shutdowns last year. Next, the Mayor defunded the police by nearly $1 Million, which has led to a spike in crime and homelessness. Then, Dr. Kish and her medical practice were ruthlessly harassed for her support of Unite Norman and conservative causes.

It was then that Dr. Kish thought about running for Mayor.

“It is time for each and every one of us to stand up. I am honored to have the endorsement of Unite Norman,” said Dr. Nicole Kish, one of only two Republicans running for the non-partisan seat. “As a Small Business Owner, I’ve been victim to and am deeply concerned about the hostile attitude toward businesses in this town. This past year, the City lost nearly $1 Million to its general fund I believe directly related to the Mayor’s shutdowns, overbearing mask mandates, general hostility to businesses, and the defunding of police. We can and must do better to protect families and welcome businesses to town, not make them public enemy number one.”

'Unite Norman' succeeds in getting councilmember recall certified

RECALL CERTIFIED! Unite Norman’s Recall Effort Certified for Council Member Petrone

Mayor’s Recall Certification Will Not Be Announced Till Tomorrow — and Unite Norman Cautions about Legal Precedence Below;

ALSO: Grassroots Groups Cautions against Council Member Bierman’s Planned Doxxing of List of Petition Signers in the Mayoral Recall effort, Citing Intimidation and Harassment

NORMAN — Unite Norman responded to the City Clerk’s announcement today that the signature-gathering effort to recall Council Member Petrone is certified and will now head to the ballot box.

The announcement comes after the grassroots organization turned in more than 20,000 signatures to recall Mayor Clark, and thousands of signatures to recall Council Member Petrone, and after forcing the resignation already of Council Member Wilson in Ward 5.

'Unite Norman': supporters of mayor "still don't get it" when claiming 30,000 recall signers were tricked

“THEY STILL DON’T GET IT” – Supporters of Soon-To-Be-Recalled Mayor, City Council Say 30,000 Normanites Must Have Been “Tricked” into Signing Petitions — Nothing Could be Further from the Truth, Voters Were Very Informed as Recall Was One of the Most-Covered Stories in Norman this Summer

Mayor, City Council Supporters Suggesting that All of the People Who Signed the Petition — Women, Democrats, Independents, Republicans, People under Age 50, and People over Age 50 — Must Have Been Tricked, They Can’t Possibly Have Decided for Themselves

Continued denial from city leaders shows they still don’t get it

Norman Recall story has been the biggest political story of the summer —voters were very informed by daily Media stories, newspaper ads, doorstep visits, and social media discussions

NORMAN (August 19th)  — Supporters of the mayor and city council are suggesting that 30,000 Normanites were “tricked” into signing petitions to recall the mayor and city council — but nothing could be further from the truth.

After a contentious summer debating the Defunding of Police, the Recall story has arguably become one of the biggest news stories in Norman and that state. To suggest that the citizens in Norman didn’t know what the recall was over is just disingenuous.

It is a tactic straight out of the Democrats’ playbook — a tactic that has been used in other Recall elections, such as the Colorado Recalls, where signature gatherers there also got above & beyond the required signatures.

“This mayor and city council still don’t get it,” said Russell Smith, co-founder of Unite Norman. “Thousands of volunteers spent hundreds of hours talking with residents of Norman on their doorsteps, at least 100 local TV stories were aired on the issue, and dozens of hours were spent talking with the media, and with the public on social media.

Unite Norman: Ringleader of protestors for Defund the Police vote ran Mayor’s campaign

THE PLOT THICKENS: “Concerned Norman Resident” Who Testified to Defund the Police Is Actually Mayor Clark’s Campaign Manager 

Plus: Al-Michael’s own Bio states he is a resident of Oklahoma City 

NORMAN — The man who spoke with media as a “concerned Norman resident” the night of the Norman mayor’s and city council’s action to defund the police turns out to be neither an ordinary citizen, nor a resident of Norman.

In a post unearthed today, Al-Michael lists himself on Facebook as Mayor Breea Clark’s Campaign Manager in a post on her Inauguration Day. Yet — neither he nor the mayor disclosed his role on the mayor’s political campaign when he served as the ringleader of a shouting mob inside city council chambers on the night of the vote, June 16 and 17.

In a televised interview following the vote, Mayor Clark admitted to KOCO 5 that agitated protestors had had an impact on her and the council — yet she never once mentioned that the ringleader of those protests inside chambers was her own campaign manager.

During official business surrounding the vote, she didn’t point out this conflict of interest, either.

According to public records, Al-Michael’s name shows up on the campaign committee for Breea Clark as being paid $1,250 for “political consulting services.” Yet not once during the hearings did the Mayor disclose that she had a fiduciary relationship with him.

Additionally, Al-Michael portrayed himself inside city chambers & to the Media as a concerned Norman resident — even though ALL of his online bios and even his own Facebook page states he resides in Oklahoma City. (For example, “Taz Al-Michael,” as he is also referred to in other publications, is according to his own bio, also a “community organizer based out of Oklahoma City.” Source: NewLeadersCouncil.org His own Facebook account also says he lives in Oklahoma City: https://www.facebook.com/tas608) Seems like both the Media, and the people of Norman got skunked.

“Why was it never disclosed that Mayor Clark’s own Campaign Manager and Political Consultant was testifying to defunding the police, and leading the protestors inside chambers that night?,” asks Russell Smith, co-founder of Unite Norman. “Is it possible this was all one big set-up? At a minimum, shouldn’t it have been disclosed that the Mayor’s own Political Consultant with whom she had a financial relationship was inside City Hall trying to affect the outcome of the result for the people of Norman?”

“This young man’s own bio states that he is an actor,” said Sassan Moghadam, co-founder of Unite Norman. “It sounds like this was quite a charade — with the Mayor playing the leading role and the city council members playing cast of characters that night.”

Group asks: did Norman mayor hire actor to testify before vote to defund police?

Here's the latest in the drama out of Norman, Oklahoma...

Did the Mayor Hire an Actor to Testify as a Concerned Norman Resident for the Vote to Defund the Police?

An “Actor” on the Mayor’s Payroll Was Paid $1,250 before Testifying -- Actor’s own Bio states he is a resident of Oklahoma City 

NORMAN — In a televised interview, Mayor Clark told KOCO 5 that loud agitators had been successful in swaying her and the city council inside council chambers in a dark-of-night 4a.m. vote on June 17th to strip nearly $1 million from police budgets.

According to public records, it appears now that at least one of those people who testified was an Actor — and had previously been on Mayor Clark’s payroll. Tasneem Ahmad Al-Michael is listed as an “Actor” on promotional materials from the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR).

“Taz Al-Michael,” as he is also referred to in other publications, is according to his own bio, also a “community organizer based out of Oklahoma City.” Source: NewLeadersCouncil.org

Unite Norman releases videos highlighting mayor, city council members in their own radical words

WORDS: New Series of Viral Videos Highlights Mayor, City Council Members in Their Own Radical Words

• Norman “Nuggets of Knowledge” Video Series Will Show Mayor and City Council Members Out of Touch with Norman, as Vulgar and Profane-Laced Statements Show Some Don’t Possess Temperament to Hold Public Office
• Council member Kate Bierman says she is no longer a fan of America’s birthday, the Fourth of July, and “I don’t give a s*** what you think about me!”
• Council Member Stephen Holman Suggested He’d Like to Turn Norman into a Sanctuary City

Norman – Unite Norman is launching a series of viral videos that show the mayor and the city council members — in their own words — are too radical for Norman.

In some cases vulgar, profanity-laced tirades also show that some members are unfit for public office.

In her own words, council member Kate Bierman states that she’s no longer a fan of the Fourth of July — a position held by far-left-wing radicals such as anarchists in places like Seattle’s CHOP/CHAZ zone; Portland, Oregon; and Washington, D.C. Source: “4 Grown-A** Women of the Apocalypse” podcast, 7/11/20  https://tinyurl.com/NotAFanofJuly4

In case you were wondering, Bierman doesn’t care what you think of her, “I don’t give a s*** what you think about me!” Source:  “4 Grown-A** Women of the Apocalypse” podcast, 5/11/20 https://tinyurl.com/IDontGiveASh

Council member Stephen Holman suggested that it’s not Norman Police Department’s job to check immigration status, thereby turning Norman into a de facto “Sanctuary City.” Source: City Council Meeting, 2/4/20 https://tinyurl.com/HolmanSanctuaryCitiesSupport

And, as we pointed out late last week, Mayor Clark is not to be outdone in the department of radical ideas as she pushes for allowing 16-year-olds to vote in municipal elections — an issue only supported by the most radical cities in the United States including Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. Source: City Council Meeting, 6/16/20 https://tinyurl.com/ClarkLet16YrOldsVote

“In their own words, the mayor and the city council members are showing that their ideas and policies are far outside the mainstream of Norman,” said Russell Smith, co-founder of Unite Norman. “This is the result of seven percent voter turnout in the last election. We must do better in the next.”

More videos are on the way. They will appear on Facebook and may appear on other Social Media platforms.

Unite Norman: we have more Recall signatures than votes that elected Norman mayor

Unite Norman Announces They’ve Surpassed in Signatures the Number of Votes that Elected Mayor Clark
Grassroots Effort Achieves More than 6,700 Signatures So Far — A Greater Number than the Votes that Put the Mayor in Office“Overwhelming support” from Normanites to recall the mayor, says founder

Norman (July 20th) — Unite Norman — the grassroots group behind the effort to recall the mayor and city council for defunding the police and not upholding the will of the people — announced today they are well on their way to getting the recall effort on the ballot.

The grassroots group shared that they have now garnered more than 6,700 signatures — that’s more voter support than Mayor Clark was actually elected with.

“The people of Norman are speaking overwhelmingly,” said Russell Smith, the founder of Unite Norman. “We’re only about a third of the way there, and certainly have more work to do, but we’re strongly encouraged by the overwhelming response of support from the voters.”

Norman police officers leaving force after defunding by mayor and city council

MASS EXODUS: More Norman Police Officers to Resign or Retire by Month’s End

• 7 Officers Plan to Depart by End of July (in two weeks)
• Resignations Come as 9 Officers’ Positions Are Already Scheduled to Be Cut
• PLUS: 7 More Officers Consider Leaving, Have Begun Interviewing & Testing at Other Cities
• Total of 25 Departures Would Be Nearly Three Times the Annual Average Turnover Rate 

Norman, OK (July 15th) — Seven Norman police officers are reportedly on their way out the door in two weeks, with seven more considering following, thanks to the recent Defunding of Police pushed by Mayor Breea Clark and the Norman City Council.

Reports of officers deciding to resign or retire come today as nine positions are already on the chopping block via the Mayor’s proposal. Officers preparing to depart were reported last week by KFOR TV. However, more departures have been confirmed today by the Fraternal Order of Police.

The total of now 25 officers’ positions would be nearly three times more than the annual average of departures. Norman police department reports that it usually has only about 10 departures per year normally.

“This is a real-life public safety concern for the entire community of Norman,” said Russell Smith, founder of Unite Norman, the organization whose goal is to recall the radical Mayor and the most radical members of the City Council. “As predicted, the reverberations of the Mayor’s and the City Council’s efforts to Defund the Police are already having a detrimental effect. This is the beginning of a mass exodus of frontline first responders who feel they are no longer backed by the city they serve. We must unite Norman around the support of critical frontline officers, or face the peril that more departures will bring.”

Fewer officers and defunding will likely mean longer response times for families, homeowners, and business owners in Norman, as well as less training for officers in the field.

For more information about Unite Norman, visit UniteNorman.com.

Citizen Group launches Recall of Norman Council and Mayor

Citizen Group Launches Recall of Council and Mayor

In an unprecedented show of civic solidarity, Unite Norman today initiated recall proceedings for the office of mayor and every city councilor eligible for recall.    This submission comes on the heels of a meeting of more than 700 residents who braved over 90-degree temperature on Wednesday to receive volunteer training for signature gathering and learn more about the effort.

“When this city council succumbed to an angry mob at three o’clock in the morning and decided to undo months of budget discussions, we all said enough is enough. This is no way to run our city.  We care too much about Norman and our law enforcement officers to let Norman be run this way,” said Chris Dragg one of the unpaid citizens organizing the effort.

“We really want a council that focuses on Norman, not the hot national news issue of the day, said Russell Smith, another longtime Norman resident helping the campaign.  “Unite Norman is about making certain our leadership puts Norman first instead of promoting personal ideologies and bringing Washington D.C. style politics to Norman.  We are better than that,” Russell Smith continued. 

Barresi applauds Attorney General Hunter for religious liberty support

BARRESI APPLAUDS ATTORNEY GENERAL HUNTER’S STANCE ON SUPPORTING RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ON NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER 

Oklahoma City -- “Today, we are all united in observance of the National Day of Prayer and in dedicating ourselves to be vigilant about threats to our religious liberties. In the last few weeks we have heard of instances where worshipers were fined or even jailed for attempting to safely assembly and worship God. We must all be vigilant in each of our communities to assure that our civil liberties are not violated in the name of safety. It is appropriate for the CDC and our state to issue guidelines for the reopening of businesses and places of worship and it is equally appropriate for places of worship to adjust their services to follow the guidelines. These do not have to be in conflict.”

Attorney General calls for Norman mayor to include churches in Phase 1 of reopening plan

Attorney General Hunter Calls for Norman Mayor to Include Places of Worship in Phase one of Reopening Plan

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter today called for Norman Mayor Breea Clark to amend her ‘Healthier at Home’ plan to include places of worship in Phase One.

The mayor’s current goal for reopening places of worship is in Phase One B, set for May 15. Both state and federal law limit the mayor’s authority to restrict the free exercise of religion and for peaceable assembly.

Attorney General Hunter said the mayor’s current plan to prevent places of worship from reopening runs afoul of these protections.

City of Norman orders closure of waste-disposal company in spite of "essential" declaration

City of Norman seeks cessation of waste management

by Ray Carter

Director, Center for Independent Journalism

 
(April 1, 2020) Citing efforts to fight COVID-19/coronavirus, the City of Norman has ordered the closure of a waste-disposal company, despite such businesses being declared “essential” by federal authorities.

The city’s action could lead to a significant increase in accumulated waste in the community as well as other parts of Oklahoma and would also disrupt the operations of many businesses that have been declared essential.

“They don’t understand supply chains,” said Susan Bergen, owner of Norman-based Eco Wood Solutions.

Eco Wood Solutions serves a wide range of businesses that use wooden pallets, which are standard throughout most industries, including everything from grocers to corporate giants like Amazon. When pallets break and are no longer usable to move freight, Eco Wood Solutions is paid to dispose of the items.

“Simply put, we recycle wood,” the company’s web site declares.

The company recycles broken wooden pallets and transforms the material into everything from mulch for landscaping and playgrounds to material used to clean oil spills.

The cost of recycling the pallets is roughly half of what companies would pay to deposit them into landfills, Bergen said.

“We’re a cost-saver, and I think of myself as an environment saver,” Bergen said. “Because we all know the tallest thing in south Oklahoma City is the landfill. I believe that the landfill is unacceptable.”

But now Norman officials have ordered the company to cease grinding wood products.

Eco Wood Solutions sits on four acres in Norman. Bergen said it won’t take long for wood waste to fill up that plot, which will then create issues for the many companies that depend on Eco Wood to dispose of wood waste.

“If I’m inbounding 15 truckloads a day of wood materials, which is my minimum, then how many days can I inbound and not grind before I’m full?” Bergen said. “We inbound material, and we grind, and we outbound material.”

The company disposes of wood waste for clients across the metro and throughout the state.

The Norman order defies federal guidance documents from the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

“The solid waste industry is included under two categories: public works, and transportation and logistics,” Bergen noted.

The Department of Homeland Security includes “support to ensure the effective removal, storage, and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste and hazardous waste” as an essential service in its guidance.

Similarly, a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidance document states that businesses involved in “community safety” and “sanitation” are essential and an associated “frequently asked questions” document further clarifies that the hauling of waste is considered an essential business.

Rickey J. Knighton II, assistant city attorney for Norman, said the homeland security guidance “is not a federal directive or standard. Rather it is advisory in nature and directs individual jurisdictions to make their own determinations.” He also wrote that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidance applies only to disposal of “household waste and medical waste,” and not wood waste created by business activity.

In addition to breaking with federal guidance that has been adopted throughout much of the country, the actions of Norman officials also appear to contradict provisions of the March 24 “stay at home” order issued by Norman Mayor Breea Clark, which required the closure of “non-essential” businesses.

That document specifically exempted grocery stores, hardware stores, office supply stores, and numerous other businesses that use wood pallets. It then exempted businesses “that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate,” a clause that appears to include disposal of waste products used by “essential” businesses.

“The information I have access to does not indicate that Eco Wood Solutions supplies pallets to grocery stores, hardware stores, office supply stores, and numerous other businesses,” Knighton wrote. “Rather, businesses drop off nonpainted white boards and pallets at Eco Wood Solutions’ Norman location or Eco Wood Solutions will pick up wood from someone’s site.  Moreover, the grocery stores I worked for returned their pallets to the distribution center. Not sure whether this practice has changed.”

Like most businesses, Eco Wood Solutions has adopted numerous safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“We provide a safe workplace,” Bergen said. “We are following all of the mandatory requirements. Each person drives their own piece of equipment. There’s no co-mingling of equipment. We are really compliant in providing a safe workplace.”

The actions taken by the City of Norman highlight the often inconsistent and sometimes incoherent processes used by government officials in responding to COVID-19, actions that critics say often fail to account for facts on the ground or ripple effects throughout the supply chain.

Yet violations of Norman’s city order carry a penalty of a $750 fine and/or 60 days in jail per violation.

A “frequently asked questions” document posted by the City of Norman includes the question, “If I am unclear whether my business qualifies as essential or non-essential, can I receive a formal decision from the City as to whether I qualify?”

The document answers, “Formal opinions will not be given from the City.”

CIJ Author's Note: Bergen serves as a member of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs’ board of trustees.