Norman City Councilors for Wards 2 and 8 have been determined from last week's city municipal elections, while voters will return April 9 to polls for Wards 4 and 6 runoff elections.

Russell Mulinix, who contended for the Ward 8 councilor seat, has filed a petition with the Cleveland County Elections Board to force a runoff and claims there were election irregularities.

Mandy Haws won the Ward 8 seat by eight votes over candidates Mulinix and Gypsey Teague. Mulinix said he has asked for a vote recount and that there were voting irregularities that cost him a chance for a runoff between Haws and himself.

Mulinix said that the close margin of votes should give him the chance for a runoff. He also said that he has found at least eight voters who voted in Ward 4, although they technically resided in Ward 8. Mulinix would need eight more votes to be allowed a runoff for the councilor seat.

A hearing on the petition of irregularities is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Cleveland County Courthouse before District Judge William Hetherington, said Paula Roberts, election board secretary.

Haws is the first woman to be elected to the Norman City Council since Lois Lawler resigned from her seat four years ago. Haws is a recording secretary for the City of Norman. Haws said she will not only represent the people of Norman equally, but relate to their needs and concerns.

"I want Norman to grow to the needs of its citizens," Haws said. "I'm appreciative of the fact that Norman residents thought I was the best choice. I will do the best job I can."

Ward 8 includes the northwest portion of Norman and the South Canadian River.

A manual recount will follow the hearing in room 120 of the county office building, 201 S. Jones Ave.

Incumbent Richard Stawicki was re-elected to Ward 2, winning with 71.89 percent of the vote over Kim Patterson and William Bo Crawford.

Stawicki said his plans as councilor include looking into drainage improvements in parts of Norman. He said he would also like to see more funding for a fresh water supply, a push toward meeting arsenic standards and implementation of wastewater improvements.

"I have concerns for Norman's future that I would like to address over the next two years," Stawicki said. "I was standing on my record for the race, and I'm glad citizens were satisfied with my work."

Ward 2 is bordered by Interstate 35 from Main Street to the South Canadian River, and by Chautauqua Avenue from Imhoff Road to the South Canadian River.

In Ward 4, David Ray and Steve Wilson finished ahead of Frank Canon, Jack Dawson, Holly Swinford and Stephen Teel, and will compete in the runoff election.

Ray is an OU associate professor of political science and received the Regents Award for Superior Teaching, among other awards. Graduating from Yale University, Ray is also the founding member of the University Neighborhood Association.

Ray said some of his concerns for Norman include strengthening and revitalizing downtown Norman and the Campus Corner districts.

"Two things make Norman special: the university and the strong, diverse and revitalized neighborhoods around it," Ray said. "I want to help sustain a resurgence in campus neighborhoods and all the neighborhoods of central Norman."

Wilson is a computer consultant and received a bachelor's degree in history from OU, along with a master's degree in business administration. He has lived in Norman for more than 30 years and said he can contribute his technological experience to the council and the city. Wilson said he is interested in changing election dates so that students have the chance to vote.

"I think that every citizen should, at one time in their life, give some of their time and talents to their community," Wilson said. "What makes me qualified for the position is that I am an independent, being neither too liberal or too conservative. I'm qualified to listen to both groups."

The Ward 4 seat is the only ward that includes land directly next to the OU campus. Ward 4 includes Campus Corner, most of Central Norman, downtown and Norman High School. The OU campus is located in Ward 7, in which the councilor seat will be voted on in 2003, along with Wards 1, 3, 5 and 9. Voters ma0-only vote for the ward in which they live.

David Hopper and Colleen Allen finished ahead of Mark Allen for the Ward 6 councilor seat and will compete in the runoff election.

Colleen Allen, Ward 6 candidate, is a retired federal worker, working 36 years with the government as a financial analyst. She said she hopes to promote consistency in ordinances and honesty in government. She said that her diligent efforts and strong beliefs make her a strong candidate.

"I insist and want to promote financial priority to basic services before starting projects," Allen said. "I don't want decisions made on the council behind closed doors."

Hopper said Norman needs to decide which way to go with revitalizing the downtown area. He said it should be decided if the downtown is going commercial, professional or artistic. Hopper has a law degree from OU and worked for 15 years with the Employment Security Commission.

"I've seen the city grow and want to make it even better," Hopper said. "Nothing in Norman is worse than a vacant, decayed downtown."

Ward 6 covers parts of central, east and north norman.

Runoff elections will be held at more than 40 locations in Norman. For information on where to vote, call the Cleveland County Election Board Office at 366-0210.
hello there & you too