A special selection committee nominated Brandon Nofire for Norman City Council’s consideration to become Ward 5 council member in a four-hour meeting Thursday.
The other candidates interviewed for the position were former Norman Transcript editor Ben Fenwick, OU alum active in city politics Dianna Hutzel and Cleveland County Democratic Party Precinct Officer Brandon Clark.
The search follows the resignation of former Ward 5 Councilmember Michael Nash, who announced his departure in an Aug. 8 Facebook post, nearly six months after his reelection in February. Nash wrote external factors caused his family to look for a new home, which they found outside Ward 5 boundaries.
After reviewing applications and resumes, Ward 5 candidate selection committee members Randy Carter, Heidi Smith, John Griego, Aysha Prather and Shavonne Evans narrowed down the candidates for the position from 14 applicants.
An Oklahoma native and member of the Cherokee nation, Nofire is an OU graduate and former U.S. Marine. Nofire ran for Oklahoma State Senate District 15 in 2024 as a Republican and lost in a six-way primary electionthat eventually left Lisa Standridge with the seat.
Nofire said during the interview he believes the main issues in Ward 5 are the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s ACCESS Oklahoma, the Rock Creek Entertainment District Project Plan and homelessness.
OTA turnpike
Nofire said that along with plans to build a turnpike that would run through homes in Ward 5, the proposed turnpikes would cause additional transportation and water issues.
“(The turnpike) is going to bring havoc on everything from transportation to waters,” Nofire said. “OTA is not known for helping out in any way, shape or form.”
ACCESS Oklahoma is a 15-year, $8 billion plan to develop new turnpikes, and renovate and expand existing highways statewide. It was originally approved by the Oklahoma State Supreme Court in August 2023.
Two turnpikes are planned for the Norman area: the South Extension Turnpike and the East-West Connector.
Nofire believes council should continue to advocate against the turnpike project.
“The city could absolutely do a little bit more and sue as a city,” Nofire said. “It might do nothing but buy time, but there's other things afoot of the Capitol, so we can buy all the time.”
Entertainment district project, TIF
Nofire said he doesn’t have an issue with building the Rock Creek Entertainment District project plan and OU’s multi-sports arena, but he does have an issue with its funding. He said he is more concerned with the financial burden on residents who did not have the opportunity to vote on the issue.
“If it was just a zoning issue, let them build what they want, but whenever they want to take all the money into account, that perks my ears up,” Nofire said. “What they are saying is not something I like. … That actually affects Ward 5 pretty solidly, more than people would think.”
A tax increment financing, or TIF, is a method used by cities to fund city improvements by using a portion of tax revenue generated by the development after it is established.
Nofire said TIFs can be used as tools if residents agree upon their use in a public vote. He said he would be okay with either outcome, as long as residents had the opportunity to voice their opinions.
“The largest TIF in (city) history is pretty obnoxious if you ask me,” Nofire said. “I was actually helping collect signatures to put it to a vote of the people, … but if that comes to pass and it gets voted in, so be it. That's what the people wanted. I'll wash my hands of that fire.”
Homelessness, affordable housing
Nofire said the best solution to housing issues in Norman is to develop low-income housing, but he said building it is a challenge since developers don’t profit as much as they would building other projects.
Nofire said the city will have to be strategic in its efforts to advertise low-income housing to residents.
“With a good (public relations) campaign, proper placement and incentivizing housing, obviously they’ll be apartments or duplexes, things of that nature, but I think you can actually make a dent in this,” Nofire said.
Urban vs. rural needs
Nofire said Ward 5 residents in urban areas have much different needs than those in rural ones. He said for residents in urban areas, a major concern is ensuring public services work appropriately.
“Those are very vastly different needs, and it's interesting,” Nofire said. “(In urban areas), I would actually have to make sure that they are still getting all their city services and things of that nature, things such as making sure the water sanitation is all good, transportation. The urban aspect should have city transportation, public transportation, bus rides.”
For Ward 5 residents living in rural areas, Nofire said his biggest concern is water quality. He said his goal is to balance the needs of both areas to ensure all needs are met.
“The biggest thing out in the country is water,” Nofire said. “As far as balancing, I don't think it would be all that hard. I can't think of a time where I would be forced to choose between the needs of one person and the needs of another, just making sure that all of their needs are met.”
Council will consider Nofire’s nomination at its Sept. 9 meeting.
This story was edited by Ana Barboza and Thomas Pablo.
