After Norman Ward 3 incumbent Robert Castleberry decided not to run for re-election, two attorneys and a retired telecommunication professional are seeking his seat.
Alison A. Petrone, Richard Bailey and Patrick Ahern are all political newcomers.
Norman residents in Wards 1, 3 and 7 will vote for new City Council representatives on Feb. 12.
Ward 3 covers the west side of Norman and is mostly residential. It extends from Indian Hills Road to 72nd Avenue N.W. It extends east to I-35.
Alison A. Petrone
Profession: Attorney and small-business owner
Experience: This is Petrone’s first political race.
Platform: Petrone’s campaign favors construction of the stand-alone senior center. She would also like to reevaluate Norman’s stormwater system and expand the recycling program to include rural areas and apartments. She promotes a more inclusive city on her website, stating an intention “… to develop a ‘Norman Resident Bill of Rights’ to promote an inclusive community and prevent preemption by the state legislature on city ordinances.”
She also supports accessibility to public transportation and opposes the University North Park TIF.
Links: Website | Facebook
Richard Bailey
Profession: Retired telecommunication, computer and Internet professional
Experience: Bailey has a background in senior-level business management after spending 30 years working in the telecommunications industries in several different countries.
Platform: Bailey claims he would like to fix the budget, build relationships between city management and the council, and create city and job growth that moves the city toward the PlanNorman vision. He also advocates for the senior center and embracing change in the city. His website states: “In general, Bailey believes we should maintain our traditional neighborhood social and economic values as a college town but embrace and manage change.”
Links: Website | Facebook
Patrick Ahern
Profession: Associate attorney at American Litigation Law Group
Experience: Ahern previously represented the Public Utility Division of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission but is now an attorney for a bankruptcy and consumer-protection firm.
Platform: Ahern says he would like to balance Norman’s expansion with revitalization. He opposes the University North Park TIF and would like to develop a stormwater utility plan. A post from his Facebook states: “As has been seen with the recent debates over the University North Park TIF and Stormwater Utility issues, it remains as important as ever to ensure City resources are used to benefit Norman citizens first.”
Ahern would also states a desire to preserve and strengthen local businesses and the culture of arts in Norman.
Link: Facebook
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