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. 


“In a way, we have nobody to blame but ourselves.  In the last mayor’s race, just seven and a half percent of our residents elected our mayor.  The other 92% plus now need to stand-up and have our voices heard,” said Dr. Nicole Kish, another leader in the effort.

In addition to having the well-attended rallies, the Unite Norman Facebook page has amassed more than 4,000 members in a matter of days and collected more than $20,000 through an online donation portal in less than 24 hours.

Those named in the recall petition include: Mayor Breea Clark, Ward 1 Councilmember Kate Bierman, Ward 3 Councilmember Alison Petrone, Ward 5 Councilmember Sereta Wilson, and Ward 7 Councilmember Stephen Holman.  The rest of the council members have not been in office long enough to be eligible for recall.

“It might seem like fun and games to these elected officials to see Norman highlighted on national news for defunding the police, but there are real world consequences to grandstanding like this. We have already seen attrition in our police force. That is not putting the people first and that’s why I will be collecting signatures,” Rod Polston said.

“To see so many folks from all across Norman and all different political persuasions come together is really exciting,” said Sassan Moghadam, another volunteer leader.  “We have Republicans, Democrats, Independents, men, women, young, old, those from all parts of our great city all with one simple common goal:  to remove divisive and radical figures form our local political offices,” Sassan concluded.

While volunteers will be going door-to-door to collect signatures, those registered to vote in Norman are also encouraged to sign the petitions at the following locations.

Liberty Coin & Gold
3340 W Main St
Hours- M-F 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Castleberry & Associates
540 Merchant Drive
Hours- M-Sat 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Park on Main
3750 W Main, Suite AA
Hours- M-F 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Mane Man III Salon
129 24th Ave NW
Hours- M-F 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Notification of additional locations and other opportunities will be available both on the Unite Norman Facebook page and at www.UniteNorman.com.

Those who wish to volunteer or donate to the effort can do so at www.UniteNorman.com.