Dr. Michael Nash

My short-term goal is to urgently address the public health and safety crises arising from homelessness by proposing an ordinance to regulate the use of public spaces, which includes banning structures and limiting possessions on city property to enhance safety and cleanliness. For the long term, I aim to eradicate homelessness in Norman by rejecting divisive "housing first" vs. "treatment first" debates and implementing a system that swiftly connects individuals to appropriate services without unnecessary city-imposed conditions, similar to Houston's successful model that coordinates a network of providers to streamline access to housing and services. This strategic shift focuses on enhancing service efficiency over merely increasing temporary shelter beds, fundamentally aiming for a community where assistance is prompt and tailored to individual needs, ensuring everyone can access the support they require to regain stability.

I oppose the current TIF proposal for Norman as it presents a poor financial arrangement, potentially diverting $1.5 to $3 million annually from our general fund to finance an entertainment district, thereby necessitating cuts to essential city services like public safety. The structure of the TIF, with its 100% diversion of sales tax revenue, means funds that could benefit the entire city are instead locked into paying off the arena's debt, a stance I maintained despite being in the minority in the council vote. To mitigate this financial impact, I suggest revising the TIF to reduce the sales tax diversion rate, aligning it more closely with other TIFs which split the diversion, thus protecting our city's financial health and ensuring no reduction in crucial services like police and fire protection. At that point, it becomes a question of whether the People want it? The clear answer is no. I am committed to providing as much information as possible to ensure that public opinion is based on a thorough understanding of the facts.

I am vehemently opposed to the construction of a turnpike or any partnership with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA), an organization I believe to be corrupt based on extensive research and historical analysis. Since rejoining the council in 2023, I have dedicated myself to educating my colleagues to prevent Norman from becoming another victim of OTA's deceptive practices, having already blocked initiatives that would have significantly disrupted our community. In addition to advocating for rigorous environmental impact assessments for major projects, I am also proactively working to safeguard our water supply by preparing for potential litigation should the turnpike be constructed and damage Lake Thunderbird.

Ward 5 plays a crucial role in safeguarding Norman's water supply as the area's soil naturally filters rainwater and pollutants before they reach Lake Thunderbird. I am committed to opposing overdevelopment in Ward 5, as such actions threaten the entire city's water independence. Protecting and preserving the rural character of Ward 5 is a priority for me, not just out of preference, but as an essential necessity for our community's well-being. I am also committed to keeping the city on-track with the 2060 Strategic Water Supply Plan to ensure that we meet the needs of the future population. Keeping with the major capital projects planned in the 2060 SWSP is of utmost importance because if we do not, the cheaper alternative is for the city to continue to drill giant wells into Ward 5, which jeopardizes the ability of nearby private wells to produce enough water for the families they supply.