Edmond Voice Endorsement – Mark Nash is the Best Choice for Edmond Mayor
March 27, 2025 (from The Edmond Way):
On March 17, 2025, the editorial board of The Edmond Voices held its monthly podcast to interview the final two candidates for Edmond Mayor. Incumbent Mayor Darrell Davis announced last year that he would not be running for office again, which brought 4 candidates forward to file for the mayoral office. Of those four, Mark Nash garnered the most votes in the primary, with Tom Robins not far behind. These two moved forward to the general election which is to be held on April 1, 2025 (no jokes about April Fool’s Day, please). Of these two candidates, Tom Robins declined to join our podcast. Mark Nash did join the podcast and a fulsome interview occurred. Of these remaining candidates, Mark Nash stands alone as the most qualified and prepared person to lead Edmond into an era of growth and collaboration.
Both candidates completed questionnaires and those questionnaires were reviewed in great detail by both the Edmond Voices editorial board and the management team of The Edmond Way.
Mark Nash has broad experience as a business process consultant helping businesses around Oklahoma and across the country. He understands public finance and public budgeting, having served as a fiscal analyst for the Oklahoma State Senate and the Department of Public Safety. Additionally, Mark has served as a board member of the Edmond Public Schools Foundation and the Edmond Economic Development Authority. He was also a committee member for the East Edmond 2050 plan. He is an active member First Christian church where he has participated in both local community outreach programs and overseas missions.
Former Speaker of House Thomas P. O’Neil famously said that all politics is local. At a time when federal and state politics seem rancorous and counterproductive, local politics matter more. Simply put, effective change happens closest to home. Your vote always matters, but it matters more here. That’s why we believe that the choice for Mayor is clear. Mark Nash cares about our community and wants to improve life in Edmond for all of us. He has the financial background and the knowledge and experience to improve Edmond in ways that will benefit all of us. The Editorial Board is pleased to endorse and support Mark Nash in the election on April 1, 2025.
FOOTNOTE: Nash won the election on April 1, 2025 by a sizeable margin – 5,296 (54.85%) to 4,360 (45.15%).
Edmond Voices Endorsement: Marcus Jones – Clear Choice for Edmond School Board
March 19, 2025 (from The Edmond Way):
As is our tradition, on February 17, 2025, the Edmond Voices Editorial Board held its monthly podcast to interview the two candidates for Edmond Public Schools Board Seat 5. The two candidates, incumbent Marcus Jones, and challenger Jim Putnam were both contacted and invited to attend, both accepted and a reminder email was sent to both a few days before the Edmond Voices podcast. Despite this, the challenger, Jim Putnam was a no-show. When contacted, he said he “forgot” and went to another meeting instead. The Board went ahead and interviewed Marcus Jones, who did show up, participated and joined our podcast.
Both candidates completed questionnaires and their answers were reviewed by the Edmond Way editorial board. Although the board did not get to interview Putnam personally, we were concerned at his lack of civic involvement in Edmond, as well as his focus on bringing discipline back into the classroom, without any specifics or qualifications.
During our in-person interview, Marcus was asked what he saw as the biggest single issue facing our school district and he quickly replied that choosing a new, qualified superintendent was by far the most critical issue. He responded that the superintendent holds great responsibility and selecting the right person for the job ensured the overall success for our school district. Marcus discussed that he is a product of Edmond Public Schools, that his children attend Edmond Public Schools and that he has a true interest in protecting and promoting our school system. He also noted that if he had a magic wand, he would wish for more support for our public school teachers and would wish to provide compensation equivalent to what they are truly worth. Marcus also discussed his technology background and his goal in improving technology for our students. He mentioned that he makes it a point to try to visit all of the schools in the District frequently to understand each school’s needs and strengths. He has been an active supporter and a hands-on board member.
Although we only interviewed one candidate, the choice for Seat 5 of the Edmond School Board seemed clear to us. Marcus has done a stellar job as the incumbent and truly cares about our children and the future of our school district. The Board also believed it is a huge benefit to have an actual parent involved in our school decisions, rather than just someone trying to rattle sabers. The Editorial Board is pleased to endorse and support Marcus Jones in the election on April 1, 2025.
FOOTNOTE: Jones won the election on April 1, 2025 by a sizeable margin – 2,401 (55.17%) to 1,951 (44.83%).
Ward 1 Residents Abandoned … Twice.
November 26, 2024 (from The Edmond Way):
In the fall of 2022, Tom Robins announced his candidacy for the Ward 1 City Council seat. In doing so, he entered into a social contract with residents that if elected he would represent them to the best of his ability for four years. On April 4, 2023, Edmond residents accepted that contract by electing Robins as the representative for Ward 1, and on May 1, 2023, he swore an oath to those residents.
There is some question at what point Robins decided to break that contract, but the Tom Robins for Edmond Facebook page contains an announcement dated August 9. There is arguably some question when the remaining City Council members and Mayor “knew” of that decision. Regardless, on October 31, less than half way through his term, Robins formerly resigned from City Council. He broke his promise to the Ward 1 residents he swore an oath to represent. Furthermore, he broke this promise and his oath in order to ask all Edmond residents to give him the opportunity to make another (empty?) promise and take another (meaningless?) oath to this community. So now the Ward 1 residents will be “represented” by someone they didn’t choose, someone they didn’t elect, someone they have no voice in.
And whether by malice or incompetence, the City has added insult to injury. The City says that when a vacancy arises the Charter provides that the City Council appoints someone to fill the vacancy until the next General Election. That is correct. Section 12 of the Charter does state that the Mayor and Council will appoint an “eligible person” to fill the vacancy. But here’s the part you are NOT being told about the appointee: “who shall hold said office until the next general City election, when such vacancy shall be filled as in the case of an original election, but only for the unexpired part of the term of said office.”
The next Municipal General Election is Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The Primary Election is Tuesday, February 11, 2025. Ignore the incorrect dates previously reported by the City, these are, in fact, the correct dates per the Oklahoma State Election Board. According to State law (26 O.S. §13-102) notice of a municipal election shall be sent to the county election board “Not fewer than fifteen (15) days before the filing period for any regular municipal election.” The first day of the filing period is December 2. That means the City had at least until November 15 (and possibly November 18) to submit for a Ward 1 election and failed to do so.
So far the City has not provided a valid explanation why the Ward 1 council seat was not submitted for election when it had time between the October 31 official resignation and the November 15 deadline. Ward 1 residents deserve better than to have their representative walk away less than half way through their commitment. All Edmond residents deserve an explanation why the November 15 deadline doesn’t apply, and if it does, why Ward 1 residents’ right to a democratic election has been directly violated.
Rhonda McLean, Edmond Ward 1 Resident & member of Edmond Voices
Say No, No, No to the GO
October 30, 2024 (from The Edmond Way):
On November 5th, voters in Edmond will find a General Obligation Bond issue on the ballot. Not one question, but three. And, if any of the three questions pass, your property taxes will go up 14.4%. It does not matter whether one, two or all three questions pass, it is still a 14.4% increase. So why are there three questions you ask? Because this way those people passionate about streets can vote for streets; those wanting park improvements and more trails completed can vote for that; and if that doesn’t work, there is a question about supporting the fire department.
The whole issue and process is full of problems. The only reasons to vote for it are 1) you want to diversify the tax base of Edmond City government; or 2) you don’t mind paying 14.4% more in property taxes. Yes, we need to solve our street maintenance problems and continue to improve other aspects of our community. But, this is not the way.
To be clear; here are many of the reasons to vote No:
- There is nothing in any of the three questions that force the City to only spend the money on the 22 projects the City Council endorsed. By rescinding the resolution, the City can choose how to spend the $231 million.
- The City has way over-extended itself with a new municipal complex and parking garage, along with commitments for a new library, YMCA, and maintenance funding for The Uncommon Ground art park.
- It is 15 mills even if you only approve the public safety (fire department) question which needs only $11 million.
- Why have the fourth highest property tax in the metro area when you brag about having the lowest sales tax rate? Why should property owners bear the entire burden when those not living in Edmond come to town and drive on our streets and use our parks?
- Seniors eligible and using the “senior freeze” on property taxes will still see a 14.4% increase in what they pay. The “freeze” merely stops the valuation of their home from increasing; it has nothing to do with the tax rate and ultimate taxes they pay.
- We have a housing crisis on our hands. We have been talking about that for four years. This increase, if passed, guarantees that the problem will be worse. Renters are not immune. Landlords have already stated they are increasing rent in anticipation of the tax.
- Passing this can only damage the Edmond Public Schools ability to pass school bond elections in the future. Recent results around the state validate the concern that trying to increase property taxes for cities and counties results in a backlash for the school district when the next bond election is held.
There are more reasons, some valid, some not so rational. But it doesn’t matter. This is not the solution to our municipal government funding problems. It is way too much. It was poorly thought out, and it unfortunately looks like more of the same old same old. These three propositions have drawn strong citizen opposition, with Vote No signs appearing throughout the city.
Let’s slow down and find the answers to what we need here in Edmond. Let’s not rush through the process merely “to beat the schedule” on renewing the ½ cent Capital Improvement Sales tax in 2027. Vote NO, NO, NO on November 5th and then let’s work to find solutions that work for everyone.