Not sure if you live in OKC's Ward 5? Check here and meet your city council election candidates
City council seats are up for election for about half of Oklahoma City's residents on Feb. 14.
In Ward 5 — which encompasses southwest Oklahoma City largely between Interstate 44 and S Santa Fe Avenue — Councilman David Greenwell stepped aside to make way for four candidates to run for his seat held since 2011. The candidates on the ballot are Jeff Owen, a nurse practitioner; Audra Beasley, paralegal; Thuan Hieu Nguyen, CEO of an independent insurance agency; and Matt Hinkle, Ward 5 planning commissioner.
Owen, 56, is a nurse practitioner and was previously an Army drill sergeant. An Oklahoma City resident for 21 years, he received his Bachelor of Science in nursing from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and graduated with honors from Georgetown University's Family Nurse Practitioner School.
Oklahoma City Council elections:Who's running? Check OKC ward map, where to vote and more
Beasley, 44, is a fifth-generation south OKC resident and is an estate planning and corporate management paralegal. She received her bachelor's in political science from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Nguyen, 46, serves on the city's Urban Design Commission and the MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board Connectivity subcommittee, and is the founder and owner of THN Insurance Solutions. A resident of Oklahoma City for 30 years, Nguyen escaped communist Vietnam for Midwest City in 1980. He received a bachelor's in biochemistry and a master's in biostatistics and epidemiology from the University of Oklahoma.
Hinkle, 60, has served on the Traffic Commission since 2018. An Oklahoma City resident for 37 years, Hinkle is the general manager of Tyler Media's Outdoor Advertising. Hinkle graduated from Norman Public Schools in 1980.
The Oklahoman sent each candidate for city council the same four questions that will help voters get a feel for each candidate's priorities and stances on issues facing Oklahoma City. Owen, Beasley, Nguyen and Hinkle's responses can be found below, edited for brevity and clarity.
If you're a voter in one of the other wards up for election, The Oklahoman compiled similar Q&As with those candidates, as well.
Oklahoma City Ward map
And if you're uncertain of which ward you live in after some redistricting as a result of the 2020 census, you can find out what Oklahoma City ward you are in by searching for your home address in the city's interactive ward map.
Ward 2 Candidate Q&A: Not sure if you live in OKC's Ward 2? Check here and meet your city council election candidates
Ward 6 Candidate Q&A:Not sure if you live in OKC's Ward 6? Check here and meet your city council election candidates
Ward 8 Candidate Q&A:Not sure if you live in OKC's Ward 8? Check here and meet your city council candidates
Editor's note: Responses from all candidates were edited for brevity and clarity. Responses are in the order candidates will appear on the ballot. Additional notes from The Oklahoman are found in italics.
Q: What would be your top priority if you were to win your election?
Owen: I will work every day to make Oklahoma City the Most family-Friendly City in America. That will happen by solving the homeless problem in OKC, reducing crime and drug-use, having a moral compass, strengthening families, improving education opportunities, continued economic growth, infrastructure enhancement and repairs, revitalization of our business districts and excellent core city services.
Beasley: My top priority is being accessible and available for my constituents and community leaders. I want to learn as much as I can from others to make informed decisions about the issues I’ll decide on. I’m a disability rights advocate and believe we must do better to remove barriers to access that keep citizens living with intellectual and developmental disabilities isolated and discriminated against and often removed from community events and gatherings.
I believe our unhoused population is an issue that demands immediate attention and should be prioritized in our MAPS 4 planning. I’ll take a deeper look into what barriers Oklahoma City can remove for all those needing help with housing and also those willing to help assist our city and those in need.
Our first responders need trauma-informed response training. All citizens are entitled to a happy and healthy life in a safe and clean city with affordable housing, good jobs and thriving schools.
Nguyen: My top priority is connecting South OKC to the whole city. Connectivity means improving our roads, sidewalks, and public transportation. It also means connecting leaders who work in our city government to the people who live, work, and serve on the south side.
Hinkle: My top priority is ensuring that the city council is focused on the basics of governing: protecting public safety, investing and maintaining roads and infrastructure and creating an environment where our families can thrive. Time spent discussing and addressing issues that are not within the authority of the council is time not spent serving the residents of Oklahoma City.
Q: Oklahoma City is the 10th-largest city in the nation, creating debate over whether the city needs to focus on existing infrastructure, or accommodating those in rural areas. What would you do to ensure residents across the entire community receive comparable city services?
Owen: We should be able to create a balanced approach to infrastructure improvements in Oklahoma City. One approach would be to allocate funds to each ward, based on population. Citizens would complete surveys to reflect their desires for infrastructure priorities. The results would be compiled and the recommendations presented to the City Council. Each citizen would have the freedom to choose improvements for their neighborhood/ward or they could choose to allocate funds to the OKC general fund for bigger projects, such as parks, a new arena, etc.
Beasley: My husband and I own our home in south OKC and are also agricultural landowners. I understand the needs in both urban and rural areas. My work to bring access to many of our current buildings and parks in Oklahoma City has helped me see that our current infrastructure needs attention, and our parks, sidewalks, and streets need maintenance and barrier removal. Citizens living in our rural areas in Oklahoma City are no different than our urban residents, we’re all deserving of a happy healthy life.
As we continue to see population growth, we must provide a safe and clean city for all — a city that provides opportunity for economic development, necessary infrastructure, quality education and affordable housing.
Oklahoma City is really, really big:How it got that way, and the challenges it faces due to its size
Nguyen: Living on the south side in Ward 5, I am uniquely aware of our city's areas being under-invested by our government. The residents of South OKC pay their fair share in taxes but are not receiving adequate investments in return. Our roads, sidewalks (or lack of them), and public transportation routes are not receiving the attention they deserve from our city government. To solve this problem, I will connect city government leaders with the people of OKC.
Hinkle: As Planning Commissioner for five years, I have had unique exposure in reviewing residential development, both urban and rural. In alignment with Plan OKC, the infill development occurring in all wards to create new housing is impressive, but it is not enough to keep up with the population growth. As long as we maintain essential infrastructure and allow rural development in a sustainable manner, we can better accommodate the needs of all residents.
Q: The Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area continues to show a strong rate of population growth and a low rate of unemployment. If you are elected, what would you do to ensure those trends continue?
Owen: Enhance the business sector growth in OKC. Expand our current growth industries: aerospace, aviation, defense, biotechnology, energy, etc. Match educational opportunities to address the skill sets needed to support the industries of tomorrow.
Beasley: With smart and intentional planning, Oklahoma City can be the most accessible city in the nation, drawing investment, jobs and growth in this great city. It’s something to strive for, it’s what I’ll advocate for.
When we build a city with all in mind, future generations will thank us. Clean, healthy, accessible, and diverse cities who focus on its people naturally draw more economic development and entice out of state companies to relocate here. As a small business owner since 2007, I value efficiency and economical operating costs, opportunities, low cost of living and a high quality of life. I’ll look for resources available to small business owners such as tax incentives and grant opportunities and highlight those who provide student and job opportunities for all abilities, like Not Your Average Joe’s.
More:OKC is now America's 20th largest city by population
Nguyen: Our continued population growth and low unemployment are attributed to our economic strength as a city. I am not only a businessman, but I have owned my own business for 10 years. I know what it will take to keep our city economically strong. It will include investing in ourselves and keeping our taxes low.
Hinkle: The main objective of a city council is to develop policies and utilize the city budget effectively to continue to provide current services while also planning for future growth. As recent resident surveys have shown, the current city administration has done a great job of providing exemplary services to residents while at the same time planning for and executing a strategy that has resulted in a thriving community.
As we continue to expand current and attract new industries and businesses, the population increases which in turn increases city revenue and the funds available in the city budget, and results in even more growth. It’s a cycle, and if we execute each step of the cycle correctly, Oklahoma City will continue to succeed in the future.
Q: Oklahoma City and its police department and the state of Oklahoma currently are being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice to determine whether they discriminate against adults with behavioral health disabilities. Does this concern you, and how would you address the issue if you are elected?
Additional coverage on this topic can be found at Oklahoman.com.
Owen: It is concerning anytime there is an allegation of misconduct. We do not need to jump to conclusions based on allegations. We should accommodate the Department of Justice while they conduct their investigation. Once the investigation is complete, we will determine the appropriate actions based on the findings. Our response needs to be based on the facts as they are discovered.
Beasley: I’m thankful for Oklahoma City Police Department and the officers who put their lives on the line each day to protect and serve my family and our communities. When we take time to learn about one another and our differences, we’re better equipped to handle a barrier and crisis and do so with the best possible outcome.
In the event an individual living with disabilities encounters police, officials are encouraged to make reasonable accommodations in policies, practices, and procedures when necessary to avoid disability discrimination. The investigation into a Complaint filed with the United States Department of Justice against the State of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, its police, and Oklahoma County concerns me greatly.
We’ve seen a great number of disabled citizens experiencing a mental health crisis end up in jail. We lack the community support system needed to provide adequate mental health care. We need trauma-informed response training, an issue that’s at the top of my list to dive into for the benefit of our first responders. I also believe equity training, education on disability rights, etiquette and awareness would benefit police jurisdictions across the state.
Nguyen: I will represent everyone as a city councilman. This includes our police and all first responders. We must support them as a council. The due process of justice will play out, and if there is any wrongdoing, it will be found, and I will be a part of the solution.
Hinkle: This is, and should be, concerning to all council members. As the only Ward 5 candidate that has the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police, I am very committed to ensuring that all emergency personnel have the tools and resources to respond to all citizens in all types of situations.
Mental health has been an increasing factor in many emergency situations and it is important that responders have the necessary training to be able to recognize and react accordingly. However, they cannot be all things at all times, therefore, it is just as important to have effective partnerships with mental and behavioral health experts so those involved in a situation can continue to receive appropriate support and treatment.
MAPS 4 has over $100 million dollars identified for homelessness and mental health and addiction which can and will make an impact in how mental and behavioral health is addressed in Oklahoma City. It is critical that city council ensures that these funds are used for this purpose.
Oklahoma City's council election is Feb. 14
Love, and democracy, will be in the air this Valentine's Day.
Oklahoma City residents from wards 2, 5, 6 and 8 will vote on their next city councilmember on Feb. 14. To request an absentee ballot, see a sample ballot or find your polling place, visit the Oklahoma State Election Board's OK Voter Portal. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Jan. 30, and absentee ballots must be hand-delivered by 5 p.m. the day prior to an election or received by mail no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Early voting will run Feb. 9 and 10 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Oklahoma County Election Board, 4201 N Lincoln Blvd. South Ward 5 residents can vote early at the Cleveland County Election Board at 641 E Robinson in Norman, or the Moore Norman Technology Center at 13301 S Pennsylvania in Oklahoma City.
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the location of early voting in Cleveland County.
What's ahead?
You can find Q&As for all of the wards up for election on Feb. 14 on oklahoman.com, or look for these in the newspaper this week.
Tuesday: Ward 6
Wednesday: Ward 8
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC's Ward 5 city council election candidates discuss priorities
