The Edmond Way editorial board interviewed the candidates for the upcoming city elections to help readers make informed voting decisions.
David Miller, Stacie Peterson, Michael Buoy and Ryan Dahle are running for Ward 4 councilmember.
Miller is the most experienced candidate, having previously held the seat from 2001 to 2012 before resigning. He also served as mayor pro tem.
“The first time I chose to run was because I wanted the environment in Edmond to be something that my daughters would want to stay here when they grew up,” Miller said. “I’m going to claim a win on that, because all three of them live here. Now, I have three young grandsons. I’m looking at them, I’m looking around at what’s going on in Edmond, and I want to get back involved. I think I’ve still got enough passion and energy to do it. I’ve got a lot of expertise to bring to the table.”
Miller said his platform is based on “liveability,” making sure development is done properly.
“If we’re not doing development, then we’re going the opposite direction,” Miller said. “If we’re not growing, we’re dying, that’s my philosophy. Having said that, we’ve got to balance the development with the residential nature, it all kind of flows together, make sure it all complements each other.”
Miller said he doesn’t believe businesses should ever be shut down for reasons such as the COVID-19 pandemic. He also said he believes businesses have the choice of whether to require masks. In both cases, he said, the consumer can choose whether to patronize the business.
Miller also pointed out if he and mayoral candidate Darrell Davis both lose, no one on the council will have more than two years of experience.
Peterson said she believes traffic is the biggest issue needing to be addressed in Edmond, especially in Ward 4.
“Edmond should continue to do better to keep those intersections moving,” Peterson said. “I know a lot of folks are worried about the growth on the east side of Edmond… There’s already traffic issues going on, significant traffic issues on the west side of Edmond. So, I think the most intense areas need to be touched first.”
Peterson is also focused on Edmond’s water infrastructure and scheduled rate increases.
“All of those are important to cover that infrastructure, so we don’t have to purchase water from other entities, and we can be the sole provider for our water,” Peterson said. “I think that those increases probably need to be readdressed for the growing population and adjusted to the population… maybe even slow down those increases or even halt (them), especially on lower-tier users, probably 8,000 to 10,000 gallons or less.”
Peterson said businesses and individuals have a right to dictate mask-wearing on their property, but she believes the government does not have the right to require it in public.
Buoy has lived in Edmond for 11 years. He works in real estate and is heavily involved in ministry work, as well. He described himself as someone passionate about the Constitution.
Buoy said Ward 4 has a lot of vacant buildings which need to be filled.
“I think we need to figure out a way to attract businesses into those areas,” Buoy said. “Those are really strong residential communities in Ward 4 where a lot of those buildings are, so we need to find things that are going to facilitate, whether it’s food or activities, we need to find things that are going to be attractive to more of a residential-type community area.”
Buoy said it is important to continue growing the community, but only in such a way Edmond remains one of the best cities around.
Buoy said traffic is a big issue, but he does not understand starting multiple road projects at once.
“I do think we need to use wisdom and common sense and not shut down the same road in multiple areas,” Buoy said. “We need to make sure that there is a workaround whenever we are doing this construction. We’ve had a lot of construction in Ward 4 recently, and I feel like those roads have been closed for five years now.
Buoy said he does not believe in mandating wearing masks or getting a vaccine.
The editorial board reached out to Dahle, but he was not available for an interview.
The primary election is Feb. 9, with the general election to follow April 6. Residents can only vote for the ward in which they reside in the primary, but all Edmond residents can vote for all council seats in the general election