EDITORIAL: Edmond Endorsements
Experience & Knowledge Are Necessary
On April 6th, Edmond voters will go to the polls to elect members to the City Council and EPS School Board. During this time of chaos and uncertainty caused by the pandemic and political divide, Edmond needs strong leadership focused on the entire community; not just one-issue candidates with narrow agendas. While each and every candidate in both the city council and school board elections are genuinely nice and well intended citizens of Edmond, the Edmond Way Editorial Board has found that experience and knowledge separates the candidates in each race.
In the city council races for Mayor and Ward 4 and, there is no shortage of experience. We strongly endorse Darrell Davis for Mayor and David Miller for the Ward 4 council seat. Davis has been the Ward 3 City Councilman for the past nine years, was on the Parks and Recreation Board for 15 years before being selected for the Ward 3 city council seat in 2011, and was named the 2020 Alumni of the Year for Leadership Edmond. His overall experience and knowledge of how Edmond city government runs will be critical to our future, as we lose both a seasoned member of the city council and several top city employees who are retiring in the next year or two.
David Miller returning to the council as Ward 4 city councilman should bring a wealth of experience back to the council. Miller was the Ward 4 city councilman from 2001 to 2012 before moving out of state. His return would mean placing an experienced and knowledgeable person on the council with his history of hiring key employees during his previous service. Miller was the city council representative to the Edmond Economic Development Authority for ten years which also provides strong experience and knowledge of what private sector organizations are looking for in locating and expanding in Edmond.
In the Ward 3 council race, we endorse Christin Mugg, a local estate planning attorney, who has demonstrated a willingness to learn about Edmond city government and has the legal background to quickly comprehend complex legal issues that routinely appear before the city council. Since Mugg made the decision to run for the council seat, she has attended and spoken at numerous council meetings, has attended planning commission meetings, and has visited with key city staff members about critical city departments, services, and key boards commissions. This willingness to learn before being elected shows a strong commitment to the position and the citizens of Edmond.
For the Edmond Public Schools Board of Education District 1 seat we give our endorsement to Lee Ann Kuhlman. Kuhlman’s unique experience among current board members, as a life-long educator, has served her well as the District 1 representative for the past ten years. She was a public school teacher from 1972 to 2010, with more than 14 years experience as an educator for the Edmond Public Schools. While facing numerous tough decisions, and often looking for compromise in the best interest of students and teachers, Kuhlman has shown that she is an excellent choice to retain her seat on the board.
The other candidates in these races, while not gaining our endorsement, bring a new generation of interest in local politics and our schools. We encourage them to get involved, serve on municipal boards and commissions, and learn about the infrastructure and operations of Edmond government. It is encouraging to see the competition we have had this election cycle and we hope that this growing interest will continue in the years to come.