Judge: University Unfortunate Petition University | News

Publisher’s note: This story was updated at 4:26 p.m. on February 21 to reflect the good language of the declaration of marketing and communications of Ou. This story was updated at 4:34 p.m. on February 21 to include a declaration by Danny Lovell. This story was updated at 5:12 p.m. on February 21 to include a declaration by Cynthia Rogers. This story was updated at 11:07 p.m. on February 21 to include a statement by Stephen Tyler Holman.

A Cleveland county judge ruled on Friday that the explanation contained in the petition to transform the entertainment district of the North Park University into a public vote was insufficient, cutting the vote of the ballot.

According to Judicial filesJudge Jeff Virgin noted that the referendum request was not valid and judged that it was struck to appear on a ballot for a public vote.

“After having examined the procedural acts presented as well as lawyer arguments, the court concludes, for the reasons set out in the procedural acts of petitioners / Protestants as well as oral presentation, that the essence contained in the referendum petition 2425 -1 is insufficient “, the document read. “As such, the court judges the referendum petition 2425-1 invalid and the latter will be struck by the ballot.”

Paul Arcaroli, one of the three residents who filed the petition in the name of Oklahomans for responsible economic developmentsaid it was unfortunate that Virgin governed in this way, but they will appeal the decision.

“It is necessary to appeal because it is the legal means to obtain our day in court, so to speak. The initial hearing is only part of the process, but the right of appeal is just as important, “said Arcaroli. “I always think we have done the right thing, and I think we will have a good chance of calling on.”

In a statement in or Daily, UO marketing and communications said that the university was satisfied with the court decision.

“It is an important day for Norman, its citizens and the surrounding community,” said the press release. “We are satisfied with the court decision which opens the way to the entertainment district – representing the type of development that Norman needs to be a city of destination that stimulates economic growth and offers new opportunities for housing, jobs and jobs and Resident services, all without increasing taxes. “”

The press release indicates that the entertainment district and New Arena would strengthen connectivity between Norman and the University.

Danny Lovell, CEO of Rainier CompaniesA real estate company and a development partner on the project, wrote in a text to share similar feelings daily with the university.

“We are satisfied with the decision which now allows us to start the development process of the entertainment district and to execute our shared vision in collaboration with so many local stakeholders,” wrote Lovell.

Lovell wrote despite the respondents indicating their intention to appeal the decision, he remains optimistic.

“We remain positive thanks to the whole process which comes next and continue to feel strongly from the advantages of the project for the city of Norman and its citizens,” wrote Lovell.

UO’s economics teacher Cynthia Rogers said daily that nearly 350 signatures she had collected for the petition, the majority of residents she met knew what the petition was talking about.

“Very few people had not heard of it or did not know what it was …,” said Rogers. “This is exactly how the system is designed to make it very difficult to have something voted while people clearly wanted to vote on this question.”

Rogers said they would try to collect funds to pay the legal representation to call on the case.

“The legal process and the system can be very frustrating,” said Rogers. “I would be interested in seeing what (the judge) thought insufficient in the essentials.”

In a press release published on his Instagram history, the member of the Council 7 and the elected mayor Stephen Tyler Holman wrote that he had found the decision disappointing.

“I find that it is a disappointing decision given the number of signatures that the petition has obtained which were verified by the city clerk,” wrote Holman. “It was clear to me that people knew very well what they signed the petition. I hope that a call for this decision will lead to a public vote on this subject so that it can be settled once and for all.”

Wednesday, The first hearing for legal challenges Was heard by Virgin at the Cleveland County Justice Palace. About fifty residents were present despite the winter time which delays the audience from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Laws Denise Lawson, Sean Rieger, Spencer Smith and Scott Henderson represented the petitioners, who argued that the explanation, or the essentials, of the petition was insufficient for the signatories to make an informed decision.

“The petitioners argue that most of the referendum petition is insufficient and should therefore be nailed by the ballot,” said Lawson.

Lawyer Rob Norman represented the respondents, who included Pamela McCoy-Post, Arcaroli and Richard Lorenz Sundag, and argued that the petitioners had made technical criticisms that outdo most of the petition.

“(The petitioners) argue that he should contain a laundry list, a dinner menu full of additional arrangements which, as we said in our brief, end up looking like the dinner menu at Chili. This is not what it is about, ”said Norman.

Background

Around 1 a.m. on September 18, the Norman municipal council Approved the entertainment district of the North Park University 5-4. During the meeting, more than 70 residents expressed support and opposition to the district and its financing by tax, or tif, the model.

On September 20, three Norman residents filed a petition To transform the district into a public vote.

Organized by non -profit Oklahomans for responsible economic development, the petitioners collected 11,602 signatures More than 30 days, exceeding the 6,098 required by law. Of the 11,602 submitted, 10,698 signatures were approved by the municipal clerk Brenda Hall.

On November 19, David Nimmo, president and chief executive officer of Chickasaw nation industries; Kyle Allison, director of Allison’s Fun inc.; Vernon McKown, CEO of Ideal Homes & Neighbourhoods; And Dan QuinnThe former member of the district of the district 8 and real estate agent for Dillard Cies, filed the challenge of opposing the petition.

According to the opinion of 119 pages, the demonstration challenged most of the petition and argued that it did not comply with a Oklahoma status This requires a referendum petition to summarize the nature of the referendum vote proposed in a way that can be understood by those who do not practice the law.

“Rather than trying to distill the legal effects of the ordinance in a way that the ordinary person could understand, the language of most of the supporters, stated below, rather tries to follow the highly technical and often complicated terms of the order itself “,” the opinion can be read

The vote was initially planned for the municipal election of February 11, but was delayed due to the legal opinion.

This story was published by Ismael Lele and Ana Barboza.