By Tim Farley

City council incumbent Turner Mann believes Jeff Moore - one of his three opponents in the Ward 6 race – would have a “conflict of interest” if he was elected.

Moore, 49, is a homebuilder and has worked extensively in the Midwest City area on various developments, which routinely are brought before the council for its approval.

“I think he could be pushing his own agenda in regards to building homes,” Mann said. “You never know what’s on a person’s mind. Voters have to be sure that someone doesn’t come in with a personal agenda and stop the momentum we have as a city.”

Moore replied that he doesn’t believe his work as a homebuilder would impede ability to make good decisions as a councilman.

“I guess having any experience or knowledge about economic growth would mean a conflict of interest for Turner,” he said. “I would like for someone to explain how that (home building) would be a conflict.” Term limits Moore then questioned Mann’s motives for seeking another term in office.

“Term limits were written for a reason,” he said.

Mann, who has served Ward 2 since 2000, would not have been allowed to seek another four years in office because of term limits. Using 2010 Census data, the city council redrew ward boundaries last year to achieve a balanced population for each ward. That action allowed Mann to seek another term since he now lives in Ward 6. Prior to the ward boundary realignment, Mann lived in Ward 2.

Mann also is being challenged in this election by John Laudermilk, an insurance adjustor, and Bill Bridges, who is retired from the U.S. Air Force.

City’s momentum

Mann said his motive for seeking another term is to help the city maintain its “momentum” in terms of new businesses, completed public projects and economic growth.

“We’ve done a lot of good things in the city and I want to see that continue,” he said. “This will be a good race. I’ve had a good run. I’d be comfortable with whoever wins as long as they try to be all things to all people.”

Mann, a law enforcement agent with the state’s Child Support Services division, also praised the city’s ability to maintain services and avoid employee layoffs.

“A lot of cities haven’t been that fortunate. Right now, our finances are good and our budget is good,” he said.

Back to basics

Meanwhile, Moore said he wants to bring a “business person’s approach to the council” and ensure that all citizens are heard at city hall.

“Sometimes I think they (city officials) forget the business people and the citizens. They forget why they’re there. I want to bring back the type of city government where the city council and the mayor serve the public and listens to the citizens and their desires. I want to bring that voice back to the citizens,” he said.

Moore said he has received support from the Midwest City firefighters and the Mid- Del Board of Realtors.

Pro-growth

Laudermilk said he is running for office because he wants to help Midwest City grow.

“I think I can add to what’s already being done,” he said. “I have the ability to look long term and how we should develop as a city. The theory is city councils are the most important form of government and I believe that’s true.”

Laudermilk is a pro-business advocate who also wants to see the Ward 6 neighborhoods become more eye-appealing.

Bill Bridges, who is seeking public office for the first time, advocates building more homes in Midwest City.

“When you do that, more businesses will come and that really helps with sales tax growth, which is the main way our city brings in revenue,” he said.

Bridges, retired since 1979, also is a proponent of cleaning up Ward 6 neigh borhoods and supporting all Midwest City unions, including the non-uniformed employee union. He says he opposed the city’s rental registration law that went into effect last year because officials did not consult with landlords before the issue was made public.

tfarley@eastwordnews.com