On two occasions, a hint of controversy surfaced when candidates were asked about endorsements or financial contributions from special interest groups.

Ward 6 candidate Jeff Moore acknowledged to the crowd of 40 people that he had been endorsed by the Midwest City firefighters union and the Mid-Del-Moore realtors association. Moore also admitted he had received contributions from both groups, but intended to return them.

“One of the contributions I haven’t even picked up, and the other one is still in the envelope and hasn’t been opened,” he said, after the forum.

Moore will face military retiree Bill Bridges and insurance adjustor John Laudermilk in the Ward 6 race on Tuesday.

Ward 2 candidate Jay Dee Collins, a former assistant police chief in Midwest City, acknowledged he had been endorsed by the firefighters, but did not say if he accepted financial contributions. Collins will face challenger and local attorney Daniel Bays on the Feb. 14 ballot.

On another occasion, Ward 4 candidate and incumbent Jim Ray mentioned that he had not been endorsed by any group, including the firefighters, because of his stance against the city’s non-uniformed employee union. Ray voted not to extend the union contract after a state law became effective, which allows cities of more than 35,000 people not to recognize non-uniformed employee unions.

Ray will face Tinker Air Force Base employee Edward Graham in Tuesday’s Ward 4 election.

Forum thoughts

Questions at Wednesday’s political forum surrounded economic development, candidate qualifications, candidate expectations if elected and their opinion of Midwest City’s single most important issue.

Ray, Graham and Bays told the audience Midwest City’s high crime rate is a top priority while Moore focused on the city’s rental registration ordinance, which passed last year amid protests from realtors and landlords.

Collins said he believes the city’s quality of life is the single most important issue, while Bridges focused on the city’s appearance and its emergency services personnel at the police and fire departments.

Bays also addressed the city’s image among people living outside Midwest City.

“When I say I live in Midwest City, people ask me ‘why?’ It’s perception. If you Google Midwest City and hit news, the first 10 stories you’ll see are crimerelated. Google Edmond and you’ll see the top stories are about economic development and business expansion. We need to change the perception people have of this city,” he said.

The demise of Heritage Park Mall was a prominent issue for Graham.

“I don’t think we’ll get retail stores again, but we need to get the appropriate people in there. We need to take a clue from the shopping mall industry and get a medical clinic or call center. Right now, we have a narrow window. If we don’t get new tenants soon, then we should be prepared to inherit this problem if it’s not developed,” Graham said.

Graham also reported that the “current owner” already is trying to sell the former mall, which still houses Life Church and Sears. The mall was purchased in April 2011.

More redevelopment

Meanwhile, Ray said his focus would not be on the former mall, but rather on redevelopment of the city’s Original Mile and the North Oaks neighborhood, which often is the site of criminal activity. Recently, a renter shot and killed an armed intruder in the North Oaks area.

Ward 2 candidates Bays and Collins talked about ideas they would promote if elected. Bays said he wants to make Midwest City a more attractive place to live, and to help grow the city in terms of residents.

Meanwhile, Collins said residents and city officials should develop a “woe is Midwest City” attitude because of a drop in residents from 2000 to 2010.

“We’re a more mature city,” Collins said.

“We’re not in decay. We have a great core group of people in Midwest City. We’re not growing at the rate we used to, but we’re not in decay, either.”

If elected to the Ward 4 seat, Graham said he would make the city’s sewer plant renovation and Heritage Park mall top priorities. Graham also said he wants to attract more businesses, new housing developments and decrease the crime rate.

tfarley@eastwordnews.com

See ward boundary, polling places map - Page 7