My time to serve

By: J. David Chapman/April 27, 2023

I approached the dais just as I have every other Monday night for the last four years. The mayor will call the meeting to order, we will pray, and pledge allegiance to the flag. We will approve the minutes, vote on nominations of citizens to boards and commissions, vote on general consent items, vote on administrative items, approve purchases, consider resolutions and ordinances, and conduct an Edmond Public Works Authority Meeting.

We will consider and discuss planning items, listen to any citizens’ comments, hear any comments from the mayor and city council members before finally adjourning.

This time is different. It is my last time to take a seat at this dais as the City of Edmond Ward 1 councilmember.

I was sworn into the Edmond City Council in May 2019 and had a real passion for downtown Edmond and urban development. I lived downtown, worked downtown, and played downtown. I really saw potential in the urban fabric of downtown Edmond and thought I could have an impact on the economic development and future of Edmond.

As a city councilmember I am most proud of improving the quality of life for the citizens of Edmond, the progress of downtown Edmond, and added amenities for those living in Ward 1. We have improved the infrastructure of Edmond including water, sewer, electric and transportation systems. We have added smart meters for water and electric and kept our police and fire the best in the metro area. We completed a railroad quiet zone, implemented a tax increment financing plan, performed code-improvement studies and other improvements that have made it easier to do business in Edmond. We are building a new city hall complex including a parking garage and courthouse. Construction of a new YMCA and library for east Edmond are planned, and significant planning on Arcadia Lake is complete.

It has not been without challenges. The pandemic was difficult and divisive. I served during significant national social and civil unrest, a historic polar vortex, and momentous ice storm. We lost our first police officer in the line of duty. These and other situations have made it an interesting and difficult time to serve on the city council. In the end, I am glad I made a decision to impact my community. I think I have, but four years is enough. I am glad to move aside and make an impact in other ways.

J. David Chapman is a professor of finance and real estate at the University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu).