Edmond Life and Leisure - August 8, 2024

Mayor Davis won’t seek another term

It is now official. Edmond Mayor Darrell A Davis will not seek another term when this one is up in the spring of 2025. It is sad news but totally understandable that he would like to spend more time with his family and truly be retired. This man, in his quiet polite manner has given so much service to Edmond and certainly deserves recognition. Davis does not really like the spotlight but prefers to just do the work but too bad, we are going to honor him anyway.

Darrell A. Davis is the 55th Mayor of Edmond, Oklahoma. Mayor Davis served on the Edmond City Council representing Ward 3 from 2011-2021 before being elected Mayor on April 6, 2021, and reelected for a second term on April 4, 2023. In 2021, he retired as Chief of the Installation Contracting Division at Tinker Air Force Base with a combined 35 years of Federal contracting experience.

Mayor Davis has always believed in giving back to his community and considers it an honor to hold a variety of responsibilities in the Edmond and greater Oklahoma City communities. He currently serves on the Edmond Public Schools Foundation Advisory Board, University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) President’s Council of Advisors, and the UCO Master of Public Administration Advisory Board. Mayor Davis also served on the Edmond Chamber Diversity & Inclusion Board and was the Chairperson of the Edmond Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for over 12 years. He was also an adjunct professor for South-eastern Oklahoma State University Teaching Contract Management and Business Communication from 2007-2023.

Mayor Davis is a proud Leadership Edmond Graduate Class XIV and was recognized in 2020 as the Leadership Edmond Alumni of the Year. His other accolades include the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Boys Scout of America Eagle District, the 2022 Teacher Appreciation Foundation Public Sector Hero Dignitary Award, the “John A. Reed Jr. Spirit of the Community Award” from Fairview Missionary Baptist Church, 2023 Art Star Award from Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education and 2024 Black History recipient for Public Service from St. John Missionary Baptist Church.

Mayor Davis holds a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College, a Master of Arts from Webster University, and is a graduate of the Air Force Air War College.

Davis has quietly given much to his community. We promised to let our readers know as soon as he made his decision official.

Do he and I always agree? No, we do not but that is the way it should be folks. He has served this community with the best interests of all the citizens and refuses to pander to any specific crowd. This is to be admired in my book. He has suffered tremendous abuse, along with other council members, during his years in office as a council member and as mayor. This really needs to stop. We need good people to run for office and this is no way to treat people willing to serve even if we do not agree with them.

Mayor Davis, we thank you for all your service, the sacrifice of being away from your family and making hard decisions on behalf of the City of Edmond. We wish you the best in your time away from public office and that you get that time to go fishing. Just be sure and stop by the office to pick me up to go with you occasionally.

Here is his official letter:

Today, I am announcing that I will not seek reelection as the Mayor of Edmond. Oklahoma in 2025.

I have served the citizens of Edmond on the City Council for the past 13 years: serving 2 1/2 terms as the Councilperson for Ward 3 and am now completing my 2nd term as mayor. I am humbled to have had this opportunity to serve this great community. It has been an honor and privilege.

I am grateful for the strong support I have received from the community during this journey. In my life, it has been observed that time and time again it takes a village. My family is my village. They have supported me from the day I walked into the house and asked them, “Are we going to run for mayor?” Some people may not understand the important role a strong family plays in public service. It comes with great sacrifice, but I have been blessed to have them by my side every day. They love this community as much as I do.

I have served the citizens of Edmond, and now it is time for me to devote all my time to my family.

Over the past 13 years, with the help of numerous people, the city has seen positive growth in many areas. Here are some that have been accomplished:

• Our second Crest family-owned grocery store

• Public-private partnerships:

o Edmond Schools, YMCA, City of Edmond for Senior Center & YMCA Complex at Mitch Park

o City of Edmond & Edmond Schools - Edmond Center Court

• Edmond 66 Ballpark

• KickingBird Golf Course Renovation

• Stephenson Park Renovation

• Barnet Field & Ted Anderson Splash Pads

• Edmond Community Behavioral Health Assessment

• Urban Land Institute (ULI) Advisory Panel Report

• Housing Assessment

• Public Safety Center

• Relocation Fire Station No. 2

• City Center Complex

• Ten Police Academies - 92 Officers

• Six Fire Academies - 67 Firefighters

• Park 17

• The Icehouse Project

• The Lark

• Hurd on Hurd

• Vibes

• Cycle 66

• Intelligent Transportation Systems - ITS

• EdmondShift

• East Edmond 2050 Plan

• Covell Road Enhancements

• Intersection enhancements:

o 2nd and Bryant

o Covell & Santa Fe

o Covell & Kelly

o Covell & Bryant

o Covell & I-35

• Increased number of Trails

• Water Treatment Enhancement

• Hilton Garden Inn

• Edmond Conference Center

• Show Biz Cinema

These are not all the projects that have been accomplished, but the exciting part is all the future projects in the planning stages.

Commercial development means job creation for all of Edmond. Increasing residential development shows there is a desire for new residents and families to move into the area. Why is this happening? Because we have created and sustained the three pillars that I truly believe in - Quality of Life, Safety, & Excellent Schools.

I encourage the next mayor and council to continue the strategic momentum the city has accomplished.

For example, we must continue the support of the Rapid Transit Authority (RTA). The benefits for downtown egress, Amtrack expansion, and overall citizens’ safety are tremendous.

Our strategic investments in the water treatment and sewer service capabilities for our expanding city will take advantage of the opportunities to increase our rate payer base and protect our investment in our treatment plant facilities.

Continue to create economic opportunities to attract business and an environment where everyone feels welcome with opportunities to work, grow, and play along our economic generators of I-35, Route 66, and US-77.

Our Congressional, Legislative, and County Commissioner relationships continue to grow. We are fortunate to have elected officials who are engaged with Edmond and the opportunities it provides.

We must not forget the part of the village that works continually to keep our city functioning. We have over 850 employees providing customer service, first responders, police, and fire support. I want to thank you all for your selfless service. You keep Edmond running safely every day for our residents, businesses, and visitors.

I have met so many great people during my time serving Edmond. It is humbling to have a birds-eye view as the city continues to grow. I cannot wait to see the next chapter for Edmond as our friends and neighbors step up to continue Edmond's success.

The announcement that I am not running for reelection comes now so that, perhaps, there is someone in Edmond who wants to step up like I did and continue to make Edmond a better place to live. I will continue to work hard to serve the people of Edmond until my term ends and will forever champion that this is the best place to grow.

Mayor Darrell A. Davis

(Ray Hibbard may be reached for comment at ray@edmondpaper.com.)