Lawton City Council Ward 7 candidate preview

Lawton Ward 7 voters will be taking to the polls on August 25 to vote for their next representative.

Those registered to vote will decide between incumbent Sherene L. Williams and opponents Elisabeth White, Jonathon Thompkins, Morgan Valdez, Joe Murchison, and Christal Thompkins.

All candidates were given the same questions with the same amount of time to respond. Neither Murchison or Jonathan Thompkins responded to our request for comments. Below are the answers provided by the candidates as given.

What is your main reason for wanting to run for city council?

Williams: "I am the Lawton City Councilmember for Ward 7 and have been since January 8, 2024 and I am a Retired Lieutenant Colonel, a combat veteran;m who served in Kuwait,  Afghanistan and Qatar.  I managed a 3 billion dollar budget of contracts in the military. Throughout my career, I have worked with thousands of people.  I am running for (RE-ELECTION),  because I love what I do; helping my constituents and other citizens in the community.  I thank God for the opportunities.  We have beautified sections of Ward 7, by painting homes for free, which brings up the Return of Investment (ROI) overall value of a home 2% to 5%  and helps to protect structural damage. We have mowed yards for free.  New homes has been built in Lawton View,  Rolling Hills and Oak Ridge Additions and that has bought up the value of other homes.  Beautification lowers crime rates.  I have had safe and clean signs mounted in sections of Ward 7 to help keep the neighborhoods safe, clean and healthy.   I will continue to have infrastructure upgraded, the entrance in front and pasted the Old Southwestern Medical Hospital infrastructure has been repaired and the Boyles Landing Addition, 38th and Lee Blvd up to 52nd Street is currently being repaired,  Sheridan and Lee Blvd up past Bishop School will be having a full depth rehabilitation and 38th Street and Lee Blvd up to Bishop Road will soon be repaired.  I believe we must continue to invest in our youth, which FISTA offers Science, Technology,  Engineer and Math (STEM) to our children. I will continue to support our police officers,  firefighters and first responders, because they are our public safety. I ask that you RE-ELECT me, Sherene L. Williams for City Council Ward 7, August 25, 2026!"

White: "My mom always said, “If you don’t like something – change it.”
I’m running because I believe Ward 7 deserves a councilmember who will listen to residents, ask questions, and be willing to speak up when something doesn’t make sense. My background is in banking and leadership, and for the last several years I’ve worked in roles where I’ve had to manage people, solve problems, look at the numbers, and make decisions that affect other people. I want to bring that same approach to city government. I also believe people should be able to understand what their city government is doing with their money. Residents shouldn’t have to dig through meeting minutes or make a records request just to understand how a decision was made or where money was spent. If I’m elected, I want to make transparency and communication a normal part of how I represent Ward 7.
I’m not running because I think I have all the answers or solutions to every problem. I’m running because I’m willing to listen, do the work, speak my mind, and be accountable to the people who elected me."

Valdez: "The main reason I’m running is because I have a calling to serve people and I think we need some changes in our city. I’ve always been an advocate for people and I think that really sets me apart in all the jobs that I’ve done in my career and just helping in my community  I’m just really excited to serve my community and the people of my ward. I think we need positive things to continue and new ideas and that’s really the main reason why I’m Running. I think we also need someone that listens and is willing to make changes."

Thompkins: "The main reason for running, is to put laws in place that will protect the people in this community the democracy of the 80s 90s and 2000s is changing and we need laws to protect us. My main goal is to write as many laws as I can that will protect the people of this community."

Homelessness has been a hot topic for several months now. How do you feel the city has been handling the unhoused population? And how do you plan to get involved, if at all, in addressing the situation?

White: "I think this is an issue where we have to be able to hold two thoughts at the same time: we can have compassion for people who are struggling while also recognizing that the city has a responsibility to maintain safe and usable public spaces. I don’t think moving people from one location to another is an appropriate solution. If we move people without addressing why they are there in the first place, we haven’t really solved the problem. We’ve just moved it somewhere else.
I would like to see the city work more closely with local nonprofits, churches, service organizations, law enforcement, the county, and other community partners to identify what resources actually exist and where the gaps are. I believe that a centralized, or shared, intake software and long-term case workers are the key to measurably reducing chronic homelessness. We also need to know what happens after someone leaves an encampment or receives assistance, and have a way of documenting that. Are they getting connected with housing? Mental health or substance abuse services when needed? Employment assistance? Identification and other basic services?
I also believe there needs to be accountability. Compassion does not mean ignoring public safety, sanitation, property rights, or laws. But enforcement should be part of a larger strategy, not the entire strategy. As a councilmember, I would want to focus on solutions that actually move people toward stability rather than moving the problem around the city.

Valdez: "I think homelessness is something we’re always going to have to work on. It’s not going to go away. We need to have proper resources in place for people who want help and I think that’s gonna take working with our nonprofits and finding the resources from our community that can really help . finding some low income housing for people that are willing to work and get some help because that’s really where it starts. I want the resources and we have to help with that so that’s how I will get involved."

Thompkins: "I feel that they did not handle the homeless situation well at all. Lawton just put a Band-Aid on this situation. In a low wage community it's going to take years, Lawton allocating money to the homelessness in this community and people need to see that especially people who are one paycheck away from being homeless need to see that we are investing in that community rather than kicking them out. And how we treat the least in this community says a lot about this community and it's not a good thing."

Williams: "Currently, the MIGHT Community Development & Resource Center is renovating the old Roosevelt School, located at 1502 SW  I Avenue.  They are doing this to help homeless families to transition from homelessness.  MIGHT will provide 1to 2 bedrooms (10 rooms) for families and one respite care room.  This will be for families who have made up their minds that they do not want to be homeless. There will be five offices for the organization. The homeless will be provided ID'S, case management and the health department will collaborate with them.  Also, there will be information provided about homeless prevention.  There will be up to 50 resources provided by the MIGHT Community Development & Resource Center.  Non-profit organizations has come together to address issues concerning the homeless and one report has already been given to the city council and another report will be in the near future.  Mental illness is an issue, as well as addictions. But, those individuals was offered help and some accepted help according to the report given to City Council and the Mayor."

How will you balance constituent requests with city staff recommendations when they conflict? For example, if residents request traffic-calming measures but city staff recommend "no action" based on technical data, how will you evaluate and respond?

Valdez: "I would need to know the reason why it’s a no action and I need to have all the reasons why I need to know why we can’t and even if they present the data .you know sometimes data over people isn’t right and so I think just standing up and doing the right thing fighting for the people in the ward is gonna be most important because sometimes you’re gong to get no but I think there’s other ways to do something to where then we can get a yes, so I’m just not going to stop at no I’m just gonna continue to fight and do the right thing."

Thompkins: "I will mention it every council meeting I will write laws to put on the agenda every council meeting. I will tell my constituents what they need to do to get it on the agenda."

Williams: "Just recently at the June 23, 2026 Council Meeting, item 7.  Consider approving a resolution regarding the intersection of SW Lee and SW 13th Streets, directing staff to begin the process of removal based on the absence of (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) MUTCD warrants for said signal. Also, recommended according to the MUTCD.  I as the City Councilmember for Ward 7 have alot of disabled people that cross that particular intersection from the South side to the North side in wheelchairs.  I motioned to "not" have these signal lights removed, because of safety issues. It was seconded and unanimously approved. 

White: "I would start by listening to both sides. City staff have expertise and access to data that councilmembers may not have, so I think it would be irresponsible to ignore their recommendations. At the same time, residents are the people who actually live with the issue every day, and I don't think their concerns should be dismissed just because a spreadsheet doesn't immediately show a problem.
If residents were asking for traffic calming and staff recommended no action, I would want to understand why. What data was reviewed? What time periods were considered? Are there other safety concerns that aren't reflected in accident statistics? Are there lower-cost alternatives we could try? Sometimes the answer may still be no. But residents deserve an explanation of why, and they deserve to know what would have to change for the city to reconsider the issue. I would listen, look at the facts, ask questions, and then make the best decision I can, and then I’ll publicly explain the reasoning for the decision made.

Beyond existing municipal programs, what specific initiatives or partnerships will you champion to reduce litter and illegal dumping in your ward?

Williams: "I already help with the Buffalo Soldiers adopt a street that cleans adopted street on Cache Road. On 52nd and Lee Blvd past Casey store up to Bishop Rd, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated is their adopted Street, this is in Ward 7.  For Ward 7, I plan to organize in the near future to have different organizations,  such as the Veteran Foreign Wars, Post 1193, Veteran Foreign Wars, Post 5263 and others to come together and do a neighborhood sweep in Ward 7.  I have already been educating my constituents about illegal dumping.  That it does not beautify Ward 7 and that the law needs to be adhered to."

White: "I think we need to approach litter and illegal dumping from both sides: making it easier for people to do the right thing and holding people accountable when they deliberately dump illegally. I want to see more public trash cans. They should be visible and well maintained, in high traffic spots. I would also like to see the city use the information it already receives more effectively. If the same locations are repeatedly reported for illegal dumping, that should tell us something. We should be able to identify those hotspots, determine why they're occurring, and focus enforcement and prevention efforts there.
We need to reevaluate the current trash service – one can, once a week is not always enough for an average family. Bulk pickup has many restrictions in place that make it hard to utilize for fear of being fined."

Valdez: "Have more recycling bins even for homes and have incentives to get people to use dump or offer more bulk pick up days."

When dealing with dilapidated or dangerous structures, what is your strategy for balancing individual property rights against the need to revitalize neighborhood properties?

White: "Property rights are important, and I don't believe the government should be able to take action against someone's property simply because a building isn't attractive or doesn't fit someone's idea of what a neighborhood should look like. At the same time, owning property comes with responsibilities. If a structure is genuinely dangerous, creates a public safety issue, attracts illegal activity, or negatively affects surrounding properties, the city has a responsibility to address it. I would want that process to be consistent and fair. Property owners should know what the problem is, what they are being asked to do, and what options they have to correct it. The city should also distinguish between a property that is simply run-down and one that poses an actual danger.
Where possible, I would rather see rehabilitation than demolition. That means looking for partnerships, incentives, grants, or other tools that can help responsible property owners bring buildings back into use. The goal shouldn't be to punish property owners for falling on hard times and letting certain responsibilities of homeownership fall by the wayside. The goal should be to protect neighborhoods, protect property rights, and improve the community at the same time.

Valdez: "I think there should be timelines in place or if the owner wants city to take care of their will be a fee and if not put liens on homes . There needs to be better processes."

Williams: "Any citizen property that is bought before City Council to be considered dilapidated and dangerous,  neighborhood services bring it to the City Council,  there it is decided whether it goes on the dilapidated and dangerous (D&D) list.  If it us recommended to be placed on the D&D list, the citizen is given the opportunity to get a permit and bring the structure up to code.  I, the Catalyst Behavoriour Center and citizens in the community have painted 9 homes for free in Ward 7.  Painting a home the Return of Investment (ROI) brings up the overall value of the home 2% to 5%.  Our legal department is involved in the process of dilapidated and dangerous homes, to ensure that the citizens property rights are not violated."

Evaluating the City Manager is a core council duty. What key performance metrics and leadership qualities will you prioritize during performance evaluations?

Valdez: "We need to look at our city manager and how they are handling situations. Also how are they helping our city maintain safety growth and revenue we need to have ways our city is making revenue. I think those would be the three key metrics. I also think there should be some reevaluation of salaries I think we need to do that throughout the city so those would be my top three things for the city manager that I would need to make sure we are following."

Williams: "The quantitative measurement used to evaluate performance,  progress is monthly. The city manager is evaluated monthly on his administrative execution of his ability to work with City directors.  His final stewardship is balancing the city budget (then approved budget through City Council and the Mayor), financial stewardship,  that the financial audits with no major material weaknesses and that the budget is completed on time.  He also manage and secure external funding (local projects through grants).  The city council monitor the city manager organizational leadership skills by his completion of improvements and community goals are on schedule.   Council monitor in his ability to retain staff. City manager relationship with City Council and Mayor is to provide accurate and timely updates to City Council, relating to inquiries we have sent him.  This is related to Council goals and he puts into actionable administrative results.   As a Councilmember,  I provide transparency and quality service to the community that I communicate to the City Manager."

White: "I would evaluate the City Manager based on results, not personality. Some of the things I would look at are whether the city is staying within its budget, whether projects are being completed on time and within budget, whether departments are meeting measurable goals, whether residents are receiving the services they're paying for, and whether the City Manager is following through on the priorities established by the Council. I would also pay close attention to communication and transparency. If there is a problem, I would rather know about it early than find out after it has become a much bigger problem.
As far as leadership qualities, I would look for honesty, accountability, professionalism, good communication, and the ability to accept responsibility when something goes wrong. I also think a good City Manager should be willing to tell the Council when something isn't realistic or isn't in the city's best interest. I don't want someone who simply tells us what we want to hear. The Council's job isn't to micromanage city employees. It's to set direction, establish expectations, and hold the City Manager accountable for carrying those expectations out. I would take that responsibility seriously.

If elected, what specific project or initiative do you aim to launch or champion within your ward?

Williams: "If  I am re-elected, one of my project that I will be doing is the etiquette training for our youth!  My focus will be painting more homes in Ward 7 and I plan to coordinate to have a Huge Christmas party for Ward 7 constituents!  Also, to continue to give educational meetings for Ward 7 constituents."

White: "One of my biggest priorities would be improving communication between Ward 7 residents and their city government. I want residents to have a clear way to bring concerns forward and know what happens after they do. That includes holding regular Ward 7 town halls and creating a more organized way to report and track issues that residents are facing. I also want to focus on the condition of our neighborhoods, including streets, drainage, parks, trash service, litter, and other basic city services. A lot of these aren't glamorous projects, but they're the things all residents across this very diverse ward notice every day. I don't want to walk into office with a list of projects that I decided residents need. My first priority would be listening to the people in Ward 7, identifying the issues that come up repeatedly, and then working with city staff to determine what can realistically be done.
I think representation should be more than showing up for a council meeting and ribbon cuttings. If I'm elected, I want Ward 7 residents to know that they have someone who will answer them, bring their concerns forward, publish and explain votes, and follow up when something needs attention."

Valdez: "Working on roads in ward 7 getting youth involved starting ethics committee and getting food pop ups for resident who are disabled in the ward."

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on August 25.