Visit with Local Elected Official, Robert Castleberry

I visited with Robert Castleberry, City of Norman, Oklahoma Ward 3 City Councilman.  Robert is married to one of our own Career Tech employees, Robyn Castleberry, Moore Norman Technology Center Assistant Director – Information and Enrollment.

Robert has served on the Norman City Council for three and a half terms.  His first term, which was one-half of a term, was appointed by the City Council.  His second term he won by 88% of the vote and his last two terms he ran unopposed.

I asked Robert what he felt was his most known accomplishment while being on the city council so far.  He replied it had to be the formation of the Norman Forward project.  Norman Forward is a $200M project that is working on projects for the City; an Aquatic Center, library, and many sporting complexes are included in the project.

He said that Norman is the only city in the State of Oklahoma and one of the few in the nation that puts a vote to the people on any utility rate hikes.

I asked Robert what one of his biggest challenges was being a city council man.  He said being a minority as far as thinking as a conservative.  Norman, being a college town, is pretty much liberal around the campus and intercity.  The outskirts of the city are more conservative.  The city council is made up of more liberal-thinking people.

Since 1996, Robert has run his own CPA firm, Castleberry & Associates.  He said sometimes owning his own business may pose a problem.  Citizens may not like how he votes on an issue and he may lose business for his company.

This experience in visiting with a local elected official was enlightening for me.  I learned a lot about the make-up of a city council and the highs and lows that go along with this position.  Overall, he said he enjoyed his position on the council and the most enjoyable part was the interaction with the citizens of Norman.

Ernie Gomez
2017 OK PACE Division Fellow
Moore Norman Technology Center
Oklahoma City, OK