SPORTS BUSINESS LIVING $276 Wolverines nearly claw back Othello’s makes its return Then there were three SAVINGS IN COUPONS! THE SUNDAY TRANSCRIPT Visit www.normantranscript.com for breaking news Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018 NORMAN, OKLAHOMA $1.50 Bryant denies any wrongdoing legal counsel to advise them Norman city attorney bemused by potential investigation into conduct about it and I think that Mack Burke ity of a city council backed from other recent meetings ney or that I’m not expected invited to [the executive ses- outside legal counsel advised Transcript News Editor investigation aimed at him. for unrelated reasons. He to attend meetings or advise sions],” he said. “So, I don’t them at the last executive @MackBurke4 Bryant said he was said he is still the city attor- council,” he said. “Nobody’s really know what went on session.” on vacation earlier this ney and plans to continue to told me that.” or where they’re at. I haven’t Th ough the investiga- Norman City Attorney month when he fi rst dis- serve the city in that role as Bryant said he does not had any direct conversa- tion item was tabled by the Jeff Bryant said his recent covered the council was he has for the past 14 years. know what a potential inves- tions with any of the council council on Aug. 21 follow- absence from city council considering instructing the “It certainly has not been tigation might include and members about what their ing discussion in executive meetings has nothing to do city manager to investigate communicated to me that I has denied any wrongdoing. issues might be. Th ey did, I with the looming possibil- him and has been excused am no longer the city attor- “I obviously was not think hire separate, outside See BRYANT Page A3 Sooner Nation celebrates fi rst win of the season POLITICS Growing concerns Medical marijuana entrepreneur numbers higher than anticipated rado (commercially),” Janelle said Bud Scott, executive Stecklein director of the medical CNHI Oklahoma marijuana trade group @ReporterJanelle New Health Solutions Oklahoma. OKLAHOMA CITY With few emergency —Th e vast numbers of rules governing busi- Oklahomans applying to ness regulations — and become medical mari- still no legislative action juana entrepreneurs is — experts say the State stunning some industry Department of Health, insiders, raising concerns which is overseeing im- that state offi cials could plementation, really has soon be fi ghting the larg- little authority to control est black market in the or limit the number of country. commercial marijuana “We’re on pace right Kyle Phillips / The Transcript now to out-license Colo- See NUMBERS Page A3 OU’s Curtis Bolton celebrates a touchdown Saturday after a punt block during the Sooners’ game against Florida Atlantic University at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. See full coverage, Sports. POLITICS: JOHN McCAIN Brookhaven Run gets Oklahomans moving Tributes echo with COMMUNITY Caleb Slinkard the competitors were hav- criticism of Trump Transcript Editor @CalebSlinkard ing a good time. Men’s winner Frezer By Laurie Kellman ance against a president Legesse from Oklahoma Associated Press Writer McCain openly defi ed in It’s known as the fastest City, a professional run- life as the antithesis of the 5k in Oklahoma. ner sponsored by Under WASHINGTON — American spirit of service It might also be the most Armour, grinned wide and John McCain’s daughter to something greater than fun. pumped his arms as he and two former presidents any individual. Th e 33rd annual broke the tape at the fi nish led a public rebuke of Standing near McCain’s Brookhaven Run had line with a time of 14:57. President Donald Trump’s fl ag-draped casket and hundreds of runners from Only a few seconds behind divisive politics at the late with Trump’s daughter near and far competing for him were Andrew Leahey senator’s memorial service in the audience, Meghan a cash prize and a chance (15:19) and Aaron Sherf McCain delivered a at breaking the men’s and Saturday in a call for a (15:32). broadside against the un- women’s state record, both return to civility among “Th is race is an awe- invited president without of which have been set the nation’s leaders. some race. Th is was on the mentioning his name. Kyle Phillips / The Transcript during the competition. Travis Caperton / For the Transcript Th e nearly three-hour list of things I wanted to “We gather here to Frezer Legesse won the No records fell Saturday Ashley Carreon crosses the service at the Washington do, along with competing mourn the passing of Brookhaven Run. See top 50 morning, but the race was fi nish line in fi rst place in the National Cathedral was a fi nishers, Page B4. fi erce nonetheless, even if See BROOKHAVEN Page A3 female division. remarkable show of defi - See McCAIN Page A5 Member INSIDE Newspaper WORD of the day Inside Holdings, Business C1 Inc. Classifi eds D4 Vol. 129 serrated Example: Beside it, s Andy Rieger: OU No. 51 Crossword C3 (adj) serr-a-ted a tall needle of rock, architecture program Copyright Deaths A3 [ser-ey-tid] serrated and sharp, encouraged student creativity 2018 Living D1 — Page A4 1. having a notched shot up. s David Boren: The SMART PHONE All rights Opinion A4 reserved edge or sawlike teeth, — My New Curate debate over dreamers – DIRECT LINK Four Sports B1 especially for cutting; P.A. Sheehan a crisis of moral identity sections Weather B6 — Page A5 Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018 THE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT A3 the majority of those funds “It’s a little frustrating, but I’ve given a lot to the memory of Gambill express- server issue and we didn’t going to the Center for Eco- ing such concerns to him, have enough room on the Bryant: nomic Development Law. city ... I’m confident that people who know me and said the assertion that server. Yeah right.” From Page A1 “While the CEDL in- are not bothered by some of the things that he was unduly granting city Bryant said he does recall voices may not reveal legal have been said recently.” business to McAfee and an issue many years ago session, Bryant confirmed wrongdoing, they do suggest Firm is false and unfounded. concerning whether the city that he has hired his own at- that Norman’s elected city “That’s total [nonsense,]” had enough server space to torney in the matter. Though officials were often being Jeff Bryant, Bryant said. “That’s not who keep emails without buying no city council members maneuvered around to City attorney I am and that’s not some- additional storage space but have confirmed or denied achieve the outcome desired thing I would be involved in. denied any wrongdoing. the status of a possible in- by the OU Foundation and That’s the craziest thing I’ve Regarding the possibil- vestigation, many have told other individuals and organi- ever heard of.” The Transcript they have ferent direction.” matters were being taken to ity of an investigation in zations with an economic in- Former council member arbitration that were “dog Kovach said there were the present, Bryant said he been advised not to speak terest in the continuation of other issues related to open on the issue until it has been Tom Kovach, who was first losers,” and that raised red believes the truth will come the UNP TIF,” Gipson’s letter elected to the city council in flags for him. records dating back to his out and he will be vindicated resolved. time on the council, as well. states. “The City Attorney 2008 and served until 2014, “Why were we taking los- by an investigation. It is unclear whether any “The law would require signed off on these invoices said this isn’t the first time ing arbitrations to arbitra- “It is a little frustrating that possible investigation, or the something and [Bryant] for payments to CEDL, but Bryant has drawn scrutiny. tion?” he said. “It’s expensive. they would hold an execu- fact that the council tabled it is unclear whether the city would come up with a work- the topic, has any connec- “There was quite a bit And who was doing those tive session when I was on council or other city staff around,” Kovach said. “We tion to City Manager Steve of talk when I ran about arbitrations for us? McAfee vacation and then not one were informed of the discus- actually came up with an Lewis’ pending departure changing the charter be- and Taft. My opinion, then of them reached out to me sions or consulted about ordinance just to make him next month. It’s also unclear cause certain department and now, is that he was individually to talk about direction.” heads, [Bryant] in particular, either negligent in taking follow the law. He was trying whether such a potential to come up with some way an issue they might have,” investigation has any con- Bryant said those expen- weren’t receptive to the those [employee firings] Bryant said. “But I’ve given ditures were approved by council,” Kovach said. “That to arbitration or he had an to twist the law into a pretzel nection to recently disclosed … A specific example was a lot to the city. I’ve had a the city manager and the did not pass, but there was ulterior motive. We had a lot documents revealed via an there was a FOIA request career that’s lasted over 32 council and the claim that quite a bit of energy toward of them.