Quartz 5

Mayor of the City of Lawton

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Mayor of the City of Lawton

Overview

The Mayor of the City of Lawton serves as the presiding officer of the City Council and the ceremonial head of city government, as defined by the City Charter of the City of Lawton.

Lawton operates under a council–manager form of government, meaning that administrative authority is vested in the City Manager, while legislative and policy authority is vested in the City Council. The mayor’s role is primarily legislative, procedural, and ceremonial, with limited voting and veto authority as outlined in the Charter.

Form of Government

  • Legislative Authority: City Council
  • Administrative Authority: City Manager
  • Presiding Officer: Mayor

The mayor does not supervise city departments or employees and does not manage daily operations.

Election and Term

  • Elected at large by the qualified electors of the City of Lawton
  • Serves a three (3) year term
  • Term begins on the second Monday in January
  • Limited to three (3) consecutive terms

Powers and Duties of the Mayor

Presiding Officer

The mayor:

  • Presides over City Council meetings
  • Ensures council meeting agendas are available
  • Maintains order during council proceedings

Voting Authority

The mayor may vote only in the following circumstances:

  • To break a tie

  • On adoption of the annual budget

  • On motions to appoint, suspend, or remove the:

    • City Manager
    • City Attorney
    • City Clerk

The mayor does not vote on other matters before the council.

Veto Authority

The mayor has the authority to veto ordinances passed by the City Council.

  • The veto must be issued within seven (7) days of passage
  • The veto must include a written statement of reasons
  • The City Council may override the veto by a two-thirds vote of all members

If the mayor neither approves nor vetoes an ordinance within the prescribed time, the ordinance becomes effective by operation of law.

Ceremonial and Public Duties

The mayor:

  • Serves as the ceremonial head of the city
  • Is recognized by the Governor for purposes of military law
  • Delivers an annual State of the City address
  • May issue proclamations and public messages to the community

Administrative Limitations

The mayor:

  • Has no administrative authority
  • May not direct city staff or departments
  • Must interact with city administration solely through the City Manager
  • May not participate in hiring or firing except as specifically authorized by the Charter

Mayor Pro Tem

  • Elected by the City Council from among its members
  • Serves during the absence, disability, or vacancy of the mayor
  • Exercises all mayoral powers except veto authority
  • Casts only one vote on council matters

Historical List of Mayors of Lawton

Mayor Form of Government (1901–1911)

  • Colonel Leslie P. Ross (1901–1903)
  • Dr. William M. Turner (1903–1905)
  • Richard A. Jones (1905–1909)
  • Henry Boyle (1909–1911)
  • G. H. Block (1911)

Commission Chairman Form of Government (1911–1923)

The City transitioned from a Mayor form of government to a Commission Chairman system.

  • George Short (1911–1913)
  • R. Henry Warren (1913–1915)
  • Henry Boyle (1915–1917)
  • R. Henry Warren (1917–1918)
  • Sim Sheppard (1918–1919)
  • George Short (1919–1921)
  • F. A. Parkinson (1921–1922)
  • J. A. Johnson (1922–1923)

Mayor / Alderman Form of Government (1923–Present)

The City returned to a Mayor-led structure.

  • John D. Kennard (1923–1924)
  • G. S. Holman (Acting Mayor) (1924–1925)
  • Charles S. Powell (1925–1929)
  • Fred Larrance (1929–1931)
  • Dr. Jackson Broshears (1931–1933)
  • Walter Fuller (1933–1935)
  • Richard A. Jones (1935–1941)
  • R. Everett Glenn (1941–1947)
  • George Hutchins (1947–1949)
  • R. Everett Glenn (1949–1953)
  • Joe McCain (1953–1955)
  • C. R. Ellsworth (1955–1961)
  • Wayne Gilley (1961–1971)
  • Don Whitaker (1971–1975)
  • Wayne Gilley (1975–1989)
  • Robert L. Shanklin (1989–1991)
  • Colonel John T. “Ted” Marley (1991–1998)
  • Cecil E. Powell (1998–2004)
  • John P. Purcell Jr. (2004–2010)
  • Fred L. Fitch (2010–2019)
  • Stan Booker (2019–present)

Sources

Notes

  • This page documents the charter-defined office of the Mayor of Lawton.
  • Individual mayor biographies are maintained on separate pages.
  • Historical government structure changes are noted for clarity and context.

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