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Marlon Coleman
50th Mayor of Muskogee, Oklahoma
In office
July 6, 2020 – April 9, 2024
DeputyDerrick Reed
Preceded byJaney Cagle-Boydston
Succeeded byPatrick Cale
Muskogee City Councilor for the 4th Ward
In office
2014–2020
Personal details
Born
Marlon Joseph Coleman

(1972-03-23) March 23, 1972 (age 52)
New Orleans, Louisiana , U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Phoenix (MBA) Andersonville Theological Seminary (Th.D)
SignatureMarlon Coleman Signature

Marlon Joseph Coleman (born March 23, 1972) is an American politician, civil servant, and Baptist minister from Louisiana who served as the 50th mayor of Muskogee, Oklahoma, from July 6, 2020 to April 9, 2024. A member of the Republican Party, Coleman is the first African American to be elected Mayor of Muskogee. Prior to becoming mayor, he served as a city councilor for Muskogee's fourth ward between 2014 and 2020.

Early life and education

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Marlon Joseph Coleman was born in New Orleans when his mother was 17 and grew up in the 9th Ward of New Orleans. He was raised by a single mother, until she married his stepfather when he was four. His step father was physically abusive and Coleman and his two siblings would frequently stay with their grandparents. In his youth, Coleman would drag race in New Orleans, but he cites the death of his grandfather as motivating him to turn his life around.[1]

He attended the Andersonville Theological Seminary, obtaining in Doctor of Theology, and later the University of Phoenix obtaining a Master's in Business Administration.[2]

Early career

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Coleman spent 22 years working for the Federal Government, with both the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.[2]

Coleman first started preaching while living in New Orleans at the Pleasant Valley Church.[3]

Move to Muskogee

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Coleman moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma in 2010.[4] He became the full-time pastor of Antioch Church in Muskogee in 2011.[1] Coleman was the president of the Neighbors Building Neighborhoods of Muskogee, Oklahoma from 2017 to 2018.[5] In 2019, Coleman was recognized as an associate dean during the 2019 National Baptist Congress.[6][7]

Muskogee politics

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City Council

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Coleman announced his candidacy for the Muskogee City Council fourth ward in November 2013.[4] He faced Dean Swan and Claressa Vealy-Dyer in the general election to succeed retiring city councilor Kenny Payne.[8] Marlon Coleman won the election for the fourth ward with 87% percent of the vote.[9] He served as a city councilor for the fourth ward for six years.[10]

Mayor of Muskogee

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Campaigns

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Coleman started his campaign for mayor in late in 2019, facing off against six opponents, including then incumbent mayor Janey Cagle-Boydston.[11] During the 2020 mayoral elections, Coleman drew criticism for refusing to release information regarding financial contributions to his campaign.[12] He received 39% of the vote on election day, which forced a runoff with the runner up.[13] Coleman won the runoff election against Wayne Divelbiss, receiving 59% of the vote, making Coleman the first African-American mayor elected in Muskogee.[14][15]

Prior to his mayoral re-election campaign, Coleman registered as a member of the Republican Party.[16] Coleman was reelected as mayor during the 2021-2022 elections receiving 85% of the vote, the largest such victory in the city's history.[17][18]

On July 21, 2023 Marlon Coleman told the Muskogee Phoenix he does not plan on seeking third term as Mayor of Muskogee. Coleman announced he would be starting as a teacher for Hilldale Public Schools. Coleman's Mayoral term expired in April 2024.[19]

Tenure as Mayor of Muskogee

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Coleman was sworn in as Muskogee's 50th mayor on July 6, 2020, at the Muskogee Civic Center. He made several promises during his inauguration, including to improve Muskogee's image, repair the city's infrastructure, and create better partnerships between the city's public school districts.[2]

Healthcare
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In January 2020, the Muskogee Medical Healthcare Authority (MMHA) sued the Saint Francis Health system for failure to make payments under the 30-year lease agreement signed with the MMHA.[20] In March 2022, a settlement between the City of Muskogee, MMHA and the Saint Francis Health system was reached. Saint Francis agreed to make a capital investment of $150 million dollars into Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee.[21] The addition will increase the size of the Saint Francis Hospital by 125 news beds and will hold a new Chapel.[22][23] The Office of the Mayor and the Muskogee City Council appoint members to the MMHA governing board, on which Deputy Mayor Derrick Reed serves.[24]

Public safety
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The City of Muskogee has faced several high-profile mass shootings and crimes during Mayor Coleman's tenure.[25]

In 2023, Coleman announced his intention to pass a bond measure to fund a new City Hall and Police Station.[36]

Housing
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In August 2022, Coleman announced that the city had secured a deal with Shaz Investment Group LLC to build 40 new market-rate houses in Muskogee.[37]

In February 2023, Mayor Coleman and the Port of Muskogee announced a new $10,000 stipend program to help move three new families to the city[38] with the possibility of funding for up to twenty new families.[39]

Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma
Veterans Affairs
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On March 14, 2022 officials from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs(VA) sent a report to the Veterans Affairs Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission (AIR Commission) recommending the closing of the Jack C Montgomery Veterans Medical Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The reported recommend that the VA Hospital were to close and patients to be transferred to a new VA facility in Tulsa.[40][41] Muskogee Mayor Marlon Coleman lobbied heavily against the closure of the facility.[42]

On June 22, 2022, the United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs announced that the VA Medical Center in Muskogee will remain open.[43]

2022 Ethics Complaint
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During the 2021-2022 Mayoral Election, Coleman was subject to a ethics complaint from City Councilor Traci McGee. The complaint alleged that Coleman violated Oklahoma Ethics Commission rules on two separate promotional flyer campaigns.[44] Following a investigation, City Attorney Roy Tucker stated that one of the flyers may have violated Oklahoma Ethics Commission rules. Following the investigation, the City Council decided to not move forward with any formal actions against Mayor Coleman.[44]

City Charter Reform
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During the 2020 Mayoral run-off election, City Councilor Tracey Cole formed a ballot initiative to repeal the 1971 Muskogee City Charter and switch the City Government structure to a statutory Mayor–council government[45][46] Coleman (at this time a mayoral candidate) cautioned voters against the proposal citing his concerns regarding the city's ward voting system and the addition of a pay scale for elected officials.[47] Later in the election cycle, Coleman claimed that the ballot initiative was ultimately too divisive and would distract voters from progress.[46] The ballot initiative failed to pass, with 70% of voters opposing the ballot question.[48]

Electoral history

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2020 Mayoral Election[49]
Candidate Percent of the Electorate
Marlon Coleman 39.63%
Wayne Divelbiss 29.91%
Janey Cagle-Boydston 23.66%
Tracey Cole 5.25%
John Lowrimore 1.56%
2020 Mayoral Runoff Election[14]
Candidate Votes Tallied Percent of the Electorate
Marlon Coleman 3,974 59.15%
Wayne Divelbiss 2,745 40.85%
2021 Mayoral Election[17][18]
Candidate Votes Tallied Percent of the Electorate
Marlon Coleman 3,089 85.4%
Traci McGee 525 15.6%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Burton, Wendy (December 24, 2011). "Pastor overcame past". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Coleman to be sworn in as mayor today". Muskogee Phoenix. July 6, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  3. ^ "Pleasant Valley Missionary B.C. - About Us". pvmbcno.org. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Smoot, D. E. (November 12, 2013). "Mayor, others declare candidacies". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  5. ^ Elswick, Mike (April 21, 2017). "Nonprofit Resource Center hosts eighth appreciation event". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  6. ^ "New Congress Dean and Associate Dean Named at 113th Session". The Union Review. June 15, 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  7. ^ "Coleman First African-American Mayor". The Union Review. June 1, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  8. ^ Smoot, D. E. (January 1, 2014). "Ward IV hopefuls address blight issue". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  9. ^ "January 14, 2014 Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  10. ^ Keitt, Naomi (February 21, 2021). "Muskogee mayor writing Black history of his own while working to improve city". KOKI-TV. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  11. ^ Smoot, D. E. (November 14, 2019). "Two win council seats after filing period". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  12. ^ Smoot, D. E. (February 9, 2020). "Walking the walk". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  13. ^ Smoot, D. E. (February 11, 2020). "Mayoral contest heads toward runoff". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Smoot, D. E. (July 1, 2020). "Voters deliver victory to Coleman". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  15. ^ Keitt, Naomi (July 7, 2020). "Muskogee elects first black mayor in city's history". KOKI-TV. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  16. ^ Faught, Jamison. "Candidates file for Muskogee Mayor, City Council races". Muskogee Politico. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Stephens, Grant (February 9, 2022). "MUSKOGEE MAYOR REFLECTS ON LANDSLIDE RE-ELECTION". KWTV-DT. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  18. ^ a b Smoot, D. E. (February 9, 2022). "Coleman wins second mayoral term in landslide". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  19. ^ Spaulding, Cathy (July 21, 2023). "Mayor decides against another term, plans to teach". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  20. ^ Olguin, Gustavo (January 16, 2020). "City of Muskogee files claim against St. Francis hospital over 'in-kind' payments". KTUL. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  21. ^ Keitt, Naomi (March 17, 2022). "$150 million hospital expansion coming to Muskogee". KJRH. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  22. ^ James, Catherine (December 3, 2022). "City leaders and Saint Francis executives break ground on hospital expansion in Muskogee". KOKI-TV. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  23. ^ Rowland, Ronn (December 5, 2022). "Saint Francis holds ceremonial groundbreaking for patient tower". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  24. ^ "Board of Trustees – Muskogee Medical Center Authority". Muskogee Medical Center Authority. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  25. ^ Smoot, D. E. (January 2, 2021). "Historic highs, lows hit in 2020". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  26. ^ Hanna, Jason; Toropin, Konstantin (February 2, 2021). "5 children and a man are killed in a shooting in Muskogee, Oklahoma". CNN. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  27. ^ "Muskogee 'paralyzed with grief' after 6 die in shooting rampage in Oklahoma". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  28. ^ a b Smoot, D. E. (February 10, 2021). "Mayor calls on community to support family". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  29. ^ Jiménez, Jesus; Traub, Alex (June 1, 2022). "Shooting in Tulsa: Four People Killed in Shooting at Tulsa Medical Center". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  30. ^ Love, Ryan (June 2, 2022). "Police: Muskogee bomb threat connected to Tulsa deadly shooting". KJRH. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  31. ^ Ellis, Ashley; Sinclair, Savannah (June 1, 2022). "Muskogee bomb threat related to Saint Francis shooting". KTUL. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  32. ^ Griffin, David. "No Explosives Found After Police Investigate Bomb Threat At Muskogee Home". KWTV-DT. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  33. ^ Smith, Cory (June 2, 2022). "Muskogee mayor calls on Congress to act on gun violence; Tulsa shooter lived there". KOKH. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  34. ^ Rice, Nicholas. "NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson Speaks Out After His in-Laws, Nephew Killed in Suspected Murder-Suicide". People. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  35. ^ "NASCAR driver's in-laws, nephew killed in possible murder-suicide in Muskogee". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  36. ^ Spaulding, Cathy (June 3, 2023). "Mayor discusses potential bond issue". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  37. ^ Keitt, Naiomi (August 1, 2022). "New homes coming to Muskogee to help fill critical need". KJRH. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  38. ^ Griffin, David. "Families Cash In On $10,000 Incentive To Move To Muskogee". KWTV-DT. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  39. ^ "City of Muskogee issues housing stipends for families to move there". KOKI-TV. February 17, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  40. ^ dsmoot@muskogeephoenix.com, D. E. Smoot (March 14, 2022). "Report recommends closure for Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  41. ^ Morgan, Jeff (March 16, 2022). "Muskogee VA medical center at risk of being closed after VA recommendation report". KTUL. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  42. ^ City of Muskogee (April 15, 2022). "Mayor dedicates ceremony to veterans". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  43. ^ Rowland, Ronn (June 28, 2022). "Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center to remain open". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  44. ^ a b dsmoot@muskogeephoenix.com, D. E. Smoot (February 8, 2022). "Councilors decline action on ethics complaints". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  45. ^ Smoot, D. E. (February 21, 2020). "Signatures verified on initiative petition seeking charter revocation". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  46. ^ a b "2020 GUIDE Muskogee & Annual Progress Forecast by muskogeephoenix - Issuu". issuu.com. March 31, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  47. ^ dsmoot@muskogeephoenix.com, D. E. Smoot / (February 21, 2020). "Charter repeal petition validated, signatures verified". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  48. ^ dsmoot@muskogeephoenix.com, D. E. Smoot / (June 30, 2020). "Muskogee voters turn down ballot proposition". Muskogee Phoenix. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  49. ^ Faught, Jamison. "Muskogee mayoral race goes to runoff between Coleman and Divelbiss". Muskogee Politico. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
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