Ward 8 News

Ward 8 Councilman Mark Stonecipher is a lifelong resident of Oklahoma City and believes that neighborhood associations are one of the most vital parts for a strong and successful Oklahoma City. He was first elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019 and again in 2023.

Prior to his election, Mark was intricately involved in the life of this City by serving as President of two different neighborhood associations, serving on the Board of Adjustment and serving as a member of former Mayor Mick Cornett’s task force revising the OKC Charter, which is Oklahoma City’s governing document.

Mark previously served as Vice Mayor of Oklahoma City twice and continues to work closely with Mayor David Holt on some of the most important issues facing the city, including the hiring of City Manager Craig Freeman.

Since his election in 2015, Mark has worked non-stop to improve Ward 8 by dramatically increasing the number of resurfaced roads, planning and approval of new soccer fields for our children and planning and approval of a new 131-acre park. He has also helped obtain an additional $3.5 million for an expansion of our new MAPS 3 Senior Health and Wellness Center and, as a member of the City Council, is overseeing the implementation of Better Streets, Safer City, which includes an additional 129 police officers and 57 firefighters to make our community safer. In addition to what roadwork has recently been completed, and the current work being performed, efforts are underway for an additional 52 miles in Ward 8.

Over the last four years, Mark has worked closely with our Mayors, former City Manager Jim Couch, and City staff and department heads. As a result, Mark currently serves on the Water Utilities Trust, the OKC Airports Trust, and the OKC Economic Development Committee, and he chairs the Annexation and De-annexation Committee and the Judiciary Committee. Recently, Mark gained approval for the construction of the 131-acre Lone Oak Park which will be located west of Hefner Parkway between NW 150th and NW 164th. He also gained City Council approval for a $5 million renovation to the North OKC Soccer fields at Cameron Park.

In 2017, in conjunction with the Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma, Mark conducted a leadership seminar at City Hall to help groom OKC’s future leaders. Mark also worked closely with neighborhood associations to improve our Ward 8 quality of life. Mark has authored and revised important City laws and policies, including strict ordinances to better protect our residents from vicious stray animals, greater transparency in City government, and faster response times for permitting and inspector approvals.

Mark’s civic engagement has not been limited to supporting neighborhoods and the city. His past and present civic and professional organizations include: Allied Arts Board of Directors, City Care, Whiz Kids, OK Bar Association Board of Governors, University of Oklahoma College of Law Alumni Association and Oklahoma City University Alumni Association.

A graduate of Heritage Hall High School, Mark received his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma City University and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma. He is an attorney with the Fellers Snider law firm and practices in the areas of oil and gas, land use, environment and business law. Mark has been married to his wife, Debbie, for 42 years. They have lived in Ward 8 for over 36 years and are members of Crossings Community Church.