In last week’s column, I made a goof concerning renovation of the high school track at Jim Thorpe Stadium. After providing comments from Shawnee School Superintendent Marilyn Bradford regarding the status of the track project, which is part of the $22.1 million bond issue passed nearly three years ago, I left one word out of my comments which changed much of the meaning.
Just to make a long story shorter, in no way does she plan to allow the track issue to die or just fly by. One of her purposes for creating a track committee several weeks ago was to help plan the project and ensure it happens. An inquiry had been phoned in recently, fearing the track project was going to die. It can’t die, because Shawnee School patrons approved the bond issue which specifically identifies this as one of the projects.
ATG, the track vendor (Kansas), reportedly was here earlier this week to meet with Shawnee High School Athletic Director Steve Fluke and members of the committee. As I reported a week ago, the committee asked Fluke to set up a meeting with ATG to secure some idea of the scope of work and costs. The committee decided to meet again when estimates were available for replacement of a track, i.e. six or eight lanes, and then what estimates would be if visitor stands had to be removed to make room for eight lanes with additional long jump pit, pole vault, etc.
Marilyn noted last week, “When the committee met they wanted Steve, the coaches, David (Harp) and I to get wish estimates on everything — if money wasn’t an issue. Some of the items mentioned to consider were: new concession/public restrooms/dressing area; new visitor stand; and artificial football-playing surface.
“Eight lanes could move the track farther east and maybe south as well as the drainage system under the track will cause some disruption to the football field. We’ll have to get our architects to help on estimates for some of the other areas (concession, visitor stand etc.) that the track vendor may not cover.”
Marilyn did express concern that fluctuating energy prices might impact the track material costs.
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I noticed that on Monday night’s city commission agenda item No. 21 is discussion and consideration of an ordinance increasing water and sewer rates. City residents should pay close attention to this item, because it will impact their pocketbooks.
It’s difficult to understand and a little disturbing why such an important item, which impacts the entire city, is stuck so far back on the agenda. For instance, item No. 5 is a presentation by an official with the Oklahoma Municipal League regarding a code of conduct. Now, really, commissioners, which is more important to your constituents? Which of these items does the public care more about?
Is it the hope of those who are planning the agenda that maybe most of the people attending Monday night’s meeting will go home by that time? After all, there are 26 agenda items listed prior to when commissioners get to adjourn.
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This is a reminder about today’s fundraiser in Wewoka sponsored by the East Central Oklahoma Chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse. It begins at 10 a.m. running until 4 this afternoon at the Trading Post, 220 N. Wewoka St., on the north end of Main Street. A yard sale starts at 9 a.m. this morning.
A number of activities are planned. For more information, call (405)) 997-8700.
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I’d to like to pass on my congratulations to the teachers and support staff in the Shawnee School District who are retiring this year and were honored with a reception earlier this week. They represent more than 500 years of experience in their profession.
These include teachers, Melvin Nelson, 32 years; Sandra Ward, 33 years; Pat Bolt, 28 years; Carolyn Miles, 40 years; Mary DeLaune, 40 years; Sherry Bryant, 33 years; Claudia Haselton, 40 years; Pam Henry, 27 years; Carol Wilson, 29 years; Mike Henry, 33 years; Joe Harvey, 29 years; Mary Haney, 30 years; and Dr. Gracie Taylor, 33 years.
Support staff includes Donna Lomax, 40 years; Paul Greg, 30 years; Pat Seeborn, 26 years; Lynn Stewart, 36 years; and Pat Walker, 12 years.
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Family Promise of Shawnee’s Church Recruitment Chair, Betty Woodward, wants area congregations to know the local non-profit program is recruiting host and helper churches. Family Promise of Shawnee is now in its fourth successful year as an interfaith organization providing meals, lodging and support services to homeless families with children. At this time they have 10 host churches and six helper churches from the Shawnee and Tecumseh area.
Host congregations facilitate overnight Family Promise guests for one week in a rotation schedule with the other churches. Helper churches do not have overnight facilities available, but lend their support by pairing up with host congregations.
For more information, or to arrange an informative presentation for your congregation, committee, club, or business, please contact Executive Director Peggy North or Case Manager Patti Marshall at 273-0161.
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A couple of concerned citizens called in this week wondering when the street sweeper was going to visit the area where they reside. One caller inquired, “Where is the street sweeper in Shawnee? Our neighborhood is absolutely filthy and I know the street sweeper hasn’t run since before the ice storms in December 2007. Can you find out where the street sweeper is and when it’s going to run in our neighborhood? Monday night at the city commission meeting, somebody was whispering about eliminating the position of the street sweeper. Would you find out something about this important topic and let us citizens know? We need the street sweeper in our neighborhood.”
Another caller was inquiring when the street sweeper was going to visit the Brookhaven addition, complaining also the sweeper hadn’t been in that area for several months.
In checking with Frank Loman, who heads the city’s street department, he assures me the street sweeper is not being eliminated. The city is divided into five sections, and the street sweeper is operated Monday through Thursday each week from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. On Fridays, the sweeper is taken in for maintenance.
He said next week he is sending two employees to Waco, Texas, for training on the sweeper. When they return, he plans to run the sweeper 16 hours a day, from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Loman said the ice storm caused the city problems because of all the limbs in the streets and near the drains.
So, citizens should be at ease. The street sweeper is not being eliminated, and its hours of operation will be increased.
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If you have ideas or something of interest for this column, please call me at 214-3922 or e-mail me at michael.mccormick@news-star.com, but please include your name and a phone number for contact purposes.
