Vincente Villarreal, Town of Terral Mayor
Ronnie Ward, Executive Director of ASCOG
The Terral REAP grant of $45,00 will be used to install new water meter to customers. The current meters are obsolete and do not reflect an accurate accounting of water usage.
He’s completing his second term as the District 3 County Commissioner and looks forward to another one if elected.
In a recent interview, he was asked about what he felt like was the greatest accomplishments over the past four years and he quickly responded “the equipment we have paid for and the roads we have built.”
He said that recently they have received quite a bit of help from the Comanche Tribe with the roads. “They are talking about maybe finishing the roads going on into town (Ryan).”
He wanted to address the concern that he wasn’t getting enough REAP Grants. “I’m trying to get all the money for the county that I can. It’s not easy, plus you have to match the funds you get in a REAP Grant.”
Martin said that some have even complained about him working on the weekends and after hours.
“I do it because it helps us to stay caught up. Plus I like doing it. I like working.”
Martin believes that the hours of a county commissioner are 24-7.
“If you get a call about a flood or a road damage you have to go when called. It’s not just an eight hour a day job.”
Martin has lived in Terral his whole life.
“Except for the two years I was in the army.”
Before becoming the county commissioner of District 3 he had driven a truck for a living.
What he has enjoyed the most is the getting to know and help the people of his district.
He says that being commissioner is a good job. He acknowledged that the pay is not that much, but he enjoys the work.
During the next term he wants to rock more roads and clean up more of the ditches along the side of the road.
He has some ideas about saving money.
When they get all of the equipment paid for he would like to see the district get some newer trucks.
He’s also proud of the new county barn. It was built with a $45,000 REAP Grant and local volunteers and of course the county hands.
Rash Barrett loaned the county the track hoe to set the beams.
David England loaned them some equipment.
Tony Rodriquez helped by welding the beams.
Ty Phillips came down and helped.
Martin says that they have good hands working in District 3.
His goal is to finish all the current projects before the end of the year.
Fishing is just around the corner, although with a temperature of 18 right now, it’s a little hard to imagine. It won’t be long however before I start getting pictures of Houston Scott and Slade Cathey with huge bass taken from their local ponds! As warm afternoons and sunshine raise the temps, the big bass will start hanging out in the shallows.
This really signals the beginning of fishing season and the lake bite will quickly follow. With that in mind it’s time to start getting your fishing rig ready to go. We discussed a few weeks ago about working on your tackle during this down time but now you need to concentrate on your boat.
After being winterized and stored for a few months, we need to do a complete check; batteries, controls, electrical and have the engine serviced, including oil change. Hopefully, making that first trip to your favorite spot trouble-free.
It doesn’t matter if your ride is a $40,000 bass boat, Jon boat, pontoon or your family pleasure boat as long as you get out and enjoy our Waurika Lake.
A lot of you may not remember, but in the early 70’s, “bass boats” existed, but not as we know them now. They were small, around 14ft and very narrow to have access to brushy shoreline areas. They were driven from the bow seat using a stick drive, which took a little practice to get used to!
Skeeter Boats, I believe, was the first to manufacture what would be known as a bass boat.
The earliest of what could truly be called a bass boat is credited to Holmes Thurman who founded the Skeeter Boat Company of Liberty, Texas in 1948.
The first Skeeter boats were part flat-bottomed jonboat and part powerboat. The name came from the appearance of its distinct bow. Thurman thought it looked like a mosquito. Made from molded plywood, the first Skeeters rapidly became popular with Texas and Louisiana anglers.
Skeeter began building improved fiberglass models in the early 1950’s. The 1961 Skeeter Hawk was one of the first mass produced fiberglass bass boats available.
The basics of the modern bass boat came together for the first time; more hydrodynamic hull design, swivel fishing chairs, bow mounted electric motor, and rod holders. Not quite a Wright Brothers to space shuttle difference but close.
As anyone knows, if you wanted a boat of any kind in the 1970’s, you went to the dealer of your choice, picked out the model you wanted and then decided what kind of motor and other accessories you wanted on the boat and paid them to rig it out.
The first boat of this type I bought was from Lakey’s Marine in Wichita Falls in 1975. I can’t remember the brand but it was a 14ft green and white fiberglass boat that was so narrow that sitting in the bow seat you could rest your hands on the gunnels without reaching! Rigged with a 25hp Johnson motor, I thought it was the cat’s meow.
That all changed in 1978 when Johnny Morris introduced the first “Bass Tracker”, the industry’s first fully accessorized, ready-to-fish boat, motor and trailer package at an unheard-of nationally published price of $2,995 and advertised it in their fishing catalog. The boat was an instant hit; I remember seeing my first tied up at my friends dock on Lake Arrowhead in 1979 – I was impressed! Then in 1982, TRACKER Boats opened its first plant in Lebanon, MO. It was dedicated solely to the manufacture of TRACKER fishing boats. In 1988, the company’s custom boat trailer factory opened in Ozark, MO. Each trailer is factory matched, custom fit, sized and color coordinated to the boat it will carry. In 2008, TRACKER Boats celebrated 30 years as the #1 builder of aluminum fishing boats, and as the acknowledged leader in innovative aluminum boat technology. Today, Tracker still builds some of the best, most affordable fishing boats in the nation.
There are a lot of great bass boat/fishing boats out there these days for you and your family’s enjoyment, hope this gives you an idea of how it all got started! Get in one and get out and enjoy your great Oklahoma outdoors!
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD ON MARCH 26, 2018 AT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 220 NORTH MAIN, ROOM 102, WAURIKA, OKLAHOMA:
PRESENT:
Ty Phillips, Chairman
Bryce Bohot, Vice Chairman
Ricky Martin, Member
Chairman Phillips called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Traci Smith acknowledged that proper notice was given on March 23, 2018 at 8:36 a.m. and the agenda was posted on the bulletin board outside the courthouse and posted on the first-floor bulletin board.
Others present:
Marcey Howell, Commissioners Secretary
Gail Kelley, Deputy County Treasurer
Kim Berry, Court Clerk
Jeremie Wilson, Co Sheriff
Jimmie Williams, Undersheriff
Jeff Raley, Floyd Law Firm Attorney
Tara Brown, OSU Educator
Tammy Richardson, Election Sec
Ashley Bayless, Deputy Assessor
Martin made the motion to Approve Regular Meeting Minutes held on March 19, 2018. Second: Bohot. Aye Votes: Phillips/Bohot/Martin. Motion Approved.
Phillips made the motion to Approve Claims and 24 Blanket Purchase Orders. Second: Bohot. Aye Votes: Martin/Bohot/Phillips. Motion Approved.
Phillips made motion to Approve Resolution #85-2017-2018 for Surplus of Equipment for County Clerk’s Office Inv # F-299-36 Savin Copier/2554-Leased. Second: Bohot. Aye Votes: Martin/Bohot/Phillips. Motion Approved.
Phillips made motion to Approve Resolution #86-2017-2018 for Disposing of Equipment for County Clerk’s Office Inv # F-299-36 Savin Copier/2554-Leased- Returned to Standley. Second: Bohot. Aye Votes: Martin/Bohot/Phillips. Motion Approved.
Tabled Discussion/Action regarding Generator.
Martin made motion to Approve Resolution #87-2017-2018 Opening New Account T-5-Highway Donation Fund. Second: Bohot. Aye Votes: Phillips/Bohot/Martin. Motion Approved.
Martin made motion to Approve the Receipt of check #3781 in the amount of $8974.54 a donation from Chickasaw Nation for Road 7/10 miles East of Hwy 81 for 2/10 miles on Co Rd 2160 Terral, OK for estimated improvement for District #3 Road. Estimated Chip and Seal in amount of $7,200.00 and estimated Flex Base Rock was $1774.54. Reimbursement for road work done to be deposited into CIRB 105-3 in the amount of $1770.18 for actual cost and balance to be put into T-5-Highway Donation Fund. Second: Bohot. Aye Votes: Phillips/Bohot/Martin. Motion Approved.
Discussion on New 911 System and Equipment with Jimmy Williams regarding the dates of May 7th, 2018 for installation, May 21, 2018 for training, and May 23, to go live with new system.
Tabled the Renewal of Contract with AT&T on temporary bases, it was not available at the time of meeting.
Phillips made motion to Approve Resolution #88-2017-2018 to Remove Burn Ban effective at 9:30am. Second: Martin. Aye Votes: Bohot/Phillips/Martin. Motion Approved.
Phillips made motion to Approve the formation of the Jefferson County Educational Facilities Authority by Trust Indenture for and on behalf of Jefferson County, Oklahoma. Second: Martin. Aye Votes: Bohot/Phillips/Martin. Motion Approved.
Bohot made motion to Approve Consideration and Resolution #89-2017-2018 accepting the beneficial interest in the Jefferson County Educational Facilities Authority created by a Trust Indenture for and on behalf of Jefferson County, Oklahoma, in all respects in accordance with the terms of said trust indenture; and declaring an emergency. Second: Martin. Aye Votes: Phillips/Bohot/Martin. Motion Approved.
Phillips made motion to Adjourn at 10:23 a.m. Second: Bohot. Aye Votes: Martin/Bohot/Phillips. Motion Approved.
Minutes taken by Traci Smith
Approved by: JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Ty Phillips, Chairman Bryce Bohot, Vice Chairman Ricky Martin, Member
ATTEST: Traci Smith, County Clerk
It all started in January of 1991.
Kenny Wall had begun a journey in county government by becoming the District 1 County Commissioner in Jefferson County.
In 2008 he left the District 1 Commissioner position to become the manager of projects for the Circuit Engineering District number 6.
As the only full-time employee of District 6 he worked for nine counties as an overseer of the road and bridge projects, and hired the engineers for the projects. He would then oversee the project all the way through to completion.
Although the Oklahoma Cooperative Circuit Engineering Districts were set up in 1997 there wasn’t any money available for the hiring of employees until 2008. Kenny Wall was the first full-time employee for District 6, Jefferson County is a part of that district.
He was the one who set up the way the district 6 is operated.
Because there wasn’t any money to hire other staff personnel he had to be creative. Most of the work he did by himself.
His office was in his home because they didn’t have the money to buy offices.
The individual counties worked with Wall on the projects.
The districts are funded by the Department of Transportation.
Wall said he was able to give back around $540,000 to the counties in his district each year.
His goal was to always do what he could to help the individual counties the best he could.
What he will miss the most will be the interaction with the commissioners of those counties.
What he will enjoy about retirement is working with his reining horses and competing in shows.
He has been participating in the reining horse competitions for about 20 years.
He recently won first place in a competition at Shawnee after sitting out for about a year.
Wall will also enjoy spending time with his grandchildren. He and his wife Sheila have three. Their daughter Shandra Yasuda has two girls and a boy.
Joel is 13.
Abby is 7.
Elly is 4.
He says they keep him busy. But he enjoys them immensely.
Boys from Waurika Cub Scout pack 4460, recently participated in Mountain Man Day hosted by Cub Scout leader Alan Harper. 17 kids participated in the event, and over 40 people were in attendance for the day. Committee member Clay Carter, Den leader JJ Edwards, and other parents and adults helped the boys participate in the event.
They began the day eating breakfast and learning about cooking in Dutch ovens with Chris Harper. Chris is the Scoutmaster of Troop 49 in Nelson, Missouri, and he has held this position for 34 years. He also serves as the B.S.A. District Executive for the Osage Trails and Kinderhook districts of the Great Rivers Council. After breakfast they divided up into groups for the trapping, leather working and blacksmithing stations. Roy Himebaugh taught the boys about different trapping techniques and why it was an important survival skill for a mountain man to know. He also showed them how he set his traps when he used to run his trap line. Michelle Dyer, pack 4460’s Webelos Den leader, taught the boys about leatherworking. At this station, they were able to design, dye, and stamp their own leather belt to keep. Alan Harper taught the boys about blacksmithing and the importance of blacksmiths in frontier towns. With the help of an adult, and while wearing safety equipment, the boys made a hat/jacket hook for their home. The day ended with eating some Klondike chili and cobbler made by Chris. Everyone enjoyed the day, and leaders are already planning next years activities!
Sue Bridges, Town of Hastings Clerk-Treasurer
Glenda Hood, Town of Hastings Mayor
Ronnie Ward, Executive Director of the Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments
The Hastings REAP grant of $45,000 will be used to repair and resurface a total of 3.35 miles of town streets that are in dire need of repair.
Ricky Martin has served as County Commissioner for District 3 for the past 12 years.
During that time he says he has not worked for a political party but for the citizens of Jefferson County.
He says he wants to remind those who vote straight-party to remember to check the box with his name by it as well.
Martin was raised in Terral his whole life, except for the two years he spent in the Army during the early 70s.
For 13 years he worked for Rash Barrett.
Martin loves his job as commissioner and loves hard work.
He says his only frustration is the supply-chain shortages that has interfered with work. That and high gas prices has have hindered some of their maintenance on the roads.
He is looking forward to the improvements on the horizon for his District.
There will be two new bridges built within the next couple of years as well as improvements on Union Valley road.
One of the bridges to be replaced is the one out by the Corley place. He says it has needed an upgrade for some time.
The other is the one on Fleetwood Creek.
He wants voters to know he has done the best he can with the limited funds commissioners receive for each district.
Martin loves the work and looks forward to serving another term as commissioner.
Mical Delaney has lived in Waurika all of his life.
For over twenty years he has worked in both construction and maintenance.
Four of those years he worked for the sheriff’s department in maintenance.
Since retiring from construction, he has realized he misses the work. It’s one of the things that inspired him to run for county commissioner.
If elected he would like to tackle various projects and make improvements.
One of his goals is to make sure there is always someone on call for emergencies, day or night.
He would like everyone to know he is hardworking and committed. Once he starts a project he likes to see it through to completion.
Mical says he would love the opportunity to serve the community. He knows he will be dependable.
In his spare time he has volunteered to work with the Baptist Disaster Team.
He loves to stay busy.
Mical has also volunteered on the Waurika Fire Department for 13 years.
For the past two months he has been attending the County Commissioner meetings in order to be prepared for the job if elected.
We are expanding our Buried Fiber Internet Service to all the Communities along Highway 81 up to Chickasha.
Buried Fiber Internet directly to the Premise is the Gold Standard for Internet Services that require maximum speeds upstream and downstream.
Since the COVID19 pandemic there has been high demand for Distance Learning, Zoom meetings, and Telemedicine. All of these two way video services require fast speeds in both directions. All other Internet connections can’t offer these speeds.
81 “True Fiber” Internet brings the fiber directly to your home or business. Some companies that offer “Fibet Internet” only have fiber to the town or neighborhoods, then they use old outdated lines to bring it to your premises. This limits speeds to the capacity of those old lines.
Since you’re only as fast as your weakest connection, once we bring our True Fiber to your house or business, we provide a gigabit router that provides these great speeds directly to your devices over Super Fast WiFi.
Our Gigabit True Fiber network will provide communities the maximum speeds and reliability the Internet has to offer. Streaming Video, Teleconferencing, Telemedicine, E-commerce, Gaming, and Security Cameras all require True Fiber to work best.
True Fiber Internet provides the infrastructure to grow our communities, improve our healthcare, and advance our education. We are providing the tools for next generation Internet services that will give our customers the competitive advantage they deserve.
81Broadband is a DBA of Terral Telephone Company www.81broadband.com
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD ON APRIL 9, 2018 AT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 220 NORTH MAIN, ROOM 102, WAURIKA, OKLAHOMA:
PRESENT:
Ty Phillips, Chairman
Bryce Bohot, Vice Chairman
Ricky Martin, Member
Chairman Phillips called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Traci Smith acknowledged that proper notice was given on April 6, 2018 at 8:50 a.m. and the agenda was posted on the bulletin board outside the courthouse and posted on the first-floor bulletin board.
Others present:
Marcey Howell, Commissioners Secretary
Emily Follis, County Treasurer
Kim Berry, Court Clerk
Jeremie Wilson, Co Sheriff
Jimmie Williams, Undersheriff
Josh Phillips, Bruckner’s
Jimmy Gallaher, JCEM
Chris Snow, Jeff Co Health Dept.
Tara Brown, OSU Educator
Derek Durbin, 911 Coordinator
Tammy Richardson, Election Sec
Sandra Watkins, Assessor
Martin made the motion to Approve Regular Meeting Minutes held on April 2, 2018. Second: Bohot. Aye Votes: Phillips/Bohot/Martin. Motion Approved.
Phillips made the motion to Approve Claims and 4 Blanket Purchase Orders. Second: Bohot. Aye Votes: Martin/Bohot/Phillips. Motion Approved.
Bohot made motion to Approve Monthly Report from Officers and Monthly Consumable Report for Districts. Second: Phillips. Aye Votes; Martin/Bohot/Phillips. Motion Approved.
Bohot made motion to Approve District #1 Transfer of Funds from accounts T-1A PS in the amount of $20,000.00, T2A in the amount of $40,000.00, T2B Rentals in the amount of $10,000.00, and T-6 Workers Compensation in the amount of $40,000.00 and transfer to T-3 Capital Outlay in the amount of $110,000.00.
Second: Martin. Aye Votes: Phillips/Bohot/Martin. Motion Approved.
Bohot made motion to Approve Opening Bid # 876 for a 2018 or Newer Truck Tractor for District #1 and approve vendors as follows:
Bruckner’s Truck 4520 NW Freeway, Wichita Falls TX 76306 2019 Mack Truck $118,929.00 DECLINED
Premier Truck P O Box 1867, Ardmore OK 73401 2019 Freightliner 122SD $116,950.00 DECLINED
Summit Truck 5549 Chuzy Dr, Wichita KS 67219 2018 Mack Truck CHU613 $104,523.00 ACCEPTED
Second: Martin. Aye Votes: Phillips/Bohot/Martin. Motion Approved.
No Action on how Deductible Fund account is Funded and possible use of fund to pay loss from the first dollar on claim # SWC181170 for Sheriffs Dept Unit #41 2014 Ford Explorer.
Bohot made motion to Disapprove the use of $10,000.00 from the Deductible fund account for the deductible on Insurance Claim SWC181170 for Sheriff’s Department Unit #41 Ford Explorer. Second; Philips. Aye Votes: Martin/Bohot/Phillips. Motion Disapproved.
No Action regarding Generator Tabled from 3-26-2018 Meeting;
No Action Renew Contract with AT&T on temporary basis Tabled from 3-26-2018 meeting;
Review monthly report of Co Treasurer to State Auditor and Inspector for the month of March 2018;
Phillips made motion to Approve Assessor’s Office to be closed on Friday May 11, 2018 to attend Southwest District Assessor’s Meeting in Cordell, OK. Second; Bohot. Aye Votes: Martin/Bohot/Phillips. Motion Approved.
Bohot made motion to Approve purchase of Vaccine refrigerator monitoring system. Second: Phillips. Aye Votes: Martin/Bohot/Phillips. Motion Approved.
Tabled District #2 Lease Agreement with ODOT for the purchase of 2018 John Deere 6110M Cab Tractor w/Tiger Boom Mower through ODOT County Road Machinery and Equipment Revolving Fund.
Tabled 324-A Claim for District #2 purchase of 2018 John Deere 6110M Cab Tractor w/Tiger Boom Mower through ODOT County Road Machinery and Equipment Revolving Fund to Deere and Company for the amount of $135,000.00;
Martin made motion to Adjourn at 11:00 a.m. Second: Bohot. Aye Votes: Phillips/Bohot/Martin. Motion Approved.
Minutes taken by Traci Smith
Approved by: JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Ty Phillips, Chairman Bryce Bohot, Vice Chairman Ricky Martin, Member
ATTEST: Traci Smith, County Clerk
