A special thanks to Tyler Plant for producing, filming, and editing this video.
Meet the Candidates for Waurika City Commission
This is your chance to get to know the candidates for seats on the Waurika City Commission.
We listed them in alphabetical order according to last names. However, we listed Mayor Carole Eakin first because she is the incumbent.
Each candidate was asked the same general questions. We asked them to tell us a little about themselves, why they wanted to serve (or continue to serve) on the city commission, and then lastly we let them say whatever they wanted that would help voters know them better.
Editor’s Note: Every candidate was given a chance to appear on video. However, some of them chose not to do so. We respect that. All the candidate’s profiles and interviews will appear in the upcoming week’s paper.
Note: Each candidate was allowed to say whatever he or she wanted and the length of each video was determined by the length of their answers.
Carole Eakin
Mayor Carole Eakin talks a little about where she grew up and her education at Oxford in England. She then talks about her time on the city commission and the things that have been accomplished during her twelve years serving the community. Mayor Eakin addresses the water rates and the state of the finances of the city. Lastly, she talks about what she would like to see accomplished for the city in the future.
Adam Brinson
Adam is the pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Waurika.
He was asked the same questions posed to the other candidates. He talks about his education and how he came to live in Waurika. During the interview, he talks about his views and what inspired him to become a candidate for the city commission. He simply wants to serve the needs of the people and do what is best for the city of Waurika.
Amber Delaney
Although Amber’s interview is the least lengthy of all the interviews, she is specific and to the point. Amber talks about her work at the Terral School. She discusses the importance of family, and her desires to see the city continue to prosper.
Gary “Lebo” Duncan
Gary is a native of Waurika. His family roots run deep here. In this interview, he speaks in depth about his experiences in business, his family history, and talks about things he would like to see accomplished in the city. Gary says he wants to see the city grow and he has various ideas of how that can happen. He wants to bring his business experience and leadership skills to the city commission.
As stated earlier, there will be more about the candidates in this next week’s paper.
Candidates who did not wish to participate in the video interview include:
Bobby Taylor
James Terry
Mark Lehew
Waurika Represented at Jim Thorpe Awards
Tuesday evening, Waurika was represented at the Jim Thorpe Awards in Oklahoma City. Richard Thorpe, a resident of Waurika was in attendance as the 33rd Jim Thorpe Award was presented to Deandre Baker of the University of Georgia.
Thorpe, his daughter Anita and his brother Bill was recognized from the podium and thanked for their attendance. Thorpe also had a cameo appearance in a video championing the legacy of the award and what it means to be a recipient of the trophy depicting the greatest athlete who ever lived.
This year’s award banquet was held at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Former recipients Roy Williams, Antonio Langham and last year’s recipient Minkah Patrick were on hand to welcome Baker into the Thorpe family.
During the banquet, former Governor George Nigh stopped by the table to share memories of when they brought Jim’s medals back to Oklahoma. Nigh has been a friend of the Thorpe family for years.
Seated is Anita Thorpe and her dad Richard Thorpe, Waurika resident and son of Jim Thorpe.
Bill Thorpe is standing next to Gov. George Nigh.
Photo by Tyler Plant
The town of Ryan was given a nod as the Abe Lemons Award was being presented. Lemons, a legendary basketball coach was born in Ryan, Oklahoma.
The evening was capped off with a conversation with Roy Williams, former Dallas Cowboy, Oklahoma Sooner and previous Jim Thorpe Award recipient.
Waurika Senior Night
Waurika honored their seniors at the last home game of the season this past Friday evening.
Here are their profiles.
Gatlin Black (Basketball) was escorted by Wilma Rickard. He is the son of Chad and Miranda Black. He has attended Waurika schools his whole life. His school activities included, Football, Basketball, FFA and Student Council. His fondest memories of his school days are hanging out with his friends in the parking lot. After he graduated he plans to go to college in Louisiana and get a degree in Petroleum Engineering.
Zachary Brown (Basketball & Powerlifting) is the son of Michele Salazar. He has attended Waurika Schools his whole life. His school activities/awards included, baseball, basketball, football, new comer of the year in football, and all conference outfielder in baseball. His fondest memories of his school days would be football season, and the boys winning the prank war, not the girls. After he graduated he plans to play baseball at Murray State or taking over the Richardson Ranch.
Colton Byant (Basketball & Powerlifting) is the son of Michael and Heather Bryant. He has attended Waurika School his whole life. His school activities included, Football for 4 years, Track for 4 years, XC for 3 years, Basketball for 3 years, and Powerlifting for 2 years. His fondest memories of school days are making it to the State Quarterfinals his last year in football and freezing in Mrs. Allen’s classroom. After he graduates he plans to attend college and major in Education and become a coach.
Austin Dyer (Basketball & Powerlifting) is the son of Bobby and Lisa Dyer. He has attended Waurika Schools for two years. His school activities included, Baseball, Basketball, Football, FFA, and Yearbook. His fondest memories of his school days were freezing in Mrs. Allen’s class everyday. After he graduates he want to become a game warden, and go play baseball somewhere.
Oliva Ralls (Powerlifting) is the daughter of Danny and Jacinda Ralls. She has attended Waurika Schools for two years. Her school activities included, Track, FCCLA, Powerlifting, Cheer, and Softball. Her fondest memories from her school days were moving here and making memories and friends that could last a lifetime. After she graduates she is going to college at Cameron University to get a degree in Nursing.
Aaron Nitka ( Basketball) is the son of Daniel and Sloan Roberson, and Michael Nitka. He has attended Waurika schools for eleven years. His school activities/awards included, Baseball, Football, Basketball, Beta, NHS, FFA, All-State eight man Football, Oilfield All Conference Baseball, ad All- District Football. His fondest memories from his school days were stealing the Smart Board Remote from Mr. Brown. After he graduates he plans to be a Physical Assistant.
Madison Roberson (Basketball) is the daughter of Kasey Elliot, Daniel and Sloan Roberson. She has attended Waurika Schools for four years. Her school activities/Awards included, Southern 8 Conference MVP, Daily Oklahoman honorable mention Allstate, Valedictorian of Class 2019, Scored 1,000 career points as a junior, cross country, student council, NHS, OHS, and gifted and talented. Her fondest memories from her school days included, spending the summer going to camps with the basketball girls, and making Lexie do hilarious things to strangers. After she graduates she plans to become a Radiology Technologist.
Katelyn Washburn (Basketball) is the daughter of Becky and James Washburn. She has attended Waurika Schools for two years. Her school activities/awards included, basketball, FCCLA, yearbook, and All-American Cheer. Her fondest memories from her school days were when some of us students were having a war on sarin wrapping, and putting stuff on our vehicles, Boys vs. Girls. (Girls won). After she graduates she plans on going to NOC to cheer and get her degree in English.
Madison Christian (Manager & Powerlifting) is the daughter of James and Amy King. She has attended Waurika Schools for five years. Her school activities/awards included Powerlifting, softball, cheer, track, and All-American Cheer. Her fondest memories from school days were having Melissa come to school here and having all the friends that I have. After she Graduates she plans on going to the National Guard.
Ryan Senior Night
Recently, Ryan honored their senior basketball players. They include:
(Player far left) Holland Carter,
Holland’s parents John and Cheryl Carter.
(Center) Travis Fristoe, parents Charles and Jaunita Fristoe (not pictured) His other parents, Clint and Christa Rollins, are in the picture.
(Far right) Laken DeBoard, Laken’s parents, Regina Reimer Darwin DeBoard.
Photo by Sheree hanson
Lankford Commemorates Black History Month
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today praised the important work in the US Senate to honor Black History Month and to continue to address improving race relations in the US. This week, Lankford cosponsored a Senate resolution to formally commemorate Black History Month. Lankford also joined Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Tim Scott (R-SC) to finally address the crime of lynching through theJustice for Victims of Lynching Act.
“In February, our nation pauses to reflect on the achievements of so many black Americans who have courageously, inspiringly, and often in the face of great adversity paved the future for our nation and helped heal the wounds of racism we still sadly face,” said Lankford. “As Americans, I believe we can and should highlight members of our communities who lead and serve others. In Oklahoma, leaders in the black community from businessmen and women to government leaders to teachers help improve our communities and work to inspire young Americans.
“Our work is ongoing even today to address the stain of racism on our nation’s history. Most of the issues associated with racism in our nation cannot be solved by legislation; they are heart issues. However, there are some areas in which government can and should step forward and provide a solution. I cosponsored the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act because I believe we should once and for all condemn and criminalize lynching as ‘a pernicious and pervasive tool’ that ‘succeeded slavery as the ultimate expression of racism in the United States.’ This bill seeks to right a wrong and provide a tool that DOJ needs to fully prosecute this type of crime. I am grateful for the work of Senators Scott, Harris, and Booker to bring this bill to the floor.”
Voter Registration Deadline: Jan 18
Friday, January 18, is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the February 12 Temple School District Special Election Day, Jefferson County Election Board Secretary Tammy Richardson said today.
Richardson said that persons who are United States citizens, residents of Oklahoma, and at least 18 years old may apply to become registered voters.
Those who aren’t registered or need to change their registration may apply by filling out and mailing an Oklahoma Voter Registration Application form in time for it to be postmarked no later than midnight Friday, January 18.
Richardson said applications postmarked after that time will be accepted and processed, but not until after February 12.
The County Election Board responds in writing to every person who submits an application for voter registration. The response is either a voter identification card listing the new voter’s precinct number and polling place location or a letter that explains the reason or reasons the application for voter registration was not approved. Richardson said any person who has submitted a voter registration application and who has not received a response within 30 days should contact the County Election Board office.
Oklahoma Voter Registration Application forms are available at the County Election Board office located at 220 N. Main St., Rm #203, Waurika, OK, and at most post offices, tag agencies and public libraries in the county. Applications also are available at www.elections.ok.gov.
Waurika Library News January 10, 2019
How will Artificial Intelligence affect crime, war, justice, jobs, society and our very sense of being human? The rise of AI has the potential to transform our future more than any other technology—and there’s nobody better qualified or situated to explore that future than Max Tegmark, an MIT professor who’s helped mainstream research on how to keep AI beneficial.
How can we grow our prosperity through automation without leaving people lacking income or purpose? What career advice should we give today’s kids? How can we make future AI systems more robust, so that they do what we want without crashing, malfunctioning or getting hacked? Should we fear an arms race in lethal autonomous weapons? Will machines eventually outsmart us at all tasks, replacing humans on the job market and perhaps altogether? Will AI help life flourish like never before or give us more power than we can handle?
What sort of future do you want? ‘Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’ empowers you to join what may be the most important conversation of our time. It doesn’t shy away from the full range of viewpoints or from the most controversial issues—from superintelligence to meaning, consciousness and the ultimate physical limits on life in the cosmos.
Don’t forget to use smile.amazon.com to support the Friends of the Waurika Library when you use Amazon. It works just like Amazon with your existing account. When you login, simply choose ‘Friends of the Waurika Public Library’ as the charity you would like to support. Many events and programs at the library are supported by the Friends of the Waurika Public Library. Sponsorship of the Friends starts at just $10. For more information or to become a sponsor, please visit the Waurika Public Library.
Story Time is held every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. for children and toddlers. Each week we read stories, and have games and puzzles for the children to play with after reading.
For information about events, activities and more, visit our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/WaurikaPublicLibrary/
Person Property Assessment Forms Mailed out; Due March 15th
The personal property assessment rendition forms were mailed out earlier this month. Some forms have detailed information of your personal property. If you have any additions or deletions, please write the information at the bottom of the form. Due to some new guidelines set by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, all businesses will need to be itemized. In the future, if we receive renditions without an itemized value, we will have to use the schedules provided by the OTC to determine a likely value for your business based on its type and size.
New personal property tax assessments and existing assessment changes or without changes must be mailed or brought to the County Assessor’s office by March 15th or a ten percent penalty will be added to the total personal tax assessment. This complies with Title 68, Oklahoma Statute 2001, Section 2836. If you have torn down any buildings or sold any equipment, etc., please report this to the assessor’s office by March 15th. If not reported, the personal property WILL NOT be taken off after tax statements are printed.
If you have opened a new business or no longer own a business, please report this to the assessor’s office. You also need to report any change of address.
New homesteads need to be applied for in person. Property owners whose total household income does not exceed $20,000 for the 2018 calendar year may apply for a double homestead. This expansion of the exemption is automatic if you are 65 years of age or older and you have already applied. New and under 65 years of age must come in and apply every year. If you are 65 before January 1, and make less than $44,900 annually, you can apply for a market value freeze on your homestead property. Proof of income must be shown. Double homesteads and senior freezes can only be done between January 1 and March 15.
Mobile home owners need to bring their title with them when assessing either as personal property or filing a homestead. When filing for homestead, the title must be in the land owners name.
This is also a good time for farmers to check their farm sales tax exempt card to see if it needs to be renewed.
The assessor will be visiting Ringling City Hall, Tuesday, January 22, from 10:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. You can report any changes, additions or deletions by calling (580)228-2377, email: jeffersonassr@sbcglobal.net or coming by the assessor’s office at 220 N. Main, Room 207 in Waurika at the courthouse, located on the second floor.
Ryan Council Meeting – Shortest of the Year!
It was the shortest meeting of the year thus far.
There were three members of the council present – Tammy Cotton, Lynda Kafer-Cain, and David Jackson. Also present was Kenzie Wheeler the Ryan Town Attorney.
The meeting began with a presentation from Ryan Piersol from the Oklahoma Municipal Power Association.
He was there to simply give an annual report to the town council. Of the many things he reported was that the chairman of OMPA, Charles Lamb, recently passed away. Lamb was also the mayor of Edmond, Oklahoma. Piersol said Lamb was highly respected and will be deeply missed.
Council members approved the Treasurer’s Report (see below).
Next, the bills, claims, and invoices for the town of Ryan were approved for payment.
There being no new business the council meeting was adjourned.
The Ryan Public Utilities Authority was dispensed with.
The final meeting was adjourned at 6:12 pm.
Editor’s Note: Thank you for the brevity of the meeting. I was able to get back to Waurika and finish the paper in a timely manner.
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