We need groups to volunteer their time cleaning up residential areas including limb and debris removal tree trimming, mowing, etc. Any equipment such as trailers, mowers, weed eaters, etc would be a tremendous help. We will supply work gloves, trash bags, bottled water and work vests.
Earth Day is a perfect chance to get out and put a little love into your town!
During this time residents will be able to dump limbs behind the street barn and tires in front of the street barn located in the 800 block of Meridian.
Kristina Torres is a Waurika Native who has lived here all her life and has a vested interest in the success of Waurika. She feels the city is going in a good direction and doesn’t want it to lose any momentum. She says Waurika is a beautiful town. “We have a great community that has always been supportive of one another.
Torres graduated from Waurika in 2007 as class valedictorian.
She began her college education at the University of Oklahoma and later transferred to the University of Central Oklahoman located in Edmond.
She began working for the Waurika Ambulance Service in 2016. Torres is a paramedic, a vocation inspired by her mom.
Torres is very active within the community. Currently she is helping coach Girls on the Run. Recently she spoke at the Wish Task Force Career Fair held for Waurika students. As part of the task force she is very active in helping adults achieve career success.
Her goal is to do what it takes to help Waurika grow and prosper. She wants to see more activities for children, young people and senior adults. She says she is eager hear citizen’s concerns, and issues.
Being a first responder, Torres wants to see the Fire Department and emergency services have all the resources they need to keep local citizens safe.
She also wants to improve the cities infrastructure along with the continued efforts to improve Waurika’s parks.
Jerry Wallace
Jerry Wallace
Jerry Wallace started life in Love county and moved to Addington when he was in the seventh grade. Wallace says he was raised by the “best mother in the world”. She raised eleven kids in her family. All six boys ended up with Master’s Degrees. Wallace graduated high school from Addington and went on the earn a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University out of Hunstville, Texas. Before that he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology from Central State University.
“I believe I’m qualified to deal with people and listen to people. That’s what I want to do, listen to the people of this town. I’ve dedicated lots of work to the city. I’ve cleaned up the property of many of the houses they have torn down. I’ve mowed the ditches along the streets for them. I love to work and I love to help people.”
Over the past 18 years he has been a part of the Baptist Disaster Team. They go all over the country to assist with cleaning up and helping those who have experienced a catastrophe (flood, tornado, hurricane, etc). Last year he was deployed 12 times and this year he has already been deployed twice. It’s purely a labor of love. It’s completely voluntary. He says his reward is simply helping people.
He retired in 1980 from the Drug Enforcement Administration. He had served 12 years overseas in various countries including Iran.
He was working in Iran when the embassy was overtaken and the hostage crisis began. During his years of service he traveled to 45 countries. “God has really blessed me,” he says.
Wallace says he was Mayor of Waurika for six years during the 1980s. Since then he has kept up with the goings on of Waurika.
He currently feels Waurika is spending too much money for a small town. As an example, he states he attended a city commissioner meeting where they were wanting to buy a $54,000.00 police car. When he asked if he could address the issue he says they would only allow him to speak for three minutes (Note: All citizens allowed to address the commissioners during citizen input are only given three minutes to speak.) Wallace, said, “I think that is horrendous when they do that. I feel like the council we have today thinks this city is their’s and the money they have is their’s. I see this as the people’s money. They keep taxing us. Every six months they raise the water rates.”
Referring back to the purchase of the police car he said he attempted to keep them from doing that because they could have purchased one $25,000.00 cheeper. He said they laughed at him.
He also cited the purchase of the new central air unit for the Presbyterian Church, which he says is only used one time per year yet they spent $12.000.00 on the unit. “I thought that was ridiculous,” he said.
Later, Wallace said the city “transferred a million dollars from a checking account to a CD and then raised the utility rates 2.5%. Wallace goes on to say that “the average income for the whole town is $36.000.00 per family.” He says the people in town can’t afford to pay the utility rates we have. Wallace says Waurika’s utility rates are the highest in the state according to his research. He says, “Comanche’s minimum utility bill is $36.00. Waurika’s is around $100.00.” Wallace said in Ryan the citizens get water and electric for around $100 per month.
“We’ve got to improve. We’ve got to have people in there who care about this town. They are the ones we serve. I just feel like if I don’t stand up for what I believe I won’t have a right to complain.”
“That’s why I am running for city council. I know I can’t do it by myself but maybe I can convince two other ones to go along with me. I just want to leave the town better than I found it.”
“The things that really get me is a year ago they bought five new pickups for the street, water and utility department. Our city limits only go a quarter mile south and a half mile east and a half mile west and people live two miles out on highway five. They sold pickups that were only 15 years old that people are still driving today hauling wood to Wichita Falls. We don’t have to have the best of everything here. It’s all about taxing the people of this town. I can’t see how anyone can pay a $130 -$140 utility bill to the city while living in the housing. That doesn’t include their electricity.”
“The City council thinks this town belongs to them and I can’t stand it. It’s not their town. We pay for everything they do.”
Wallace went on to discuss the ladder truck used by the Waurika Fire Department, “Having a ladder truck on the fire department for $200,000 that the people are having to pay for when we’ve used it two times in the last two years we’ve had it. One was to get a cat out of the tree and the other was in a parade. Do we need it? I don’t think the people need it. The only people who pay for it are property owners. It was a bond and the city council approved it. They can stop expenditures like that if they would just stop and think about the people. I feel for the poor people and feel for the people having financial trouble. I’m going to try to do something about it. I don’t know if one person can start it and get it going but we did in the 1980s. I’m still in good enough health to get in there and fight a good battle. I’ll be working for the people not for city council. I will not go along with anything that cost the people more.
The 7.5% increase in water may not be popular, but according the City Commissioners it’s necessary to keep the books balanced.
In other business the commissioners opened the floor for discussion about the budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year.
There had been some questions about the way the categories were identified within the budget. The explanation was that all city councils across the nation must layout their budget in six categories using Governmental Accounting Standards.
The six categories arePersonal Services, Materials and Supplies, Other Services and Charges (utilities, insurance, etc), Capital Outlay, Debt Service and Transfers.
Oklahoma is the only state that does not allow cities to levy ad valorem taxes without a vote of the people.
Therefore cities are limited on how they can raise money.
The budget is a conservative one. The city is anticipating lower revenues.
For instance the budget for the upcoming year projects that revenue will only be around $665,000. Last year the city brought in around $686,000. In the 2016-17 budget the city brought in $711,972.
As far as expenses are concerned, it is anticipated that the city may incur $92,000 more in expenses than last year.
RS Meacham (the accounting firm Waurika uses) explained that none of the municipalities that they work with comparable to the size of Waurika are able to support themselves from their sales and use taxes alone and must make up the balance through their water revenue. Thus the increase in water rates.
In other business, the city renewed their agreement with RS Meacham and Associates for monthly accounting, payroll and bookkeeping services.
The council also renewed the lease agreement with A&A WindPros Inc. for the former Elliott’s building for one year at $500 per month/$6000 annually.
Purchase Orders and Claims for the General Fund in the amount of $19,315.30 were approved.
Purchase Orders and Claims for the WPWA in the amount of $46,545.83 were approved.
The Waurika City Council held it’s September meeting on Monday the 10th at 6:00 pm at Waurika City Hall.
The minutes from the August 13, 2018 Meeting were approved.
Members of the City Commissionapproved the Capital Improvement Plant (CIP) for the Fiscal Year 2018-19. The plan simply states what some of the cities future needs may be.
Waurika will be applying for a REAP Grant for up to $45,000.00 to enable them to work on the former DOC project building and to advertise for bids to install wiring and HVAC (Phase II), with the right to accept bids for all or partial work.
Susan Howard has been appointed by the Governor to head up a study about children.
The “Estimate of Needs” for the Fiscal Year 2018-19 was approved.
Ordinance No. 09102018-02 was approved. It amends Chapter 2, Alcoholic Beverages, in its entirety to conform with updated state laws; providing for effective date of October 1, 2018; declaring repealer; providing for sever ability thereof; and declaring an emergency.
Waurika’s City Commissioners also approved the adoption of Ordinance No. 09102018-03, amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Waurika by adding a new Chapter 21, pertaining to Medical Marijuana; providing for legislative intent and purpose; adopting definitions; adopting regulations of the Oklahoma State Department of Health Title 310, Chapter 681 pertaining to medical Marijuana; requiring commercial marijuana permits; establishing regulations pertaining to operations, locations, facilities and permittee restrictions; establishingregulations for marijuana cultivation; regulating advertisements; providing procedures for revocation of permits; providing for prohibited acts; providing for penalties; declaring repealer; providing for savings; providing for sever ability thereof; and declaring an emergency.
Departmental Reports:
Brad Scott, acting city manager, reported that Waurika Police Chief Gary Whittington had submitted his resignation. He also announced that Justin Winslett is the new Police Chief.
Michael Bryant reported that he had posted on four different properties and then four more two weeks later for Code Enforcement reasons. One of the properties has been improved (corner of 8th and D Street). He also reported that citizens are beginning to clean up their own properties. Slowly but surely properties are coming into compliance with the city codes.
It was suggested that a community meeting be held to remind citizens of the city ordinances when it comes to maintaining property within the city limits.
Financial claims in the amount of $21,045.88 were approved.
The financial report from RS Meacham was approved.
According to the report there was an increase in cash of about $9,400.00 over last month. Unrestricted Cash, however, was a little down. Sales and Use tax was up by about 5 percent. For instance, the August report for this fiscal year was $38,606.00. The sales and use tax receipts for August from the previous year was only $34,515.00.
We need groups to volunteer their time cleaning up residential areas including limb and debris removal tree trimming, mowing, etc. Any equipment such as trailers, mowers, weed eaters, etc would be a tremendous help. We will supply work gloves, trash bags, bottled water and work vests.
Earth Day is a perfect chance to get out and put a little love into your town!
During this time residents will be able to dump limbs behind the street barn and tires in front of the street barn located in the 800 block of Meridian.
The Waurika REAP grant of $45,000 will be used for erecting walls, installing trusses, and installing the roof of the building located near the old Solitaire Mobile Homes manufacturing facility. Original intended use was for housing Oklahoma
Department of Corrections inmates. We are exploring the opportunities for housing other inmates as completion nears. The City of Waurika has committed $25,000 cash match to make a total of $70,000 to complete the project.
The City of Waurika held their regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening at 6:00 pm, November 6, 2017.
All members of the council were present.
The minutes of the meeting held October 9 2017 were approved.
It was voted that the property insurance bids would be sent out to be renewed February 2, 2018.
Because the city is receiving Federal Funds the city has to adopt Ordinance Number 11032017-1 (see below), amending Section 1-12 of Article 2, City Commission, Chapter 1 to include gender identity and disability in the nondiscrimination clause.
The council approved the 2018 Waurika City Commission meeting schedule. The only change being that the June meeting will be held on Thursday, June 7th, 2018.
Next, the council voted to approve the 2018 Holiday Dates (Christmas will still be on the 25th of December).
Christmas bonuses for each full time employee in the amount of $100.00 was approved.
The various departments submitted their reports.
Street Department
Virgil Duncan reported that he read water meters, unloaded trailers of trash at the street barn, and loaded roll-offs with trash.
He moved various barricades.
Virgil also took bricks out of the road at the alley on Broadway and reinstalled bricks after the gas company laid a new gas line.
He also repaired the pot holes with asphalt; 4 in the 100 block of East G street, 2 in the 400 block of Ash, 4 in the 200 block of East H. street, and 1 in the 600 block of Florida.
Purchases and claims in the amount of $42,521.93 were approved.
The city also spent $307,813.00 of FEMA money. $1,375.00 was also approved in interest payments from the Waurika Special Revenue Fund.
The financial reports submitted by RS Meacham were approved.
No new business was discussed.
Immediately following the Waurika Council Meeting the Waurika Public Works Authority (WPWA) began it’s regularly scheduled meeting.
Acting City Manager Brad Scott reported that the city Water Plant is being maintained and the employees working at the plant are receiving additional training.
Toni from Evoqua came towards the end of the month of October and gave tremendous help and guidance with repairing and maintaining the plant equipment.
Glenn Roberts reported that the Water Department has had a busy and stressful month. However, they have accomplished quite a bit and have learned much from Toni from Evoqua.
He reports that many of the valves need to be rebuilt and the stainless steel 6” pipes under the filters used for the CIP cleans need to be replaced.
There are some mechanical items that will need to be replaced or repaired. Money that had been allocated for sewage may have to be diverged to spend the necessary money (approximately $3,000.00) to complete the needed maintenance.
Purchase orders and claims in the amount of $58,965.73 were approved.
RS Meacham submitted a financial report for WPWA that was approved.
Under New Business the council approved the spending of approximately $3,000.00 to replace the valves at the Waurika Water Plant.
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:
