June 6, 2020 Issue, Page 2 of 8

Page Text

Page 2 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Saturday, June 6, 2020 Also at the meeting, the Concerns there’s no problem with the Muck said DEQ has been what his qualifications were that needed to be done in the involved from the begin- and then mentioned Litterell lake,” he said, referring to city, property that needed commission had a public the Oklahoma Department ning and “a lot of these is- working at Walmart and to be mowed and also dis- hearing on the Fiscal Year Continued from page 1. of Environmental Quality. sues have been addressed said, “How'd that work out cussed other issues he was 2020-21 budget and rezon- “There was a leak in the He said the water has been and fixed.” He said it is not for you?” concerned about, Including ing request for a property creek that leads to the lake tested and there’s no sewage true that city leaders have His comment prompted animal control, water leaks, at 107 E. 7th St. The zon- and that water has been test- in the lake. intentionally ignored the is- some applause. After anoth- trash trucks leaking waste ing petitioners, Joe and Kelli ed and as far as we can tell Near the end of the meet- sue, “but it may have gotten er remark about Litterell’s and hydraulic fluid and re- Miller, want to change the and as far as DEQ can tell, ing, commissioner Larry overlooked somehow. But I abilities as a manager, Price cycle bins. He said he met zoning from light industrial guarantee you it is being ad- said he didn’t want to make with Litterell three times in to highway commercial and dressed promptly.” a vendetta against Litterell. the last five years on flood commercial recreation. No Retirees For teachers just starting out in the profession, Hoop- In his remarks, Price dis- But, Price said, Litterell control matters and alleged one from the public spoke er said they should “listen to cussed some sewage leaks “made it personal when you he had been lied to and treat- on the budget or rezoning Continued from page 1. older teachers.” Even though he had seen in town and that told me it was none of my ed in an unprofessional, dis- request. “Tt just makes you feel like older teachers may not be as sewage had gotten into the business. Guess what, sir? It respectful manner. He said you made a good impression technology savvy as their his concerns were not dealt The budget was approved. lake. Price said on his Face- is my business. I’m a citizen on students,” she said. younger colleagues, technol- book page that raw sewage of Elk City and I’ve lived with, and he called for Lit- The zoning ordinance will In her retirement, she ogy is not everything, Hoop- terell’s dismissal. be on the June 17 meeting and human waste had been here my entire life and I will said she and husband Lorne er said. agenda. flowing into the lake for at probably live here until I Melanie Randle said she would love to travel as soon “Classroom management least a year. die.” was concerned about the Also, commissioners ap- as soon as they feel safe to is the most important thing proved a 2020 FAA CARES His post said a small sign Mayor Nick Archer said sewage in the lake and that at the lake warned lake-go- that concerning the sewer the city needed to do what- Act Grant Application for do so. Her husband is retired a new teacher can learn how as well, to do,” she said. “And older ers that that sewage may be leak on Price’s property, he ever was needed to rectify $30,000 and a resolution ac- Hooper taught 26 years, all teachers know how to man- the situation. Others also cepting a grant offer from age a classroom, and if [new present in the late, and Price apologized if the matter had in Elk City. She taught fifth wanted the city to look into the U.S. Department of added that is “not a possi- not been handled properly. grade English language arts teachers] can get that down, the sewage problem and be Transportation Federal Avi- the rest will follow. But you bility. It is a certainty.” His He said Price notified the for five years at the interme- vigilant to protect the public. ation Administration for the have to know how to man- Facebook post stated that city of the problem on April diate school, where she re- Some patrons, such as CARES Act Grant Offer. age a classroom.” a 12-inch sewer line broke 13, and the city notified DEQ tired. In her other 21 years, Brandon Hoskins, talked Commissioners approved Hopper started her career and leaked into the city and the same day. DEQ made she taught in the elementary about other matters, such as a payment for $11,269.50 late — age 38 — but thinks city was “well aware of this four visits, Archer said. and middle schools. that gave her an advantage and has put temporary re- Later, in a response to medical marijuana business- to Myers Engineering for “T probably chose the right year to retire as far as teach- because she already had two pairs upon the broken line emailed questions, Archer es being allowed to operate engineering services for a kids and knew how to man- on more than one occasion.” said city officials did every- in the city. The city does not 12-inch sanitary sewer main ing goes because it’s going allow the sale of medical to change so much next year age them at home. He warned people to not let thing DEQ asked them to do replacement near Pioneer Children have not changed their children swim in the and responded in a timely marijuana in the city. Some Road and 20th Street. with the virus and every- speakers pointed to the city in the 26 years she has lake or eat fish caught from and efficient manner. As far In his City Manager re- thing, so from my standpoint taught, although what they it. as whether there has been being able to benefit finan- port, Litterell said the city I probably retired at the right are interested in, such as cially from medical mari- time,” she said. “I'll miss During his remarks Mon- any sewage in the lake, he pool will be open Wednes- playing computer games, juana sales. the kids the most, and espe- day, he criticized city of- said, “I am not a hydrologist “T don’t understand the day through Sunday and has changed. ficials for not tending to and I have no way to verify cially miss the teachers that be at half capacity, and the “But kids are the same: the problem, and he placed allegations as to when the problem here,” business I worked with at the inter- They want you to love them, owner Matt Trotter said. train, carousel and putt-putt mediate school. They were they want to feel secure, blame on Litterell for his leak occurred. I can say, I failure in this matter. visited the site several times “You're wanting to bring golf will be open Wednes- great. Thy were a lot of fun they want to learn, but they businesses into town, but day through Sunday. The “We used to the shiny and saw the broken pipe in to work with. I made lots of still need to know you love you have crap going into the train and carousel will have city in Western Oklahoma,” the creek. That creek ulti- good friends with the other them,” she said. “As long as lake? It doesn’t really bring limited seating. The library teachers I taught with.” they know that, you can get Price said. “Now we’re the mately leads to the lake.” people to town. We have a is open from 10 am. to 6 She said it was time to re- pretty far with a kid.” [expletive] city. That’s re- During the public forum, big issue here. Unless you p.m. Monday through Friday tire and her husband is retir- As far as what the public ally what it boils down to.” resident Billy Preston com- address it, it’s not going to and the Route 66 museum is ing now, too. and parents should know, He asked Litterell directly plained about some cleaning open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. change. People are going to “But I know I'll miss it,” Hooper thinks it would help- leave.” Tuesday through Saturday. ODOT she said. “I know I will.” ful if parents placed a bigger Comments and questions importance on education. She takes care of her moth- er, who is in assistant living “Some parents do; a lot of can be directed to Irtp@ odotorgor by mailing Mat- Donna Rea Dean center, and Hooper will con- them don’t,” she said. Continued from page 1. thew Swift, Oklahoma De- Donna Rea Dean was born tinue to do that. Hooper also Hooper appreciates the respondents said ODOT April 26, 1932, in Elk City plans to spend time with her teachers and principals she should improve _ existing partment of Transporta- to Lorene “Rene” (Brown) and James Haskell Rea. She four grandchildren. She has worked with during the ca- highway and bridge condi- tion, Strategic Asset and two grandsons in Elk City, reer, Performance Management passed away May 25, 2020 at tions even if it meant tax- Elk City Oklahoma at the age and Hooper's daughter, Hol- payers being asked to pay Division, 200 N.E. 21st St., “It’s been a lot of fun,” she of 88 years and 29 days. ly Stover, is a teacher here said. “I’ve had a lot of fun a little more. Many partici- Oklahoma City OK 73105. Donna grew up in Canute in Elk City. Hooper’s son teaching.” pants were also interested in While written comments are where she attended school teaches in Oklahoma. Ringer taught sixth grade ODOT investing in and pre- until she married James Hooper felt called to teach geography and science at preferred, feedback can also paring for public transit and C.“Jimmie” Dean, Jr. on July by God, and she recalled the intermediate school. new technologies, including be given by phone by calling 30, 1949. She finished school time with the children before how she got started in teach- She taught 17 years in Elk connected and automated 405-522-6879. and graduated from Weather- bed, The whole family at- ing, explaining how difficult City and 33 years overall. ford High School. They lived tended church almost every to get a job teacher back vehicles. Once all public input time the doors were open for She also taught in Mountain in Ponca City for a time and when started. Some of her Oklahomans can ___vis- has been received, the final then returned to live north of years. Donna made clothes, best memories of teaching View and Ponca City. it www.oklongrangeplan. version of the plan will be Canute for several years. In sewed curtains, recovered, are meeting parents and stu- “Tt was a great experi- org between June 2 and June the early 1960s the family and refinished furniture. She dents. The most rewarding ence,” Ringer said about 23 to view a summary of the presented to the Oklahoma decorated her home with care moved to the Rea homestead part of her career was middle her career. “I taught in three final LRTP and take a short Transportation Commission south of Canute. and with style. In every way school teaching. great school systems, had online survey. Feedback for adoption in late summer. Donna was a secretary at she “made” home. Her family “J did not think that I was great principals, administra- from the survey will be in- The LRTP will then be sub- the fertilizer store and Ca- was well cared-for. going to enjoy it,” she said tion and fellow teachers.” corporated into the final plan nute Public School. She later Donna is preceded in death when she entered the mid- In her retirement, she document and then ODOT mitted to the Federal High- opened a gift shop in Canute. by her parents; husband of dle school as a teacher. “I way Administration and the When Jimmie purchased the more than 69 years, Jimmie plans to help take care of her will hold a formal public and uncle, Robert Rea. was not happy about going Federal Transit Administra- Roger Mills Coop facilities in over there. But it was really granddaughter, who lives in comment period from June 1979, and renamed it the Elk Donna’s memory and legacy the kids [making the differ- the Fort Cobb area. 29 to July 29 to accept input tion, ODOT’s two primary Elevator, she moved her gift will be kept alive through the ence]. I formed some really She said her fondest mem- by email, mail or phone. federal funding partners. shop there, renaming it The family and friends she leaves strong relationships with the ories of teaching occurred Wagon Yard. behind which include: her 4 kids that I taught in middle when in the former students Donna was very active in sons, Rannie and wife, Cyndi Dean, Valdosta, GA, Nor- Sus school.” came back to visit. the Church of God in Elk City, She said teaching was as playing the organ or piano, or man and wife, Kathy Dean, “When they come back to satisfying as the end as it visit you and they walk into directing the choir in succes- Oklahoma City, OK, Ricky was at the beginning. sion through the years. She and wife, Cheryl Dean, Den- your classroom and give you ton, TX and Clinton and wife, “You still had those kids a hug or say hi to you, you spent many hours, along with you knew you could help,” choir members, on developing Sherri Dean, Canute, OK; 1 she said. “Teaching has know you did something Continuedfrom page 1. ing to the census. Christmas and Easter Canta- daughter, DeAnn and hus- changeda lot over the years, right with the kids,” she said. households) have com- “With your help, we know tas. She has sung solos, and band, David Gaddis, Ulysses, but it’s still a personal con- In her 33 years, there were pleted their Census, said that number can grow and KS; 23 grandchildren and 37 some changes, such as the in duets and trios for numer- great grandchildren and a host nection with the kids — that testing, but she enjoyed the Bianca J. Gamez, senior shape the future for your ous weddings and funerals in of other relatives and friends. won't ever change. You’re every church, She loved mu- Funeral services will be time she spent in the class- media specialist with DFW community and outlet,” she in the people business when room. For new teachers star- & North Texas, Denver Re- said in a news release. “It sic all her life. She was also held Saturday, May 30, 2020 you're in teaching. If you a long-time member of the at 2:00 P.M. at the Canute City love kids and you love peo- ing out, she advises them to gion, Dallas Regional Cen- is has never been as easy Gideons Auxiliary, giving Bi- Park officiated by Pastor Joe ple, then you're going to be be consistent and know they sus Center Field Division of to complete the Census like bles and promoting the Bible Thompson. Due to the remain- just fine. You'll be a suc- will be teaching children the U.S. Census Bureau. this one.” at every opportunity. ing Covid 19 concerns we ask cessful teacher.” from all walks of life. The Canadian County has the Residents can now re- Donna was a homemak- that everyone bring a lawn She said she wishes one primary goal should be to er. When her children were chair and sit at the park. A element of teaching would highest response rate with a spond to the census via young, she had large gardens, private family graveside will build relationships with the change: class sizes. students. 66.7 percent. Cedar Valley the internet at 2020census. put up a large pantry full of be held at Page Cemetery. Ar- “[ think the support will be Teaching is not a job you leads all cities with an 81.8 gov, by phone by calling food, and provided well for rangements are under the di- there for teachers and teach- percent response rate, Ga- 844-330-2020 or by mail the family table. The table rection of Chris Whinery and er raises, but right now, what leave at work. was beautiful for holidays, the staff of Affordable Crema- we all need to work on is we “Tt comes home with you mez said. (residents have received). with a tablecloth she embroi- tion Service - West. Condo- need to reduce class sizes,” every day,” she said. “You Like Peel, Gamez stressed For more information visit dered. She and Jimmie had ences can be made online at she said. worry about those kids.” the importance of respond- 2020census.gov. nightly devotions and prayer www.classicfunerals.com