June 17, 2020 Issue, Page 2 of 9

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Page 2 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Wednesday, June 17, 2020 Attorney of May, so that is getting the “She thought like that munity Action Project Plans centered more on senior citi- Spieker seemed to have con- city past much of the shut- would give us a couple more indoor activity facility, to be zens, with a walking track cerns about the optics of the down period for COVID-19, weeks,” Archer said. “She built at Ackley Park West. and space where seniors can building going up with the Continued from page 1. Church said. did state that if we chose to Van Storm, representing Joe talk and play games. Visi- amount it is costing and the The commission approved “T can’t predict the future, take action today that she D. Hall General Contractors tors will be able to access economy being where it is cutting employees’ hours by but I’m out and about and didn’t think that would hurt L.L.C. in Elk City, attended the upstairs by stairs and by now. 10 percent in April. The cut, everything’s busy,” she said. us, either. But again, no- the meeting and told the elevator. Spieker said the public triggered by economic con- “The streets are busy, the body has a crystal ball: The commission that the con- Commissioners took no needs to know commission- struction documents with the ditions, was considered tem- shops are busy, Walmart’s bottom could fall out or we action on the project, as it porary at the time, but then- busy, and I’m hoping that could soar higher than we architect were completed on ers are being transparent and June 1. Solicitation of bids was just a discussion item. City Manager Lee Litterell we’re where we need to be have.” that the process “is in mo- said he was not sure how He said becomes the next stage of Commission Larry Muck he thought it tion — we can’t stop it. We and we'll stay there.” asked whether the com- the process. long that temporary period was time the employees be have to go forward. But the Archer said Meredith The activity center will mission was legally bound to continue with the proj- people have to know that would last. brought back to their nor- Meacham-Wilson, financial be located across from Elk City Treasurer Lisa adviser and CPA from RS mal hourly levels. Not long rather than think we’re just City Elementary School. It ect, and Commissioner Jeff Church said Thursday that after, following some com- going forward because we the city is off 11 percent in Meacham CPAs and Ad- missioner discussion, the will be a 50,000-square foot Jackson said the commission visors in Clinton, said she building with stories, with was obligated to move ahead want it.” sales tax from where it was commission voted 5-0 to thought with the start of the terminate the employee fur- the first floor having such The voters approved to and that money has been ap- last year, but she thinks the situation is leveling out. The fiscal year, the city could go lough. The furlough ended features as basketball and proved, with 75 percent of spend the money, so the reporting time she used was back to full-time hours and Thursday. volleyball courts, multipur- the approved funds needing commissioners have an ob- from the last two weeks of rescind the employee fur- The commission had a pose rooms and an indoor to spent in three years. Muck ligation to. move forward, April and the first two weeks lough period. discussion about the Com- playground. Upstairs will be and Commissioner Cory Jackson said. Alzheimer’s Foreshadows tion, which is a meeting in to predict. which individuals can get on “Coronavirus and the the same page about the care George Floyd protests have for their loved ones and in- changed the political land- Continued from page 1. raised stays local in Okla- Alzheimer’s Association homa for services here, she formation they need to help Continued from page 1.glove box to pull out a gun. scape quite a bit in just the of Oklahoma, told The News said. make decisions. None are expected to win It’s very in your face and last 60 days,” Shapard said. that The Longest Day was As far as progress toward “It’s very customized and a majority, which will force clear that these are her pri- “It’s almost changing by the created to help those people in helping patients, she said it meets those families and an Aug. 25 runoff election orities.” week.” who could not participate there are some drugs being individuals where they are,” to determine who will face Neese’s ads might suc- Johnson believes Horn in the annual walk in many funded that are in various Duvall said, including help- a formidable Horn, who out- will be a tough opponent in ceed in catching the eyes of communities each year. stages, and the drugs avail- ing those people who, over raised her GOP candidate in voters, but the firm align- the general election, result- “Sometimes, it was be- able now target symptoms. years of time, now have a 2018, and already has raised ment with President Donald ing in a seat up for grabs by cause of geography where So there is nothing avail- family member with Al- nearly $3 million heading Trump they showcase is a either party. people are just too far away able now that has proven to zheimer’s whose symptoms into the November election. viewpoint consistent across be successful for the cure, The candidate to have all of the primary’s GOP “She has not shied away from where we have our are emerging and behaviors walks,” she said, explaining Barnes said. served in public office most candidates. from talking with constitu- are changing. that the organization wanted recently, Bice, has raised “Trust is bound up with ents about tough issues and She said The Longest “They walk out with an people to do something else Day is not just about raising action plan,” Duvall said. $873,288, with $405,566 how people feel about Presi- tough times,” Johnson said within their own network money, it’s about spread- remaining on hand as of her dent Trump,” Gaddie said. of Horn. “She’s running the “It’s just one of those fan- and that the activity be some- ing awareness of the orga- tastic services that we offer. April report to the Federal “The simple act of putting sort of race that you need thing they love doing. “The nization’s ability to provide And everything that we offer Election Commission. on the red hat ... is a strong to run to overcome a lot of organization decided to offer support. So even if someone “She’s the person with signal that can benefit you in the variables that might be is free.” an ability to fund raise really thinks a fundraiser does not the record,” Johnson said. many ways.” against her over the next few The organization also of- “{She] has run recently, so months.” on their own terms.” bring in much money, she Johnson said the other fers resources to health care there’s sort of a campaign Whatever people want to encourages people to do it factor distinguishing each Horn raised $2,889,120 do as far as an activity is because it will spread aware- providers, including asking infrastructure there that can candidate is their potential as of her April report, with limited only by their imagi- ness. those providers to refer the be neatly rolled into running to beat Horn in the general $2,229,230 remaining in her families of their patents to for something else.” war chest. nation, but because of the Heather Duvall, director of election. pandemic this year, some programs with Alzheimer’s the Alzheimer’s Associa- Although Bice has less “They want someone who One factor of this race re- activities are limited, she Association of Oklahoma, tion. For people wanting a personal experience in busi- they think is going to be able mains certain: The national said. In the past, bridge tour- who is based in Tulsa, said find a support group meet- ness and commerce than to stand up to Kendra Horn,” attention and funding it is naments and dance nights or all fundraising that the Al- ing virtually, they can go to some of her fellow candi- Johnson said of the elector- expected to receive. classes were held and yoga zheimer’s chapter does with communityresourcefinder. dates, her efforts to boost ate. “This will be a national is- studios also were involved. The Longest Day, annual org. Oklahoma’s economy have In a primary consisting sue general election, as op- Other activities include golf walk or other fundraisers No in-service program- included sponsoring an over- of candidates with similar posed to a local issue race,” and pickle ball tournaments, goes toward research to find ming is being done at this haul of Oklahoma’s liquor views on the issues and loy- Shapard said. and then there were bake acure and care and support. time, Duvall said, but the laws in 2018, which allowed alty to Trump, Chad Alexan- Five of the primary candi- sales and car washes. Care and support includes Alzheimer’s Association grocery and convenience der, former chairman of the dates are scheduled to par- “Whatever your hobby education programs for Al- remains available and is do- stores to sell beverages of Oklahoma Republican Par- ticipate in a debate hosted by higher alcohol content. ty, said the race will likely is, you can turn into a fun- zheimer’s and dementia to ing various services, such as NonDoc at 5:15 p.m. Thurs- draiser,” said Barnes, who community members and care consultations. Another GOP candidate, remain close and result in a day at the Oklahoma City is based in Oklahoma City. partners, families, caregivers For more information, Barresi, is primarily self run-off election. Community College Visual “This year, we're naturally and others. call 1-800-272-3900. Peo- funded. She raised $535,130 “Primaries are a lot more and Performing Arts Center. focusing on a lot of virtual “We have a variety of ple calling that number can as of the April quarter, with fluid than general elections,” The deadline to request an events, online gamers, that effective | communication $500,000 resulting from a find out how to get con- Alexander said. “Things can absentee ballot for the June type of thing.” strategies of how to com- loan. change a lot in three weeks.” 30 primary is June 23. Early nected with someone from Barresi led a controversial With the walk in Elk City, municate with someone with the Oklahoma chapter and SoonerPoll founder Bill voting will begin June 25. people are encouraged to so- Alzheimer’s and dementia,” term as Superintendent of Shapard said the events of Gaylord News is a report- learn more about resources, Public Instruction in 2011, cial distance. In doing any she said. “But there are a 2020 have exacerbated the ing project of the University events, people are encour- variety of educational pro- programs and services. For which ended with a failed re- fickle nature of primaries of Oklahoma Gaylord Col- aged to do them safely and grams.” further information, go to election campaign after de- and made the direction of lege of Journalism and Mass carefully so they will not The organization also of- alz.org. feat in the 2014 GOP prima- this race especially difficult Communication. in any way be hurting the fers support groups. Before For more information on ry. However, Johnson thinks population they are trying to The Longest Day event, go Barresi’s recognizable name help. COVID-19 hit, there were about 75 support groups that to the Facebook at https:// may still work in her favor. Donna Karen Martin Much of the money ~a lit- met across the state regu- www.facebook.com/ “It’s not as if it had a suc- Memorial services will be tle more than half - garnered larly. Support groups have groups/12801 16468833560 cessful ride off into the sun- held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the from fundraisers goes to had to move into the virtual The release noted key facts. set sort of ending for her,” First Baptist Church. Johnson said in reference to Donna Karen Martin of fund research to find a cure platform. Those groups are about Alzheimer’s include: Midland, Texas was born De- for Alzheimer’s and other led by trained volunteers, — Alzheimer’s disease is her 2010 term. “[Voters] are cember 15th, 1949 in Yonkers dementia-related _ illnesses, and offer support to caregiv- the sixth-leading cause of going to encounter this con- New York. She was adopted Barnes said. ers and family members, let- death in the United States. test, and they may remember by Walter Boas and Jackie “We are the largest non- ting them know they are not — Every 65 seconds, some- the name, but not remember Sipes at three days old. She profit supporter and funder alone and providing a forum one in the United States de- the record on it much, and went to be with Jesus June 5, of this type of research,” she for questions and answers. velops Alzheimer’s. that may cut in her favor.” 2020 from cardiac arrest in said. “And we are the largest “A lot of resource-sharing — More than 5 million Republican candidate Lubbock Tx. She grew up in non-governmental agency to happens in those support Americans are living with Neese has also placed herself Oklahoma City, graduating fund Alzheimer’s research- groups,” Duvall said. near the front of the pack and from Classen High School. er.” Another critical resource Alzheimer’s or other demen- raised $895,492, of which She married high school Alaska, Jay Boas Graham and The rest of the money available is a care consulta- tias, and more than 16 mil- $450,000 came from a loan. sweetheart Dwane Wasemi- Kenny Boas, both deceased. lion family and friends are She has $650,983 remaining Iler and later divorced but re- She had two stepsons, Mike providing care and support. mained close. and Gregg Wasemiller that Round Town on hand. —In Oklahoma alone, there Donna worked at Martin she loved as her own. Johnson said the strength She was blessed with eight are more than 67,000 people Decker & Nagle’s in Elk City of Neese’s campaign lies in for many years. She was also grandchildren: Cameron living with Alzheimer’s and To find out what will be on your ballot June 30, go to her evocative and unambigu- a volunteer mentor at Mid- Gardner, John and Jacqueline more than 226,000 family ously conservative TV ad- Damell, James Lucy, Faith ok.gov/elections. click on Ok Voter Portal. land Elementary School. She members and friends caring vertisements. was kind to everyone. and Chase Rice, Hope and for them. “Those ads hit you right Donna leaves many to cher- Grace Merrifield. Two great To register for The Lon- in the face,” Johnson said. ish her memory: three daugh- grandchildren: Emy and Tory Send obituaries to [email protected] gest Day, access alz.org/ thelongestday for more in- “She’s wearing the Make America Great Again red ters, Dawn Lucy, Tammy Darnell, Rhonda and Jon Mer- rifield, She had two brothers in Rice. She will be greatly missed by all. formation. hat. she’s reaching into her