June 24, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Weekend Edition Commissioners Adopt New Budget and Hear Aquatic Center Numbers Shannon Pirus, Children’s Librarian New Librarian Hosts Summer Library L = s Photos courtesy of Chief Eddie Holland. the June Sth meeting. They went on to approve Ordinance NO. 1253: An Ordinance changing the zoning classification of a tract Program for Children of land situated in City Tracts 2-10-21, Beckham County, Elk City, Oklahoma from I-1, Light Industrial District to C-2, High- By Sheryl Ponce way Commercial and Commercial Recreation District. City Man- ager Tom Ivester said that this is where the tornado took down the buildings south of town, and that they will be putting up ‘The summer reading program is well on its way with Shan- storage buildings. non Pirus, the children’s librarian, directing the way. Each ‘The next item on the agenda was the Introduction of NO. Wednesday there is a special guest who comes in and reads for 1254: An Ordinance ofthe City of Elk City annexing a 7.05 acres Storytime. Mayor Cory Spieker was the reader on last Wed., tract of property. This is the same property petitioned in the pub- and someone from the Elk City Animal Shelter will be reading lic hearing. No vote was taken because it was an introduction. next Wed. ‘The commissioners approved Resolution No. 2023-11: A This summer the reading program theme is about kind- Resolution approving the City of Elk City Budget for the Fiscal ness, with each week focusing on kindness to someone differ- Year 2023-2024. Ivester told the commissioners that they had ent. Tuesday's from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. the chess club meets for two small changes since the budget public hearing, one for the adults and youth. Thursday there is a different activity. Next ambulance budget and a small change to an amortization. ‘Thursday is “No Sew Dog Toys” with Randi at 11 a.m. By Sheryl Ponce “The overall budget is $31.8 million, and it is 3.75 percent larger than our current fiscal year, which is slightly less than the Pirus works with director DeAun Ivester to plan all the ‘The Elk City Commissioners met Wed., June 21st, at 2 p.m. rate of inflation. This includes the 5 percent pay raise” Ivester activities. She moved from California to Elk City in April of in City Hall to conduct their regular monthly business. Mayor explained. 2022 to take the position at Elk City Carnegie Library. Pirus is Cory Speiker gave the invocation while Rick Shelton led the flag Resolution No 2023-12: Resolution of the Elk City Public married to Andrew, and they have one daughter. She obtained salute. Before they opened the meeting for business, the com- Works Authority, Elk City for the annual increase in Water, Sew- her master’s degree in library science from San Jose State Uni- missioners held a public hearing for annexation as advertised. er, Sanitation, and Landfill utility rates was approved. Ivester versity after a career as a preschool teacher. Petitioner Bobby Drinnon requested 7.05 acres at 2021 E. said that they have a rate schedule that includes an annual in- “I love being part of the community and getting to know Highway 66 to be annexed into the City of Elk City. The proposed crease to keep up with inflation. He believes it to be around 5 all of the kids and the families. I love getting up and coming to zoning will be A-1, Agricultural District, Planning and Zoning percent increase. work every day. It is pure joy,” Pirus said, Chair, Tom Johnson spoke to the issue, saying that they voted ‘The commissioners approved Resolution No. 2023-13: A Res- While she has been here, they have added an extra Story- unanimously to approve the proposal. No one else spoke about olution of the City of Elk City supporting the Grant Application time, due to the popularity. They also restarted the STEAM the annexation. to MODA for Esports equipment at the Arrowhead Center. This The commissioners then voted to approve the minutes of See Commission page 2. See Library page 2. RCCT Kicks Off Lighting Fundraiser By Sheryl Ponce The Board of Directors of Elk City's Red Carpet Community ‘Theatre announced their need to raise $10,000 to replace their lighting system, electrical work, and exterior lighting. The old Route 66 Showdown Hits Elk City lighting board crashed prior to the opening of “Little Women” and again with “Wait Until Dark.” Although they were able to re- Motorsports Park Saturday store it before the show went up, the stability of the system has been a concern for quite a while; therefore, they are asking the community to help with the expenses. “To ensure the quality of our performances, we have an im- By Sheryl Ponce Sprint Cars, and the ECMP Factory Stocks, USRA Ltd. Mods, and mediate need to get this lighting system replaced. In addition, we Tuners will also be racing. ‘The top five OCRS Sprint Cars are di- have decided to completely redo the electrical systems and lights. One hundred miles per hour sprint cars will be circling the vided by less than 100 points as they chase the championship track west of Elk City at the Elk City Motorsports Park Saturday ‘This includes exterior lighting so that you will be able to safely title. This means that the best cars will there, and that will result lwalk to and from our building on show night and wiring inside evening, June 24th. The grandstands open at 5 p.m. and racing ina fast, fun night of racing. starts at 7 p.m., with admission for adults 16 to 64 costing $15, [to improve the safety and illumination of our facility,” president while youth eight to 15 years old get in for $10 along with seniors Another added feature of the Sat. night racing is their spe- cialty concession stand. Rod Fauver and Joe McConnell have Christy Russell-Dobbs wrote on their Facebook page. over 65 and older, all military, and first responders. Children un- der eight get in free. brought in one of the best caterers in western Oklahoma to pro- To support their efforts mail a check to RCCT P.O. Box 852, ‘The Oil Capital Racing Series (OCRS) will be there with the vide quality food at affordable prices. Elk City, OK 73648, donate at www.rcct.org, or Venmo @RedCar- pet-CommunityTheatre. All donations are tax deductible. «UM 0, Weather tomorrow /73 Vol. 120, No. 53 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com