February 8, 2025 Issue, Page 3 of 16

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The Elk City News SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2025 + 3 SCHOLARSHIP eligible to apply as long as he involved in FFA. or she has established resi- application is March 29th. as on the District's Facebook ham County. They help The scholarship will be Those applications will be page. coordinate the actions of Continued from page 1 dency in Beckham County. given to the student's school reviewed by the board of di- North Fork of Red Riv- all different partnerships in Applicants must have a during the 2025 summer or rectors in their April board er Conservation District is developing and implement- Merritt, Sayre, or Sweetwa- minimum grade point aver- fall semester. If the recipient meeting, in which they will fully funding this scholar- ing conservation practices ter. Students who are ho- age (GPA) of 3.0 and pursue changes his/her major from select a winner. He or she ship. The District’s function that will improve the quali- meschooled, considered a a degree in agriculture or agriculture or education, the will be notified after the is to provide education to ty of the soil, water, and air. senior, and going into sec- education. All applications scholarship will no longer selection is made and an- all ages, technical assis- Additionally, the District ondary education are also must be typewritten. He or be in effect. nounced in a press release tance, and financial assis- assists producers with wild- she is also encouraged to be ‘The deadline to submit an to local newspapers, as well tance to producers of Beck- life encroachment. for Elk City? fighter for approximately five miniature golf course. These KILHOFFER “think firstand foremost, is City has grown in a way that we are not solely dependent years and spent a lot of time things make our city great and me. I made some of the great- est connections that I could Continued from page 1 continuing the progression. If on the oilfield, and I think we in that firehouse. It was too contribute to the revenue that have ever asked for as a young you can’t look at Elk City and should expect workforce op- small then, and very outdated, helped install them” adult, building out my career. tendent. Transitioning from realize there's something great portunity and growth” and now we will have the fa- How would you, or do you, Honestly, I've worked hard to park superintendent, Kilhof- going on here, then you're How do you think you can cilities that our police and fire handle conflict or controver- be where I am and wouldn't fer accepted another posi- deeply misled. From Highway effectively lead the commis- deserve.” sy? change any ofit? tion with the city of Elk City 81 to the Texas line, Elk City is sion? “I know some folks don't “T think you must stop and “Working in some of the working under the Tobacco the only small town that’s not “Tt starts and ends with understand that, but without understand the entire situa- less than desirable positions Settlement Endowment Trust shrinking. Small towns are communication. That's some- police and firemen, this place tion, get the facts, familiarize has shown me the value of (TSET) where he faced new dying across America. There thing that some people are would fall apart. Also, the air- yourself with the parties in- hard work and determination endeavors, including public is something to stand on and born with, and some people port project is exciting, it may volved and don't make any and provided me with an ar- speaking duties and working keep that drive going. That is never develop it. In my cur- not be a huge revenue source, preconceived determinations. senal of experience. My path with schools and communi- first and foremost.” rent line of work, I don’t have but you got to have it” Tm the type of person that has shown me that you don't ties. “This one is a little bit out any option but to be a good “As far as new projects, I sees learning opportunities always have to have a specific After three and a_ half of the box, but we don't have communicator, and I'm proud would like to see a new con- in most conflicts. Generally, background or education to years, Kilhoffer accepted em- a clear identity in Elk City. I of my development. Effective vention center. I think a side when you give someone a seat be successful.” ployment with Great Plains think we need to turn Elk City dialogues can pave the way leg off that project could be to at the table and have construc- “One more thing I would Analytical Services (GAS) into a place that is a destina- for progress. It’s also import- put something smaller down- tive dialogue, you can begin to like to add is my marriage and prompting him to delve deep- tion and not a stop along the town, like a covered pavilion work together and focus on being a parent, I mean there's ant to hear everyone out and er into this field, ultimately way. What I mean by that is weigh the options and deliver that could bring the block solutions rather than assign- nothing that molds a person leading him to a position at we have a continual custom- a message that is clear, factu- parties back to downtown and ing blame” with whom they are more Enbridge Pipelines, where he er base that is driving down al and transparent. An open still be utilized for parking” What role do you think than what's happening in their developed an in-house emis- Route 66 daily. Let’s get them line of communication builds What is the City’s greatest social media plays in public household, and that is very sions testing department. He to start turning south on Main rapport and ultimately avoids weakness? knowledge ofcity important to me. I'm a dad, took the initiative to educate Street instead of continuing disagreement and unrest” “It’s the history of the boom management or dissemi- Tm a girl dad. That's my life, himself about federal reg- east or west on 66.” What do you think is your and bust. Elk City’s identity nating public information or but it’s the decisions we make ulations and requirements, “I also think we could do greatest quality that would for a long time was, well, you misinformation? for our kids and our house- which prepared him for a more to invest in the city em- make you the best person to know, we probably won't be “[m pro social media. I've hold that shape the future” subsequent opportunity with ployees and their own career be the mayor? here long, because it’s coming gone through times where ‘What else do you want the Marathon Petroleum Logis- development. Look at the re- “This is also something and going. We will always in- Tm not that engaged in it. public to know about you? tics (MPLX). tention rate of some of our su- Tve learned about myself grain the oil field in the com- But here’s the thing about it, “{ want people to know In his current role, Kil- pervisors. We have some ex- throughout my career; it's my munity, and that is part of our everyone has it for one rea- that I am approachable and hoffer worked out a plan to cellent supervisors, but many willingness and desire to help. roots, but we must continue son or another. I've been at a grounded in common sense. make the workload equi- of them have been there for a Ive discovered that when 'm looking outside of that. It’s all point in my life where I had I get asked often, do you not table. As an environmental long time. When someone re- helping others, I truly enjoy about sustainability”. social media just because of think this is a bad time to do specialist, he now oversees tires or leaves, who is going to what I'm doing, and my pro- ‘What is the city’s greatest the marketplace platform on this because your kids are state and federal compliance take their position?” ductivity increases tenfold. I strength? Facebook. It's the quickest, young? across Oklahoma and east “{ also feel strongly about like to dive into things and get “Look at our tax revenue. I most broad way of getting in- I think the opposite, I'm at Texas. Kilhoffer loves to find finding ways to appeal to my hands dirty and fix prob- mean, it's amazing. We can't formation out. But! think you the Arrowhead watching my issues, correct them and im- young adults to remain here lems” ignore that, our location, geo- still need to utilize your tradi- kids play sports weekly, 'm at prove efficiency. and start their families” What is or are the most graphically, my gosh, could tional media outlets. Everyone the Kilhoffer is married to Tif- What changes do you see important projects that the we ask for a better place to is involved in social media on soccer fields multiple times fany, and they have two chil- for the future of Ek City? city should be working on? start trying to build some- one platform or another, you a week, I’m at tons of school dren, Kai and Marki. His par- “| feel like the city is doing “I love all the current proj- thing? You know, we're in the just must be clear, transparent functions, and will be at the ents are Kevin and Belynda a great job, but I would like ects. I know there’ a lot of dead center between Oklaho- and factual. Pioneer Center tonight. 'm Kilhoffer. He has one sister, to see more collaboration be- frustration and pain points ma City and Amarillo, right What experience(s) do you already out in the community Melissa, who is married to tween the city and those who with the downtown project. on Route 66 with a historic think will help you the most and engaging with the citi- Scott Garrison. His in-laws have ideas or suggestions, I think we are a little late to downtown” in this position? zens regularly. This is the right are Eddie and Linda Bennett and I'm not sure we have the the party on an update, but “The CAPPS projects have “T think it’s a combination time. I am passionate about of Weatherford and brother- its getting done. That is what's really put us ahead when it of how I got here. Having the youth in this community proper avenue for that. I have learned that progress is usu- important. Obviously, police comes to appeal, with the ball worked for the city and un- and want to continue to grow in-law, Tad Bennett, of Elk City. ally driven through conver- and fire, that’s long overdue. fields, the new aquatic cen- derstanding how things are on what we already have to What Goals do you have sation and collaboration. Elk I mean, I was a volunteer fire- ter and soon to be complete done is a huge advantage for offer” What is the City’s greatest in this position? and passion for our commu- McABEE lack or limited communica- tion, I think that we have got weakness? mation? “T think it’s critical. I think in “I think being active in the nity. I want to do things that Continued from page 1 to stress communication and “[ think our housing. The this day, we have to use the dif- community over the last sev- bring people to town but also communicate with each other housing question is more criti- ferent sources available to us. I eral years, and my real estate look at the quality of life issues. youngest is Sicily, who is mar- cal than people realize. I think know there are certain people background certainly helps. Weve done so many good as a commission and with the ried to Brad George, and they public? we would have more people who obviously enjoy a news- My accounting background things that I just want to keep have two children Cameron “We need to hear what peo- move to town if we had hous- paper, but theresa such a large and overall business back- the momentum up and bring and Kiyra. McAbee’s mother is ple in their 20s need. We need ing, and we have an enormous piece of the public that is go- ground also helps. I think all in things that look for the next Linda McAbee, and his broth- to hear what people in their amount of people that drive to ing to get all their information of those things come into play. thing. What are we missing er is Mitch who is married to 30s and 40s need and we also town, which is wonderful, but from social media. I think that WhenI was at the hospital, I that’s good for families? What Teddi. They have one son. need to be completely aware itd be even better if they lived goes back to what I was saying had an administrative role are we missing that’s good for What Goals do you have of what the retiring generation here” earlier, if we correctly commu- there, and that management the elderly? And why don't we for Elk City? needs.” What is the city’s greatest nicate up front, it would pre- experience? fill in the gaps? I have an abso- “T think we're on a great What do you think is your strength? vent miscommunication” What else do you want the lute love for our town and our path. I want to see that con- greatest quality that would “This sounds cliché, but it's What experience(s) do you public to know about you? community, and our people.” tinue and accelerate. | feel like make you the best person to our people. I travel, I love to think will help you the most “I have an absolute heart we have the incredible poten- be the mayor? travel, andI love to see things. tial with being on Interstate “T think I have great vision You see the beauty, and it’s 40. With the visibility that we for our town. I love people, like, ‘Oh, gosh, this is amazing. have, the people that we have, and then I feel that you can I wish I had this beauty back and to me, is it’s all about the put the qualities that we have home? Honestly, things may people. But I think that we have a lot of growth potential, growth in a good way” together with the people that we have, I think then we have be prettier in other places, but it’s all about the people” How would you, or do you, a vision that will come to- Protect your family. ‘What changes do you see hand conflict or controversy? Safely store all gether. My biggest goal is long for the future of Elk City? term planning. Five, ten, and “T think that goes with com- “T think that we need to 15 years down the road, where munication. Theres no rule build houses. I believe we are we going to be? I think that that says we all have to agree, have a housing shortage, and we have great builders in Elk City. All the builders here get goes to some of the commit- tees I think we need.” What is or are the most im- but if we learn to commu- nicate and understand each other's perspective, I think medications. along great, and we all have portant projects that the city theres always room for the our niche, but I really believe should be working on? middle ground that helps ev- we need more housing. I think “[ think housing is one erybody. I certainly don’t want we need to take some steps thing because it’s hard to grow, to go into this thinking it has to figure out what we can do its hard to recruit business- to be my way that I don't have about that. There seems to be es without people, its hard to something to learn, but I think a big gap in needing starter have people without housing. that we have to communicate housing. I think the need to I think that’s one. I think that and look at the different sides. see if the city can take steps to we've got to get a new conven- Sometimes there are hard de- encourage builders coming to tion center, civic center, expo cisions to be made, but I think town to build additional hous- center, all those things togeth- you have to do what’ best for Program funded by Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Center for Substance Abuse ing” er. The planning for that needs the majority. I've tried to live Prevention, SWODA, and local coalitions. How do you think you can to be accelerated. Obviously, by arule that a buddy of mine effectively lead the commis- we have to be able to pay for told me years and years ago, y @&. OKLAHOMA sion? “T believe that communica- tion is huge. I've said for years it, but we've got to figure out where it's going to be, and then we can start designing it, and and I’ve never forgotten it. It’s overly simple, but always do the right thing” © Mental Health & Mk Substance Abuse SAFER = <> that 90 to 95 percent of the then get the budget. One step What role do you think problems in every realm, walk at a time to work toward that. social media plays in public of life, have to do with the ei- But I think that’s something knowledge of city manage- ther no communication or the that we've been after for at least ment or disseminating pub- ten years.” lic information or misinfor-