March 1, 2025 Issue, Page 3 of 10

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NEWS The Elk City News SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2025 • 3 SENATE NOTES FROM SEN. BRENT HOWARD | FEB. 21, 2025 The Senate just completed its protections for businesses. to spend next year, which is the Legislature can tap into the eliminates enhanced matching year is $640 million. Anoth- third week of the legislative ses- Oklahoma’s budget picture about $72 million higher than state’s Rainy Day Fund, a reserve funds for Medicaid expansion. er bill would appropriate $500 sion. Policy committees are div- for the upcoming year is tak- December estimates. Officials account that becomes accessible Because voters expanded Med- million to the Oklahoma Water ing into a full slate of bills on a ing shape. The State Board of from the Office of Manage- in the event of a revenue short- icaid through a state question Resources Board to help local- wide variety of issues. For a bill Equalization met on Feb. 14 to ment and Enterprise Services fall, but we do not plan on doing that altered Oklahoma’s Consti- ities upgrade their water and to move forward, it must be ap- certify final revenue projections explained that the revenue pro- so this year. tution, the state cannot simply wastewater infrastructure. All proved in committee by March for the fiscal year that begins jections are higher because in- As the Senate Appropriations roll back coverage for the ex- spending bills are very early in 6, the first deadline of this ses- July 1. This is an important step come and gross production tax Committee looks ahead to writ- pansion population should the the process and any amounts sion. As chair of the Senate Ju- in the budget-writing process collections improved in recent ing a proposed spending plan, federal government eliminate will not be finalized unless they diciary Committee, I’ve already because these numbers let the months. However, state revenue some unknowns, including its 90% funding match. fit into our final budget. scheduled over two dozen bills Legislature know appropriation is still trending downward as federal changes under the new Senate committees have also To contact me at the Capitol, for review, with more to come. limits for the upcoming year. the current year’s budget appro- Trump administration, could passed bills with more than $1 please write to Senator Brent These measures included a va- State revenue projections priated $12.47 billion. impact the budget. Early esti- billion in new spending. This Howard, State Capitol, 2300 N. riety of proposals to improve slightly improved since the General Revenue Fund col- mates show Oklahoma could includes legislation that would Lincoln Blvd. Room 427, Okla- Oklahoma’s legal system, in- Board’s December meeting. lections are also projected to be on the hook for an addition- raise teachers’ base salaries to homa City, OK, 73105, email cluding several tort reform bills The Board certified the Legis- be around $38 million less than al $550 to $650 million next $50,000. If this bill becomes me at Brent.Howard@oksenate. I authored to strengthen legal lature will have $12.36 billion the current year. That means year if the federal government law, the estimated cost next gov, or call (405) 521-5612. Let’s Reduce Stigma Together One of the biggest barriers language and its impact on pop- We hope that you will join that we face in rural Oklahoma ulation health SWODA in our effort to re- regarding Substance Misuse Enhance support and re- duce the stigma of substance Prevention is Stigma. You might sources to entities who are use and mental health in rural be asking yourself what stig- working with SUD and mental Oklahoma. If you are interest- ma is. According to the CDC, health populations ed in getting involved in local “People experience feelings of Engage various community prevention efforts, please visit stigma when another person partners and stakeholders in www.swoda.org and click on mistreats them or thinks badly conversations about SUD and the “Substance Use Preven- about them because of a behav- mental health tion, Treatment, and Recovery” ior, characteristic, or trait”. Stig- Provide opportunities to tab. These prevention efforts ma can prevent a person from interact with people with sub- are happening in 13 counties getting help. It is crucial that stance use or mental health in Western Oklahoma. Please our communities know about disorders (contact-based edu- join in our efforts to help make stigma and are willing to help reduce stigma. According to the Prevention Technology Trans- cation programs) “Promote peer programs in which people who have dis- your community a safe place to live, work, and thrive. These local prevention programs are Tres Hill Leads fer Center, “The best approach to stop or prevent stigma is through cross-cutting practices closed their conditions offer their experience and expertise to individuals and families, pro- funded by the Oklahoma De- partment of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Oklahoma City Stars such as: grams that range from informal Substance Abuse and Mental The Oklahoma City Stars with 19 under par. Tres had The team also won with Increase awareness and peer-led programs to peer spe- Health Services Administra- led by Tres Hill from Elk City rounds of par, two under and Hill ending up his last round knowledge about SUD and cialized services in health ser- tion, the Center for Substance won the individual honors, eight under to finish ten un- with a score of eight under mental health vices systems.” (National Acad- Abuse Prevention, SWODA, won the Texas Invitational der. par. Education about stigmatizing emies Press, 2016)”. and local coalitions. Club, complete, and we’ve re- sion? respecting what they have to a mistrust of people. People tion? McFALL placed all the lines. We replaced “I think each commissioner say.” don’t trust City Hall. They think “Social media is here to stay. Continued from page 1 all the service lines and all new has his own area of expertise, What are the most im- we’re out to get them. I think Even people like the newspaper, hydrants and meters, and we and I think by working togeth- portant projects that the city again, communication is one of some people read the newspa- tinues to train others. He keeps haven’t started on the sewer er with each commissioner, we should be working on? the keys to solve that problem. per online. So it’s very import- up with the new rules and reg- lines yet, but that’s all the water.” can utilize everybody’s experi- “I’d like to see new businesses All of us, we need to always be ant. We need to capitalize on ulations as well as the treatment What goals do you have for ences. I think that it’s a big plus, and maybe more building, but able to listen and respect peo- that. That’s why our improved process. McFall trains opera- Elk City? just like the web page. I’m not a without the proper infrastruc- ple and respect the perspective website needs to be easy to nav- tors or anyone who works in a “I would like to see more of tech guy, but I know there are ture, that doesn’t make sense. they have. But for me, I think igate and have the information water, wastewater treatment or a diverse industry base, and I some people that are and who We have good streets compared that’s probably one of the great- that people want. So I think the collection system. They must think we have a lot of factors in can listen to what they have to to a lot of communities, but it est weaknesses.” social media is very important.” be certified through DEQ be- our favor. I think we just need say. We can move forward with doesn’t make sense to me, to What is the City’s greatest What experience do you fore they can do anything that to work towards that goal. Of that. My big goal is to have a lay a new street down over old strength? think will help you the most affects the quality of water. He course, the most important large tax base, market base, water and sewer lines. So the “Good people, I know be- in this position? teaches the class and gives the thing, I think, is communica- you might say, and we need to infrastructure is pretty import- cause I’ve dealt with them for “I’m very familiar with the examination for certification. tion. We need to improve our utilize that. Especially I-40 is a ant. And then, of course, in- several years. In the water de- infrastructure, and I’m familiar McFall was raised in Chero- web page. The kind of web page good way to do that.” crease the information online. I partment, we have a good staff. with the different departments kee, graduating from Cherokee that if a person has an issue, we What do you think is your want to make sure people know The people that work for the and their duties. I’m friends High School. He married Kathy, can talk to them. You have to greatest quality that would what projects we have, what city, for the most part are ded- with the staff for years, and and they had two children, one respect people or their opinions make you the best person to status we’re on, the projects, icated and hardworking. Water that’s experience. It’s probably daughter Kelli Clark and a son, and what they say. That’s our be a commissioner? and a means for them to relay rates that are compared to oth- worth a lot, of course, running Eric McFall. Kathy passed away job to figure out if it is a legiti- “‘I have 30 plus years working back and to send their opinion er communitas are low. I think the lab and teaching the classes, and he is now married to Betsy, mate complaint and work with in the public works. I’ve pre- or to express their opinion.” located being close to I-40 is I’m familiar with the rules and who was also from Cherokee. the person.” pared bid packets for our proj- “People don’t realize how a big plus for us. We can capi- regulations that EPA puts out. What goals do you have for What changes do you see ects. I’ve submitted them. I’ve fortunate we are in our water talize and we have a strong tax They usually change quite of- Elk City? for the future of Elk City? approached the commission supply. We have 67 groundwa- revenue.” ten, so you have to be on top of I want to make sure Elk “Mostly we need to contin- and explained to them what I ter wells. We have a capability How would or do you han- that and make sure that we stay City continues to move for- ue what we’re doing, especially needed and why. I know most pump 20 million gallons of dle conflict or controversy? within the limits whatever we’re ward. I believe they are mov- with the infrastructure, and I of the commissioners, and I’ve water a day, but we only pump “As I said before, communi- testing.” ing forward, maybe not as fast think the website is very im- been up there a lot talking with three to 8 million gallons a cation and transparency is very What do you want the pub- it should, but they’re mov- portant. We need to be able to them. I think that is a big plus. day because that’s all we need. important. You need to respect lic to know about you? ing forward. I want us to be a have one that is easy to navi- But also, as a commissioner, I However, it’s groundwater, it’s the people’s concerns, because “I love Elk City. We moved place where people want to gate, and where people can get will make sure my phone lines high in minerals, so it’s con- oftentimes the concerns are here in 1991, and I tell you come, and people want to stay. on and express a concern. We are open to anybody, even sidered hard. Hard water is not legitimate. We need to be able what, I just never looked back. We started the infrastructure, have to make sure it’s up to date though if they have an issue or harmful, but it can cause some to deal with that in any way we It’s a great town. The town I which includes the water and and we check it often, so we can complaint. I as a commissioner issues with the old lines in 80 can, but mostly just communi- grew up in is one of those de- sewer line. Some of them are 80 communicate with those peo- wouldn’t be able to make the years.” cation and transparency.” pressed little towns slowly dy- plus years old, and we started ple. I think that’s important. In changes, but I can relay that in- What is the city’s greatest What role do you think ing, and I don’t want to see that replacing them when I was in other words, we have to have a formation back to the city man- weakness? social media plays in public happen to Elk City, and I don’t the position. Basically, we went way to listen to the people.” ager, other commissioners, or “I think that not just Elk City, knowledge of city manage- think it will, because it’s a very from Watkins to Washington, How do you think you can whoever it needs to be. Mostly about any city hall in the state ment or disseminating public progressive city. We just need to and from Third to Country effectively lead the commis- it’s just listening to the people, and probably the nation, there’s information or misinforma- keep moving forward.” a great place to be and prosper.” greatest quality that would having four differing opinions. ment or disseminating public think will help you the most in CARVER How do you think you can make you the best person to be We as Elk Citians should con- information or misinforma- this position? Continued from page 1 effectively lead the commis- the commissioner? tinue to strive for improvements tion? “I think that a business back- sion? “I have more than 35 years that make our city the best it can “Social media can be very ground is a strong attribute to better opportunities for our cit- “I’ve been on the commis- of experience in banking and be in this area through a group helpful to keep up with family have when trying to guide the izens to have a place that offers sion for the past four years and running small businesses. My effort.” and friends. It can be a wonder- city in future projects. From my good jobs, quality of life, and fu- have been part of the improve- experience lets me look at a sit- What is the city’s greatest ful way to have family photos perspective, being able to work ture opportunities for families.” ments being made in Elk City. uation and see the costs associ- strength? shared and is great to keep up with others is an attribute that I What changes do you see for I feel strongly that the proj- ated and the opportunities that “The people who live here are with old friends in a social set- strive for daily. the future of Elk City? ects which the city has taken those investments would afford our greatest strength. We may ting. Social media is not a credi- What else do you want the “Elk City is quickly becom- on have and will improve the our city.” not agree on everything, but we ble source for someone keeping public to know about you? ing a ‘go to city’ for sports and citizens such as the new Thun- What is or are the most im- all should want what is best for up with operations of the city. “I have lived and worked in entertainment. As this happens, derbird Bay Aquatic Center; portant projects that the city our city.” Our minutes from city council Elk City all of my adult life. I we need to look to the future the new fire station currently should work on? How would or do you han- meetings are public record and have raised two children here possibilities. We must stay pro- under construction; the new “Some of the most important dle conflict or controversy? are very transparent. It can also and now have two grandchil- gressive in new ideas and op- miniature putt-putt golf course projects currently are the situa- “Conflict and controversy are be very harmful if it is presented dren who are here. I want Elk portunities to enhance these in- under construction; the new tions concerning infrastructure a given within any organization, in a way which tears down the City to be a vibrant and fun dustries which should be looked airport terminal building and improvements, continued water if there are two people involved, cohesiveness which we strive place to live and raise a family at for future possibilities as well. hangar facility currently under supply issues, street improve- there are immediately two opin- for to accomplish projects with and make a good living. There Some projects that I would like construction; highway projects ments, and the completion of ions. My approach to handling budgets and laws that dictate are many opportunities ahead to see are a new civic center, (Main Street renovation and the major improvements cur- this is to look at the two sides what we can and can’t do. That for this city. I will strive to make which could include livestock others); and new water infra- rently under construction.” and try to weigh out what is best is where social media fails us. this the best city in Western facilities, more economic de- structure. I feel I can help to What is the city’s greatest for the whole group (the city in There are times when social Oklahoma. I want to be your velopment, more infrastructure continue the leadership which weakness? this case) and make an educated media posts don’t have enough Ward Two City Commissioner improvements, and looking Elk City needs to facilitate these “The City’s greatest weakness decision.” information in the background and would appreciate your vote for any new feasible endeavors and future projects that improve is that at times, we are not on the What role do you think to inform us of all the acts which on April 1st.” that continue to make Elk City our city and our quality of life.” same page. We as councilmen social media plays in public might be there.” What do you think is your should stand together instead of knowledge of city manage- What experience do you