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Friday, 14 January 2011 19:46 |
By Krystle Taylor
Asst. Editor
HUGO — As his final days as Hugo city manager come to a close, David Rawls reflects back on his near decade of service to the community of Hugo. Rawls became city manager on April 23, 2007 and his last day is scheduled for Jan. 17.
Rawls stated his proudest accomplishment as Hugo city manager was helping bring the community and county together. “The city’s working relationship with the county commissioners, the council members, the hospital board, etc., is something that I hope continues in years to come,” Rawls said. “A lot of the credit is given to Hugo residents who elected great officials and commissioners who have made it their priority to help Hugo become the city that it is.”
According to Rawls, the Hugo Police Department has also turned a corner. The officers have seized a few vehicles and cash that will be going to the District Attorney’s office for aid in court cases. Rawls said a good portion of the money could be coming back to HPD upon closure of the case to help the police department with financial needs. There are also a few projects that the city is involved in and are nearing completion.
The council is waiting on estimates for the rehabbing of the restrooms at the Todd Whatley/Lige Hammock Arena. At this time, there is $75,000 remaining of the loan money from Choctaw Electric. This money must be spent by the first week of June. There is a wish list submitted by the PRCA committee that the council will take into consideration for making decisions on what to upgrade at the arena.
The second phase of the street project is underway. There are 47 blocks of streets to be reconditioned. The majority of the streets have been assigned to commercial contractors and the remaining streets will be prepared by the city of Hugo. Bids for the project have been published and city officials ars just waiting on the meeting with the contractors before beginning reconstruction.
The estimated open date for the Boys & Girls Club is March 15. The reconstruction of the old Glove Factory into the Boys & Girls Club has passed the original timeline of completion. Rawls said the contractor in charge of this renovation is suffering a $500 day penalty for being behind.
Also, the city has received a grant for $343,000 from The Department of Commerce for extending a sewer line from Lane Frost hospital east along the right-of-way to just in front of China Garden restaurant. These funds will also build a lift station at the low point of the right of way west of the USDA building and a line to the USDA building that will pump into the force main. The council is waiting for DEQ to produce the revised permit for the sewer line and lift station so that the project can be bid out.
Rawls reminded that the city of Hugo held public meetings several years ago so residents could openly discuss what they perceived the city’s greatest needs to be.
“The four things that were voiced at those meetings were reconditioning the streets, more activities for the children, school improvements and general clean up of the city,” Rawls said. He said he believed these meetings were a good thing and helped the council to determine what city officials needed to focus on as priorities.
Rawls believes the biggest challenge in front of Hugo is keeping the positive inertia with good relationships between the city and county and the ability to keep it going.
When asked his advice for the future public officials, Rawls stated, “You have to bend your will to the will of the people. You try to accommodate them to the best of your ability. You just have to remind yourself who you’re working for... the city of Hugo.”
Coming Monday, a look at Hugo’s present financial situation, and general city salary ranges for key positions. |
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Wednesday, 05 January 2011 20:49 |
The Hugo City Council met in regular session Tuesday evening to discuss the hiring of a new city manager.
After retiring into an executive session for 54 minutes, the council returned and Hugo Mayor Stan Payne made a motion to hire Jeff Rabon as the new city manager. After a second from Francine Morris, it was decided that Rabon would begin his term as the new city manager beginning Jan. 17, contingent upon contract approval.
Discussion as to whether or not to take action regarding vending machines for the city of Hugo was tabled due to the Coca Cola representative not present at the meeting.
The planning and zoning board has a vacancy due to one of its members being absent for three meetings. Chris Head’s seat on the board needs to be filled. The city council had no names to recommend to this position. No action was taken.
Larry Rudrow’s name was mentioned to fill Eddie Wood’s seat on the cemetery board. Wood’s position is available due to too many missed meetings.
Resolution No. 788 concerning notice of election for city council wards one and two was discussed. The election date will be April 5, 2011.
Hugo citizen Lloyd Pearl spoke during the citizen’s comments section of the meeting. Pearl was concerned about the street damage on Payne Street. The council agreed to look into the damage and possibly repair it.
The minutes from the Dec. 21 meeting, financial statements and purchase order lists were approved. Everyone was present.
Hugo
Municipal
Authority
meeting
The Hugo Municipal Authority met following the city council meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss the industrial permit of Choctaw Finishing Plant and Seaboard.
Rawls stated that he had contacted the head of Department of Environmental Quality and asked for a 30 day extension to further discuss the contract’s approval. Rawls also suggested the item be tabled until more information can be obtained.
The water leak at Ninth and Grand has been repaired. A new valve has been inserted to mend the problem. The leak at Yerby has also been restored. For the cost of $3,500, a new valve has also been inserted to correct that problem.
The minutes from the Dec. 21 meeting were approved. All council members were present.
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Friday, 17 December 2010 21:06 |
On Dec. 6, Deputy Moore of the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Department obtained a search warrant for the resident located on Delare Ave. in Fort Towson. The home belonged to Kellie Beatrice Bozarth (Holt).
Officer’s reports state that at approximately 4:10 p.m. on Dec. 7, the search warrant was served and officers made contact with Bozarth.
Bozarth was transported to the Choctaw County Jail and charged with possession of a controlled substance, a felony and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor. |
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Friday, 17 December 2010 21:07 |
Choctaw County Sheriff’s officers made a traffic stop west of Highway 70 in the city of Boswell on or about Dec. 11.
Driving a 1978 Ford Pickup was John Paul Scott. Sheriff’s officers made an arrest and Scott was booked into Choctaw County Jail and charged with possession of a controlled substance, a felony, a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance, driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and operating a vehicle with defective equipment or unsafe conditions, all misdemeanor charges. |
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Thursday, 09 December 2010 16:57 |
Filings for declarations of candidacy for Choctaw County school board positions closed at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The positions at stake will be filled at the Annual School Election scheduled Feb 8, 2011. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the total votes cast in the election, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will meet in an election on Tuesday, April 5, 2011.
Vying for the positions will be:
Hugo SD I-39-Office No. 1 for a 5-year term.
• Brad Wells.
• Marty Clinton.
Swink SD C-21-Office No. 1 for a 3-year term.
• Bea Himes.
Fort Towson SD I-2-Office No. 1 for a 5-year term.
• Robbie Maple.
• Gary Keeling.
Grant-Goodland SD C-3-Office No. 2 for a 3-year term.
• Dennis D. Lee.
Boswell SD I-1-Office No. 1 for a 5-year term.
• Jeanie Jones.
Soper SD I-4-Office No. 1 for a 5-year term and Office No. 4 for a 3-year unexpired term.
• Joey Springfield.
• Jerome Mick.
• Bill Reynolds.
• Chad Hobgood.
• Chris McKee.
Kiamichi Technology Center 7-Office No. 4 for a 7-year term.
• Joel Mashburn.
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