OGIC Wine Competition

Saturday was a busy day for a group of Watongans working on the upcoming Cheese & Wine Festival.  Andy and Linda, proprietors of the Chaparral Retreat & Guesthouse, hosted the first (hopefully annual) official Oklahoma Grape Industry Council wine competition at their quiet and peaceful place just outside of Watonga.  Brad Stinson, owner of the Whirlwind Winery, and Andy worked with Dr. William McGlynn from OSU to put  the contest together.  Dr. McGlynn along with Amie Hendrickson and Clayton Bahr  acted as judges.  They tasted and critiqued sixty-five different Oklahoma wines and graded them on a number scale.  It was a blind taste test, with the Judges not knowing what wines were from what winery. Entries came in from all across the state of Oklahoma. Local attorney Vicki Williams acted as wine steward, while Tanya Stinson and Maria Laubach helped with rotating wine glasses for the numerous wines. Lunch was served and it was a perfect day to sit outside on the patio and eat.
 The number grades for each wine were entered into a program and scores tabulated, and then forwarded to OGIC. The Best of Show and medal winners will be announced soon by the OGIC. 

The winning wineries will be represented at the Watonga Cheese & Wine Festival on Oct. 11 and Oct 12, and the public will have an opportunity to taste the wines and choose a "People's Choice" by popular vote.  Watonga is getting lots of publicity for  the Cheese Festival this year, so if the weather holds out it may bring record crowds to Watonga. The Chamber of Commerce wants to thank the advertising agency StapleGun for all of their help and guidance in promoting our festival  [in addition to the article in the Tulsa World, I even heard the guys on 96.9 FM radio talking about the Festival! -- that's a first for Watonga!!]   Andy Barrett and Brad Stinson will be appearing on Channel 43 on the morning show (Rise & Shine) on October 8 at 8:15 a.m. to promote the festival.
  /Linda

Sept. 16 City Council meeting

After hearing a last night’s city council meeting and talking to a couple of people who were present,  it is frustrating to see that some of our city leaders are simply against doing anything to bring people and money into this community.  It was also good to hear from those city council persons who understand what it is going to take to better our community.    

[by way of background: Some time ago, the Chamber of Commerce worked with the Watonga Action Committee (WAC) to come up with a program called the “Watonga Land Run”.   Blaine County has many properties on their rolls that are abandoned or had been deeded to the County for unpaid taxes.   These vacant lots have a negative impact on our city and county.  The County was willing to transfer title to some of those properties to the City under the “Land Run” program, which would in turn give the real estate to anyone willing to build a residence.  Changing the character of empty lots into homesites would provide not only water and sewer and electricity income to the City, but would also provide property taxes to the County, not to mention other economic benefits to the community.  After several months of getting the details of the Land Run worked out between the City Attorney and the Mayor’s office, a list of properties available from the County was approved by the City Council to be transferred to the City.   The meetings where those matters were approved were on or about May 2012. ]  

On the Agenda of last night's meeting were three items in connection  with the Land Run.
Approval to transfer six specific Lots to the City for the Land Run was once again on the agenda.  Although a list of lots was approved by City Council back in 2012, a recent review of the records at the County Treasurer’s office revealed that only a few of the lots approved for the Land Run were actually legally transferred to the City of Watonga. Now the matter has to be revisited by the City Council.  The Watonga Action Committee reviewed the list of lots presented to the City Council in 2012 and weeded out lots that might not be appropriate for building for one reason or another, like being in a flood zone.  Six lots were listed on this week’s agenda to be transferred from the County to the City.   However, the property at 516 N. Montgomery was said to be in a flood zone.  Harriette Nitzel stated that the property at 1015 N. Leach St. had already been transferred to the City, but the City Clerk could not produce a copy of the deed at this meeting.  Additional research will be done by WAC committee members to determine the status of the Leach St. property.  

Agenda item #9 was also miss-stated in the posted agenda.   [Who asked for  item #9 to be put on the agenda -- the WAC committee did not.  The Land Run documents already approved by Dan Webber and City Council allow for land to be used as an investment-- the program allows for a house to be constructed and used as rental property.]  The Land Run documents DO NOT allow for multi-family housing, which City Attorney Dan Webber pointed this in the meeting though not stated on the Agenda as the issue before the Council. 

A request from Gene Pfughoft (from CORD) to acquire the property known as Block 4, Lots 1-4, under the Land Run, was tabled on the grounds that he wants to build “investment property”.

Doyle Province voiced his objection to  property being “given” to an investor.  [Disregard the fact that these lots are costing the City money to maintain while not being used -- and could generate hundreds of dollars in revenues if given away to be built on.]  This item was tabled for further research as to what amount could be charged for empty lots in the City of Watonga.  The figure of $500 was thrown out.  Discussion and hopefully action will be put on a future agenda. Doyle Province wants to see what prices have been obtained for other empty lots auctioned off by the County.   A compromise was proposed by a WAC member:  that the City approve the building of multi-family housing on Land Run properties for a period of one year, and then reevaluate if such a program will benefit the City.  That idea was dismissed. 

 [Auctioning off property for unpaid taxes is one thing, but when the property also has multiple  unpaid liens from the City, the sales price generally does not cover both.  For example, one particular property we looked at has unpaid property taxes from  2010, 2011, 2012  totalling approximately $1,000.00,  but also has additional City liens of $300+ for mowing the property over three years.  The building itself is abandoned, unoccupied, and open to the elements --a health and safety hazard to our community.   NO ONE is going to pay $1,300.00 plus for  a lot that will require an additional investment of over $2500.00  just to tear down and clear off the existing structure to get the lot ready to build on!   This is a perfect example of a lot that should  go into the Land Run program and given to someone willing to put money into it by building a house on it.  Right now that property is costing the City money and generating nothing in the way of utilities or taxes.  Allowing someone to build on it would not only remove an expense from the City and County but would also generate actual income for the County and the City in utility services and property taxes, not to mention sales taxes and income to local businesses!   How hard is this to understand?]  
 The Agenda for both the zoning committee and the City Council meeting on Sept. 16 indicated that the owners of 616-618-620 N. Montgomery wanted to put a modular home on the lot(s).  That was an incorrect posting by the City Clerk.   In fact, the property owners requested that they be allowed to put a mobile home on the lot(s).    In the past, an error in posting required that the matter be re-posted correctly and re-published in the newspaper and then placed on the next agenda for action.  However, at last night’s City Council meeting, the Council voted to allow one mobile home to be put on the property. [ There is a difference between a mobile home and a modular home, and even the City Council has, in the past, indicated where they won’t allow a mobile home but would allow a modular home in some locations.   Where a neighbor might not appear to object to a modular home, one might appear to object to a mobile home -- but hey, the public wasn't given the correct information in legal postings put out by the City Clerk.]
A lease of the city-owned property at 203 N. Weigle, previously leased to Phoenix Circle Foundation for use by Dr. Robert Spencer as the Watonga Medical Clinic, has expired.   Mercy Hospital has asked to lease the property and use it as “Mercy Clinic”.  The terms of the lease were discussed.  Richard Hightower raised the question of responsibility for maintenance of the building.  A motion as made and approved to lease the property for the sum of $350.00 per month, using the same lease that was used for Phoenix Circle Foundation.  A copy of the proposed lease was not made available to the meeting.

Consideration and discussion to address the sub-leasing of office space by Opportunities to other parties was deferred to item #7 on the agenda, which was consideration to renew the contract with Opportunities Inc. for use of property (the old police station) for $200.00 per month.    The Council voted to renew the contract with the proviso that any sublease must be approved by City Council.  No written contract was provided for councilmembers to review.

Donnie Dunn, Park Department head, will be having shoulder surgery and unable to work for an extended period of time, including the remainder of the summer season.  TJ Douglas, who is a current part-time employee with the Park Dept., will exceed the 1,000 hours allowed for a part-time employee.  The City does not want to hire him as a full-time employee because it would cost additional monies to provide health insurance and other benefits to him as a full-time employee.  Instead, the City wants to enter into a contract with TJ Douglas for $760.00 bi-weekly (which is the regular starting salary for a full-time City employee), or $19,760 a year.   [This "contract" is merely a tactic to get around state and federal labor laws.I didn't hear if this action was reviewed by and recommended by the Personnel Committee. ]  The City Council approved the contract with TJ Douglas in spite of "no" votes from Richard Hightower and Brent Wilkinson.

Andrew Gering from American Community Contractors made a proposal to the Council to provide private Code Enforcement services for the City of Watonga.  Mr. Gering was unable to satisfactorily answer some questions from the City Council and he will return with more information on the contract at a future City Council meeting.  No action was taken on this item except to put it on a future agenda.

Edna Justice was approved as Watonga’s CORD representative. 

The Council had no information or specifications in order to approve advertising for bids for video camera equipment to be placed around town.  

There was also discussion about Code Enforcement and what Robert Daugherty has been doing, though no report was provided by him.  No citations have yet been given out to Code violators, even after months of the Council telling him that they want citations to be issued. 

[PLEASE COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR CITY COUNCILPERSON and/or attend City Council meetings to prevent actions being approved that may be detrimental to residents of Watonga.] 

   

 

Watonga Action Committee

Notes from WAC meeting on Sept. 9, 2013

A meeting of the Watonga Action Committee was held on Monday 9/9/2013 in City Council chambers. An agenda was posted on the door of the City Clerk’s office.  Dr. Bobby Spencer called the meeting to order, saying it was not an “official committee meeting”  and that anyone can speak.  This committee does not make decisions but makes recommendations to the City Council.

Dr. Spencer introduced Vance Laughlin as the new warden at Diamondback Correctional facility.  He has been warden at three CCA facilities. Mr. Laughlin confirmed that it is trying to fill approximately 400 positions, and that the prison staff will need approximately 75 rent houses.

Dr. Spencer then asked for nominations for a new CORD representative.  This committee cannot appoint a representative but can recommend someone to be appointed by the City Council.  Dr. Spencer nominated Edna Justice and no one objected.  This item will be added to the next City Council agenda on September 16.  The next CORD meeting is Sept. 19 at 2:00 at the Canadian Valley Technology Center. Edna said she will go to that meeting.   

Dr.Spencer asked Gene Pflughoft from CORD to introduce the representative  from American Community Contractors LLC,  Andrew Gering.  There was discussion about the City possibly contracting with ACC for Code Enforcement services. Mr. Gering handed out a printed power-point presentation.  Gene P. said that lots of towns are dealing with the problem of blight and code enforcement, except for Okarche.  At a recent CORD meeting, the Okarche representative said ”we just don’t put up with it.”  It was  noted that Okarche is a nice looking town.  The recent study that was done for Oklahoma City was referred to in these discussions.  That study says that property owners that aren’t motivated to do anything with their property don’t –they just hold on to it.  It doesn’t cost them anything except their annual property taxes to keep a dilapidated building and not make any effort to fix it up or sell it.  But it costs the City a lot --- to provide police and fire protection, may cause increased vandalism and other crimes, loss of income to the city for utility services, and reduced property values overall.  Clay said there are “definite advantages” to hiring an outside contractor to handle code enforcement.  ACC intends to contract with other towns also, and that experience will be valuable to Watonga in determining what ordinances work and which ones don’t.  Bobby said the City has a graduated fee scale for mowing but none present knew what exactly the fees were, for first time mowing and for repeat offenders. Edna Justice asked “what kind of fees are we talking about” for an outside code enforcement service.   And Gene P. said that Andrew Gering would make a presentation to the city council on the 16^th.  Clay said that matter is already on the agenda but Bobby Spencer suggested that Andrew call the City Clerk and fill out the appropriate paperwork to be on the agenda for the 16^th.

It was noted that many property owners have started taking care of their yards since the article in the Watonga Republican about Code Enforcement.    Clay said another article will be in the newspaper “in the near future” to remind people that Watonga is enforcing codes.  Eric W. from the Watonga Republican suggested printing offenders names and addresses in the newspaper, or publishing a list of offenses and the fee and costs.

Clay said there was a difference in dealing with junk vehicles on public property (i.e., on the street) vs. on private property.  He didn’t elaborate other than to say that the police have to be involved for code violations on private property.  Mary Larson noted that inoperable vehicles on private property are a safety hazard to the public and to the City. Fire and police responders cannot get to the building if they are blocked by junk vehicles. 

Dr. Spencer brought up past discussions of a Retirement community project at 11^th and Laing.  Due to the economy, the investors who were interested in the past have “changed their focus”.  Gene said they are looking at possibly building housing for incoming CCA employees.  Four lots that are available through the Land Run would have to be rezoned for multi-family. 

The nursing home continues to sit vacant and is deteriorating.  The owner has no incentive to fix it or sell it.  It is a safety hazard and the question was asked as to whether or not it could be cited for violation of code enforcement.  Lawayne Flaming pointed out that there are many buildings in town that are unsecure and are fire and safety hazards.  Clay said there are 13 properties on the list to be torn down, but that Marvin Schweigert doesn’t have the time to tear them down.  Bobby Spencer suggested that we bid those jobs out.

Bobby Spencer has talked to Kaci Cronkhite about putting in a walking/bicycle trail between the town and Roman Nose State Park, possibly along the highway that goes past the prison.  Andy suggested a trail from the high school along the now-closed road to Hwy 8A and then along 8A where the  city owns an easement.  Clay said he’d like to see sidewalks in town, especially between the high school and the middle school.  Andy Barrett suggested sidewalks from the elementary school to the Library, as that route is used a lot by children to attend programs at the library.  There was discussion about where there might be an easement to put in a sidewalk and what area to start with. 

Mary Larson said she had signs prepared by the Chamber and paid for out of economic development monies to advertise which lots in town were available for the Land Run.

Andy Barrett told the meeting that he had met with the County Treasurer and discovered that all of the lots that we previously thought had been transferred to the City by the County for the Land Run had not, in fact, been transferred to the City.  Only 4 lots have been transferred to the City for the Land Run.  Donna Hoskins at the treasurer’s office said that the County is going to put the other lots up for sale by bid if the City isn’t going to take them for the Land Run.  Everyone was surprised to hear that title to the properties previously approved by City Council had not been signed over to the City and Clay Loosen was not able to answer "why not?"   Andy indicated that some of the lots on the list might not be appropriate as they are in a flood zone.  Bobby asked Andy to put together a list of the lots that might be best for the Land Run.  Clay said he would get this matter on the next city council agenda, to approve getting the paperwork done to sign over those lots to the City.

Bobby Spencer talked about properties along the highway that are tied up in probate.  He also brought up downtown properties that are beyond repair, eye sores, code enforcement problems that need to be dealt with.  Everyone agreed that the City needs to enforce Codes on Main Street properties especially, to motivate the property owners to do something with their property – either fix them up so that they can be rented, or sell them.  It was agreed by all that financial pain will get action by the property owners.  [Why doesn't the City of Watonga go forward with the remedies and penalties that the City Code provides for to deal with safety and health hazards?

Gene P. reported to the meeting that CORD is going strong, that the WAC committee in Watonga is the envy of other communities because they are actively trying to get things done.  Noble House and Eddie’s BBQ, Firestone has rented property,; Eagle Nest is being sold and will reopen on Sept. 20 under new ownership with special meals in the evenings.  Everyone is glad that there will be more places to eat dinner in Watonga.  Lawayne said that he’d heard that the Lodge is going to  be closed for meals in the near future because of needed work on their kitchen. 

Vance Laughlin from CCA said he needed the name of a caterer who could serve 150 people coming in for training at the prison.  Eddie Johnson’s name was given.   Eddie's BBQ & More will begin serving meals at the Noble House on Friday and Saturday evenings, beginning on Sept. 13. 

Next meeting will be Oct. 14 at 7:00 p.m.

 [Does anyone know what number in the City Code says there is a $200.00 reward for information leading to a vandalism conviction?  I haven't found it and I can't get an answer from the City Clerk's office ... please comment or post on facebook if you know!  /Linda]

 

 

 

 

Notes from Sept. 3, 2013 City Council meeting

Present were Mayor Clay Loosen, City Attorney Dan Webber, Harriette Nitzel, Councilpersons Edna Justice, Brenda Curry, Brent  Wilkinson, Gary Olsen, Bobby Spencer, Doyle Province, Richard Hightower, (Kendra Baker was absent); Warren Rice, Marvin Schweigert, John Massey, Donnie Dunn, Lloyd Hursh, Verlin Bills, Robert Daugherty, Terri Crawford. 

Prior to the meeting being called to order, Bobby Spencer handed some documents to Robert Daugherty about a company who wants to make a presentation at the next City Council meeting to contract with the City for outside Code Enforcement services. 

Mayor Loosen reminded everyone to turn off their cell phones.  A sign remains on the door of the council room stating that the meeting may not be recorded without prior permission by the Mayor. 

Minutes of the  prior meeting (of Aug. 27, 2013) were  asked to be approved with a correction requested by Richard Hightower.  Mr. Hightower pointed out that the minutes of the meeting prepared  by the City Clerk did not reflect that Dr. Robert Spencer left the council chamber shortly after the Executive Session was called to order and prior to any discussion.   The correction was noted by the City Clerk and the minutes were approved.   Claims for August to be paid by the City, given to each City Council member, were also approved without discussion. 

Mayor Loosen said he had already made a proclamation to recognize September 28, 2013 as National Public Lands Day and Richard Hightower noted that no action of the council was needed.  A member of the council asked what the proclamation entailed, and Mayor Loosen read a portion of a letter handed to him by Harriette Nitzel.  

The Police Committee has made a recommendation that the City hire Kewan Joseph as a new police officer for Watonga.   Chief Massey said Mr. Joseph is 26 years of age, single but engaged, from Guthrie, and is  “physically capable” for the position.  Mr. Joseph is  CLEET-certified and previously worked for Logan County.  Chief Massey  noted that the City’s increase in starting salaries is resulting in our ability to hire more experienced officers.   Mr. Joseph should be able to start work on Friday, September 6. 

Marvin Schweigert, Donnie Dunn, and Warren Rice have requested that some scrap metal  from those departments (described as old signs, manhole lids, poles etc.) be declared to be surplus so that it can be sold as scrap.   The motion was made, seconded, and approved.

Another hiring item on the agenda was for a volunteer firefighter. Kade Griffin currently works for the light and water department and Warren Rice has vouched for him.  Verlin Bills said that two volunteer firefighters, Brian Rice and Gary Flynn)  are retiring at the end of this month.  Still looking for more prospects

Under New/Old  Business, Dr. Spencer noted that a company named American Community Contractors LLC would make a presentation in two weeks about Code Enforcement services they offer.  He also said he had given a written summary of their serviceds to Robert Daugherty this evening.  Harriette Nitzel reminded the council that the next meeting would be on September 16 instead of September 17 due to the planned absence of Mayor Loosen, Harriette Nitzel, and Doyle Province on the 17^th.

Clay Loosen stated that the Water Tower had been painted, and that he had made an “executive decision” on the logo, which differed from the previously presented  logo.  He asked if a light could be placed on the tower and Warren said that there  were lights on both towers and tht he would  reposition them for better lighting. Asked when the tower would  be ready for service, Warren Rice said it depended on results of tests, but that it takes two days to fill the tower. 

Clay Loosen said he has gotten information from Weatherford and Kingfisher on Permit Fees and is waiting to review those with City Attorney Dan Webber before recommendations are brought before the City Council.

Donnie Dunn indicated that there was been more vandalism at Huff-Lorang Park, at the concession stand and in the women’s rest room.  There is limited camera surveillance and Clay Loosen said we need “town-wide cameras”, surveillance at all city buildings.  Kids have also been getting on top of the Library roof in spite of video surveillance.  Bobby Spencer suggested that the City putout a request for bids for additional cameras and monitors. No action could be taken on the matter at this meeting because it was not an agenda item.  Clay said that the City Code provides for a $200.00 reward for a vandalism conviction.  Doyle Province asked about the status of park lights he thought had been approved and purchased, and there was some confusion about whether the poles or the lights, or both, had been approved by Council.  Warren Rice said he had mercury vapor lights for the park but that they had not yet been installed.  He indicated that the matter was discussed at the Department Head meeting that morning.  Doyle Province suggested they move forward on that installation.

Doyle Province asked Donnie if the Splash Pad was open over Labor Day Weekend, as he had driven by a couple of times and saw the gate locked. Donnie responded that it was open. 

The matter of Jim Jones’ property and junk car violations was brought up.  Robert Daugherty said he wanted to talk to Dan Webber about it.  Clay Loosen, Robert Daugherty, and Dan Webber plan on meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, to discuss it.  Chief Massey said that the cars in violation of Code could only be towed by a state-approved wrecker and that would be Reed’s in Canton.  Richard Hightower asked  Chief Massey if he was going to “start enforcing Code” (referring to the junk car ordinance) and Chief Massey said he is.   Mr. Hightower thanked Chief Massey.

The Public Works Authority meeting was called to order immediately following adjournment of the City Council meeting.  Minutes of prior meeting and claims were approved.  Lloyd Hursh was approved for hiring as Airport Manager under a contract for $1,850.00 per month.  He will not be provided health insurance or other employee benefits.  Mr. Hursh is eager to clean up the property.

The roofing project on the Hospital is underway.  Richard Hightower reminded the council that the bids for the paint job which are due by September 17 will have to be opened at the following meeting of the council, on October 1.  After the painting project, the next major item to be dealt with t the Hospital is the heating and cooling system.  An estimate of approximately $10,000 was discussed. There was more discussion about the need to hire an engineer as a project manager to manage the completion of needed repairs and maintenance covered by the bond issue and whose responsibility that would be.  Dr. Spencer reminded the council that OMPA had indicated they offered to provide an engineer  to consult on the HVAC  project.  Mercy has contacted them and has been waiting for a call back.  Mr. Hightower asked to be notified once OMPA has responded. 

Mr. Hightower asked if we have an accounting of the bond monies and what has been spent out of it so far.   Harriette Nitzel indicated that those funds were held in a separate account and she would provide an accounting to Mr. Hightower.   

 Dr. Spencer noted that there has been an increase in ER visits since Mercy took over management of the Hospital.  Richard Hightower commented that patients with state insurance coverage (OPEC) will decrease after October 1 because Oklahoma has opted out of participation in the Medicaid provisions that go into effect on that date.

/Linda Barrett

Jobs available at Diamondback Correctional Facility

Sept. 5 . . .  Vance Laughlin, the new warden at CCA's Diamondback prison outside of Watonga, says that they are taking applications to fill approximately 400 job openings.  They are currently holding  job fair at the prison.  Go to CCA's website for more information, or drive out to the prison on Friday. 

CHEESE & WINE FESTIVAL ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP

The Cheese Festival Committee is pleased to announce lots of entertainment during the 2013 Watonga Cheese & Wine Festival.   These are all FREE concerts.  We've tried to stagger the performance times so that you can enjoy as many of the acts as you want to see without missing out on any of the performances. 
*Schedule and performers are subject to change without notice.

You can see more about each artist on their Facebook or website linked to the Watonga Cheese and Wine Festival Facebook page. 

 DEVON  ENERGY STAGE  (Centennial Park) 

      FRIDAY, October 11, 2013            

 9:30 a.m.    Opening Ceremony  with High School Band

11:00 a.m.    Brandon Johnson (Singer and guitarist)

1:30 p.m.      Chad Slagle & Yesterday’s Wine Band 

4:00 pm         KARAOKE -- with **Prizes **  
                      
6:30 pm         Street Dance on Leach Street   

      SATURDAY , October 12, 2013   

 10:00 a.m.           SPECIAL SURPRISE!! (watch for details!)

Noon                   ** PARADE on Noble St. **

1:30 P.M.             SIGNS OF WARNING Band 

3:30 PM                KINSEY  SADLER and her Band                                                                                              

MAIN STREET STAGE  (Main & Noble)

      FRIDAY, October 11, 2013              

10:30 a.m.    Watonga Middle school band ensemble

12:00 noon    Jarod Cross

2:30 p.m.       Rick Reiley (acoustic)

      SATURDAY , October 12, 2013 

9:30 a.m.     C NOTE BAND (Rock 'n Roll)

11:00 a.m.    Threefold Chord (Swaim sisters)

NOON          **PARADE**

1:00 p.m.      Edmond High School Steel Drum Band

2:30 p.m.       Buck Goucher

For more information, check out the Watonga Chamber of Commerce website, on the Cheese Festival tab. 

STORYTELLING WORKSHOP AT LIBRARY

Collecting Family Stories

 

               “When an elder dies, a library is lost"

 

A FREE, short 1 hour, workshop to help with ideas for collecting

 

your family stories, your own or other family members.

     

          • Have you recently lost a family member and are wishing you had written

down some of those great stories?

          • Have you recorded your own stories for your children or grandchildren?

Don’t you think they would like to have some of your memories?

          • Do you have pictures you can’t identify? Well here’s an idea to help make

that less of a problem in the future for your family.

It’s a simple workshop. We will share some ideas on “getting your family to talk”

and some different ways to record your family stories.

 

            Workshop Presentor: Chester Weems is a retired educator and storyteller.

He tells family and humerous stories, though he admits sometimes he does not let

accuracy get in the way of a good story.

                                September 7, 2013

          Check your Watonga Public Library for Details

          580-623-7748 or Andy Barrett at 580-623-4269

City Council and Public Works Authority meetings tonight

“The invisible government,” wrote Walter Lippman, “is malign.” “What is dangerous about it is that we do not see it, cannot use it, and are compelled to submit to it.” Walter Lippman, A Preface to Politics (1914). That critique of invisible government underlies Oklahoma’s Open Meeting Act, a series of statutes enacted “to encourage and facilitate an informed citizenry’s understanding of the governmental processes and governmental problems.” 

Twenty years ago a young couple bought some land out in the country, in another state from where they lived and worked.  They bought the land with the intention of building their retirement home.    Every year they visited the property and year after year they got closer to building their dream home.  They kept in touch with their neighbors, so they felt like they knew what was going on in the town.  One fall they drove to their property and saw lots of houses in the neighborhood for sale.  Turning onto their own tract of land, they saw that the creek that ran through it was dry -- in twenty years it had never been dry, even during periods of drought!  They visited the neighbors and were told that the area's water table had been drained by the nearby city exercising a right to drill wells to bring water to the growing town.   According to the neighbors, the city had exercised this right without any notice to the residents.  The couple visited the local City Hall and discovered that the City had in fact placed a small notice in the local newspaper, in three successive issues as required by law, that there would be a public meeting about the impending drilling. The City published two additional notices after the public meeting to notify the public that there had been no opposition to the drilling, so the City was going to go forward with the drilling.   It wasn't very long before the neighborhood residents discovered that those new City wells affected their homesite wells.  The water table was so decimated by the City wells that the homesite wells, some of which had been there for many years, were no longer deep enough to serve the homesites.  The neighborhood residents were going to have to either drill new wells on their property or haul in water, both at a significant cost to the property owners.  To add insult to injury, a group of residents went to a City council meeting to complain of their plight and discovered that the City had "followed the letter of the law" in posting notices in the local newspaper.  There was nothing that could be done, and the City was not responsible for the impact of the new wells on the property owners outside the City.  The residents were told "you should have come to the public meetings to speak up."  More than twenty homes went on the market for sale that year. Some sold for very low prices, because land without water wasn't worth much. Some property owners didn't want to sell at the low property values and had to incur the additional cost of hauling in water in tanks.      

City council meetings are open to the public.  These meetings are held for YOUR benefit.  Attend them if you can--you never know how action taken by City Council will affect you personally unless you ask questions!

Tonight's agenda includes proclaiming September 28, 2013 as National Public Lands Day.  Does anyone know what this means or where it is coming from? How does such a proclamation affect Watonga?   You can find out at the meeting this evening.

 

The council will also consider the Police Committee’s recommendation to hire a new Police Officer but the agenda does not indicate who they are considering.  The Police Committee met a couple of weeks ago and discussed David Robertson.  The council will also consider approval of a new volunteer firefighter, Kade Griffin.

 

The Street Department, Light & Water Department and Park Department have scrap metal, old signs, old playground equipment, old manhole lids, and many old pieces of junk metal they want to declare as surplus and sell.  There may be some treasures here!

 

Other items to be discussed are (1) Water Tower; and (2) Permit Fees.  Will fees be raised? Come to the meeting tonight and find out.  This is the time to get information on possible increases in fees, as no action will be taken on raising fees this evening.  You can't complain about increased fees if you aren't present to express your opinion before fees are raised.  

 

 

 

    

Labor Day weekend

This holiday weekend was quiet in Watonga.  Visitors to the area were looking for something to do. A young couple from Frisco, Texas, came into town on Friday evening and spent Saturday at Roman Nose State Park.  The pool was closed.  They went to the Lodge for lunch but didn't eat there because they were told by an exiting customer that it took more than 45 minutes before that couple's order was taken, even though the restaurant wasn't busy.  The lady at the front desk had no suggestions for another place they could get a bite to eat in Watonga (though the choices in town are limited).  They ended up going to the deli at Applemarket and made themselves a picnic lunch.  While in town, they drove by the Ferguson Museum and called to see if they could get a tour.  They didn't get a call back, and by 5:00 p.m. they were ready to head back to Frisco so they could stop in OKC for dinner, even though they had room reservations to stay over Saturday night.  

On the right side, several people came from out of town to help with the grape harvest out at the Whirlwind Winery vineyards.  Brad and Tanya hosted a lunch for those who helped with the harvest.  It was a fun time. Check back  here for photos ....

At least we had pleasant weather over the weekend.
 

Sept. 7 events in Watonga

The Watonga Community Theatre has been busily preparing for their annual Membership Party, this year featuring a "Storyspinning" program.

On Saturday, Sept. 7, the Watonga Public Library and Watonga Community Theatre are partnering to sponsor a FREE Storytelling Workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  at the Library.  Want to learn the art of storytelling and pass on great stories to the next generation?  The workshop will consist of two sessions in the morning:  at 10:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. for high school youth and adults.

After lunch, a "coaching" session will be available for (but not limited to--) anyone who is thinking they might want to get on stage at the Liberty Theatre and tell a story!  You'll get tips you can use to keep your family and community's oral tradition alive.  

At 2:00 p.m. at the Library, the String Man will present a program for all ages (children and adults) on telling a story with string.  This session will be entertaining and educational.  At 3:30 will be a Children's Storytelling Concert.  For more information, contact the Watonga Public Library at 580-623-7748.
 
At 6:30 the Watonga Community Theatre on Main St. will present an evening of  Storytelling. The event is FREE but we invite attendees to become a member of the  Community Theatre and support live entertainment in Watonga.  Come and enjoy light appetizers, fellowship with current members, and renew your membership for 2013-2014.  Memberships are available at three levels: Member - $25.00 (gives you one ticket to live productions at the Liberty Theatre throughout the year);   Sponsors -$50.00 (two tickets to each production); and Producer - $100.00 (four tickets to each production). Membership also allows you to get priority seating before public seating.

The Storyspinning program will feature music by Kathryn Thurman, a contemporary Native American Flautist), and stories by five professional storytellers from Territory Tellers of Oklahoma, who travel around the world spinning their tales.  (check out their website at www.territorytellers.org).  We may have some local brave souls willing to get on stage and tell a story!

Watch for flyers around town and bring your family and friends --  It will be an evening not to be missed!!

/Linda