Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Workshop

Ward I,
Yesterday I attended the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Regional Workshop in Oklahoma City at the Francis Tuttle Technology Center. There, I learned more about ideas, tips, tools and inspiration to help improve the aesthetics of Guthrie. I am especially interested in finding resources to improve the Hwy 33/I 35 corridor in Ward I. The area there needs to aesthetic enhancements with more trees, flowers, signs, etc. to bring people into town potentially spend some time and money.
I sat down with the city council on the 10th of April and included this enhancement idea into our strategic planning. I hope these improvements make Guthrie a better place to work and live.

Press Release-April 18, 2010

Councilman’s Second Book Hits Shelves

-Taking Sides: Clashing Views in State & Local Government available from McGraw Hill

GUTHRIE-As City Councilman for Guthrie Ward I, John Wood, Ph.D. brought a unique perspective to his latest book, "Taking Sides: Clashing Views in State and Local Government."

Wood also works as a political science professor at Rose State College. His interest in local issues led him to develop the class, State and Local Government. His search for an engaging and relevant textbook ended with him developing his own.

“I use books from the Taking Sides series in my other classes. I asked McGraw-Hill if they had one for state and local politics. They didn’t, but ask me to write one for them,” said Wood.

Wood plans to use the book in class next year. Nearly 100 college professors throughout the country have also expressed interest in the book.

“I found other Taking Sides volumes to be great tools to get students really engaged with the course information. I hope this book encourages students to become more active in their communities.”

The book examines both sides of 19 issues relates to local government. The book is divided into sections on governors; intergovernmental relations; courts, police and corrections; state legislators; suburbs, cities and schools; and state and local policymaking. Topics range from “Should the Pentagon Take over the National Guard During Disasters?” to “Is Property Tax an Appropriate Revenue Source for State and Local Governments?”

Wood donated a copy of the book to the Guthrie Public Library, and it is also available through many online book retailers.

You can learn more about John Wood’s state and local government activities at his website
WoodforGuthrie.blogspot.com.

Each Taking Sides volume presents current controversial issues in a debate-style format designed to stimulate student interest and develop critical thinking skills. Each issue is framed with a summary, introduction and postscript or challenge questions. Learn more about the series at www.McGraw-Hill.com.

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Ward I,

We had a retreat Saturday, April 10th from 8:00am-noon in the Third Floor Conference Room in City Hall.

I am excited that we are finally working toward building a consistent vision for the future of Guthrie. Rebecca Eastham from Meridian Technology was the facilitator for the event, which helped get us through an aggressive agenda in the time allotted.

By the end of the month, we'll have a rough draft of our vision, mission, values, as well as short term and long term project priorities. This strategic plan will enable us to make decisions that will be coherent instead of just reacting to problems that come up.

We will have a plan to guide Guthrie. This summer I would like to have a card with this strategic plan and walk around the ward giving it out to everyone.
John

McGraw Hill published my book on state and local government

Ward I,
Just to let you know that McGraw Hill published my first edited book: Taking Sides: Clashing Views in State and Local Government. I will donate books to the city and to the Guthrie Library.

John