Started an Oklahoma Municipally-Elected Official’s Association

Ward I,

Just a note that I just started the Municipal Elected Official’s Association in Oklahoma. I started it recently at the Oklahoma Municipal League (OML) meeting.

The goal of the Association is to promote municipal government in Oklahoma because it’s the only group not organized on the municipal level. It could potentially be a powerful force to increase the voice municipal government.
I would expect the Association would certainly be about, but not limited to:
• Non-partisan activities - not endorsing or oppose any candidate for public office;
• Provide members with professional support in performance of their responsibilities;
• Encourage best practices in municipal administration and promoting mutuality of interests;
• Promote municipal needs at the capitol;
• Manage contact information and communication channels for Municipally Elected Officials across the state;
• And, set up and maintain a website for the Association.

LCS 2nd Annual Rubber Duck Race

Just finished attending the Logan Community Services 2nd Annual Rubber Duck Race & Kids Fun Fair, Saturday June 25 at Highland Park. Each Duck sponsorship was $5, but the winner wins a $200 prize, second $100; third place receives $50 prize. The money goes to help with the Youth shelter.

Images of America: Guthrie and Logan County” by Glen V. McIntyre.

I have recently picked up a book called: “Images of America: Guthrie and Logan County” by Glen V. McIntyre.
As many of you know, Guthrie was the political and cultural center of first the territory of Oklahoma from before statehood 1890 to 1907, then the state of Oklahoma until 1910. In fact, my house is only a block from the old state legislature, which only met once. Now, it’s part of the Scottish Rite Temple.
Guthrie is lucky to exist, in fact, had the Santa Fe not built their north to south line two years earlier, many of the first settlers would not have made it through the first winter. The Depot itself was a site for many settlers and they came by train. A photograph on page 11 showed soldiers guarding the trains to make sure one got off before high noon on April 22, 1889.
At the time when Guthrie was Oklahoma’s center, the city attracted architects who built impressive buildings, such as Joseph Foucart, who we will at some point honor with his own park when the private fundraising dollars are raised.
This book is focused not only on Guthrie, but others in Logan County are prominent: Marshall (home of Angie Debo, an important Oklahoma historian), Langston (home of Oklahoma's first black university), Mullhall, Orlando, Crescent, Meridian, and Coyle, as well as many towns that did not survive.
The book is filled with pictures that encompass early Logan County with topics such as towns, making a life, transportation, churches and schools, people, and at leisure. For example, on page 110, I found the “Race track in West Guthrie” and others waiting to try the natural springs at the Gazebo in Mineral Wells park.
It’s an interesting book worth hours of enjoyment and a way to capture the history of where you live.

89ers Game

Enjoyed this year's 89ers baseball game. I played for the Guthrie Dudes! We won 9-8 and I had the winning hit. It was great to play with outstanding Guthrie citizens!

Quality of Life_John Wood

Ward I,

The City of Guthrie made this video of me.
I wanted to convey why Guthrie embodies a quality of life for me.


Quality of Life_John Wood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTYOBFxvyPc&feature=related

City website

Ward I,
If you haven't seen our new website for Guthrie, please check it out at http://www.cityofguthrie.com/.

Please, let me know what you think!
John