Looks like I exhausted my hangers-600 (more
than 26 hours of walking the Ward) and nearly all my signs with 97 out,
spoke to nearly a dozen groups, and one candidate forum. Ready for
Tuesday night. I've done about all I can do in this campaign.:)
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I'm official, the Freedom of Information
Oklahoma (FOI) has accepted my OPEN GOVERNMENT PLEDGE! I'm the 10th
signer of the pledge this year in my candidacy for Guthrie City Council,
Ward I. By signing this pledge, I "uphold the inherent right of
Oklahomans to know and be fully informed about their government."
See: http://casb.okstate.edu/cas2/media/faculty/jsenat/foioklahoma/pledgesigners.html
See: http://casb.okstate.edu/cas2/media/faculty/jsenat/foioklahoma/pledgesigners.html
|
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Taste and Tell 2013
Evelyn Nephews, one of the event's lead organizers, explained the name during her remarks. They call it "Taste" because we come together to share some amazing food. They called it "Tell" because they depend on the attendees to tell their friends and neighbors to join in next year.
My wife Bonnie and I had a wonderful time. Great food, great people. We hope we see you there next year.
Friday, January 4, 2013
John Wood runs for re-election: Guthrie Ward 1 City Councilman to file for second term
PRESS RELEASE
John R. Wood, Guthrie Ward 1 City Councilman, is running for re-election in 2013. Wood is concluding his first term as Councilman.
“It has been an honor to serve my community as Councilman this term,” Wood said. “I look forward to continuing to work with my neighbors to make Guthrie a hometown we are proud of.”
As a Ward 1 Councilman, Wood chairs the Streets Committee, where he has worked to allocate more than $200,000 to improve Guthrie roads. During Wood’s terms, the City Council also created the first known City-wide comprehensive strategic plan, established a rainy day fund from budget savings, and implemented a number of regional partnerships.
Wood was Cofounder and Vice Chair of the First Capitol Neighborhood Solutions, a group which promotes higher property values, lower crime and easier communication to city officials. He now serves on the board of the Highland Park Neighborhood Association.
Wood holds a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University and teaches political science at Rose State College. He is a member of the Guthrie Noon Lions and the Logan Community Services Board. As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in the 1990 Gulf War, Wood is a member of the American Legion.
For more information about John Wood, his work for the City of Guthrie and his bid for City Council, visit woodforguthrie.blogspot.com.
John R. Wood, Guthrie Ward 1 City Councilman, is running for re-election in 2013. Wood is concluding his first term as Councilman.
“It has been an honor to serve my community as Councilman this term,” Wood said. “I look forward to continuing to work with my neighbors to make Guthrie a hometown we are proud of.”
As a Ward 1 Councilman, Wood chairs the Streets Committee, where he has worked to allocate more than $200,000 to improve Guthrie roads. During Wood’s terms, the City Council also created the first known City-wide comprehensive strategic plan, established a rainy day fund from budget savings, and implemented a number of regional partnerships.
Wood was Cofounder and Vice Chair of the First Capitol Neighborhood Solutions, a group which promotes higher property values, lower crime and easier communication to city officials. He now serves on the board of the Highland Park Neighborhood Association.
Wood holds a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University and teaches political science at Rose State College. He is a member of the Guthrie Noon Lions and the Logan Community Services Board. As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in the 1990 Gulf War, Wood is a member of the American Legion.
For more information about John Wood, his work for the City of Guthrie and his bid for City Council, visit woodforguthrie.blogspot.com.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Guthrie Art Walk-Nov. 10
All too often I hear people say there is nothing to do in a
small town. Lucky for us, this isn't true of Guthrie.
Our wonderful festivals are just one of the many reasons my
wife and I love calling Guthrie home. This weekend our historic downtown plays
host to the semi-annual Guthrie Art Walk. Every fall and spring this festival spotlights
artists in the businesses and galleries downtown.
Visitors from all over the state will flock to our town this
weekend to take part in the fun. If you live in Guthrie, you’re lucky enough to
have this festival in your own backyard. Join us from 4-8 pm and make the most
of all our town has to offer.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Election Day-Nov. 6
I'm sure you realize tomorrow is an election day. The Presidential Election is certainly the highest profile election we hold in our country. While I do hope each of you will get out and exercise your civic duty, I hope you realize too, that there are many local elections that have significant impact on our lives.
You can visit the Logan County Election Board to learn more about how to register, polling places, early voting and local election dates.
My lovely wife, Bonnie, arriving at our local polling place.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Meet and Greet Reception for New City Manager
I hope many of my constituents can join me on Tuesday, Nov.
6 as we welcome Guthrie’s new City Manager Sereniah Berland. There will be a
public reception that day at 6:30 p.m., in the City Hall Lobby.
The role of City Manager is an important one. There is a
team of hardworking city employees who make sure every aspect of Guthrie runs
smoothly. The City Manager leads that team.
I know Sereniah is eager to meet the citizens and learn as
much as possible about her new home. Please welcome her, and give her the
support she needs to ensure Guthrie is a place where we can reside with pride.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Empowering Communities Abroad
With the Homabay women for whom we wrote the Women's Empowerment project
Together we secured a grant for 20,000 Euros to help the women of Homabay, Kenya, become self-sufficient farmer. These women are mostly widows and as a result are cast out from their communities. They have come together to support each other and create a new community of their own.
The grant purchased oxen, plows, shovels, seeds, etc. They told me the grant changed their lives. A good feeling.
Ecumenical Palm Sunday, Guthrie, OK 2012
Ecumenical Palm Sunday, Guthrie, OK 2012
We had a huge day Sunday with 6 different churches in attendance! Even the little horse Mr. Hollywood showed up.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
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.
Friday, June 24, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, April 29, 2011
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!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
No Gift List is now bipartisan with the addition of Senator Rice
PRESS RELEASE
July 21, 2010
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
No Gift List is now bipartisan with the addition of Senator Rice
State Senator Andrew Rice (D-Oklahoma City), Minority Leader, has authorized Oklahoma’s Common Cause to post his name as the second public official on its “No Gifts List” in Oklahoma. State Representative Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie) was the first to sign.
This list, located on Oklahoma Common Cause’s website at http://www.commoncause.org/OK/NoGifts, provides a way for public officials to end constituent perceptions that they engage in an inappropriate game of quid pro quo with lobbyists for special interests. By putting their name on the list, officials and candidates pledge that they will not accept anything of value from a lobbyist or another person trying to influence their actions.
Oklahoma’s Common Cause appreciates Rep. Murphy’s stepping forward to inaugurate the list and with addition of Senator Rice, the list now has bipartisan support. The list will not list parties because the point of the list is to facilitate transparency and fairness among those who make the laws and uses the citizen’s tax dollar, not for partisan advantage.
The website is in the process of being updated with Senator Rice’s name added.
The list follows the lead of North Carolina’s legislature, which has a “No Gifts” list on its website, http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/members/reports/noGiftsList.pl?sChamber=House. At a recent meeting, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission had declined to host Oklahoma’s version of the no-gifts list, but instead suggested that Oklahoma’s Common Cause provide a home for the list.
Common Cause is a non-partisan group that was founded in 1970 by John W. Gardner, an influential Republican and cabinet secretary under Lyndon Johnson, with a mission of making U.S. political institutions more honest, open and accountable.
If other state public officials or candidates, who are challenging them, want to put their names on the “No Gifts List,” they may contact Lynn Howell, Chair of Oklahoma’s Common Cause, at thowell@dayedwards.com at (405) 239-2121 or John Wood, board member, woody_74075@yahoo.com at (405) 372-6178. The list is also expected to be linked to the Daily Oklahoman’s Politics website.
--- 30 ---
July 21, 2010
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
No Gift List is now bipartisan with the addition of Senator Rice
State Senator Andrew Rice (D-Oklahoma City), Minority Leader, has authorized Oklahoma’s Common Cause to post his name as the second public official on its “No Gifts List” in Oklahoma. State Representative Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie) was the first to sign.
This list, located on Oklahoma Common Cause’s website at http://www.commoncause.org/OK/NoGifts, provides a way for public officials to end constituent perceptions that they engage in an inappropriate game of quid pro quo with lobbyists for special interests. By putting their name on the list, officials and candidates pledge that they will not accept anything of value from a lobbyist or another person trying to influence their actions.
Oklahoma’s Common Cause appreciates Rep. Murphy’s stepping forward to inaugurate the list and with addition of Senator Rice, the list now has bipartisan support. The list will not list parties because the point of the list is to facilitate transparency and fairness among those who make the laws and uses the citizen’s tax dollar, not for partisan advantage.
The website is in the process of being updated with Senator Rice’s name added.
The list follows the lead of North Carolina’s legislature, which has a “No Gifts” list on its website, http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/members/reports/noGiftsList.pl?sChamber=House. At a recent meeting, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission had declined to host Oklahoma’s version of the no-gifts list, but instead suggested that Oklahoma’s Common Cause provide a home for the list.
Common Cause is a non-partisan group that was founded in 1970 by John W. Gardner, an influential Republican and cabinet secretary under Lyndon Johnson, with a mission of making U.S. political institutions more honest, open and accountable.
If other state public officials or candidates, who are challenging them, want to put their names on the “No Gifts List,” they may contact Lynn Howell, Chair of Oklahoma’s Common Cause, at thowell@dayedwards.com at (405) 239-2121 or John Wood, board member, woody_74075@yahoo.com at (405) 372-6178. The list is also expected to be linked to the Daily Oklahoman’s Politics website.
--- 30 ---
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Working on a NFA group in Oklahoma
Ward I,
Today I participated in the Oklahoma Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc. Board meeting in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Due to the success the NFA have had in Kansas, and lack of real movement in the 2010 Oklahoma Legislative session, there is a need to begin holding concurrent Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc. board meetings in Oklahoma and Texas. This was the first concurrent Oklahoma - Kansas board meeting.
It was determined at the meeting that Oklahoma needs to create it's own chapter of a NFA. The NFA will help increase tourist traffic and easier travel to Chicago and other parts of the country exclusively by rail. We will try to get a representative and a senator to sponsor an interim study to bring the issue to the state legislature and to the news this fall.
Mary Coffin and I have spearheaded the idea to create a group this summer to work on trying to bring a passenger train to Guthrie. This NFA work is congruent with those goals.
John
Today I participated in the Oklahoma Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc. Board meeting in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Due to the success the NFA have had in Kansas, and lack of real movement in the 2010 Oklahoma Legislative session, there is a need to begin holding concurrent Northern Flyer Alliance, Inc. board meetings in Oklahoma and Texas. This was the first concurrent Oklahoma - Kansas board meeting.
It was determined at the meeting that Oklahoma needs to create it's own chapter of a NFA. The NFA will help increase tourist traffic and easier travel to Chicago and other parts of the country exclusively by rail. We will try to get a representative and a senator to sponsor an interim study to bring the issue to the state legislature and to the news this fall.
Mary Coffin and I have spearheaded the idea to create a group this summer to work on trying to bring a passenger train to Guthrie. This NFA work is congruent with those goals.
John
recent workshop
Ward I,
Just to let you know, I recently attended: “Principles of Public Service,” by Strategic Government Resource’s Ron Holifield,Chief Executive Officer, Stillwater Community Center, Stillwater, Oklahoma, May 18, 2010. It was a pretty good workshop on ethics in the workplace.
Basically, if you don't do whatever you were going to do if don't want a reporter there. It's all about transparency.
Just to let you know, I recently attended: “Principles of Public Service,” by Strategic Government Resource’s Ron Holifield,Chief Executive Officer, Stillwater Community Center, Stillwater, Oklahoma, May 18, 2010. It was a pretty good workshop on ethics in the workplace.
Basically, if you don't do whatever you were going to do if don't want a reporter there. It's all about transparency.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
