January 27, 2021 Issue, Page 14 of 18

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4 January 23, 2021 Former Chamber President Bintz refl ects upon service Bintz served as the Elk City First National building. That that everyone feels safe. These Chamber of Commerce presi- building has so much character added services would also be a dent in 1988. Though he says and potential. I would love to huge benefit to our elderly pop- much has changed, especially see the Casa Grande restored. ulation who don’t feel comfort- where technology is concerned, ‘That's been on the back burner able driving, especially at night. he is optimistic with the vision for decades and soon it will be the current board has for the too late.” We have extremely limited pub- future. Bintz foresees the Covid-19 lic transportation. I have many “I think the Chamber is doing pandemic reshaping how citi- patients who cannot drive.T hey a great job,” Bintz gushed. “Iam zens shop. However, he is also would have more freedom being especially impressed with the confident that, through net- in a big city with multiple forms leadership program. I feel that is working with the Chamber, local of public transportation and an outcropping from the several business owners can adapt to fit that doesn't seem right. Out of Dale Carnegie courses presented the new needs. necessity with the pandemic, I in the past. The Chamber and “We all will have to adapt to believe the Chamber members the City worked hand in hand in these changes by thinking about the past andI feel we need to re- how to best serve our customers, will come up with options that establish that relationship. We whether it is delivery services, correct some of this.” are all in this together. I'm also online shopping, curbside pick Bintz practices at Vision very excited that the Chamber up or enhanced take out menu Source with Dr. Scott Ellis at is moving downtown into the options. We must make sure 902 North Main Street. Dr.Daniel and Karen Bintz. Courtesy photo. By Shonda Little community leaders and volun- which can be invaluable to new- teers is a huge benefit to grow- comers. When Dr. Daniel Bintz de- “The Chamber really helped ing and also to establishing a cided to move to Elk City, he businesses. And, the personal me out when I moved to town, was enticed by the idea of liv- friendships you develop last a introducing me to bankers and ing in western Oklahoma. After lifetime,” he said. realtors. Carol Bustin and Je- all, he had been mostly raised For a brief time, Bintz was rold Stringer at the Bank of in the panhandle, though he living alone in Elk City. His wife Western Oklahoma helped me had moved off years prior for Karen, who he playfully calls out enormously,” he said. college and optometry school. the smarter of the pair, tempo- Bintz grew comfortable in ‘The late Dr. Gary Ford worked rarily moved to attend gradu- the role. Meeting with like- hard to lure Bintz and his young ate school. When she moved minded citizens was serving a wife Karen to Elk City, even if it back to Elk City, she, too, found clear benefit for him personally meant Bintz would have a com- a calling within the Elk City and their shared community. peting practice. Ford didn’t see Chamber of Commerce. His time with the Chamber be- it that way, but rather wanted “We got involved with the Fall came events he eagerly awaited. to strengthen the available eye Festival of the Arts. Pam Grego- His memories include longtime care in Elk City. ry, Timberely and Basil Weath- business staples and icons of ‘The more that the Bintz cou- erly, Paul Currell, Emma Jean the Elk City of yesteryear. ple saw of Elk City, the more Barton, Emily Johnson and oth- “I always looked forward to they realized that this would ers were all on that committee the monthly morning breakfast be their home, Now nearly four for years. It was a lot of work, meetings at the Flamingo with decades have passed since they but also a lot of fun. Many, Bill Ansley as our MC,” he said. first put down roots here and many donuts were consumed,” Ansley is another source for Bintz still credits early involve- Bintz joked. the Elk City News, serving for ment within the Elk City Cham- As both Bintz and his wife many years as the advertising ber of Commerce with assisting continued to be actively in- manager. He and his wife also in their personal and profes- volved in the Elk City Chamber owned a business. sional successes. of Commerce, he was eventu- Bintz also enjoyed the joint Freshly out of optometry ally lured into leadership. Like collaborations of the City of Elk school and inspired by his fel- many young business owners, City and the Elk City Chamber low eye doctor's commitments, he was nervous that he would of Commerce. Bintz was also eager to give back not contribute the right ideas. “At the time, there was not a to his new community. However, his fellow leaders saw separate convention and tour- a unique benefit within him “I started with the Chamber ism entity. It was a chamber as soon as I opened my prac- that he didn’t see. The group re- tice,” Bintz recounted. “They alized the benefit of fresh eyes committee,” Bintz recalled. “So our overall mission was to re- TIhank you to the Chamber of did a ribbon cutting soon after. and ideas. cruit new businesses, promote When you open a new busi- ness, you have more time than “I was nominated for the board and then the leadership existing businesses with events like the Fall Festival, the rodeo, Commercejou all you do each year! money. So instead of donating ladder. I think part of it was sidewalk sales and other promo- to good causes, I tried to volun- that I wasn’t around during the tions that could bring people to Ves Finance teer. The key to belonging to any ‘boom,’ so I also didn’t perceive organization is to be an active things as being a ‘bust’ econo- Elk City and promote tourism by trying to bring groups here 1414 W. 3rd St. member.” my; Bintz remembered. for meetings like the ‘Holiday Elk City, OK Quickly, Bintz recognized the Through the Chamber of Ramblers.’ And of course, we al- personal benefit as well. Commerce, Bintz made invalu- ways wanted to entice traffic off 580-225-1525 “Surrounding yourself with able business connections, of I-40.” We would like to take a moment y to thank the Elk City Chamber of » Commerce for everything they do! We appreciate J VOL unily: all that you American National 3000 W. 3rd St. Insurance Company dotomake Elk City, OK 580.225.7363 Elk City a iD) i Tyson Trout 716 W. 3rd Elk City 5th and Main St. Hammon, OK Mon-Fri: 8-6 great place Sat: 9-5 Sun: Closed 580.339.1733 Find us on Facebook tolive! a a I sscnicattaurekanretaskonn PARTS 580.225.3442 Sometimes the simplest We would like to thank the Thank you to the Elk City Chamber of Commerce. We know 2020 wasn’t what Chamber of Commerce for things mean the most. a wonderful year! everyone wished it to be, but we look forward to what 2021 will bring! Thank you Elk City Chamber! S anfork Ele, 48920 E 1170 Rd, Kithoffer Flooring Cent DBA Bell's Carpet “Quality at Affordable Prices” ((3ndurance Federal Credit Union Sayre, OK 73662 www.endurancefcu.org Sixth & Main + Elk City, OK 73644 105 Regional Drive (580) 928-3366 Residential & Commerical Elk City - 225-2690 Cooperatw® www.nfecoop.com 580-225-1291 Insured by NCUA