January 30, 2021 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western oe “Weekend Edition Elk City’s chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation parecipates in first annual squirrel hunt of passing that along to some- old when I first went hunting, pleted, the groups came back one new.” ma’am. I liked walkingin the and we showed them how to At the Friday meet and greet, woods. It was a good day to process a squirrel,” President mentor hunters were paired off spend with my family.” Anderson explained. “Then after with the novices. During this Easton stated that they saw time, the group learned the ba- several squirrels when they first WE gave that lesson, we cooked sics of squirrel hunting. scouted out their spots, which- the squirrel.” Michael and Candelon trav- was before the 7 am. starting Jett said, “I started hunting eled the distance to be paired time. Following that, they didn’t when I was probably five-years- off with their children, but ad- successfully find any squirrels. old, ma’am. I probably like hunt- ditional adults were available to After the squirrel hunt, the assist unaccompanied hunters. teams returned to the park's ing white tail deer the best, but At day break on Saturday lodge. this was a very fun day of morning, the groups headed out “When the hunt was com- See Hunt page 2. to search the massive stretch of Elk City couple sees untouched eastern Oklahoma land in search of squirrels. Can- delon, an eastern Oklahoma Michael journeyed out with young love blossom native, teamed up with sons Easton, 14, and Jagur, 10. Like their parents, all three into lasting union Jett, also 10. boys began hunting at an early By Shonda Little Armstrong was joined at the trees and plush greenery as far age. However, the weekend's squirrel hunt by Elk City resi- as the eye can see, Armstrong adventure was their first time Over the January 22-24 dents Michael and Candelon knew this was the perfect place chasing squirrel as a prey. weekend, the president of Elk Sloan, aswell as their three sons. for the NWTF to organize their “I started hunting as early City’s chapter of the National Located at the 2,200 square brainchild. as I can remember, ma’am,” re- Wild Turkey Federation traveled acre Oklahoma park near Wag- “Our goal was to have a men- counted Easton. “I have hunted to Sequoyah State Park in Wag- oner, the festivities kicked off tored hunt with first time squir- deer, elk, dove, duck, turkey and rabbit previously. I thought oner for the First Annual Squir- Friday evening. rel hunters and experienced hunting the squirrels was neat rel Fest Mentored Hunt. “We had originally planned squirrel hunters,” Armstrong and a really cool experience. It Bobby Armstrong, a native of to do this at Fort Gibson,” Arm- explained. “The first time hunt- is different than hunting other Natural Steps, Arkansas, grew strong explained. “But when we ers were mixed between youths things because you have to find up knowing the value of hunting contacted them, they offered and adults. This is great way to them in the trees.” and the impact it has upon wild- the Sequoyah State Park.” introduce new people and let ex- His brother Jagur added, “I life conservation efforts. Surrounded by a variety of perienced hunters have the joy was probably about seven-years- Elk City Commission holds mid-January meeting By Shonda Little Commissioners hear question considering possible Burger King franchise Nearly twenty-five years ago, David and Heather (Snowden) Robinson were bright eyed and bushy tailed young adults enter- By Shonda Little readdress the possible renewed partnership with the Elk City Cham- ing in their marriage madly in love with hearts full of optimism. ber of Commerce as well as a new hearing upon the possible dilapi- ‘Now, over two decades later, the two lovingly laugh that, in ‘The Elk City Commission met for their scheduled mid-January dation of the Heritage House Apartments located on North State many ways, they did not fully anticipate what they had signed up meeting at 2 p.m. on January 20 in the Commissioners Hall at Elk Avenue. for. Dreams of eternal wedded bliss were met head on with the City. With agenda item #2, the commissioners considered whether to reality of a mortgage and young kids. ‘The meeting kicked off with Commissioner Jeff Jackson offering a approve or disapprove a payoff for loans related to TIF loans for Hx4 But, all this time later, they both agree that weathering even prayer for the nation before reciting the Pledge ofAllegiance. LL in amount of $41,625 and Elk City Land Development in the their darkest days and having children almost fully raised has ‘The meeting first began with a public hearing related to an annex- amount of $622,350.07 for a total TIF loan payoff of $663,9750.07. done the opposite of tear them apart. ation request. The commissioners learned that this was related to a Mayor Archer explained that the City of Elk City currently has Against all odds, their commitment to each other and taking tract of land lying in the northwest quarter of section 25, township $1.2 million plus approximately $600,000 in an account related to care for their spouse has soldiered them through even the early 11 north, range 21 west of the Indian Meridian Beckham County. TIE, which is more than enough to pay it off. years when they didn’t know if they would make it. ‘This particular section of land is located in the East Seventh Street Archer also added that, while the first loan has 0% interest, the David is a 1991 graduate of Elk City High School. Three years area in close proximity to the Walmart shopping area near 1-40. second has 4% interest. He advised that paying this off early could later in 1993, Heather graduated from Canute High School. Al- ‘The commissioners heard from landowner Boyd Mouse who ex- save the city that 4% of interest. though they had mutual friends, the two barely knew each other plained this piece of land is where he was born and raised. His family Commissioner Jeff Jackson stated that it made sense to pay it off when they first started dating. is now hoping to sell that to a Burger King franchisee. since the city had the money and it would save the interest. “The first time I really met her, we were both hanging out with Mouse also advised that his family would like to section off more ‘The motion passed 4-0. our mutual friends at a house party,” David recounted. “I saw her of their land in the area for other potential buyers. Agenda item #3 related to approving or disapproving payment to and couldn't take my eyes off her. I couldn't get her out of my Mayor Nick Archer advised the commission and that the Zoning head. So I asked her if we could have lunch sometime.” the Oklahoma State Department of Environmental Quality for the Board had recommended re-zoning this for the potential sale. Heather's memories of that first unexpected date includes an- During the public hearing, a representative for Wendy's, which fourth quarter state fees at the Elk City Landfill for $10,017.10. other Elk City icon. has been operating in the area for several years, approached the ‘The commissioner approved this motion 4-0. ‘The commission then considered agenda item #4, which was ap- “Our first date was at the Elk City Pizza Hut and I mean the commission and said that they hoped to see more of the area be old building that has now been torn down. We sat in a booth on proving the purchase of mowing equipment for the Right of Way drawn into retail so the “two restaurants” could survive. that west wall. I don’t really remember what we talked about, but Department from DJ Rentals for $12,786.94. Mayor Archer politely told the Wendy's representative that the ‘This is a budgeted item. Thmew I was going to love him,” added Heather. commission does not “get to make that decision” as far as what busi- A city employee identified by the first name of Larry spoke to the ‘The relationship grew strong quickly. Both David and Heather nesses are pursuing that area. hailed from long families in their own right. Neither of their fami- After asking if anyone else wanted to make a comment in the pub- commissioners about the benefit of this equipment. lies could see the other with someone else, lic hearing, it was closed. It was approved 4-0. “actually did go to her father to ask for her hand in marriage,” ‘The commission meeting then started by approving the minutes On agenda item #5, commissioners considered to approve or dis- David remembered. “I was nervous, but it never occurred to me from the first January meeting. approve a front deck mower, also for the Right of Way Department, that he might say no. We were lucky in that both of our parents Next, the commission then went into the first agenda item, which for the amount of $28,912.59. were still together, so we were going into it knowing that it would addressed the public hearing on the land that could be annexed for This, too, is a budgeted item. be a lifelong commitment.’ the Burger King franchise. ‘The same city employee advised the commission that the Right of David approached her dad at his tire shop and had the elder With City Manager Tom Ivester, City Treasurer Jennifer Rainey Way Department had been forced prior to this to borrow equipment Snowden meet him in his office. and City Commissioner Larry Muck all out of the meeting for vari- from the Parks and Recreation Department. “just asked for his blessing to ask Heather to marry me and he ous commitments, the commissioners made clear the annexation Commissioner Rick Shelton joked with the employee that he gave it, but he did lecture me that I could never hurt her,” David was just an introduction. should tell Western Equipment to “make a presence in Elk City.” stated. The commission will readdress the issue in the first February ‘The commission voted to approve this item 4-0. See Love page 2. meeting. During that meeting, commissioners are also expected to See Commission page 2. Weather Vol. 119, No. 9 Mail delivery View online OANA tomorrow 50 / 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com