February 10, 2021 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Weekd Edition Elk City Mayor Nick Archer urges residents Elk City disturbance to request city to be in one district call leads to drug sented by Representative Todd Russ (R-Cordell) who will be term distribution charge limited in 2022. Archer spoke by phone over the weekend about the issue that he finds pressing. By Shonda Little “In the spirit of full disclosure, I am interested in running for ‘Todd Russ’s seat this next term after he is term limited, especially A 36-year-old Erick man has if we are able to return the whole of Elk City to District 55,” Ar- been released from the Beck- cher stated. “I will still consider it even if it is not redistricted in a ham County Detention Cen- way that I believe best serves our area. However, my desire to see ter after being charged with a this happen isn’t for my personal political advantage, but for all of felony count of possession of Elk City and Beckham County. This is not something that any of a controlled dangerous sub- the communities of our size in our area have to do. Weatherford stance with the intent to dis- and Clinton have their entire community in one district. Altus isn’t tribute. split. Woodward isn’t split. That is typically something you might At approximately 7:08 p.m. see in larger cities, but most communities of our size are in one on February 1, the Elk City district.” Police Department was dis- ‘As mayor, Archer has learned many often overlooked ways a CHarles Melzer, Jr. patched to a disturbance call at By Shonda Little state representative can impact their communities. the 200 block of Aspen Lane, “This affects state committees, airports, the Department of Upon arrival to the addressed, the reporting officer observed Although most are familiar with the basics of the United States Commerce, grants. I could go on and on. And I want to say that amale walking from the front of the residence. The officer asked Census held every ten years, the vast impact of the Constitution- this isn’t only important for Elk City, but all of Beckham County. It the male subject, identified as Charles Warren Melzer, Jr., to ally mandated count may be missed by some. Elk City Mayor Nick affects our smaller towns in other counties, like Cheyenne in Roger step behind his vehicle so the officer could speak with him. Archer is urging Elk City’s residents to urge Oklahoma State House Mills, because this is where many of those residents come to shop Melzer reportedly stated that he was only attempting to get representatives to return the municipality to a single house dis- and eat. What is in Elk City’s best interest is in all the communities his ladder from the residence. A second officer arrived and went trict. that are so closely connected to us. For people who live in Cordell, into the residence to speak to the female subject in the home. “This year the state will look to redraw the House district lines. they have the options of going to Clinton and Weatherford to do ‘The reporting officer observed a knife clipped on Melzer’s Please take a moment to email the state and let them know you their trading. We want to see those communities do well also, but pocket. He removed the knife and asked Melzer if he had any- would like to see Elk City consolidated back into one district: the point of a representative is to represent their area. There may thing else on him. House District 55,” Archer posted on his personal Facebook over be some representatives who say that Elk City being in two districts Melzer began to empty his pockets and laid his belongings on the weekend. gives us double representation, but to me it feels more like getting the bed of the flatbed truck. Archer's social media post was well received by his followers half the representation,” Archer added. At this time, the officer did not observe anything else on the within the comments and over 30 shares. After graduating from Elk City High School, Archer attended the bed of the truck aside from tires and tools. Currently, Elk City is split between House District 55 and House University of Oklahoma. He received a degree in architecture in As the officer was speaking to Melzer, he asked if he could let District 57. Anthony Moore (R-Weatherford) was recently elected 2008. his dog out of his pickup. Melzer let the dog out and walked to to represent House District 57 in 2020 after Representative Har- “My wife Katie grew up out here, too, so we always knew that the front of the vehicle, the officer reported. old Wright was term limited. House District 55 is currently repre- See District page 2. ‘The officer said he then followed him. Melzer then allegedly immediately walked toward the back of his truck again as the officer again continued to follow him. Meet the City: As Melzer turned to walk behind his truck, the officer alleged that he observed the suspect fidgeting with something with his hands down at the front of his waist, using his body to attempt to shield something from the officer's view. ‘The Elk City News is featuringa the angry phone calls and [had ‘The officer temporarily lost sight of Melzer as he steeped be- different city employee to introduce to learn not to take it person- hind his truck. The officer quickly approached the suspect and citizens and visitors to the people ally. I even had a person men- regained sight of him as he picked up his phone from the back of and departments that make the tion me by name in a Facebook the truck and began to talk. City of Elk City work post. I had to make my husband ‘The officer shined his flashlight on the ground near the back not get into it with the person, of the truck to see if Melzer dropped anything. By Shonda Little but I explained to him that they ‘The officer saw nothing. don’t mean it to be personal to ‘The officer then shined his flashlight on the bed of the truck ‘As any city employee can tes- me. There have been times that and immediately observed two small baggies with suspected tify, the City of Elk City’s wa- we have been able to see that methamphetamine. ter department provides one someone has a leak which they ‘The baggies were not there moments prior when the officer of the best known services the don’t know about. With some city offers. With the thousands of the older meters, there were first spoke with Melzer, the probable cause affidavit claims. Melzer had also picked up his phone and started speaking on upon thousands of gallons that customers who had been get- it. ‘The officer ordered the suspect to get off the phone and then stream into Elk City homes and ting unbilled consumption, so it placed him in hand restraints. then back out, the volume must was kind of sticker shock when Melzer denied knowledge of the bags and stated he had just be tracked. we brought everything up-to- For Janessa Bustin, the city date and online. But, even with came from Loves, allegedly suggesting someone had placed the two baggies on his truck. clerk's administrative assistant, the occasional upset customer, the city’s new upgraded tech- this job is still wonderful. I like ‘The second officer secured the baggies of suspected metham- nology allows for fine tuned getting to help people and I phetamine. ‘The officer returned to the vehicle and asked the passenger to precision that can allow her to like feeling that my job is doing pinpoint down to hourly con- something important for our exit the vehicle. The passenger was searched as the second of- ficer searched the vehicle. sumption of water. city,” Bustin explained. “The city has done a major While adjusting to her new Bustin family. Courtesy photo. Melzer was transported to the Elk City Police Department upgrade in the meters. We only position, Bustin has also assist- where he was booked in without incident. have 400 left that aren’t elec- ed in training her replacement tronic. Before when our city em- in her former spot. ployees had to go read meters manually, it took days. Now we “Sheena Vermillion is now serving in the water customer Lions Club can get them all done through recognizes service position,” Bustin stated. a laptop. It is saving us a ton of“Tam really impressed with how time,” Bustin explained. quickly she picked up everything Bustin has enjoyed seeing and how hard she has worked at her career blossom throughout it. The city's customers will be her five years with the city. She well taken care of by her. Covid began her employment in Sep- quarantines did make it hard for tember of 2015 within customer a bit for us both to be able to be members for service service and was recently pro- there at the same time. But, in moted last October to her new spite of that, she still took off position assisting the city clerk with it really quickly. She fits primarily with the water depart- right in with us. Working at city ment billing. hall is great. All of our co-work- Elk City Lions Club recently recognized mem- Although she loves her job, ers help each other any way we bers for their years of membership. she also noted that water bills can and are friends with each Pictured left to right are Jim Irwin with 15 can be something that invokes other. We all get along great.” years of membership, Lora Blanton for 25 strong feelings with customers As the city hired a new city years, and Kerry Hookstra with 40 years of when the bill is higher than ex- manager, Tom lIvester, this last pected. year, Bustin recognized some of membership in Lions Clubs International. “Oh yes, I have gotten some of See Bustin page 2. Courtesy photo. Weather ) Vol. 119, No. 12 Mail delivery View online ELT 3 tomorrow / 1 3) 75 cents, 10 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com