March 12, 2022 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Serving Western Oklahoma Saturday, March 12, 2022 Barbwire and Lace, Commissioners Not a Place to Just Drive On By vote to Purchase Playground Equipment for Lion’s Park By Sheryl Ponce Commissioner's met Monday evening in City Hall for their regular evening meeting. All commissioners were present, along with City Manager, Tom Ivester, City Attorney Steve Holloway and City Treasurer Jennifer Rainey. The agenda was routine and began with the approval of the Ambulance Ser- vice agreement between Beckham County Emergency Medi- By Sheryl Ponce cal Service District and the City Fire Department/EMS. ‘The commissioners heard from Fire Chief Kyle Chervenka about the issue, along with a board member from the Beck- Nestled between Pioneer and Falcon Rd on 20th Street, Barbwire and Lace, Refurbished Furniture and Home Decorations is not ham County Emergency Medical Service Board concerning hard to miss as one drives by the red barn with metal yard orna- opened up to more rooms in the red barn. In Feb. of 2020 they the issue. The group listened to his explanation concerning ments setting out front. The surprise is when the door opens to the change in rates for the new year, with Chervenka telling started carrying the metal yard art. What can be seen on the out- the Commissioners that he believed it was the best agreement find rooms full of antiques, lamps, tin signs and a plethora full of side of the shop is only a portion of what she actually has to offer. that could be made at this time, therefore, they approved it. home decorations, along with another room full of the brightly “People still don’t know what is in here, and they are shocked to colored yard ornaments. In the other business, the commissioners approved the see the store. They think it’s what is outside. It has become a place Project Maintenance, Financing, and Right-of-Way Agree- Jean Webb opened her shop on Nov. 20th of 2019. She has been for men and women, young and old to shop,” she added. ment between the City of Elk City and the Department of a crafter over the past 35 years, taking her wares to local craft As Webb opened the doors, she assumed that what she offered Transportation State of Oklahoma for the Elk City Streetscape shows with her mother, the late Virginia Ray. As her father, the would appeal to an older clientele, but has found that she has Phase I and Phase II. Ivester told the commissioners that late H. G Ray, fell ill, she had to help with his care, the travel something for people of all ages and both men and women. She there were changes in the original project by scaling down the slowed and so did the crafts. opens her doors to all. plans, therefore, there must be a new agreement. “I did crafts for at least 35 years. Dean (Jay), my right hand man “Tlove talking to people. My husband says I talk too much. It’s fun They also looked at a quote from WarrenCat for re- and husband, and I got into refurbishing furniture. We had been finding the stuff. We used to go to a lot of auctions, but they're storing it in our trailer, but we were having to redo a lot of it hard now. Prices are going too high. We've been looking for a placement wheels for the 836 Compactor in the amount of because it didn’t have climate control. He decided to add on his glider, a good swing for outside, but you may buy brand new one $80,350, which they approved. This item was on last month’s agenda, but the amount was wrong and, therefore, it had to barn for me. I wasn’t able to find employment, so we decided to cheaper than an older one,” Webb explained. be addressed again at the correct price. go ahead and finish this out and open the store,” Webb said. She realizes that she is not right in the middle of town and can ‘They started with part of a building, and then in Dec. of 2020 See Lace page 2. ‘The approval of payment to Accurate Environmental LLC for Old Vertical Expansion Landfill testing in the amount of $11,206 was confirmed. ‘They also approved the payment to Tennis Legends Return to the Courts Lachner in the amount of $3,604.65, which was a budgeted item. ‘The commissioners approved purchasing new playground equipment for Lion’s Park in the amount of $22,700. Ivester told the commissioners that the city needed to look at the age and condition of all of the playground equipment, and found Lion’s park needing an update. Pay Application #19 to Joe D. Hall in the amount of $426,735.15, a budgeted item, was approved. This payment was for the new activity center. In addition to the approval of the Purchase Orders FY 21- 22, the commissioners approved a group of items to be de- clared surplus and sold at auction. Ivester told them all of the items were worn out and they could not be used anymore. In the City Manager's report, Ivester informed the com- missioners about the curator resigning in order to be hired bya state museum. He also noted that the airport runway is still closed, but the taxi runway can be used. He spoke about new agreements being discussed with the Country Club board Left, Hall of Fame Coach Danny Laufer. Above, State cham- concerning the golf course building. They will be reconvening pion Joni McConnell. Staff photos by Sheryl Ponce. and taking it back to the Country Club Board for more discus- By Sheryl Ponce her patience and being mentally strong. sion. He also informed them about the progress of the minia- ture railroad track being completed. “When I was younger, it taught me a lot about myself men- ‘The parking lot at the Five-Plex is being re-striped with Elk City’s two-time state champion Joni Jordan McConnell tally. What I was capable of and how tough I could be. I think and Tennis Hall of Fame Coach Danny Laufer have teamed up to that has carried throughout my grown-up years of facing life’s the spaces being diagonal and wider, loosing some parking coach Middle School tennis. They are both coming to the courts trials. [know that I can pull through, and what my family can pull spots. Ivester said that it will be easier to park without din- as lay coaches, but their proven records could prove to be a solid through. I think the sport has taught mea lot,” she said. ging each other’s vehicles. He is looking for additional golf foundation for players to advance as they go into high school ten- McConnell played Division I tennis at the University of Mis- carts to purchase for the complex. nis. souri. The commitment it took play on the college level was de- Conoco Phillips is donating 9000 feet of pipe for the lake “It was good timing, to be honest. Unfortunately, COVID hap- veloped from a young age. project. That is for the barrier around the bike course. The pened, and I was staying home with the kids. Ihad been working “It’s a very big commitment. If you want to play college, it starts city is also getting wireline donated and picking up the items on my education certification, and the kids were old enough. One was getting into high school. It was a time to get into the sport. when you're very young with your commitment level. If you want next week, The barrier will be built with volunteers and the to do that, you have to just work your tail off. But if you just keep parks department. The project could have cost anywhere from ‘They moved athletics to last hour so they needed coaches. That was going to work for my schedule. And mean, I have a daughter working, and keep going to the tournaments, you can do it. You $250,000 to $400,000 if these items were not donated, ac- that’s coming up and showing interest, so why not?” McConnell have to work, work, work,” McConnell concluded. cording to Ivester. explained. Laufer and McConnell are just beginning this coaching season. ‘The treasurer did not have financials yet, but will at the Laufer returned, noting that he wanted it to be team coaching ‘They will be teaching the skills that have brought them success next meeting because they are not out yet. The meeting ad- and not the head coach. Laufer coached McConnell when she was on and off of the court. The success they have had in their own journed around 7:52 p.m. The next meeting will take place on in high school and has remained a force in the Elk City tennis tra- careers will resonate to the young players, not only this year, but Wednesday, March 16 at 2 p.m. in City Hall. dition of winning. McConnell has credited the sport in teaching throughout their lives. 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