November 23, 2022 Issue, Page 1 of 5

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G9) serving b, Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Wednesday, November 23, 2022 Archer Looks Back and Eyes the Future By Sheryl Ponce resultedin the changein leadership was definitely city manager. my biggest challenge,” he In 2019 Nick Archer “I don’t think the chal- added. became mayor of Elk lenge was the leak itself. Archer said that he City. He ran unopposed I think the challenge was believes that the biggest during the CAPP’s vote conflict of personalities triumph while he was for the continuation of between myself and the mayor took place as they the one-cent tax. The former city manager. tried to keep businesses reason he ran for the Sewer leaks are going to open during the pandem- position was because happen, you can’t control ic. There were many un- he could see the success that. And we did every- knowns and things that and direction the town thing by the book, We did they could not foresee. was headed. The accom- everything, per DEQ rec- “Our barbershops, our plishments that have had 2500 people through ommendations. We did gyms and our ball fields taken place during his there last week. Xander it all by the book, and I were opened as soon as tenure are many. They (Archer's son) played think where we diverged we realized and had a have made an economic there Monday before the was between myself and good understanding of and social impact on the council meeting. Those our former city manager. what we were up against community. are the things I am most I wanted to be open and with the pandemic. We “The turf on the fields proud of? Archer said. transparent about that. If backed up and we said, are bringing in 3000 peo- Most of his time as levels are high or elevat- ‘hey, you're not going to Adelyn Womack is pictured with United Supermarket store manager, David McGee, as she is accepting the tur- ple, if both sides are full. mayor was smooth sail- ed, that is to be expect- die. I mean, you may get key from the Elk City News and United Supermarket pro- ‘That is a lot of people. ing, without conflict or ed. But when you don't it, but you're not guar- motion of “How to Cook a Turkey.” Adelynis a 4th grader Now we see the activity challenges, but he admit- present the information anteed to die? Because at the Western Oklahoma Christian School. center being open for a few weeks, they have ted that the hardest issue was the sewer leak that and be transparent, there it seems like you have something to hide. We in the beginning, there was a big fear that if you catch that, it was termi- Elk City Downtown didn't do anything wrong and responded appropri- nal. You're done. I think once we realized that, I Merchants Gear Up for Black Friday Shopping ately. We responded time- certainly don’t ever want ° ° ly, and we never missed a to minimize it, because deadline as far as testing we lost a coworker to the By Sheryl Ponce 5 results or cleanup dates. Coronavirus. I know how But you can't just blow serious it is but at the The downtown retail people off and say we are same time, we must have merchants and other L0 CA L dealing with it. That was successful businesses. We a challenging couple of must have a viable town. participating stores will be ELK CITY + OKLAHOMA hosting their Black Friday | oe months,’ Archer ex- People needed food and sales on Thanksgiving, plained. groceries, Archer said. Nov. 24th. This year more ki That obstacle took As he looks forward, merchants are joining the place in 2020, and as he Archer discussed his event that began three years ago with 580 Threads looked back over the expectations as a legisla- and Everett Blake Society’s brainstorm sales. This year situation, he said he was tor. He intends to remain a i prepared to handle chal- positive, as he has as the times that stores open their doors will be stag- Lexi Neahring is crowned Miss Elk City and Mackenzie McIn- gered. lenges, but not how fast the mayor. He wants to tyre is crowned Miss Queen of the West Saturday evening in the issue grew. take some of the positive “Our (The Vogue) plan of being open is from 10 the Miss Elk City and Miss Queen of the West Scholarship oclock to midnight. We are leaving it to two-hour Competition at the Kelli O’Hara Performing Arts Center. “That change in Courtesy photo. See Archer page 3 intervals. I don’t think we got out of here last year un- til one oclock, so that’s why we don't say we will stay open the whole time. It depends on how busy it is at Hall of Fame Banquet midnight. Usually, that is the cut off for most stores, or the time it’s graduated throughout downtown,’ Lori Weatherly explained. Celebrates 50 Years of Inductees The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with Full Blown Nutrition, then at 8 p.m. Main Street Coffee will open. Carrol’s Shoe Corner, BTB’s Records, Merrifield By Sheryl Ponce Office Supply, The Depot Trading Co., Sailer + Sage, and Circle A Western Wear will also open at 8 p.m. ‘The cold weather did not stop friends and family from attending At9 p.m. Pampred on 66 and 580 Kids will open. Tradition has it that customers lined up outside the 50th Annual Western Oklaho- of the stores get first dibs on the specials. At 10 p.m. ma Hall of Fame Banquet last Tues. E+ E’s Garage, Attic Door, Buffalo Creek, Faith + Jo, Nov. 15th at the Elk City United West House Studio, and Southern + Co. will open. Methodist Church. The event is Then, at 11 p.m. Retro Country will join the others, sponsored by the Western Okla- opening their doors. homa Historical Society, Shawn At Midnight or 12 a.m, sharp, Everett Blake, 580 Wilson, Cindy Wood, and Dale Threads and Bella Vita will start their Black Friday Tracy were inducted into the Hall sales. On Friday, Nov. 25th at 6 a.m., the Mix Bou- of Fame. tique will start their sales, and at 8 a.m. Page Jewelers President of WOHS Doug will start their specials. Haught opened the banquet, and All of the stores will open for their regular hours he was followed by second Vice on Friday and Saturday. President Cory Spieker with the invocation and pledge. Cattle Call “Its been crazy. Everybody used to wait until Fri- day morning. I think it’s the excitement. They used to Catering provided the dinner. After wait at Walmart, and now Walmart’ up and it doesn’t everyone ate, the inductees were matter. It is our 17th Christmas for the store. Back 17 introduced, then each one spoke years ago, we had people waiting at our door at seven their own words of acceptance and oclock in the morning. When Walmart started open- gratitude. See Hall page 2 See Black page 2 Galeard Roper Weather Vol. 120, No. 90 Mail delivery View online AEE tomorrow / 34 75 cents, 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com