March 9, 2024 Issue, Page 1 of 14

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y v. Serving ‘ m. _ Western Oklahoma | CB sincexso1 Weekend Edition Ivester Recounts Experience Bridal Walk Takes at the Capitol Place with Vendors By Sheryl Ponce as Ivester was unsure whether the bill passed yet, or whether ‘The Elk City Chamber of Commerce's first ever Bridal Walk it had made it to the Senate will take place Sat., March 9th, at the local retailers’ business- floor, but he said it passed the es or at the chamber office. The event will run from 11 a.m. to committee meeting. He went 5 p.m. Each of the participating merchants or service provid- ‘on to talk about other activi- ers will have their own specials and information about pro- ties that he was able to experi- viding brides with what their store or service can do to make ence throughout the week. their special day memorable. “We would have speakers ‘Those participating include Gifts and Jewelry - Damron talk to each of us, and we sat Jewelers, Dragon Fly Interiors, Page Jewelers, and Oak Creek in on meetings. I learned a lot Floral and Gifts; Gifts and Attire - 580 Threads, Behind the Seams, Carrol's Shoes, CircleA Western Wear, Maurices, Shop about the difference between the House and the Senate, even Poppy, the Vogue Boutique, and Everett Blake; Registries and Print Shops — Bella Vita and Attic Door, Davis Printing, and just walking from each side of Grandview Pharmacy; Services and More - LaDonna’s Wine the Capitol was different. The and Spirits, Lorrie Baker Photography (in the Chamber of- House was relaxed,” Ivester ex- fice), Peachy Wedding Coordinating (in the Chamber office), plained. Perkey Productions (in the Chamber office), and United Coun- Another lesson he took try Realty; Tanning/Barber Shops/ Salons - Matt's Barber \ away from being a page was Shop, Buffalo Creek Boutique and Tanning, Rebel West Salon, Jackson Ivester, Senator Brent Howard, and JJ Cloud what goes into authoring a Scissortail Tanning and Hair Salon, and The Mix Boutique and bill and the process it goes Salon; Catering and Cakes - Aloha Grill, Poppy's Gill, and El- through. He said that he could egant Events (in the Chamber office). By Sheryl Ponce gram. The focus is learning. cess. They chose ones that they see how being a senator could But we would run errands for thought would be good for us make a positive impact on so- Elk City senior, Jackson the senators, and they could to discuss. They were ones that ciety. Ivester, served as a senate page request us to do something. As weren't too controversial,” “I've been thinking about for Senator Brent Howard, senate pages we had our own Ivester continued, going to law school. One of the Altus, the week of Feb. 12th. desks,” Ivester began. Each page chose one to senators told me, ‘If you want He and Merritt High School's He went on to say that they author. He had to prepare to to do something like this, I rec- J.J. Cloud were able to experi- had a meeting room where the argue the bill throughout the ommend either a law degree or ence the governmental process pages gathered during the ses- week in getting ready for a an English degree, because you firsthand as they navigated the sion. While they would run er- mock session and a mock com- have to do a lot of writing,” capitol halls, delivered messag- rands, they also participated in mittee meeting. Ivester said Ivester said. es, attended committee meet- what was called, “Pageville.” that he had to go around the He will probably head to ings, and even sat in to vote for “They gave us a packet when senators to find out about the Oklahoma University after the senators. It seemed to be we arrived that had around 10 bill and research the bill. high school. He likes their cam- just as much as an adventure to 15 different bills that had pus and the programs that they “We could sit in on com- as it was a learning experience. recently gone through the Sen- mittee meetings or sit in one offer. Additionally, he has fam- “[ arrived Sunday. I paged ate. They had passed or they session. Mine was Senate Bill ily connections to the school. “In my time at the Capitol, Monday. Tuesday, Wednesday, were just entering the Senate 439. It was a real bill, and it there were a few interns that and Thursday morning. It is or in committee. Some of them was relating to minors’ access similar to an internship pro- are still going through the pro- to medical marijuana,” he said. See Capitol page 2. Elk City Senior Honored by Commissioners Face Light Oklahoma Agenda and Get Update Foundation for Excellence from ECEFD Chief on Fires By Sheryl Ponce By Sheryl Ponce Ivester and City Treasurer, Jennifer Rainey, explained the cost of closing landfill cells, which is in the millions. They have Elk City High School senior Becky Yang has joined the top not closed one in a very long time because of the cost. They 100 seniors in Oklahoma by being named as an Academic All ‘The Elk City Commissioners met for their regular meeting State by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence for being top on Mon., March 4th, at 7 p.m., in City Hall. Commissioner Rick agreed that it was time to start closing the cell. They have been in her class and in the state. She is also one of seven in the state Shelton stood in for Mayor Cory Spieker. Jeff Waters gave the in- setting aside funds for the project, but the cost has prohibited who scored a perfect 36 on her ACT. She will be honored at the vocation, while Rocky Andresen led the flag salute. Shelton then the city in moving forward. The bid came in significantly lower 38th Annual Academic Awards Celebration Sat., May 4th, at opened the meeting to a public hearing concerning a proposed than previous estimates for the same service. The commissioners the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Norman. street closing. approved the expenditure. Yang is the daughter of Shao Hua Ma and Xiao Hong Yang. The proposal was a 20’ alley situated in Block 5 of the They also approved a bid received from Western Sealcoating She has one 16-year-old sister, Annky Yang. She is the niece Houchens Addition to the City. This is the lot behind Homeland and Striping, LLC for parking lot repairs at 3rd and Jefferson in of Xiao Peng Yang and his wife. Yang and her family are of and the future home of the new fire station. City Manager, Tom the amount of $17,675.41. Ivester said this is the parking lot that Chinese descent and own and operate Golden China Buffet, Ivester, explained that the utilities must be moved and the alley is behind Dollar General and downtown retail stores. In prepa- located on the corner of Janet's Way and Route 66 in Elk City. and easements changed. ration for the Main Street project, these renovations would be Not only has Yang proven her academic achievement with After the hearing closed, the regular meeting was opened. rehabbing the existing surface. This would reseal and restripe the her ACT score, but she has also excelled in her concurrent col- ‘They approved the minutes from the Feb. 2nd meeting, then also lot. lege classes and AP high school courses. She has taken the approved Ordinance No. 1263. This ordinance was to vacate a ‘The bid from Warren Cat for repairs to the Landfill compactor maximum number of hours that she has been able to as a ju- in the amount of $138,952.82 was approved. The main compac- nior and senior in high school. This will put her ahead in col- Right of Way Easement that was dedicated to the City of Elk City. lege credits as she starts to further her education. ‘They then approved the ordinance to be deemed an emergency tor at the landfill was diagnosed with a cracked cylinder sleeve. “Y'm not sure where I am going (to college) yet. I am look- ordinance. ‘They could rebuild the existing engine or go with this bid for a factory rebuilt long block with a three-year warranty. The com- ing at different places and seeing where I’m getting accepted. ‘The next item on the agenda that was approved was a bid from And then I'll probably discuss it with my family before deciding WDB Engineering, PLLC, for the Elk City Landfill Closure and missioners decided to go with a shorter turn around option with fully,” Yang said. Post Closure Plan Modification in the amount of $138,500. This the three-year warranty. She wants to go to a university that will allow her to chal- is the beginning process of closing the vertical landfill. Ivester The next item on the agenda was the approval to declare lenge herself. She said that she likes to do stuff that will make said that it was on the verge of closing for several years, but they several vehicles as surplus to be sold at the Statewide County her brain work, which could be in a STEM (science, technology, have used it for the Cheyenne tornado, and they voted to accept their deposit in the landfill. 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