Plans unveiled for new mural in downtown Sand Springs

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Artist rendering of a mural on the side of the Yesterday To Now Antique & Art Mall. (Courtesy photo). 

Artist renderings have been released for the second of two murals commissioned by the City of Sand Springs. Josh Butts Creative Services is expected to complete the downtown mural by the end of Spring 2018. 

The Sand Springs City Council authorized $49,500 in March for the painting of two murals. The money was taken from the Economic Development Capital Improvement Fund, which is drawn from a hotel tax, with the goal of beautifying Sand Springs to attract shoppers and investors. 

In September Butts began work on a mural on the side of the old Monarch Cement Co. silo on the grounds of the Riverview RV Park. That piece is currently on hold while the City develops a plan to work around power-lines that obstruct part of the silo. 

The new downtown mural will be located at 224 North Main Street on the side of the Yesterday to Now Antique & Art Mall owned by Susan Whitley. It will feature a historic trolley like the ones that used to run through Sand Springs. 

According to City Manager Elizabeth Gray, the City does not have any plans to fund future murals. Some local businesses and organizations hope to begin their own public art projects in the future. However, they will have to get city approval for any art that could be considered advertising. 

Sand Springs currently only has three murals, including the unfinished silo project. An Herbal Affair-themed painting was completed in 2013 by Laura Thompson at 216 North Lincoln Avenue. The Charles Page High School Senior Class of 2006 painted a mural on the alley-side of the Page Center at 200 North Main Street. 

Sand Springs breaks ground on $1.5 million Fire Station in Prattville

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Sand Springs City Officials and the Sand Springs Fire Department broke ceremonial ground on a new $1.5 million facility in Prattville Tuesday morning. Builders for the project are contractually required to take no longer than 240 days to complete the new Fire Station No. 2. 

"It's a momentous event for us in Sand Springs and me as a Fire Chief," said Mike Wood. "After 21 plus years here, this is a very exciting day."

According to Wood, the existing Fire Station No. 2 was constructed in 1967 after the Harry S. Pratt Family Trust sold the property to the City for $10. Originally the property housed a parking bay for the trucks, and the living quarters weren't added till the 1980s. 

The new fire station will be single-story, which Wood says will make it safer for firefighters. "We did suffer one (injury) several years ago on the pole, so we're keeping everything down on a single level. Even though this station has served us well, it was really not purpose-built. Not for the day we live in today and the things we try to do in our job." The new building will also have private shower rooms for the first time, opening the door to potentially hiring the department's first female firefighter in the future. 

"For the last several years, we've had pretty major issues with trying to maintain this building," said Wood. "We've had a lot of challenges. As our job changes and our tasks changed, we've added a lot of features to the fire department that just don't fit in a station that was designed in 1966. We physically have to shovel snow out from in front of these bay doors if it snows during the night before we can get a truck out. That's not a good way to operate."

The project is funded via the Vision 2025 Sales Tax Extension, with the land purchased using funds from a 2006 General Obligation Bond passage. The building will be constructed slightly south and east of the current station, allowing the older facility to remain functional until construction is complete.

"It's a tremendous day for Sand Springs," said Wood. "We've got a lot of stuff going on in Sand Springs right now. You hear in the background that QuikTrip is going at full force, Braums is going in down the road. A lot of growth in River West. Hopefully here in just a few weeks we'll be doing a ground breaking on a $10 million facility downtown that will house police and fire. This is all attributed to the citizens of Sand Springs passing those initiatives and helping us build these projects. Some of these are long overdue."

"This has been sort of a long process, but we wanted to do it right and make sure that we build a station that we can be proud of and that will serve our citizens for years to come. I think we've done that."

"Staff did an excellent job of putting this together," said Mayor Mike Burdge. "They all pitched in and helped us sell it to everybody. It's a great project. We're more than just a little bit please with our fire department. We have the best public safety organizations in the metro area, bar none."

The existing Fire Station No. 2 was originally just a truck bay, with the two-story living quarters added on later. 

Design plans for new Fire Station.

Harold Neal opposes incumbent Brian Jackson for City Council election

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Sand Springs City Councilman Brian Jackson speaks at "A Taste of Sand Springs."

All three Sand Springs City Councilmen up for reelection filed declarations of candidacy for their seats this week. Ward Five Councilman Beau Wilson, 34, filed unopposed, as did At-Large Councilman Jim Spoon, 65. Ward Six Councilman Brian Jackson, 34, was the lone incumbent to draw a competitor. 

Harold Neal, 65, previously represented Ward Five and was first elected in 2003, unseating incumbent Berta Holmes. He served four terms from 2003 to 2015 and did not seek reelection to a fifth, clearing the way for current Vice Mayor Wilson. Jackson was elected in 2009 after unseating incumbent Kim Lee-Tilley. Both candidates have previously served as Vice Mayor.

The election will be held in March, with the winner taking office in May. City Council elections are nonpartisan and citizens may only vote in elections for their ward. 

Church That Matters Head Pastor Rusty Gunn, 40, filed unopposed for the Sand Springs Board of Education Office No. 3. He is the incumbent Board President 

Sand Springs School District considers building new Ninth Grade Center

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One of the oldest buildings in Sand Springs, Central Ninth Grade center could be replaced in the coming years.

The Sand Springs Board of Education held a regular monthly meeting Monday evening at the Charles Page High School Fine Arts Building. The board discussed potential early-out days in the coming school year, an upcoming bond election, and the possibility of moving freshmen to the high school campus.

Superintendent Sherry Durkee is hoping to add several short school days to the upcoming school year to allow for professional development sessions for the staff and teachers. According to Durkee, several districts already have days with late starts or early outs to allow time for teachers to focus on development.

Sand Springs is leaning towards letting students out early as opposed to starting school late because many parents already drop their children off earlier than schools are supposed to open. 

Board member Bo Naugle expressed concern that shorter school days could cause many teachers to have "blow-off" days without real instruction or homework. "Every time we have a short school week, it's a free week. My kids come home and tell me we watched a movie, or we didn't do anything." He also raised the issue of economic hardship in Sand Springs and the difficulty it could put on parents who have to leave work early or pay for additional after-school childcare. 

Board President Rusty Gunn wants to see consistency with the early-out days, such as the first Friday of every month. 

Durkee also discussed the possibility of building a new freshman center on the grounds of the High School. Currently freshmen attend Central Ninth Grade Center in downtown. The building was previously the home of Sand Springs High School prior to the construction of CPHS in 1959. 

If approved, the new facilities would likely be built in phases, says Durkee. "We can't bond out $56 million like some of our neighbors." 

Naugle was reluctant to the idea, saying "we have them separate for a reason." Durkee responded by pointing out that the Sixth Grade Center and Clyde Boyd Middle School buildings are adjacent but have little mixing of students. Additionally, many athletic and fine arts programs combine ninth grade students with upperclassmen, so lots of time is spent busing kids back and forth between the two campuses. 

According to Durkee, the Ninth Grade Center currently needs at least a $7 million remodel to bring it up to code, and further inspections have yet to be completed. The district is tentatively planning on a bond election late next year. 

In other news, the district is almost to $80,000 in fundraising efforts for Project Lead The Way. Durkee hopes to add BioMed 2 and Engineering 2 to Charles Page, as well as a Computer Science program at CNGC. 

The Sand Springs Education Foundation delivered $70,000 in grants to teachers and schools shortly before Thanksgiving. "I had the pleasure of having Montie Box in my car," said Durkee. "He is amazing. He's passionate about children, he was in tears at one point. We need to name something after him, he's just really amazing."

High School History and Leadership teacher Frank Cooper was recently the subject of a Folgers Coffee "Share A Cup" commercial produced by Verge Videos where he was surprised by former students he has impacted over his 25 years of teaching. The video has been viewed more than 25,000 times and led to a Siloam Springs teacher contacting Cooper. The teacher, who is already trained in Project Lead The Way curriculum, reached out to Cooper after hearing about the positive things happening in Sand Springs. She recently accepted an offer from school administrators. 

The board also approved a one-time $350 stipend for all Sand Springs teachers at a cost of approximately $250,000 to the district. 

Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance donates $4,000 for police/fire Christmas bonuses

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Left to right: Pastors Todd Nance and Steve Allen present Fire Chief Mike Wood and Police Chief Mike Carter with a donation towards Christmas bonuses for the departments. 

The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular meeting Monday evening at the City Municipal Building. The Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance presented a check for $4,000 to Police Chief Mike Carter and Fire Chief Mike Wood to be used for Christmas bonus checks for the police and fire departments.

Carter spoke on the recent passage of five General Obligation Bond proposals and the wide margins of their approval. Proposal five was the closest vote with 58% in favor. "It was the biggest leap of faith for our community but we think it'll have the biggest payout," said Carter. 

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs voters approve new infrastructure and park improvements, economic incentives

Formerly a power plant and fire station, this building could one day be the home of a micro-brewery and restaurant. 

Council approved a promissory note between the City of Sand Springs and the Loaded Brewing Company, extending an existing note to March of 2018. The City first issued the note to SpringLoaded Brewery in 2014, allowing the brewery to make property improvements at 221 South Main Street with the goal of purchasing the building and opening a microbrewery/restaurant. The brewery has received five extensions while they continue to look for investors.

A "hardened-room" storm shelter planned for Case Community Center. 

Council approved a $45,000 purchase order for parks supplies including benches, park tables, and trash cans. The money will come from a 2014 GO Bond fund.

Council approved a change in zoning for a 39-acre section of land on the north side of 41st Street, immediately next to HillSpring Church. The property was previously zoned commercial and has undergone extensive property improvements to be used as a private residence with agricultural buildings and livestock.

Council approved a $136,000 contract with Lambert Construction Company for construction of a hardened-room (storm shelter) at Case Community Center. Lambert had the lowest of seven bids. 

Conceptual rendering for the new Fire Station No. 2 to be built in Prattville. 

The City received ten bids for the construction of Fire Station No. 2 and Builders Unlimited of Tulsa was recommended to Council by Chief Wood. The resolution passed unanimously awarding Builders Unlimited a $1.4 million contact.

Council approved a resolution to "adopt a kettle" from Salvation Army. The City will gather volunteers to man a fundraising kettle at Reasor's for a ten-hour shift.

Sand Springs voters approve new infrastructure and park improvements, economic incentives

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More than 1,500 voters in Sand Springs approved five General Obligation Bond Propositions Tuesday that will cost more than $18 million over the coming years. The bond money will be used to fund infrastructure improvements, economic incentives, increased park development, and city beautification. City officials say that the projects will be staggered so that property taxes do not exceed $13 per $1000 property value. 

Proposition One provides $1,445,000 for street overlays and repairs, plus $2,060,000 for a new roadway to be constructed over the levee separating Sheffield Crossing from Case Community Park. The proposition passed 1,060 to 466, or 69.46% in favor.

Proposition Two provides $1,137,000 for new technology upgrades for the Police Department, Fire Department, and 911 Dispatch, plus $1,133,000 for a new ladder truck and equipment for the Fire Department. The proposition passed 1,016 to 512, or 66.49% in favor.

Proposition Three provides funding for six different recreational projects. $2,060,000 would go to improvements at the Canyons at Black Jack Ridge Municipal Golf Course. $592,250 would go to paved parking at the Jerry Adair Baseball Complex in Case Community Park. $203,000 would go to improvements and repairs at the Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum. $420,500 would go to improvements in neighborhood parks with an additional $231,750 for improvements in neighborhood trails. Finally, $257,500 would go to improvements at the Keystone Ancient Forest, including a visitor's center and watchtower. The proposition passed 955 to 548, or 62.38% in favor.

Proposition Four allots $412,000 for the purchase of a new vacuum truck, $1,905,500 for City-wide beautification and landscaping, and $307,500 for City-wide technology improvements. One of the primary sites for City beautification is the Water Treatment Plant at the Southeast corner of Highway 97 and Morrow Road. Landscaping will be utilized to completely hide the facility from public view. The proposition passed 900 to 555, or 61.86% in favor.

Proposition Five will provide funding for land acquisition and incentives for new businesses. Incentives have previously been used to attract Webco, Wal-Mart, Reasor's, and Colton's Steakhouse. The proposition passed 849 to 607, or 58.31% in favor. 

Small businesses aim to make Sand Springs a Christmas destination

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Small businesses in downtown Sand Springs have banded together in a Christmas Coalition to promote holiday festivities for the whole month of December.

Beginning November 28th, many downtown businesses will be open later hours every Tuesday leading up to Christmas. The first Tuesday will include caroling, food trucks, and a tree-lighting ceremony with Mayor Mike Burdge at 7:00 p.m. Papa Pat's barbecue and Kettle Treats will be on hand from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

"We want people to eat where they shop and shop where they eat," said Joanna Sporleder, owner of Joni's on the Triangle hair salon. Part of getting people to spend more time in downtown means creating special occasions to draw people in and show them what the town has to offer. 

While the first year of festivities will be limited, the group has big goals for the future. Local Santa Clause Glenn Burkett wants to see OmniTRAX set up some type of Polar Express on the Sand Springs Railroad. Other ideas included a live nativity scene with involvement from the Charles Page High School drama department. 

The coalition also wants to use the festivities as an opportunity to gather donations for organizations like Sand Springs Community Services (SSCS) and the Salvation Army, with businesses offering discounts to patrons who bring in toys and canned foods. "SSCS has been a huge influence in my life," said Sporleder. "I want to try and give back if I can."

SSCS will also be holding a food drive at the Festival of Lights Christmas Parade hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. The 35th annual parade will be held Friday, December 1st with a "Winter Nights and Magical Lights" theme.

The Chamber of Commerce is taking a vested interest in helping out with the coalition and is covering the cost of City Permits and other expenses, as well as helping to coordinate festivities. Keller Williams Realtor Jennifer Fox Barretto, Rod's Books and Antiques owner Rodney Thomas, Dog and Duck Antiques owners Chris and Julie Bedokis, and Yesterday to Now owner Susan Whitley are all involved in the brainstorming and planning. 

SSPS Board of Education discusses district finances, state testing, and use of adjunct teachers

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Board of Ed member Jackie Wagnon presents Joselynn Parrott with the Sandite Spirit Award. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

Click here to view full meeting photo gallery.

The Sand Springs Board of Education met in a regular monthly meeting Monday evening at the Charles Page High School Fine Arts Center. The Board presented a series of awards and discussed district finances, state testing, and personnel. 

Carson Griggs, the OSSAA 6A State Runner-Up, was recognized for his exceptional golfing abilities as well as his dedication to the classroom and awarded the Sandite Spirit Award. He recently signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Denver. 

Joselynn Parrott was recognized for her effort to instill positivity in her school by leaving messages of affirmation in the restrooms. Lori Wilkerson received the Pacesetter award for a similar project. Laura McGehee a SSPS librarian, also received the Pacesetter Award for being willing to step up and help out wherever needed, including teaching a kindergarten class recently. 

"The time that it takes these folks just to do their ordinary job, for them to take time to help give these students some positive esteem is incredible," said Superintendent Sherry Durkee.

The Sand Springs Home and Webco Industries were recognized with the Pacesetter Award for their recent donations to the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative in Sand Springs. The Home donated $10,000 for the second-straight year, and Webco donated $20,000.

The district is now $30,000 away from their goal for STEM program building and Webco CEO Dana Weber has penned a letter to other area business, asking them to contribute as well.

A representative from Sanders, Bledsoe, and Hewett gave a report on their recent audit of Fiscal Year 2016-2017. He said the district was well in line with all best practices and there were no problems with any of their financial accounting. 

Superintendent Durkee unveiled the new district website redesign and a promotional video on the home page produced by Joey Johnson Photography. 

Durkee discussed State testing and how Sand Springs compares to other districts. "As long as these reports are plastered all over the Tulsa World, we're going to be pushing to make ourselves look better...as long as those A-F report cards are going out, our teachers are going to be teaching to the test."

"People are pretty amazing in terms of our community." Durkee. "People are noticing good things. The district is working really hard to make sure we're communicating better."

The new district security officer is in his third week on the job. In addition to providing security, he is also expected to build relationships with the students and be a positive influence. 

He said he has plans to visit a group of fifth grade boys at Pratt who have been accused of bullying, and will be bringing some high school athletes and coaches to talk to them as well. "You have a class full of fifth grade boys that eventually are going to be out in the community, you want to get them on the right path early in life," he said. Rob Miller mentioned that the officer's relationship-building capabilities are one of the primary features they liked about him during the interview process.

Durkee discussed the recent loss of a speech pathologist to the private sector where she's reportedly making much more money. The Board also approved the hiring of three paraprofessionals for Pratt Elementary and Clyde Boyd Middle School.

The Board discussed the ongoing use of adjunct teachers and plans to use more in the future. Adjunct teachers are usually experts in their field from the private sector who are hired to teach a specific subject despite not having certifications or backgrounds in education. State rules recently expanded to allow an adjunct to teach three periods a day, whereas they previously could only teach one. Durkee wants to look into hiring adjuncts to teach marketing and physical therapy in the future. All adjuncts must be board-approved before teaching. 

The board also spent thirty minutes in executive session for a routine review of Durkee. "The superintendent has been evaluated and we still have one," joked Board President Rusty Gunn.

OkieSpice & Trade Co. celebrates grand opening in Sand Springs

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OkieSpice & Trade Co. held a grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting Wednesday afternoon with much fanfare from local business owners and city officials.

Representatives from the City of Sand Springs, Tulsa County, Sand Springs Community Services,  Sand Springs Home, and Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce all came out for the ceremony to wish owners Kim and Steve Zieg good fortune in their new venture. 

Located at 501 West 2nd Street in the former Roary D's Hair Emporium, the new store specializes in spices, seasonings, salsas, and other cooking and novelty items. The products are about 75% made-in-Oklahoma according to Kim. There are smoked cheeses, bottled sodas, summer sausages, candy, decor, and more. 

The Ziegs hope to be a valuable addition to Sand Springs and to draw visitors to their hometown. In addition to renovating a long-vacant building and giving it a fresh curb appeal, they have also commissioned a mural on the side of their building and are members of the Chamber of Commerce. 

The store is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. They are closed Sunday and Monday. You can reach OkieSpice at 918.514.0045 

SEE RELATED: OkieSpice & Trade Co. to open in north Sand Springs this winter

Sand Springs celebrates Grand Opening of new Stage department store

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Stage Stores, Inc. opened a new facility in Sand Springs Thursday morning, relocating an existing Stage department store a mere thousand feet across the street from its previous location. Formerly in a storefront at the Atwoods Plaza, the new Stage has expanded to a 14,000 square-foot facility at 651 East Charles Page Boulevard. 

Stage carries hundreds of brands, including Adidas, Chaps, Converse, Dockers, Levi's, Skechers, U.S. Polo Assn., Vanity Fair, Lee, and Tommy Hilfiger.

To celebrate the Grand Opening, the store held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with City, Corporate, and Chamber of Commerce officials, and gave away gift cards to the first 100 customers. Free tote bags and donuts were given away and 25% off coupons were available upon checkout. 

Former the site of May's Drug Warehouse, the new facility is far larger than Stage's previous location and is a standalone building that will be wholly occupied by its new tenants. The building has been unoccupied for several years. 

The new building is located immediately south of the Sand Springs Expressway and is easily accessible via Katy Trail, which runs for 8.5 miles from downtown Tulsa to East 34th Street in Prattville. The new tenants will continue to allow trail-users to park at their facility, providing easy access to the Sand Springs Rotary Centennial Park where the town's namesake Sandy Springs are located.  

Stage Stores operates nearly 800 stores across 42  states under the names Bealls, Palais Royal, Peebles, Gordmans, and Goody's, including 148 with the name Stage. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The company claims sales of $1.4 Billion in Fiscal Year 2016 and employs more than 14,000 employees. 

Sand Springs Progress Report: What's new and what's changing

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Demolition has begun on the Prattville QuikTrip. A newer, larger facility will open in 4-6 months. 

All Elements Solutions, LLC has been clearing brush and fencing along Wekiwa Road as well as in front of the limestone bluffs on Highway 51 under contract with the City of Sand Springs. 

SEE RELATED: City of Sand Springs strives to improve the view around town

A structural fire claimed a building on the Green Barn resale property last month at 316 Broad Street.

Braum's Ice Cream Shop & Burger Restaurant was demolished recently and construction will soon begin on a larger facility with a full fresh grocery selection. 3950 South Highway 97.

Construction is under way on a new Warren Clinic facility in the River West development. The facility will house the relocated offices currently located at 796 Charles Page Boulevard, as well as a new minor emergency clinic. The clinic is expected to open in Spring of 2018.

Construction is under way on a new ALDI grocery store in the River West development. The store is expected to open in Spring of 2018.

SEE RELATED: ALDI and St. Francis Urgent Care to open new locations in RiverWest Development

Yellow House Market & Boutique recently re-opened in a new larger downtown facility at 122 North Main Street.

This mural on the old Monarch Cement silo is half finished by artist Josh Butts. The mural, commissioned by the City of Sand Springs, is on hold until power can be redirected from the lines obstructing the East side of the silo.

SEE RELATED: City of Sand Springs commissions mural for abandoned Monarch Cement silo

The offices of Edward Jones agent Casey Loper have relocated from 5602 South Highway 97 to a brand new building at the intersection of West 40th Street and South 113th Avenue West.

SEE RELATED:  Edward Jones agent Casey Loper relocates Sand Springs office to new building

The Stage department store previously located at 760 East Charles Page Boulevard has relocated to the old May's Drug Warehouse building at 651 East Charles Page Boulevard. They will have a ribbon-cutting and Grand Opening Ceremony Thursday, November 2nd at 8:45 a.m. with giveaways and discounts. 

City officials broke ground last month on the new Colton's Steak House & Grill in the River West development. Franchisee Mark Dean said he expects the restaurant to open by mid-March. 

SEE RELATED: Colton's Steak House & Grill holds ground-breaking ceremony in Sand Springs

OkieSpice and Trade Co. had a soft opening this week and will have a large Grand Opening Wednesday, November 8th at 10:00 a.m. with a Ribbon-Cutting ceremony at 12:00 p.m. 

SEE RELATED: OkieSpice & Trade Co. to open in north Sand Springs this winter

Sandlot Sno-Balls will be opening a new Prattville location at 3 West 41st Street next summer. 

Construction has yet to begin on this City Council-approved "hardened room" storm shelter at the Case Community Center.

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs City Council approves General Obligation Bond vote for November

Demolition continues at the old Gerdau Steel Mill and future Sheffield Crossing development. 

SEE RELATED: New Public Safety facilities to be built at former Gerdau site alongside retail development

The Billie A. Hall Public Safety Facility can't break ground until the demolition is complete at Sheffield Crossing, but the plans were unveiled last month. The facility will house the Sand Springs Police Department and Municipal Courts as well as replace the existing Fire Station 1.

SEE RELATED:  New Sand Springs Public Safety Facility to be named in honor of war hero Billie A. Hall

The new Sand Springs Fire Station 2 has yet to break ground, but plans are approved. It will be located on the property of the existing station, but will not overlap. The new facility will be completed before the existing building is demolished, leaving no gap in emergency services.

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Fire Station #2 to receive $1.5 million new facility

Sweetie Pie's Bakery owner, employee recognized by Sand Springs City Council

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Mayor Mike Burdge presents Robin Porter with a Mayoral Proclamation. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

The Sand Springs City Council had a busy regular meeting Monday evening. Mayor Mike Burdge presented two Mayoral Proclamations, two new police officers were sworn in, and a presentation was given on the new City Public Safety Complex.

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Police receive new officers, equipment; partner with Creek Nation

SEE RELATED: New Sand Springs Public Safety Facility to be named in honor of war hero Billie A. Hall

Robin Porter was recognized for her work in creating Sweetie Pie's Bakery as a place of employment for an individual with disabilities. Porter employs Steve Scott at her popular downtown eatery and was recently awarded the 2017 Governor's Disability Employment Award of Excellence. Scott was awarded the 2017 Governor's Disability Employee Award of Excellence. He not only works at Sweetie Pie's but is also a frequent volunteer at the Sand Springs Senior Citizens Center. Both Porter and Scott were commended by Governor Mary Fallin in a ceremony at the Governor's Mansion. They also received Mayoral Proclamations from Mike Burdge.

Mayor Mike Burdge presents Steve Scott with a Mayoral Proclamation. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

Council approved a resolution for Notice of Election for electing City Councilors from Ward 5, Ward 6, and At-Large. The filing period will be from December 4th through 6th. Candidates must filed their declaration of candidacy with the City Clerk at the Sand Springs Municipal Building. A primary election will be held on February 13, followed by a general election on April 3.

SEE RELATED: Three City Council seats up for election this February, filing period set for December

Council approved a dilapidated public nuisance notice for an uninhabited and fire-damaged home at 1000 N. Birch Avenue. Following a 30-day challenge period, the building will be eligible for demolition on December 6th. 

Council approved an ordinance closing a 15-foot Sanitary Sewer Easement on the property of Braum's Hamburgers. The restaurant was recently demolished and will soon be rebuilt as a larger facility with more services.

Council approved a $38,328 expenditure to Ruhrpumpen for the manufacture of a submersible wastewater pump and motor. 

Council awarded a $62,477.56 contract to J.E. Dirt Wurx for a sidewalk improvement project in the RiverWest Development. 

Kenny Tate, Don Chatfield, Ryan Walker, and Mary Eubanks were each appointed to the Sand Springs Economic Development Authority (SSEDA). 

Council authorized Pogue Airport to pursue various State grants and approved up to $432,750 to match any awarded grants. 

New Sand Springs Public Safety Facility to be named in honor of war hero Billie A. Hall

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Designs for Billie A. Hall Public Safety Facility. (SUBMITTED).

A new Public Safety facility is in the works in Sand Springs and the Sand Springs City Council unanimously approved the naming of the facility as the Billie A. Hall Public Safety Facility in a regular meeting Monday evening.

Staff Sergeant Billie Allen Hall was born on September 21, 1939 and killed in action on March 9, 1966 in Vietnam when Camp A Shau was assaulted with mortars and small arms fire by two North Vietnamese regiments. Hall was a medic in a company of 143 men sent to relieve the battered camp. Hall ran through the center of the firefight multiple times to assist in dragging the wounded to safety and treating them.

Staff Sergeant Billie Allen Hall. (SUBMITTED).

Hall lost both legs to a mortar strike but refused medical attention and morphine, instead focusing on helping others. He did not allow himself to be moved until he had finished treating other casualties and continued coordinating medical efforts until blood loss caused him to collapse into a coma and eventually die.

Hall is honored on Panel 5E, Line 132 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. and is buried in Section 51, Site 946 in Arlington National Cemetery. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1967 and inducted into the Sand Springs Education Foundation Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2007 the American Legion Post 17 in Sand Springs unanimously voted to rename the Post in his honor. Legion volunteers are continually working to have Hall awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

Design for Billie A. Hall Public Safety Facility. (SUBMITTED).

The new facility will be constructed in the 400 block of West Morrow Road in the Sheffield Crossing development. It will be approximately 40,000 square feet and will house Police, Fire, Municipal Court, Jail, Emergency Operations Center and 911 Communications operations. 

Three City Council seats up for election this February, filing period set for December

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Left to right: City Council members Brian Jackson, Beau Wilson, Christine Hamner, Jim Spoon, Mike Burdge, Phil Nollan, Patty Dixon. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

The Sand Springs City Council approved a resolution for Notice of Election at this week’s regular meeting. Three Council seats will be up for grabs in the coming election, including Ward 5, Ward 6, and the At-Large position.

The filing period will be held from Monday, December 4th through Wednesday, December 6th. Candidates must file a Declaration of Candidacy with the City Clerk between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. in the City Municipal Building.

Ward 5 is currently represented by Vice Mayor Beau Wilson, Ward 6 is represented by Brian Jackson, and the At-Large position is occupied by Jim Spoon.

Wilson is a 2003 Charles Page High School graduate with an Associates from Tulsa Community College and a vocational degree in Railroad Sciences from Johnson County College. He is a member of the Sand Springs Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce, and is the owner of Beau Wilson Insurance in downtown Sand Springs. He was elected to his first term in 2015 and selected as Vice Mayor in May.

Ward 5 boundaries.

Jackson is a 2002 CPHS graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Oklahoma State University. He is a member of the Sand Springs Rotary Club, Tulsa Young Professionals, the Sand Springs Symphony League, and is a Sand Springs Salvation Army Advisory Council member. He is employed as the Development Manager for Junior Achievement of Eastern Oklahoma and was first elected in 2009. He is currently serving his third term.

Spoon holds a Bachelor’s of Pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Oklahoma. He is a member of the Sand Springs Rotary Club, Sand Springs Education Foundation, and Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy. He owns two Spoon Drug pharmacies in Sand Springs and was elected to his first term in 2015.

Council members must be at least twenty-five years of age at the time of taking office and must reside within the ward they are elected to. Members are elected to three-year terms, are not term-limited, and do not receive any compensation for their duties. The City Mayor and Vice-Mayor are elected to one-year terms from within by a vote of the Council.

Ward 6 boundaries.

Powers of the Council include the ability to appoint or remove the City Manager, to enact municipal legislation, to regulate bond elections and raise revenues, to investigate any and all municipal affairs, to appoint or remove members of various municipal boards, and to create or abolish any offices, departments, and agencies of the City government not expressly created by the City Charter.

The Council is required to hold at least one monthly meeting, and individual council members may not be absent from more than half of all meetings within a four-month period. Any council member may be removed from office for any cause through a recall petition and subsequent election.

If only one candidate files, they will inherit the position unopposed. If more than two candidates file, a non-partisan primary election will be held on February 13th, followed by a runoff election on April 3rd.

Sand Springs Police receive new officers, equipment; partner with Creek Nation

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Municipal Judge Tom Askew gives the Oath of Office to Christopher Perez and Kellsie Davis. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

The Sand Springs Police Department had a busy night at the City Council meeting Monday evening. Two new officers were sworn in, two new policies were enacted, and an update was given on the new Public Safety Facility.

Officers Christopher Perez and Kellsie Davis received the Oath of Office from Municipal Judge Tom Askew.

A new Public Safety facility is in the works in Sand Springs and is slated for winter construction at the new Sheffield Crossing development near the intersection of Morrow Road and Highway 97. The Council unanimously approved the naming of the facility as the Billie A. Hall Public Safety Facility.

Sand Springs Police Chief Mike Carter (left) and Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Chief Robert Hawkins (right) announce a cross-deputization agreement between their departments. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

Council authorized the SSPD to enter into an intergovernmental cross-deputization agreement with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The cooperative agreement will allow officers from both organizations to work together to avoid jurisdictional complications. The agreement allows officers to provide law enforcement services across jurisdictional boundaries, including arrests, pursuits, investigations, and other emergency situations regardless of whether such occurrences violate the criminal statutes of the other government. 

The City Council also authorized a memorandum of understanding between the SSPD and the Tulsa County Board of County Commissioners for third-party reporting. Under the agreement, the SSPD will handle all calls from Tulsa County Sheriff's Office inmates reporting rape, sexual misconduct, abuse, assault, and harassment. The SSPD will not be involved in the investigation of these allegations but will maintain a log of the reports and pass the information along to the investigating agency. The third-party reporting will allow the TCSO to comply with the Prison Rape Elimination Act, ensuring that all reports are properly filed.

The SSPD is hoping to get some new equipment after the City Council authorized them to apply for an up-armored HMMWV through the 1033 federal government program. The $2,500 vehicle will not be equipped with any offensive weapons, and will be used for rescue missions and in armed-standoff situations. 

"This is going to be a rescue vehicle," said Police Chief Mike Carter. "This is not for us to take over our part of Oklahoma," he joked. The vehicle will offer protection for officers during events such as the 2012 two-hour standoff with an armed man barricaded inside an abandoned building in the former Gerdau steel plant. That situation resolved peacefully, but Carter reminisced that officers were concerned with how to protect themselves without armored vehicles. "We're the police, we're supposed to win the fights."

The HMMWV will not only be bulletproof, but its weight and height will make it safe in many flooding situations. Carter said the vehicle will likely be painted black and white like standard squad cars, and will say "RESCUE" on the side. He estimates the vehicle could be needed as frequently as four or five times a year.

The department was also granted a five-year contract extension with Axon Enterprises that includes increased video storage capacity, new camera replacements, and additional docking stations. The contract will cost $87,168.96 over the five-year period. 

OkieSpice & Trade Co. to open in north Sand Springs this winter

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Steve and Kim Zieg are the owners of the soon-to-open OkieSpice & Trade Co. in Sand Springs. (Photo: Sam Shook).

The north side of Sand Springs will soon be the recipient of a brand new business, possibly the most unique business in Sand Springs. OkieSpice and Trade Co. just had its first health inspection and is in the final stretch of preparations before opening this winter. Homegrown Sandites Kim and Steve Zieg, both graduates of Charles Page High School, are the owners.

Located at 501 West 2nd Street in the old Roary D’s Hair Emporium, the cooking and novelty store will fill a niche that had previously been unoccupied in Sand Springs. The store will carry cooking supplies, novelties, and Made-in-Oklahoma products that are often hard to find.

“When we got married we were able to take some really nice vacations and long road trips and found some really spectacular stores that had a lot of these kinds of products in them,” said Kim. “We love cooking and spices and seasonings. The spicier the better. Initially it was just going to be spices and then we’ve kind of branched out to ‘Made in Oklahoma.’ We just want to have things in here that are unusual products. We’ve found a lot of neat things in our travels and we’ve tried to incorporate some of that and bring it back here for people in Sand Springs.”

A display of OkieSpice products. (Photo: Sam Shook). 

The store will be growing their own peppers and creating a few spices on their own, but most of the inventory will be bought through suppliers. They will also carry salsas, summer sausage, chips, drinks, smoked cheeses, and grilling items, as well as nostalgic candies and soda pops that are often hard to find in regular convenience stores. “We’re trying to really focus on the Oklahoma vendors,” says Steve. “We want to help them have a place to sell product.” They will even carry pork rinds that you can microwave a portion at a time so they don’t go stale.

“We do have a big garden,” said Kim. “Every year we grow peppers, that’s just our wheelhouse. We grow great peppers, the hotter the better. We’ve done that for years. We’ll dehydrate and grind and make our own powders. We’ve got a whole cabinet full right now of jalapenos, ghost peppers, Carolina reaper, poblano. We were hoping that we would be open in time that we would have those out for purchase as well. You can’t find those kind of peppers around here. Maybe next year.”

While Kim manages the OkieSpice operations, Steve will be maintaining his employment with the Oklahoma Natural Gas Company where he has worked for the past 35 years. “This is kind of a prelude to retirement,” says Steve. The couple will be celebrating their sixth-year anniversary this October. Together the two have seven adult children.

The two decided to invest their business in Sand Springs to support the community, says Steve. “We think we have something here that’s unique and different and could be a draw for people from the greater Tulsa area. Having grown up in this town and raised our children here, we wanted to do something here in Sand Springs.”

“We’ve utilized a couple of his high school friends that have had talents that have been able to help us,” says Kim. “We’ve tried to stay local. The sign was made by Andy Anderson Metal Works.” The carpenter that did the work in the building graduated with Steve and local artist Jonny Rice is painting a mural on the east side of the building.

“I love Sand Springs,” added Kim. “Sand Springs is seven minutes away (from Tulsa). It’s time that Sand Springs changes its course.

“Opening has taken us longer than we planned or had thought it would,” says Steve. “This is the first time we’ve done a business, so there’s been a lot of learning for us to get to this point. We know we still have more learning to come.”

“The City has been pretty easy to deal with,” said Steve. “The building inspectors have been pretty good to work with. We haven’t had a lot of interaction with the City outside of that. We had to do sign permits and those went by pretty quick. They’ve gotten back with us really quick when we’ve had a need.”

The business plans on holding a soft opening for the first couple of weeks, followed by a grand opening weekend at a later undetermined date.

Colton's Steak House & Grill holds ground-breaking ceremony in Sand Springs

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City of Sand Springs officials held a formal ground-breaking ceremony Wednesday morning at the site of the future Colton's Steak House and Grill. Also on hand was franchisee Mark Dean and representatives from the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce. The restaurant will be located on the Southeast corner of the intersection of Alexander Boulevard and Booker T. Washington Avenue, across the street from El Maguey Mexican Restaurant. 

"This is a big day for Sand Springs," said Mayor Mike Burdge. "We were given charge several years ago by the population of Sand Springs. They told us what they wanted and it wasn't an easy task. Most of the kudos goes to staff. They were the ones who really went to work on this and worked with the developer and put this thing all together."

 "We're real excited about coming here," said Dean. "We looked at several towns here in Oklahoma and thought that this was the best fit for sure...We're going to come here and do you a good job."

Dean said that they would be breaking ground next week with the expectation of opening in mid-March. 

The upcoming Sand Springs location will be the second in Oklahoma and 37th location overall for the eight-state franchise. It is the fifth eatery to join the River West development, following McDonalds, IHOP, Starbucks, and El Maguey. Other businesses in the development include Holiday Inn Express, O'Reilly's Auto Parts, CVS pharmacy, and Centennial Baptist Church. 

Colton's Steak House was founded in 1996 in Conway, Arkansas and is named for Texas Ranger J.T. Colton, a character created for the Colton's brand. The steak house traces its fictitious roots to the late 1800s when Colton won the Tin Star Saloon from Sheriff Matthew Dillon in Dodge City, Kansas during a game of poker. 

Two other businesses are currently under development in River West. Warren Clinic's existing Sand Springs offices will join a brand new minor emergency clinic when construction is finished in River West. Groundwork on a new ALDI grocery store also began recently.  

The Sand Springs Retail Market Area encompasses more than 104,000 people, 40,000 households, and a Median Disposable Income of $38,583, according to a report generated by the Indian Nations Council on Government (INCOG). The Sand Springs population was 18,906 at the time of the 2010 U.S. Census, and INCOG reports more than 5,000 commuters to Sand Springs from outside communities. 

Franchisee Mark Dean speaks at the Colton's Steak House groundbreaking ceremony.  

Speed Limit drops from 50 to 40 MPH on areas of 41st Street

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Commuters from the Prattville side of Sand Springs awoke to a surprise on their way east this morning as the speed limit was unexpectedly dropped by 10 miles per hour along a one-mile stretch of 41st Street. 

Previously the speed limit increased from 35 M.P.H. to 50 M.P.H. at the area of Moriah Christian Academy, then dropped to 40 M.P.H. one mile later at 78th West Avenue right before the Oklahoma Army National Guard facilities. 

Police Chief Mike Carter addressed the issue on social media mid afternoon.

"The City was asked to evaluate the one stretch of 41st that was still at 50 mph because we have a new housing subdivision that is just starting to be populated. When vehicles exit the subdivision from Teal Ridge, they are doing so in an area that is 4 lane. The other areas of 41st that have been occupied by housing before now already have reduced speeds for safety. 

We wanted to start with this solution before resorting to other traffic control measures in order to keep traffic flowing as freely as possible. We will be instructing our officers to show a lot of discretion in enforcement as the speed reduction is new. 

As most of you may be aware, our police department has a policing plan, and that makes clear that we do not use traffic as a revenue generator for the city. We actually have at least 1/3-1/2 of all stops result in warnings either written or verbal. With that being said, we do need people to slow down on 41st as the new residents need to be able to exit their neighborhood safely. 

Saving lives is what is important, and unfortunately, 41st and the Highway 97 corridors are where people in Sand Springs are most likely to have a fatality collisions. Growth is good for our community, but it comes at a price of things must change. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust as needed."

The Teal Ridge Housing Development being constructed at 8600 West 41st Street is a 115-lot addition resting on more than 200 acres of previously undeveloped land. Homes begin at 2100 square feet on .47 acre lots and cost between $201,000 and $416,000. The addition is in the Berryhill School District. 

City of Sand Springs strives to improve the view around town

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City contractors clearing overgrowth along the bluffs near Highway 51. (Submitted). 

The City of Sand Springs is hard at work lately, beautifying parts of the city that see major traffic in an effort to improve the town's aesthetic and hopefully attract new businesses and residents. 

The most recent project is an overgrowth removal effort along the bluffs near the Highway 51-Highway 97 intersection. Similar projects are in various stages of completion along the Sand Springs Expressway, including the Katy Trail area along Charles Page Boulevard, and the Case Community Park area along Wekiwa Road. The projects were awarded to All Elements Solutions LLC at a total bid of $51,450. The work is expected to be done by November 13th with a $300/day penalty to the contractor for delays beyond that deadline. 

This mural will also wrap around the eastern (left) side of the silo and will include city-founder Charles Page pulling back a curtain to unveil Sand Springs. 

The City also recently commissioned a pair of murals from Josh Butts Creative Services. One is halfway complete and the other has yet to have its location announced. The City authorized $49,500 total for the two projects.

The City is 95% done with with a $6.2 million renovation of Case Community Park. One of the last remaining projects outlined in the Park Master Plan is the clearing of overgrowth along the river to enhance the view.

On the ballot this November are several General Obligation Bond Proposals that will allow the City to continue its efforts on a larger scale. City officials hope to be able to use landscaping to completely hide the Water Treatment Plant on Morrow Road from view. Gardens and other landscaping features would also be installed along major thoroughfares throughout the city. 

Editorial: It's high time to beautify Sand Springs

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This Centennial Clock is one of dozens across the State, commemorating Oklahoma's hundredth anniversary. 

Sand Springs is a wonderful community. I love it here. I was born and raised in Sand Springs and I've lived here for the majority of my life, with stents in Nowata, Bartlesville, Owasso, and Norman. I'm fairly well traveled for an Oklahoman of my age. The average American has visited only twelve states and at my 23 years of age I have been fortunate enough to spend time in seventeen, not counting layovers. 

I am not a turnpike traveler. I like to go with the land, not through it. I take the two-lane highways through the small towns that the interstate forgot. I read about them as I go, I stop in the downtown districts and see the sites. I use the pokestop information on the Pokemon Go! app to find unique parks, murals, statues, and other landmarks that I might otherwise drive right by. 

One thing I'm always struck by is how little art we have in Sand Springs. We have two existing murals and one that's still being painted. We have one statue and a handful of historical markers. That's it. If you visit nearby communities right here in Oklahoma, you're inundated with art. Not just the big cities like Tulsa or Oklahoma City, which have hundreds of murals across town. Sapulpa is the size of Sand Springs and has artwork on every corner. Drumright has a mere 3,000 people and yet their town is inundated with murals. 

Sapulpa Public Art

Drumright Public Art

Cushing Public Art

Sand Springs is in a pivotal time right now. With the demolition of the old steel plant, increased commercial development in RiverWest, and new businesses investing in downtown, the town has the opportunity to build momentum and really push Sand Springs into a new era of success. With the commercial development, we should also focus on developing the aesthetic so that the town doesn't lose its identity and end up like another Owasso or Broken Arrow, indistinguishable from Tulsa. 

The following are just a few areas that I think are ripe with potential for branding Sand Springs as a beautiful destination for a weekend getaway or a unique and perfect town in which to build a family and a future.

This grassy hillside is one of many empty areas that could use a little glam in Sand Springs. This spot is located on the southern side of US64 at the intersection with Main Street. The City already has beautification projects planned for many such areas, pending the passage of General Obligation Bond Proposal No. 4 this November, though this specific site hasn't been mentioned yet. A small flower garden here would go a long way, and it doesn't need to be some big expensive government project. This is the kind of simple project that a local youth group could knock out in a single afternoon. A mix of decorative rock and perennial plants would provide a low-maintenance and quality improvement to the town's beauty.

Nothing better to follow the hillside garden than a "Welcome to Downtown Sand Springs" mural. The US64/Main Street intersection is the gateway between old and new Sand Springs. On the south side you have the RiverWest development and the upcoming Sheffield Crossing development. An eye-catching garden and mural will help usher visitors from the modern growth to the heart of the city and hopefully encourage name-brand shoppers to spend a little time among the Mom and Pop shops that make our community unique. Efforts would need to be made to seal all of the cracks in the concrete where the weeds penetrate. Overpass murals have been done excellently in other communities, such as the I-244 intersection with North Greenwood Avenue in Tulsa.

Of all the sites in Sand Springs in need of a face-lift, this needs it the most. I mean no disrespect to the property owners, but most of downtown is red brick so this sticks out like a sore thumb. This is the side of the Yesterday to Now building and the parking for Hammond Family Dentistry. The white paint has clearly been touched up in various spots over the years so none of it is one consistent shade. This is also highly visible and unobstructed, making it a wonderful spot for a mural. The length of the building would bode well for a timelapse mural of Sand Springs throughout the years. 

There are many sites in Sand Springs that don't necessarily need a facelift, but would be fine candidates to receive murals if the community was in favor of more community artwork.
Left to right, top to bottom:

  • 21 East Broadway, owned by Montie Box Rental, currently leased by Bodley Insurance. 
  • 26 East Broadway, owned by Bekim Rexhepi LLC, leased by Napoli's Italian Eatery. This former site of the Sand Springs Trolley Depot aught to bear some reminder of its storied past.
  • 11 East 2nd Street, owned by Thomas & Sharecia Nowak Family Trust, leased by Boost Mobile.
  • 15 East 2nd Street, owned by Sand Springs Welfare Association, leased by Security Finance.
  • 100 North Main Street, owned by Tallent Electric, leased by Edward Jones and Chamber of Commerce.
  • 107 North Main Street, owned by Frank and Catherine Suraci, unoccupied. This is the first wall you see after entering downtown via Main Street.
  • 100 North Main Street, different side of aforementioned building.
  • 118 North Main Street, owned by Vazgen Minassian, leased by Doug's Rebuilders. 
  • 217 North Garfield Avenue, owned by Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. This building is probable the most visible location in downtown for a mural. 
  • 209 North Main Street, owned by IOWA LLC, occupied by Law Offices of Cynthia Phillips and Technology Consulting Services. 

This mural by Josh Butts is halfway done. The eastern side has yet to be primed due to the close proximity to power lines. 

The City of Sand Springs recently commissioned a pair of murals by Tulsa artist Josh Butts. One of these murals is about halfway finished on the abandoned Monarch Cement Co. silo just west of the Avery Drive-Highway 51 intersection. Neither the location nor the design of the second mural has been announced as of yet. City Council authorized $49,500 for the pair of them, funded by the Economic Development Capital Improvement Fund. That money is generated by a hotel tax.

SEE RELATED: City of Sand Springs commissions mural for abandoned Monarch Cement silo.

$49,500 is a lot of money to most people. It may not be a lot of money for a pair of high-quality murals, but it's a lot of money to the average Sand Springs citizen. 

I'm not advocating that the City authorize another $300,000 for murals. I'm a conservative. I believe that the government exists to provide essential services and nothing else. I love the mural being painted by Josh Butts, and I would love to see more of his work around Sand Springs, but I don't personally believe that the taxpayers should be forced to pay for it. 

Sand Springs is blessed with countless service groups and organizations. There are dozens of churches and youth groups. We have great organizations like Beautiful Living in Sand Springs, the Sand Springs Rotary Club, the Power of Partial Improvements, and hundreds of involved citizens who are constantly open to improving the community. 

The Rotary Club donated $70,000 in 2015 to help open a free public splash pad in Case Community Park. Case Community Park received a $2 million donation from Mike and Pat Case. The Rotary Club also sponsors Centennial Park where the sandy springs from which the town draws its name are located. Word of Life Church recently held a work day at Limestone Elementary where they painted several rooms throughout the facility to help the school district rebrand all their schools with black and gold. Church That Matters recently held a city-wide service day where they worked in parks, painted a bridge, worked at a shelter for victims of domestic violence, and even gave out free quarters at local car washes and laundromats.

The town has a long history of those with excess giving back to those with little. The town was born out of the charity of Charles Page, who used his wealth to open an orphanage and widows' colony. He also opened an amusement park and gave away major incentives to attract businesses to the town to provide jobs for his "children." Page had a sense of community that is still very much alive in the hearts of thousands of Sandites to this day. 

You don't have to be a millionaire oil baron to make a difference in your community. Maybe you can't commission a painting, but you can probably give five bucks towards a community enhancement fundraiser, or pick up a shovel and help plant a garden, or help pick up trash and tree debris after a thunderstorm. A few thousand people working together can get a lot done. Let's stop waiting on the City to pass bond issues and raise taxes to get things done. Let's just be involved citizens, get things done ourselves, and make this town the most unique community in the country.