Sand Springs churches donate $4000 to Sand Springs Police and Fire for Christmas

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council recently held their regular monthly meeting and representatives from the Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance were present to present the Police and Fire Departments with a $4,000 donation for the purpose of Christmas bonuses. 

Harvest Church Pastor Steve Allen, HillSpring Church Pastor Brent Kellogg, and First Church of the Nazarene Pastor Rod Thelander presented the annual donation to Police Chief Mike Carter and Fire Chief Mike Wood. 

Oklahoma Municipal League representative Missy Dean presented awards to employees who have served the city for 25 years. Police Captain Jay Barnett, Captain Todd Enzbrenner, Lieutenant Gary Everett, Deputy Chief John Mars, Fire Driver Charles Bowman, Water/Wastewater Superintendent Kenneth Boswell, Water Maintenance Operations Supervisor Donnie Wicker, and City Clerk Janice Almy were all recognized.

Storm Water and Utilities Technician Jon Odle gave an annual address to the Council regarding the City of Sand Springs Storm Water Plan. Odle discussed the damage done by citizens dumping leaves, grass clippings, and other debris into the street and stormwater drains. He suggested the City find ways to educate the community about the subject. 

The Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 1293 amending existing zoning code. Under new regulations, minimum aesthetic standards have been set regarding the amount of visible metal a building may be constructed of. Each side of a new building will be limited to certain percentages of visible metal, though exceptions may be granted through the Board of Adjustment. The ordinance does not apply to existing buildings and is modeled after existing regulations passed in neighboring communities. 

Council also approved Resolution No. 17-14, adopting a Safe Routes to School policy for the City of Sand Springs. The policy sets in place an outline for the City to follow when evaluating streets or other improvement projects that will provide safer and more efficient ways for pedestrians to travel to and from school. 

This was Vice Mayor John Fothergill's last meeting with City Council as he will be vacating his seat before the Spring election. The two-term Ward 4 councilman was recently approved as a chief deputy for the Tulsa County Commission and is legally unable to hold dual offices. 

Christine Hamner and Nancy Riley have filed to run for the vacant seat this Spring. Riley is a former Republican then Democratic State Senator. She also ran for Council against Fothergill and the late Pastor Terry Scott. She came in second in the primary election, defeating Scott, then lost to Fothergill in the runoff. 

Sand Springs heavily represented on the ballot, splits from Tulsa County on Commissioner

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

How did Sand Springs compare with Oklahoma as a whole in this election? Local voter turnout was up by 7% over the 2012 election as more than 12,000 voters showed up at the twelve Sand Springs precincts. 

Sandites were overwhelmingly Republican in the Presidential election, averaging 64% support for GOP candidates. Democratic candidates took home 28% of the vote, while Independents and Libertarians each snagged 4%.

Unsurprisingly, the black and gold went 71% to Donald Trump, who only gained 58% of the statewide ballots. This was consistent with the 2012 election when Mitt Romney garnered 70% of the local ballot, though Romney reached 67% in the rest of the State. Liberal leaning Sandites turned away from Hillary Clinton as she drew only 23% compared to 29% for Barrack Obama. Libertarian Gary Johnson earned just over 5% locally, compared to 6% across Oklahoma. Johnson has announced he will not campaign in 2020, but his performance in the polls will allow the future Libertarian candidate automatic ballot access in the next election.

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Precincts in yellow were won by Lloyd Snow, precincts in white were won by Dan Newberry.

U.S. Senator James Lankford overwhelmingly won Sand Springs with 72% of the vote. Democrat Mike Workman took 20%, Libertarian Robert Murphy took 3%, and independents Mark Beard and Sean Braddy both took 2%. The third party candidates drew local support consistent with the Statewide election, but urban centers bumped Workman's support to 29% across the State.

The most heated of the local elections was between two-term District 37 State Senator Dan Newberry and Democratic challenger, former Sand Springs Superintendent Lloyd Snow. Though Newberry won the election by more than 15%, it was far closer in Snow's hometown where he won four of ten precincts and only trailed by 2%. Snow has announced that he does not intend to run for political office again.

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Precincts in yellow were won by Jadine Nollan, precincts in white were won by Dianna Phillips. 

For District 66 State Representative, two-term Republican incumbent Jadine Nollan was aided to a landslide 67% of the vote due to her favorable view in the eyes of most Sandites. Though Democratic challenger Dianna Phillips is also from Sand Springs, she failed to win a single precinct in her hometown. Outside of Sand Springs, the two were neck-and-neck with Nollan getting a slight 4% margin of victory. Within Sand Springs Nollan won all nine precincts with 76% of the vote.

Incumbent Republican Vic Regalado easily won reelection for Tulsa County Sheriff with 66% of the vote in the State and 75% of the Sandite vote. Republican Tulsa County Court Clerk candidate Donald Newberry swept 71% of the Sand Springs vote and 63% of the County.

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Precincts in yellow were won by Josh Turley, precincts in white were won by Karen Keith.

Another local election with major Sand Springs ties was the race for Tulsa County Commissioner for District 2. Democratic incumbent Karen Keith won the County vote by 13%, but Republican challenger Josh Turley won his hometown with 56% of the Sandite vote. Turley swung eight of ten Sand Springs precincts and overwhelmingly locked up the entire West side of the county. Turley has already announced his candidacy for the 2020 election. 

Sand Springs, like the rest of the region, voted to retain all seven justices. The only Justice not to break 60% approval in Sand Springs was Supreme Court Justice Douglas Combs who came in at 58%. He was also approved by the lowest margin of the justices across the ballot. He barely won Precinct 880 with only 51% of the vote, which is located in the Keystone lake area South of the Arkansas River. No justice has ever been removed via ballot in the history of the State. 

State Question 776 was approved by 61% across the State and achieved 69% in Sand Springs.

State Question 777 was rejected by 71% of both the State and Sand Springs.

State Question 779 was rejected by 57% of the State and 61% of Sand Springs.

State Question 780 was approved by 65% of the State and 58% of Sand Springs.

State Question 781 was approved by 62% of the State and 55% of Sand Springs.

State Question 790 was rejected by 60% of the State and 59% of Sand Springs.

State Question 792 was approved by 72% of the State and 68% of Sand Springs.

Sand Springs bans electronic-cigarettes on City property, approves purchase agreement with OmniTRAX

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council unanimously voted Monday evening to ban the use of electronic cigarettes on all City property, including public parks. Ordinance No. 1290, presented by City Planner Brad Bates, amends the existing City of Sand Springs Tobacco Free City Properties and Buildings Ordinance to include vapor-based products that have gained popularity in recent year. 

The City of Sand Springs has been a "tobacco-free" city since 2009 in an effort to alleviate public health concerns and promote a healthy public environment. The City qualifies as a Certified Healthy Community and Certified Healthy Business through the State of Oklahoma's Certified Healthy program, entitling it to certain grant funding through the State Health Department. To-date, the City has received $50,000 that have been used toward healthy living and improvement studies. This new amendment is a step toward Gold Level recognition from the Health Department that would qualify the City for an additional $50,000 grant.

In other news, the Council unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, which is made up of items considered to be "routine," including:

• Approval of Resolution No. 17-07 for the 2017 City Council Election.
  • Mayor Mike Burdge (Ward 3) and Vice-Mayor (Ward 4) will both be up for reelection in 2017. Citizens do not vote for Mayor or Vice-Mayor, but vote only on City Council positions. The Council itself elects a Mayor and Vice-Mayor from within.
  • The filing period will open December 5th, 2016 and will close December 7th, 2016. Candidates must reside within the Ward they are running for election in, and must be at-minimum 25 years of age by May 1st, 2017. If more than two candidates file for an office, a primary election will be held on Tuesday, February 14th, 2017. The general (runoff) election will be held April 4th, 2017. City Council elections are non-partisan. 
• Approval of a Traffic Enforcement Agreement between the City of Sand Springs and the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office for reimbursement of overtime and operating expenses incurred for the grant period October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017. 
  • The Sand Springs Police Department will receive a $50,000 grant from OHSO for the purpose of reimbursing overtime and operating expenses resulting from the targeting of impaired and aggressive drivers. It will also allow for a designee to travel to the Lifesavers Conference in Long Beach, California. 
• Approval of an Emergency Management Performance Agreement between the City of Sand Springs and the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management providing a 50/50 sub-grant portion of funds to develop comprehensive emergency preparedness for all hazards.
  • This is a routine fund-matching grant that the City has taken advantage of for nearly two decades. The City allocates $20,000 for emergency preparedness each year, and FEMA matches with a contribution of $20,000.
• Acceptance of $20,090 from Sand Springs Park Friends, Inc.
  • This is the final portion of the $70,000 pledge by the Sand Springs Rotary Club for construction of the Rotary Super Splash Pad in River City Parks. 

Following the Consent Agenda, the Council also unanimously passed Resolution No. 17-08, with the purpose of informing Sand Springs citizens of potential impact of State Question 777 on the ability of the City to to regulate land use activities and other potential effects. 

SQ777, also known as the "Oklahoma Right to Farm Amendment," will be on the November 8, 2016 ballot as a proposed constitutional amendment. The specific text of the question can be viewed here. Resolution 17-08, drafted by Vice-Mayor John Fothergill, reminds citizens of the role local government plays in regulating land usage and zoning according to the community desires and needs. The full resolution can be read here.

City Council unanimously approved a resolution concerning the location of the future public safety facility for the City. Resolution 17-06 was unanimously passed, authorizing the City to purchase 10 acres at a cost of $1.00 per foot from OmniTRAX. The current planned location of the facility is on the South side of Morrow Road, across the street from the Walmart Supercenter. The transaction will cost the City approximately $435,600. The purchase is not final yet, but the terms of the agreement are not expected to change. 

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Stone Villa Second addition.

Council unanimously approved the final plat for the new Stone Villa addition in South Sand Springs. The addition will include 87 lots on 19.8 acres.

In Council Correspondence, Pogue Airport and Airport Supervisor Ken Madison received praise for the quality of the airport and the hospitality of the administration. 

Boy Scout Troop 507 was on hand to observe the City Council meeting and get a taste of local government.

Resolution No. 17-08 passed by Sand Springs City Council

RESOLUTION NO. 17-08

RESOLUTION PROVIDING ESSENTIAL INFORMATION TO THE CITIZENS OF SAND SPRINGS CONCERNING STATE QUESTION 777 (SQ777), THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION, WHICH IS ON THE BALLOT FOR A STATEWIDE VOTE ON THE STATE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT FOR NOVEMBER 8, 2016; INFORMING CITY VOTERS OF THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF SQ777 ON THE ABILITY OF THE CITY OF SAND SPRINGS TO REGULATE LAND USE ACTIVITIES AND TO ENACT OTHER ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS WITHIN THE CITY FOR THE PROTCTION OF THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF ITS CITIZENS; AND URGING ALL REGISTERED VOTERS WITHIN SAND SPRINGS, BEFORE CASTING THEIR VOTES ON SQ 777, TO CAREFULLY STUDY AND CONSIDER ALL THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF SQ 777 ON THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF SAND SPRINGS RESIDENTS

WHEREAS, a core function of the City of Sand Springs, as authorized by Article 43 of Title 11 Oklahoma State Statues is to regulate land usage and zoning according to community desires and needs, through community-based processes and zoning ordinances, while protecting property rights of all citizens, and planning for the successful growth and development within city limits; and

WHEREAS, the City's authority to enact land use regulations within the City of Sand Springs is critical to the health, safety, and welfare of our community; and

WHEREAS, access to clean, high-quality potable water in appropriate quantities is also of critical importance to City of Sand Springs residents; and

WHEREAS, the preservation of soil and air quality are also valuable to Sand Springs citizens; and

WHEREAS, ensuring these various elements for its residents and businesses is one of the pre- eminent obligations of the City of Sand Springs; and

WHEREAS, providing these local governmental benefits and infrastructure to its residents, and maintaining them, is an on-going and ever-increasing financial burden for the City of Sand Springs; and

WHEREAS, the amendments to the Oklahoma Constitution proposed by SQ 777, would enact special constitutional protections and special constitutional privileges for a specific group of Oklahoma residents and Oklahoma industries (farming and ranching) provided to no other group or industry in the State of Oklahoma, at the expense of all other residents and industries; and

WHEREAS, if approved by State voters, SQ 777 would take precedence over the land-use ordinances, regulations, and plans of the City of Sand Springs, compromising its ability and statutory obligation to ensure compatibility between land uses and the appropriate development and growth within the City and to further protect the health, safety and welfare of its residents; and

WHEREAS, SQ 777 would seriously compromise the City's ability to provide an ample and safe water supply to its residents at reasonable expense; and

WHEREAS, SQ 777 would seriously compromise the ability of the State of Oklahoma, its regulatory agencies, and the City of Sand Springs to take action to manage technology that impacts industrial, farming and ranching operations potentially harmful to its residents; and

WHEREAS, under the provisions of SQ 777, if approved, Sand Springs’ efforts to fulfill its responsibility to guarantee access by its citizens to high-quality and ample quantity of water and maintain and provide efficient and appropriate delivery systems could result in extensive and expensive litigation against the City of Sand Springs merely because it is attempting to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of its residents; and

WHEREAS, passage of SQ 777 could also result in increased expenses in providing high- quality and ample water as a result of agricultural runoff, chemical treatment, and animal by-products; and

WHEREAS, SQ 777 would allow special consideration of one industry ('farming') that could set a precedent for allowing similar special considerations for any and all industries and practices in Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, SQ 777 provides that this special consideration is guaranteed 'forever,' which precludes consideration of any unforeseen practices, treatments, or chemicals, on the obligations and ability of the State of Oklahoma and the City of Sand Springs to provide to their residents an ample quantity of high-quality water at a reasonable rate and manageable expense.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Sand Springs that they are critically concerned that State Question 777, the proposed State constitutional amendment, if approved by State voters at the Statewide election on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, could impact vital municipal land use controls and jeopardize the City's ability to meet the essential needs and requirements of its residents and to otherwise promote the health, safety and welfare of all citizens and residents of the City of Sand Springs.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Sand Springs that they urge all registered voters within Sand Springs, before casting their votes on SQ 777, to carefully study and consider all the potential effects of SQ 777 on the health, safety, and welfare of City of Sand Springs residents.

ADOPTED by the Sand Springs Council on this 24th day of October, 2016. 

Keystone Chevrolet donates $3000 to SSPS; School Board discusses changes in curriculum and high stakes testing

Board Member Pastor Rusty Gun presents Mike Frizell of Keystone Chevy with the Sandite Spirit Award. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Board of Education held their regularly monthly meeting Monday evening at the Charles Page High School Fine Arts Building and presented two awards before beginning regular business. 

Keystone Chevrolet was presented with the Sandite Spirit Award for their recent $3,000 donation to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs in Sand Springs. They had previously donated a year's worth of free oil changes to last year's Teacher of the Year. "All of us (Keystone Chevy owners) are products of public school and want to help contribute," said Managing Partner Mike Frizell. 

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Board of Ed President Mike Mullins presents CNGC teacher Andrea Brice with the Sandite Pacesetter Award. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

Central Ninth Grade teacher Andrea Brice was presented with the Sandite Pacesetter Award for her recent appointment to the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education.

The Board discussed upcoming changes to graduation requirements since the last legislative session. 

This past May the Oklahoma Legislature passed House Bill 3218, a bipartisan effort with overwhelming support in both the House and Senate. The amendatory bill abolished the previous requirements surrounding controversial "End of Instruction" (EOI) exams that had the potential to prevent a student from graduating based solely on test scores. The new laws still require assessments on English, Mathematics, and Science, but these assessments will not prevent students with satisfactory grades and attendance from graduating. 

Schools throughout the State now have the ability to establish contact with former students under the age of 22, who passed all high school requirements except EOIs, and present them with diplomas. Thanks to the due diligence of Sand Springs teachers and administrators, there is not a single former student from either Charles Page High School or Page Alternative Academy (formerly Lake Alternative Academy) who failed to graduate based solely on EOI scores.

The 51-page bill eliminated entire sections of its previous incarnation, and added more than six pages of new law. The changes passed in HB3218 and other pieces of legislature passed this past session have both the State and local Boards of Education working hard to set new standards for testing students, as well as grading school performances. 

Superintendent Sherry Durkee informed the Board that she has reached out to Oklahoma LED, a wholesale lighting Energy Savings Company regarding their Power Forward rebate program. The program offers a free analysis of all Sand Springs Public Schools properties. Ponca City schools recently made the decision to use the program and is saving around $23,000 a month according to Durkee.

The program would replace every single light bulb in the district with an LED bulb over a four-to-five year period, providing a higher quality, longer-lasting, and environmental friendly alternative to a traditional bulb. The bulbs hold a fifteen-year life expectancy with a five-year warranty. At worst, the program is expected to be cost-neutral, and at best can save thousands for the schools through longer-lasting bulbs as well up to $150,000 in rebates from the Public Service Company of Oklahoma. 

The Board approved several out of state travel expenses for students and faculty.

Daniel Schmidt and Jacob Adkinson will be attending the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October, then Schmidt will attend several Show Pigs events in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri from October through November. Andrea Brice will attend the National ACTE Convention in Las Vegas in December. Seven faculty members will be attending the National Title I Conference in Long Beach, California in February. All of these events are paid for with federal Professional Development funding specifically given to the schools for this purpose. 

The Charles Page High School wrestling team will travel to Kansas City in December for the prestigious Kansas City Stampede invitational tournament. They have been attending the event since 2013 and have had at least one champion every year. Last year they took fifteenth place out of forty teams. Both the Boys' and Girls' Basketball teams will be attending the Interstate Classic tournament in Coffeyville, Kansas in January. Last year the girls team took first place and the boys took second.

The Board authorized a resolution to call for an Annual School Election on February 14, 2017. Board President Mike Mullins will be up for reelection on that date. 

The Board invites all members of the community to participate in an online survey to help in developing a Continuous Strategic Improvement (CSI) plan. That survey is available HERE. Citizens interested in lending their voice to the initiative can also attend forums on the subject Wednesday. There will be an 8:30 a.m. forum at Garfield Elementary, a 3:30 p.m. forum at the Charles Page Fine Arts Center, and a 5:30 p.m. forum at the Clyde Boyd Middle School Library.

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

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council unanimously approved a development agreement with OmniTRAX, Inc. Monday evening. Two weeks ago OmniTRAX announced their acquisition of the 146-acre site formerly owned by Sheffield Steel, then by Gerdau Ameristeel. OmniTRAX plans to demolish portions of the Steel Mill and develop the property for industrial and commercial use. In addition to developing a 25-acre retail area, the property will also be the home to the new City of Sand Springs Public Safety facilities. 

Tony Manos, Senior Vice-President of Industrial Development at OmniTRAX, provided a presentation on the project at the City Council meeting. 

OmniTRAX is the owning entity of the Sand Springs Railway, which was acquired in 2014 from Gerdau, and has been leasing portions of the Gerdau property since that time. The company maintains 20 short-line railroads in 9 states and 3 Canadian provinces and works in rail services, terminal services, logistics services, and industrial development. 

"We are a very invested company in our communities," said Manos. "(City-Manager) Elizabeth (Gray)'s team and the two Chiefs (Police Chief Mike Carter and Fire Chief Mike Wood) have been incredible, as well as City Council. This has been the smoothest transition I've ever been a part of in the real estate business."

The Steel Mill is expected to be demolished sometime next year and the new City public safety facilities will be built directly across from WalMart. OmniTRAX is also looking to bring quality jobs to the Sand Springs community, and announced that a new tenant will be moving into a 20,000 sq. ft. facility by April of next year, and will create approximately 50 new jobs for the community.

"We are so proud to bring something back to a site that has been so important to our town throughout its history," said Councilman John Fothergill.  "It really does mean a lot to our city." 

The effort to relocate the current public safety facilities began in 2013 when voters approved a proposition to demolish Fire Station 1, but voted against the corresponding proposition to build a new one. Luckily, there was no timeline for the proposition, and Sand Springs has retained their north side Fire Station. The proposition that failed would have been funded through a property tax increase that could amount to as much as $100 a year for homeowners.

The City gave the project another go in October of last year, when citizens overwhelming voted in favor of extending current sales tax levels. The tax money would be redirected from the previous allocation to a new building for police, fire, and dispatchers. This vote also nixed the decision to demolish Fire Station One, and called for a remodel of the facility to give the Sand Springs Fire Department three stations. 

The City purchased property from the Sand Springs Home in 2014 at the corner of 129th West Avenue and Wekiwa with the intent to build the facilities there, but was met with public concerns that the area was too far outside of town. 

At their last meeting, City Council unanimously approved a contract with Dewberry Architects for design of the new public safety facilities. Their construction will take approximately one year from the completion of the new designs. 

City Council approves contract for new safety facilities and other news

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular monthly meeting Monday evening at the City Municipal Building. 

Brian Carr with the Tulsa Area United Way gave a brief presentation regarding the 2017 United Way Campaign in which the City of Sand Springs participates. 

The Council planned to present a plaque to AEP/PSO employees for their recent volunteer work in removing and replacing netting at the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf course. A lot of the netting was damaged in the March 2015 tornado that also devastated a pair of mobile home parks and the Jerry Adair Baseball Park. Several AEP employees volunteered their services to the extensive project over the last year. 

Blake Little, Jake Kinman, James Cooke, Ben Bryan, Chuck Bunch, and Joe Chambers worked on the project. "That's kind of what Sand Springs is; people just jump in and help when they're needed," said City Manager Elizabeth Gray. The volunteers were unable to attend the meeting but the Council plans to find another day to meet with them and thank them.

The City voted to unanimously approve the consent agenda which included six items considered to be routine. Part of the agenda included approval of a renewed contract with EMSA for emergency medical services. The cost of EMSA's services will increase by approximately 17.89%, but it is not expected to impact the City at this time. The City expected and budgeted for the increase in Fiscal Year 2016, but the increase never came to fruition. 

According to Mayor Mike Burdge, 4-5% is the typical increase. This year the increase is so high "due to general increases in operating costs and the impact of Medicaid cuts on patient receipts," says EMSA Chief Financial Officer Kent Torrence. Fire Chief Mike Wood still considers it to be a good deal compared to other options. 

SEE RELATED: Keri Fothergill appointed to Sand Springs Planning Commission

The Council approved a new 2017 Calendar Year schedule of regular meetings for the Council and Municipal Authority. The new schedule will have the Council meeting once per month, which will total twelve regular meetings as opposed to the current schedule of nineteen. This year the Council has meet twice per month with exception for the summer months (June July and August) and holiday months (November and December).

The meetings are to be held on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m., the same time and day as they currently are. The meetings will be January 23rd, February 27th, March 27th, April 24th, May 22nd, June 26th, July 24th, August 28th, September 25th, October 23rd, November 27th, and December 18th. December 18th is the third Monday of the month, as the fourth Monday falls on Christmas Day. There will also be a special session held Monday, May 8th to swear in new council members.  

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs City Council members help fund Elementary field trip

The Council unanimously approved “a resolution affirming dilapidation public nuisance administrative hearing findings and authorization for the bringing of any action necessary in District Court.” The resolution applies to three dilapidated buildings slated for demolition sometime in October. The ten-day administrative appeals process expired without any appeals received and the property owners now have thirty days following the approval of the resolution to challenge the decision. The properties are located at 714 N. Washington Ave., 301 N. Franklin Ave., and 223 N. Industrial Ave.

SEE RELATED: Capital Homes to develop 87-lot housing addition in South Sand Springs

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs City Council approves new ordinance relating to false alarms

City Council unanimously approved a contract with Dewberry Architects for design of the new public safety facilities. In September of 2015 the citizens of Sand Springs voted to pass a dedicated sales tax to build new police, fire, courts, and 911 facilities.

The City is still looking at 129th and Wekiwa as the optimal location for the new facilities, but is open to other locations should a better situation present itself.

The Council unanimously approved Resolution 17-02, related to park funding and improvements.  

This week in Sand Springs

Museum Trust Authority Meeting

The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum Trust Authority is scheduled to meet Tuesday, August 16th, at 6:00 p.m. in the museum.

The Board will consider approval of the FY 2017 Budget, naming Ginger Murphy as Museum Director, reallocating space for museum operations, and will discuss the July financials.

Development Authority Meeting

The City of Sand Springs Development Authority is scheduled to meetWednesday, August 17th at 4:00 p.m. in the Sand Springs Municipal Building.

The Board will receive an update on Sand Springs’s development opportunities. No action is expected to be taken during the meeting.

Sand Springs Elementary Meet and Greets

Pratt Elementary is hosting their Meet and Greet event on Thursday, August 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The PTO will have a table set up for memberships and new spirit wear will be available for purchase.

Northwoods, Limestone, and Garfield Elementary will hold Meet-n-Greet events Monday, August 22nd, the day before school starts. Northwoods and Garfield will last from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Limestone will last from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 City Council and Municipal Authority Meetings

The City of Sand Springs City Council is expected to meet Monday, August 22nd at 7:00 p.m. in the City Municipal Building. The Municipal Authority meeting will follow immediately after. No agenda has been provided at this time.

Tulsa County Court Clerk Runoff Election

The Tulsa County Republican Party will have a runoff election Tuesday, August 23rd.

Registered Republicans will choose between Donald Newberry and Ron Phillips for their November candidate.

Newberry is a US Air Force veteran with an Associate’s in Business, Bachelor’s in Psychology, and Masters in Business Administration.

Phillips is currently the Special Projects Director for the County Clerk’s Office and holds a business administration degree.

The winner of the runoff will take on Democratic nominee John R. Andrew in November.

Newberry won the June Republican primary with 35% to 33%.

Sand Springs Public School students return to class Tuesday, August 23rd

Meet the Sandites will also be held this day at 6:00 p.m..

This week in Sand Springs

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Joint City Council-Municipal Authority Meeting Monday

The Sand Springs City Council will hold a regular meeting Monday at 7:00 p.m. at the Sand Springs Municipal Building, immediately followed by the regular Municipal Authority meeting.

Police Chief Michael Carter will provide a presentation regarding the Policing Plan for 2016.

The Council will consider approval of a renewal of the agreement between the City of Sand Springs and Reasor’s for the Fiscal Year 2017.

The Council will consider appointments to the Board of Adjustment, Development Authority, Parks Advisory Board, Planning Commission, Personnel Board, and Airport Advisory Board.

The Council will consider renewal of an agreement with the Metropolitan Environmental Trust (M.E.T.) to continue providing current recycling services through the next year.

August 23rd election voter registration deadline approaches

Friday, July 29th is the final day to register to vote in time for the August 23rd special election.

Tulsa County Republicans will vote in a runoff between Donald Newberry and Ron Phillips for County Court Clerk. Independents are not eligible to vote in Republican primaries.

Newberry is a US Air Force veteran with an Associate’s in Business, Bachelor’s in Psychology, and Masters in Business Administration.

Phillips is currently the Special Projects Director for the County Clerk’s Office and holds a business administration degree.

The winner of the runoff will take on Democratic nominee John R. Andrew in November.

Newberry won the June Republican primary with 35% to 33%.

Highway 97 Rivalry Alumni game moved to Sand Springs

Sand Springs Memorial Stadium will host the third annual Highway 97 Alumni football game for the second year in a row due to ongoing construction at the Chieftains’ stadium.

Registration is Monday the 25th at 5:30 p.m. with the first practice to follow at 6:30 the same day. The game will be held Saturday July 30th at 7:30 p.m.

The series is tied 1-1 with Sand Springs winning last year’s game 35-0.

Lloyd Snow clinches Democratic nomination, will face Newberry in November

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Outgoing Sand Springs Superintendent Lloyd Snow has the Democratic nomination for Senate District 37 all locked up after a landslide victory over Cory Gage and Andrew Nutter. Snow has been serving the Sand Springs community for sixteen years, and looks to continue doing so in a new field.

After sixteen years as the City Superintendent, Snow's era will come to an end on June 30th when Sherry Durkee officially takes over the office. While Snow initially intended to retire upon leaving the Superintendent position, dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in the Capitol lead him to launch a campaign for the Senate District 37 seat in April.

When he launched his campaign he stated "I am frustrated, disappointed, and discouraged with the challenges our children, families, citizens, and communities continue to face due to devastating budget reductions and poor policies in the areas of public education, health, safety, and transportation."

In December Snow talked to Sandite Pride about his reservations in running for office and his desire for any other worthy candidate to step up. When nobody came forward for Snow to rally behind, he filed his candidacy as "an obligation to be a voice of reason, common sense, and responsibility for our families and communities."

Snow has a long history of recognition for community service. In 1997 he was named the Oklahoma Administrator of the Year. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame in 2013 and received the Medal for Excellence in Administration. Most recently he was issued a proclamation from the City of Sand Springs for his service to the community in May and received the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration Lifetime Achievement award earlier this month.

Two and half months of campaigning led to a massive victory over the Democratic field, but Snow was quick to acknowledge that it's only the beginning. In the Tuesday night primary, Snow won 77.04% of the vote against Cory Gage with 12.95% and Andrew Nutter with 10%. 

Snow gave a victory speech at the Snow For Senate Watch Party at Hampton Inn and Suites in Tulsa Hills, expressing his desire "to make it better for kids, to make it better for people that have health needs...to make it better for Oklahoma...for better roads and bridges and infrastructure. Trying to craft a budget that can be sustained and actually work for people and for families and for communities.

"We as a State are at that point in time where enough is enough. I am a different kind of candidate in a lot of ways because this is not my life ambition. I've lived my life ambition, my passion. Now it's more of a purpose, it's more of an obligation. It's more of what I consider to be, 'how are we going to solve the problems we face?' And the solutions are having more people vote, more people in campaigns, have more people participating. I'm going to be at this full time."

This week in Sand Springs: City Council Agenda and other news

Crosspoint VBS

Crosspoint church will be holding their vacation bible school program from 6:00pm to 9:00pm Monday, June 27th through Thursday, June 30th. The theme is "Cave Quest" and there will be games, music, science, experiments, and more. This is completely free, you must register on their website.

Fireworks permits on sale now

The City of Sand Springs has made Fireworks Discharge Permits available online for the first time.

For $20 Sand Springs residents may purchase a Class 1.4G Common Fireworks permit for use July 2nd through 4th. 

Tickets may be purchased at the City’s website.

Sertoma Fireworks show set for July 3rd

The Sertoma club's annual fireworks display will be on July 3rd, at 7:00pm in River City Park. The show will begin at dusk and is free of admission. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on and get there early so that you can get a good parking spot seat! River City Park is located at 2500 South River City Park Road Sand Springs, OK. This event is always a crowd pleaser, so invite your family and friends!

Solace Church Kids Summer Celebration

Solace Church is having their Kids Summer Celebration from Monday, June 27th to Wednesday June 29th. The fun will be from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm and will be for children from the age of 3 years old to 6th grade. This celebration will be in the theme of "Winter Extreme" and is completely free with no registration required. There will be a time of worship, snacks, skits, and more. The very last night of this event will be for the whole family and there will be pizza provided for everyone. On the last night it will start early and pizza will begin to be served at 6. For more information please call the church at 918-447-9991 during office hours. 

Snow for Senate Watch Party

 Superintendent Lloyd Snow has invited the community to join him for an election day watch party at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Tulsa Hills.

Snow for Senate will be meeting at the 7004 South Olympia Avenue, Tulsa location from 7:00 till 10:00 pm to watch the Oklahoma primary results come in. Election day is Tuesday, June 28.

City Council Meeting

The Sand Springs City Council will hold their regular monthly meeting Monday evening at the City Municipal Building. The public meeting will convene at 7:00 pm in room 203.

Mayor Mike Burdge will present a Mayoral Proclamation and plaque recognizing L. Merle Parsons for his 12 years of service to the Sand Springs Planning Commission and the citizens of Sand Springs.

Mayor Burdge will present a Mayoral Proclamation to a representative from myON supporting and proclaiming the summer of 2016 as “Summer of Reading” in the City of Sand Springs, Oklahoma.

The Council will consider approval of a contract with Dewberry Architects for design of the new Public Safety Facility. They will also consider approval of an ordinance amending existing city rules banning overnight camping in City parks. The new ordinance will allow the Parks Department to grant temporary permission to overnight campers for special events, without having to go through the City Council. The Council will consider approval of a series of capital improvements for the Sand Springs Parks.

The Council will consider de-annexation of two subdivisions within the City limits. Alan Ringle of Ringle Development, LLC requests that the city detach two properties “Oak Ridge” and “The Ridge.”

The Council will consider approval of a resolution for the appointment of Vice Mayor John Fothergill to the District Six Seat on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Municipal League.

The Council will consider the appointment of representatives to various local boards and organizations.

At the conclusion of the City Council meeting there will be a brief hiatus before the Municipal Authority meeting begins.

The Municipal Authority board will consider appointments to the Airport Advisory Board as well as the Sand Springs/Sapulpa Joint Board.

Tuesday is Election Day, here's your guide to the candidates

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

On Tuesday, June 28th, Oklahomans will travel to the polls for the statewide primary elections. Both the Democratic and Libertarian Parties have opened their primaries to Independent voters this year, but only registered Republicans can vote in the Republican primary.

More than 400 candidates have filed for office in Oklahoma this filing period, more than in any presidential year in recent history, according to Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax. The following is a brief summary of each candidates' qualifications. For their policy views, click on their names to be redirected to their campaign web sites.

Incumbent United States Senator James Lankford has the Republican nomination secured with no challengers, as does Democratic nominee Mike Workman. Libertarian voters will choose between Robert T Murphy and Dax Ewbank for their candidate. There are also two independent candidates: Sean Braddy and Mark Beard.

• Murphy has ran for election to US House of Representatives five times and has never garnered more than 25% of the vote.
• Ewbank previously ran in the gubernatorial Republican primary in 2014 and came in third with 9% of the vote.

Current Congressional District 1 Representative Jim Bridenstine is up for reelection and is challenged by Tom Atkinson and Evelyn L. Rogers for the Republican nomination. No Democrats filed for the race. The winner of the Republican nomination will square off against Independent David Matthew Hullum. 

• Bridenstine acquired a BS at Rice University before serving nine years as a US Navy Pilot. He worked as a Defense consultant at Wyle Laboratories while attending Cornell University and working towards an MBA. He was the Director of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum from 2008 to 2010 and was first elected to Congress in 2012. He ran unopposed in both the primary and general elections of 2014.
• Atkinson has never ran for public office prior to this election. He served in the US Air Force, was a federal prosecutor in the Department of Justice, and later a bankruptcy judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma. He founded Okie Crude Company in 1985 and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University and a law degree from Oklahoma City University.
• This marks Rogers's eleventh campaign for various State and Federal offices, she has yet to secure more than 16% of the vote. She holds a BS in healthcare management from the University of LaVerne, and an MA in practical theology from Oral Roberts University.

Sand Springs City Councilman Brian Jackson is challenging incumbent State Senator Dan Newberry for the District 37 Republican nomination, as is Paula L. Patterson. 

• Newberry was first elected in 2008 and won reelection in 2012 with 67% of the vote. He holds a diploma of Charismatic Ministry from ORU as well as a Liberal Arts BS with focus on Leadership and Organizational Management. He works as the Vice President of Real Estate Operations at TTCU: The Credit Union.
• Jackson was the youngest ever representative elected to Sand Springs City Council and is currently serving his third term. He is the Development Manager for Junior Achievement of Oklahoma and has previously served as the Sand Springs Vice-Mayor. He is a Marketing graduate from Oklahoma State University.
• This is Patterson’s first election campaign. She is an OSU graduate with an International Business Degree with Finance and Marketing Minors.

There are also three contenders for the District 37 Democratic nomination in outgoing Sand Springs Superintendent Lloyd Snow, Andrew Nutter, and Cory Gage.

• Snow has served as a Superintendent for 36 years, including 16 at Sand Springs. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, a recipient of the Oklahoma Foundation Medal of Excellence in School Administration. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame in 2013, was the Oklahoma Superintendent of the Year in 1995 and has twice served as the President of the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators. This is his first time running for political office.
• Nutter and Gage are also first time political candidates and neither maintains a website and have limited information available on Facebook or other platforms.

District 66 State Representative Jadine Nollan has one challenger in Emily G. DeLozier for the Republican nomination. Dianna Phillips, wife of former City Councilman Michael Phillips, has the democratic nomination locked up.

• Nollan was first elected in 2010 and won reelection in 2012 with 66% of the vote. She was unopposed in 2014. She holds a BS from OSU, is married to Sand Springs City Councilman Phil Nollan, and previously spent eleven years on the Sand Springs School Board. She was the Executive Director for Sand Springs Community Services from 2007-2010 and was the Pastor at C3 Ministries for Word of Life Fellowship from 2006-2010.
• Delozier holds a BS in International Business from the University of Tulsa.

Donald Newberry, Ron Phillips, and Mary Atkinson are running for County Court Clerk as Republicans.

• Newberry is a US Air Force veteran who served as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Specialist. He holds an Associates in Business Administration from TCC, a Bachelors in Psychology from Liberty University, and a Masters of Jurisprudence in Indian Law from TU. He is currently the Title Research Manager in the Tulsa County Assessor’s office.
• Phillips is the Special Projects Director for the Tulsa County Clerks Office and holds a degree in Business Administration.
• Atkinson holds a BA from Drake University and is on the Board of Directors of Tulsa Camerata.

Rex Berry and Arthur Jackson are vying for the Democratic nomination for County Sheriff. 

• Berry served in the Tulsa Police Department from 1973 till 1999 and retired as a Corporal. He served as a Security Management instructor in Afghanistan, was a civilian police office in Kosovo, and an Inspector of Training Facilities in Iraq. He is a US Air Force veteran and also served in the US Army Active Reserves with the Criminal Investigations Division. He holds an Associates in Police Science.
• Jackson is a US Army veteran who has served in a supervisory position at the David L Moss Criminal Justice Center since 2001.

Vic Regalado, the incumbent from Sand Springs, is being challenged by Russell Crow and Luke Sherman for the Republican nomination for County Sheriff.

• Regalado was just elected to the position of Tulsa County Sheriff in a special election earlier this year. He previously was the lead homicide detective for the Tulsa Police in 81 cases. He supervised a Special Investigations Gang Unit and served on the Tulsa Police SWAT team for nearly a decade. He received the Medal of Valor in 2004. It’s worth mentioning that he is currently being sued by Tulsa newspaper The Frontier for failure to comply with the Oklahoma Open Records Act in regards to not releasing County jail footage. He maintains the footage does not fall under Open Records requirements.
• Sherman is a 23 year veteran of the TPD and has served as a tactical operator and assistant team commander on the Tulsa SWAT team. He is currently a sergeant leading the department’s Fugitive Warrant’s Unit and is on the U.S. Marshal’s Violent Crimes Task Force.
• Crow is an eighteen year veteran of the Tulsa Sheriff’s Office and Tulsa Police Department. He also owns a private investigation firm in Tulsa.

Michael Willis and Nancy Rothman are running for the County Clerk nomination from the Republican party.

• Willis holds a BA in Public Affairs and Administration from OU and is working towards a Masters of Public Administration. He currently serves as the Chief Deputy County Commissioner and Public Information Office and is a member of the TPD Reserve.
• Rothman serves as the Chief Deputy in the County Clerk’s Office, the President of the Board of Directors for “Neighbor for Neighbor” in Tulsa, and is a Board Member of the Tulsa County Juvenile Justice Trust Authority.

Deanna Vincent is challenging Karen Keith for the Democratic nomination for County Commissioner District No. 2.

• Keith has been the County Commissioner since 2008 and serves on various local boards and organizations. She was the President of the Rotary Club of Tulsa and serves on the Oklahoma Historical Society board of directors. She is a graduate of OSU, served as a KJRH anchor and executive producer of Oklahoma Living.
• Vincent does not appear to maintain a website, facebook page, or presence on any web forum that we could find.

Jonathan Grable and Sand Springs’s Josh R. Turley are running for the Republican nomination.

• Grable is the CEO of a local real estate management company and previously worked for Arrow Trucking Company as the Truck Assignment Coordinator. He’s served in the Oklahoma State Senate for the past six years and is an Eagle Scout.
• Turley is a 24-year veteran of the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and is the founder of the Risk Management program for the TCSO.

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This article was originally published in the June 26, 2016 Sandite Pride News Weekly Digital Magainze. Sandite Pride News does not endorse political candidates and strives to provide non-partisan unbiased reporting of elections. Any perceived slant towards an individual is entirely unintentional.

City Councilman Brian Jackson sounds off on Senator Dan Newberry

Incumbent Senator Dan Newberry faced harsh words from City Councilman Brian Jackson at a Chamber of Commerce forum Monday afternoon.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce hosted an open forum Monday for Senate seat 37 candidates. All seven candidates were invited, five attended, but the awkward drama between three of them stole the show. Outgoing Sand Springs Superintendent Lloyd Snow is running for the democratic nomination for the seat, and he's found an unusual ally from the other side of the political spectrum. 

Sand Springs City Councilman Brian Jackson is a Republican, but doesn't hesitate to endorse Snow as the best alternative to incumbent Dan Newberry, should Newberry win the Republican nomination. Jackson has even gone so far as to go canvassing with Superintendent Snow. 

Jackson, whose wife is a third-grade teacher, makes it clear that should he be defeated in the Republican primary on June 28th, his campaign won't end there.

"I believe public education is the cornerstone to our democracy, and should be guarded from politicians that want to inflict harm. I do not support any measure such as vouchers that would divert or direct tax dollars away from public education," said Jackson, an obvious jab at Newberry who failed to publicly oppose SB609, which would have redirected funds from public education to private schools. The high-profile bill received major public backlash from the education community before dying in committee. Many District 37 residents expressed frustration that Newberry failed to reply to any emails or phone calls regarding the bill, and never publicly declared his position, should it have been heard on the Senate floor.

Outgoing Superintendent Lloyd Snow will likely carry a large backing from Sand Springs residents with ties to education, but his biggest obstacle to election will be proving his qualifications in non-education fields. 

"Many politicians, including one in this room, will stand behind false over-inflated words that teachers should receive a medal for the work they do. This is merely smoke and mirrors and does not reflect a genuine thought." Jackson also claimed to have overheard Newberry rudely dismiss a Sand Springs educator's concerns on a past trip to the Capitol. "This disrespectful action will not be tolerated and I am honored to not be alone in this race to unseat the disrespectful actions of this politician." 

Newberry has faced a lot of backlash from the education community. Political Action Committee "Oklahomans for Public Education" rated the Senator as "Dangerous" and "Not Supportive of Public Ed" in their most recent list of 2016 candidates. Jackson and Snow, meanwhile, were endorsed as "Pro-Public Education." 

Newberry's not without some high profile supporters, however. Victory Christian Center Pastor Sharon Daugherty, Sand Springs City Councilman Jim Spoon, and former Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce President Mary Eubanks have all starred in promotional videos endorsing the Newberry campaign. Sand Springs Vice-Mayor John Fothergill has also expressed his support via Facebook. 

In defense of Newberry's education record, he did coauthor HB3218 to eliminate End of Instruction Exams, but it was far from a divisive bill. Twenty-seven other senators coauthored on the bill, as did forty-seven house representatives. The legislation cleared the House 95 to 1 and the Senate 45 to 1.

While Newberry faces heavy criticism from the education community, Snow and Jackson face criticism from just about everyone else. Supporters of Newberry have pointed out that while Education is crucial, it is not the only pressing matter for a Senator to deal with. Newberry's challengers have been accused of inadequately addressing the numerous duties a Senator must perform.

"Our state education system, along with other core areas of state government, including transportation, infrastructure, corrections, and mental health, is grossly and recklessly underfunded," said Jackson. That was all he said about the issues before continuing on in his pro-education spiel. 

Superintendent Snow fared about the same when it came to diversifying his platform. "It breaks my heart that we're going to have fifty-one fewer employees in Sand Springs schools next year." Snow failed to touch on anything other than education in his speech.

The Democratic challenger does have his standpoints on some key issues listed on his website. He promises to fix income inequality between equally qualified men and women working the same job. He touches on creating quality jobs and diversifying the state economy, supporting police and firemen, and giving individuals more control over their personal healthcare. Jackson, meanwhile, has no political ideology listed anywhere on his Facebook page or website, except for a brief mention that "illegal aliens-if they want to live here, they need to go through the proper procedures for citizenship." 

"It's not personal with me, it's performance," said Snow. "This past legislature--and I've got good friends there, it's not personal--it was a side-step. It wasn't a step up. Band-aid, band-aid, band-aid. Folks, this budget's gonna fail."

"It's not my ambition and it never was. But I feel an obligation...I may not tell you what you want to hear, but I will always give you 100% every day."

Salvation Army banquet raises $21,000 for new playground

Montie Box is honored by the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club with an award.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Sand Springs honored longtime Sand Springs entrepreneur and philanthropist Montie Box with a banquet at Hillspring Church Tuesday night. The event also served as a fundraiser for new playground equipment for the Salvation Army facility and succeeded in raising over $21,000.

Stan Clark, founder and owner of Eskimo Joe's, was the keynote speaker, and several other community leaders also spoke at the Army of Stars Banquet. 

Eskimo Joe's founder Stan Clark was the keynote speaker at the Army of Stars Banquet.

Advisory Council Chairman Bob Anderson introduced the man of honor and read off his seemingly never-ending list of accomplishments. Box was then presented proclamations from the City of Sand Springs and the State of Oklahoma from Mayor Mike Burdge and Councilman Phil Nollan, respectively. Nollan presented the State proclamation on behalf of his wife, District 66 Representative Jadine Nollan, who was away at the Capitol. Senator Dan Newberry also gave an address honoring Box. 

Attendance at the event was $40 a chair and had more than 100 in attendance. The event concluded with a silent auction that generated more than $4,000 in addition to donations taken earlier in the night. 

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Montie Box is a long-time Sand Springs resident with more than half a century of real estate experience. He founded Montie Box Co. in 1958 after graduating from Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State University. He served in the army during the Korean Conflict with the rank of First Lieutenant. 

In 1973 he was named Oklahoma Realtor of the Year. In 1988 he was awarded the Sand Springs Education Association Friend of Education recognition. He was a founding member of the Sand Springs Education Foundation in 1990. In 1992 he was given the honor of life membership on the Tulsa Boys' Home Board of Directors as well as the SS Education Foundation. That same year he was inducted into the Sand Springs Education Hall of Fame. In 1995 he was named Sand Springs Hometown Hero. In 1998 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Realtors, which is considered to be the highest honor a realtor can receive and he is a member of the NAR Hall of Fame.

Senator Dan Newberry addresses the crowd and honors Montie Box. Newberry is currently running for reelection against City Councilman Brian Jackson.

He served as a regent for Tulsa Community College from 1995-2006 and was the Chairman from 1996-1997. In 2009 he received the Vision in Education Award from TCC. 

His involvement with the Salvation Army goes back 61 years. He was instrumental in getting the new facility built in 1978 at its current location in Sand Springs. He is a life member of the Sand Springs Advisory Council, which is a prestigious appointment only available to members with a minimum of 15 years of outstanding service. He is a former coach and manager of Tulsa and Sand Springs Pee Wee Wrestling and he has served as Ringmaster at the Tulsa State Fair Livestock Auction. 

Lieutenant David Brittle also announced that Box had been confirmed as the 2016 recipient of the prestigious William Booth Award, which is one of the highest honors given by the Salvation Army. He will receive that award in the near future.

Phil Nollan sworn into City Council

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Phil Nollan was sworn into office at the Sand Springs City Council meeting Monday evening. Nollan has been a member of the Parks Advisory Board for five years and defeated incumbent councilman Michael Phillips in the Super Tuesday March 2nd election.

Nollan is a nationally certified Project Management professional and Oklahoma State University graduate. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from OSU and an executive master of business administration certificate from the University of Tulsa. 

Nollan's wife, Jadine Nollan, is currently serving District 66 in the House of Representatives. 

In other news, the Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 16-39, a resolution to request Programming of Tulsa Urbanized Area Transportation Funds for the South Highway 97 Connector Trail/Side Path Project. Infrastructure Planning Administrator Vernon Smith presented the proposal, which Vice-Mayor John Fothergill recognized as "the last link in the chain" to connect the current Sand Springs trail system to the new Highway 97 pedestrian crossing.

Outgoing Superintendent Lloyd Snow, who is currently challenging incumbent State Senator Dan Newberry, was recognized with a proclamation by Mayor Mike Burdge for his many accomplishments and lifetime dedication to the people of Oklahoma, especially in the field of education.

The John M. Hess Outstanding Citizenship Award was presented to Mary Sue Overbey by Mayor Burdge, who recognized her as one of the most distinguished and deserving recipients in the history of the award. 

Mayor Burdge was nominated to continue serving as Mayor for a concurrent one-year term and elected by a 5-1 vote with Councilman Brian Jackson ​being the lone naysayer. 

Councilman Jackson nominated Councilman Beau Wilson for the position of Vice-Mayor, who respectfully declined the nomination. Mayor Burdge nominated current Vice-Mayor Fothergill, who was elected 5-1, with the lone nay coming from Councilman Jackson. ​

Councilman Jackson is also currently ​running against Superintendent Snow for Senator Newberry's position. 

Holy Smokers win fifth-straight at Chillin & Grillin, Harper's Hut gives away 400+ snow cones

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce put on their annual Chillin' and Grillin' Festival this past weekend, and if you didn't make it then you sure missed out!

Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java gave out more than 400 free snow cones throughout the event, including signature favorites such as Harry Potter Butterbeer and Volcano. 

Jambo Pits was named Grand Champion of the event by the Kansas City Barbecue Society with Okie Q BBQ coming in as Reserve Champion.

Jambo Pits took first place in brisket, Moving the Chains BBQ took first in pork, Buffalo's BBQ took first in pork ribs, and Fatt Mikes took first place in chicken.

Church That Matters' Holy Smokers won their fifth consecutive People's Choice Award. Light My Fire BBQ won the "Anything But" competition.

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This year included a baking competition with two categories and two division. Katie Gonzales won the Student division in Cookies. Jacie Taber and Cameron Clemons won the Student Pies category. Andrea Brice won Adult Cookies and Debra Bunch won Adult Pies. 

Charles Page High School graduate and blues musician Dylan Whitney was the entertainment for the evening, along with the Charles Sisters.

Senator Dan Newberry was on the scene to present awards and publicize his upcoming re-election campaign. Sand Springs's own Josh Turley was also campaigning at the event. Turley is running for the position of County Commissioner. 

The full Sandite Pride gallery from the event is now available at https://sanditepride.smugmug.com/Community-Events/2016-Chillin-and-Grillin/

Tulsa County holds special election and Vision Tulsa vote on Tuesday

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Tulsa County residents are headed to the polls Tuesday morning.

On the ballot is a special election for the unexpired term of former Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz who was indicted in September on charges of refusal to perform official duty in regards to an officer-involved shooting. Glanz is accused of failing to release an internal investigative report to media, as well as another willful violation of law regarding taking a monthly stipend for travel within the county, despite using a county vehicle and county-supplied fuel.

Running for the unexpired term are Democrat Rex Berry, a 26-year veteran of the City of Tulsa Police Department, and Republican Vic Regalado, a 10-year veteran of the Tulsa SWAT team and lead homicide detective in 81 homicides. Berry was the lone Democrat to file for the candidacy, while Regalado won a landslide primary election last month, winning 40% of the vote in a crowded nine-candidate election. Whoever wins this election will only get seven months in office before the full-term election in November. 

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Also on the ballot is a County Question regarding Vision Tulsa, a 0.5% tax package. The tax would not be an increase on current rates, but rather, an extension of the Vision 2025 initiative that passed in 2003. Vision 2025 led to more than $650 million in economic development that has been used in projects in all 10 cities of Tulsa County. The flagship of the initiative is the BOK Center which has arguably been the crucial centerpiece in an ongoing Tulsa culture development that supporters are calling a "Tulsa Renaissance."

Specific to Sand Springs is the Keystone Corridor development plan that allowed the City of Sand Springs to purchase the old Early Childhood Education Center in 2007. The school district used these new funds to build a new state-of-the-art facility at 81st West Avenue and Park Road. The previous building was a century old and was formerly the segregation-era Booker T Washington high school for black Sandites. The old building was demolished as part of the clearing of the 30-acre "River West Development" site, which now includes an IHOP, Starbucks, and Holiday Inn Express.

The new initiative has many ambitious goals, including hiring more police officers and firefighters, street maintenance, a Gilcrease Museum renovation, improvements to the Tulsa Zoo, housing incentives for teachers at Tulsa Public Schools, Union, and Jenks, Route 66 beautification, and renovations for the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

Phil Nollan wins Ward 1 City Council seat by landslide, Cruz and Sanders win OK primary

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Super Tuesday voting drew record participation across Oklahoma. In addition to the Presidential primaries, some Sand Springs residents had as many as three issues to vote on. 

Residents of Ward 1 voted between third-term incumbent Michael Phillips and challenger Phil Nollan for City Council. The citizens overwhelmingly voiced their support for a changing of the guard as Nollan won by a landslide 65% to 35%. 

Nollan is a nationally certified Project Management professional who has been serving on the Parks Advisory Board for five years and is currently the Vice Chair. He is an Oklahoma State graduate has a bachelor's degree in computer science from Oklahoma State University and an executive master of business administration certification from the University of Tulsa. Nollan's wife, Jadine, represents Sand Springs as the District 66 Representative in the Oklahoma House where she is an avid public education advocate. 

Joining Nollan on City Council is Patty Dixon who inherited the Ward 2 seat from Dean Nichols after filing unopposed. Nichols asked Dixon to run for election after deciding not to seek another term. Dixon has previously served the city as a two-term councilor from 1990-1996 and has an extensive volunteer background working with the Tulsa County Parks Department, the Parks Advisory Board, the Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum Association, Sertoma Club, and more. She has also served as the Executive Director for the Oklahoma Recreation and Parks Society.

Sand Springs Republicans also voted in the primary for Tulsa County Sheriff. The Democrats did not have a primary as they only have one candidate in Rex Berry. Sand Springs resident and Tulsa Police Sergeant Vic Regalado won a significant victory in a crowded field of nine Republican candidates with 40% of the vote. 

Regalado's closest competitor was Luke Sherman who pulled only 16%. The nominee has extensive background in law enforcement with a decade of SWAT experience. He's been the lead investigator on 81 homicide cases and currently oversees a Special Investigations Gang Unit. 

The Medal of Valor recipient will go against Berry in a special election in April to take over the unexpired term of the current Tulsa Sheriff who resigned after being charged with misconduct in office. The winner will have only a couple of days in office before having to file once again for a full-term election in November. 

In the Presidential primaries Ted Cruz struck a note with the State's Evangelical population and edged out Donald Trump in a 34% to 28% upset victory. He did not, however, break the 50% margin needed to secure the State's full delegation. If no single candidate gets 50%, then in the State of Oklahoma, delegates are split proportionally between all candidates who won at least 20%. Marco Rubio also walked away with a significant chunk of delegates after winning 26% of the vote. 

African-Americans have largely backed Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders thus far in the election process, but Oklahoma significantly lacks in black voters compared to other Southern States and Sanders was able to edge out Hillary with 51% of the vote. The Democratic Party doesn't use the same formula as the Republicans do for delegation, and Clinton still won a significant amount of delegates despite drawing in only 42% of the vote.