By John Fiscus, Mayor
March 1, 2005 - Apology
If I say I’m sorry, and sincerely apologize for what has transpired recently, everyone knows what I’m referring to, right? If not, maybe you need a wake-up call like I got a week ago. An alarming jolt back to the reality that alcohol and/or drug problems can really get you into a lot of trouble. Tragic in many ways, to others very dramatic, but in spite of their self-gratifying drama, this is real life. And in real life, when you break the law, you pay the penalty. That’s what I will do. And what’s more, I’ll get a second chance to go on with my life and not do it again. The same goes with my problem. I’ve been through a treatment program before twelve or so years ago. I’m lucky to have a second chance to make that work again. Lucky I say because I’m still a free man and still alive. For some, these problems take everything you’ve got plus those two, your freedom and your life, if you can’t or don’t get help.
For some it seems that this was the unpardonable sin, politically speaking. Thank God for that, ‘cause if it was so in real life, I wouldn’t have a second chance. Sorry, I don’t see it that way politically either. I was and still am doing my best as Mayor. Perhaps now my best will be better. Many, I was told, thought I was doing a good job. Now I’m not? I’ll abide by any decision made by the City Council with respect to this issue.
Now at this turning point, in this crisis, I see danger,
but also opportunity. I’ll not go with danger. I choose to seize the opportunity
and make a conscious decision to make the best of it and strive to become a
better person because of it. I’ve already inquired about an out-patient program
to help get me back on track. I’ve been severely chastised this past week, not
just in this world, but by my Heavenly Father. Which do you think hurts worst?
As bad as it is, it’s encouraging because now I know He hasn’t given up on me.
Don’t you either, because remember, that the reputation of a man, (the opinion
others have of him), is most often judged by his vices instead of his character.
February 3, 2005 - Ice Storm, Audit, and Community Development
We received some good news at City Hall Monday morning concerning the recent ice storm and all the damage resulting from it. The Governor's office has declared a disaster emergency for the City of Waynoka. This will help immensely towards reimbursement and payment for materials and labor from all the municipalities that were able to send help our way during this time. The maximum we will receive is $100,000. This will not pay for all losses incurred, but our head will still be above the water line when all the final bills are in and the last load of limbs have been chipped.
We all owe County Commissioner Mike Goucher and his team more thanks than we could possibly convey for all the help they have provided in the wake of this ice storm disaster. Thank you, Woods County District #3; you guys are the greatest!!
The City of Waynoka has received the final reports concerning our current audit and financial statements. Neither we at City Hall nor our competent auditing team could find any of the hidden accounts with large cash reserves we keep hearing rumors about. ANYTHING at City Hall having to do with money, coming in or going out, is an open record and available for your review. The budget process for the next fiscal year will soon start. Please feel free to participate and help direct the future for our community.
We will be revising some of the fencing at the Elm Park end of the ATV trail that will provide for better separation of traffic on the trail and any other traffic through the Park. Soon, we will start developing the areas along Cedar Street and Dog Creek. All the activities and festivities traditionally held in Elm Park will be transferred to these areas because of our Multi-Purpose Walking Trail project that will be starting soon.
The Freedom West Community Development Corporation is needing any households that qualify to participate in their program for weatherization and energy conservation measures for homes. Household income must not be above a certain level to qualify. Inquire at City Hall for applications and requirements. This will be a county-wide program and very worthwhile for what the end result will be for those who choose to participate.
We want you folks again to have the opportunity to approve the Hotel/Motel Tax proposal. Waynoka will be developing new campsites and amenities for our visitors, and the tax proposal is nothing but a tool to help fund these projects by allowing the visitors themselves the opportunity to pay for these improvements. Otherwise, without the tax proposal, you citizens will pay for all of it. You choose.
December 21, 2004 - Reverse Osmosis Completion
It is official, folks. The new reverse osmosis filtering system (RO Plant) is online and bringing to you potable water that exceeds all requirements and regulations set forth from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency at the federal level.
Unannounced, the RO plant was put into operation two weeks ago on the 8th of December. We did not want to announce the completion of the project until our final inspection had taken place and all aspects of the system were checked out by our engineer, Gene Myers, attended by representatives from the Woods County Health Department, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the host of contractors who built the system, and Rick Hayes, our Water/Sewer Department Superintendent in charge of operation and maintenance of the system. That inspection was on Friday of last week, and all systems checked out and completion of the project was approved.
Once again our water is safe by anyone’s standards. If the RO water has not spread through the whole water system yet, it very soon will be. We are flowing some of the hydrants around town to help speed up the process. Best estimates for total system coverage was from 2 to 4 weeks, and it’s been two, so take a big, long drink from the tap and see what you think. You are now receiving the goods, the benefit, the actual product for which you have been paying higher water rates for the last year and a half. No, the water rates will not go up again. For the next year we will keep close tabs on maintenance costs for the RO system. Along with this, we want to evaluate the rest of the water delivery system, the part not being upgraded or replaced during our current water system improvement project. The current project is replacing over 3 and a half miles of lines. The question is, shouldn’t we address the rest of our aging water delivery system and make sure it is dependable and reliable for us far enough into the future for us not to worry about, before we put all the RO plant maintenance costs and the loan payment, along with the other costs associated with the supply and deliver of water to you together, then compare the total costs to our total revenue from our water rates to determine if we could lower, yes, lower our water rates?
We want you, the people, involved in our decision making processes at City Hall. This is your city government. These council people are your representatives. Our decisions should be based upon your public sentiment. So if they haven’t knocked on your door asking your opinion, knock on theirs. Before I get too far from the water issues I was addressing and into another paragraph, just a few last comments. The American public water supply is the most regulated industry or product in the United States and possibly the world. But bottled water is the least regulated product in the USA. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality estimates that 75% of Oklahoma’s municipal water systems will not meet the most recent changes and regulations in the Clean Water Act. Even more stringent regulations will be forthcoming over the next three years. Adequate funding may not be available for all these municipalities seeking solutions to their water problems. Thanks to you all for paying your water bills, this has enabled Waynoka not just to be in the ball game on this one, but to have stepped up to the plate and hit a home run on this one. But we are still between third and home plate. Another year, maybe two, and we’ll score big time on this one with this part of our utility infrastructure ensured for the long term and maybe even a chance to look at lowering those water rates. Oh! One more thing, in case you wondered. The average minimum monthly fee for water in our part of the country (as in the USA) was $17.18. Waynoka’s minimum rate is $6.50. The average minimum sewer fee in the same region was $24.77, with Waynoka’s at $4.65.
We once again have an active Planning and Zoning Commission. A five member board who will meet once a month dealing with any issues or subject matter relating to the physical development and improvement of our municipality. Soon an updated and revised comprehensive community plan for Waynoka, started by our Waynoka Century Community Committee, will be completed and used by the Planning Commission for the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the city, in accordance with the present as well as future needs, while ensuring and promoting the health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development with the promotion of good civic design and arrangement, and wise and efficient expenditure of public funds. Waynoka is poised for growth and development, and always open for improvement, and we want it to be a unified, guided, and orderly process with the community’s physical and environmental considerations and the public’s best interests guiding this effort. The Planning and Zoning Commission will also act as the Board of Adjustment, dealing with issues and matters relating to enforcement of zoning ordinances. Our Planning/Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment members are Karen Payne, Bruce Koehn, Tim Crissup, Charlene Bixler and Jeanne Cole. Thanks, you all, for your dedication and commitment to making Waynoka a better place for each of us and those to come.
Our ATV trail is nearing completion. Fencing is almost completed. There are still several areas on the trail for finishing touches and then the signs will be posted to ensure there will be no confusion as to where the trail is and where it is not. The ordinance governing the use of the three short segments of city street used in the ATV trail may be finalized and approved at our next meeting. I think we should be ready sometime in the latter part of January to open the gates to the trail.
Until next time remember that in this life as we know it
today, within the confines of this world, that no state of existence is perfect
or ultimate. Man is a process. All human life is a process, and things work out
best for those who make the best of the way things work out.
December 2 - City Purpose
We are very near the completion of our Reverse Osmosis Filter System for Waynoka's water supply. Final testing is scheduled this week. If everything checks out okay, then by next week, we hope to have the system on-line, taking our water supply through a filtering process that makes it so clean we'll have to blend in some untreated water just to make it taste right. Let's see if we notice a difference. I've heard it should take less soap for laundry and such because you get a lot more suds from your soap in cleaner water. I just hope I don't find that my bath water will now be more dirty than before. I figure that cleaner water with better soap action might get you cleaner.
Kidding aside, let this reverse osmosis filtering system serve as an example of the City of Waynoka's commitment to its mission of meeting the needs of our citizens, both now and in the future. We want to become better at what we are here for, serving and meeting your needs. City Hall doesn't exist in and of itself and to meet its own needs. How to better serve and meet the needs of each and every member of our community is what we want our council and employees to focus on. And to help us keep focused, we've recently develop a long term plan in one, five and ten year increments dealing with all the areas of service that are provided and places that are supported and maintained. This continuing effort will only be a part of all we do to help build a better community.
But providing quality services and good employees at City Hall doesn't make a better community and place to live. It takes more. Community building takes a unified effort from many groups to be successful. Yes, groups of people, not individuals. And yes, unified, working together. Those involved in the Waynoka Century Community program have done some great preliminary work in the areas of recognizing our strengths and weaknesses, and how to maximize our own best assets to provide the best we can for not only our citizens, but visitors as well.
Fence construction has started on our ATV trail. We have our signs that shall be posted all along the trail. There are still some aspects and issues that need to be worked on. One is the finalization and approval of our city ordinance that will govern the use of the trail. And another area of concern is how our visitors will be able to access the ATV trail at its starting point. We don't know yet if ATV traffic will be allowed to travel along side the pavement of the access road to the north campground of Little Sahara in order to access the trail. Many say they won't drive their paddle tires on pavement that far. We hope to have a solution and answer to this concern by the time the trail is ready for opening. When? Well, more sooner than later anyway.
The multipurpose walking trail in Elm Park was flagged several weeks ago. We are waiting for engineering specs because one portion of the project must be bid out. But this project will very soon start. This multi-purpose walking trail, the ATV trail, and future plans for the open areas we have along Cedar Street and Dog Creek will greatly enhance our parks and recreation areas for the enjoyment of our citizens and visitors. Also giving access to these areas and a parking lot across from the car wash to our dune visitors via the ATV trail. Now this will just be the beginning, folks. Hopefully, in time, things will be worked out so that access from the dunes to the place of business that will take care of that person's need can be done while they are still in their ATV.
Until next time, find what you can do to help build a better community.
October 12, 2004 - Airport Resurfacing
The resurfacing project for the airport is underway. Availability of sufficient
of funds would not allow the total length of the runway to be resurfaced with
this project. The runway will be a total of one thousand feet shorter, five
hundred feet from each end, for a couple of years. During the next two years,
grants will be secured and other funds allocated to accumulate the necessary
totals to resurface the remaining one thousand feet. That project probably won’t
materialize until late in that second year, but most likely early on in the
third year after we’ve been able to secure the next two year’s grants and
combine them towards the same project. A shorter runway is not a good deal at
all, but sometimes we have to sacrifice a little over the short term, in order
to achieve the desired end result over the long term.
Signs and fencing materials are on order for the ATV trail. Negotiations on some aspects of property acquisition are still being developed with respect to providing more access to all that Waynoka has to offer to our visitors at the present time and in the future.
September 28, 2004 - Community Vision
What is the vision for the future of your community? Recently, Dana Shadid, executive director of the Oklahoma Community Institute, posed this question in an article of hers published in the community developer, a publication of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. What do you want it to look like in 10 years? Have you taken the opportunity to come together and discuss the future in a positive fashion?
It has been proven that successful communities share a common vision for the future and a plan to reach that vision. Many still wonder what the specific benefits of community planning are.
Strategic community planning helps accomplish the most important things. It helps educate the community and build consensus about important issues and the actions required to address them. The actual process of this “community planning” is what helps develop this shared community vision that will extend beyond the next election. It puts the community in a state of readiness that enables them to seize opportunities that are out there. Like not waiting for your ship to come in, but swimming out to it. Community planning will help identify the most effective use of limited resources and shed new light on important issues through analysis.
The Waynoka Century Communities committee has been developing a plan for Waynoka’s future. With Kay Decker’s assistance, the committee has been working through the community economic development recovery planning process to come up with a current community plan for Waynoka.
Also, Becky McCray and I have been developing one, five, and ten year plans for the improvement and maintenance of Waynoka’s infrastructure. All this will tie in together because remember, it’s that shared vision, and a plan to get there that will produce the desired results.
So come on in and have a cup of coffee and share with us your vision.
Last week we had our initial site inspection for our multi-purpose walking trail in Elm Park. Representatives from Myers Engineering and the State Parks and Recreation Department were in attendance. This project will soon be started.
Property acquisition and ordering the signs for our ATV trail are what's happening on that front. The dozer work has been completed. Materials for fencing will soon be ordered.
Monday morning was our pre-construction meeting with our engineering firm and general contractor for our water distribution system improvement project. Work is expected to begin in about two weeks.
On the ballot at the polls this November will be a chance for you to vote for Waynoka's future. A hotel-motel tax proposal is presented for approval. If it passes, the revenue will be used for tourism/development. Improvement and development within our community, with an overall increase in quality of living for our citizens and merchants, will be closely related to our success in promoting tourism and attracting visitors to our community. The opening of our ATV trail and the opportunity for several other projects will put us in position to relieve some of the congestions experienced at Little Sahara from time to time.
Oklahoma rural and urban communities are sales tax dependent. The problem is we are dependent on something that is disappearing. In the last twenty years, over one hundred tax exemptions have been enacted by our State Legislature. It takes a lot of revenue to maintain our infrastructure and provide public safety, and that is just two slices of the pie making up our total expenditures. And back on the hotel-motel tax proposal, everyone that stays in any other town around us pays the tax. Waynoka is behind the times in this respect, and we can't afford to be anymore.