12.

12 onw_SINGLE PAGE TEST 12/14/2013 9:34 AM Page 8

PAGE EIGHT, OKLAHOMA NEWS WEEKLY, DEC. 12, 2013

Audit, continued from page 1

Beggs Rural Fire Department. That is a separate entity that under state law should have a board of directors. The purpose of the non-city related department is to fight fires outside of the town limits. However, apparently the two entities have overlapped authority and have, in the past, shared the same board members. The city can legally spend money on its own fire department, but cannot spend money to support a non-city entity. During the discussion, the mayor noted that no documentation could be found to determine what the money was used to purchase. However, he did indicate that about that same time period the Rural Fire Department apparently purchased some tracks for heavy equipment. At the time of the expenditures, Rick Mitchell, who is the Fire Chief for the City of Okmulgee, served as the city's mayor. In other action, both the PWA Board and the city council approved resolutions setting the meeting dates for 2014 as well as a list of officially city holidays. Both groups agreed to hold regular meetings on the second Monday of each month beginning at 6 p.m. However in January the meeting will be held at 2 p.m. instead. The boards also approved 13 paid holidays for 2014. Both boards discussed a number of city ordinances and personnel policy guidelines. After some discussion, the PWA and city council both agreed to pay all employees, except probationary employees, at a rate of time and a half for hours worked on a city holiday. In addition, the employees will be paid regular time of 8 hours for the holiday as well. The council also asked that all department heads meet to attempt to update the city's Employee Handbook. Apparently the handbook has not been updated in several years. Both boards also discussed a new trash contract from Cotton's Trucking. Cotton's currently has the town's trash contract, however, Mayor Jack Bell indicated that even though the council had voted to increase rates some months back, a former employee never entered those increases into the billing system. In addition, Mayor Bell said he had discovered inequities in billing for certain types of commercial containers. The new contract will address those issues. In addition, currently the city passes through to the company all monies collected for the trash service. Under the new contract, the city would retain a $1 per customer fee to cover its administrative and billing costs. Residential rates would increase only 3 cents per month and commercial companies fees in some instances would be less than the current contract rates. However, because some commercial customers were not being charged the current contract rates, some will see an increase over what they are currently paying. The trash company's owner informed the mayor that new federal and state regulations may increase the cost of landfilling waste dramatically. Apparently the amount of that increase will be decided in the next few weeks. Such a change could influence the contracted amount. Because of that possibility, the council voted to table final consideration of the new contract which has two one-year renewals until that cost is known. A 4-H representative, Bill Francis, addressed the council concerning a new program he would like to promote to local school children. He wants to attempt to have children who live within the city limits raise and show show chickens and rabbits. However, he was concerned about a city ordiance that addresses poultry and livestock within the city. The council agreed to allow show chickens and rabbits to be raised, but asked City Attorney Bill Gaddis to review the current ordiances and specifically prohibit roosters within the city limits and to make any updates concerning the housing and cleanliness standards for the animals.

DA honors those lost by violent crimes

The Office of the District Attorney, O.R. Barris III, is making preparations for the Fifth Annual Victim's Tree for Okmulgee County. The project, coordinated by the Victim Witness Coordinator Amy McGuire, is designed to place a tree on Courthouse property which honors victims of homicide whose lives were lost in Okmulgee County. Ornaments displaying the names of the victims will decorate the tree and will be on display during the upcoming Christmas season. While the loss of loved ones is felt throughout the year, often times it is even more painful during the holiday season. Assistance for the project has come from a variety of civic groups, government agencies and private citizens. A special thank you to Okmulgee Wal-Mart for donating the tree and bulbs. "At this time of year, with Christmas approaching, it is our privilege to take this opportunity and put up the Victim's Tree. The names on the tree represent sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers whose lives were taken by violence. It is our hope that in remembering them in this way we honor and

show our respect for those who have been left behind," said District Attorney O.R. Barris III. If you have lost a loved one to a violent crime in Okmulgee County, please contact Amy McGuire at 918-758-1218 or Kelsey Kossakowski at 918-752-2939.

Food, continued from page 1

by buying food in larger quan- receipes. We help redirect the tities. staff to do what they do best, On Monday, a representa- cooking. We use styrofoam tive of Keystone Food Service, trays so there is less time Josh Sanders, addressed the cleaning and washing. board. The company, based in Employees in attendance Stillwater, is a family owned were concerned the district food management company would elminiate their jobs by that has been in the food busi- hiring an outside company. ness since 1993. They began However, Supertinedent as a catering company for fra- Swearingen assured the workternitiesand sororities.. The ers that if the districts hires a company says it uses fresh company such as Keystone, all products cooked from scratch employees would remain to improve the quality of employed by the school dismeals served and, therefore, trict. Beggs is looking at a increase the number of meals partnership relationship with served each day. an outside vendor. Sanders told the board that Several of the workers had the company works with 14 visited other sites where school districts in Oklahoma. Keystone is working and In some districts they provide raised questions regarding the entire food service includ- how three cafeteria workers ing employees. In other dis- could perform all of the tasks. tricts they act more as a conThe board agreed to look at sultant and provide menus that writing a proposal to bid out meet federal guidelines as well some of the services to see if as help the districts through savings could be obtained. In other board action, they group buying power. "We make quality improv- approved the hiring of Jeff ments in feeding students," Sheridan as middle school Sanders said. We work with geography teacher and the USDA every day and we Cooweesta Rust as a substitute have USDA compliant middle school math teacher.

Josh Sanders

See your
Oklahoma News Weekly
Senn, the High., 75 Corridor Including Beggs, Kiefer. Mound. and Olenpall

on ANY

DEVICE.
Our website has all the details www.oknewsweekly.com

Lewis Hanson was hired as a bus driver. The board voted to keep a band trailer that was slated to be surplused and use the trailer for other school needs. The Band Boosters have raised money to purchase a new larger cargo trailer and wanted to surplus the old one. Instead, the board will give the Band Boosters $1,000 to allow the new band trailer to be painted and logos placed on the trailer.

Get your local news on any device at any time.

Our new e-Edition will soon be a paid service for subscribers only and will be delivered to your email. e-Edition can be viewed on any mobile device, including iPad, iPhone and Android. See a free preview at www.oknewsweekly.com .

NOW AVAILABLE

Rooftops, from page 1

Help Prevent Drunk Driving Deaths

This is the time of year to celebrate. Unfortunately, it is also the time of year that there are more drunk driving deaths and accidents. Help us remind drivers to not drink and drive.

grow. Communities along the Highway 75 corridor south from Tulsa including Glenpool are continuing efforts to attract more businesses and residents. Commercial development in the Montapp Development at the Northwest corner of E. 121st Street South and Highway 75 has continued as has some limited industrial growth along Highway 75 south of Glenpool. Hints of additional commercial development have been heard recently on three of the corners of E.

141st Street South and South Elwood Avenue. The success of these and other potential economic ventures will depend in large part on the number of rooftops created in Glenpool. While home ownership may be the preferred method of growth it may not be the most realistic given the current mind set regarding the overall state of the economy. People appear to be demanding more flexibility in their housing choices and that indicates a greater demand for multi-family housing.

Mounds, from page 1

Receiver of the Year, James Powell as Safety of the Year; Calvin McClelland as Injured Player of the Year. Also named to the All District Team were Shane Milam, Luis Escobedo, Chase McDonald, Blake Long, Dakota Valdez, Blaze Lucas, Austin Baker, Dillon Roesner, Gage Wortman and Jacob Nelson. The elementary Christmas programs will be held on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 12:30 p.m. The board also held an executive session to evaluate the superintendent.

Glenpool, from page 1

Mark Bilby, School Treasurer reported no bids were received for the construction of the New Wrestling room at the school. He suggested to the Board the size and scope of the proj ect, approximately $150,000, was not large enough to entice some bidders. He advised the Board additional efforts and advertisements would be placed in an attempt to secure bids on the project. Superintendent Coley stated Manhattan Construction had also agreed to review the specifications of the project and could perhaps make suggestions as to firms that might be available to bid the project. The Board approved a Resolution to set the time, place and date of for the sale of $1,920,000 of General Obligation Building Bonds of the School District at 12:00 noon on January 15, 2014 in the Administration Building of the School. In other actions the Board approved changes to the policy for teacher performance appraisal programs which provided reviews every other year for teachers who received either a Highly Effective or Superior Rating; approved the report on the Native American Policies and Procedures program required by Federal Impact Aid Program as recommended by the Parent and Community Group; approved changes to the support staff salary schedule; tabled discussion of the Literacy Lab professional development training until the next meeting; appointed Board Member Jim Von Holten to serve the remainder of the term for the Meet and Confer representative term (administration/teacher negotiations); approved fund transfer requests between various subaccounts and activity funds; reviewed financial reports; and approved the submission of the required Title 1 Plan.

To Reserve Your Ad Space Contact Christine at 918-510-6676

christinecricket333@gmail.com Deadline: Dec. 18 Publication: Dec. 28

Be a part of this Focus

listing

$20 per

Pancake Breakfast Beggs Masons Fir st Saturday of Every Month

7 a.m. - First Saturday of Every Month

Mounds Senior Citizens Center December

Tues, Dec 17 Dessert
-

Bean & Smoked Sausage Soup,

Thur, Dec 19 CHRISTMAS POTLUCK Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy provided. You bring side dishes and dessert.
-

CLOSED UNTIL JAN 7TH - SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!