The edges of the streatery are delineated

Multiple texts came flying across my phone one day last week. I was being alerted that there was a veteran standing in the rain with signs urging folks to support America. Even though it was pouring rain, it was a story too good for any member of the working press to turn down. After several attempts, he was nowhere to be found. I must Ray Hibbard have missed him and the story or so I thought.

Driving to the office the next day, standing on the corner of Broadway and Second street, there was our veteran surrounded by flags from all branches of the service, signs of support for America and a giant American flag standing tall by his side. An older man but in great shape so that his age did not show in the least. He was at attention and saluting those that honked or waved. Many of the passing cars shouted out to him, not in anger but in support as is the nature of the folks who live in Edmond. I was not going to miss him this time.

Our veteran gave me permission to take his photograph but did not want his name used. He said his name was not important but what was important was his message to support this great country. He was a man of few words, but he did tell me that he served in the United States Army as a ranger. When I told him my son was an officer in the same service, I saw his eyes light up. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Tell him thank you for being willing to serve his country.” It made me swell up with pride for our boy.

Confirming that he was the same person out standing in the rain the day before in another part of Edmond he said, “I am not a sunshine only patriot. He did joke with me about wishing he had been a Navy SEAL instead of a ranger when the

A vet showing his loyalty

rain was pouring down on him. Our veteran is a longtime Edmond resident and was familiar with our newspaper. “You have been here a long time”, he said. He also told me that he had taught in the ROTC program many years ago.

The reason for all of this? He said he took an oath all those years ago and he was not dead yet. He had been on mission delivering his message for about three weeks. The need for his message was not only important to him but was his duty to carry. He is still fighting for this great nation even if his formal service is done. He will always answer the call he said.

I thanked him and our short conversation was over. We hope to see him again down the road. He is stoic and quiet about his service that continues. Give him a honk or wave if you see him on a street corner delivering his message. If you know this great veteran, no need to let us know his name. I will respect his wishes but please tell him thank you for delivering a much-needed message.

Thank you to all who serve and have served our great nation.

‘Streateries’ allowed in downtown Edmond

The City of Edmond is taking a bold step in allowing what are called “Streateries” to exist outside in downtown Edmond restaurant locations. Like most of us, you may want to know what a “Streatery” is, exactly. Here is how the City of Edmond has defined it in their new policy: "Streateries" are defined as the use of on-street parking spaces adjacent to business for outdoor seating and dining.

The new policy is designed to aid businesses in encouraging social distancing practices recommended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also one of the many recommendations of the consultant for expanded uses and development of our downtown area.

Folks that visit Europe have long touted the enjoyment of so many opportunities to enjoy al fresco dining options. The perception of weather in Oklahoma by the locals, including me, is that our winds make it difficult to enjoy such dining. Restaurants in midtown and downtown Oklahoma City have shown that it is possible to maintain nice spaces for outdoor dining. The challenges of social distancing in the pandemic have increase the use of such spaces. Now may be a great time to give this expansion of space a try in Edmond.

The process is this:

In the Downtown Area (areas zoned CBD and DRD) streateries may be administratively approved provided they can meet the conditions list below. Plans should be to scale and indicate how the conditions are being met. It is expected the streatery will be operational for a minimum period of two months (eight weeks). Before submittal of the plans, businesses are encouraged to meet with their neighbors to discuss the plans.

Conditions: 1. The streatery is not located within five feet of a fire hydrant.

Check out what’s inside!

---- Scenes from Santa Fe volleyball match ........................................Page 6. ---- Police reports................................................................................Page 7. ---- UCO Foundation news ..............................................................Page 9. ---- A look at the new Fatima movie ..............................................Page 10. ---- Topping off ceremony for new tech center ................................Page 12. ---- George Gust pans Netflix movie ................................................Page 14. ---- Crossword puzzle ......................................................................Page 14. ---- OSU care packages for quarantined students ............................Page 16. ---- Business news ............................................................................Page 17. cated in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the University of Central Oklahoma campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper.

Please e-mail contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct locadrawing.

Commissioned as a partnership between UCO, the City of Edmond and the Edmond Visual Arts Commission, “Four Seasons” was created by sculptor Kevin Box of New Mexico and was dedicated on the campus on March 24, 2011.

Kevin is a member of the National Sculptor’s Guild. His Box Studio LLC is a strong supporter of the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle concept, using recycled metal as part of the casting process for his sculptures. All of his work is 100 percent recyclable.

For more information on Edmond public art, please visit http://visitedmondok.com/public-art.php.

2. The streatery is limited in size up to two parallel parking spaces or three angled spaces adjacent to the restaurant/bar and does not include reserved parking spaces for persons with disabilities.

3. Access into the streatery is provided only from the curb side.

4. The edges of the streatery are delineated from the parking area by a physical barrier. Physical barriers from traffic lanes will be provided by the City of Edmond.

5. The streatery does not block storm drains, gutters, or access to City utilities.

6. The streatery does not require bolting or any type of mechanical fastening that can cause damage to the street or sidewalk.

7. Any permits that are necessary (e.g. electric) must be obtained by the applicant separately.

Plans and specifications can be submitted to Jan Fees in the City of Edmond Planning Department, 10 S. Littler, Edmond, Oklahoma, 73034 or jan.fees@edmondok.com.

If every restaurant and coffee house in downtown takes advantage of the new program, we are going to lose many parking spaces closest to the doors of other businesses. Yet, there should be plenty of parking in the back-parking lots of the businesses on the west side of Broadway to accommodate the needs during the day or evening. The spaces will be blocked the entire eight weeks even if the blocking restaurant is closed so no break for visitors to Edmond during the day. Expanding restaurant seating to the sidewalks would have its own set of issues so that keeps sidewalks clear for passing traffic.

There are a few safety concerns from the businesses in downtown Edmond. The city will use the water filled blockades between the tables of the restaurant and the traffic lanes. Edmond PD is going to have to really step up its enforcement of the new 20 mph speed limit for downtown. We still see cars zooming by at 50 mph on Broadway. It just will not be safe if they are still doing this with tables, chairs, and people in the on-street parking. Parents will need to glue your children to your side.

Europe is full of outdoor dining and it is wonderful. I will say I have never seen it done in this fashion but that does not mean it will not work. Restaurants put tables and chairs out for each meal in plaza’s and streets that have no automobile traffic. From 20 years of travel all over the world, I have never seen tables and customers placed that close to a lane of traffic.

We wish the program much safety and success. You should start seeing the “Streateries” going up by the end of September.

Questions can be sent to planning@edmondok.com or 405.359.4790.

(Ray Hibbard may be reached by e-mail at

This and so much more in this week’s edition See if you can find ‘Four Seasons’

“Four Seasons” in real life is lo

tion to be entered in the weekly

ray@edmondpaper.com)

Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com

Partner Christopher T. Hoke

Editor Steve Gust news@edmondpaper.com

Production Deanne York

Advertising

Director

Alexx Harms alexx@edmondpaper.com Cover Design Deanne York

Legal Counsel

Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC Copyright © 2020 by Edmond Media Publishing

107 S. Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405.340.3311 (office) 405.340.3384 (fax)

Mailing address: P.O. Box 164 Edmond, OK 73083

All rights reserved. Material contained herein may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission from Edmond Media Publishing.