2023 GUIDE Muskogee & Annual Progress Forecast

20 ye arsProud ly Made in Muskogee, OK!

Twenty years ago, in June of 2003 aproject long in the making came into reality with the first production floor tile produced right hereinMuskogee, OK making 2023 our “20” year anniversary! Muskogee’s facility was built in 2main phases with several add-ons over the years currently totaling 1.4M sf of production and warehouse operations running 24/7. Since 2003 the Muskogee Team Members have produced 2.7 billion sf of floor tile!

Safely producing quality tile has been our mission for the last 20 years and it will continue to be our mission going forward. Between last year and this year,Muskogee will be the only tile facility to be awarded the Safety Management Awardaswell as acoveted OSHA VPP recertification award. Certainly, quality production is important but not as important as keeping our Team Members safe. Hats offtothe Muskogee Team, for keeping each other Safe over the years!

Even though it has been 20 years we still feel young. Dal-Tile will continue to invest in its team members and our facility to continue to safely manufacturequality tile well into the future. Thank you, Muskogee, and the surrounding areas, for supporting this collective partnership.

We invite youtojoin our successful team. We have Operators positions ranging from $16.50 to $24.80 depending on the dept and shift. Maintenance positions ranging from $24.50 to $30.00+ depending on the experience, dept and shift.

Apply through www.DalTileCareers.com

Publisher

Ed Choate

e ditor

Elizabeth Ridenour

l ayout and d esign

Joshua Cagle

Contributing Writers

Ronn Rowland

Cathy Spaulding

a dvertising d ire C tor

Joe Mack

a dvertising s ales e xe C utives

Kristina Hight

Angela Jackson

Therese Lewis

What’s new in Muskogee

Foundation

6

How it works City of Muskogee Foundation’s grant money comes from interest from the 40-year lease.

8

Helping thousands

Foundation enriched lives of citizens throughout its history.

13

Planning for future

Budgeting and awareness of the current needs of city is essential to adequately serve Muskogee.

14

Bookends of downtown Muskogee Little Theatre and dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community

Center funded primarily through the City of Muskogee Foundation.

18

Education

Millions of dollars awarded to schools, colleges, educational programs and foundations.

22

Economic growth

Grants given to the Port used for development, recruitment.

Education

30

Muskogee Public Schools district has received more than $5.2 million in grants.

32

Hilldale students benefit Foundation has helped students get into robotics and computer fabrication.

MUSKOGEE

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o n the Cover

Construction of the Muskogee Little Theatre in downown Muskogee funded by the City of Muskogee Foundation.

Photo by Mike Elswick

ADRIENNE DANI SHIRLEY WHITNEY MELISSA

Hospital lease funds CoMF

By Cathy Spaulding Muskogee Phoenix

City of Muskogee Foundation was created in 2007 when Capella Healthcare entered into an agreement with the Muskogee Regional Health Center Trust Authority to lease Muskogee Regional Medical Center for a term of 40 years.

The foundation has a contract with Foundation Management, an Oklahoma City company that seeks to help foundations and nonprofits achieve their philanthropic goals.

Foundation Board Chairwoman Wren Stratton said Foundation Management “runs the back office, and helps keep our office open.”

City of Muskogee Foundation’s grant money comes from interest from the 40-year lease, which is invested in the stock market, said Kari Blakley, vice president of Foundation Management.

“That portfolio has since grown, and a percentage of that overall value funds the operations and overall grant making of the foundation,” Blakley said. “It is important to say that we have oversight provided by investment advisers and by an investment committee. They’re the ones that do the investment analysis.”

Groups seeking grants send a letter of inquiry to the foundation in February. The board decides which groups are to be invited to apply.

Foundation board chairwoman Wren Stratton said committees made up of community volunteers meet, review grant applications, then make recommendations to the board.

The committees are:

• Economic Development.

• Education and Empowerment.

• Health and Wellness.

• Quality of Life.

They also look at applications for summer grants.

The Muskogee Forward committee also makes recommendations to the board.

“We have a rubric we use to make it

CITY OF MUSKOGEE FOUNDATION

Chair: Wren Stratton

Vi C e Chair: Perline Boyattia-Craig

Se C retary: Aaron George.

t rea S urer: Eric Anderson.

BO ar D OF D ire C t O r S: John Barton, Jenny Jamison, Mike Miller Muskogee

STAFF

e X e C uti V e

D ire C t O r , C hie F

e X e C uti V e

OFF i C er : Frank Merrick.

C ity OF M u SKOG ee FO u ND ati ON G ra N t S & OFF i C e a DM i N i S trat O r : Laura Wickizer.

City Manager, Jerri Stoutermire, Mayor Marlon Coleman, Ann Barker Ong, Derrick Reed, Dan Morris, James Gulley, Alex Reynolds, Earnie Gilder.

C hie F F i N a NC ia L

OFF i C er : Sherrie Schroeder.

V i C e P re S i D e N t : Kari Blakley.

as objective as possible,” Stratton said. “Those groups make those decisions.”

Grant applications for the 2023

cycle are due April 19. The foundation board reviews the applications and decides which grants

to award at its June meeting. The funds are distributed through the following fiscal year.

Foundation benefits thousands

By Cathy Spaulding Muskogee Phoenix

City of Muskogee Foundation was created during a rocky time.

According to 2006 Muskogee Phoenix articles, the city-owned Muskogee Regional Medical Center was at a crossroad. Although it was in sound financial condition, MRMC faced a severe shortage of doctors and nurses. And hospitals in Tulsa and Broken Arrow were sucking away patients.

With the hospital’s future in question, the MRMC Board of Trustees voted to seek someone else to operate the hospital. Officials considered proposals from nonprofit and investor-owned hospital companies, according to reports.

Wren Stratton, who was mayor in 2006, recalled Muskogee was in a major recession at the time.

“They (the trustees) came to us at the city and said this public trust is going to be in financial trouble, so we need to take action,” she said.

After looking at options, the city decided to lease the hospital to a private health care company. The MRMC Board of Trustees sought health care companies to buy the hospital before settling on Capella Healthcare Inc. of Franklin, Tennessee.

“Proceeds from that lease were what created the City of Muskogee Foundation,” Stratton said. “We felt strongly that it was a trust of the city, so that whatever proceeds came from that belonged to the citizens — how best to make sure the money got spent on the citizens.”

Funding was secured in March 2007 when Capella Healthcare entered into an agreement with the Muskogee Regional Health Center Trust Authority to lease Muskogee Regional Medical Center for a term of 40 years. City officials created the City of Muskogee Foundation as a nonprofit corporation from the net proceeds of this lease.

In 2006, then-Mayor Stratton said city officials could have about $6 million a year to put back into the

in this 2013 photo, spectators gather outside the new Davis Field airport terminal on its opening day.

(File photo)

Foundation

community. Proceeds from the $120 million lease will go to the trust authority and ultimately be transferred to the city, she said at the time.

“The challenge has been how can it still be controlled by the city, yet outside city politics,” Stratton said recently.

In January, 2008, the city contracted with Communities Foundation of Oklahoma to administer the funds. By July of that year, the newly named City of Muskogee Foundation was finalizing its goals.

Board members decided to focus on three areas:

• Economic development.

• Education.

• Health and wellness, with an emphasis on prevention.

Early on, the foundation had to weigh options between “giving a $10,000 grant to a nonprofit who’s doing great things versus giving $13 million to the city for fixing the streets. Stratton said. “And knowing we want that foundation to be there for the next 50 years.”

The foundation gave its first major grant in 2009, when directors unanimously approved $1.5 million to help city to expand Griffin Industrial Park. City leaders planned to use the money to acquire four real estate parcels located west of U.S. 64 and south of Peak Boulevard, near Dal-Tile’s Muskogee facility.

The foundation approved 37 smaller grants that year, ranging from $500 for the Character Council of Muskogee’s parent university to $147,000 for Muskogee Public Schools’ schoolbased health services.

By 2010, the foundation added a Quality of Life focus and summer grant program.

Through the years, the foundation has funded major capital projects.

For example, The foundation contributed $275,000 toward a $1 million terminal at Muskogee-Davis Regional Airport. The 4,800-squarefoot terminal also was funded by $275,000 from a 0.18 percent sales tax voters approved in 2009, plus $500,000 from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission.

Nonprofits also have benefited. Over the years, the foundation has given at least $3 million for Bridges Out of Poverty, which seeks to help empower people on low income solve issues that keep them down.

The foundation also has been ready for emergency grant requests.

During massive area flooding in late May of

Muskogee regional Medical Center was at a crossroads in 2006, when it faced a doctor shortage competition from larger cities. interest on proceeds from MrMC’s sale to Capella healthcare inc. provided the groundwork for the City of Muskogee Foundation. (File photo)

2019, the foundation gave money to rescue and response operations, Stratton said.

Shortly after a massive fire displaced Greenleaf Apartment residents in July 2023, the foundation approved a $25,000 grant to help relocate apartment residents.

Lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic 2020 posed new challenges.

In May 2020, the foundation approved expenditures of up to $84,520 to provide weekly food boxes to residents affected by the pandemic. The foundation worked with Neighbors

Building Neighborhoods and Muskogee and Hilldale school districts to provide the food, which was distributed through Dream Seeds Ministry. Well over 10,000 people were helped during the food box giveaways through June and July.

Heavy inflation and recession concerns in 2022 posed the foundation’s latest challenge.

“It’s what has impacted the stock market, that’s what we’re reacting to,” Stratton said. “That’s the potential recession, the up and down, mostly down, but it’s picking back up.”

Kari Blakley, vice president of Foun-

dation Management, said the foundation began at an opportune time.

“In 2009, after that low in 2008, we got to benefit from a really long time of good market conditions,” Blakely said. “The foundation was able to grow and expand. That’s how we were able to invest in the capacity of Muskogee nonprofit infrastructure and businesses.”

She said 2022 was the first year the foundation has had to do any major restructuring.

In December, the foundation’s board of directors approved a $700,000 budget for new grant projects, less than

one third of the $2.5 million awarded in 2021. Foundation Investment Committee Chairman James Gulley said the committee wanted to ensure that the foundation remains viable for generations to come. However, rising inflation and volatile markets challenged the Foundation’s ability to adjust.

Stratton, who now serves as foundation chairwoman, said the foundation must be ready to keep its commitments and change with the times.

“It’s always got to be responsive,” Stratton said. “Ten years from now, it’s going to be different from what it is now.”

During lockdowns early in the COViD-19 pandemic, the City of Muskogee Foundation funded distribution of more than 10,000 boxes of food. in this photo, ashlynn adams-Crist, left, and rachel Buford load food boxes in a car while scores of others waited in line. (File photo)

Planning helps with viability

By Cathy Spaulding Muskogee Phoenix

City of Muskogee Foundation faces its future with planning, caution and adaptability, officials say.

One key to the foundation’s future is Muskogee Forward, which seeks to get organizations and agencies working together to improve Muskogee through five objectives: Increase population, increase and diversify tax base, increase the number of quality jobs, raise education and income across all demographic segments, and increase tourism.

Foundation Board Chairwoman Wren Stratton said five action teams work toward these goals.

“There are all sorts of initiatives coming out of those action teams,” she said. “These groups are made up of super concerned active, passionate citizens who have been meeting monthly and have been educating

themselves about the issues in each of those areas, and identifying areas where we can take action.”

Muskogee Forward seeks to get different organizations seeking the same goal to work together and talk to each other.

“One of big overreaching goals is to get us all on the same page, so we’re moving in some semblance of direction, sharing resources, leveraging resources,” Stratton said.

“If Main Street Muskogee is looking at ‘how can I make the permitting process better’ and the Chamber of Commerce is looking at it, how can we work together to make that happen?”

Kari Blakley, vice president of Foundation Management, said the foundation’s investment committee keeps the future in mind when it prepares the budget. Massive

inflation and market fluctuations over the past year prompted the foundation board to approve $700,000 for new grants, one third as much as the previous year.

“We know this year was bad, we know we have this much money already committed in grant commitments,” Blakley said. “So how can we be mindful that we want this foundation to exist in perpetuity forever? We want it to stay and to grow by being invested.”

The cutback in new grant did not affect the board’s commitment to its larger, multiyear funding projects, such as city streets, Port of Muskogee, Muskogee Little Theatre and Hatbox Event Center.

“Even with the new grant budget being decreased, there will still be those commitments,” Blakley said. “That totals more than $5 million. So we’re not just going to spend

$70,000. We’re going to spend somewhere around $7 million or $8 million because of our commitment with the port of Muskogee.

Blakley said that five years from now, the foundation would still be a “reliable information resource.”

“One thing we have learned, especially very recently, is that there’s tons of information, tons of resources, tons of all these things everywhere,” Blakley said. “We’re in a unique position to hear all these things. When people come to us and need help, we can say ‘oh, you should talk to A More Beautiful Muskogee’ EODD to get a hot meal.”

Stratton said that five years from now, the foundation will be “examining, being aware of what the needs of Muskogee are at that moment, and responding to them.”

“It is the citizens’ organization,” she said.

Facilities benefit community

By Ronn Rowland Muskogee Phoenix

Muskogee Little Theatre and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center stand like bookends for downtown Muskogee.

The new buildings, both opened in 2016, were dream projects funded primarily through the City of Muskogee Foundation.

The new Muskogee Little

Theatre opened at 311 S. Third St., with “Mary Poppins,” a musical with characters that could fly —something MLT was not able to offer at its former building.

Back in 2010, Muskogee Little Theatre originally sought foundation grants to rebuild its old theater, a former elementary school on

Cincinnati Street. Later, the Action In Muskogee citizens’ development group decided to help revitalize downtown by creating an entertainment district. MLT decided to seek funding for a new theater to be built near the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

The City of Muskogee Foun -

dation approved a $5.5 million challenge grant, to be awarded if MLT raised $1 million. According to Muskogee Phoenix stories from the time, half of the first $500,000 raised was to be set up in an organizational endowment fund and the other half was to go into a building and maintenance endowment fund.

Since 2016 Muskogee Little theatre has been an anchor and attraction for Muskogee’s Depot District, an entertainment center south of downtown Muskogee. (File photo)

MLT raised that $1 million within six months, MLT Executive Director Coni Wetz said. Construction overruns prompted the theater go back to the foundation to ask for more money, which was granted, she said.

Wetz said the smartest thing

the foundation did was to require MLT to use the initial $500,000 for organizational endowment and for building and maintenance endowment.

“It allows us not to get in trouble,” she said. “It allows us to have backup funding if we need it,” she

said. “Before they paid a cent for this theater, we had to create a reserve fund to keep our institution safe.”

Kari Blakley, vice president of Foundation Management, said City of Muskogee Foundation is continuing to pay on that grant. As of June

2022, more than $2.6 million had been paid to MLT, according to a foundation list.

The spacious new MLK Center, 300 W. Martin Luther King St., anchors the area north of downtown.

The center was funded by $2.75 million from the foundation, plus

Cherokee elementary student Carter Lee, 7, and his aunt, angel thompson of Muskogee, admire the variety of paintings at the Community treasures Student art Show, held last summer at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. City of Muskogee Foundation funds helped build the new facility as well help support ongoing programs. (File photo)

$1.5 million from a five-year sales tax extension approved by voters in June 2014. Another $200,000 pledge was made by the Ruby Family Charitable Trust, with private donations rounding out the funding.

Within the a year after opening in 2016, the MLK center hosted 35 clubs and organizations, 29 governmental groups, six businesses,

eight churches and 46 family events. Those events attracted 7,320 people in addition to the 140 students who attend various programs every weekday 42 weeks of the year, citywide celebrations and elections.

“It has far exceeded expectations,” center director Derrick Reed said. “It was kind of a risk in making such an investment on such a large

building. We went from a 5,000- to a 19,000-square-foot building There were some at the time who said it was way too big. Here we are, we’ve been here since 2016, and the building is not big enough.”

The foundation continues to support programs at MLK, including those that go through Neighbors Building Neighborhoods.

“Their yearly contributions to our Night Hoops, yearly contributions to our after school/summer learning and Community Treasures programs,” Reed said. “The reason the MLK center exists is because of the City of Muskogee Foundation. They are a major funder of our operations.”

More than $2.7 million from City of Muskogee Foundation helped build Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in 2016. (Cathy Spaulding)

Donors and board members of Muskogee Little theatre applaud a scene from “Mary Poppins” in 2016. the musical was the first production in the new MLt building, funded by a City of Muskogee Foundation challenge grant. (File photo)

Foundation boosts education

By Ronn Rowland Muskogee Phoenix

Education has been a City of Muskogee Foundation focus since its inception.

The Foundation has given millions of dollars to schools, colleges, educational programs and foundations. Funding has ranged from a $5,000 grant for the Indian Capital Technology Center Foundation to more than $5.2 million through the years for Muskogee Public Schools.

In 2011, the Foundation allocated $240,000 toward scholarships for outstanding Hilldale and Muskogee high school graduates. Each recipient got $4,000 per semester for six semesters beginning their sophomore year or their third consecutive semester in higher education. Recipients had to seek a baccalaureate degree from an Oklahoma college to qualify.

When the first 10 scholarship recipients were announced, then-Foundation chairman John Barton said “this class of recipients represents the best of students in the Muskogee area.”

The annual scholarships were offered at least through 2016.

In 2012, the Foundation funded $300,000 for the Muskogee Difference Scholarship program at Connors State College nursing students. The scholarship, which covered tuition, fees and books — was an effort to keep health care professionals in Muskogee. The scholarship was open to new, current and returning CSC students who lived in the Muskogee service area. They had to commit to work in Muskogee County for two years after graduation if employment was available.

When the scholarship was announced, then-Mayor Bob Coburn said Muskogee has had to contend with a shortage of health care professionals for 30 years.

“The commitment Connors has made is huge,” Coburn said.

in this 2015 photo, Project transformation participant Latavia Johnson, 9, reads to volunteer Marcia robinson while other students read to other volunteers.. (File photo)

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in this 2015 photo, Northeastern State university students Deona Wingo of Quinton, left, and Kylah Cauthon of tahlequah study locations of tendons and muscles during occupational therapy class at NSu’s Muskogee campus. the program, boosted by a $900,000 City of Muskogee Foundation grant, helped NSu Muskogee become a health care hub. (File photo)

In 2013, Northeastern State University program received $900,000 to help start a master of science in occupational therapy program at its Muskogee campus. Campus classrooms were converted into laboratories and therapy rooms. NSU officials said they wanted to train therapists to help people in rural areas.

Dr. Judy Melvin, the initiating director, said the program filled a need. “This is a career where you can

find a lot of opportunities,” she said. “There is such a need in this area with its aging population and growing population.”

The Foundation also supported smaller projects, such as a quarter-mile jogging trail and exercise equipment at St. Joseph Catholic School. The equipment enabled adults to do push-ups, pull-ups, lat stretches, leg and shoulder presses, even cardiovascular cross-training. Youngsters could get fit climb-

ing plastic trees, bouncing on a three-person see-saw or riding on a tricycle path.

Education support has not been limited to schools.

Since 2016, the Foundation has granted more than $1 million for Dream Team after-school and summer education programs at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.

The Foundation gave about $148,000 through nine years to Proj-

ect Transformation. St. Paul United Methodist Church has offered the summer program to help elementary students overcome reading challenges. The program included the young participants reading to adult volunteers.

“Our goal is to make sure they don’t lose what they learn at school during the summer months,” Wardwell said. “90 percent of our students maintain or improve their reading scores during the summer.”

in this 2015 photo, Northeastern State university students Deona Wingo of Quinton, left, and Kylah Cauthon of tahlequah study locations of tendons and muscles during occupational therapy class at NSu’s Muskogee campus. the program, boosted by a $900,000 City of Muskogee Foundation grant, helped NSu Muskogee become a health care hub. (File photo)

Port, CoMF expands businesses

By Ronn Rowland Muskogee Phoenix

Darla Heller said she feels the relationship between Port Muskogee and the City of Muskogee Foundation (CoMF) is vital for both entities.

The director for workforce development for the port said many of the grants the foundation funds provide an economic boost to the city.

“Two weeks ago we awarded stipends to three new residents to Muskogee,” she said. “That was part of our Ready. Set.Move incentive. The incentive is funded by a grant from the Foundation.”

The incentive is a recruiting tool available to employers in Muskogee to recruit new talent and new hires to come work and live in Muskogee. A $10,000 stipend is awarded to qualified applicants toward the purchase of a new home in the Muskogee city limits.

Heller said the importance of what the Foundation means to the city is unmeasurable.

“It not only helps with Port’s incentives, but it issues grants to Muskogee Parks and Recreation and the city,” Heller said. “In order to bring goods and services to Muskogee, we need the Foundation to provide incentives to help Muskogee keep moving forward.”

Last year, Port Muskogee received five grants from CoMF totaling $2.886 million. The projects covered areas from the Smith Ferry Road Project to employee recruitment.

Port Muskogee has a longstanding relationship with CoMF to foster economic development opportunities to move the community forward. CoMF chair Wren Stratton said the stipend program is an excellent way to improve the economy in the city.

“We work very closely with Economic Development at the Port of Muskogee,” Stratton said. “Darla had approached us about the idea of an incentive to help folks with housing and recruiting hard to recruit people professionals. These will be folks that will continue to contribute and invest in our community.”

Stacks of wrapped lumber sit outside the Port Muskogee Foreign trade Zone office after arriving from Gorman Brothers Lumber, a company based in West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. (Ronn Rowland)

a barge is tied to the dock in front of the Port Muskogee Foreign trade Zone. (Ronn Rowland)

Workers from Paragon industries unload coils of pipe off trucks at the company’s building at Port Muskogee. the port has had a long-time relationship with the City of Muskogee Foundation. (Ronn Rowland)

Stratton said the need for a competitive advantage when recruiting and retaining new and existing companies made sense.

“We are continuing to look at every possible way to recruit people and keep them here,” She said. “We’re constantly asking what can we do to make an offer that is a little sweeter than the next guy.”

The Ready.Set.Move incentive

allowed one of the initial recipients an opportunity to return home and his fiancée to work on her graduate degree. Levi Gassaway graduated from Hilldale High School and 2019 while Hannah Gamble is attending Northeastern State University.

Gassaway was working in Stillwater when he accepted the offer to come back home.

He was hired by CaptiveAire as

a quality engineer and heard about the incentive during his interview process. When he was informed he was being awarded the stipend, reality set in.

“Oh my gosh, we’re buying a house,” he said. “We were kind of on the fence about buying a house when we heard about the incentive. It was a big decision maker between renting and buying a house here in

Muskogee.”

Gassaway said he and Gamble could be here a while.

“I would say we’re looking at the next 10 years,” he said.

Gamble said the move was also a convenience for her.

“I go to grad school here,” Gamble said. “So I was looking to move to Muskogee anyway. It worked out really well — it worked out beautifully.”

an 18-wheeler departs the weigh station at Port Muskogee after being weighed in upon arrival. (Ronn Rowland)

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M USKOGEE P U bl IC S CHOO l S

Foundation benefits MPS students

By Cathy Spaulding Muskogee Phoenix

City of Muskogee Foundation grants have helped Muskogee Public Schools secure teachers, fund building projects and offer summer programs.

MPS has received more than $5.2 million in grants since the City of Muskogee Foundation’s inception.

“The City of Muskogee Foundation has been a great partner to Muskogee Public Schools throughout the years,” said MPS Superintendent Jarod Mendenhall. “As a result of their contribution to public education, hundreds of young lives have been positively impacted. We appreciate the investments the foundation has made to enhance learning experiences for our students.”

He said the foundation has funded

many co-curricular and extracurricular programs.

“Recently, the foundation has provided multiple grants that have provided funding for students concurrently enrolled in college classes while still in high school, social and emotional workshop training for high school students, and a court appointed boot school instructor at the Rougher Alternative Academy, along with funding for summer programming including Rougher Rise summer school, Summer Pride athletics and fine arts camps, Bridge Camp for incoming early college high school students, and Camp Bennett, a summer day camp for youths and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities,” he said.

Early grants were awarded to individual schools and programs, including a $60,000 grant for the Summer Science II Program at Ben Franklin Science Academy. The three-week program gave elementary and middle school students hands-on experiences with science.

Early grants also funded “Celebrating Oklahoma” projects at Sadler Arts Academy, outdoor summer camps for seventh and eighth graders and school-based health services.

In later years, MPS consolidated its Foundation grant requests. For example, the district received several hundred thousand dollars through such overall programs as One Team, One Vision, One Community.

For many years, the Foundation

has helped fund MPS Rougher Summer Pride, which combines athletic training and activities with academics, received $90,000 for its summer program.

From 2014 through 2016, the Foundation helped the district survive teacher shortages. Each year, the Foundation awarded a $20,000 grant to fund training for two instructors through Teach for America, a national organization that recruits people to teach in low-income districts.

“The Teach for America teachers have impacted students through strategies learned in their intensive training sessions the summer before each school year,” said Melony Carey, MPS secondary education director at the time.

Camp Bennett camper Jacxon Morgan, left watches Muskogee high School volunteer Walker Kanny put worm bait on his fishing line during a 2022 visit to honor heights Park. the annual camp for children and adults with disabilities is one of several Muskogee Public Schools summer programs funded by City of Muskogee Foundation. (File photo)

By the Num B ers

F u ND i NG SO ur C e S

Local: $10,512,606.10

Intermediate: $978,302.58

State: $24,171,060.68

Federal: $10,651,837.20

Total projected: $46,313,806.56

muskog e e

eN r OLLM e N t:

Students: 4,841

Cer tified Staff: (excluding administration)

357

DiStriCt LeaDerShiP including cabinet, coordinators and directors

Superintendent: Jarod Mendenhall

Deputy Superintendent: Kim Dyce

assistant Superintendent: Lance Crawley

B ui LD i NG P ri NC i P a LS:

Cherokee elementary: Reuben

McIntosh

Creek elementary: Andrea

Sagely

irving elementary: Katy

Tomson

Pershing elementary: Lisa Rogers

Sadler arts academy: Ronia

Davison

tony Goetz elementary: Sarah

McWilliams

early Childhood Center:

Meleah Hoskins

6th & 7th Grade academy @ Ben Franklin: Latricia Dawkins

8th & 9th Grade academy @ alice robertson: Ryan Buell

rougher innovation academy: Jennifer Kiser

rougher alternative academy: Lisa Charboneau

Muskogee high School: Kim

Fleak

executive Director of Student Services: Kim Fleak

Support Staff: 251 Administrators: 23

executive Director of athletics: Jason Parker

executive Director of Finance: David Chester

executive Director of Communications: Brandon Irby

Director of human resources: Bradley Eddy

in this 2010 photo, Jonathan Moore, left, and Fox Wilson hesitate to touch a sheep heart and lungs handled by Ben Franklin Science academy teacher Michelle Behrens during a summer science camp. it was one of the first Muskogee Public Schools projects funded by the City of Muskogee Foundation. (File photo)

Hilldale makes good use of funds

By Cathy Spaulding Muskogee Phoenix

For nearly 15 years, City of Muskogee Foundation has helped Hilldale students get into robotics and computer fabrication — as well as get fit.

Hilldale Public Schools has received at least $888,750 since the Foundation’s inception.

“City of Muskogee Foundation has given financially to Hilldale Public Schools by supporting our robotics and band programs during summer programs,” Hilldale Superintendent Erik Puckett said. “Over several years, the foundation

By the Num B ers

has provided technology for students and staff, curriculum for such things as preparing workready students, supplies and equipment for the STEAM labs at all three school sites, and many more projects.”

For example, in 2020, a $90,000 grant from the City of Muskogee Foundation, boosted by the Cherokee Nation, funded a high-tech fabrication lab at Hilldale High.

High School STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) teacher Nathan

Superintendent: erik Puckett

Assistant Superintendents: Dr. Deborah tennison, Chad Kirkhart

Bui

Elementary: Patty Bilyard Middle School: Darren riddle

High School: Josh Nixon

Virtual School: amber horn

Yarbrough said the school received eight new 3-D printers, two laser cutters and a computer numerical control machine, which can follow coded instruction to print in 3-D. The machines were installed about a month ago, he said. The classroom also has a new Jamboard, an interactive whiteboard Yarbrough described as a giant iPad.

“With all the manufacturing in Muskogee, this is going to be good hands-on experience for them,” Yarbrough said. “They go in and make

Local: $2,696,487.96

County: $426,609.71

State: $11,858,055.76

Federal: $4,471,853.01

Total projected: $19,453,006.44

hilldale high School student Minh Diep explains how a 3-D printer works. the school received new 3-D printers, steel engravers and vinyl cutters through a grant. (File photo)

well above the average wage for Muskogee.”

The City of Muskogee Foundation gave $45,000 in 2010 and $26,000 in 2011 to fund equipment for Hilldale Elementary School’s Fighting the Good Fight of Fat program. Equipment included 6-inch stepping platforms, medicine balls and other fitness items. At the time, students were involved with the President’s Challenge, which encourages students to earn the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. At least 14 HIlldale students received the award between

2010 and 2012.

In 2013, Hilldale Middle School joined the Good Fight of Fat after receiving a $75,000 award from the Foundation.

City of Muskogee Foundation keeps giving. Hilldale is in its third year to receive funding for a summer band program, assistant Hilldale Superintendent Deborah Tennison said.

“It’s once a week all through the summer, and the kids can come in and they work with them on their instruments and marching,” she said.

in this 2014 photo, hilldale elementary fourth-grader adrian Stewart stretches and swings a weighted medicine ball during a physical education class. Medicine balls and other equipment funded by City of Muskogee Foundation helped spur interest in fitness at the school. (File photo)

“And our beginning band students have the opportunity to come in and try some things out. We also purchase instruments so kids will be able to play our instruments who cannot afford them. We have seen an increase in the number of kids participating, so you know it’s making a difference.”

The Foundation allocated $10,000 for the 2023 summer program.

Education

By the Num B ers

Stu D e N t iNFO r M ati ON :

Number of Students: 2,310

Male: 30.1 percent

Female: 69.8 percent

Warner Campus: 272

Muskogee Campus: 331

eth N i C ity *:

White: 47.35 percent

Native American: 22.85 percent

Black: 6.41 percent

Other: 23.39 percent

* Students are allowed to check multiple ethnicities on their admission.

$153

Non-Resident: $313.76

total budget: $24,331,549

Fy 2021 total budget: $23,897,895

Online: 806 Stu

FaCuLty iNFOrMatiON

Number of instructors: 33 full time faculty adjunct faculty: 72

Male: 33

Female: 72

Percentage and number of faculty with doctorate degrees: Full time faculty - 7, or 21 percent.

In-State: 95.7 percent

Out-of-state: 4.3 percent

International: 26 percent of out-of-state

Connors State College Nursing and allied health Director Diana Mashburn, left, gives prospective nursing students and other visitors a tour of Connors SiM lab during CSC Nursing Day, held tuesday at the Muskogee campus. (File photo)

By the Num B ers

Stu D e N t iNFO r M ati ON : Each student noted is enrolled in at least one class at Muskogee (whether on ground or online).

Number of Students: 801

Male: 159

Female: 642

White: 406

Native American: 162

African American: 38

Other: 195

Northeastern State university Muskogee Campus

2400 W. Shawnee Bypass (918) 683-0040

www.nsuok.edu/ muskogee

FaCuLty & StaFF

total: 52 Faculty and Staff

Male: 14

Female: 33 adjunct: 31 Number and percentage of faculty with doctorate degrees: 25 (53.2%)

tuitiON/Per CreDit hOur

In-State Undergraduate: $246.65

In-State Graduate: $303.90

In-State: 700 Out of State: 101 International: 8

Northeastern State university physician assistant students McKenzie Slayer and Kaylee Switzer celebrate completing the NSu Pa program, during commencement on Dec. 10 at the NSu event Center. they are among the first group of students to graduate from the program at NSu. (File photo)

Stu D e N t S COM e F r OM

eth N i C ity :

Education

By the Num B ers

Mu SKOG ee Ca MP u S

Total Students: 591 High School students: 496 Adult students: 95 Male: 347 Female: 241

Unknown/Other: 3

White: 213

Native American: 51

African American: 25

Hispanic/Latino: 67

Other: 235

Four campus locations districtwide.

Muskogee Campus: 2403 N. 41st St. East, Muskogee; (918) 6876383

Sallisaw Campus: 401 E. Houser Industrial Blvd., Sallisaw; (918) 775-9119

Stilwell Campus: Rt. 6 Box 3320 (Oklahoma 59 and Maryetta Road), Stilwell; (918) 696-3111

tahlequah Campus: 240

CareerTech Way (Vo-Tech Road), Tahlequah, (918) 456-2594

adult health Careers Campus: 2403 N. 41st St. East, Muskogee; (918) 348-7998

administrative Personnel:

Superintendent: Tony Pivec

assistant Superintendent: Doyle Bates.

Muskogee Campus

Director: Angela Kohl.

Muskogee assistant

Campus Director: Dudley

Hume.

Faculty at Muskogee Campus:

Full-time certified: 186 districtwide (102 based in Muskogee)

Petra Sustaita, left, and Winter Birdtail gauge pressure levels of an hVaC unit at iCtC tahlequah. (File photo)

Education

By the Num B ers

DiStriCt LeaDerShiP

including cabinet, coordinators and directors

Superintendent: Rita Echelle

elementary Principal: Shawna Coplen

high School Principal: Lynn Cragg

Students from the Oklahoma School for the Blind, along with assistants, prepare to cross West Broadway at Second Street on Wednesday during White Cane Safety awareness Day. the students were displaying proper cane technique, safe street crossings and travel awareness. (File photo)

iNFO r M ati ON : enrollment: 85*

residential students: 56 administrators: 3

Support staff: 56 Certified teachers/staff: (excluding administration) 35

DGarrett Family Funeral Home Now Has TwoLocations: Fort Gibson&Muskogee

fortgibsonfuneral@outlook.com •clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com •cdgmuskogee@gmail.com

Cilfford

Clifford DGarrett Family Funeral Home &Cremation Service 1224E.Poplar • Fort Gibson 918-478-2555

Clifford DGarrett Family Funeral Home &Crematory 1020 WOkmulgee • Muskogee 918-910-8883

*this number does not reflect pre-school students or the students served through Outreach Services to public schools.

MUskoGEE BIz ProfIlEs 2023

Brown’s shoe fit Co. of Muskogee

Website: https://stores.brownsshoefitcompany.com/muskogee

Phone: (918) 687-5950

Address: 2234A E. Shawnee Bypass

Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; Closed Sunday.

About us:

Brown’s Shoe Fit Co of Muskogee offers a wide selection of brand-name shoes for men, women, and children, making it a one-stop shop for all of your footwear needs.

The store boasts a friendly and knowledgeable staff that is always ready to help you find the perfect pair of shoes. Whether you’re in need of a new pair of sneakers, dress shoes, or something in between, you’ll find a wide selection of options at Brown’s Shoe Fit Co of Muskogee.

saint francis Hospital Muskogee

Website: saintfrancis.com/muskogee

Phone: (918) 682-5501

The springs skilled rehab and Therapy

Website: https://www.springsok.com/

Phone: (918) 629-6280

Address: 5800 W. Okmulgee Ave.

Visitation Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

About us:

Sometimes a single event can change your life. Perhaps it is an unexpected health emergency, such as a stroke or heart attack. When difficulties take place, our clinical staff, including our certified physical, occupational and speech therapists, are available to help you regain independence, mobility and function at your own pace. Our staff respects your needs every step of the way. Skilled therapy can offer a highly effective follow-on regimen to a qualifying hospital stay for conditions including strokes, heart attacks, surgery, broken bones, joint replacement, and respiratory illness.

Call to schedule your tour today. Our private rooms and state of the art rehabilitation center are ready to serve you.

Address: 300 Edna M. Rockefeller Drive

About us:

Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee is made up of more than 140 providers and 320 beds. The community hospital serves a seven-county area and is one of Muskogee’s top employers.

Some of the services provided: A 24/7 emergency room, breast health services, labor and delivery, sports medicine, orthopedics, podiatry and much, much more.

In December, the hospital hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new 126-room patient tower. The new tower will serve as the primary campus entrance and will feature new critical care units, 47% larger patient rooms and an expanded admission testing and admitting area.

One of the greatest attributes of the facility is their commitment to the patient. The people who work for Saint Francis are compassionate, caring and dedicated to providing the greatest care possible for patients by treating the body, mind and spirit.

Muskogee. It’s who we are.

Born and raised Muskogee proud He’s cared for his neighbors for 25 years, now, Donald is more than just a par t of the Saint Francis family—he’s par t of our promise to improve the health of the communities we call home

Donald Mayes • Certified Surgical Technologist

Muskogee City Council

t ra C i Ly NN M c Gee

Ward IV City Councilor Traci McGee, 54, is from Muskogee. She graduated from Muskogee High School in 1983.

She is an entrepreneur and is owner/agent of Act Now Insurance LLC.

Her hobbies include reading the Bible, mentoring and rummage sales.

She has one daughter, Brandi Nash.

She said she believes the most important issue in Muskogee is transparency and accountability. She said the leader should be accountable for making decisions that affect residents because the citizens have entrusted leaders to be responsible. By being transparent it will allow residents to see that city government business is done in an open way without secrets, so that people can trust city councilors.

As Ward IV City councilor, McGee said she would show accountability to residents by keeping them informed and explaining the process. She said she plans to hold community meetings to keep residents informed. She plans to create a working relationship with residents and will create an email subscription for residents that will include a monthly newsletter updating the residents on current city affairs.

t ra C y hOOS

Dr. Tracy Hoos, 46, is a local pediatrician who was appointed in July 2020 to the Muskogee City Council as Ward IV representative. He succeeded Marlon Coleman, who was elected by Muskogee voters to be the city’s first Black mayor.

Hoos was graduated in 1994 from Hilldale High School. He went on to earn degrees at Northeastern State University and Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency with the University of Oklahoma.

Hoos said he likes to barbecue, something for which he has earned several awards for his talent at

barbecue competitions, including Exchange Club of Muskogee’s Chili and Barbecue Cook-Off. He also enjoys spending time with his family and pets.

He and his wife, Kristi, have two sons: Trey and Cadyn.

Per L i N e B Oyattia-Crai G

Perline Boyattia Craig sees her life as a ministry — whether serving on the city council or acting as pastor emeritus at New Jerusalem Baptist Church.

“See a need, meet a need, that’s how I felt for years,” she said in a 2018 Okie From Muskogee article. “If there is a need for somebody to serve and do something — here am I, send me. If I can be in a position to help somebody, then I’m going to do it.”

She has served on the Salvation Army board, city airport board, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center Trust Authority and City of Muskogee Foundation Quality of Life Committee. She also has volunteered at Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee and Cherokee Elementary.

aL e X r ey NOLDS

Ward II Councilor

Alex Reynolds is owner and managing member at Lakota Restaurant Group, and he works at Max’s Garage, a property owned by the group in downtown Muskogee.

Reynolds was seated as a city councilor in November 2019 after his predecessor’s withdrawal from the 2020 election and drawing no other challengers.

Reynolds is an advocate for downtown Muskogee businesses and believes the city is well-positioned to capitalize on medical marijuana and the hemp industry. That could extend, he said, to recreational marijuana in the future if the politics of pot play out as he anticipates they will at the federal level.

“Merle Haggard made us famous as the city that didn’t, and now all of a sudden we did — that gives us some unique marketing opportunities,” Reynolds said in 2019 while seeking a variance for a growing and processing business on West Okmulgee Avenue. He credited city officials for quickly adopting sensible zoning and business permitting ordinances. “Our

property, our farmland, our real estate values for purchase and rent are some of the cheapest in the United States — we have a real opportunity here.”

Shir L ey h i Lt ON -F L a N ary

Shirley Hilton-Flanary, 71, is a lifelong Muskogee resident. She has been involved with the lending business for 40 years, most recently as American Bank’s senior vice president for mortgage lending.

Flattery said, “If Muskogee is to secure a successful future, I believe there are two components that go hand in hand: Cultivation of a community that attracts younger generations and infrastructure improvements.”

She said her favorite thing about Muskogee is its friendliness.

“It’s a great community to raise children,” she said. “Our cost of living, that’s another thing we have here. We’re surrounded by lakes. I think that’s a big plus.”

Ste P ha N ie M O r G a N

No information available.

Jai M e LyNN StO ut

Stout attended school at both Hilldale and Oktaha school districts. She has an associate’s degree from Connors State College as well as a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from Northeastern State University. She is employed with ORS Nasco as an information technology support analyst.

She also is actively involved with her church,

COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR

COUNCILOR

Immanuel Baptist. She has served in leadership and volunteer roles in many community organizations serving with Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement, Gospel Rescue Mission, Women in Safe Home, The Barracks and United Way Day of Caring. She is a councilor in Ward II.

Derri CK r ee D

Reed won election in 2012 and took over the seat of Robert Perkins. In addition to his backing from labor supporters, Reed credited Perkins for his win.

Reed said Perkins groomed him for the city council.

Reed, who oversees various programs at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, referenced the date of his victory with that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last public speech before he was slain by an assassin. In that speech is remembered the phrase, “I’ve been to the mountain top.”

It was April 3, 1968, when Dr. King gave

his last public speech. On April 3, 2012, Reed stood in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center giving his victory speech. Reach Ward III Councilor Reed at dreed@muskogeeonline. org.

MayO r Mar LON J. COL e M a N

The Rev. Marlon Joseph Coleman is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He was unanimously elected pastor of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, now known as Antioch, the Temple of Hope, in Muskogee, where he faithfully serves. He completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Later, he went on to study at the Andersonville Theological Seminary where he obtained the Master of Theology Degree and then the Doctorate of Theology Degree in Pastoral Care. He also completed the Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix.

Professionally, Coleman has served in several

G ET TO KNO w YOU r l EADE r S ...

management positions with federal government with the U.S. Department of Agriculture across the country and with the Veterans Affairs as the physician recruiter at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee, where he retired from federal service after serving 22 years. Enjoying the calling to teach and serve the people of God, Coleman was selected to serve as an instructor at the historic Washington Baptist Seminary where he taught Homiletics and Systematic Theology. He is an adjunct professor with Connors State College.

Coleman assists the community by serving as a member of the Board of Directors for the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce. He also is a member of the Lake Area United Way Communi ty Investment Board, committee member for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, board member for Neighbors Building Neighborhoods, steering committee member of Action in Muskogee (AIM), National Action Network, and chairman of Religious Affairs for the Muskogee NAACP. He is the National Youth director for the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America and gives leadership to several national and regional youth and civic organizations. Reach Ward IV Councilor Coleman at mcoleman@muskogeeonline.org.

Muskogee County Commissioners

Ke NN y Pay

N e

County Commissioner, District 3

hOMetOWN: Muskogee.

FaMiLy: Wife, Stephanie Payne; two children, Tori and Tate.

OCCuPatiON: Regional sales, Springfield Grocer Co.

eDuC atiON: Northeastern State University, safety and education.

reLiGiOuS aFFiLiatiON: Timothy Baptist Church.

hOBBieS: My children’s activities, classic cars and trucks, and golfing.

Ke N D OK

e

County Commissioner, District 1.

hOMetOWN: Muskogee.

FaMiLy: Wife, Jodi; three children,

Kaje, Kensli Faith, and Jenlee Hope. OCCuPatiON: Vice president, business development director at Arvest Bank in Muskogee.

eDuC atiON: University of Phoenix,

bachelor’s degree in business administration.

reLiGiOuS aFFiLiatiON: New Hope Assembly of God.

hOBBieS: Hunting, fishing, shooting

guns and spending time with family.

Keith h ySLOP

County Commissioner, District 2.

hOMetOWN: Webbers Falls.

OCCuPatiON: County

Commissioner, District 2; construction inspector, project manager.

FaMiLy: Wife: Tamra Hyslop;

Daughters: Lauren Harris, Ashley Beard, Celeste Reaves, Ashton Burleson; Son, Richard Burleson Jr.; five grandchildren.

eDuC atiON: High school graduate; numerous state certifications for roads and bridges.

hOBBieS: Work, spending time with family.

COUNCILOR

MAyOR

COMMISSIONER Kenny Payne COMMISSIONER Ken Doke COMMISSIONER Keith Hyslop

Public Safety

City OF MuSKOGee

eMerGeNCy MaNaGeMeNt

Director: Tyler Evans

Phone: (918) 684-6295

Fax: (918) 684-6316

e-mail:

EmergencyManagement@ muskogeeonline.org

address: 229 W. Okmulgee Ave.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 1927, Muskogee, OK 74402-1927

MuSKOGee COuNty

eMerGeNCy MaNaGeMeNt

Director: Jeff Smith — (918) 682-2551

Fax: (918) 684-1699

address: 220 State St., #20, Muskogee, OK 74402

Mailing address: P.O. Box 2274, Muskogee, OK 74402

e-mail: mcem@ readymuskogee.org

POLiCe DePartMeNt

Chief: Johnny Teehee — (918) 683-8000 112 S. third St., Muskogee, OK 74402

Fax: (918) 680-3197

e-mail: MPD@muskogeepd.org

Fire DePartMeNt

State Elected Officials

DeWayNe PeMBertON

District 9 Oklahoma Senator (R-Muskogee)

hOMetOWN: Cabot, Arkansas.

FaMiLy: Wife, Claire Pemberton; three sons, Matt, Ben, and Adam Pemberton; six grandchildren.

OCCuPatiON: Retired educator.

eDuCatiON: University of Central Arkansas, bachelor’s degree with a double major in social studies and health-physical education; University of Arkansas-Little Rock; Northeastern State University, master’s degree in education administration; Oklahoma State UniversityTulsa, principal and superintendent specialist certification.

reLiGiOuS aFFiLiatiON: St. Joseph Catholic Church.

hOBBieS: Hunting, fishing and playing with grandchildren.

CaPitOL aDDreSS: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Rm. 427; Oklahoma City, OK 73105; (405) 521-5533; pemberton@ oksenate.gov

executive assistant: Peggy White. (405) 521-5533

ChriS SNeeD

District 14 Oklahoma Representative (R-Fort Gibson)

hOMetOWN: Fort Gibson.

FaMiLy: Wife, Joie Sneed; three children: Summer Brock, Cody Sloan and Keaton Sloan; one grandchild.

OCCuPatiON: Business owner, Chris Sneed Insurance.

Chief: Jody Moore — (918) 684-6252

Fax: (918) 684-6253

e-Mail: fire@muskogeeonline. org

Fire DePartMeNt StatiONS

1. 515 Columbus St.

3. 2603 Border St.

4. 100 S. Country Club Road

5. 1706 N. york St.

6. 513 E. Peak Blvd.

7. 200 North 40th St.

MuSKOGee COuNty

eMerGeNCy MeDiCaL

SerViCe

executive Director: Laurel Havens, NREMT-P — (918) 683-

0130

address: 200 Callahan St., Muskogee, OK 74403

email: laurelh@mcems.us

OKLahOMa hiGhWay

PatrOL

address: 1806 N. york St., Muskogee, OK 74403

Phone: (918) 683-3256

eDuCatiON: Graduate of Hulbert High School; Attended Murray State College and Northeastern State University.

reLiGiOuS aFFiLiatiON: Christian; Member Muskogee First Assembly.

hOBBieS: Hunting, watching college football and baseball, playing golf.

CaPitOL aDDreSS: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.; Room 300C; Oklahoma City, OK 73105; (405) 557-7310.

Legislative assistant: Chris Morriss (405) 557-7310

NeiL hayS

District 13 Oklahoma Representative (R-Muskogee)

hOMetOWN: Checotah.

FaMiLy: Wife Nicole Hays; Children, Morgan Huerta, Nick Hays, Chance Hays, Brett Hays, Camden Hays and Connor Hays.

OCCuPatiON: Farmers insurance agent.

eDuCatiON: (MBA) Masters Degree in Business Administration.

reLiGiOuS aFFiLiatiON: Methodist hOBBieS: Hunting, Fishing, Golf.

CaPitOL aDDreSS: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Room 302; Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

Legislative assistant: Glenda Mollman; (405) 5577302

raNDy raNDLeMaN

District 15 Oklahoma Representative (R-Eufaula)

hOMetOWN: Eufaula.

FaMiLy: Wife, Jennifer; Children: Brandon, Chad, Jordan, Zachary, Rhea; Grandchildren: Julianne, Tinley, Case.

OCCuPatiON: Licensed psychologist.

eDuCatiON: Associate’s degree from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M; Bachelor’s degree from University of Tulsa; Master’s degree from Northeastern State University; Ph.D from Oklahoma State University.

reLiGiOuS aFFiLiatiON: Community Culture Church, Eufaula.

hOBBieS: Love to draw and travel; like to use my bulldozer, it’s relaxing; hunting, fishing.

CaPitOL aDDreSS: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.; Room 302; Oklahoma City, OK 73105; (405) 557-7375

Legislative assistant: Kaley Mills (405) 557-7375

Jeff Smith

Tyler Evans

Dewayne Pemberton

Johnny Teehee

Jody Moore Laurel Havens

Its nearly impossible to see anewspiece on housing these days without someone predicting it’sthe end of the world. Ihearthat home prices are over-inflated and the housing market is just about to crash. Unheard-of interest rates are driving all the buyers out of the market and the number of homes on the market has gone way up. But is any of that true? Ican’tspeak for the coastal markets. Real estate markets are very local. What is true in one town might not be true in another.Here are some things that are true about the real estate market in Muskogee County,Oklahoma.

The 12-month total number of homes sold through February 2023 in Muskogee County from our Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data is 702 homes. That is exactly the same number as from February 2022. And the average sale price for those same 12 months in 2023 was up 8.8% compared to 2022. The latest Consumer Price Index showed a6.0%rise in year over year cost. Seems like home prices are just kind of keeping up with inflation. It is true that there are more homes for sale now compared to last year.Infact, there are 47% more. But that number is abit deceptive. As of the end of February,there is only a2.5-month supply of homes. That is not aglut by any definition.

YOU’RE BETTER OFF FIRST CHOICE REALTY

Brandi Cook Shelley Schoonover Angie Tyner Rickie Cowan

Lets talk about the elephant in the room, mortgage interest rates. Just two years ago you could have easily locked a30-year, fixed-rate mortgage at arate below 3.0%. But those rates were areaction to all the stimulus pushed into the market by the Federal Reserve. Wasitagreat deal? If you were lucky enough to buy ahome and get that rate, absolutely.But rates like that are not normal. Those are aonce in alifetime event that probably should never have happened. So what is normal? If you look at the average for the 30-year rate from 1971 to the present, it is 7.75%. The last 20 years have been aGoldilocks time for mortgage interest rates. Years of mild inflation and persistent easy monetary policy by the Federal Reserve gave us rates that started at about 8.05% in 2000 and seemed to only go down from there. But what about the 1990s? Rates for that decade ranged between 10.13% down to alow of 6.94%. The 1980s were much higher.Ispoke to Kevin Leonard at Firstar Bank today.Heisquoting a30-year, fixed-rate FHA mortgage with no buy-down of the rate at 6.0% and a conventional mortgage at 6.125%. Considering aCPI of 6.0%, your real interest rate is just about 0%.

It may take some time for the sticker shock of higher interest rates to settle in, but life goes on. People get married and have babies, kids leave home for college, new jobs require relocation and people still need ahome to live in. Your home is an amazing shelter against inflation. Even with higher mortgage interest rates, you are better off owning ahome than not.

Centur y21

First Choice Realty

Gail Rose Logan Nero

Alisha Cooper

Sherri Jones Seth Rowan Sam Taylor Robin Long

Michelle Shirley Jacob Capps Sarah Cox Liz Capps

Valerie Moore

Mac Keeling

Sheila Duncan

Shawn Raper Cindy Teel

Darrell Ward Linda Cole

Bridgette Bearden

Gary Grandstaff

Jennifer Murray

Marisa Clark

Ryan Davison

Beth Tona

Brian Dobbs

Stormy Cotton

Kori Crowder

Myrinda Morgan

Michele Mackey

Robin Callahan

Cheryl Andrews

Monica Medley

Sarah Bollig

Jacob Bowlin Gary Jobe Stacey Dobbs

Kim David John Fabian

Glory Thompson Stan Miller

Maria Corral

Services

Ar EA U NITED wAY S E rv ICE Or GANI z ATIONS

BOyS & GirLS CLuB OF tahLeQuah

Provides youth development to Cherokee County youth by working to inspire, educate, and empower kindergarten-eighth graders to realize their full potential as productive and responsible citizens in a safe and fun environment. www.tahlequahbgca.org (918) 456-6888.

GirL SCOutS OF eaSterN OKLahOMa

Girl scouting equips young girls in making better life choices by developing leadership, confidence, and girls of courage through a variety of scouting programs. www.gseok.org (918) 6837738.

MuSKOGee COuNty COuNCiL OF yOuth SerViCeS — MCCOyS

Provides guidance and character building programs in two United Way funded areas; 1) supervised community experiences for youth and young adults working within the judicial system, and 2) in-school “Lifeskills” training for 6-8th graders at Braggs, Okay and Muskogee Public Schools. www.mccys. org (918) 682-2841.

uNiteD MethODiSt ChiLDreN’S hOMe

Provides a spectrum of transitional living assistance into early adulthood for at-risk high school and college-aged youth through an independent living program to better equip them in making their way into the adult world. (918) 456-6166.

DOLLy PartON iMaGiNatiON LiBrary

Provides age appropriate books to children ages 0-5 years of age each month to boost children during the early formative years and put them on a path towards a successful education. www. lakeareaunitedway.org (918) 682-1364.

aMeriCaN reD CrOSS

A volunteer led humanitarian organization. United Way support touches lives daily with relief to victims of disasters as well as emergency and prevention/preparedness training. www. oklahomaredcross.org (918) 682-1366.

hOPe hOuSe OF CherOKee COuNty

Helping people help themselves by providing a supportive network of services and providers such as emergency food, shelter, and utility assistance to aid individuals and families in becoming self-sufficient. (918) 456-4673.

LeGaL aiD SerViCeS OF OKLahOMa

Providing high-quality civil legal services to lower income and elderly residents. www.legalaidok.org (918) 6835681.

CaSa FOr ChiLDreN iN MuSKOGee — COurt aPPOiNteD SPeCiaL aDVOCateS

CASA recruits, screens, trains, and supports community volunteers to advocate in the best interests of children involved in juvenile cases of neglect and abuse in Muskogee, Wagoner and Sequoyah district courts. www.casaok.org (918) 686-8199.

CaSa OF CherOKee COuNtry

Advocating as a voice for children who enter the court system as a result of abuse and/or neglect by providing trained volunteers to speak independently for the best interests of the children. www.oklahomacasa.org (918)

KeLLy B. tODD CereBraL PaLSy & NeurO-MuSCuLar CeNter

Provides children and adults with motor deficit or developmental delays physical therapy to enhance mobility and interaction with friends and family. www.kbtoddcpcenter.org (918) 683-4621.

KiDS’ SPaCe – MuSKOGee COuNty ChiLD aDVOCaCy CeNter

Provides a child-friendly environment for the intervention, assessment, and investigation needed to assist with prosecution, treatment and prevention of physically and sexually abused children. Provides educational and child protective classes. www.kidsspacemuskogee.org (918) 682-4204.

VOLuNteerS OF aMeriCa – rSVP (retireD SeNiOrS VOLuNteer PrOGraM)

Creates opportunities for senior citizens to remain actively engaged in their communities through volunteer services in a variety of organizations ranging from hospitals to youth centers by utilizing their time and talents in service to others. www.voaok.org (918) 683-1578.

WOMeN iN SaFe hOMe — WiSh

Provides shelter, counseling, and support services to victims of domestic violence, rape, and adult survivors of child sexual assault or harassment in order to achieve safety, survival, recovery, empowerment and rehabilitation to women and children coping with domestic violence. (918) 682-7879.

456-8788.

athletes from Connors State College run across Muskogee Civic Center plaza at a ceremony capping the 2021 Walk in her Shoes event.

Health & Wellness

Sai N t Fra NC i S Mu SKOG ee address: 300 Rockefeller Drive. Phone: (918) 682-5501.

Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee is made up of more than 140 providers and 320 beds. The community hospital serves a seven-county area and is one of Muskogee’s top employers.

In April 2017, Eastar Health System and affiliated clinics became part of Saint Francis Health System. Along with Warren Clinic physician offices, Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee provide area residents with quality care and expanding services.

As part of Saint Francis Health System, patients in Muskogee and the surrounding communities have access to continuum of care and services offered by eastern Oklahoma’s largest health care network.

JaCK C. M ON tGOM ery Va Me D i C a L Ce N ter

address: 1011 Honor Heights Drive. Phone: (918) 577-3000.

The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System consists of a Joint Commission accredited, complexity Level 2 medical center in Muskogee that serves veterans in 25 counties of eastern Oklahoma. The 89-bed facility offers primary and secondary levels of inpatient medical and surgical care, as well as an inpatient rehabilitation and inpatient behavioral health unit.

As part of the Rocky Mountain Network (VISN 19), EOVAHCS has ready access to seven sister facilities for referral, although it uses the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center for the majority of its tertiary services. EOVAHCS also operates three community-based outpatient clinics that provide primary and

Cherokee Nation Three Rivers Clinic performs more than 2 million outpatient visits.

Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center offers primary and secondary levels of inpatient medical and surgical care, as well as an inpatient rehabilitation and inpatient behavioral health unit.

consultative care in medicine, surgery and mental health in Tulsa, Hartshorne and Vinita. In addition, they operate a Behavioral Medicine Clinic in Muskogee that provides outpatient therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse, and a Behavioral Medicine Clinic in Tulsa that provides outpatient mental health therapy and substance abuse

treatment.

Cher OK ee Nati ON t hree r i V er S C L i N i C address: 1001 S. 41st St. E. Phone: (918) 781-6500.

Cherokee Nation Health Services, a division of Cherokee Nation, is a medical facility that provides nursing,

nutritional, emergency medical, and behavioral and community health services. The center also offers treatment solutions for cancer and diabetes.

Cherokee Nation Health Services performs more than 2 million outpatient visits. It works with communities, families and individuals. The center additionally specializes in the areas of dentistry, radiology, optome-

try and tobacco cessation. Cherokee Nation Health Services provides the Healthy Nation Program. It also maintains a residential adolescent treatment center and offers disease prevention services. The center operates a WINGS Activity Club.

Cherokee Nation Health Services also provides a cancer prevention program.

Saint Francis Hospital is a community hospital that serves a seven-county area.

Parks get good use from funds

By Cathy Spaulding Muskogee Phoenix

City of Muskogee Foundation money for Parks and Recreation helped make the city more beautiful, fun and profitable.

Depot Green, Honor Heights Park Papilion, Hatbox Event Center, and new playgrounds all over town are among projects the foundation helped fund, said Muskogee Parks and Recreation Director Mark Wilkerson.

“It’s probably the most important thing to happen for Muskogee in particular, but especially for our parks system,” Wilkerson said. “They have continuously funded things for our parks since the beginning, and continue to.”

The support came early.

In 2011, the foundation pledged $2.5 million to help fund improvements to city parks during the course of the next five years. That gave parks a $500,000 boost each year. The goal, officials said, was to bring all the parks up to comparable levels and improve the quality of life for those who live, work and play in Muskogee.

PARKS AND GREEN SPACES

• Beckman Park, North 16th Street and West Broadway.

• Bill Pool Park, Gawf and Foltz lanes.

• Civitan Park, 3301 Gibson St.

• Coody Creek Bark Park, 1121 S. Second St.

• Depot Green, Third and Elgin streets.

• Douglas-Maxey Park, South Sixth Street and West Southside Boulevard.

• Elliott Park, Altamont Street and Tower Hill Boulevard.

• Gulick Park, South Seventh and Elgin streets.

• Honor Heights Park, Between Agency Hill and 48th Street.

• King Park, Gibson Street and East Side Boulevard.

Spectators fill hatbox event Center for the recent Muskogee regional Junior Livestock Show and Sale, where Maci Britt showed her hampshire hog. City of Muskogee Foundation helped fund construction and renovation of the center. (File photo)

• Langston Park, Euclid and Sandlow streets.

• Optimist Park, South F and Independence streets.

• Palmer Park, Honor Heights Drive and Denison Street.

• Robison Park, Augusta and Gulick streets.

• Rooney Park, 2300 Military Boulevard.

• Rotary Park, South 24th and Elgin streets.

• Spaulding Park, East Okmulgee Avenue and East Side Boulevard. IN THE WORKS: Grandview Park, behind Hilldale Elementary School.

a woman dressed like a butterfly spreads her wings at the Moonlight and Monarch event at the Papilion, one of many parks projects funded in part by the City of Muskogee Foundation. (File photo)

“We developed a plan of how we would spend that money,” Wilkerson said. “We spread it out over all our parks. With the first money we got, we upgraded all our playgrounds and added facilities in all our parks. That made a huge difference, especially in the

Quality of Life

community and neighborhood parks.”

The Hatbox Event Center has become a regional showcase for livestock shows, auto shows and other events. Wilkerson said the foundation gave the city a matching grant to convert old airport hangars and build a larger

facility.

Foundation money also helped Parks and Recreation upgrade tennis courts. A foundation grant helped expand programs at Muskogee Teen Center, as well as upgrade its facility, originally built as an armory at 322

Muskogee high School Junior air Force rOtC members hold the american flag and flags of the armed forces during a Veterans Day observance at Depot Green. (File photo)

Quality of Life

City of Muskogee Foundation helped fund new playground equipment at Muskogee neighborhood parks, including rotary Park, where this 2018 photo shows Vanessa Campbell holding her children, Jeannessa Coleman, right, and J’Mario Coleman, as they venture down a twisty slide.. (File photo)

Callahan St.

Wilkerson said he’s proud of how foundation money helped bring in other grants.

“We try to leverage their money with other grant sources,” he said. “A lot of times in our applications to the foundation, we’re only looking for projects that we have a match for. When we do other grant applications, if we know the foundation’s going to help us already, that helps us get the other funding, as well.”

For example, Friends of Honor Heights Park were able to secure more than $200,000 in private donations, including $70,000 from Georgia-Pacific, to build the Butterfly House, the highlight of the Papilion. The City of Muskogee Foundation matched the first $200,000 raised. The Papilion has hosted gatherings and guests through the years.

The foundation’s $800,000 was part of a collaborative project to build Depot Green. Muskogee Area Arts Council received a $10,000 grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council, with other funds coming from city capital improvement project funding and a grant from Union Pacific Railroad.

Quality of Life

Be CKM a N Par K

North 16th Street and West Broadway

Located in the heart of Founders Place Historic District, this 3.7acre neighborhood park has a new playground, splash pad and picnic shelter.

Bi LL P OOL Par K

Gawf and Foltz lanes

This 2.5-acre park in Phoenix Village has picnic tables, a playground, and a basketball court.

Ci V ita N Par K

3301 Gibson St.

Daniel Boone’s son, Nathan, originally surveyed this 43-acre hillside park across the street from the Oklahoma School for the Blind.

The eastern boundary of the park is the boundary of the Cherokee and Creek Nations. Amenities include a concrete trail that is .8 mile in length and is the meeting place for many regular park patrons. An 18-hole disc golf course is open to the public at no charge. There are picnic areas, playground, open play areas, and a historic shelter that is available by reservation.

D O u GL a S -MaX ey Par K

South Sixth Street and West Southside Boulevard

This 2-acre park was originally two separate parks. Now considered a single park, it has picnic areas, playground, open spaces, and a basketball court.

eLL i Ott Par K

Honor Heights Drive

Altamont

Street and Tower Hill Boulevard

One of Muskogee’s older historic parks, Elliott Park is situated on Tower Hill, the site of Muskogee’s first water tower. This beautiful treed and terraced 29-acre setting has picnic areas, playgrounds, lighted basketball courts, a shelter that is available for reservation. During summer days the sprayground, an interactive water playground, is in operation.

Gu L i CK Par K

South Seventh and Elgin streets

This 1-acre neighborhood park has shaded picnic areas, playground, and open play areas.

hONO r h ei G ht S Par K

Originally purchased by the City of Muskogee in 1909, Honor Heights Park has proven to be the “the crown jewel in Muskogee’s park system.” The idyllic setting of this 132-acre park makes it attractive to visitors year-round. There are many picnic areas, two picnic shelters, a pavilion, gazebos, and public restrooms. You also will find activities such as fishing in five lakes and ponds from the shore of the fully accessible fishing docks, playground, open play areas, three tennis courts, and a sand volleyball court. A splash pad located next to the playground area is in operation May-September. Honor Heights is home to three trails: Henry Bresser Nature Trail, the Audubon Trail, which is a favorite of local birders,

alfonso Gutierrez, left, pauses while Nathan Johnson works on his scooter Wednesday afternoon at the Skatepark at Midland Valley. Lighting could allow people to use the skatepark at dusk. (File photo)

and the half-mile Stem Beach Trail which is a habit of local runners and walkers. Also home to the Conard Rose Garden, the C. Clay Harrell Arboretum, Art Johnson Memorial Dogwood Collection, Elbert L. Little Jr. Native Tree Collection, azalea gardens, floral gardens, white garden, and at the top of Agency Hill, you will find the Rainbow Division Memorial Amphitheater. Honor Heights Park also is home to the city’s largest festivals: The Azalea Festival and The Garden of Lights.

LOV e- h at BOX S PO rt S COMPL e X / h at BOX Fie LD 34th and Arline streets

This 60-acre site is formerly a historic airport that had seen the likes of such people as Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. Newly expanded and developed over the last several years, this complex is home to many leagues, tournaments, and individual users.

Ki NG Par K

Gibson Street and East Side Boulevard

This fenced park has a shaded picnic area, playground and an open play area.

La NGS t ON Par K

Euclid and Sandow streets

This 2-acre park north of Shawnee Bypass has shaded picnic areas, a playground, an open area, and a basketball court.

O P ti M i S t Par K

South F and Independence streets

There is a shaded playground and picnic area in this 1.5-acre park. There is also a ballfield and an open play area.

Pa LM er Par K

Honor Heights Drive and Denison Street

This 2-acre park is named after early Park Superintendent George Palmer. You will find shaded and sunny picnic

Quality of Life

areas, a playground, open play area, and two fishing ponds.

rOB i SON Par K

Augusta and Gulick streets

This park offers a playground and sprayground with picnic areas, basketball courts, baseball/softball practice area, and soccer goals. Walking trails and outdoor fitness equipment are available, as well.

rO tary Par K

South 24th and Elgin streets

Originally donated by the Rotary Club, this 3.5-acre park is home to a newly renovated playground and splash pad, picnic areas, open play area, pavilion, and two basketball courts.

S Pau LD i NG Par K

East Okmulgee and East Side Boulevard

This setting is home to 19 acres of many amenities and some of the first publicly planted trees in the city. There

are picnic areas, a playground, open play areas, fully accessible swimming facility, tennis courts, the asphalt multipurpose Spaulding Trail, a picnic shelter (reservations available), a gazebo surrounded by the water of the park’s lake, two basketball courts, a fishing dock, and public restrooms. Located directly next to the Parks and Recreation Administration offices.

Par KS a ND r e C reati ON De Part M e N t Fa C i L itie S River Country Water Park, 3600 Arline St. Honor Heights Park Papilion. Georgia-Pacific Butterfly House open Mother’s Day through Sept. 30. Love-Hatbox Sports Complex, 3601 Arline St. Muskogee Swim and Fitness Center, 566 N. Sixth St. (918) 684-6304.

Source: City of Muskogee

MOVING. MUSKOGEE. FORWARD.

Port Muskogee in partnership with the Foundation develops and administers incentiveprograms designed to increasenew business recruitment, expansion, andtalentacquisition in Muskogee.

Thecity of Muskogee Foundation has been a driving force for economic development in Muskogee since 2008.

VISIT PORTMUSKOGEE.COM