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OKC FRIDAY Vol. 54 No. 11 • One Section • 12 pages July 24, 2020

www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village, Quail Creek, The Greens and Gaillardia for 46 years

MASKED DEFENDERS Face coverings said to be best way to stop COVID-19 OKC’s mandate expires Sept. 7 By Rose Lane Editor Forty-two people spoke out both for and against a proposed face mask ordinance for Oklahoma City as a way of slowing the spread of COVID-19. The 5-plus-hour-long City Council meeting culminated in a 6-3 vote in favor of the proposal with more than 1,600 people tuned into the live feed at one time. The ordinance was effective immediately by a 7-2 vote of the council. Ward 4 Councilman Todd Stone voted nay for the ordinance, but yea for the emergency clause. People are now required to wear face masks in indoor public spaces with some exceptions. Those with medical exemptions can show documentation from a doctor. Fines are $9 for the first and second offenses and $100 for a third. Enforcement personnel will be supplied with masks to distribute to those who don’t have one. The ordinance is set to expire on Sept. 7.

For more information, see Wearing the mask in OKC, Page 2. The ordinance was introduced by Ward 8 Councilman Mark Stonecipher. He said the intent of the proposal was to help hospitals, lower unemployment and keep the economy going. Several of the current council members said they didn’t believe it was the council’s place to mandate masks. “I feel that a mandatory solution to this with the government in control is not the correct way to go,” Ward 3 Councilman Larry McAtee said. “Volunteering is the way to go. I do not think it is enforceable.” Ward 1’s James Greiner echoed his thoughts. “People don’t need the City Council to tell them to wear masks,” he said. “This is a medical decision people should make on their own.” Stonecipher cited a 1905 Supreme Court 7-2 decision which was made during the small pox pandemic and in the case of Jacobsen vs. the Commonwealth of See MASKS, Page 2

Village follows in big city’s footsteps By Rose Lane Editor

- Photo by Jason Jewell

Casady student Kate Johnson, above, works out on Tuesday morning at the Bennett Athletic Center in preparation for the upcoming fall sports season. Everyone on the Casady campus is required to wear a mask or face covering and observe social distancing guidelines.

By unanimous vote and with the blessing of three residents, The Village City Council approved an ordinance requiring the wearing of masks. The Village is following the lead of OKC, but is not imposing fines. A proclamation from Mayor David Bennett was expected to be released just days after the Monday meeting. Bennett said that The Village has been following OKC’s lead throughout the pandemic which has brought continuity to the community. Only three residents asked to speak during the City Council meeting. See VILLAGE, Page 3

BancFirst named one of the world’s best banks by Forbes BancFirst announced that Forbes has named BancFirst as one of the best banks in the world in its World's Best Banks 2020 report. Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to conduct a study of approximately 40,000 banking consumers in nearly two dozen countries based on their opinions on current and former banking relationships.

Participants were asked to name all banks where they have or previously had a checking or savings account. The participants then rated each bank based on various evaluation criteria including overall banking recommendation, general satisfaction, trust, terms and conditions, customer service, digital services, and financial advice. The results of the Forbes Statista survey for 2020 placed

BancFirst as the tenth best bank in the United States, making it the top ranked Oklahoma-based bank on the list. The full list and the accompanying article can be found on the Forbes website: forbes.com/worlds-best-banks/ #640c44551295. “This recognition by Forbes is a direct reflection of the loyalty of the men and women working at each of our 120 locations and their

dedication to the core values of our company,” said David Harlow, CEO, BancFirst Corporation. “Rankings based upon financial performance are of course important, but being ranked in this way by our own customers, recognizing the superior customer service provided by our bankers, is in many ways more rewarding.”

Inside today:

Suzie Nelson had a birthday and her friends drove by to celebrate.

Mary Blankenship Pointer, right, has won the Sister Cities International 2020 Award for Volunteer of the Year. She is president of Sister Cities OKC and on the International Board of Directors.

• Community Calendar of Events, Page 6 • Religion, Page 7 • Classifieds, Legals, Pages 4, 5 & 9 • Opinion, Page 10 • Class of 2020 All Stars describe their best teachers and Shop Local, Page 11

See Excursions, Page 12

FRIDAY’s

Dog of the Week Remi is a Mini Schnauzer. She is just over 1-year-old. Her human is Marci Jones. Email Dog of the Week, Baby of the Week and Cat of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.

Sponsored by Paulette and Leo Kingston of WePayFast.com

See BANK, Page 3

Pointer Volunteer of the Year Mary Blankenship Pointer has won the Sister Cities International 2020 Award for Volunteer of the Year. The awards competition, which is open to sister city programs worldwide, recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding individuals and community sister city programs that are promoting peace through mutual

respect, understanding and cooperation. Pointer is the president of Sister Cities International Oklahoma City (OKC). Pointer was recruited in 2015 by the then president of Sister Cities International OKC to serve on the board of directors. Two years later, she See POINTER, Page 11


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