HEART OF OKLAHOMA Jim Clark shows Carol Wright a piece from the Harry Kotlar collection during a party revealing the setting for the Heart of Oklahoma diamond. Page B2
Pages 11 & B6
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 53 No. 31 • Two Sections • 20 Pages • December 6, 2019
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 45 years
City pitches in to help improve animal shelter By Ashley Haley Staff Writer The City of the Village will assist the Village Animal League (VAL), a group of residents who help maintain the local animal shelter, in the shelter improvement project estimated to cost about $94,000. At a regular city council meeting Monday, the city council approved a resolution to allow city manager Bruce Stone to solicit competitive bids for the improvement project, although still in its early stages of planning. “This is something we’ve been working on for some time,” Stone said. “This project will rely a lot on donations and I know that (volunteer) Tom Wolfe is committed to raising the money.” The city will pay for about 30 percent of the project, which is about $28,000. Stone said the city budgeted $50,000 for a salt storage unit and
- Photos by Fran Kozakowski
He’s the King! Above: Lucinda and Beaux Arts King David Huffman on the dance floor following the 2019 debutante presentation. At right: The king’s pages, Master Duncan Thomas Beck and Master Daniel Pierce Ward. The Beaux Arts Ball is a benefit for the OKC Museum of Art. For more photos, see Pages 2 & B1.
See SHELTER, Page 3
Tuesday election to decide the fate of MAPS 4 proposal By Rose Lane Editor Oklahoma City residents go to the polls on Tuesday to decide on a 16-part MAPS 4 proposal. Dividing the proposal up into four “buckets,” Mayor David Holt said MAPS 4 would address neighborhood and human needs, quality of life and jobs. It
replaces the 1-cent sales tax earmarked for streets when it expires in March 2020, therefore not raising taxes and maintaining the city’s current sales tax rate of 8.625 percent. As in previous MAPS initiatives, Holt said the city will “pay as we go” and not accrue debt. The MAPS 4 sales tax would be in effect for eight
years and is expected to raise some $978 million. The MAPS 4 proposal includes the following: • A permanent facility for the Palomar Family Justice Center, $38 million. • Parks — $60 million to upgrade neighborhood parks, $20 million for an operations fund to address capital expenses and $60 million earmarked for youth
Bachelor’s Club names Debutantes Twenty-nine women will make their debut at the 74th annual Bachelors Club Christmas Ball on Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. The black-tie ball is set to begin at 8 p.m. with the debutante presentation to begin at 9 p.m. Each debutante is escorted by a member of the Bachelors Club of Oklahoma City. After the debs are presented, guests
dance to the music of Souled Out and the evening concludes with a late breakfast. Citizens Caring for Children is the recipient of the charitable proceeds of this year’s ball, a local nonprofit designated by Club President Sam Jackson. Also this year, two nonprofit organizations received gifts of $10,000 each in honor of Judy Lehmbeck, who organized the ball for the last 28 years. They are
Transition House, Inc., and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, two organizations that meant a lot to Lehmbeck. Last year was her final as coordinator of the Christmas Ball. Taking over for Lehmbeck this year is Erika Mattison. Mattison worked in corporate events for nine years and lives in Oklahoma City with her husband and son.
soccer facilities for a total of $140 million. • Sidewalks, bike lanes, trails and street lights, $87 million. • Improvements to the Freedom Center, a civil rights museum, $25 million. • Four new youth centers, $110 million. • Beautification, $30 million. • New State Park colos-
seum, $63 million. • Fifth Senior Wellness Center to fill gap in service, plus scholarship fund for low income residents, $30 million. • New animal shelter, $38 million. • Transit, $87 million. • Homelessness, $50 million in housing. See MAPs 4, Page 8
FRIDAY’s
Baby of the Week Michael Phillips is the son of Seth and Caitlin Phillips. He is 2—yearsold and loves to play outside! He enjoys anything with wheels and loves spending time with his Pop Pop. 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 DEBS, Page 3