We do have questions and we will begin here in just a moment. Once
again, I want to thank you everyone for tuning in to k onetv dot
com, Facebook Live, also k one AM fourteen one hundred FM, ninety
three point three and ninety five point one, and then again our sponsors Phillip
sixty six and Susan Cues Vintage Ball, and we had a drawing. CEO
goes first and Michael Cole Yeah, lucky recipient of Numero Uno. So you
get to, first of all, tell us a little bit just about yourself.
Your opening stated begins now. Thank you, Tom. My name is
Michael Cohlaugh. I am a thirty four year resident of Washington County here in
Bartlesville. I was born and raised in Enid, Oklahoma, in a pastor's
home. I watched my dad serve our community on two separate occasions as a
member of the Enid School Board, and so service to the community was something
that was modeled for me in the home that I grew up in. When
I came here to go to college in nineteen ninety I went to Aklohm Wesleyan
University a degree in pastoral ministry, spent the next seventeen years working in the
church world in pastoral ministry, whether that be a youth pastor, a college
pastor, music pastor transitioning to working at the university where I served as the
pastor for campus ministries, served as a professor in the School of Religion there,
worked for an administrative office in the Wesleyan Church. So seventeen years in
pastoral ministry, and then a transition happened where I began working in the corporate
world thirteen years since then in oil and gas and banking, and I feel
that being a candidate for this position, I'm uniquely positioned with the skill set
of working with people for so many years seventeen years in pastoral ministry allowed me
to work with so many different people of so many different backgrounds, and then
being thrust into the world of corporate America, where I was fortunate enough to
work in finance for those thirteen years and have learned the financial management skills,
the financial acumen, the analysis skills. So it's a coupling of relationships,
leadership and financial management that I believe uniquely positions me as the best potential candidate
for Washington County Commissioner District two and I'm glad to be here tonight and to
answer any questions that we will have. All right, thank you very much,
Corey Shovel, you are now ready your role my friend. Okay,
all right, thank you, thanks for having us, and thank thank everybody
for coming. I'm Corey Shovel running for Washington County District two Commissioner. I
have worked with Washington County for twenty eight half years. I am currently the
supervisor of the Roads and Bridges have been for the past fourteen years. I
am a graduate of Oklahoma State Road Management Program. I have twenty eight year
safety achievement. I have supervised eight new bridge projects. I've been a part
of building miles and miles of roads as well as resurfacing miles and miles of
roads. As a supervisor, I have taken on many responsibilities that include assessing
roads and bridges, overseeing the upkeep on equipment and the buildings of our department.
In District three is where I work, tracking inventory, managing personnel,
and assisting the Commissioner in the budget of that department. And with that I
have I have made a I have a good working relationship with the Commissioner,
so I am able to see the day to day duties of their job,
and all of this I feel like plays a great part in my ability to
know the job on day one. I have a great understanding of the budget
process. I have attended budget board meetings. I've attended commissioner meetings. I
know where the money comes from, I know where the money goes. So
I am simply running on my experience and my knowledge, and I look forward
to continuing the management of the resources effectively and efficiently. Thank you very much,
mister Darryl Worley, tell us about yourself well, Thank you Tom,
Thank everybody for being here. Thank kay one for putting this on. Yeah.
I was born in Clawnwoar, Oklahoma. I was raised in a rural
area about halfway between Cladwar and Prior and I tended schools and graduated in nineteen
seventy three. I worked on area ranches and as a carpenter for about ten
years or maybe a little longer, and then I decided that I needed to
go to college and try to do a little better for myself. I received
my bachelor's degree from Northeastern State in nineteen eighty nine. I passed the examination
to be a professional engineer in nineteen ninety nine. Since then, I have
worked as an engineer or a project manager. Most of my project manager experience
has been in road building or environmental remediation. I have overseen projects with very
large budgets in both the private and public sectors, and as an engineer and
project manager, I currently run a one man engineering consulting business and have since
twenty fifteen. I worked in the engineering department for the City of Bartlesville for
eight years. I was a city lead for Operation Clean House for seven of
those years. I am a Christian and my wife, Sandy, and I
have been attending First Leslian Church for twenty plus years. My biblical worldview is
very important to me. I am vice currently Vice chairman of Precinct eleven,
and I have been a precinct officer multiple times since two thousand and seven,
which is when we moved to our new where we're located now. I've been
preparing for a position as a county commissioner all of my life. It is
because of these previous diverse experience I believe I am the most qualified to be
the next district to Warhington County Commissioner. Thank you, Thank you. Very
much. Nice to get to everybody kind of acquainted with one another before we
have our conversation. Some people call it a form, but we're having a
discussion here tonight. We're all among friends. We're going to start off with
the first question and it's going to go to Cory. Now, these are
questions that have been submitted by you. I didn't write them, but we
did have to modify some of these, and we didn't use all of them
because quite honestly, we just didn't have enough time. You guys are so
good at putting these questions in. Some of it actually been merged. This
one is a very personal one that came in Corey. It says, I
live in a rural area with a gravel road. What would be your plan
for a good road maintenance for a gravel road? Well, if you know,
if the road continues to stay gravel, you know, we assess these
roads. I as the road form and I try to drive these roads once
a week. And I'm I'm not gonna lie to you. I don't make
every road once a week. We have one hundred and eighty six miles in
District three that I am the supervisor of. But I do try to I
do try to hit these at least once every two weeks. So if it's
if it is a gravel road, obviously we're gonna we're gonna grade that road.
We're gonna maintain it to the best of our ability. We weather dictates
everything that we do. You you cannot plan any kind of a grading schedule
because if it rains a lot, we may grade that road two maybe three
times a month. If it is hot and dry in the summertime, we're
probably not going to grade that road. If there's potholes, well we will
go out and you know, we will hit the potholes get them graded out,
but we will not grade the entire road because it just creates more dust
and people, I tell you, people do not like dust. So yeah,
that would be that would be my plan on a on a gravel road.
All right, same question to you, mister Whorleye. I live in
a rural area with a gravel road, and what would your plan be for
good road maintenance on a gravel road. Well, I would do my best
to set up a schedule for maintenance. We would, of course, we
would be checking the roads on a regular basis, as Corey said, But
when we go out through the grating, water is what kills those roads.
You've got to make the drainage right. If you're going to keep a road
and make a difference with its gravel or asphalt, you've got to make sure
the darnage is correct. Very good. And do you, mister kolo I,
live in a rural area of the gravel road, what would be your
plan for a good road maintenance for a gravel road? Well, to reiterate,
I do believe that grading the road is imperative. And as mister Chivil
said, you have to go out and drive these roads and be familiar with
them. But as a county commissioner, it would be my responsibility to work
with our road foreman, to work with our crew to make sure that they
have everything that they need in order to make sure that these roads are graded,
that they have the gravel they need, the right type of gravel they
need for these roads to keep them in the proper state that they should be
in, for a safe environment as well for the constituents on their roads.
Already, our next question is, and it's gonna good, it's gonna go
to Darryl. How will you reduce spending and work toward leaner budgets. Well,
last night we all had a forum and we kind of got similar questions.
I've been looking at that today. One thing I think I would look
at to begin with, and probably I'm not saying that could happen, is
look at some privatization and maybe go away from us having all the personnel and
maybe look for having contractors. Of course it had to be with bids and
we'd have to show that we would save money, but that would be one
of the things I would look at. Okay, very good to you and
mister Kolo. How will you do spending and have leaner budgets? So first
of all, I would look at the budgets, see what we have and
what the different line items are appropriated, to figure out where we are being
ineffective, where we're being inefficient. I've had the opportunity to talk with people
who live in District two and people who work in District two, and I
think it's imperative for us, all three county commissioners to work together. If
we're going to buy gravel, let's work together on a bid to buy gravel
from the same location so that then we'll get it at a reduced cost rather
than buying gravel from a different location based upon the district that you work in.
So that's one way specifically that I think we could lower costs for the
district. Again, it's about being effective. It's about being efficient with our
resources and the time and the main or the equipment that we have. And
to you, Corey, Corey Shivel, how will you reduce spending and have
leaner budgets? Okay, well, I guess advantage me I have. I've
been in budget board meetings. I see the budget. I know what we
have. The money that we receive is what operates the county and there's really
nothing more or nothing less to that. I don't see that there is any
kind of overspending on anything from the experience that I have had that I have
so as far as reducing spending, I'm very open minded. And if someone
can show us where we are overspending and we could fix that, I would
be all in favor of that. Very good. We go back to Michael
Cohla here for our next question. Being a county commissioner, many people seem
to think it's roads, roads, bridges and roads, but it's not.
How do you see the position of county commissioner. I see the position of
county commissioner as the chief administrator and manager of everything that happens within the county.
You are correct. I do believe most people think roads and bridges when
they think about a county commissioner. That is a portion of the job.
But the job is working with the other elected officials, working with hired people
or individuals who live or work in the county. We set the budget in
Washington County. We have a budget board, and so the county commissioners are
the chairman of that budget board. They again are the chief administrators of everything
that happens in the county. If we need more money for our Sheriff's department,
it's going to go through the county commissioners, our county fairgrounds, our
county Courthouse, the annex building just next to it behind us here. So
they are the chief admindministrators of everything that happens in the county, and it
is their job to be the stewards of the tax dollars and to do that
to the best of their ability. They're good. Corey Chivel. Do you
more than just roads? How do you see the position of county commissioner.
Yeah, I would echo what mister Kolaw has said. He's he's done his
homework over there, so good for you. Yeah, you know that the
county commissioner, they they oversee the upkeep on all of the buildings that they
have. There's there's the Sheriff's department, there's the fair grounds, there's the
administrative building, there's the courthouse. I mean there's a lot of property that
that has to have upkeep constantly. So there's that, and then you know,
as as mister Kohla was saying, they are they're on the budget board,
they have their commissioner meetings. They they are approving purchase orders, they're
approving payroll, they're approving salaries, they are awarding contracts. So yes,
there there is there's a lot more to roads and bridges, although I would
I would disagree about the ten percent roads and bridges. I've heard that many
times. I think I think that is a big, a big part of
their job. You know, that is a that is over a one point
five million dollar budget that that one commissioner has total control over. So I
think that warrants a pretty good percentage of his maybe not physical but mental attention
and so yeah, I'll leave it. I'll leave it there. I'm getting
a yellow sign. I'm kind of proud of that, mister Darryl Worley,
again, more than just roads. How do you see the position of county
commissioner? Well, I believe that as a board of county commissioners, they
can act as the strong mayor for the whole county. Yeah. If you
know what a strong mayor system of government is that they are in charge of
all the administration and the buck stops with them. All right, very good,
We're going to go on to Cory here. When it comes to a
county government and being a commissioner, how do you see the expansion of certain
things like say maybe a new facility, perhaps an expo center or something like
that. How do you perceive seeing that coming about? If that would even
be in your purview or your plans? Sure, yeah, I know that
the commissioners were working on an expo building. I think the biggest question on
that is can it be self sufficient? How is it going to you know,
pay for itself? Can it pay for itself? I am I'm one
hundred percent open to that. I think it would be a great thing for
Washington County. I think it would bring in outsiders who's going to spend money
in our county. I think that's wonderful. I would like to see a
proposal as far as are we going to be able to fill that facility week
in and week out? And will it pay for itself? Very good?
Same question to you, mister Willie. How do you see the expansion possibly
of something like the new facility as a commissioner along the lines of an export
building. See. Well, I'm a big believer in the free market,
and I believe that the government should stay in their lane and the capitalism should
stay in their lane. I would not be for a have an expost center.
Very good, same question. So this comes up a possible expansion of
facilities, say an expost center. Where would you stand on an issue like
that. Well, again, as mister Chivell said, the commissioners have looked
at it and it was definitely a very hot conversation topic for quite weight side
and doesn't look like at this point in time it would come to profession.
I would not have a problem with a new expost center as long as it's
not a tax burden, an additional tax burden on the constituents and the people
of washcount I would agree one hundred percent with what mister Chivell said. We
would need to fill that each and every weekend. We would need to see
an economic impact on our community, a positive economic impact on our community in
order for me to fully support that. But if we could do that,
if we could find the proposal, and we could find the land, and
we could find a way to do that, I would have no problem with
that one whatsoever. Okay, be sure, Worley, and this comes from
someone who's seen a lot of signs. Okay, as a commissioner, do
you support the laws of the state of Oklahoma specifically I dot? And if
so, have you made sure that none of your signs violate the placement along
the highway rights of ways. I've done my best. My wife is the
biggest sign put her out here that I have, so I've give her certain's
instructions not used and not to end, to stay on the right of way,
not to put them in people's yards. All righty, mister col I
would absolutely say I respect all of those laws. You will not find a
sign of mind that is not placed where someone has requested or why I have
requested and re see permission to put a sign at that location. Mister Schull,
absolutely, I echo what mister coe Law says. Every sign that I
have out, I have either been asked to put a sign there, or
I have asked to put a sign there, or they have taken a sign
from a setting like this. And if I'm nearly one hundred percent certain that
they have not put them where, they're not supposed to be very good for
our closing statements here, and we are going to start off. Where is
Caleb here? Where do we go here? Okay, Darryl, it's time
for your closing statement here, so you have three minutes. Okay, I
don't get three minutes. My life, experiences and education have prepared me to
be a county commissioner. I'm running on a platform of property rights, individual
rights, and election integrity. Property. Property and individual rights are granted by
God. They are not granted by the governments. The constitution are to ensure
those rights are not violated by the government at any level. I've read and
marked up the Republican platform. The reason that said to all this that I
know the people, let the people know that I will support the principles stated
in that platform. In all my deliberations, I will use biblical principles,
principles found in the US Constitution the Yoklahoma Constitution, and I will take my
oath to preserve and protect the constitutions very seriously. While I have no evidence
to suspect voter fraud has occurred in Warshton County, I do believe the elections
can be made more transparent. I believe all elections should be open to independent
audits, and I would be in favor of handcounts at precinct level with observers
loud. I also believe the results of all Mailian and early voting ballots should
be putted in the first fifteen minutes following the close of the actual precincts.
In my working career, I've always prided myself in being able to communicate and
work with all people, from the labor in the ditch to the chairman of
the company to the mayor of the city. I have always been able to
come to an understanding with people without compromising my principles. I will not be
afraid to be the lone descending book on an issue that is important to protect
the rights of the people. When elected, I will serve my contitions constituents
to the best of my ability, and in closing, I ask you for
your support in the upcoming election. Thank you very much. Corey Chivell your
closing stements. Yeah, okay, I'm going to keep this on the county
commissioner level here and go with What makes me the best candidate for this job
is my experience and knowledge. I work well with others. I have built
good relationship relationships with the people that I work with and with the people that
I will be working with. I am invested with the county. I care
about the future of the county. I am committed. I have the ability
to talk to people and the ability to answer their questions, and most importantly,
I have the ability to listen to people. So that is why I
feel like I am the best candidate for this job and with one hundred percent
appreciate your support and vote on June eighteenth. Thank you you, Michael Coolock
your closing statement. Please, First of all, I'd like to thank you
Tom for moderating tonight. Thank you bartleseol Radio Potter family for hosting and putting
on this forum tonight. And I would be remiss if I did not thank
the Washington County Republican Party for the forum that they hosted last night, as
well as the Washington County Republican and other Conservatives who hosted a forum a week
ago. Thank you very much for allowing us all to have the opportunity to
share. I believe I'm the best candidate for this position because for me,
this is first invention, understanding financial management, understanding setting but in airing to
budgets and being stewards of the taxpayer dollars. It's about leadership. And when
I say young age, I mean in my twenties, I was thrust into
leadership positions that I wasn't expected to be in and I've led teams of one,
teams of three, teams of two hundred, and I do not have
a problem working with people. The Greeks have a word for service and it's
called do loss. Do loss is translated servant leader. And so leadership for
me is about serving the people. It's about working with the people who are
around you, which leads me to the final thing, and that is relationships.
Relationships are so very important in life. We have to have proper relationships
with those around us. We have to be able to get along with people
that we don't agree with and have decorum and have upright relationships with them.
It has been a privilege to go through this campaign and to get to know
mister Chivell. I've known mister Worley for years and years and years, and
we were neighbors. It has been a very civil and respectful campaign and I
am grateful for that. And so relationships and building those relationships with the constituents,
building relationships with the other commissioners, with the other elected officials and those
who work within the county is imperative to being a good county commissioner. And
so I think all of that sets me apart to be the ideal candidate.
And I again would appreciate your vote on Tuesday, June eighteenth. Thank you
very much. A reminder that we do have early voting. It takes place
on Thursday and Friday upstairs fourth floor can miss it, and also on Saturdays
well, and then of course on the traditional election day would be Tuesday the
eighteenth. Also want to thank all of you for being up here with us
here voters. You got your work cut out for you. These are three
fine men and they all present very well tonight. Let's give them all a
hand and we will be right back after these commercial messages. You are watching
and listening to our Political Forum for twenty twenty four from City Hall right here
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