WEBVTT

1
00:00:05.960 --> 00:00:08.320
<v Speaker 1>Good morning, good morning, good morning. Welcome, welcome, welcome meeting.

2
00:00:08.359 --> 00:00:11.640
<v Speaker 1>Is it time now for our Community Connection program? A

3
00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:14.199
<v Speaker 1>subset of it we called City Matters because of it

4
00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:17.079
<v Speaker 1>matters to you, it matters to the city. We have

5
00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:19.600
<v Speaker 1>a Vice Mayor, Trevor dorsse Y. How we doing counselming?

6
00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:22.760
<v Speaker 1>Very good, well, great to have you here. Beautiful day today.

7
00:00:22.839 --> 00:00:25.079
<v Speaker 1>Not quite as rowdy as it was yesterday with the

8
00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:29.559
<v Speaker 1>weather and oil. But we had a council meeting on Monday,

9
00:00:29.559 --> 00:00:30.960
<v Speaker 1>May fifth. Tell us a little bit about it.

10
00:00:31.079 --> 00:00:33.880
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, we did have a council meeting, and so it's

11
00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:37.679
<v Speaker 2>always interesting having the community Connection later in the month

12
00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:40.920
<v Speaker 2>because you kind of forget some things about what all,

13
00:00:40.960 --> 00:00:42.799
<v Speaker 2>what all transpired, and what all we covered in the

14
00:00:42.840 --> 00:00:46.200
<v Speaker 2>council meeting. But it was a good council meeting. And

15
00:00:46.280 --> 00:00:49.840
<v Speaker 2>you know, we as always we talk about the roles

16
00:00:50.039 --> 00:00:52.759
<v Speaker 2>or I always try to mention if you want to

17
00:00:52.880 --> 00:00:56.840
<v Speaker 2>serve your community, those roles that we have. We've got

18
00:00:56.840 --> 00:00:58.479
<v Speaker 2>a couple that are open right now. We got one

19
00:00:58.520 --> 00:01:02.479
<v Speaker 2>opening on the bars Area History Museum Trust Authority, one

20
00:01:02.560 --> 00:01:06.159
<v Speaker 2>on the Barbsville Library Trust Authority, one opening on Streets

21
00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:09.000
<v Speaker 2>and Traffic Committee, and two openings on the White Rose

22
00:01:09.040 --> 00:01:10.159
<v Speaker 2>Cemetery Board.

23
00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:11.879
<v Speaker 3>And and all the citizens that.

24
00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:15.480
<v Speaker 2>Serve on these committees are invaluable because they're they're feedback

25
00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:19.359
<v Speaker 2>and their interaction kind of helped to craft and mold

26
00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:22.120
<v Speaker 2>some of the things we do as a city. It's

27
00:01:22.159 --> 00:01:25.319
<v Speaker 2>always important to get feedback from from your constituents, and

28
00:01:25.519 --> 00:01:29.239
<v Speaker 2>these roles I think are paramount and serving in that

29
00:01:29.319 --> 00:01:32.640
<v Speaker 2>way that they're they're constantly involved in these committees with

30
00:01:32.719 --> 00:01:36.439
<v Speaker 2>other citizens, and they're gathering feedback from from their friends

31
00:01:36.480 --> 00:01:39.640
<v Speaker 2>and neighbors and the coworkers, and so it's very good.

32
00:01:39.760 --> 00:01:44.280
<v Speaker 2>These these committees provide tremendous feedback to us as council members,

33
00:01:44.359 --> 00:01:48.719
<v Speaker 2>and the council members serve, you know, on various committees,

34
00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:51.959
<v Speaker 2>maybe not every committee we have, but certainly on.

35
00:01:52.239 --> 00:01:53.200
<v Speaker 3>A lot of those committees.

36
00:01:53.239 --> 00:01:56.959
<v Speaker 2>And so I have various service roles on some of

37
00:01:57.000 --> 00:01:58.680
<v Speaker 2>these committees. A matter of fact, we'll have a meeting

38
00:01:58.680 --> 00:02:00.879
<v Speaker 2>here in a little bit on the Golf uh Committee

39
00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:02.319
<v Speaker 2>because we've got a good we've got it. We've got

40
00:02:02.319 --> 00:02:04.319
<v Speaker 2>a new golf pro now and and we're doing a

41
00:02:04.359 --> 00:02:06.760
<v Speaker 2>lot on the golf course. The greens are starting to

42
00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:08.759
<v Speaker 2>shape up. That thing is looking really good.

43
00:02:08.879 --> 00:02:10.360
<v Speaker 3>And I think.

44
00:02:11.680 --> 00:02:15.360
<v Speaker 2>We've always had one of the better municipal golf courses

45
00:02:15.400 --> 00:02:17.599
<v Speaker 2>in the state of Oklahoma in my opinion because I've

46
00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:20.560
<v Speaker 2>played quite a few, but but I think we have

47
00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:23.319
<v Speaker 2>and we've done tremendous improvements to the golf course out

48
00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:24.680
<v Speaker 2>there and put a lot of money into it.

49
00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:25.639
<v Speaker 3>So I think it's going to.

50
00:02:25.719 --> 00:02:28.000
<v Speaker 2>Draw a lot of folks as soon as we get

51
00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:30.120
<v Speaker 2>that thing back up and rolling, and we'll be ready

52
00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:34.919
<v Speaker 2>for the big United Way Golf Tournament, the biggest fundraising

53
00:02:34.919 --> 00:02:36.520
<v Speaker 2>golf tournament in America, I do believe.

54
00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:39.360
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, it is at least at least.

55
00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:41.960
<v Speaker 2>Carry in the United Way team have done a phenomenal job,

56
00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:46.159
<v Speaker 2>and you know, I think that really helps uh funnel

57
00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:49.360
<v Speaker 2>money back throughout all the nonprofits.

58
00:02:48.840 --> 00:02:49.560
<v Speaker 3>In our community.

59
00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:52.360
<v Speaker 2>That really and we always talk about nonprofits too, I mean,

60
00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:56.599
<v Speaker 2>we have this city is just blessed with some just amazing, giving,

61
00:02:56.719 --> 00:03:01.159
<v Speaker 2>carrying people that just get back and serve the community. So,

62
00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:06.080
<v Speaker 2>speaking of we talked a lot about the Seapac Committee,

63
00:03:06.680 --> 00:03:10.680
<v Speaker 2>which was our comprehensive plan committee, and we had a

64
00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:14.400
<v Speaker 2>lot of folks that served for gave time for over

65
00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:17.800
<v Speaker 2>a year on that committee. Chase Alcott, Roger Box, Lisa Carey,

66
00:03:17.960 --> 00:03:23.400
<v Speaker 2>Leadonna Chancellor being costalist, Sarah Freeman and Keller Heer, Todd Mays,

67
00:03:23.479 --> 00:03:27.840
<v Speaker 2>Cody Me, Billy Rohone, Schavon Robles, Quinn Shipper, and of

68
00:03:27.879 --> 00:03:29.639
<v Speaker 2>course myself. And there was a lot of city staff

69
00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:34.280
<v Speaker 2>involved like Larry Curtis, Greg Collins, Mica Sniner, Holly Mayhew,

70
00:03:35.319 --> 00:03:38.719
<v Speaker 2>Mike Seemers, Keith Henry, Terry Lordson and Mike Richardson.

71
00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:40.120
<v Speaker 3>I'm sure there was more.

72
00:03:40.199 --> 00:03:42.400
<v Speaker 2>So if I've left somebody out, I do apologize, But

73
00:03:42.800 --> 00:03:46.120
<v Speaker 2>a lot of city staff were very involved and influential

74
00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:49.520
<v Speaker 2>in that process. And then we had half An Associates,

75
00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:52.759
<v Speaker 2>their consulting team, Christian Lynz and Jordan Evans, a lot

76
00:03:52.840 --> 00:03:55.360
<v Speaker 2>of other people were involved in that. But you know,

77
00:03:55.400 --> 00:03:58.479
<v Speaker 2>they gave us very good directive and collaborate, you know,

78
00:03:58.560 --> 00:04:00.719
<v Speaker 2>helped us collaborate as a as a group.

79
00:04:01.240 --> 00:04:05.199
<v Speaker 3>And of course that group of people you know the show.

80
00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:09.759
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, and so they they're very plugged into the community,

81
00:04:09.960 --> 00:04:13.479
<v Speaker 2>They're very engaged in the community, and you know, they

82
00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:16.360
<v Speaker 2>garnered a ton of feedback. We had a lot of

83
00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:22.040
<v Speaker 2>community interaction surveys, we had meetings again started in twenty

84
00:04:22.040 --> 00:04:25.560
<v Speaker 2>twenty three and the schedule is to roll that out

85
00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:30.000
<v Speaker 2>to the city October November twenty four, which which we did.

86
00:04:30.600 --> 00:04:37.319
<v Speaker 2>And again, that group is very plugged in. And you know,

87
00:04:37.439 --> 00:04:39.720
<v Speaker 2>I know all of those people very well, and the

88
00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:43.399
<v Speaker 2>reason is because they're always volunteering, they're always giving back. Uh,

89
00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:46.720
<v Speaker 2>serve on some committees and various nonprofit boards with a

90
00:04:46.759 --> 00:04:51.720
<v Speaker 2>lot of those folks, and so just great citizens and very.

91
00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:52.279
<v Speaker 3>Well to engage.

92
00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:52.879
<v Speaker 1>Yeah.

93
00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:56.439
<v Speaker 2>So, and and you know, if you for those people

94
00:04:56.439 --> 00:04:59.560
<v Speaker 2>that maybe didn't watch the meeting or didn't attend the meeting,

95
00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:02.920
<v Speaker 2>I offered a public apology to this group, even though

96
00:05:02.920 --> 00:05:05.639
<v Speaker 2>it's not mine to give because you know, there's a

97
00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:10.160
<v Speaker 2>subset of the local political group and that leadership has

98
00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:14.920
<v Speaker 2>has tried to foster the idea that there's somehow you

99
00:05:15.079 --> 00:05:19.319
<v Speaker 2>and conception and agenda that was funneled through this committee,

100
00:05:19.360 --> 00:05:22.759
<v Speaker 2>which just isn't true. Uh you know, I guess that

101
00:05:22.920 --> 00:05:25.240
<v Speaker 2>was done in an effort to create an errative that's

102
00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:28.879
<v Speaker 2>just not there. So I want to make sure that

103
00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:32.560
<v Speaker 2>that this group knows how valuable and how appreciated they.

104
00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:35.560
<v Speaker 3>Are for for putting a year of their time. You know,

105
00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:36.800
<v Speaker 3>they gave gave a lot.

106
00:05:36.680 --> 00:05:39.519
<v Speaker 2>Of time in working on this and there's a big

107
00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:42.439
<v Speaker 2>commitment and just like all these other committees, there's a

108
00:05:42.600 --> 00:05:45.480
<v Speaker 2>there's a commitment when you put your name in the

109
00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:47.839
<v Speaker 2>hat to serve and we appreciate that. I think the

110
00:05:47.879 --> 00:05:52.120
<v Speaker 2>city again, it's it's very invaluable. Uh you know, I

111
00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:58.240
<v Speaker 2>didn't I didn't properly get to think may occurred who

112
00:05:58.279 --> 00:06:00.839
<v Speaker 2>was vice mayor at the time, But he was very

113
00:06:00.879 --> 00:06:03.040
<v Speaker 2>instrumental and plugged into that. Even though he didn't serve

114
00:06:03.079 --> 00:06:06.480
<v Speaker 2>on the committee, he was very involved in and throughout

115
00:06:06.519 --> 00:06:09.079
<v Speaker 2>the process. And so and then we have a new

116
00:06:09.079 --> 00:06:13.800
<v Speaker 2>council member, Aaron Kirkpatrick. Aaron took the time and the

117
00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:16.480
<v Speaker 2>due diligence to you know, I think.

118
00:06:16.279 --> 00:06:17.959
<v Speaker 3>He created some AI tool.

119
00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:19.600
<v Speaker 2>That that plugged it in and it gave you a

120
00:06:19.639 --> 00:06:23.079
<v Speaker 2>lot of different feedback. But he also went above and

121
00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:25.279
<v Speaker 2>beyond that and talked to each committee member and talked

122
00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:28.879
<v Speaker 2>to city staff, talked to the consulting firm, and I think,

123
00:06:28.959 --> 00:06:30.639
<v Speaker 2>you know, one of the things he came out of

124
00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:33.360
<v Speaker 2>that with which was nice for him to take that

125
00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:34.959
<v Speaker 2>time because he said, well, you know, it was kind

126
00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:37.920
<v Speaker 2>of messy and sloppy a little bit, and and but

127
00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:40.959
<v Speaker 2>it was a true collaboration and it's not a one

128
00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:43.360
<v Speaker 2>size fits all for everybody in the community. But I

129
00:06:43.399 --> 00:06:46.079
<v Speaker 2>do think that we we came together with a pretty.

130
00:06:45.800 --> 00:06:51.160
<v Speaker 3>Good plan that encompasses all areas of Barsville and all

131
00:06:51.319 --> 00:06:51.879
<v Speaker 3>you know, all.

132
00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:55.439
<v Speaker 2>Geographical areas as well as is all of our constituents.

133
00:06:55.480 --> 00:06:57.879
<v Speaker 2>So I felt like it was a good plan. And

134
00:06:58.360 --> 00:07:03.240
<v Speaker 2>I think that group, again a political subset, a grassroots group,

135
00:07:03.319 --> 00:07:06.720
<v Speaker 2>was a little bit frustrated and upset because they decided

136
00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:09.480
<v Speaker 2>that that plan was not what was best for Barsville

137
00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:10.480
<v Speaker 2>and wanted to rewrite it.

138
00:07:11.720 --> 00:07:11.959
<v Speaker 1>Hmm.

139
00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:12.600
<v Speaker 3>Interesting.

140
00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:16.480
<v Speaker 1>There were a lot of meetings, as you said, where

141
00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:20.519
<v Speaker 1>tons of people could have participated and you know, had

142
00:07:20.519 --> 00:07:21.240
<v Speaker 1>their voice in it.

143
00:07:21.519 --> 00:07:22.079
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, we were.

144
00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:25.480
<v Speaker 2>We were in an election cycle, and so everyone had

145
00:07:25.480 --> 00:07:30.879
<v Speaker 2>the opportunity to participate and be involved in attend meetings.

146
00:07:30.920 --> 00:07:34.360
<v Speaker 2>And there were several presentations of this in the months

147
00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:39.319
<v Speaker 2>leading up to it. No no feedback, no pushback, you know,

148
00:07:39.399 --> 00:07:42.800
<v Speaker 2>and I especially in the campaign season, I would think

149
00:07:42.839 --> 00:07:47.079
<v Speaker 2>it would be important for everyone to know what's going

150
00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:49.560
<v Speaker 2>on in the city, be involved in that and uh,

151
00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:54.240
<v Speaker 2>you know, maybe participate or at least understand. Yeah. Uh

152
00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:57.000
<v Speaker 2>So at the end of the day, again, I feel

153
00:07:57.000 --> 00:08:00.560
<v Speaker 2>like we did a good job of rolling rolling this out,

154
00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:08.199
<v Speaker 2>and you know, and I think that, and I'm very

155
00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:11.199
<v Speaker 2>grateful that this group continues. You know, the group of

156
00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:14.600
<v Speaker 2>people that I name, whether it's citizens in the community

157
00:08:14.680 --> 00:08:17.680
<v Speaker 2>or city staff, continues to be very engaged and involved

158
00:08:17.720 --> 00:08:21.399
<v Speaker 2>in trying to make Barsville the best city it possibly

159
00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:24.839
<v Speaker 2>can be. And we have so much positive things going on.

160
00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:26.680
<v Speaker 2>We know, we heard from the BDA the other night

161
00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:32.080
<v Speaker 2>at the council meeting, and we've got several new jobs

162
00:08:32.159 --> 00:08:34.600
<v Speaker 2>going in the industrial park. We've got a lot of

163
00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:37.879
<v Speaker 2>new job creation out in the old Siemens building. There's

164
00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:40.399
<v Speaker 2>a spec building that we're gonna be putting up in

165
00:08:40.440 --> 00:08:46.799
<v Speaker 2>the industrial park, and I believe we've got considerable activity

166
00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:50.200
<v Speaker 2>and interest in that building already, So it's very possible

167
00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:54.679
<v Speaker 2>before we drag out the shovels into a groundbreaking that

168
00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:57.279
<v Speaker 2>we could have some serious interest in somebody being in

169
00:08:57.320 --> 00:08:59.919
<v Speaker 2>there and signing a lease and getting that thing going.

170
00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:04.440
<v Speaker 2>We also are expanding an industrial park for the group

171
00:09:04.559 --> 00:09:08.080
<v Speaker 2>the Phillips Machining that was out there at the old

172
00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:10.799
<v Speaker 2>Seamens building. They went to the industrial park and built

173
00:09:10.799 --> 00:09:13.559
<v Speaker 2>a building. They've outgrown that and they are looking to

174
00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:17.080
<v Speaker 2>create maybe a potentially thirty more jobs. So I mean

175
00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:19.120
<v Speaker 2>a lot of good job creation going on in bars Bill,

176
00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:23.159
<v Speaker 2>which is good, good paying jobs, be good careers for

177
00:09:23.200 --> 00:09:23.759
<v Speaker 2>a lot of people.

178
00:09:23.840 --> 00:09:27.080
<v Speaker 1>So you know, every time I see Chris Batchelder with

179
00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:29.960
<v Speaker 1>the BDA, I say, hey, Chris, what's cook it lots?

180
00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:30.960
<v Speaker 3>Can you tell me?

181
00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:33.919
<v Speaker 1>Not yet? Then he smiles and it's like, oh, you're

182
00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:38.840
<v Speaker 1>killing me. Yeah, and you're doing that right now? Yeah, yeah, say.

183
00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:42.919
<v Speaker 2>Anything, and you know there's a it just continues. I

184
00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:46.000
<v Speaker 2>think that group and I want to thank David Woods,

185
00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:47.600
<v Speaker 2>who will be retiring at the end of this year.

186
00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:51.919
<v Speaker 2>David has done a tremendous job in leading that organization.

187
00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:54.320
<v Speaker 2>But as he said, you know once he steps aside,

188
00:09:54.360 --> 00:09:57.960
<v Speaker 2>Batch and Jared are are ready to go.

189
00:09:58.080 --> 00:09:59.559
<v Speaker 3>I mean that team is.

190
00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:04.120
<v Speaker 2>Has done some very phenomenal and good things and they

191
00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:07.840
<v Speaker 2>continue to work to improve Bartlesville, bring quality jobs, and

192
00:10:08.200 --> 00:10:12.720
<v Speaker 2>help existing employers create quality jobs. We saw a company,

193
00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:17.639
<v Speaker 2>I think Monday nine that is just on the outskirts

194
00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:23.279
<v Speaker 2>of the hub of the city there that's been was

195
00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:26.320
<v Speaker 2>it sixty eighty years something like that, Yeah, and they're

196
00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:28.919
<v Speaker 2>looking at potentially creating another forty jobs.

197
00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:30.960
<v Speaker 3>And they could have done.

198
00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:34.639
<v Speaker 2>That in Georgia because as they've grown, they a lot

199
00:10:34.679 --> 00:10:36.879
<v Speaker 2>of foundery in Georgia, but they chose to do that

200
00:10:36.919 --> 00:10:40.360
<v Speaker 2>here and there's incentives that we can help recruit and

201
00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:42.879
<v Speaker 2>get those forty jobs here, and then we have the

202
00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:46.399
<v Speaker 2>resources with Tri County Tech. A lot of these jobs

203
00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:49.080
<v Speaker 2>will be machining and welding and those type of things.

204
00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:52.159
<v Speaker 2>And so I know, Trick County Tech has really partnered

205
00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:54.960
<v Speaker 2>with a lot of our local businesses in the new

206
00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:57.480
<v Speaker 2>businesses they're coming to town to really try to hone

207
00:10:57.519 --> 00:11:03.799
<v Speaker 2>in and put together curriculum that will help these businesses

208
00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:06.440
<v Speaker 2>recruit and fill those jobs.

209
00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:09.000
<v Speaker 1>So that Tray County Tech, you want to talk about

210
00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:11.639
<v Speaker 1>a gym, not only does it help businesses.

211
00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:13.440
<v Speaker 3>It helps the city, helps kids, helps.

212
00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:17.679
<v Speaker 1>Families in the way that they're able to train up

213
00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:22.879
<v Speaker 1>and get people interested in different types of things that

214
00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:25.759
<v Speaker 1>are going on around town to fit the jobs. The

215
00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:28.039
<v Speaker 1>kids have the opportunity to stay home and mom and

216
00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:31.600
<v Speaker 1>dad get a chance to watch their children's families grow.

217
00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:34.320
<v Speaker 1>And that doesn't happen in America very often. Everybody just

218
00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:37.559
<v Speaker 1>kind of flies away. But this is a good thing,

219
00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:38.200
<v Speaker 1>good anchor.

220
00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:41.960
<v Speaker 2>Well, it's one of the things that attracted me about

221
00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:46.399
<v Speaker 2>the council row when that opened, and Ed Gordon and

222
00:11:46.440 --> 00:11:47.919
<v Speaker 2>Mike Belly kind of cornered me and said, hey, you

223
00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:50.080
<v Speaker 2>need to throw your name in that. Well, I really

224
00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:53.039
<v Speaker 2>you know, I've got three sons and I know Beth

225
00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:55.879
<v Speaker 2>and I would love for them to be in Barsville.

226
00:11:56.840 --> 00:12:00.600
<v Speaker 2>We get to see our grandchildren grow up. And it's

227
00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:03.000
<v Speaker 2>a great community living. It's a great community to raise

228
00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:07.240
<v Speaker 2>the family and uh, and so I hope to be

229
00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:10.039
<v Speaker 2>able to get back in that regard and hopefully create

230
00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:13.720
<v Speaker 2>jobs and keep jobs here and and continue to make

231
00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:15.960
<v Speaker 2>it the great city it is and expand upon that.

232
00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:20.080
<v Speaker 3>So I think that's the role that all the council

233
00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:20.759
<v Speaker 3>wants is for.

234
00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:23.559
<v Speaker 1>Good to shakes.

235
00:12:23.639 --> 00:12:25.720
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, bartle Bille continued.

236
00:12:25.320 --> 00:12:37.240
<v Speaker 1>To attend of the day.

237
00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:37.080
<v Speaker 2>For sure, But yeah, it's uh, you know, I do

238
00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:40.000
<v Speaker 2>believe that, you know, and when you see Batch, he's

239
00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:44.360
<v Speaker 2>always wound up, excited and uh, you.

240
00:12:44.320 --> 00:12:46.559
<v Speaker 3>Know, one hundred miles a minute, that guy.

241
00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:49.519
<v Speaker 2>And it's good that we have he and Jared in

242
00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:53.159
<v Speaker 2>the in in that position in that organization because uh,

243
00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:55.600
<v Speaker 2>I think that they will continue to facilitate and drive

244
00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:56.919
<v Speaker 2>a lot of good things.

245
00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:57.399
<v Speaker 3>In the community.

246
00:12:57.440 --> 00:13:00.320
<v Speaker 2>But even even though David's retiring. We we were very

247
00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:05.600
<v Speaker 2>blessed that he came to this community. And I'd butchered

248
00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:07.039
<v Speaker 2>if I said, what year, But I know you've been

249
00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:09.759
<v Speaker 2>here at least ten years or longer, and so throughout

250
00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:12.440
<v Speaker 2>that time there's been just a lot of expansion and improvement.

251
00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:15.519
<v Speaker 1>So it has been it has been very short time.

252
00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:17.360
<v Speaker 1>I can tell you, I've only been here for six years,

253
00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:20.759
<v Speaker 1>and in that six years, the old Kmart came alive.

254
00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:24.200
<v Speaker 1>It's a nice shopping center. We've seen a lot of retail,

255
00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:26.720
<v Speaker 1>a lot of other things come in. And of course

256
00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:29.480
<v Speaker 1>the big job makers that are coming into town now

257
00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:32.559
<v Speaker 1>are all you know, pieces of the puzzle that just

258
00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:34.000
<v Speaker 1>really make the town take and fly.

259
00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:35.440
<v Speaker 3>Yeah.

260
00:13:35.320 --> 00:13:38.600
<v Speaker 2>When when we're creating jobs, it's gonna it's gonna provide

261
00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.440
<v Speaker 2>and push retail.

262
00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:41.720
<v Speaker 3>They want to be here. I mean, you've seen.

263
00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:45.039
<v Speaker 2>Eastland revitalize, Like you said, the Kmart shopping center.

264
00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:48.919
<v Speaker 3>Revitalized. We've got over on.

265
00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:55.200
<v Speaker 2>Near Low's you know Silver, Yeah, like that, that area

266
00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:57.159
<v Speaker 2>took off. And even the downtown. When we moved to

267
00:13:57.200 --> 00:14:00.639
<v Speaker 2>Barlsville in twenty fourteen, the downtown there was a lot

268
00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:03.080
<v Speaker 2>of empty, empty buildings.

269
00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:05.559
<v Speaker 3>Not so much no, not empty space but now.

270
00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:09.919
<v Speaker 2>And I think that's one thing that proves up thriving

271
00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:12.200
<v Speaker 2>cities that you go to the downtown and if it's

272
00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:15.039
<v Speaker 2>thriving and going. And you know, there was a survey

273
00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:17.960
<v Speaker 2>done around the time I came on to council about

274
00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:21.279
<v Speaker 2>what was wanted in Bartsville, games that people wanted to see,

275
00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:25.919
<v Speaker 2>and I think a lot of folks that were being

276
00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:29.000
<v Speaker 2>recruited either by Phillips, Konaco or Abb or Seemen some

277
00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:35.320
<v Speaker 2>of the larger companies slumberga that that you know, younger

278
00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:37.000
<v Speaker 2>people wanted to see more retail and they want to

279
00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:39.240
<v Speaker 2>see more you know, restaurant options and those type of.

280
00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:40.720
<v Speaker 3>Things, maybe even housing options.

281
00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:43.720
<v Speaker 2>And so I think Bartstill's done a good job of

282
00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:47.600
<v Speaker 2>creating those opportunities where we can recruit those people here

283
00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:52.600
<v Speaker 2>and they want to live here. I think sometimes it

284
00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:55.440
<v Speaker 2>takes people actually working here to realize, oh, you know's

285
00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:57.159
<v Speaker 2>be a great place to move before they end up

286
00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:59.440
<v Speaker 2>coming here. I've seen this year several people that may

287
00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:02.120
<v Speaker 2>have lived in a y O or Tulse area mover

288
00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:02.879
<v Speaker 2>and that's really good.

289
00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:07.399
<v Speaker 1>It is it is a lot of a change of address.

290
00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:11.120
<v Speaker 1>We even have people from far away as cal California

291
00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:16.360
<v Speaker 1>in New York planning down roots here and they pretty

292
00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:18.720
<v Speaker 1>much said they're gonna die here, and they they they

293
00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:21.240
<v Speaker 1>mean that they're stinging here for good. They're not going back.

294
00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:23.799
<v Speaker 2>Well, and it's uh, I think you you get you

295
00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:26.320
<v Speaker 2>get a taste of Barsville, you realize what a special

296
00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:29.080
<v Speaker 2>city it is. And it is a great, great get

297
00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:31.200
<v Speaker 2>a great place to live, work and play. And we've

298
00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:32.840
<v Speaker 2>got tremendous things going on.

299
00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:34.279
<v Speaker 3>You know.

300
00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:37.000
<v Speaker 2>I guess I've always been glass this half full kind

301
00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:38.120
<v Speaker 2>of guy.

302
00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:41.039
<v Speaker 3>So I think every day.

303
00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:44.360
<v Speaker 2>We continue to take a little bit, uh further positive

304
00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:46.200
<v Speaker 2>step to make it, make it better, and that's good.

305
00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:49.000
<v Speaker 1>So well, I want to thank you for being here

306
00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:51.159
<v Speaker 1>today and to drop by anytime you wish.

307
00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:53.679
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, well it's always open. I was always on.

308
00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:56.799
<v Speaker 2>Yeah at the uh, looks like we're gonna get a

309
00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:59.399
<v Speaker 2>little sun today hopefully maybe maybe drive a little bit

310
00:15:59.399 --> 00:15:59.919
<v Speaker 2>of the rain way.

311
00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:02.720
<v Speaker 3>We've been blessed, God's really blessed. Yeah.

312
00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:04.200
<v Speaker 2>It's kind of one of those things where you want

313
00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:05.559
<v Speaker 2>to pray and say can you turn it on? And

314
00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:09.240
<v Speaker 2>to speak it on and off and periodically because well

315
00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:11.840
<v Speaker 2>we'll probably get into you know, the normal July auguess

316
00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:14.320
<v Speaker 2>we're kind of kind of not seeing that and complaining,

317
00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:18.879
<v Speaker 2>but we're certainly being blessed right now. And I do uh,

318
00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:21.600
<v Speaker 2>you know, my my thoughts and prayers go out to

319
00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:24.159
<v Speaker 2>everybody affected. I know we've this time of year, there's

320
00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:25.440
<v Speaker 2>always a lot of tornados.

321
00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.240
<v Speaker 3>We experienced that.

322
00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:28.639
<v Speaker 2>I think it was almost a year ago it was,

323
00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:31.519
<v Speaker 2>and you know Barnes always hit with that one. And

324
00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:34.519
<v Speaker 2>so I know a lot of communities in Oklahoma, Kinnsas,

325
00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:39.200
<v Speaker 2>Arkansas this last two weeks have been hit pretty hard

326
00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:42.360
<v Speaker 2>with with this. So again, just praying for those that

327
00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:47.440
<v Speaker 2>have been lost and and those those communities rebuild, that

328
00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:49.519
<v Speaker 2>they can come together and get the help they need.

329
00:16:49.559 --> 00:16:52.279
<v Speaker 1>So well, I guess I'll see you graduation Friday.

330
00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:54.639
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, I'll be there. I got got one that's gonna

331
00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.399
<v Speaker 3>gonna walk.

332
00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:59.320
<v Speaker 2>And so it's a it's an exciting time. Uh may

333
00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:02.000
<v Speaker 2>have to do a little consoling. I think there may

334
00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:05.240
<v Speaker 2>be some eye sweats from some people. There will be

335
00:17:05.559 --> 00:17:09.240
<v Speaker 2>so but it is an exciting time and hopefully the

336
00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:12.759
<v Speaker 2>weather is like today for that because it'll be it'll

337
00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:15.079
<v Speaker 2>be a really good event. And I know those kids,

338
00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:18.559
<v Speaker 2>as you well know a lot of them are excited

339
00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:21.720
<v Speaker 2>to step into that next next phase of their lives

340
00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:22.720
<v Speaker 2>and grow.

341
00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:25.359
<v Speaker 1>And so this is the first time I think I've

342
00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:27.680
<v Speaker 1>ever seen kids say they wish the summer was over so.

343
00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:29.000
<v Speaker 3>That they could get started together.

344
00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:32.400
<v Speaker 1>Yeah, it doesn't happen very often, but sometimes in that

345
00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:34.839
<v Speaker 1>senior year wanting to go off to college, and it does.

346
00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:38.160
<v Speaker 2>And my younger ones, they they enjoy that that break

347
00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:41.039
<v Speaker 2>from school, but they'll usually a little ways into it

348
00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:43.559
<v Speaker 2>they're like, you know, I'm ready to get back sea friends.

349
00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:45.559
<v Speaker 2>They see friends throughout the summer, but you know, it's

350
00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:46.160
<v Speaker 2>just not the same.

351
00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:48.759
<v Speaker 1>So you'll still be running around doing pop patrol on

352
00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:49.400
<v Speaker 1>the baseball.

353
00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:55.200
<v Speaker 2>Oh yeah, baseball's hot and heavy. And although it seems

354
00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:57.440
<v Speaker 2>the last few years, I know, we got rained out

355
00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:59.680
<v Speaker 2>last night, so those games will be made up tomorrow night.

356
00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:02.039
<v Speaker 2>So but it is fun this time of year.

357
00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:02.920
<v Speaker 3>You got you got.

358
00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:05.960
<v Speaker 2>You can drive by our soccer fields or our baseball

359
00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:08.359
<v Speaker 2>fields and you see baseball, softball, soccer going on.

360
00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:11.000
<v Speaker 3>So it's it's a you know, everything's.

361
00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:13.839
<v Speaker 2>Greened up extra green this year because we've got We've

362
00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:16.440
<v Speaker 2>gotten again blessed with an abundance of rain, and that's

363
00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:16.839
<v Speaker 2>a good thing.

364
00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:19.319
<v Speaker 3>We're not talking about water issues either, because we got it.

365
00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:21.079
<v Speaker 3>We got a lot of rain. I'm sure the lakes

366
00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:23.039
<v Speaker 3>are above the normal levels.

367
00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:25.240
<v Speaker 1>Jerry Lawrence, who thinks he's on vacation.

368
00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:26.960
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, yeah, he's not.

369
00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:31.240
<v Speaker 2>He's not having to field all the concerning calls. And

370
00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:34.160
<v Speaker 2>hopefully we continue that trend in when we don't have

371
00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:35.640
<v Speaker 2>another year where we get.

372
00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:39.359
<v Speaker 3>Into a later, later part of the summer where we're.

373
00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:41.279
<v Speaker 2>Parked up or worrying about, you know, how to conserve

374
00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:43.160
<v Speaker 2>water to make sure we have enough.

375
00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:46.000
<v Speaker 3>But you know, we continue to.

376
00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:47.880
<v Speaker 2>Work on those issues, and I know our our our

377
00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:52.559
<v Speaker 2>local legislators and then our federal officials also continue to

378
00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:55.160
<v Speaker 2>help us push forward in that battle. And I think

379
00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:59.079
<v Speaker 2>that's just one of those things that takes time. You know.

380
00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:02.799
<v Speaker 2>It's just too bad none of us have a you know,

381
00:19:02.880 --> 00:19:05.519
<v Speaker 2>a family member that runs the federal Corps of Engineers

382
00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:07.880
<v Speaker 2>or whatever, so that we can we can for.

383
00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:10.240
<v Speaker 3>The Corps of Lawyers is what they're calling, get them

384
00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:10.880
<v Speaker 3>on our side.

385
00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:14.079
<v Speaker 2>But you know, I think, uh, we have had a

386
00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:17.960
<v Speaker 2>few interesting times at least the eleven years we've lived

387
00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:21.680
<v Speaker 2>here where we you know, water is a little bit concerning.

388
00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:26.000
<v Speaker 2>But you know, hopefully again good Lord, I pray that

389
00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:29.359
<v Speaker 2>you continue to space this out and continue to give us,

390
00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:31.400
<v Speaker 2>give us a good rain. But right now, man, it's

391
00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:34.519
<v Speaker 2>it's you drive around town, and you drive around Oklahoma

392
00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:36.359
<v Speaker 2>and it's greened up beautiful.

393
00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:37.400
<v Speaker 3>Uh.

394
00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:39.559
<v Speaker 2>Of course, then it also means you got to break

395
00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:41.720
<v Speaker 2>out the lawnmarer and the weed eater and and get

396
00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.240
<v Speaker 2>after that.

397
00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:45.640
<v Speaker 1>So I, oh, price of paradise, brother, Price of paradise. Yes, sir,

398
00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:48.319
<v Speaker 1>hey that traffic. Thank you for being with this strebor

399
00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:51.240
<v Speaker 1>door see vice mayor here the city of barlowsvill Thank

400
00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:52.039
<v Speaker 1>you for being under show.