Outlook II 2014

Outlook 2014

PURPOSEFUL

muskogeephoenix.com

Shaping community

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

Vehicles move along U.S. 69 past its intersection with Shawnee Bypass. Officials say the intersection poses potential as a prime location for hotels, restaurants and stores.

VA Regional Office largest in US

City addresses urban blight

Gaming helps Creek Nation grow

In the past 10 years, the Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Muskogee, which is a major employer in the city, has added many well-paying jobs.

Urban Renewal Authority commissioners hope to finalize an urban renewal plan this month to address blight in a portion of the city.

Officials say it took more than luck for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation grow and prosper over the past 10 years. It took planning and hard work.

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Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Outlook 2014

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Muskogee Phoenix

Page 2

VA Regional Office largest in US

By Anita Reding Phoenix Staff Writer

In the past 10 years, the Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Muskogee, which is a major employer in the city, has added many wellpaying jobs and taken over two unused buildings near Spaulding Park.

The regional office in Muskogee is the largest of the VA’s 56 regional offices, employs 1,362 people and has an annual payroll exceeding $105 million.

In addition to providing services for veterans and their families in the region, the office has a direct impact on the state and local economy as a result of the employee salary dollars, said C. Jason McClellan, director.

“During fiscal year 2012, which reflects the most recently published data, veterans and their families in the state of Oklahoma received more than $1.45 billion in non-medical benefits and services distributed by the VA,” McClellan said. “Locally, more than $48 million in non-medical benefits and services were received by veterans and their families residing in Muskogee County.”

The regional office’s scope of operations include: • Disability compensation.

“The regional office is the 14th largest of 56 regional offices that are responsible for providing claims processing and outreach services for veterans disabled by an injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service,” McClellan said.

During the past 12 months, the office has completed 29,761 claims for benefits, with 98 percent accuracy and transitioned to a paperless claims processing structure.

The office also significantly reduced the local in-

Staff photo by Anita Reding

Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Muskogee is a major employer here and is the largest of the VA’s 56 regional offices.

ventory of all pending claims, backlog claims and claims pending more than one year. Personnel also completed all local claims pending more than two years, he said.

• Education and training.

“The regional office is the largest of four national processing sites responsible for providing education benefits and services to 18 southern and western states, and the Philippines,” McClellan said.

The regional office is also VA’s only site devoted to servicing the payment of debts related to Chapter 33 education benefits and for receiving and responding to telephone inquiries

related to education benefits.

During the past 12 months, the regional office has completed more than 2.3 million claims for education benefits in an average of nine days and with 98 percent accuracy and answered more than 3.4 million telephone calls with 99 percent technical quality. That percentage is the best performance among all VA call centers.

The regional office also was recognized for caller satisfaction and received a VA best Client Satisfaction Survey score of 804, as evaluated by JD Power and Associates.

• Vocational rehabilitation and employment.

VA Regional Office ADDRESS: 125 S. Main St. HOURS: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SERVICES OFFERED: Disability compensation, education and training, and vocational rehabilitation and employment.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 1,362.

KEY PERSONNEL: Director, Jason McClellan; Assistant director, Linda LoPinto; Assistant director, Judy Sikes; Division chief, Compensation, Tim

Clark; Division chief, Education, Phyllis Curtis; Division chief, Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment, Kathy Wentzel; Division chief, Support Services, Lynda Armstrong; and Division chief, Human Resources, Debbie Salmon.

PHONE NUMBERS: General Benefits Inquiries — (800) 872-1000.

Education Benefits (GI Bill) — (888) 442-4551.

Health Care Benefits — (877) 222-8387.

Veterans Crisis Line — (800) 273-8255.

Service Members/Veterans Group Life Insurance Program — (800) 419-1473.

Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA — (800) 733-8387.

Debt Management Center (collection of non-medical debts) — (800) 827-0648.

WEBSITE: www.va.gov

“The regional office provides employment and independent living services including vocational counseling, job search assistance, and post-secondary training to eligible veter-

ans,” McClellan said.

During the past 12 months, the regional office in Muskogee has initiated services to 2,097 veterans and completed rehabilitation services to 166 veter-

ans, resulting in a 447 percent increase in monthly income ($629 to $3,440.99).

Reach Anita Reding at (918) 684-2903 or areding @muskogeephoenix.com.

City plans to offer public Wi-Fi

By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer

Imagine taking pictures of Muskogee’s beautiful azaleas with your iPad and instantly sending them to your Facebook friends.

Muskogee city leaders want to make that dream a reality within a few years through a public WiFi connection.

“We are now investigating and digging into information about public WiFi, looking at things we

can do in partnership with other entities, something we could provide the public,” said Muskogee Mayor Bob Coburn.

City of Muskogee spokeswoman Kimbra Scott said the city’s goal is to have some sort of public Wi-Fi plan within five years.

Public Wi-Fi will help Muskogee residents in more ways than letting them share pictures of pretty flowers, funny cats and cute grandchildren.

“Getting information into the hands of people will help them make better choices in every aspect of their lives,” said Jason Gonzales, tech specialist

with Muskogee Public Library.

He said the library has had Wi-Fi access for about four years and upgraded its system within the past six months.

“It shows to the business community a commitment on our part to provide educational resources, which will eventually provide the labor resources needed for industry,” Coburn said. “It shows we are interested in the educational community and that we are interested in business commuStaff photo by Cathy Spaulding nity and we are interested in the citizens as well. It Mayor Bob Coburn demonstrates an application that improves quality of life could help needy people find resources. The city seeks that makes for a good, sta- to offer a public Wi-Fi connections within five years.

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ble workforce that is informed.”

Wi-Fi is a trade name for wireless technology that allows electronic devices to exchange data wirelessly. Wi-Fi hot spots are access points that offer Wi-Fi. Coburn said Muskogee has talked with two cities that already offer public Wi-Fi. Enid offers public Wi-Fi in its downtown, at softball fields and at some of its parks. Ponca City offers Wi-Fi to residents and businesses.

Muskogee’s initial public Wi-Fi would “probably be a concentration of services downtown because there are public facilities as well as education facilities there.”

“We looked at parks, we looked at schools, we looked at downtown locations and people we can add service to and those we can partner with that have the locations neces-

sary,” Coburn said, adding that Wi-Fi at parks is certainly an option.

The city also is seeing how it could work with other entities.

“We’ve had a number of meetings,” Coburn said.

“We’ve had conversations with the Cherokee Nation.

We’ve had conversations with Creek Nation. We’ve had at the table Connors State College, Muskogee Public Schools, Hilldale Public Schools, Suddenlink. AT&T will be sitting at the table with us.”

The city also is looking for ways to get Wi-Fi to “under-resourced” individuals who might not be able to afford Internet connections.

Coburn said he recently learned about an application that could help people trying to find services available in a city.

(See WI-FI, Page 9)

Outlook 2014 Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Page 3

US 69/Shawnee ready to grow

By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer

While Muskogee developed around it, the intersection of U.S. 69 and Shawnee Bypass remained mostly untouched and open.

That soon will change.

“When you look at the new development moving in Muskogee, it’s over toward that corner,” said Muskogee County Commissioner Gene Wallace about the southwest corner.

In 1955, Muskogee County bought property on each corner of the intersection in an effort to get a traffic interchange built, Wallace said.

As the area developed, priorities changed for the intersection.

“The prevailing attitude of the Board of Commissioners is that we do not want to be in the property-owning business,” he said. “It’s better to use the property in producing jobs and producing revenue for the community.”

In 2013, the City of Muskogee Foundation approved a $4.5 million loan to help the Muskogee Redevelopment Authority buy the land from the county. The county had earlier sold six acres on the southwest corner of the intersection to the Muskogee Redevelopment Authority.

“The thing that makes the area appealing, number one, is traffic, traffic and more traffic that comes through that intersection,” said Muskogee Mayor Bob Coburn. “The thing that’s attractive to me is that as Shawnee develops and con-

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

Vehicles move along U.S. 69 past its intersection with Shawnee Bypass. Officials say the intersection poses potential as a prime location for hotels, restaurants and stores.

tinues to develop, that will be one of the access points to get to that location, so it’s going to force additional traffic through that intersection.”

According to the Okla-

homa Department of Transportation, an average of 16,300 vehicles a day move on U.S. 69, and 25,000 vehicles a day move along Shawnee, also known as U.S.

62.

One business already has expressed an interest in that intersection. The Tulsabased QuikTrip convenience store chain plans to build a

57,000 square-foot store on that the location “met a lot of the criteria we are looking the southwest corner.

“Muskogee is a place we for.”

Thornbrugh said the comhave wanted to return to,” said QuikTrip spokesman Mike Thornbrugh, adding (See GROW, Page 7)

City study will weigh 120-room downtown hotel

By D.E. Smoot Phoenix Staff Writer

Staff photo by Travis Sloat

A burned home at Reeves and Martin streets has furniture and other materials scattered across the yard. The house is within an area bounded by Chicago and 11th streets on the east and west and Shawnee Bypass and Talladega Street on the north and south, that has been designated for urban renewal by the city.

Commission seeks to finalize urban renewal plan

By D.E. Smoot Phoenix Staff Writer

Looking to address blight within Muskogee’s municipal boundaries and kickstart the development of those areas, elected officials in 2011 rekindled the city’s urban renewal program.

They revived the Urban Renewal Authority and began the arduous task of reclaiming and rehabilitating an area targeted for redevelopment. Commissioners hope to finalize an urban renewal plan this month in furtherance of those goals.

City Attorney Roy Tucker has worked closely with commissioners as they considered conditions supporting a declaration that blight exists within the targeted area. He said the urban renewal project is one piece of an economic development plan for the Shawnee Bypass corridor in northwest Muskogee.

“Full execution of this economic development plan for Shawnee corridor will allow us to capture additional dollars through sales tax,” Tucker said, noting the development of the intersection at U.S. 69 and

Shawnee Bypass would help steer traffic east toward a retail district expected to grow as a result of urban renewal. “More revenue to the city equates to more money available to utilize on aging infrastructure and engage in better spending to improve the quality of life of our community.”

The area designated for urban renewal is bounded

by Chicago and 11th streets on the east and west and Shawnee Bypass and Talladega Street on the north and south. The area has been divided into three project areas that would allow for big-box retail development and infill commercial growth along with residential construction to help support employment goals.

Former Mayor John Tyler Hammons identified the area as having the potential of meeting urban renewal criteria in 2011 during his state of the city address. He chose that area based upon its potential to have the most immediate economic impact.

A draft urban renewal plan being considered outlines objectives and goals

City of Muskogee ADDRESS: Muskogee Municipal Building, 229 W. Okmulgee Ave. HOURS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SERVICES OFFERED: Municipal government.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 452.

KEY PERSONNEL: Howard Brown Jr., city manager.

PHONE: (918) 6846201.

WEBSITE: cityofmuskogee.com.

that address property acquisition, redevelopers’ obligations, project financing and infrastructure. The primary objective is to promote private development to help spur job creation and sales tax revenue by creating “vital and vibrant commercial districts.”

Tucker said one “overarching theme of this plan” is to foster “cooperation between public entities and private entities.” Public-private cooperation is hoped to be the key that facilitates the sharing of costs associated with redevelopment.

Darrell Russell, chairman of the five-member authority, said the urban renewal process is a way to ensure property use equals its potential. Commissioners can exercise their authority to make sure that happens within the proposed urban renewal area.

“What we hope to gain from this is to bring more vitality and business opportunities to the community,” Russell said. “There are some pieces of property that could reap some benefits for our community if they are used to their best potential.”

Russell acknowledged progress may seem to come slow during the urban renewal process, which requires careful deliberation to ensure legal compliance.

He expects the benefits of urban renewal will be easily recognized 10 years down the road.

“We look forward to seeing the fruits of our work,” Russell said. “Hopefully, this will make Muskogee a better place to live and to work.”

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot @muskogeephoenix.com.

In 10 years, downtown Muskogee could be “a vibrant destination for tourism and conventions, not only for visitors but also locals.”

That vision could become a reality with the development of a downtown hotel and convention center, officials say. The idea has been floated on occasion in the past but was dissipated by doubts.

But the idea gained steam again in September after city councilors approved a $60,000 study to determine the feasibility of such a downtown fixture.

An agreement inked with LodgeWell Development of Overland Park, Kan., defines the project as the development of 120-room hotel branded by a national franchise and conference center.

The consulting firm was tasked with defining “the preliminary scope, size, costs and potential funding sources for the project.”

The study is expected to be completed in about two months, when consultants will present their findings to city councilors.

City Attorney Roy Tucker, who recently completed a six-month stint as interim city manager, said any downtown hotel and convention center would be built and operated by a private entity. There could be some public incentive available for such a venture, but Tucker said those have yet to be “identified or fully discussed.”

Incentives that could be used range the gamut.

Tucker said some that could be offered include a hotel-motel tax rebate, economic development fund incentives, tax increment financing or a combination of any of those.

City of Muskogee ADDRESS: Muskogee Municipal Building, 229 W. Okmulgee Ave. HOURS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SERVICES OFFERED: Municipal government.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 452.

KEY PERSONNEL: Howard Brown Jr., city manager.

PHONE: (918) 6846201.

WEBSITE: cityofmuskogee.com

“The benefit will be part of the revitalization of downtown, to make it a vibrant destination for tourism and conventions, not only for visitors but also locals,” Tucker said. “It will likely be a seed to spur development of restaurants, nightlife and retail in the downtown corridor.”

Kimbra Scott, a spokeswoman for the Muskogee City-County Port Authority’s economic development team, said the feasibility study has focused up to this point on three goals and objectives: • Exploring and defining steps needed to spur the development of the proposed Fourth Street corridor or promenade.

• Perform a due diligence examination of the feasibility of a downtown hotel and conference center that is connected to the Muskogee Civic Center.

• Develop a fact-based plan to implement, finance and operate a downtown hotel and conference center.

“The Fourth Street Promenade will focus on pedestrian access, signage, etc., and (the) Broadway ... corridor can provide more redevelopment opportunities and spaces,” Scott said (See HOTEL, Page 9)

Outlook 2014 Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Page 4

Lakes, rivers offer nature connection

By E.I. Hillin Phoenix Staff Writer

Surrounded by Fort Gibson Lake, Lake Tenkiller, Illinois River, and Lake Eufaula, Muskogee makes an ideal haven for those with landlocked blues.

Muskogee’s multiple lakes and water resources have plenty of fun to offer.

• Fort Gibson Lake's primary purpose is for flood control, but for some, the primary purpose is fun.

Bass fishing tournaments and drag boat races can be found at the lake.

“We are known for one of the best bass lakes,” said Dardin McClellan, ranger.

Fort Gibson lake serves as a water supply to the city of Muskogee and numerous other surrounding communities through various local rural water district water plants located around the lake.

Renovations at the Sequoyah State Park Lodge will ensure more fun then ever this summer.

Tony Presley, Sequoyah State Park manager, said the lodge renovations include the swimming pool, HVAC and electrical renovation, remodeling all of the cabins, and getting a new paint job for the lodge exterior.

Visitors can learn about local wildlife at the Three Rivers Nature Center inside the park. The Seminole Recreational Vehicle Campground was completely renovated. Updates to the golf course include new hybrid grass on the greens, a cart barn, and the addition of disc golf.

• Lake Tenkiller has been called “heaven in the hills.”

With options like water skiing, fishing, boating, tubing, and scuba diving, it is a heaven on earth for water sports enthusiasts.

Tenkiller State Park in Vian has a variety of family friendly facilities. Enjoy a game of volleyball or basketball with friends. Visitors can take the family on a picnic or a hike to the Driftwood Nature Center.

• The Illinois River offers more then 60 miles of scenic waterway. Visitors can canoe, kayak, or raft down the river.

Ed Fite, Oklahoma Scenic Rivers administrator, is making sure that visitors

Staff photo by E.I. Hillin

Park visitors listen as Park Naturalist Paula Hanafee speaks to them about different animals at the Three Forks Nature Center in Sequoyah State Park. Hanafee is knowledgeable about the local wildlife in the Fort Gibson Lake area.

can float down a safe and clean river.

“We are making headway on the phosphorous issue on river,” Fite said.

Floating the Illinois is an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

• Down at Lake Greenleaf, fun awaits for campers and anglers of all ages.

“We offer a family fun park with a safe environment,” said park manager, John Kilgore.

The winter cold can’t keep fishermen away. Greenleaf State Park has an enclosed fishing dock open 24/7, $3 a person. The park has 16 cabins, 100 RV sites, and 100 camping sites for families to enjoy.

The Discovery Nature Center provides entertainment for the family. After a trip to the Discovery Center the family can hike down the new, paved trails.

• Down south of Interstate 40 near the city of Eu-

faula is Oklahoma’s largest lake. Known for its 600 miles of shoreline and aweinspiring sunsets Lake Eufaula covers 105,500 surface acres. The lake is home to several marinas and offers houseboat, pontoon boat, ski boat and paddle boat rentals.

Options don’t stop at the shoreline. There are miles of hiking, biking, equestrian and all-terrain vehicle trails.

Public hunting is offered in the more than 30,000 acres of public hunting areas near the lake. Lake Eufaula State Park and Arrowhead State Park both offer beautiful 18hole golf courses.

Kayak, canoe, fish, camp, golf, hunt, tube, ski, wakeboard, hike, float, explore, and learn how many options for fun there are at the area lakes and rivers. It may take all summer to complete.

Reach E.I. Hillin at (918) 684-2926 or ehillin @muskogeephoenix.com.

On the water Sequoyah State Park ADDRESS: Between Hulbert and Wagoner, off Oklahoma 51.

SERVICES OFFERED: Camping, hiking, golf, and recreation, and onsite lodging.

KEY PERSONNEL: Tony Presley, park manager.

PHONE: (918) 772-2046.

WEBSITE: www.travelok.com/li stings/view.profile/id.

13299

Lake Tenkiller State Park ADDRESS: Eight miles north of Gore on Oklahoma 100, Vian.

SERVICES OF-

FERED: Biking, boating, children's programs, fishing, hiking, swimming, volleyball, watchable wildlife, waterskiing.

KEY PERSONNEL: Lessley Pulliam, park manager.

PHONE: (918)489-5641 WEBSITE: www.travelok.com/li stings/view.profile/id.

7706

Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission SERVICES OFFERED: Monitoring the water levels and safety of Illinois River.

ADDRESS: 15971 Oklahoma 10, Tahlequah.

KEY PERSON-

WEBSITE: www.travelok.com/lis tings/view.profile/id.3 236

NEL: Edward H. Fite III, administrator.

PHONE: (918) 456-3251.

WEBSITE: www.oklahomascenicrivers.net/index.asp

Lake Eufaula State Park

Greenleaf State Park SERVICES OFFERED: Biking, boating, canoeing, rafting, kayaking, children's programs, fishing, hiking, swimming, volleyball, watchable wildlife, on-site lodging.

ADDRESS: Three miles south of Braggs on Oklahoma 10.

KEY PERSONNEL: John Kilgore, park manager.

PHONE: (918) 487-5196.

ADDRESS: From Interstate 40, go four miles southwest on Oklahoma 150.

SERVICES OFFERED: Biking, boating, disc golf, fishing, golf course, hiking, swimming, volleyball, watchable wildlife, waterskiing, and on-site lodging.

KEY PERSONNEL: Sue Hughart, park manager.

PHONE: (918) 689-5311.

WEBSITE: www.travelok.com/lis tings/view.profile/id.4 336

School for the Blind posts 100 percent graduation rate School serves 270 students from 55 counties

By Travis Sloat Phoenix Staff Writer

Staff photo by Travis Sloat

Students in Lori Schiller’s second-grade class use iPads during a lesson at the Fort Gibson Early Learning Center. Fort Gibson Public Schools are using a digital curriculum to help students make the connection between schooling, college and a career.

Fort Gibson Schools tech use culmination of 10-year plan

By Travis Sloat Phoenix Staff Writer

FORT GIBSON — Kadrian Shelton said the thing she’s seen the most advancement in at Fort Gibson Public Schools has been the way they use technology.

Shelton, who is a senior at Fort Gibson High School, has attended the school since kindergarten and said she remembers a time when a group of students

had to share five computers in the computer lab.

“Now, we’ve gone to everyone having a laptop or an iPad,” Shelton said.

“And that has led us into having “virtual days,” where we no longer need snow days.”

Virtual days are school days where students work from home on their electronic devices. A teacher assigns work, and if students have trouble with the assignment, they can email

the teacher for help throughout the day.

Superintendent Derald Glover said the school embarked on a plan 10 years ago to make sure students in the future were going to have what was needed in order to “truly make it in life.”

“Ten years ago, I think we had a great school and we wanted to make it greater,” Glover said. “We (See TECH, Page 9)

Jim Adams said the Oklahoma School for the Blind boasts an impressive graduation rate for the last decade.

“One of the things we’re most proud of is our graduation rate,” Adams said.

“It’s 100 percent. We serve about 55 counties and approximately 270 students across the state, and just a portion of them attend our campus.”

The Oklahoma School for the Blind is located in Muskogee, but has a statewide reach. If a student needs to be bused to the facility from outside the local area, it is done without cost to the parent or guardian.

Adams said there has been a dramatic improvement in assistive technology for their students in the last 10 years as well.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth in our assistive technology program,” he said. “Robert Miller is our assistive technology instructor. Assistive technology basically changes the way that our population accesses information. It’s

changed all of our lives, but particularly theirs.”

One of the strengths of the OSB is their economy of scale, Adams said.

“When we buy an assistive technology device, we can train multiple students on it, whereas with a public school, they’re typically training just one student on it,” he said. “That’s one of the benefits of a student going here. They get much more technology and much more information.”

For Braille users, there has been a dramatic increase in note takers, Adams said. He also said that for students who are partially blind, video magnifiers have been improved as well.

“Traditionally, for years they had a bed on them, and there was a camera and screen,” Adams said.

“They would lay a document on them and it would enlarge it. Now, technology has made that so much more portable. They can bring in a little camera and hook that up to a laptop. They even have them in handheld devices.”

Students who are visually impaired or blind learn to excel at OSB because school staff expect the students to do so, according to a media release. All state-mandated education requirements are taught

Oklahoma School for the Blind ADDRESS: 3300 Gibson St. SERVICES OFFERED: Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade; outreach services to public schools.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 91.

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 270 students statewide.

KEY PERSONNEL: Jim Adams, superintendent.

PHONE: (918) 7818200.

WEBSITE: www.osb.k12.ok.us.

at OSB. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum of reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, physical education, music and computer science for residential and day students.

Adams said the school’s mission was to produce independent and productive members of society and the work force. In the next 10 years, he said, his vision is for visually impaired students to have full access to end-of-theyear tests.

“What that means is that when they sit down (See BLIND, Page 7)

Outlook 2014 Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Page 5

NSU-Muskogee programs grow

By Travis Sloat Phoenix Staff Writer

Dr. Tim McElroy said a lot has changed at Northeastern State University’s Muskogee Campus in the 15 years he’s been there.

“Delivery systems for higher education are changing,” McElroy said. “Whether it’s completely online programs or blended, which means they come to class sometimes and it’s online sometimes. That’s where we are now. I came in the summer of 1999, and this place has changed a bunch since then.”

The one thing that hasn’t changed much since in that time has been the enrollment at the campus, which has stayed steady between 600 and 700 students. McElroy said some years the number is closer to 600 and some closer to 700, and that is usually dependent upon the economy.

“When the economy is good, people work,” he said.

“But now, since the change in delivery systems, we don’t see the students as much as we used to. They’re enrolled, but we might not see them as much.”

Even with less student contact, NSU Muskogee is growing its programs based on the needs in the community.

Dr. Joyce VanNostrand, the chair of both nursing programs at NSU, said the nursing program has gone from occupying one building to three in the last 10 years.

“Our vision right now is becoming a hub for health care professions,” VanNostrand said. “That’s kind of our niche here at the Muskogee campus, and some of our other programs are entirely online.”

VanNostrand also said that according to the Master Plan recently revealed by NSU, the health professions classes will soon be housed

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

Dr. Judith Melvin, director of the Northeastern State University Occupational Therapy program shows an “adaptive bathroom” in a new multifunctional living skills lab at NSU Muskogee. The campus received grants from the Gailey family and the City of Muskogee Foundation to accommodate the occupational therapy program.

almost exclusively at the Muskogee campus.

“The future is wide open,” she said. “We have our vision and hopefully it will come to pass. We have a good start right now. Our programs are well known for their excellence, and we have good partnerships with other schools in the area.”

NSU Muskogee has been actively working with Connors State College and is now housing classes for Connors on the Muskogee campus.

McElroy said the joint efforts of the schools to pro-

duce better health care professionals “just makes sense” because of the area where they’re located.

“We have the VA Medical Center, EASTAR Health System, the Cherokee Nation facility and other health-related providers in this region,” McElroy said.

“It’s just makes sense to turn this into a hub, and try to serve some of the needs in this area.”

Like many other schools in the area and through the nation, NSU Muskogee has not been a stranger to the use of updated technology

in their school and their classrooms. VanNostrand said that has been a major change for her.

“We used to have basic computers,” she said. “Now we have the Internet, and a lot of our library resources are from online databases.

Not that books have gone completely away, they haven’t, but we certainly use databases for evidencebased procedures and to run statistics for research studies.”

As for the technology still to come, VanNostrand said she’s as much in the dark as

anyone else.

“I don’t even have a clue as to what tech will be in 10 years,” she said.

McElroy said going forward, he is excited about the new programs that will be implemented, such as the occupational therapy program the school was recently approved for.

“Where we’ll be in the next 10 years really depends on how many new heath programs we can add,” he said. “Our plans are to continue to grow it. Accreditation is a very important part of it. But we have such a

Northeastern State University ADDRESS: 2400 W. Shawnee Bypass.

SERVICES OFFERED: Undergraduate and graduate studies.

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 600 to 700 students.

KEY PERSONNEL: Dr. Tim McElroy, dean of Muskogee Campus.

PHONE: (918) 6830040.

WEBSITE: www.nsuok.edu

need for health care programs, so far we’ve been able to show that.”

Reach Travis Sloat at (918) 684-2908 or tsloat @muskogeephoenix.com.

Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

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Outlook 2014 Muskogee Phoenix

Grow Continued from Page 3

pany looks forward to starting construction once paperwork and title work is completed. He said the store would be a “Generation 3” store, designed to have a greater variety of food, including fresh food.

Coburn said QuikTrip’s commitment to that location “gives us a snapshot of what could happen at that intersection.”

Wallace said the city already sees more hotels and new restaurants moving toward the corner.

“Development is so natural in that area,” Wallace said.

One reason is its access to the stores, restaurants and lodging on Shawnee Bypass.

Another plus is its proximity to the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center, Wallace said.

“We’re getting a lot of inquiries each day on the Shawnee corridor,” Wallace said.

U.S. 69 and Shawnee could be an especially busy place in 10 years, officials said.

“I don’t see any reason you couldn’t see more hotel growth, more restaurant growth and the possibility of a shopping center, strip center-type development in there as well,” Coburn said.

He said there could be “larger development possibilities at those locations.”

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014 “I think that’s a nice thing,” he said. “The neat thing about it is, that’s just an access point of what’s already happening on Shawnee, what’s happening in downtown, what’s going to happen at Hatbox.”

Coburn said that when people spend the night in Muskogee, go out to eat and enjoy other venues, sales tax collections increase.

“We’ll see more hotels for sure along the route,” Wallace said.“We’ll see more eating establishments.”

That prediction is not merely a wish, Wallace said.

“It’s a matter of matching the right business with the right piece of property.”

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogee phoenix.com.

Blind Continued from Page 4

at the computer, they should be able to take it on the computer,” Adams said. “Currently, we are not at that stage. But I’m hoping that in the next 10 years we get to that point.

Our teachers are doing a very good job at adapting to common core.”

Like many other schools, the OSB is currently working toward a 1:1 ratio of students to technology, Adams said.

“We’re trying to move that direction,” he said.

“But for our population, it’s much more challenging.

We have to assess the stu-

Page 7 dent and find the right device for their needs. And so, everything is individualized here.”

Adams said he has formed a committee of six teachers from his staff who are researching devices used for visually impaired students in the community.

“We’re doing the groundwork and the research for it,” he said. “We’re seeing that tablets are a common device. The iPad for example, has some very good adaptive features, but when we get to the Braille users, we’re going to use the note takers. Some of those feature refreshable Braille.

Refreshable Braille is a feature where the pins in

the machine rise and fall according to what line of notes the user is on at any given time. The tactile sensation provides the user with the information needed.

Adams said the standard in the field is a 70year-old piece of technology, and he wants that to change.

“We don’t teach any child in public schools on 70-year-old equipment,” he said. “This technology has to be replaced with something more efficient. Technology is driving our entire society.”

Reach Travis Sloat at (918) 684-2908 or tsloat @muskogeephoenix.com.

Outlook 2014 Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Page 8

Gaming helps Creek Nation prosper

By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer

Creek Nation Casino promoters like to tell people “Luck Starts Here.”

However, it wasn’t luck that has helped the Muscogee (Creek) Nation grow and prosper over the past 10 years. Officials say it also took planning and hard work.

Principal Chief George Tiger said much of the growth has been in the area of gaming and casinos.

Tiger became chief in 2012.

“The Muscogee (Creek)

Nation was the first to get into high stakes bingo,” Tiger said. “And having gaming has allowed the tribe to be more diverse in economic development.”

For example, the tribe is getting involved in the retail business.

Tiger said the tribe purchased property in a “prime location” along the Arkansas River, south of Tulsa’s River Spirit Casino “We are planning a development in Jenks,” Tiger said.

The tribe also is expanding and remodeling its

Muskogee casino, 3420 W. Peak Blvd. The building has been a fixture in the area since 1992, when it opened as a high-stakes bingo hall.

In October, the tribe began work on a $4 million expansion that includes a new bar and restaurant, plus new bingo, electronic and table games. People were able to enjoy the new bar and new games by Valentine’s Day. Casino General Manager Farrell Kaaihue said murals will feature indigenous symbols of each Creek clan.

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

Wood beams radiate from a new bar at the Creek Nation Casino, Muskogee. The casino has new gaming machines and a restaurant. Goals are to have a hotel and event center within 10 years.

A focal point of the renovated casino features curved, wooden beams that radiate “outward upward and outward” he said.

Workers now are concentrating on the casino’s exterior, giving the building a facelift and improving a bridge in the parking lot, Kaaihue said.

The expansion is the beginning of efforts to turn the corner into an entertainment center.

“Within 10 years, we hope to have a new hotel near the casino and an event center,” Kaaihue said.

According to the Creek Nation’s website, Creek Council Rep. Eddie La-

Grone, who represents the Muscogee District, said the Muskogee gaming facility had added about $1 million a month to the tribal treasury.

The revenue helps the Creek Nation provide other services.

(See CREEK, Page 9)

M USKOGEE USKOGEE M USEUM USEUM E VENTS VENTS S UMMER UMMER A CTIVITY CTIVITY G UIDE UIDE 2014

022300354301

Outlook 2014

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Muskogee Phoenix

Page 9

Cherokee Nation a top employer

By E.I. Hillin

Cherokee Nation

Phoenix Staff Writer

In the last 10 years the Cherokee Nation has become Oklahoma’s third largest employer.

From public health to entertainment, major expansions have taken place and more are to come.

“Providing jobs and services for our citizens is the Cherokee Nation’s top priority,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker.

Today, the tribe and its businesses employ 9,000 people, 75 percent of whom are Cherokee citizens.

Baker said the success of the Cherokee Nation came in steps, beginning with entertainment.

“Cherokee Nation Businesses started with the casinos, which generated money and expertise that allowed us to branch into other types of businesses where we may hold a competitive advantage,” Baker said.

The money generated impacts the Muskogee area in a variety of ways.

“We always strive to be a great community partner,” Baker said.

The success of the Cherokee Nation has created benefits to everyone in the area, not just Cherokees, Baker said.

The nation has been able to build new roads, increase funding to local schools, offer grants to volunteer fire departments and fill in other needs.

“My administration is focused on creating jobs within our 14county jurisdiction,” Baker said.

“Last year, the Cherokee Nation had a $1.3 billion impact on the

Tech Continued from Page 4

have made tremendous strides on the use of technology in the classroom, and the kids’ utilization of technology as a learning tool.”

Glover also said technology is not driving change in the classroom, but rather, the way students learn is driving change.

“Ten years ago, the state

Creek Continued from Page 8

With about 77,000 enrolled citizens, the Creek Nation ranks as the fourth largest Native American tribe in the United States.

The Creek Nation also has grown in the health care area. In 2013, the Creek Nation took over control of the George Nigh Rehabilitation Center from the University of Oklahoma, Tiger said.

“We also took over ownership of the Okmulgee Memorial Hospital,” he said.

“It now is the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Hospital.”

Tiger said that, unlike some other tribal health centers, the Okmulgee hospital will be open to non-Indians as well as tribal members.

The Creek Nation also works with other governmental entities. For example, the tribe recently agreed to fund resurfacing of 11 miles on Wainwright Road south of Muskogee.

The project, expected to cost between $5 million and $6 million could begin by June.

Wi-Fi Continued from Page 2

“There are also programs by existing carriers that offer inexpensive services to people, and are there ways to scholarship the services to people,” Coburn said.

Muskogee School Superintendent Mike Garde said public Wi-Fi could help the district reach students through its 1:1 ini-

ADDRESS: 17675 S. Muskogee Ave., Tahlequah.

SERVICES OFFERED: Health centers, tag offices, food distribution centers, first responder services, educational programs and other vital life services.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: The Cherokee Nation and its businesses employ 9,000 people.

KEY PERSONNEL: Principal Chief Bill John Baker.

PHONE: (918) 453-5000.

WEBSITE: http://anadisgoi.com/business.

Staff photo by Anita Reding

Emergency department staff members Dr. Thomas Franklin, left, director of the emergency department, nurse Dana Cash, and nurse Mark Westbrook review charts at W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah.

state of Oklahoma.”

The Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Businesses are in the early stages of the largest health care capital investment in tribal history.

This infrastructure improvement plan, valued at more than $100 million, will help reduce patient waiting times and offer more medical services.

The Cherokee Nation operates the largest tribal health system in the United States, with more than a million patient visits annually.

The expansion plan will ex-

testing was all about memorization,” Glover said.

“And even though the state has been slow to change, we’ve tried to change our approach so that kids have to think more and create more in the classroom.

Now, at the state and national level, that’s starting to come around, and we’re prepared for it because we’ve been preparing for it.”

Glover said the use of digital tools helps students connect to what they’ll be

Muscogee (Creek) Nation ADDRESS: 2951 N. Wood Drive, Okmulgee.

HOURS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SERVICES OFFERED: Educational, social, economic development, cultural and health services to nearly 77,000 enrolled members in 11 counties.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 4,600 employees.

TRIBAL ENROLLMENT: 77,000.

KEY PERSONNEL: Principal Chief George Tiger; Second Chief Roger Barnett.

PHONE: (918) 7568700.

WEBSITE: www.muscogeenationnsn.gov

The past 10 years also has seen relocation of the Muscogee Indian Community Center to Fourth and Denison streets, south of Arrowhead Mall. Community center members have regular meals, meetings and other events.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogee phoenix.com. tiative. The initiative seeks to get each student a laptop computer.

“We know about 40 percent of our students don’t have Internet access at home,” Garde said. “Them having the Wi-Fi at home through citywide Wi-Fi opens the curriculum to them in a much richer way.”

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogee phoenix.com.

pand the existing health centers in Stilwell and Sallisaw and build new health centers in Jay and Ochelata and a new hospital in Tahlequah.

“This will improve the health of our people, as well as their quality of life, today, tomorrow and for years to come,” Baker said.

New renovations also will bring new job opportunities for the community. The expansion will create good construction jobs for local builders.

A key to Cherokee Nation success can be found in their investments for the future of their na-

tion.

“A large part of our profits is invested back into those businesses, which helps us grow and create more jobs,” Baker said.

Other investments made by the Cherokee Nation include education and housing programs.

The Cherokee Nation’s car tag program benefited local educational systems with a $3 million investment.

“Those critical dollars allow schools to retain staff, invest in new technology and support students,” Baker said.

Being the third largest em-

doing for careers later on in life, as well as in college.

“In the past 10 years we’ve surveyed our kids, and they were saying they didn’t see any connection between school and their careers,” he said. “So, now we have courses like Multimedia and Robotics, and we’re developing things like Junior Business. We want to connect their academics to their careers.”

Shelton said Fort Gibson has made recent hires in their teaching staff who

have challenged her to try harder on assignments.

“That prepares you for college in every way possible,” Shelton said. “You have several ways of thinking to keep you going through college. Sometimes I miss the textbooks, but it’s not a major downfall for me.”

Fort Gibson High School has recognized the value of American College Testing scores, Glover said. For five years in a row, scores on ACT tests at the school

Hotel

Fourth Street.

While the feasibility study still is two months from its anticipated completion, Scott said the initial proposal for a 120-room hotel could be expanded to include 130 to 140 rooms.

Consultants also are looking at a conference center of about 10,000 square feet that would include smaller, break-out meeting rooms.

“This can be a win-win for the entire city,” Scott said. “If we are talking about downtown revitalization and development — that is what Action in Muskogee is focused on — then a hotel will bring people downtown.”

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot @muskogeephoenix.com.

Continued from Page 3

about how a hotel and conference center figures in to the long-range vision for downtown Muskogee.

“They will look at developing a list of strategies that may be taken for downtown retail to enhance the connection between the Civic Center and hotel and conference center location using the Fourth Street Promenade concept.”

Scott said initial siting proposals would put the proposed hotel and convention center east of Muskogee Civic Center. If that is the case, Scott said the two facilities could be connected by a sky walk spanning

ployer in Oklahoma means Cherokee Nation employees make up a portion of the Muskogee community and neighboring communities.

“Our employees live in these communities and raise their families here, so there’s a big incentive to make these communities great,” Baker said. “I am proud of our employees’ hard work, which pays off with profits that fund social services and helps support our local communities.”

The Muskogee area will continue to feel the impact made from the Cherokee Nation in years to come.

“We are anxious to see what the future holds for our continued partnerships with the state and local communities and how those partnerships impact our ability to provide for our citizens,” Baker said.

Reach E.I. Hillin at (918) 6842926 or ehillin@muskogee phoenix.com.

rose, which was recognized

by ACT with an award.

“We’re striving to go over a 23 average in the next several years,” Glover said.

“We’ve been moving towards that mark. I think it’s doable. We’re at 21.6 right now. We got the award because they saw an increase in the subscores.”

Glover said the boost came when the school shifted their emphasis to “what really benefited parents and kids.”

“It’s frustrating when the state throws more of their tests at us,” he said. “If they’d let us focus on our goals, we’d already be at that 23 average, without a doubt. Colleges don’t even acknowledge the state tests, but they look at the ACT.” Glover credits the school board for the success in past years and the vision for the future.

“They were here before me,” he said. “And they’ll be here after me, probably.

They have been behind the vision, and they were a part of the planning of moving

Fort Gibson Public Schools ADDRESS: 500 S. Ross St. NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 239 NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 1,889.

KEY PERSONNEL: Superintendent, Derald Glover; Gary Sparks, High School principal; Middle School principal, Greg Phares; Intermediate Elementary School principal, Sherry Rybolt; Early Learning Center principal, Shelly Holderby.

PHONE: (918) High School, 478-2452; Middle School, 478-2471; Intermediate Elementary School, 478-2465; Early Learning Center, 478-4841.

WEBSITE: www.ftgibson.k12.ok.us/

us beyond the state tests.

In 10 years I hope the kids who graduate from here are critical thinkers, independent thinkers and creative.”

Reach Travis Sloat at (918) 684-2908 or tsloat @muskogeephoenix.com.

Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Page 10

NURSING HOMES Caring for others...

Caring for others...

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Caring for others...

Outlook 2014 muskogeephoenix.com

EXPANSION

Tasting the future

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

A Muskogee High School student grabs lunch at the Rougher Grill. Improvements from a 2007 bond issue made Muskogee Public Schools classrooms and lunch rooms more appealing.

Transportation hub key asset

Cherokee health services change

Plan would reshape sports complex

With railroads, a river and major U.S. highways spider-webbing out from Muskogee, the area has long been a destination and traffic hub.

Cherokee Nation Health Services has expanded significantly during the past 10 years, and officials are preparing for many changes during the next 10 years.

Officials are hoping that within the next 10 years a popular sports complex also will draw visitors to Muskogee for a variety of entertainment activities.

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Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Outlook 2014 Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Page 12

Transportation hub key asset

By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer

With railroads, a river and major U.S. highways spider-webbing out from Muskogee, the area has long been a destination and traffic hub.

“We are definitely in a good location,” said Muskogee City-County Port Authority Director Scott Robinson. “You can reach a lot of locations in one day.”

Highways are one reason.

For example, U.S. 69, or 32nd Street, reaches from the Gulf of Mexico to Minnesota.

Widening of U.S. 69 in 2006 helped boost and ease truck traffic through Muskogee, said Darren A. Saliba, Oklahoma Department of Transportation Division 1 engineer.

Before 2006, the one-anda-half-mile stretch through Muskogee was a narrow, four-lane divided highway, he said. “Now we have four lanes in each direction with a center turn lane.”

The latest ODOT traffic count map shows an average of 16,300 vehicles each day travel along U.S. 69 through and north of Muskogee.

The widening of U.S. 69 brought commercial development along the highway, including a new Walgreens drug store, relocated restaurants as well as new restaurants and hotels. The QuikTrip convenience store chain plans to build a store at the corner of U.S. 69 and Shawnee Bypass. Mayor Bob Coburn has touted the chain’s planned expansion as a way to generate other retail interest in the intersection.

Shawnee Bypass, or U.S. 62, is even busier, with an average of 25,000 each day on the highway between Main and York streets, according to the ODOT map.

Peak Boulevard has an average of 13,000 vehicles

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

Cars and trucks stop at West Okmulgee Avenue as they pass through Muskogee on U.S. 69. More than 16,000 vehicles a day travel along the highway. The city sits at a hub of key transportation routes by highway, waterway and rail.

each day.

Traffic between Peak and Shawnee on the Muskogee Turnpike has an average of 18,900 vehicles a day.

North of Shawnee, traffic also has increased on the Muskogee Turnpike. A 2007 Oklahoma Turnpike Authority map showed an average of 8,890 to 8,977 vehicles a day going between U.S. 62 and the Coweta exit at Oklahoma 51. A 2013

map showed an average daily traffic count of 9,476 to 9,624 between U.S. 62 and Oklahoma 51.

A five-year capital plan for Muskogee Turnpike includes a $2.4 million joint maintenance/Oklahoma Highway Patrol building in 2015, approximately $17.6 million in pavement rehabilitation in 2016-2017 and $5.8 million for median barriers in 2018. Oklahoma

Turnpike Authority spokesman Jack Damrill said the median barrier likely would be made of strong steel cable.

Rail traffic also is growing. Data kept by the Muskogee City-County Port Authority shows rail freight traffic has doubled since 1990.

Port of Muskogee Operations Manager Lewis McLemore said the port

handled 4,457 railroad cars, with 500,000 tons of freight in 2013.

“Over the past five years, we have seen a gradual increase,” McLemore said.

“That’s why we had to build the extra track at the marshaling yard.”

The port added a third rail to its marshaling yard, where trains are connected, in January.

McLemore said he ex-

pects the port’s rail traffic to double in the next 10 years.

Barge traffic also has grown. McLemore said the port handled 515 barges carrying 793,432 tons of cargo in 2013.

Robinson said he expects steady growth in barge traffic over the next 10 years.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogee phoenix.com.

ICTC boss: School is on right path for the future

By Travis Sloat Phoenix Staff Writer

Tony Pivec said he thinks Indian Capital Technology Center is on the right path for the future.

“It’s taken awhile to get here,” Pivec said. “You don’t just turn a switch. There’s been a lot of relationship building that’s gone on in the last 10 years. A lot of pulling together of all Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding our campusLocally-owned businesses such as Advantage Controls and international corporaes so they’re tions such as Georgia-Pacific send products from Muskogee plants to customers working toaround the world. gether as a singular unit. All of Pivec those things have led to this point.”

Pivec, who is the interim Muskogee superintendent of the ICTC Local industry, international reach companies Muskogee campus, spent four years at the Stilwell have customers Advantage Controls Georgia-Pacific before becoming ADDRESS: 4700 Harold around globe Muskogee Operations campus the assistant superintendAbitz Drive; Advantage TerADDRESS: 4901 E. ent of the Muskogee camrafab/Muskogee Powder

By Cathy Spaulding Chandler Road.

Coat, 13 Tantalum Place. pus. He credits the changes Phoenix Staff Writer HOURS: The mill operHOURS: 7:30 a.m. to 5 ICTC has made in the last ates on 12-hour shifts, sevp.m.

10 years to the previous adWorkers at Advantage en days a week, 365 days SERVICES OFFERED: ministration and their Controls sealed boxes in a year.

Industrial water treatment tenacious work ethic. clear plastic wrap and had SERVICES OFFERED: control systems, complete “We’ve had some wonderManufactures paper prodthem ready to ship around metal fabrication, commeructs, such as Sparkle paful leadership over the past the world cial powder-coating. per towels and Mardi Gras 10 years,” he said. “Almost earlier this NUMBER OF EMPLOYnapkins, as well as private all the credit should go to week.

EES: 95. label products for retailers them. In that 10 years, One shipKEY PERSONNEL: Presand tissue and towel prodsome of the changes in diident, Dan Morris; operament was to ucts for the company’s tions manager, Jeff O’Neal; rection I’ve seen, one of the head for away-from-home business. head of sales, Greg Powell; biggest, has been Indian Australia, NUMBER OF EMPLOYaccounting manager, Capital’s emphasis in the said compaMorris EES: 1,000.

Melanie Grayson; engineerhealth career area.” ny President KEY PERSONNEL: ing manager, Todd Thomas; Pivec said that paradigm Dan Morris.

Rodney Bond, vice presipurchasing manager, Melisshift has come from redent – manufacturing; Jerry Another sealed shipsa Tingel; customer service Keeley, human resources search done by ICTC. He ment was addressed to manager, Mike Moulder. manager. called the research “data“Advantage Controls LatiPHONE: (800) 743-7431.

PHONE: (918) 683driven decisions” based on no,” Guadalajara, Mexico.

WEBSITES: www.advan7671. the return on investment Mexico and Australia tagecontrols.com, www.adWEBSITE: www.gp.com. in health care and other invantageterrafab.com, are among the top five www.muskogeepowderdustries. Pivec said those countries this Muskogee coat.com. decisions would be what drove them forward into (See WORLD, Page 15)

Local industries serve world

Indian Capital Technology Center ADDRESS: 2403 N. 41st St. E. CLASSES OFFERED: • Auto Collision Repair Technology • Automotive Service Technology • Business Management and Administration • Carpentry • Construction Technology • Cosmetology • Criminal Justice • Culinary Arts • Drafting • Environmental and Spatial Technology • Electricity • Graphic Communications • Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning • Heavy Equipment • Hospitality and Lodging Management • Information Technology • Machine Tool Technology • Service Careers • Welding • Health Careers Certification

the next decade.

“Another way we serve our students is by having our doors open at times when it’s convenient for them,” Pivec said. “We’ve got people here from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. It’s a great use of our facilities. It’s not that we shut down at 3:30 p.m., there’s a lot going on after hours.”

Roger King, the campus director for ICTC in Muskogee, said going forward into the next decade felt secure because of the plans set in place by previous and current administrators.

• Sports Medicine and Therapeutic Services • Practical Nursing • Radiologic Technology • Surgical Technology NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 186.

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 1,314 students enrolled in ICTC full-time career majors; 1,812 students enrolled in ICTC short-term and online Adult Career Development courses; and 15,468 enrollments in ICTC Business & Industry Services training; Total ICTC enrollments, 18,624 (based on 2012-2013 Book of Lists statistics).

KEY PERSONNEL: Interim superintendent, Tony Pivec; Muskogee Campus director, Roger King; Business & Industry Services director, Kathy Adair; Adult Career Development/Innovative Services director, Sue Godwin.

PHONE: (918) 686-7565.

WEBSITE: www.ictctech.com.

“We’ve got a continuous school improvement plan that’s been developed to improve the things we do here at ICTC,” King said. “So, we’re more efficient and effective. And a big part of that is the concept of a shared leadership.”

King said that “shared leadership” involves administration, faculty and students in decision making.

Another term used is professional learning communities.

“In my time here, it’s created an atmosphere that’s (See ICTC, Page 13)

Outlook 2014 Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Page 13

Cherokee Nation Health Services change

By Anita Reding Phoenix Staff Writer

TAHLEQUAH — Cherokee Nation Health Services has expanded significantly during the past 10 years, and officials are preparing for many changes during the next 10 years.

The Cherokee Nation operates the largest tribal health system in the country. It oversees W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah and eight health centers, including Three Rivers Health Center in Muskogee.

“The biggest accomplishments over the past 10 years would have to be the assumption of the hospital in 2008 by the Cherokee Nation,” said Connie Davis, executive director of health services for the Cherokee Nation.

Chief Executive Officer Brian Hail said the Cherokee Nation’s operation of the hospital will benefit patients.

“Not only did that allow us to expand the services whenever they compacted Hastings Hospital from Indian Health Service, it also allowed us to integrate the health system so that Hastings is really integrated into Cherokee Nation Health Services operationally more than it was before.”

Another major accomplishment for health services is the quality of care offered at the hospital, and that care was recently recognized, Davis said. Cherokee Nation Health Services won the Edward R. Loveland Memorial Award in 2013. The American College of Physicians state chapter nominated the Cherokee Nation for the award for making significant contributions in the health field and being a leader among tribes nationally.

Recent highlights of Cherokee Nation Health Services include: • Principal Chief Bill John Baker announced in 2013 a massive health care expansion that includes investing more than $100

Staff photo by Anita Reding

Joe Gregory hands his son Aiden to his wife Amanda. Aiden was born at W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah on Feb. 5. The family is from Tahlequah. Aiden is the couple’s second child. Cherokee Nation Health Services oversees the hospital and eight health centers.

million from its business holdings to improve health care for the Cherokee people. The tribe will replace or renovate health centers in Jay, Stilwell, Sallisaw and Ochelata and build an additional 100-bed hospital at Hastings in Tahlequah over the next few years.

• Last year, the tribe’s health care system serviced more than 1 million patient visits and 60,000 dentist visits. Prescriptions filled totaled 1.8 million.

• Baker, the Tribal Council and health administrators developed a comprehensive plan in 2012 to ensure Cherokee citizens and those of federally recognized tribes are receiving the highest level of care.

• The tribe raised the salaries of more than 200 health employees. The move, which had a $5 million impact, helps recruit and retain providers in the tribe’s rural health centers.

• The Cherokee Nation has residency programs in place to prepare their doctors and pharmacists.

• Primary care hours at Muskogee’s Three Rivers Health Clinic were extended to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Medication refills can now be ordered online from a computer, and threemonth prescription supplies are available.

• The hearing aid program has been expanded.

• Contract health servic-

es covers special surgeries and equipment, such as eyeglasses and dentures, which are not allowable under federal funds.

• In 2012, the hospital opened a larger, more patient-friendly emergency department with 13 private rooms. The emergency room remains on the second level and is now connected to a new urgent care wing. Urgent care was upgraded to feature another 17 rooms for walk-ins with less severe emergency needs.

• W.W. Hastings Hospital has five new labor and delivery and 10 post-partum suites.

During the next 10 years, Cherokee Nation Health Services will continue to fo-

Cherokee Nation Health Services ADDRESS: Three Rivers Health Center, 1001 S. 41st St. E., Muskogee; W.W. Hastings Hospital, 100 S. Bliss Ave., Tahlequah. The Cherokee Nation also has health centers in Vinita, Stilwell, Sallisaw, Salina, Nowata, Jay and Bartlesville.

HOURS: Hospital is open 24 hours/seven days a week. Three Rivers Health Center is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SERVICES OFFERED: Medical services.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 9,000 in the Cherokee Nation.

KEY PERSONNEL: Principal Chief Bill John Baker, Deputy Chief S. Joe Crittenden PHONE: W.W. Hastings Hospital, (918) 458-3100; Three Rivers Health Center (918) 781-6500.

WEBSITE: www.cherokee.org/Services/Health/He althCentersHospitals.aspx

cus on preventative health that’s smoking cessation, services. improvements in their di“There is more and more et, more opportunities to exfocus on keeping people from becoming ill, whether (See HEALTH, Page 14)

Development opportunities ‘have never been better’

By D.E. Smoot Phoenix Staff Writer

Staff photo by Travis Sloat

Taylor Dealy, a senior at Muskogee High School and a student in the ICTC welding program, welds a piece he’s working on for a class project.

ICTC Continued from Page 12

very positive in terms of school improvement,” he said.

King also said he was focused on engaging the “21st-century learner” coming into ICTC by making sure he and his staff were up to date on the learning styles of students now and in years to come.

“We’ve worked hard on professional development,” he said. “I often use the example of how my father, who is 76, learns material, versus the way my 12-yearold daughter learns material. My dad gets the instructions out and he reads them word for word, where

my daughter throws the instructions in the trash and just does it. Students now learn by doing.”

ICTC is partnering with Connors State College when it comes to sharing facilities on the campus near the Muskogee Turnpike. When ICTC and CSC finish their new facilities, ICTC students will be able to share classrooms and visual aids with them, and vice versa.

Pivec said he considers the partnership an “intelligent use of resources.”

“There will be a lot of cooperative effort between us,” Pivec said. “We will have the LPN program, they will have the RN program. We’ll be consolidating our health programs right by where they are consolidating their health

programs. Some of the mannequins for those programs cost in excess of $50,000. We can share those resources.”

Pivec said instead of building the same things twice, they are creating a seamless transition between the two schools for the future.

“We hope to make it a hub for health careers between the two of us,” he said. “They’ve already started turning the dirt, and we anticipate turning dirt in the spring. It’s hard to predict what the job market will do in 10 years, but I think health care will continue to boom. We hope to help fill that demand.”

Reach Travis Sloat at (918) 684-2908 or tsloat @muskogeephoenix.com.

Economic development opportunities in Muskogee “have never been better.”

This assessment was offered by Muskogee CityCounty Port Authority Director Scott Robinson. His projection hinges a great deal on a strategic partnership forged three years ago between the city of Muskogee and the port authority.

“Since contracting with the city of Muskogee for industrial development, the opportunities for expansion of existing industry and the recruitment of new industry have never been better,” Robinson said. “I expect the first quarter in 2014 to show ... the community great things are happening in Muskogee.”

The city-port partnership began in 2011 as former Mayor John Tyler Hammons called for the permanent dedication of use tax revenue to support the city’s economic development efforts. The initiative guaranteed a revenue stream of up to $1.2 million annually for that purpose, about half of which is used now to support the port authority’s business retention and recruiting work.

“The closer partnership I established between the city and the port will allow Muskogee to recruit new, high-paying jobs for years to come,” Hammons said, citing the port’s reputation and experience to support the choice of having it lead

Muskogee Development ADDRESS: Muskogee Business Development, 216 W. Okmulgee Ave. HOURS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

SERVICES OFFERED: The Muskogee City-County Port Authority’s business and economic development division works in partnership with the city of Muskogee to implement an economic development program designed to increase business investment and job opportunities in the Muskogee area.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Port authority: 10; Muskogee Development: Three.

KEY PERSONNEL: Scott Robinson, port authority director; Marie Synar, acting director of business development.

PHONE: (918) 6827887.

WEBSITE: www.muskogeedevelopment.org.

the city’s “enhanced efforts” to promote economic growth. “By giving our recruiters the tools the they need to attract new investments, we ensured Muskogee’s continued status as an economic leader for northeastern Oklahoma.”

In addition to the city’s investment, Robinson credits the work of Marie Synar and her staff at the port authority’s business and economic development office for his optimistic outlook.

He said Synar, acting direc-

tor for the port authority’s economic development division, has “done a great job laying the foundation for Muskogee’s future success.”

The port authority’s midyear report shows port officials facilitated 27 expansion projects during the past year. Two projects resulted with the creation of 30 new jobs with average annual wages totaling more than $39,000 and investments worth $1.75 million. A third project includes the $11.8 million expansion launched by Vallourec Star, which will add 32 jobs at its port facility.

Synar said her office’s business attraction and recruitment efforts in 2013 have the potential of creating 6,159 new jobs and supporting investments totaling more than $7.23 billion.

That potential could come closer to reality with the creation of a strategic investment program incentive fund.

These incentives are possible as a result of a $2 million grant awarded in December by the City of Muskogee Foundation.

Grant funding will be used to provide incentives for qualifying companies that add at least 15 above average jobs or invest a minimum of $250,000 in plant or equipment expansion during the course of 36 months.

“Experts will tell you that in any given year there are about 400 com(See BETTER, Page 14)

Outlook 2014

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Muskogee Phoenix

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Submitted

A preliminary drawing of the master plan for the Love-Hatbox Sports Complex.

Plan would reshape sports complex

By Anita Reding Phoenix Staff Writer

Officials are hoping that within the next 10 years a popular sports complex also will draw visitors to Muskogee for a variety of entertainment activities.

Love-Hatbox Sports Complex encompasses 300 acres at 34th and Arline streets on the western portion of the city.

The complex, located on a site which was once a historic airport, includes 10 baseball fields, eight softball fields, two football fields, a 30-acre soccer complex, Centennial Trail which loops the entire complex, a skate park and a family water park, said Mark Wilkerson, Parks and Recreation Department director.

The complex was built in two phases — the first phase in the mid 1990s, and the second in the late 1990s.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding and Public Works DepartA hangar remaining from the old Hatbox airport bears traces of airplanes that flew there. The area since has be- ment have joint control come a 300-acre sports complex, and Muskogee city officials have a master plan to develop the area as a family over the complex. entertainment center and expo center.

The completion of the

Better Continued from Page 13

panies looking to relocate or expand in the United States, and there are also 15,000 communities competing for these businesses,” Synar said. “So, you can imagine competition is fierce and often requires the offering of local incentives in order to persuade a company to choose your community.”

Synar said she and other port staffers have enjoyed

Health Continued from Page 13

ercise,” Hail said.

Health Services plans to continue to offer comprehensive primary and specialty care so that patients will not have to travel to Tulsa or Oklahoma City for the care they need, he said.

“We want the patients to know we know they have a choice, and we want them to choose Cherokee Nation,” Hail said.

That goal will be accomplished by “getting the in-

working with the city “to implement an organized and competitive economic development plan.”

This “plan ... will over the next 10 years produce significant returns in the form of new job opportunities for the citizens of Muskogee and new capital investment,” Synar said. “That will increase the tax base, benefiting the city, local school districts, library and other ad valorem (tax) recipients.”

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot @muskogeephoenix.com. frastructure in place to accommodate those specialties, as well as accommodate the increased demand for primary care,” Hail said.

Cherokee Nation is taking advantage of social media to be more available and accessible to patients, Davis said. The latest computer technology also is being used, from offering prescription refills online to a plan to implementing an electronic health record program next year.

“We’re trying to stay up with the times,” she said.

Reach Anita Reding at (918) 684-2903 or areding @muskogeephoenix.com.

Muskogee Parks and Recreation ADDRESS: 837 E. Okmulgee Ave. HOURS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 45 full-time employees, 25 part-time employees, and 125 seasonal employees.

SERVICES OFFERED: Enriching the lives and meeting the recreational needs of Muskogee citizens.

KEY PERSONNEL: Mark Wilkerson, director.

PHONE: (918) 6846302.

WEBSITE: www.cityofmuskogee.com.

soccer complex is “the primary improvement” to the area during the last 10 years, Wilkerson said.

Also during the past 10 years, “we began hosting events out there,” Wilkerson said.

The complex was the location for an AMA (American Motorcycle Association) quad racing event last summer, and it will return in (See COMPLEX, Page 19)

Bridges help poor move to self-sufficiency

By E.I. Hillin Phoenix Staff Writer

Building Bridges For the Future of Muskogee began in September of 2011. Originally, the program was called “Community Circles of Muskogee.”

The idea for the program came from a City of Muskogee Foundation Strategic Planning event held in late 2010. Since it’s inception, the program has stayed faithful to two primary goals.

The first goal is to help Muskogee residents move from poverty to self-sufficiency by attending “Getting Ahead” classes. The first Getting Ahead class began in March 2011. Nine people began the class, and six graduated. Since then, 55 students have graduated from the Getting Ahead classes, and an additional 41 people are enrolled.

The second goal is to educate the entire community on the complexities of poverty and remove the stigma attached to it.

Tom Martindale, program coordinator, said they wanted to eliminate the bias and preconceived notions about why poverty exists.

“This is done through Bridges Out of Poverty community workshops,” he said.

Staff photo by E.I. Hillin

Marvin Green, Shenia McNac, Mary Hicks, and Tom Martindale discuss the goals of Building Bridges for the Future of Muskogee. Green and Hicks graduated from the Getting Ahead class in 2013. Both are now enrolled in higher education courses.

The next workshop is 9 a.m. to noon March 12.

“The workshop is to help people in the community that are not under-resourced, that are in middle class or wealth, to better understand the problems that we face here in Muskogee and what role they can play in making this happen,” Martindale said.

The first goal of the program relies on the participants in the classes who want to change and work for a better future.

“The first half is try and help individuals that are under-resourced learn the importance of making that plan, the future story. It’s self discovery, and it’s things that come out of the book

and out of discussion with other members of the class,” Martindale said.

The classes are a 20-week commitment. Students must dedicate one night a week for five months.

Martindale said that there are enough people on the waiting list right now, (See BRIDGES, Page 18)

Outlook 2014 Muskogee Phoenix

World Continued from Page 12

manufacturing company serves. Morris listed the other three as Canada, China and the United Kingdom.

“We also export to 35 other countries throughout the world,” Morris said. “You can ship it from here just as easily as you can from New York or anywhere else.”

Advantage Controls, which makes industrial water treatment controllers, metering pumps and accessories, is one of several Muskogee companies with customers around the world.

“It’s become a global market,” said Marie Synar, acting director of business and economic development for the Muskogee City-County Port Authority.

Synar said manufacturing companies are looking for effective ways to get their products out, and Muskogee is a good hub.

“We’re able to ship our products over the roads, barges, rail, even air,” she said.

Such manufacturers include international companies, such as GeorgiaPacific and Dal-Tile, which have plants in Muskogee.

Georgia-Pacific, for example, ranks among Muskogee’s largest employers. The mill makes such popular brands as Sparkle paper towels and Mardi Gras napkins.

Rodney Bond, vice president of manufacturing for the Muskogee mill, said products made in Muskogee could be found in retailers throughout the midwest and southwest.

“The away-from-home bath tissue and towel products we make for restaurants, office buildings, hotels and stadiums

are sold directly to enduser companies and to distributors, so those products from Muskogee could likely be found at facilities across the country,” Bond said. “In addition, some products made at the mill can be found in Mexico and parts of Asia.”

Bond said the local mill’s main growth over the past 10 years has been in safety, environmental performance and reliability.

“I think we will continue to be a key part of the Muskogee community,” Bond said. “We will be a safe, reliable and productive facility that continues to make tissue and towel products that people need and use every day.”

Muskogee’s worldwide manufacturers also include local, family-owned and operated businesses such as Advantage Controls.

“Add to that list Acme Engineering & Manufacturing and H.E. Anderson,” Synar said.

Acme has become a leader in manufacture and distribution of fans, blowers and ventilation equipment, according to its website. H.E. Anderson makes water treatment equipment for the nursery and agriculture markets.

Morris said his company has tripled sales volume and doubled employment over the past 10 years. He said he hopes to triple sales and double employment over the next 10 years.

Another goal is to expand the market for existing products and to develop new products, Morris said. The company opened Advantage Terrafab and Muskogee Powder Coating about three years ago, he said.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogee phoenix.com.

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Working together strong for a better future!

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Bridges Continued from Page 14

that they could start another class if they had enough facilitators.

Muskogee Building Bridges has become a pioneer program in the state.

“We have the first Spanish-only class in the state.

There aren’t many of these in the country,” Martindale said.

The Hispanic class was launched in collaboration with Head Start.

Martindale and program coach Shenia McNac took three graduates to a National Bridges Out of Poverty conference last year.

“The mayor went with us, as well as members of our steering committee,” Martindale said.

Mary Hicks graduated from the Getting Ahead class in February 2013.

“I was a single mom, working two jobs,” Hicks said. “When we graduated, I was still on that hamster wheel of working two jobs.”

“I realized I’m not getting

anywhere,” Hicks said. “It was my ‘a-ha’ moment. I couldn’t work any harder. I had to work smarter. I set a day aside, took afternoon off at my day job, and went and enrolled at Connors.”

Hicks said she has seen her life change for the better since graduating.

“Since that time, I’ve won two awards at my day job. I got to go to Oklahoma City to the Bridges Conference,” Hicks said. “I got to go to the National Children’s Conference in Washington, D.C. I was on the President’s Honor Roll for my first semester, and other good things are coming.”

Marvin Green was in the same class with Hicks. Since graduation, Green was able to get important tasks completed to move him forward in a positive direction.

“The support that I’ve received from the team members got me to the point where I got my student loans in repair,” Green said.

“I was able to file taxes, and to where I could fill out the applications for admissions, and for my Pell Grant.

Thank you Shenia.”

McNac has served as the

Page 18

Building Bridges for the Future of Muskogee ADDRESS: 207 N. Second St. HOURS: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

SERVICES OFFERED: Getting Ahead classes assist people in identifying the resources necessary to reach their goals. Bridges Out of Poverty workshops involve all members of the community focused on seeing Muskogee make progress in the reduction of poverty.

KEY PERSONNEL: Tom Martindale, coordinator; Shenia McNac, coach.

program coach for 11 months. She works to help students like Hicks and Green find resources to aid in their success.

Green is working toward his graduation at Indian Capital Technology Center.

“I got started out at ICTC, Machine Tool, last August,” he said. “I’m a full-time student, and I should graduate come May. I have an A minus in my last semester’s report card.”

Building Bridges for the

PHONE: (918) 683-4600.

WEBSITE: www.thenonprofitresourcecenter.org/co mmunity-circles-of-muskogee/building-bridges/.

• • • WHAT: Building Bridges for the Future of Muskogee Community Workshop.

WHEN: 9 a.m. to noon March 8.

WHERE: Nonprofit Resource Center, 207 N. Second St. ETC.: Only 30 spots are available. Call to make a reservation.

INFORMATION: Tom Martindale, (918) 683-4600.

Future of Muskogee lives up to it’s name, Green said.

“Staying involved in the community is one of the things that I didn’t know how to do, or even becoming part of the community, when I was in poverty,” he said.

“By coming to these classes and starting to interact with other people from different economic classes it just opened up that door.”

Reach E.I. Hillin at (918) 684-2926 or ehillin @muskogeephoenix.com.

021600354304

Discover Fort Gibson Oklahoma’s Oldest Town

Fort Gibson had other firsts, such as the first telephone, first drama theater, first steamboat land ing, first school for the blind, first highway to Fort Smith, the first interurban, which connected Fort Gibson to Muskogee, and one of the first post offices.

Outlook 2014 Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Page 19

Muskogee Schools see improvements Bond issues help modernize, build new facilities, bring in new technology

lahoma State School of Character and could be on its way to the national honor.

Other districts now look to Muskogee as examples of good student conduct, said Madison Tomlinson, MPS

By Cathy Spaulding director of character educaPhoenix Staff Writer tion. He recalled a member Muskogee Public Schools of the Oklahoma State Board of Regents who called keep getting better.

Improvements can be MPS “the standard-bearer seen in cheerier classrooms, for character education in libraries and even lunch- Oklahoma.”

Tomlinson, a state coordirooms at various schools.

“Due to community sup- nator for the Character Edport of two bond issues, we ucation Partnership, said he have upgraded the way our has made presentations at buildings look and modern- other districts including Pryor and Miaized them,” mi. said “When Muskogee people are School Sulooking at perintenyou for dent Mike leadership, Garde said we need to A $33.1 step formillion ward,” Tombond issue linson said. in 2007 “That puts helped — Muskogee School Superinpressure on modernize tendent Mike Garde us, but it’s a Muskogee pressure High School, add a band and choir that makes us become betroom at Alice Robertson Ju- ter.”

The district has shown all nior High and bring new technology and furnishings sorts of achievements in 10 years, including two Oklaacross the district.

A $47.5 million bond is- homa Teachers of the Year: sue passed last May will add Sadler Arts Academy fourtha new science/math class- grade teacher Cindy Ball for room building at AR, bio- 2004 and Alice Robertson medical classrooms and Junior High Spanish more new facilities at MHS, teacher Linda Hasler-Reid a new library and dance for 2007. Two MPS teachers classroom at Sadler Arts also have been state finalists: Irving Elementary Academy.

Improvements are seen in kindergarten teacher Lisa technology advancements. Lamont for 2013 and Chero“Now we are in the kee Elementary teacher, process of moving into the now Tony Goetz Elementary digital world, heavily,” Garde principal, David Shouse, for said. “The playing field is 2006.

Longtime MPS educator leveled when all the kids have a laptop. It personal- Melony Carey said she has seen changes over the past izes their education.”

The technology also was 10 years.

“I was teaching at MHS a result of May’s bond issue.

Laptops were distributed 10 years ago,” said Carey, a earlier this year as part of former Latin teacher. “We the 1:1, or one-on-one pro- had always been on the cutgram, eventually giving each ting edge of technology. But student a laptop computer. now, we have entered a Garde said the district is whole new realm of possilooking at getting laptops to bility for teaching and learnfifth and sixth grades and ing via new types of personsets of four tablet comput- al computing technology, inboards and ers for all the 4-year-old teractive document cameras, larger classrooms next year.

“We will continue with flat-screen TVs and more other grades in the following powerful, engaging digital resources.” years,” he said.

Garde said he sees con“Kids are going to make a shift into a digital world,” tinued technological adGarde said, adding that the vancements over the next initiative allows education 10 years.

School officials project a to be more personalized to10 percent growth in enrollward student needs.

Improvements also have ment over the next 10 years, been seen in student atti- from 6,223 this year to tude and achievement over 6,800 in 10 years.

Garde said he also sees the past 10 years. Two MPS continued improvement as schools — Muskogee High School and Rougher Alter- teachers work together in native Academy — have Professional Learning Combeen recognized as National munities. The communities Schools of Character. A enable teachers to meet tothird, Sadler Arts Academy, gether by grade level or subrecently was named an Ok- ject.

“The playing field is leveled when all the kids have a laptop. It personalizes their education.”

Complex Continued from Page 14

September.

Mudstock, a mud volleyball tournament, which has previously been held at Three Forks Harbor is moving to the sports complex this year. Wilkerson described the event as “a fun, dirty way to raise some money” for MCCOYS (Muskogee County Council of Youth Services) and WISH (Women in Safe Home).

“We’ve hosted a tremendous amount of weekend tournaments, which generates a lot of traffic in town,” Wilkerson said, adding that “the trail plays host to about six 5K runs through the year, all of which are fundraisers for local charities.”

Wilkerson said within the next 10 years, “I’d really like to see a lot more traffic — more sports tourism, more weekend traffic — for the community and the

complex.”

A vendor has an agreement with the city to operate an inflatable bounce house in one of the former airport’s hangars.

Preparing for the future, the Park and Recreation Board/Task Force recently presented a conceptual master plan to the Muskogee City Council, Wilkerson said.

The master plan - possible activities list includes: • Expo/Event Center — Exhibit hall, banquet hall, office, concessions, restrooms, arena, warm up arena, spectator seating and detached barns.

• Family Entertainment Center — Bounce house, party rooms, indoor/outdoor go carts, miniature golf, arcade, laser tag and expansion of the water park.

• Additional sports — Cross-country, lacrosse, volleyball, a fitness area, disc golf, 5K runs, covered and open air basketball.

• Alternative sports — Free-style BMX, BMX racing, quad racing, ziplines, paintball area and disc golf

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

A Muskogee High School student grabs lunch at the Rougher Grill. Improvements from a 2007 bond issue made Muskogee Public Schools classrooms and lunch rooms more appealing.

Muskogee Public Schools ADDRESS: Board of Education Service and Technology Center, 202 W. Broadway.

SERVICES OFFERED: Education of students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Certified, 460, includes all administration; support, 345. Other-125, including all active substitutes, lay coaches, interns, school-to-work students.

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 6,217 students.

KEY PERSONNEL: Superintendent Mike Garde; Assistant Superintendent of Personnel and Support Services Jim Wilson; Director of

“It’s evident teachers have shown strong leadership on how this district keeps moving itself for-

course.

• Outdoor Events/Festivals — County fair/midway carnival, car shows, motorcycle rally, kite flying, hot air balloons and music festival.

Numerous site amenities also are in the master plan, including an amphitheater, self-guided nature area, large pond, nature trails, creative natural playground area, fishing, wetland areas, docks, boardwalks, open event lawns, additional parking spaces, radio control boat and car area, corn or grass mazes, dog park, dog agility training area, canoeing and kayaking.

Wilkerson said the next step will be to continue discussing the master plan, which he referred to as “the vision,” for the sports park with city council members and the community. The conversations will include funding options for the projects, he said.

If all of the ideas for the future on the master plan were to be implemented, the complex would become

Information Technology Eric Wells; Director of Secondary Education Melony Carey; Director of Elementary Education Clevetta Gray; Chief Financial Officer John Little.

PHONE: (918) 684-3700.

WEBSITE: www.mpsi20.org.

SCHOOLS • Early Childhood Center, 901 Emporia St. Principal, Malinda Lindsay, (918) 6843770.

• Cherokee Elementary, 2400 Estelle Ave. Principal Suzie Orton. (918) 684-3890.

• Creek Elementary, 200 S. Country Club Road. Principal, Rick Hoos, (918) 6843880.

ward,” Garde said. “Because of some of the things we’re doing now, we are seeing more students graduating

• Ben Franklin Science Academy, 300 Virgil Matthews Blvd. Principal, Tonya Cox. (918) 684-3870.

• Grant Foreman Elementary, 800 Bacone St. Principal, Vickie Albin, (918) 6843860.

• Harris-Jobe Elementary, 2809 N. Country Club Road.

Principal, Justin Walker, (918) 684-3850.

• Irving Elementary, 1100 N. J St. Principal, Kim Fleak, (918) 684-3840.

• Pershing Elementary, 301 N. 54th St., Principal, Alton Lusk, (918) 684-3830.

• Sadler Arts Academy, 800 N. Altamont St. Principal, Ronia Davison, (918) 684-

3820.

• Tony Goetz Elementary, 2412 Haskell Blvd. Principal, David Shouse. (918) 6843810.

• Whittier Elementary, 1705 Cincinnati Ave. Principal Ed Wallace, (918) 6843800.

• Alice Robertson Junior High, 402 N. S St. Principal, Peggy Jones, (918) 6843775.

• Muskogee High School, 3200 E. Shawnee Bypass, Principal, Dewayne Pemberton, (918) 684-3750.

• Rougher Alternative Academy, 600 Altamont St. Principal, Larry Sholes, (918) 684-3705.

high school career and colReach Cathy Spaulding lege ready. We see a de- at (918) 684-2928 or crease in number of kids cspaulding@muskogee dropping out.” phoenix.com.

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

Marcus Davis of Muskogee sees what tricks he can do at Muskogee Skate Park. The park is one of several attractions at Love-Hatbox Sports Complex. City officials have a master plan to add more sports and recreation venues.

more of an entertainment “As this thing develops, Reach Anita Reding at venue which would bring it’s going to be more than a (918) 684-2903 or areding out-of-town visitors to the sports complex,” Wilkerson @muskogeephoenix.com. area, he said. said.

Muskogee Phoenix

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MOMENTUM

Moving forward

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

Traffic signals being installed at York and Hancock streets will accommodate pedestrians. Installation of traffic signals are part of a city road improvement project along York.

Foundation makes ‘real difference’

Port makes improvements

Muskogee is rich in museums

Formed in 2008 for the purpose of making “a real difference,” the City of Muskogee Foundation is making great strides toward that end.

The Port of Muskogee has made a number of infrastructure improvements to roads and railroads serving the busy facility.

Whether it’s music, Native American art, local history or a chance to visit a submarine, Muskogee has a variety of museums that draw visitors of all ages.

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Muskogee Phoenix

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Foundation makes ‘a real difference’

By D.E. Smoot Phoenix Staff Writer

Formed in 2008 for the purpose of making “a real difference,” the City of Muskogee Foundation appears to be making great strides toward that end.

Foundation directors have awarded grants worth nearly $30 million during the first six years of the nonprofit’s existence. Beneficiaries range the gamut, but the singular purpose of those grants is to make “Muskogee a better place to live, work and play.”

They are doing that by funding programs designed to develop, support, promote education, the arts, culture, recreation, community revitalization and beautification of the city.

Foundation funding also has been used to support social services, housing, health care and infrastructure improvements and stimulate economic development.

“We’re proud of how far we’ve come in our grantmaking process and in the growth of our investments since we started in 2008,” said Earnie Gilder, foundation board chairman. “The foundation is a true asset to Muskogee, and if we continue on the path we’ve been on the past few years it will continue to provide great things for the future citizens of Muskogee as

City of Muskogee Foundation ADDRESS: 120 N. Third St. SERVICES OFFERED: The City of Muskogee Foundation was established in 2008 for the purpose of effectively developing, supporting, promoting, and improving programs and facilities relating to education, arts, culture, community revitalization and beautification, social services, health care, economic development, infrastructure, housing, and recreation for the City of Muskogee and surrounding areas and to improve the quality of life of residents of Muskogee.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: The foundation is managed by Foundation Management Inc. and overseen by a 13member board of directors.

KEY PERSONNEL: Executive Director Frank Merrick; Foundation Manager and Chief Operating Officer D.J. Thompson.

PHONE: (918) 5776562.

WEBSITE: www.cityofmuskogeefoundation.org

well.”

The foundation, the sole beneficiary of which is the city of Muskogee, was funded initially with proceeds from the 40-year lease of the city’s hospital — now known as EASTAR Health

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

Workers with Glover & Associates finish applying concrete around a manhole cover in front of First Baptist Church. Crews are raising manhole covers to align with new asphalt they laid on the street last year, said Supervisor Joe Benham. The City of Muskogee Foundation has provided $2.5 million for recent street improvements.

System — to Capella Healthcare. Those proceeds were invested and are actively managed to generate revenue, a portion of which is used to fund grants intended to improve the quality of life in Muskogee.

Much of the $120 million prepaid lease was used to fund the City of Muskogee

foundation, which has a present value of about $131 million. Since 2008, the foundation has awarded grants totaling nearly $30 million — more than $17.38 million of that has been paid out.

The foundation’s directors work closely with the city’s elected leaders and

residents who make serve on the nonprofit’s committees to understand residents’ needs. Their role is one seen as a partner “in helping to resolve economic development, quality of life, health and education issues” for the purpose of making “Muskogee a better place to live, work and

play.”

D.J. Thompson, foundation manager and chief operations officer, said some of the larger grants from which all residents will benefit include a multiyear $2.5 million grant for city parks and another $2.5 (See FOUNDATION, Page 28)

Bacone expands recruitment

By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

Connors State College nursing students, from left, Mikaela Crawford of Oktaha, Alicia Easterling of Muskogee and Lauren Irons of Fort Gibson pay attention in a nursing class on the CSC West Campus. Connors seeks to be a leader in health care education within the next 10 years.

Connors is on the move

By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer

Connors State College continues to be on the move.

The biggest move came in 2011, when Connors closed its downtown Muskogee campus and headed west. Through a partnership with Northeastern State University, Connors has a 10,000square-foot building on the NSU-Muskogee campus, 2404 W. Shawnee Bypass.

Things are moving in other ways. In 2007, the old Gatlin Hall dormitory on the Warner campus became a one-stop student services center, where students can get help on admissions, advisement and financial aid.

After 52 years, the Warner campus student union is getting a face-lift and an expansion. Warner students are meeting and eating in Russell Hall this semester while the building is being renovated and expanded to 31,550 square feet.

At the CSC Muskogee Port campus, 2501 N. 41st St. E., ground has been broken on Connors’ $9 million nursing and allied health facility. The facility is another example of how Connors works with other education providers. Indian Capital Technology Center is building an adjoining health care classroom and lab facility at its Muskogee campus just to the south.

Connors State College ADDRESS: Route 1, Box 1000, Warner; Muskogee West Campus, 2404 W. Shawnee Bypass; Muskogee Port Campus, 2501 N. 41st St. E. SERVICES OFFERED: Provide education several basic fields of study for students planning to transfer to a college; Offer one- and two-year programs of technical and occupational education to prepare individuals for the job market.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 54 full-time faculty; 52 adjunct faculty; 89 other employees.

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 3,151.

KEY PERSONNEL: President, Dr. Tim Faltyn;

The student union renovations and nursing facility are part of a 15-year master plan, Connors State College President Tim Faltyn said.

“When I first arrived here almost three years ago, they had not done a master plan,” Faltyn said.

“You really have to know where you’ve been and know where you are before you decide where to go.”

The master plan included $16 million in projects at Muskogee and Warner campuses, he said.

“We are set up for success in the next 15 to 20 years,” Faltyn said.

The master plan also includes a comprehensive study of academic pro-

vice president of academic affairs and student services, Dr. Ron Ramming; interim vice president of fiscal services, Kimberly Ryals; Connors Development Foundation executive director, Ryan Blanton; information technology and institutional research director, Heath Hodges; athletic director, Coach Bill Muse; college and community relations director, Ami Maddocks; West Campus administrator, Mike Jackson; Port Campus administrator, Rhoda Strode.

PHONE: Warner, (918) 463-2931; Port and West campuses, (918) 687-6747.

WEBSITE: connorsstate.edu

grams, Faltyn said.

“We’re studying all our academic programs to make sure we have the right people and the right resources,” he said.

Faltyn said he sees “really great things academically in our developmental education and really good activities toward improving our graduation rates.”

Success centers at each campus have helped students make such strides, he said. The centers offer tutoring in math, English or other subjects.

“We had one of the largest graduating classes in the college history, 347 students,” Faltyn said. “The (See CONNORS, Page 28)

People find all sorts of places to spread the news about Bacone College.

Recruiters are as likely to show up at powwows as they are at job fairs.

“We go to non-traditional recruiting areas,” Bacone recruiter Kaila Bemo said.

“You don’t see other colleges at tribal communities. We go to powwows and tribal gatherings. Bacone’s goal by 2025 is to have a minimum of 51 percent American Indian population.”

“The goal of our board of trustees is that in the next 10 years, Bacone will be the premiere place for American Indians to go to, not only in Oklahoma, but also in America,” said Kyle Taylor, Bacone’s director of American Indian Recruitment.

Taylor said Native American enrollment and involvement at Bacone has “grown exponentially.”

“When I got here, we did not have a Center for American Indians. Now, we have one,” he said. “We now have an American Indian Studies Degree, American Indian Art Program and the Rennard Strickland School of Tribal Law and Criminal Justice.”

Rennard Strickland, a professor emeritus at the University of Oregon, is considered a pioneer in introducing Indian law into university curriculum.

Bacone College pushes to reach not only Native Americans, but also potential Christian ministers. The school offers a Bachelor of Arts in Christian ministry.

“Training people on our campus community in Christian ministry is a huge step for us,” said Dr. Leroy Thompson, Bacone vice president of Christian Ministries. “We are working to make Christian life on campus a central focus again.

We have more students involved in chapel services. We provide Christian counseling, we have created a praise team and a student gospel choir.”

The college also developed relationships with other denominations and ministries, he said, citing revived affiliation with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Baptist Collegiate Ministries as an example.

“We are running as fast as we can back to our roots,” Thompson said.

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

Bacone College recruiters Kaila Bemo, left, and Elsie Whitehorn tend their American Indian Recruitment booth at a recent college and career fair at Muskogee High School. The recruiters also go to powwows and tribal events, plus keep a Facebook page.

Bacone College ADDRESS: 2299 Old Bacone Road.

SERVICES OFFERED: Liberal arts college affiliated with the American Baptist Church with emphasis on Christian ministry and higher education for Native Americans.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Full-time faculty, 35; adjunct faculty, 97; full-time staff, 117; part-time staff, 39.

ENROLLMENT: 1,294.

KEY PERSONNEL: Executive vice president and dean of faculty, Dr. Robert K. Brown; vice president finance, Mustafa Yundem; assistant vice president enrollment management, Darin

Bacone began classes in 1880 and was an outreach of the American Baptist Home Mission Society to American Indians. Thompson said Bacone is working to re-establish connections with the American Baptist Church.

Thompson said he sees an even stronger focus over the next 10 years.

“I see Bacone College as the main source for raising and training American Indian leaders and Christian leaders,” he said.

Bacone also has reached out through renovated facilities. In the past 10 years, Bacone converted a nearby motel into a residence hall; an old grocery store into a library and welcome center, and a former Walmart into a Student Life Center, featuring a health center, bookstore, meeting area and indoor athletic facilities.

“In the past 10 years, Bacone has seen tremendous growth in its academic of-

McDugle; vice president of institutional advancement, Mike Miller; assistant vice president student life and facilities, Shelli Hopkins; vice president of Christian ministries, Dr. Leroy Thompson; interim vice president, Center for American Indians, Patricia King. Board of Trustees Executive Committee: Chairman, Chief Ken Adams, Chief Stephen Adkins, Arthur B. Francis, David Grayson, Alyson Farmer-Pollack, Peggy S. Parsons, Quinton Roman Nose, Beverly West, Lawrence E. Wilson III. PHONE: (918) 683-4581.

WEBSITE: www.bacone.edu

ferings as well as campus facilities,” said Mike Miller, assistant vice president of institutional advancement.

“Bacone can now accommodate 650 students in oncampus housing, and each of those slots were filled this fall. Bacone’s accreditation was extended for a 10-year cycle, and our academic standing is higher than ever.

We now offer 18 degree programs, including health sciences, education, criminal justice and business.”

Classes even reach to Tulsa. Bacone offers degrees in radiography and sonography through a partnership with the American Institute of Medical Technology in Tulsa.

According to the Board of Regents for Higher Education, Bacone had an enrollment of 1,294 for 2013.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogee phoenix.com.

Outlook 2014 Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Page 23

Cherokee Nation entertainment grows

By E.I. Hillin Phoenix Staff Writer

Cherokee Nation’s entertainment expansions have given local residents new exciting ways to spend their free time in the last several years.

“In 2012, we were pleased to complete the construction of three new facilities,” said Cherokee Nation Businesses Chief Executive Officer Shawn Slaton.

The 27,500-square-foot casino in Fort Gibson replaced an 8-year-old structure. The expansion allowed for nearly double the workforce and capacity of the existing casino and offers more room, amenities and games for guests, Slaton said.

A 31,000-square-foot casino was built in Ramona along U.S. 75 between Bartlesville and Tulsa. The casino opened in the fall of 2012.

The new gaming facility offers more than 500 electronic games and new food and beverage options to guests of the casino.

In Catoosa, a third hotel tower was added at the

Cherokee Nation ADDRESS: 17675 S. Muskogee Ave., Tahlequah.

SERVICES OFFERED: Entertainment.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: The Cherokee Nation and its businesses employ 9,000 people.

KEY PERSONNEL: Shawn Slaton, Cherokee Nation Businesses chief executive officer.

PHONE: (918) 4535000.

WEBSITE: http://anadisgoi.com/entertainment

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. This eight-story hotel tower was constructed to add an additional 100 suites, 10,000 square-feet of dining and entertainment space, and 45,000 square-feet of gaming space, Slaton said.

“At the entertainment level, we’re still providing excellent guest service and exceeding guest expectations at our newest casinos and hotel,” Slaton said.

The Joint, a concert venue inside the Hard Rock Tulsa brings some of the most popular performers in

Staff photo by E.I. Hillin

A customer plays one of the hundreds of electronic games at the Cherokee Fort Gibson Casino. The facility offers visitors food, drinks, entertainment, and a chance to win cash.

the nation to the area.

The Joint is, “unlike any entertainment venue in the area. The 45,000-squarefoot room offers amphitheater-style seating with excellent sightlines to watch top acts burn up the stage.

Combine that with a state-

of-the-art light and sound system within an intimate 2,700-seat setting,” according to the website.

The Joint will bring the legendary “Okie from Muskogee” Merle Haggard on April 3.

The Cherokee Nation

has brought more entertainment options at Fort Gibson and Ramona, and also more jobs.

“Cherokee Casino Fort Gibson and Cherokee Casino Ramona expansions added nearly 200 new jobs to the area for Cherokee

Nation citizens,” Slaton said.

Within the new casinos are dining opportunities for guests to enjoy. Inside the Fort Gibson Casino is the 3 Rivers Tavern offering a full-service restaurant and bar open from 8 to 2 a.m.

Inside the Casino Ramona is the Ramona Grill a full-service restaurant serving food from 6 to 2 a.m.

“The restaurants have been popular at both locations, giving the local communities tasty food at competitive prices,” Slaton said.

The expansion at Hard Rock helped the Cherokee Nation secure the host site for the 2013 Bassmaster Classic at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees.

“We are always looking for ways to improve our facilities to provide a superior experience for our guests. We continue to listen to the needs and desires of our guests and study gaming trends that will keep us at the top of the local gaming industry,” Slaton said.

Reach E.I. Hillin at (918) 684-2926 or ehillin@ muskogeephoenix.com.

Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Page 24

Outlook 2014 Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Page 25

Staff photo by D.E. Smoot

A tugboat operator positions the watercraft alongside a barge docked at the Port of Muskogee as it is being unloaded.

Port acquires property, makes improvements

By D.E. Smoot Phoenix Staff Writer

Port of Muskogee officials continue to make great strides toward the future by leveraging local, state and federal resources.

Muskogee City-County Port Authority Director Scott Robinson cited infrastructure improvements and property acquisition as examples. Those efforts also spurred increased activity at the inland port located along the McClellanKerr Arkansas River Navigation System.

“Since 1990, the port’s barge traffic has tripled,” said Robinson, who has overseen the development

Port of Muskogee ADDRESS: 4901 Harold Scoggins Drive.

HOURS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

SERVICES OFFERED: The Port of Muskogee is strategically located near the confluence of the Arkansas, Verdigris and Grand rivers at River Mile 393.8 of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. The inland navigation system is the nation’s most inland all-weather waterway, which links Okla-

homa with inland ports on the Ohio, Illinois and Mississippi rivers, and seaports around the world.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Muskogee City-County Port Authority: 10; Muskogee Development: Three.

KEY PERSONNEL: Scott Robinson, port authority director; Marie Synar, interim director of business development.

PHONE: (918) 682-7886.

WEBSITE: www.muskogeeport.com

at the port since 1990. “For growth is anticipated.”

A number of infrastruc2013, the port’s barge traftural improvements have fic was up 18 percent combeen completed during the pared with 2012, (and) continued double-digit (See PORT, Page 28)

Outlook 2014 Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

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Outlook 2014

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014

Muskogee Phoenix

Page 27

Muskogee rich in museums

By E.I. Hillin Phoenix Staff Writer

Whether it’s music, Native American art, local history or a chance to visit a submarine, Muskogee has a variety of museums that draw visitors of all ages.

USS Batfish War Memorial Park and Museum A 300-foot-long World War II submarine is sure to keep tourists coming back to Muskogee.

The USS Batfish War Memorial Park and Museum has some new attractions for people to experience in 2014.

The Veteran’s Walk monument replaces the existing Walk of Honor monument. It will be constructed with the help of a grant from the City of Muskogee Foundation.

The new monument will incorporate several features that will recognize the park, museum, and the veterans for whom it was established.

The War Memorial continues to improve every year.

A new meeting area and library with more than 3,000 books have been added to the museum.

“We have been working on general improvements to the park, museum and grounds to help bring Muskogee’s best attraction up to industrial museum standards,” said Park Director Rick Dennis.

“The entire museum has been reorganized to allow for proper display of our military artifacts,” Dennis said. “The submarine has received several refurbishment projects that include A/C on the boat, deck replacement and a new paint job that reflects her World War II color scheme.”

Thomas-Foreman Home It’s been 100 years since Judge John Robert Thomas died, but his legacy lives on in Muskogee.

The Thomas-Foreman has been evolving into a major attraction for tourists.

“In the last four years, we did a major renovation to the exterior of that home, and totally repainted the interior,” museum director Sue Tolbert said.

The appeal of the home’s rich history and style brings pride to the area near downtown Muskogee.

“The uniqueness of the house is the style of it, but also, most historic homes that you see around the country are homes where all the contents are gone,” Tolbert said. “The Foreman home still has the original belongings of the family that lived there.”

New exhibits are coming to the Thomas-Foreman home in 2014.

“Now, we are working on the outbuilding, which was the home of the caretaker of the Foremans,” Tolbert said.

“And in February at the Foreman home, we will focus on Mr. Presley who was the caretaker.”

Tolbert said that around 1,500 daffodils were planted in the yard, and there will be a Daffodils Day in March.

In April, an exhibit featuring artwork of Caroline Foreman’s cousin will be on display.

In July, the home will feature a Native American exhibit. Then, in September, there will be another exhibit.

“I’ve been working with Muskogee Garden Club to get a new design laid out,” Tolbert said.

She plans to recreate the yard as it was when Grant and Caroline lived there.

“We will do some yard tours this year,” Tolbert said.

“A lot of the plants that Grant and Caroline planted 021600354302

Staff photos by E.I. Hillin

John Patrick and Randy Morris examine one of the works of art at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum.

are still there,” she said. cals should come and expe“There are interesting trees rience what we have to ofthat you don’t see every- fer.” where in that yard.”

Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame The vision of bringing a spotlight to Oklahoma’s musical talent and influence began in 1995. The following year, Muskogee was designated as the site of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

“Being that Muskogee was such a hot bed of musicians in the 30’s and 40’s, along with the Native American connection, it makes sense that it is based in Muskogee,” said Executive Director Jim Blair.

Now in its 17th year, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame continues to bring pride to Okies from Muskogee.

Each year, the Hall of Fame has seen improvements.

By April 2008, the Frisco Depot installed much needed heat and air, plus a hightech touch screen showcasing inductees and honorees.

“In 2011, we added the Children’s exhibit,” Blair said. “In Fall 2013, we added the new sound and lighting system.”

By the end of 2013, 16 years after that first induction concert, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum had honored more than 80 individuals and groups.

Oklahoma is full of musical talent, and Blair said the museum stays busy.

“We are always working on induction ceremonies for the next two years,” Blair said.

A concert series kicked off at the beginning of the new year.

“We just started the ‘Live at the Frisco Depot’ music series every Thursday,” Blair said.

A Mardi Gras party is set for March 6.

Blair would like to see the museum continue to grow but keep its roots local.

Some of his future plans for the museum include continued traveling exhibits that garner statewide and national attention, establishment as a venue for national acts to perform, hosting a music festival, a “virtual” museum that can be viewed worldwide, and possibly hosting an Internet radio and television program.

Blair says the new features draw in tourists, but he would like to see more locals visit too.

“Tourists see us as a well kept secret,” Blair said. “Lo-

Ataloa Lodge Stepping inside the Ataloa Lodge on the Bacone College campus is like stepping back in time.

The tribal music, rock fireplace, wooden spiral staircase, and the 88 piece Kachina doll collection all compete for a guest’s attention.

Each artifact is rich in history, and Director John Timothy is ready to tell each tale.

“We were very recently donated a Bacone College letterman’s jacket that belonged to the late Jack C. Montgomery,” Timothy said.

Montgomery was a World War II veteran who was awarded the Medal of Honor. The VA Medical Center is Kaye Drew, Three Rivers Museum receptionist, disMuskogee is named in his cusses an exhibit with visitor Terence Howard. Drew honor. enjoys speaking with guests about the artifacts inside “The one project I believe the Three Rivers Museum. is most important, a project called ‘Beyond the Classroom’,” Timothy said.

Muskogee museums In early 2010, directors of INFORMATION: (918) Bacone College’s Center for USS Batfish War 781-7283.

American Indians and TimMemorial Park othy created this event.

“Our mission is to provide and Museum Three Rivers educators a place beyond the WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum classroom to learn and expeThursday through Saturday, WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. rience American Indian livWednesday-Saturday.

WHERE: 3500 Batfish ing culture,” Timothy said.

WHERE: 220 Elgin St. Road.

In November, Timothy INFORMATION: (918) INFORMATION: (918) added a theme “Beyond En686-6624.

682-6294. tertainment.”

“This year, the focus beFive Civilized Oklahoma Music came more about education Tribes Museum than entertainment, and the Hall of Fame WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. museum is a perfect locaWHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday, 10 tion,” Timothy said.

Tuesday through Saturday.

Three Rivers Museum Fifteen years after its establishment, the Three Rivers Museum has become a unique tourist attraction.

“The building was a derelict depot that sat here for a long time, and finally, the city took it over, restored the building and made a museum out of it,” said museum director Sue Tolbert.

The museum changes its exhibits frequently.

“In the last two years our big gallery has been totally redone,” Tolbert said. “I just tell people ‘if you haven’t been here in a couple of years, you don’t know what you’re missing,’ because it is not the same,” Tolbert said.

The museum tells the story of development of the Three Rivers region of Oklahoma. As one of the earliest areas west of the Mississippi to be settled, this region has a lengthy past.

Three Rivers Museum has been rewarded with notable accomplishments.

WHERE: 401 S. Third St. INFORMATION: (918) 687-0900.

Ataloa Lodge Museum WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, closed for lunch noon to 1 p.m.

WHERE: Bacone College, 2299 Old Bacone Road.

“In the past, we’ve received citations of merit from the Oklahoma Historical Society and Preservation Oklahoma,” Tolbert said.

The museum interior holds visions of Muskogee’s past. A schoolhouse and trolley have been relocated outside the museum.

Both exhibits are in the progress of being completed.

“We are still raising money, and we have an architect that is helping us make a plan,” Tolbert said. “We want it to be historically accurate.”

The original Muskogee trolley has been a work in progress for the last 10 years by volunteers.

“Our idea is to have it where it actually has the mechanics to make it jerk and move like you’re riding in the trolley, and you have video like you’re going down the road,” Tolbert said.

a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

WHERE: 1101 Honor Heights Drive.

INFORMATION: (918) 683-1701.

Thomas-Foreman Historic Home WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday and Saturday.

WHERE: 1419 W. Okmulgee Ave. INFORMATION: (918) 682-6938.

Exhibits on local multiethnic history fill the passenger and freight areas of the depot, and a charming gift shop is housed in the old ticket booth.

“We do change things in our lobby area pretty frequently,”Tolbert said. “We’ve renovated our gift shop recently, and we are working now to find local things that we can carry in our gift shop on consignment or small quantities and encourage people to come in here and see all the great books that we have.”

Tolbert hopes to see an expansion in the future.

“I think long-term I would like to see an expansion to the museum,” she said. “We have big ideas that would require more building space.”

“My vision for the museum is to see it grow. I’m not sure how it will happen but (See MUSEUMS, Page 28)

Outlook 2014 Muskogee Phoenix

Port Continued from Page 25

past few years to spur increased port activities.

Robinson said all of the roads that directly support port activities have been upgraded with concrete overlays that meet 30-year standards set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

In January, workers completed the third phase of the Port of Muskogee’s marshaling yard to accommodate rail services that support local industries.

The project was the latest of several upgrades involving the port’s rail infrastructure, which dates back to 1970.

The third track of the marshaling yard was in-

cluded in the port’s original rail system design. Budget constraints stymied Track C construction until recently, when port officials secured a community development block grant to help fund the project.

Robinson said the completion of Track C “will make the storage and delivery of railcars to existing rail-served customers more efficient and accommodate future growth.” Plans for future rail projects include improvements for Union Pacific’s access to the port, further expansion of the port’s marshaling yard, and modifications to a Muskogee Turnpike bridge that would accommodate the installation of a second track.

“These rail improvement projects are necessary to meet current access requirements,” Robinson

MUSKOGEE BUSINESSES

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014 said. They also are intended “to improve the delivery of cargo to rail-served industries and to attract new industry to the Port.”

Other recent port improvements include the addition of waterfront facilities, which Robinson said were designed to “increase the efficiency of the public terminal operations.” Future projects for the public terminal area include the addition of a specialpurpose dock and warehouse space.

While much work has been done to improve the infrastructure, Robinson said the port’s footprint has expanded considerably over the years. More than 172 acres of land suitable for development has been added to the port’s original footprint of 320 acres.

In addition to the lands in the Port, properties have

been acquired south of Muskogee, along the Port’s Midland Valley Branch Line Railroad, for future industrial use. There will be future acquisitions to ensure that Muskogee has available industrial sites for new industry.

“Port industries have fared very well during difficult economic times — access to the port and waterway has contributed to their success,” Robinson said. “The option of utilizing the most cost competitive combination of barge, rail and truck transportation for the acquisition of raw materials and distribution of finished goods provides industry a competitive edge in today’s global marketplace.”

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot @muskogeephoenix.com.

Page 28

Connors Continued from Page 22

more we can do to train students the better our graduation rates are going to be. We try to surround our students with people who care as much about their success as they do.”

Faltyn said he expects continued growth at each campus over the next 10 years.

“What we hope to do is establish our reputation as a leader nationally in health care, agriculture and university transfers,” he said. “We are really set up to excel in those areas.”

Connors officials hope to raise enrollment by up to 30 percent in 10 years, Fal-

Foundation Continued from Page 22

million for recent street improvements. The foundation recently funded a strategic investments program for the purpose of providing incentives to those companies that create above-average jobs or invest in plant capacity.

Foundation directors also have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in public education programs that provide benefits to students from elementary to college level. Those investments, Thompson said, promote not only the foundation’s educational goals but its focus on health and economic development.

“We hope that foundation funds will leverage other funds from outside Muskogee — whether they’re

Museums Continued from Page 27

I think that it will,” Tolbert said.

Five Civilized Tribes Museum The Five Civilized Tribes Museum is a independent non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving the art, history and culture of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole tribes.

“The museum preserves a part of history that is not only important to Muskogee but is also of national significance,” said Director Mary Robinson. “Muskogee was at one time known as the Indian Capital of the World.”

The museum is well known for its style, and attracts tourists for it’s cultural benefits.

The Trading Post gift shop is supplied by local artists and artisans.

The Art Under the Oaks Market and Festival on the third weekend in April during the annual Azalea Festival, attracts visitors from

tyn said. According to the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education, Connors had a total head count enrollment of 3,151 in school year 2013.

“Our goal is 3,500 and 4,000 students,” Faltyn said. “In our current infrastructure, we can handle that kind of growth.”

Relationships Connors has made with NSU, ICTC and other schools also will grow. Faltyn said he expect Connors to continue its presence at NSU-Muskogee even after the new Port facility is completed. Connors also has business and general education classes at the West Campus.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogee phoenix.com. grants or government or private business — to invest here,” Thompson said.

“It takes multiple entities working together to pull all of those resources together and ensure we’re bringing everything to the table, but with a resource like the foundation here in Muskogee we hope we can be a benefit in that capacity.”

While the big grants may seem the most impressive, Thompson said it is important to continue funding the smaller grants as well.

“Even though the dollar amounts are smaller, the impact to the social service agencies and to the individuals served is immense,” Thompson said. “It is important not to lose sight of that and the importance of all of our impact areas running simultaneously.”

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot @muskogeephoenix.com. around the world.

Robinson said that conservation is the No. 1 focus at the museum.

“At the present, the conservation of the permanent collection is top priority,” she said.

A concerted effort is being placed on the written material and the library.

The long-range plan for the Five Civilized Tribes Museum is to have the collection digitized and conserved for future generations and to develop a comprehensive research center.

“We would also like to make the museum collection available on the World Wide Web,” Robinson said.

A Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit will be featured at the museum in the summer of 2015.

Cultural exhibits are changed three times a year.

The art gallery is rotated on the average of 10 times each year.

“The staff enjoys offering the people of Muskogee and the surrounding areas something new to see each time they visit the museum,” Robinson said.

Reach E.I. Hillin at (918) 684-2926 or ehillin @muskogeephoenix.com.