Letter From City Mayor Jim Spoon

CITY OF

SAND SPRINGS Jim Spoon, Sand Springs mayor

Sand Spring Community,

As I write this letter on April 14, 2020, all our time and thoughts are occupied by the Corona Virus pandemic. Even though the cases and deaths continue to slowly rise, our community, our area and the state of Oklahoma has done a good job following the shelter-in-place requirements of local and state governments.

As I drive through our community and see all the businesses either temporarily closed or limiting their services, I can’t help but wonder how long it will take us to get back to “normal.”

I’m concerned that the new normal will be different for a while. I’m hoping that all our business community got to take advantage of the federal programs that would help them pay their employees and give them a boost when they open back up for business. The stimulus payments from our government are hitting checking accounts and that should help a number of people during this difficult time.

At some time in the, hopefully, near future, we will begin easing the shelter-in-place recommendations. It is my hope and prayer that we don’t do this too soon or too rapidly. I am convinced that we may not be in large crowds again and hear a person coughing without having a great deal of concern. We will need to make changes in some of the things we do. No longer will you be a hero because you are working while you are sick because you don’t want to shift the load to the other employees. You need to stay home when sick and not take a chance of infecting other employees or friends. Will we ever see 45,000 people crowd into a baseball stadium? The “new” normal may be a different world for us. Let’s hope not too different.

One of the negatives of the pandemic and all we are dealing with is that it has over shadowed all the success we are having in Sand Springs. As you drive around our community, you can’t help but see things happening. Chick-fil-a is continuing to prepare for a fall opening. The improvements on Main Street have begun and should make a big difference in our community.

Sand Springs schools is making significant improvements in our city. Our new public safety center is working well. The City Hall remodel is nearly complete and ready for occupancy. There is a lot to see.

I would like to mention a couple of important things: 1) It is vitally important that everyone fill out the 2020 Census. It can be done online or by phone. Every person that is not counted costs Oklahoma at some level about $17,000. It is also imperative that everyone is counted to make sure we don’t lose another congressional seat in Washington. 2) Red Cross and other blood banks are having a difficult time keeping up with blood donations. They can not have their usual blood drives and depend on regular donors going to their locations. Please don’t forget to donate if possible.

Sand Springs is an awesome place to live. We need everyone to stay safe and enjoy Sand Springs for a long time. Stay safe, stay home, save lives, Jim Spoon Mayor