Vol. 57 No. 35 • One Section • 14 pages • January 12, 2024 $1 per copy
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving affluent far north Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and The Village for 49 years
Village monitoring EMSA as other cities opt for change By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
- Photos by Rose Lane
At 60, Love’s has ‘Good Vibrations’ For its 60th anniversary, Love’s Travel Stops pulled out all the stops and held a concert featuring the Beach Boys in the Tom and Judy Love event center. The band was introduced by Jenny Love Meyer, inset, the company’s chief culture officer and executive vice president. The band, led by the only original member Mike Love, above center, played such hits as “Help Me, Rhonda,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “Surfin’ USA” and “I Get Around,” ending the hour and a half set with “Good Vibrations.” The music brought the crowd to its feet with many dancing in a conga line. Founded in 1964, Love's has more than 510 locations in 41 states.
Allied Arts names co-chairmen for 2024 campaign Jill and Sean Trauschke are Allied Arts 2024 fundraising campaign chairmen. The honorary chairmen for its 2024 fundraising campaign are Glenna and Dick Tanenbaum. Under the leadership of the Trauschkes, the Allied Arts 2024 campaign is to officially kick off in February. The Trauschkes are loyal Allied Arts donors and long-time
members of the Allied Arts patron group, Circle Club. Sean Trauschke serves as chairman, president and CEO of OG&E. Trauschke also serves on several community boards, but says the arts have a special place in his heart. “The arts provoke curiosity, expand the mind and encourage people to believe that anything they can imagine is
achievable,” said Sean. “Allied Arts champions and practices this across Oklahoma and I’m excited to be part of transforming the lives of Oklahomans through the arts.” In addition to Allied Arts, Jill’s volunteer leadership includes work with the Metropolitan Library System, See ARTS, Page 7
Wilkinson not to seek re-election to City Council By Rose Lane Editor The Village Ward 5 City Councilman Sonny Wilkinson has announced he is not seeking re-election.
Wilkinson first took office in 2015 and has served as mayor three times. In a letter to constituents on his Facebook page, he called his time as a member of the City
Council “an incredible honor.” “I am grateful for the trust and support you’ve given me over the years,” Wilkinson said. “Together, we’ve achieved remarkable
Paper has impact on people, city
By Gordon Walker OKC FRIDAY team member 1990-2005 Impact. That's what I think of first when I think of OKC FRIDAY. The IMPACT that FRIDAY has had on me, and the IMPACT it has had on Oklahoma City. First, in the 15 years I spent working alongside Leland and Vicki, I got
See COUNCIL, Page 7
FRIDAY’s
OKC FRIDAY: Fabulous at 50 Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of reflections on OKC FRIDAY by former team members and readers as we celebrate our 50th anniversary.
milestones that have transformed our city into a better place for all of us.” Through The Village’s first bond
to see firsthand how deeply invested the Gourleys (and thus, FRIDAY) were in cheering Oklahoma City on, out of the depression of the massive oil bust of the 1980s and on to true greatness. One thing that FRIDAY has always done well is to celebrate achievement -- in education, in business, in civic participation, and (my favorite) on the fields and courts of athletics. FRIDAY editorials always encouraged city leaders, civic giants and decision makers to dream big, while imploring readers to follow in support of See 50, Page 7
City leaders in The Village are monitoring their relationship with EMSA as Edmond and Oklahoma City leaders are looking at changes to the emergency medical services they provide to residents. Edmond city leaders voted in midDecember to end the 33-year partnership with EMSA and signed a $660,000 agreement with American Medical Response to provide emergency services which began last Tuesday. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City has been purchasing its own ambulances and has been recruiting, hiring and staffing EMS since July. “I am concerned that although Oklahoma City’s EMS program is designed to augment current EMSA services, I personally cannot see an organization the size of Oklahoma City investing in this resource just for augmenting services,” said Village City Manager Dave Slezickey. “I am concerned that if Oklahoma City leaves, along with Edmond, the remaining small communities cannot sustain EMSA. I do support Oklahoma City doing what is best for them, though.” The current EMSA contract with The Village provides for EMSA funding by the following percentages based on projected operating costs. Oklahoma City 85.91%, Edmond 12.06%, The Village 1.32 %, Nichols Hills .55%, Arcadia .04%, Lake Aluma .01%, and Valley Brook .11%. For FY 22-23, the project cost share for The Village was $72,395, but EMSA required additional subsidies of $31,424 (COVID recovery) for a total of $104,000. The city has budgeted $85,000 for FY 23-24. Slezickey said, “EMSA has reached out to us and assured us that Edmond leaving was good for Edmond and good for EMSA, and Oklahoma City remains a full partner. Oklahoma City hasn’t been very verbal on their EMS development, but it could take them an unknown period of time to get staffed up and equipped.” The Village has partnered with EMSA since at least 1990 and charges residents $6 per month on their utility bills for EMSA service. The city averages between 70-80 EMS calls each month. “We are monitoring developments and keeping in touch with our neighbors in Oklahoma City and Nichols Hills,” said Slezickey. “I do not feel that if anything happens, it will require an overnight knee jerk reaction. “COVID was hard on the EMS profession,” See VILLAGE, Page 7
Dog of the Week
Introducing Lydia Rose, a 7-year-old long hair chihuahua. She enjoys snuggles, treats, a frothy puppuccino on a cold winter day and all things “Mommie,” who is Carmen Gomez. She has quite the modeling career in the beautiful Oklahoma City. Lydia Rose is recognizable as the salt and pepper diva from Bellini’s social media page or her photo shoot as one of OKC’s top five cutest pets. No paparazzi please! She would be honored to be considered for the Friday Dog of the Week to complete her portfolio and settle into retirement. Email Dog, Cat, Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com.