Patriotism displayed

By Mike W. Ray Staff Writer

Patriotism was on display at The Village City Council meeting Monday night, almost two weeks after the Independence Day observance of America’s 247th birthday.

Immediately after the ritual Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Bubba Symes noted the U.S. military representation on the dais.

• Councilman David Bennett retired as a colonel after serving 30 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, during which he deployed to Afghanistan and Bosnia.

• Councilwoman Melodie Moore served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, the 72nd Aerial Port Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base, for 12 years. During that time she was once stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

• Symes served in Oklahoma’s 45th Division National Guard Army Reserve for six years.

• City Manager Dave Slezickey has spent 30 years in the U.S. Army and is still in the National Guard. He served on active duty for three years after graduating from high school, and six years on active Guard duty that included a tour in Iraq.

would be on a common (shared) concrete driveway that would be accessed from Major Avenue. “If there are two or more cars per household (or when there are guests), there will not be adequate parking and the overflow will spill over onto Major Avenue,” Christie maintained.

The average size per house of the 37 houses Christie examined in the Assessor’s Office is 1,752 square feet –500 square feet larger than the Habitat houses would be.

Several residents who attended the council meeting Monday night insisted they were never notified by the city when the Habitat for Humanity PUD project was first presented to the city’s cer generally patrols 50 to 70 miles per shift, and we have two officers per shift 24/7,” Police Chief Steven Cox said.

If Nichols Hills voters approve Proposition #8, the department will, for practical reasons, acquire a mix of electric-powered vehicles and combustion engine cars, Cox and Pate said.

A conventional patrol car “typically uses four to five gallons of gasoline per shift,” Cox said. The NHPD also has two fully equipped Tesla battery-powered patrol cars; the typical cost of charging them is “around $40 per month per vehicle,” he said.

The Teslas “are currently assigned as administrative vehicles, but our officers are testing them in the field to determine reliability and battery range,” Cox said. “To date, neither vehicle has experienced any problems,” he added.

Public Works

VEHICLES, EQUIPMENT

Proposition No. 9 would provide $700,000 for buying vehicles for the city’s Public Works Department.

That would include $250,000 for a street sweeper, and $50,000 for acquiring and equipping Public Works vehicles such as light-duty trucks.

It also would include $400,000 for a new sanitation truck to replace an older trash compactor truck at some point in the future, Public Works Director Randy Lawrence said.

See BONDS, Page 12

Planning and Zoning Commission in April.

City records, though, say otherwise. The city clerk mailed notices to all homeowners in that area by firstclass mail, and none of the notices was returned, Councilman Sonny Wilkinson said. City Manager Dave Slezickey has proof of the addresses where those notices were sent, Wilkinson said.

State law provides that protests against proposed zoning changes shall be filed at least three days before the date of the public hearings.

• If protests are filed by the owners of 20% or more of the area of the lots included in a proposed change, or by the owners of 50% or more of the area of the lots within a 300-foot radius of the exterior boundary of the territory included in a proposed change, then the zoning change shall not become effective except “by three-fifths favorable vote” where there are seven or fewer members in the governing body. In The Village, that means three of the council’s five members.

• An application to rezone the Habitat site from A-1 single-family residential to Planned Unit Development single-family residential failed on a 3-3 tie vote, with one vacancy, in the Planning and Zoning Commission on April 17. However, the City Council approved the rezoning application that same night on a 4-1 vote; Symes’ was the lone “no” vote.

“If we vote down” the Habitat PUD final plat application, “what’s next?” Symes wondered aloud Monday night.

“We’re in district court,” Wilkinson said.

Bennett made a motion to continue discussion of the Habitat final plat, and a vote on whether to approve or reject the application, to the next City Council meeting. The motion carried on a 3-2 vote, with Bennett, Moore and Symes voting “yes,” Wilkinson and Councilman Sean Cummings voting “no”.

“We are trying to be considerate of 36 homeowners,” Moore said.

Afterward, Symes seemed confident that an agreeable denouement ultimately will be achieved to resolve the issue in a satisfactory manner.

From Page 1

“Mrs. Leftwich knew every one of her students' strengths and weaknesses and pushed each student to become their best self.”

-Piper Bush

Calla McGee, AP Biology

“Ms. McGee is the kind of teacher that makes learning feel natural. The intentions she sets for the classroom demonstrates the kindness and dedication she puts towards the students. As a teacher and mentor, she is truly one of the most inspiring and hard-working teachers out there.”

-Winnie Du

Karen Evans, Chemistry - Francis Tuttle Technology Center

“Miss Evans is one of the most passionate teachers I have ever met. Not only does she sacrifice her free time to make sure we understand the material, but she is also very empathetic toward us.”

-Dayln Nguyen

“She is one of the nicest people and she will do her best to help everyone succeed. She helped me with chemistry every morning before school when I needed it.”

-Joshua Tu

HERITAGE HALL

Morgan Rom, Chemistry, Independent Study

Advisor

“Since freshman year, Mrs. Rom has been someone I could confide in and has pushed me to be the best version of myself, inside and outside the academic realm. As my independent studies advisor, she encouraged me through all my inquiries and showed me unconditional support.”

-Meera Patel

Chris Hamel, History

“Dr. Hamel has greatly impacted me as a student and as a person. As the sponsor of Model UN, he encouraged me to become more openminded and better informed on issues that deeply affect others in our world, but do not impact me directly.”

-Sofia Tipple

“Not only does Dr. Hamel possess all the qualities of an amazing educator, he quickly became an extremely influential mentor for me as my junior year progressed. As a new student at Heritage Hall, he welcomed me with open arms, helping me embrace my situation and my new home.”

-Amanda Buckler and how to connect with his students.”

-Armando Rosell Jr.

Ami Steelman, Computer Science

excitement, etc. My high school experience would not be the same without her.”

-Libby Miller

Daniel Kennard, AP Language and Composition

Dylan

Sullivan, Geometry, Finance, Basketball Coach

“Coach Sullivan has taught me how to have difficult conversations with people, deal with emotions, and has taught me numerous leadership skills that I will take with me in life. He is not only a great coach/finance teacher but a great man as well.”

Walker

-Orie

“I have known Mrs. Steelman since I was little, and she has always been one of my favorite teachers. She has always pushed me to be the best version of myself. Taking her computer science classes in high school has inspired me to pursue a career in computer science.”

-Braden Perkins

Jennifer Huff, Honors Western Civilization, AP Government and Politics, Yearbook

“For the first time, an English teacher commented on not just the content of my essay, but my prose and style of writing. Before junior year English, I was not aware that my written voice could be moving. Mr. Kennard encouraged me to write more and to push my limits.”

-Esha Venkataraman

John Holland, AP Physics, AP Calculus

Aaron

Fetrow, Honors Modern European History

“Mr. Fetrow has been a very important role model to me and has taught me so much about how to be a leader. Mr. Fetrow is very wise and professional, but he knows when to break character

“Mrs. Huff made a huge impact on my experience in high school. I have had Mrs. Huff all four years of high school, and since freshman year, I have grown very close with her. She is not only my favorite teacher but also my mentor. I go to Mrs. Huff for everything, whether that is a question, concern, problem,

“In my opinion, Mr. Holland is the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) of educating students on technical subjects. In the couple of years I have had Mr. Holland as a teacher, my knowledge of physics and mathematics has expanded exponentially. He has an unmatched ability to explain complex topics in a simple and elegant way.” -Davis Park

Silvia Mills named to Dean’s List at U of Bridgeport

Silvia Mills, of Oklahoma City, was named to University of Bridgeport’s Spring 2023 Dean's List. Mills was among more than 300

Bonds

From Page 11

TRAFFIC CONTROL

Proposition No. 10 would provide $250,000 for constructing, acquiring and installing traffic control equipment and students named to the Spring 2023 Dean's List. improvements, signals, signs and devices. Projects would include:

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must have a term grade point average of between 3.2-3.69.

• Installation and enhancement of pedestrian crosswalk improvements at Wilshire Boulevard and McKinley Avenue, including signage, design and engineering.

• Similar pedestrian cross- walk improvements in the 1800 block of Guilford Avenue.

University of Bridgeport offers career-oriented undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees and programs for people seeking personal and professional growth.

• Pedestrian crosswalk improvements at Pennsylvania Avenue and Drury Lane. Each of those three projects would cost an estimated $75,000. The other $25,000 would cover contingencies.

Debbie South hosts Girls Night Out for the benefit of the YWCA

Friends who have met on Tuesday evenings at different restaurant locations for around 20 years for Girls Night Out convened at the home of Debbie South.

The attendees brought clothing and accessory donations for Our Sister’s Closet, an important mission of the YWCA OKC. President and CEO Jan Peery shared the commitment of her organization to the women of the area and the role that Our Sister’s Closet plays supporting its mission.