OKC FRIDAY Vol. 56 No. 10 • One Section • 12 pages • July 22, 2022
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Village mayor abruptly resigns Graham claims he was ‘threatened, harassed’ after police altercation By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
Participants must be at least 18years-old with no criminal history. Each academy can accommodate up to 25 people. A special graduation ceremony is planned at the end of the academy. “This relationship allows us to hear from the people we serve so we can review and establish our priorities,” said Landon. “Our Mission Statement is ‘Working with our community to provide professional law enforcement services.’ Our Citizens Police
The Village Mayor Adam Graham, 29, abruptly announced his resignation from office Monday in a Twitter post stating, “I no longer feel safe to serve in my capacity here.” Graham has been under fire for nearly two months following a May 28 altercation with Nichols Hills police during a routine traffic stop. Graham was elected to his council seat in 2018. A packed City Council chamber was delivered the news later in the evening during the regularly scheduled meeting. Councilman Bubba Symes, who is a 20-year veteran of the city, told those in attendance of Graham’s resignation as he shared conversations he had with the mayor prior to his departure. Graham had been elected twice to the council. “Adam has done a lot of great things during his short time on the council,” said Symes. “We had conversations about his incident with the Nichols Hills Police. He shared that the Nichols Hills police were rude to him. “You do know about our statue to work together,” he said he asked Graham. “I love it when Nichols Hills and Oklahoma City police officers patrol in our area. We work together, especially when our departments are short staffed.” In his resignation letter to City Manager Bruce Stone, Graham said, “It’s been an honor to serve and it’s been my great privilege to break boundaries as The Village’s youngest and first openly gay-elected official.”
See VILLAGE, Page 5
See MAYOR, Page 5
- Photo by Village Police Chief Russ Landon
Patrolling the streets A new Police Bicycle Unit is patrolling the streets of The Village, resurrecting a successful bike program from the 1990s. Bicycle Patrol Officers must successfully complete a 40-hour CLEET certified training class before hitting the streets. Officers patrol the streets a minimum of six hours per week and are encouraged to interact with residents and shop owners to strengthen the relationship between of the community and department. Members of the new Village Police Bicycle Unit are, from left: Sgt Justin Botkin, Cpl. Mark Swartzbaugh, Lt. Brett South, Cpl. Taylor Harrill and Cpl. Nick Hanson.
Village Police Academy returns By Eric Oesch Staff Writer It has been nearly 20 years since The Village had a Citizen’s Police Academy. Now, new Police Chief Russ Landon has announced the return of the popular program with an eight-week session scheduled Sept. 8 through the end of October. Landon designed and implemented previous Citizens Police Academies (CPA) from 20 years ago that were highly successful. Past CPA participants formed an
Alumni Association that lasted for years and organized banquets for officers and families. The group even sponsored an officer of the year award. Landon said hosting regular CPAs provides the department an excellent opportunity to meet and establish deeper relationships with people who care about the success of the city. The Village Citizens Police Academy is open to residents of The Village and those that may have a special interest in the city, including business owners.
Pharmacist Dani Lynch honored by OU Alumni By Rose Lane Editor Called a “passionate’’ mentor of recent graduates and new pharmacy owners, Fridayland pharmacist Dani Lynch was honored with the Ralph D. Bienfang Practitioner Award from the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy Alumni Association. Lynch was recognized for exemplifying the characteristics of Professor Ralph D. Bienfang — service orientation, sensitivity to human needs, ability to communicate verbally and in writing, ability See LYNCH, Page 5
OCU’s star duo dancing into retirement Dean John Bedford and Jo Rowan have announced their joint retirement from the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment. They are the heart and soul of the dance school, which put so many Oklahoma City University stars on Broadway, in the Rockettes, and in management teams of the New York City theater, university officials said. John, the longtime dean of the dance school, and Jo, the dance chair and founder of the dance program, will mark the end of their 42-year tenures at the university this summer. It goes without saying that the impact John and Jo have had during this time has been substantial, the officials said. See ROWAN, Page 7
DANI LYNCH
Holt: We must act like a big-league city By Rose Lane Editor As Oklahoma City has risen to become the 20th largest city in the United States, we need to act like it. In his State of the City address, Mayor David Holt told the sold-out crowd hosted by the Greater OKC Chamber that the city is no longer up and coming, but has arrived. “We are a city where people want to live,” he said. Oklahoma City offers the best in dining, sports and music. A low-cost, ease-of-living and friendly atmosphere are drawing people in. “We are a big-league city,” Holt
said. “There is no way around it.” Four-hundred-thirty-three street programs are to be completed with the Better Streets Safer Cities initiative approved by voters, he said. One-hundred-twenty police officers were added. Scissortail Park is about to double in size when the lower part opens this fall. Work on Union Station continues. Through MAPS, public transit has been improved with better and expanded bus service, street cars and now the addition of bus rapid transit. Holt said the Regional Transit See HOLT, Page 7
Dean John Bedford and wife, Jo Rowan.
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