Pages 11-16
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 56 No. 11 • One Section • 16 pages • July 29, 2022
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www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village, Quail Creek, The Greens and Gaillardia for 48 years
Nichols Hills employees are set to receive bonuses due to budget surplus By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
ists included first runner-up, Miss Tulsa Emily Faith, second runner-up, Miss Oklahoma City Mackenzie McIntyre; third runner-up Miss Oklahoma State Fair, Claire Grace; and fourth runnerup Miss Edmond, Evelyn Smith. All 36 candidates received a minimum of a $1,000 scholarship. The Miss America Organization is one of the nation’s leading achievement programs and the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Each year, the MAO makes available millions in cash and
For the seventh consecutive year, the City of Nichols Hills has experienced a budget surplus at the end of its fiscal year. And, for the seventh consecutive year, the city council has voted to share some of the surplus revenues in the form of bonuses to all city employees. Councilwoman Sody Clements was absent from the July city council meeting due to illness, but Mayor Steven Goetzinger and Councilman Peter Hoffman approved the employee bonuses and publicly thanked them for their work ethic and quality service. Bonuses were given to all employees including city staff, public works, fire and police departments. “Due to the continued excellent stewardship of public funds by our department heads and City Council, combined with record sales and use tax collection we experienced a surplus of $1,021,798,” said City Manager S. Shane Pate II. “The council voted to provide 20 percent of the surplus, or $200,000, as bonuses for our employees.” Pate said all city employees’ salaries were totaled (excluding the city manager), then divided into each employee’s salary to obtain a percentage. The percentage was then multiplied by the employees’ portion of the available surplus funds to obtain the bonus for each. The range of bonuses for full time employees this year is $1,400 to $6,145. Mayor Steven Goetzinger said most cities have different benefit packages and some of those cities award bonuses. “In our case, the so-called bonuses that were approved are just a way of incentivizing cost savings in Nichols Hills’ various departments and importantly maintaining salaries that are
See GOLD, Page 2
See NHILLS, Page 7
– Photo by Fran Kozakowski
Brother Michael, mom Kathy, Miss Oklahoma Megan Gold and dad Mike during a reception in Megan’s honor at her family’s home.
Miss Oklahoma Megan Gold is honored A reception in her family home honored the new Miss Oklahoma Megan Gold. A graduate of Oklahoma Christian Academy and the University of Oklahoma with a degree in meteorology, Gold competed against 36 candidates from across the state of Oklahoma. She receives a $25,000 cash scholarship to further her education and is set to represent Oklahoma in the Miss America competition. Gold performed a flute solo, “Dueling Banjos" for the talent phase of the competition. Her social impact initiative is, “America, Let’s Do Lunch -
Ending Senior Hunger.” Gold volunteers with Meals on Wheels. “Although my current efforts are geared toward seniors, as Miss Oklahoma, I will work to fight hunger for all Oklahomans,” she said. Gold won social impact initiative, evening gown and talent awards during the preliminary competition. Gold is from Edmond. Her parents are Kathy and Mike Gold and she has a twin brother Michael. She works as a weekend meteorologist for News on 6 in Tulsa. The remaining top five final-
Casady School continuing the vision of its founding fathers Since Casady’s founding in 1947, the school has taken great pride in being an institution that was modeled after the best independent schools in the nation to provide excellence in education. From educational programming to endowment growth to strategic planning and initiatives, Casady’s Board of Trustees and administration today follow the intentionality set forth by the School’s founders. Like these great schools, Casady is always in a cycle of continuous improvement, looking to what’s just over the hori-
zon. “The legacy of Casady School officially began at the first meeting of the Board of Trustees in the winter of 1947,” said Nathan L. Sheldon, head of Casady School. “They envisioned a school focused on children’s intellectual growth, physical health, and spiritual formation. While the landscape of education has evolved with new understandings of the brain and how we create durable and engaging learning, Casady School proudly continues its mission to release into the world alumni
Wilkinson back in Village mayor seat ing that position.” Wilkinson has represented the residents of Ward 5 since 2015. This Village Councilman is his third time to Sonny Wilkinson, 36, serve as mayor of the has been elected by his Oklahoma City suburb peers to replace Adam of nearly 10,000 resiGraham who resigned dents. his position as Mayor “The Village is a on July 18. The wonderful inclusive announcement was community which conposted on Wilkinson’s tinues to be one of the Facebook page last SONNY WILKINSON best places to live in Friday. central Oklahoma,” he “This morning the said. “We’ve committed to investing City Council held a special meeting nearly $40 million to improve our to elect a mayor,” he posted on his site. “I’m honored to have received See VILLAGE, Page 7 the full support of the council in fill-
By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
who pursue a life of balance, purpose and joy.” As the country was emerging from World War II, some farsighted Oklahoma City citizens, together with Bishop Thomas Casady, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, were exploring their dream to establish a diocesan center, which would include a cathedral, a conference facility and a boarding school for the city. At the same time, a group of Oklahoma City
FRIDAY’s Dog
See CASADY, Page 16
of the Week Banks is an 8-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who loves to go on walks, play fetch with almost any toy and beg for treats. He is always affectionate and is the true definition of a lap dog. Marni and her three kids Jack, Lily and Mary Kate Sigmon and Marni’s fiancé, Ward Hall, all adore Sir Banks! Send Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com.
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