OKC FRIDAY Vol. 57 No. 28 • One Section • 14 pages • November 17, 2023
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Village fire chief to retire, interim is announced By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
From left: Nichols Hills Police Chief Steven Cox, City Manager Shane Pate, Vice Mayor Peter Hoffman and Nichols Hills Assistant City Manager Michael Taylor.
ACOG notes NHills’ air quality strides By Rose Lane Editor For promoting and deploying alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies, the City of Nichols Hills received the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments’ Zach D. Taylor Jr. Clean Cities Vision Award. Making strides in improving air quality, the City of Nichols Hills was recognized for invest-
ments across the board in sustainability. Nichols Hills has added electric vehicles and charging stations to its municipal fleet, in addition to a CNGpowered waste management truck. “The City of Nichols Hills is leading by example helping improve our region’s air quality,” said Eric Pollard, ACOG Central Oklahoma Clean Cities manager. In addition to the alternative
fuel vehicles and stations added to the municipal fleet, Nichols Hills also adopted a new Sustainability Plan. “This provides a blueprint, not only for Nichols Hills, but surrounding communities to improve quality of life for residents and protect the environment,” Pollard said. This year’s award luncheon marks the 27th Anniversary of the Central Oklahoma Clean Cities Coalition.
Village City Manager Dave Slezickey announced the retirement of Fire Chief T.J. Hamill during a rather short, 35-minute, council meeting last week. Deputy Fire Chief Chris Brigan is to serve as interim chief of the department following Hamill’s departure. Hamill served the Village Fire Department for 23 years, the past six years as chief. He submitted his retirement on Nov. 1 and officially retires from the department on Dec. 1. “Chief Hamill’s 23 years of service to the community are greatly appreciated,” said Slezickey. “We wish him the best of luck in his future pursuits. “Deputy Chief Brigan will serve as interim chief for the near future,” said Slezickey. “I am confident in his abilities and potential but want to make sure it is what he wants.” Brigan, 43, has served with The Village Fire Department since 2006 where he held the positions of firefighter, driver, lieutenant, acting captain and deputy chief. He has spent his entire firefighting career with The Village. “I became a firefighter because I like helping people,” said Brigan. “I am former military and like the camaraderie of working at the department. “My uncle was a member of the Tulsa Fire Department,” he said. “So, helping people and a career in firefighting runs in my family.” The Village Fire Department employs 21 full time employees including 18 firefighters, a fire marshal, deputy chief and fire chief. The department has three shifts with six firefighters per shift. See VILLAGE, Page 3
Society honors Dr. Reshef Dr. Eli Reshef was honored by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Expo in New Orleans. Reshef was recognized for his longtime professional and volunteer commitment to the organization. As a practicing Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) specialist for over 33 years, Reshef is championed by so many patients as “their hero” for helping dreams of a family become reality, a spokesman for the society said.
DALLAS
SENNER
McCUNE
LIPPERT
Six lauded by Paseo Arts Association By Rose Lane Editor
DR. ELI RESHEF
TRACEY AND RICK BEWLEY
FRIDAY’s
Cat of the Week This is Lucky the cat. Bill Zuhdi rescued him from the middle of the street in Chickasha. Bill stopped traffic and ran out in the middle of the road and grabbed him. “I was on the phone with Bill and Lucky had the loudest yell and he was just little bitty.” Darla Zuhdi said. Email Dog, Cat, Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com.
Ebony Iman Dallas, Deborah McAuliff Senner, Louisa McCune, Rick and Tracey Bewley and Rick Allen Lippert were to be recognized by the Paseo Arts Association during the organization’s 17th
Annual Arts Award Auction and Dinner earlier this week. Dallas received the Artist of the Year Award, recognizing an emerging or established artist who has distinguished themselves and their profession. See PASEO, Page 5
Darla Z to present benefit concert Christmas is a magical time of the year. It’s a time where people come together, smile more, and it’s a time to celebrate music. On Dec. 15, singer/songwriter Darla Z performs “A Night of Christmas Music” live at the Oklahoma History Center in a benefit concert for the Center. Certain to be a night filled with your favorite Christmas tunes, Darla Z is to perform some of the season’s greatest hits, including “O Holy Night,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and the most beloved of Christmas songs, “White Christmas.” With a voice often compared to Karen See DARLA, Page 2
DARLA ZUHDI