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Marlow Review EST. 1892 • Marlow, Oklahoma • Volume 177 • Issue 4 • 1 Section, 12 Pages • $1.00
City Council Approves Zoning Change John Rich Takes Ward 3 Seat
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Marlow Students Demonstrate New Ag Lab
John Rich was sworn in to the Marlow City Council Ward 3 seat at Tuesday’s meeting. Photo by Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard/ The Marlow Review
Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard The Marlow Review
The Marlow City Council on Tuesday accepted the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission to re-zone the property known as 704 S. 4th Street from R-1 (Single family dwelling residential) to C-3 (Planned neighborhood shopping center) to accommodate a business relocation. The Planning and Zoning Commission had heard from representatives of Blue Rock Therapy and Wellness on January 19 to examine a proposal to rezone the property so that the business could relocate and contstruct a new facility on the corner of 4th and Choctaw streets. Having voted to recommend the change, the Commission sent the proposal to the City Council for consideration. City Administrator Jason McPherson said that the proposed building is designed to comply with the regulations for C-3. “It’s designed to fit into the neighborhood rather than to be just any kind of business that could come in [to the space], which kind of extends back into a residential area,” McPherson said. He added that there had been no protests to the change. The City Council approved the recommendation and adopted the zoning change. John Rich was sworn in to the Ward 3 seat after having filed for the position uncontested. In a later interview, Rich said that he had lived in Marlow most of his life and felt it was a good time to become more involved in the local government. “It was a good time, a good opportunity to serve my community,” Rich said. “I don’t have any self-interest or agenda; I just want to do what I can because I love Marlow and love the people.” Elsewhere on the agenda, the Council agreed to seek the $500 Community Improvement Grand through the Oklahoma Code Enforcement Association to assist with the cost of renovating storm siren equipment. Also before the Council was an agenda item regarding a contract for cemetery office renovation with WW Builders in the amount of $49,861.43. McPherson explained that although the original plan was to utilize a trailer owned by the City to replace the current cemetery office, the necessary repairs were cost-prohibitive. McPherson recommended that the City Council decline the contract with WW Builders and said that he would have a different plan in place by May 2021, prior to budget planning for the next fiscal year. McPherson said that the plan would prob-
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LOCAL WEATHER
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SAT 1/30
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Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard The Marlow Review
Marlow High School hosted State leadership and media on Tuesday for a tour of the new meat processing lab on campus. The lab is funded using CARES Act money through a partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and Oklahoma CareerTech. Among the guests was Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, who emphasized the importance of skill development in meat processing in the state. “There are facilities throughout the state who are ready to hire skilled personnel right away,” Arthur said. The Secretary added that profits increase when food is produced and
processed locally. “It’s value-added when consumers know food producers. They know how their food is raised, and people don’t mind paying a little extra when they know that the producer is their neighbor.” The collaboration with CareerTech includes online certification curriculum that teaches students food safety and equipment operation. The equipment, which is commercial-grade and state-of-the-art, is supplied as part of the program. State CareerTech director Dr Marcie Mack was also in attendance at the tour of the new lab. “The online curriculum is available to anyone in addition to being used in classrooms,” Mack said. “Knowing the equipment and how to use it opens
doors to job opportunities.” In addition to 11 labs in high schools and CareerTech sites, the program also offers a mobile meat trailer with the same equipment and a builtin freezer that can be used at educational sites state-wide. Mack said that the trailer has a full schedule through July 2021. Students in the program demonstrated processing techniques including grinding, tenderizing, and vacuum-packing fresh pork that they had previously learned to break down into different cuts of meat. Other learning objectives include profit analysis when spices and seasonings are added, as well as ensuring food safety and sanitizing the equipment.
Donation Funds Library Hot Spots Elizabeth Pitts-Hibbard The Marlow Review
Garland Smith Public Library recently received a $2500 donation, and librarian Tina Bennett and staff said that they wanted to use the funds to benefit area students who must learn virtually due to quarantine or school closures. With the funds, the library purchased four internet hot spots that are available for checkout. “Some kids have to quarantine because they or a family member
have been exposed to COVID, but they don’t always have internet access at home,” Bennett said. “Our wifi here at the library is always on, 24/7, but not everyone wants to just hang out in the car or on a bench outside. “Hot spots can be used by anyone who needs to get on the internet but doesn’t have access at home.” Each hot spot must be checked out by a library card holder who is over 18 years of age. Checkout du-
ration is 7 days. Bennett said that the funds will be used to keep the hot spots active through the end of the school year, and that if demand continues there are more funds available for extending the program or adding additional units. For more information about using the library’s hot spots, contact Garland Smith Public Library at 580-658-5354.