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Kevin Drake
news
June 12, 2024
Kevin Drake

County Commissioner Dist. 2

Political Party: Republican Hometown: Eufaula Current Town: Eufaula Education: HS Diploma Age: 52

Candidate Background:

• 28 Years Military Service (Construction Supervisor/Logistics & Maintenance Supervisor)

• 27 Years Business Experience (Coowner /Operator/Manager)

• Supervisory Experience at State and Federal levels

• Served on the Board of Directors for the Eufaula Area Chamber Commerce

• Membership of VFW Post 8798 (L), Eufaula Area Chamber and NRA.

1. Have you ever failed to pay any taxes or court ordered judgements?

No

2. Have you ever been convicted of a felony? No

What are the top three messages of your campaign?

1. Create long-term solutions for roads to prevent wasteful spending on quick fixes and patch work. Develop intergovernmental relationships to offset funding shortages for roads and bridges.

2. Establish a website for McIntosh County to bridge the digital gap and facilitate ease of access to information regarding county services and departments.

3. Ensure that I am available and accessible by conducting town hall meetings and building relationships with HOAs, subdivisions and community leaders.

What are the top three most pressing issues facing rural Oklahoma? How would you address these issues if elected?

From the perspective of a county commissioner, I believe the top issues facing rural Oklahoma are funding shortages, maintenance of roads and bridges, and competitive wages. My plan is to collaborate with lawmakers to pass legislation that addresses funding shortages, utilize effective grant writing practices, and work with intergovernmental agencies to establish partnerships to enhance the community.

Explain your positions on economic development as it pertains to rural Oklahoma in general and Eastern Oklahoma in particular.

The creation and maintenance of businesses and infrastructure in our community is key to economic growth. Strong businesses create jobs and pay taxes, which increases revenue for schools and roads. In Eastern Oklahoma, community leaders can receive training and resources to further assist in developing economic growth by working with Eastern Oklahoma Development District (EODD). In short, a strong infrastructure and strategic partnerships are key to the success of our community.

Jefferson Highway keeps on rollin’
A: Main, news
Jefferson Highway keeps on rollin’
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
June 11, 2025
Long before Route 66, there was the Jefferson Highway. Route 66 was a federally funded, 2,448-mile highway that crossed the country going east and west from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, Californ...
A: Main, news
Jacob Foos re-hired as Eufaula City Manager
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
June 11, 2025
It was a surprise hire, but not a total surprise as former Eufaula City Manager Jacob Foos was rehired as Eufaula’s city manager. The hiring took place following an executive session at a special meet...
A: Main, news
Complications of finding a city manager
June 11, 2025
Jeb Jones resigned as city manager in April. He was hired in 2022 to replace Jacob Foos, who had resigned months earlier and became assistant city manager in the City of Shawnee. Andrea Weckmuel-ler B...
A: Main, news
LEA Poker Run Saturday
June 11, 2025
The Golden Eagle Poker Run, one of the most popular events on Lake Eufaula, is Saturday, June 14. This year’s theme is Pirates & Parrots, so get your crew and costumes ready for a day of high seas adv...
McIntosh County Democrat wins Sequoyah Award
A: Main, news
McIntosh County Democrat wins Sequoyah Award
June 11, 2025
The Oklahoma Press Association presented its Better Newspaper Contest Awards during the OPA Annual convention June 6-7, at the Grand Casino Hotel and Resort in Shawnee. The top award a newspaper can r...
A: Main, news
Commissioners getting an increase in road spending
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
June 11, 2025
Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, announced some good news and some bad news at the Monday morning Monthly County Commissioner meeting. First, the bad news, at least for those who oppose wind turbines in the ...
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Bridge dedicated to World War II veteran
A: Main, news
Bridge dedicated to World War II veteran
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
June 11, 2025
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation recently honored the late veteran William “Bill” Antrum Fox Jr. by naming a bridge after him. The William A. Fox Jr. Memorial Bridge is on SH 9 East at Nine M...
A: Main, news
Ten Mile Yard Sale this weekend
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Bring an umbrella Bargain hunters set your alarms. The annual 10-milelong yard sale begins at 7 a.m. Sunday, stretching from the east end of Eufaula, down SH 9 east through Longtown and past Enterpris...
Preliminary set for 2 suspected of killing Eufaulan
news
Preliminary set for 2 suspected of killing Eufaulan
June 11, 2025
Two Muskogee men charged with killing a Eufaula resident were ordered to appear at a preliminary hearing in district court at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 3. Suspects Kyren Omari Boulware, 19, and Michael ...
2 dead, 4 injured in pileup
news
2 dead, 4 injured in pileup
June 11, 2025
Two people from Marshall, Texas were killed, and four others were injured in a harrowing four-vehicle pileup on U.S. 69 half a mile south of the Muskogee City Limits at about 2:20 p.m. on Monday, June...
Fink inducted into OPA Half Century Club
news
Fink inducted into OPA Half Century Club
June 11, 2025
Managing Editor Jerry Fink of The Eufaula Indian Journal and the McIntosh County Democrat was inducted into the Oklahoma Press Association Half Century Club on Saturday, June 7 at the Grand in Shawnee...
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