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Commissioner Grider asks for a recount after narrow loss
A: Main, news
September 4, 2024
Commissioner Grider asks for a recount after narrow loss
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

The race for District 2 McIntosh County Commissioner in last week’s primary runoff election was a photo finish, with challenger Clifford McElhaney defeating incumbent Monty Grider by a nose.

McElhaney, a Eufaula barber for 26 years, received 285 votes to Grider’s 273, a difference of 12 votes.

The vote was so close in the Aug. 27 run-off that Grider has decided to ask for a recount.

He paid his $600 fee for a recount order on Thursday, Aug. 29.

The recount will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, in the third-floor courtroom No. 1 at the McIntosh County Courthouse.

A team led by County Election Board Secretary Janelle McKnight will conduct the count.

Votes of all ballots from each of the district’s three precincts will be counted, including both absentee and election day ballots.

There are 2,429 Republican voters registered in District 2, according to the Election Board. Only 558 voted, fewer than 25 percent of those eligible.

“I was very disappointed in the turnout,” Grider said.

Meanwhile, McElhaney was very excited.

“I’m just excited to take on a new job and to be able to serve my community,” he said after giving a few haircuts on Friday.

He and the rest of the District 2 won’t know what to expect until after next week’s recount.

But the uncertainty hasn’t dulled his enthusiasm, it’s as sharp as his clippers.

“I’ve been interested in the county commissioner’s work since my early 20s,” he said.

He cut the hair of several commissioners, such as the late Harold Burdine, and many of their constituents.

“I visited with him when I was just a young barber,” he said. “I was always cutting the county commissioners’ hair. I had good relationships with most all of the county commissioners. I was always inquisitive, asking about what they did and how they did it.”

He said he is the second barber elected to office in the county.

“Bobby Gray was a barber before he became sheriff,” McElhaney said.

He finally became serious about running for office.

“Actually, four years ago I was going to run, but the timing wasn’t quite right,” he said.

McElhaney feels he was meant to be a commissioner.

“I felt like serving the public, interacting with the people.

He has a number of goals, including trying to find more financial resources.

“We live in a poor county. One of my main goals is to figure out some way to get more resources for the roads,” he said.

And he wants to keep in touch with the people.

“My number two goal is to stay in touch with my constituents, be a voice in the community.”

As a barber, he said, he has had a lot of conversations about a lot of things, such as what needs to be fixed.

“If something needs to be fixed, I’ve probably heard about it,” he said.

Assets he brings to the job includes being able to communicate and to deal with problems.

“I will do my best to do a great job and to be the best commissioner District 2 has ever had. I’m not going to sit on my tail. I’m going to work as hard as I can to build a better community.”

School Board Association honors Pippenger, Madewell
A: Main, news
School Board Association honors Pippenger, Madewell
September 17, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY - Eufaula School Board President Jeff Pippenger and Checotah School Superintendent Monte Madewell were honored for their contribution to education during the annual Education Leadership ...
A: Main, news
Brace yourself for traffic disruptions
September 17, 2025
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will begin its long-awaited street project on Main Street (SH 9) in downtown Eufaula next week. An ODOT spokesman said traffic control will begin Monday, Sept...
A: Main, news
McIntosh is Candidate for 2025 Miss Indian Oklahoma
September 17, 2025
Miss Janaya McIntosh of Eufaula is a candidate for the upcoming 2025 Miss Indian Oklahoma pageant. The Oklahoma Federation of Indian Women (OFIW) pageants offer young Native American women a chance to...
A: Main, news
Ford holding food drive
September 17, 2025
Ford dealers around the world are joining together to conduct the World’s Largest Ford Dealer Food Drive, now through Sept. 25. The local dealership where you may drop off food is Sam Wampler’s Freedo...
A: Main, news
LEA 2025 Golf Tournament Sept. 26
September 17, 2025
The 2025 Lake Eufaula Association Golf Tournament is just a week away, to be held Friday Sept. 26 at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3657 Main Park Rd., Canadian. Registration is at 8 a.m., shotgun start is at...
A: Main, news
POW/MIA Ceremony is Friday
September 17, 2025
On Friday, Sept. 19 the VFW Post 8798 Auxiliary will host a dinner in honor of soldiers who have not returned home from battle. The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the Post dining room on SH 9 east.
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A: Main, news
Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk this Saturday
September 17, 2025
Don’t miss the Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk this Saturday, September 20. Come walk and show your support as locals bring awareness to suicide and how you can prevent it. “Being able to see the wa...
A: Main, news
Flag exchange drive
September 17, 2025
VFW Auxiliary 8798 would like to help you properly dispose of your worn out flags. We will exchange your worn 3x5 United States American Flag for a brand new one. Dates will be shared over the upcomin...
A: Main, news
Tribal Town Spelling Bee Sept. 27
September 17, 2025
The Eufaula-Canadian Tribal Town and the MCN Language Preservation Program will host the 10th annual Mvskoke Language Spelling Bee Competition on Sept. 27 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Eufaula Indian Co...
A: Main, news
Suspect awaits sanity decision in Minner case
By MICHAEL BARNES 
September 17, 2025
When a June 10 headline shook the community—Selby Minner, beloved blues musician and cultural icon, found dead—the shock reverberated through Rentiesville and far beyond. The one arrested for her murd...
Oklahoma Farm Bureau hosts 4th Annual Capitol Camp
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Oklahoma Farm Bureau hosts 4th Annual Capitol Camp
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
September 17, 2025
117 FFA and 4-H students from across the state convened at the Oklahoma State Capitol for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 4th Annual Capitol Camp held Sept. 3 – 4. The camp was an immersive twoday experien...
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