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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.”

Eufaula Memorial Library
A: Main, news
Eufaula Memorial Library
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A llama and a youngster got acquainted at a petting zoo at the Eufaula Memorial Library Wednesday, June 25. Dozens of kids and adults enjoyed the llama, goats, donkey and other animals, provided by Ma...
A: Main, news
Eufaula hosting July 4 Celebration
July 2, 2025
Mayor James Hickman and the City of Eufaula are honored to invite residents and visitors to the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration on Friday, July 4. The fireworks will begin shortly after su...
A legacy lives on
A: Main, news
A legacy lives on
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
July 2, 2025
Selby Minner’s Celebration of Life on Saturday at the Checotah Performing Arts Center was a beautiful 3-hour-long tribute to an amazing soul who loved the blues and more importantly, loved people. As ...
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
A: Main, news
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 2, 2025
A 57-year-old Eufaula woman was killed by lightning during a routine stroll through a cemetery Friday evening. Joy Ann Rogers was walking through Greenwood cemetery shortly before 7 p.m. when a thunde...
A: Main, news
Native American Arts & Crafts show Saturday
July 2, 2025
Eufaula Indian Community will host an Arts and Crafts show and sale Saturday, July 5 at the IEC Center, 800 Birkes Road, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to this event, a chair volleyball tournament...
Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
news
Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
July 2, 2025
On June 5, local student Olivia Shackelford of Eufaula was recognized as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Youth Prevention Award in Oklahoma City at the Heartland Conference. This past week Olivi...
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Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
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July 2, 2025
Her casket rested below center stage at the Checotah Performing Arts Center, open for friends, fans, and family to view her precious body before her life’s celebration began. No one lingered long. Tha...
Another busy week in the district
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Another busy week in the district
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July 2, 2025
I started last Saturday June 21, bright and early at Stigler Reunion Days. I kicked things off at the Haskell County GOP Tent, answering questions and catching up with friends and supporters. Then I h...
Killing them with kindness
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What a month it’s been for me personally and in our close-knit communities. Trying to cope with the loss of loved ones has been extremely difficult and downright demanding. Yet having to come to terms...
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
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‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Over the past month, I have highlighted portions of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill” as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, the bill is under consideration by the U...
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
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Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Muskogee, today expressed strong support for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” (MOHA) executive order, which targets artificial food additives and ...
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