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A: Main, news
February 19, 2025
Voter apathy plagues the polls
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

Eufaula voters stayed away from the polls in droves Tuesday, Feb. 11, when they had been asked to decide whether to approve a one-cent sales tax increase to help pay for street improvements.

There are 1,618 registered voters in the Eufaula city limits, according to the McIntosh County Election Board.

Of that number, 211 voted – 100 (47.39 percent) in favor of the proposition and 111 (52.61 percent) against.

The 211 figure represents about a 13 percent turnout.

By comparison, slightly more than 500 voted in the April school board election, which was a 31 percent turnout.

In a survey conducted by the city earlier this year, 162 of those responding supported a one-cent increase in city sales tax and only 17 opposed.

Had those 162 showed up to vote, the measure would have passed.

Online comments by some people claimed they were unaware of the election, even though there had been several public meetings on the issue as well as many postings on the city website and numerous newspaper articles.

Obviously, taxes are a sore point with most people.

But so are potholes. People want better streets, but the majority of those who voted last week don’t want to pay for them.

A one-cent city sales tax is the only viable option, according to City Manager Jeb Jones.

An ad valorem tax would put the burden of payment on property owners, he said, while a sales tax spreads the pain among everyone, including visitors.

“Everyone hates taxes,” he said. “I hate taxes.”

But the streets won’t fix themselves, so someone has to pay.

It was suggested online that the city should get grants.

If they could they would, but Jones says a city the size of Eufaula probably would not qualify for a grant in a sufficient amount to pay for the street improvements, which would be about $8 million.

“Larger cities, such as Tulsa and Oklahoma City, are first in line,” he said.

Shiela Edwards of Weleetka, who has been writing grants for the City of Eufaula for 35 years, agrees with Jones about federal grants for city streets.

Edwards said the street grants that might be available “would just be a drop in the bucket.”

The long-time grant writer is currently working on three grants for the Eufaula Fire Department totaling about $1 million, money to be earmarked for a fire truck and equipment.

Jones reacted to the failed 1-cent sales tax proposal.

“I’m disappointed, but at the same time I understand. That’s why the council pursued it the way it did. They presented it to the public and obviously the public did not agree with that funding source. That’s what the process is for,” he said.

Now, the council must go back to the drawing board and have more discussions.

“I, personally, believe a property tax is not the way to go,” he said.

Bottomline, it’s up to the council to decide which kind of funding to pursue.

One option is to pay for improvements strictly using the city budget.

“Do what we can with what we have,” he said.

The piecemeal approach is how streets have been handled in the past.

“Or the council could go back and trim off some of the proposed improvements – may instead of rebuilding a street, convert to overlay. There are a lot of different approaches.”

Including asking for a smaller sales tax increase. Rather than 1 cent, make it a half-cent.

“How we move forward is strictly up to the council,” he said. “It’s important that the council have that discussion and try to formulate a plan.”

He said he had no idea why there was such a small turnout.

“We put out videos the week before the election, trying to keep it fresh in the public’s mind. There were articles in the paper and public meetings. But for whatever reason, they didn’t show up.”

Responding to allegations made online that the city tried to sneak the election by the voters, he noted all the city did to make the public aware.

“The state has predetermined dates for different elections. We can’t control that,” he said.

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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