By Sheryl Ponce
Prior to opening a public hearing for a dilapidated building, Commissioner Rocky Andresen presented First Lieutenant Detective Ray Chatham with a Merit of Honor for Excellent Arrest of the National Awards Program of the American Police Hall of Fame. He commended him for his valor and commitment to seeing justice served as evidence of his dedication to serve the public. He sets admirable standards for all. After Andresen presented him the commendation and medal, Det. Sammy Weygand went to the podium to talk about the arrest that led to the honor.
He said that Ray was contacted by the FBI who was wanting assistance with an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation. Shortly after that, the Criminal Investigation Division was contacted by the FBI, and was told that the ECPD needed to act quickly to stop a heinous crime that was about to happen. Chatham quickly responded with the task of having a response team, breaking in the door, which stopped the criminal act that was about to take place.
This action led to the arrest of the perpetrator who has since pleaded guilty to producing child pornography. He still has charges pending in the District Court in Oklahoma. Chatham was nominated for the Merit Award for Excellence and then selected for the award by the American Police Hall of Fame. The President of the organization expressed appreciation and congratulated Chatham for his quick response to the situation.
“It started out with an FBI undercover pretending to be a 12-year-old girl that led them to this guy who was positioning them in front of the camera, online. We were filing the paperwork waiting on the court for entry,” ECPD Eddie Holland told the commissioners.
Chatham led the breach to the door and stopped any further harm to come to the child.
“You can look at this a couple of ways. We have an excellent police force with a lot of well-trained officers. You may have told yourself: ‘I didn’t do anything that most of the other ones wouldn’t have done.’ That is one way to look at it, but you did your due. On the other hand, it’s the impact you made, and that is worth the world to the victims. When the call came in, your job got done in an extremely professional manner. The credit goes to you, because when the time for action came, you performed and made all the difference. If you ever look at your life, and say, ‘Did I make a difference?’ You did your job. Your duty is what you were trained to do. You made all the difference in the world,” City Manager Tom Ivester said directly to Chatham.
The rest of the commission meeting was anticlimactic compared to the honor that was bestowed Chatham. With the mayor, Cory Spieker, and commissioner Rick Shelton absent, Rocky Andresen presided over the meeting. Jeff Waters gave the invocation while Rod Carver led the flag salute.
There was a public hearing for a dilapidated house located at 602 N. Oklahoma. The owner was present and said she would be putting a roof on the structure. The hearing closed and Andresen opened the meeting to the regular agenda.
The commissioners approved the minutes from the Dec. 4th meeting, and then tabled the previously discussed dilapidated structure until March 20th. They went on to approve Ordinance No, 1262: An ordinance vacating a right of way easement previously dedicated to the City of Elk City, provided that invalidity of a part shall not invalidate the remainder; repealing all ordinance in conflict herewith.
The next item on the agenda was the approval of the Agreement for Professional Services between SWODA and City of Elk City for grant writing/ administration services for six months in the amount of $15,000. They also approved payment to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for Streetscape Phase I in the amount of $164,706, along with approving payment to the Department of Transportation for Streetscape on S. Main from 5th to 7th.
The next item on the agenda pertained to the grants for the airport. The first approval was for payment to Lochner for FFA grant in the amount of $36,600, the second one was payment to Lochner for the Box Hanger Design in the amount of $55,100, and the third one was payment to Lochner for the Terminal Design, costing $180,700.
The Change Order #3 for the Elk City Aquatic Center in the amount of $30,200.65, to Joe D. Hall, for adding three receptacle stands north of the pool and a barrier and netting at the slide area wing wall, was approved. The commissioners also approved the last pay application, #19 to Joe D. Hall General Contractors for the Elk City Aquatic Center in the amount of $133,852.55.
The Purchase Orders FY 23-24 and recurring invoices for Dec. 20th, were approved. The commissioners then heard from museum curator, Charles Wren, and water plant supervisor, Johnny Brown.
In the city manager’ report, Ivester talked about the record number of families that signed up for the Mayor’s Toy Drive, which was 480. He then talked about the number of events that have been taking place at the civic center.
Ivester said that the city inspectors have several plans for approval. Those plans include the new Circle A Western Wear building, the car wash next to Burger King, an Allsup’s to be where the old Holiday Inn used to be, and the plans for the new Ace Hardware.
He went on to say that the Arrowhead Center is being used, as the commissioners wanted it to be used. They can track the number of people in the facility. Last weekend they had 1800 people there on Saturday. The peak time of use was around 11 a.m.
The financial report was positive with increase in sales revenue. The treasurer’s report was also positive with sales tax up, use tax was up, and the cigarette tax was down. The commissioners approved the treasurer’s report and adjourned at 2:49 p.m.
