OKC FRIDAY Vol. 56 No. 31 • One Section • 12 pages • January 6, 2023
$1 per copy
Red Andrews At left: Bonnie and Frank Barry, Red Andrews Foundation Secretary/Treasurer Mary Blankenship Pointer and OKC Councilwoman Nikki Nice. At right: Mr. and Mrs. Santa (Larry and Daneta Blair.) Volunteers distributed groceries, toys and coats. Page 2
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Lowest bid nearly $600k over budget for Duffner Park project By Eric Oesch Staff Writer When voters in The Village approved a General Obligation Bond measure last February to update Duffner Park, 10801 Victoria Pl., they were expecting a $1.6 million price tag to renovate one of the city’s most popular parks. Yet when the city received four bids last December, Rudy Construction submitted the lowest bid, coming in nearly $600,000 over budget. Now the City Council is looking at ways to reduce costs and still meet the standards it proposed when the project was presented to the citizenry for approval. The council is faced with four alternatives — move forward with the project by adding additional funds; re-bid the project as is; redesign the project and rebid; or
negotiate with the low bidder to reduce the scope of work. The council opted to authorize the city manager and the design team at LAUD Studio to negotiate with Rudy Construction to find ways to reduce the cost of the project that could include the elimination of some planned improvements or revising the design of certain elements of the plan. Original plans included additional sidewalks, landscape lighting, a lighted basketball court, a soccer field with enhanced playing surface and turf, a new stage/pavilion, outdoor furnishings including picnic tables and grills, additional playground equipment, and extensive landscaping including trees, shrubs and flower beds. Outgoing City Manager Bruce Stone said he is “more disap-
Original plans for improvements to Duffner Park included additional sidewalks, landscape lighting, a lighted basketball court, a soccer field with enhanced playing surface and turf, a new stage/pavilion, outdoor furnishings including picnic tables and grills, additional playground equipment, and extensive landscaping including trees, shrubs and flower beds.
pointed than surprised,” about the high bids they received and attributed the increases to, “the pandemic, sup-
ply chain and out-ofcontrol government printing of money… i.e., inflation.” “I think the council
Bishop McGuinness baton twirler Bridgette “Bridgy” McCollum won the Reach for the Stars Baton Twirling Championship in Omaha, Neb. She competed against 13 intermediate twirlers from Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin and Kansas for the win. The pageant consisted of three separate competitions including baton solo, X-strut and interview/modeling. The sophomore brought
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home three additional first place trophies in open Xstrut, 2-baton and best appearing. She has been twirling competitively for seven years and is the first feature twirler for McGuinness in recent memory. Bridgy said that baton twirling is a unique sport and one of her favorite things to do. “It's a good escape from reality,” she said. “But, I also get to make a lot of great memories traveling with my mom to competitions or training in the See TWIRLER, Page 7
Stone said there is a big danger in delaying the project as it could See VILLAGE, Page 11
Sales and use taxes revenues up in OKC
McGuinness baton twirler brings home championship By Rose Lane Editor
will eventually vote to eliminate some parts of the project,” he said. “We will still have an amazing park.”
Bridgy McCollum with her Reach for the Stars Baton Twirling Championship trophy. She is Bishop McGuinness’ featured twirler.
Dog of the Week Rosie is the best friend and constant companion of Christine Mueller. Rosie was rescued after being dumped in rural Oklahoma, but you would never guess it now! Rosie loves her daily walks (no matter the weather), snuggles, and sweet potatoes. She is still working on her bed sharing skills, but all in all she's the best dog ever! Send Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.
Oklahoma City’s December sales and use tax report shows combined General Fund collections were above this month last year and the combined monthly projection. The General Fund pays for the city’s day-today operations. Sales tax is the General Fund’s largest single source of revenue, and use tax is the second largest. The December report includes tax collections for the last half of October and estimated collections in the first half of November. December is the sixth month of fiscal year 2023. Sales tax summary General Fund sales tax collections for December were about $27.6 million. That’s around $3.0 million (12.4%) above the projection and $3.0 million (12.4%) above the same month last year. General Fund sales tax revenue is about 9.4% See OKC, Page 11
City helps dispose of Christmas trees Nichols Hills residents need to decide by Jan. 26 to have their Christmas tree picked up and disposed of by the city. In April of this year, the City Council adopted an ordinance concerning the disposal of Christmas trees. If a resident wishes for the city to dispose of their Christmas tree, they must place the tree beside the curb of their residence through Jan. 26. The resident is to be charged a fee on their utility bill for the collection and disposal of such tree in accordance with the following: • Live trees (free of lights, ornaments, nails, stands, and all other materials), $10. • Live trees with lights, ornaments,
nails, stands, or other materials affixed or attached, $100. • Artificial trees, $100. Through Jan., 15, Nichols Hills residents may also drop off their bare trees for free from dawn until dusk in designated areas at the following park locations in Oklahoma City: • Will Rogers Park, 3600 Pat Murphy Dr. • Wheeler Park, 1120 S. Western Ave. Trees dropped off at these locations must be free of lights, ornaments, nails and stands. Mulch can also be collected at these locations for free and will be available until Jan. 15. Residents must bring their own shovels and containers.