OKC FRIDAY Vol. 58 No. 36 • One Section • 14 pages • February 7, 2025
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www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving affluent far north Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and The Village for 51 years
Village reviews strategic plan to help prepare for the future
Campaign raises $17.6 million United Way of Central Oklahoma revealed a campaign total of $17,634,000 to over 800 guests during its 24th annual gala at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The campaign raised funds for local health and human service programs benefiting central Oklahoma communities. This total represents contributions to United Way of Central Oklahoma, United Way of Canadian County, United Way of Logan County, the State Charitable Campaign, and the Heart of the City Campaign for Oklahoma City. “UWCO truly makes it easy to make a difference,” 2024 Campaign Co-Chair Jenny Love Meyer said. “We
By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
most prestigious volunteer awards: • Emerging Leaders Pinnacle Award. This new award recognizes a member of UWCO’s
“The Village has a fantastic demographic to attract new business,” says Roger Godwin, principal consultant with City Economics. Godwin recently presented the findings of a retreat he facilitated with City Council members, department heads, staff directors and all core primary service leaders to review the city’s Strategic Vision Implementation Plan. The Strategic Vision Implementation Plan is a roadmap created by city leaders in 2017 to guide the progress of the city, and while meetings like this are not unique not every community has one. “We have great people in The Village, and a lot of them, 10,000 in 2.5 square miles,” said City Manager Dave Slezickey. “We are an identifiable community in the northwest Oklahoma City metro with great access to the rest of the metro with easy access to Hefner Parkway, Kilpatrick Turnpike and the Broadway Extension. “Property owners, both commercial and residential, reinvest in their properties keeping values high,” he said. “With our own police and fire departments, we have an almost immediate response time to emergencies. “During our retreat we assessed the Village
See UNITED, Page 14
See VILLAGE, Page 7
From left: Shane Wharton, UWCO Board chairman; Jenee Naifeh Lister, UWCO 2024 Campaign co-chairman; Jenny Love Myer, UWCO 2024 Campaign co-chairman; and Rachel Holt, president and CEO at UWCO. For event photos, see Page 2.
wouldn’t be able to celebrate year-after-year without the individuals and companies who choose to make a difference in our community. Thank you to our generous donors, vol-
Board chair election set Patrons of the Oklahoma City Public School District are to elect a chairman for the Board of Education on Tuesday, Feb. 11. There is a three-way race for the position. between incumbent Paula Lewis, Niah M. Spriggs and Jan Barrick. Polls are to be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can cast their ballots at their assigned precinct.
unteers and Partner Agencies for sharing hope with our neighbors who need it the most.” The gala also honored four community leaders with UWCO’s
Putnam City faced with $198M proposal By Rose Lane Editor Voters in the Putnam City Public School District go to the polls on Tuesday. Feb. 11, to decide a $198.75 million proposal which district leaders say is
Waste Center temporarily closes The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center is to temporarily close for maintenance starting Tuesday, Feb. 11, with a projected re-opening date of Thursday, March 13. The floors are to be refinished with a protective coating, which prevents the migration of hazardous chemicals through the center’s concrete flooring. The maintenance is necessary for the safety of employees and the protection of the environment. “Generally, the floor coating must be replaced every 10 years, and we have exceeded the effective life of the current coating,”
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center Manager Lyndel Gibson said. The crew rooms, offices and public spaces are also to be updated during the facility closure. “As all facility services will be unavailable during this time, we ask residents to please collect and save all their household hazardous waste until the facility reopens to the public in March,” Environmental Protection Superintendent Derek Johnson said. View what products are accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center’s webpage.
designed to elevate educational excellence, modernize facilities and ensure safety for all students and staff. “This community-driven bond represents a pivotal moment in our District's history,” Superintendent Dr. Fred
FRIDAY’s Dog of the Week KayDee Belle is a tiny, 11year-old Bichon Frise princess living in Edmond, with her humans Dan and Jeannie Sikes. KayDee loves to find a comfy spot to sleep, as long as she is nearby her mom! Email Pet of the Week submissions with complete descriptions to: rose@ okcfriday.com.
Rhodes said. “It is an opportunity to boldly invest in the future of our students by fostering innovation and ensuring they have the resources to succeed in a rapidly changing world.” See BONDS, Page 7