Cookies & Cocktails Enjoying the Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma event are, in photos from left to right: Emma Allen, Clay Tucker and Ally Glavas Olson; Susan Dell’Osso and Molly Fuhrman; food and drink judges Brian Bogert and Kindt Myers; and Mason Maidt and Janelle Archer. For more, see Page 13.
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 56 No. 14 • One Section • 14 pages • August 19, 2022
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www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village, Quail Creek, The Greens and Gaillardia for 48 years
Village residents worry about short-terms rentals By Eric Oesch Staff Writer A boisterous crowd of concerned citizens packed The Village Library for a Town Hall meeting last week to discuss short term rentals which are popping up in The Village. Village councilman Sean
Cummings and House District 83 candidate Donna Rice Johnson navigated a raucous crowd during what they termed a “fact finding mission” to gather residents’ concerns about these properties to bring before the City Council. Cummings defeated Rice for the Ward 4 council seat
last year, but the pair pledged to work together after the election on issues facing their neighbors. Both Cummings and Rice have received complaints about an airbnb on Ridgeview Drive that neighborhood residents claim has become a nuisance. “So I threw the idea out
that we should do a Town Hall,” said Cummings. “Donna has been with me at every Town Hall so far. “This is a hot social media topic in The Village right now,” he said. “The attendance has been good at every Town Hall.” Complaints of loud parties, people roaming the
streets late at night, congested streets of parked cars and the issue of not knowing who is occupying the “house next door” were some of the top concerns addressed. While most of those at the Town Hall were unhappy residents, several short-term See VILLAGE, Page 5
OKCPS proposes $995 million in school bonds
OKCPHIL is being seen all over!
By Rose Lane Editor
Above: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Wanda Jackson. At right: OKCPHIL Executive Director Agnieszka Rakhmatullaev and husband Marat on vacation abroad in Ankara, Turkey. For more photos, see Page 2
Limited edition t-shirts making rounds Around OKC and around the globe, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic is getting noticed with its new Music Unites t-shirt. The limited-edition shirt is available exclusively online for $35, and helps support orchestral music in Oklahoma City. “We wanted to have something fun for the summer months,” said OKCPHIL Marketing Director Mark Beutler. “Response has been overwhelming, and we have already ordered a second run of shirts to keep
up with the demand.” The shirt has the OKCPHIL logo on the front, and the reverse features a quote from Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate: “Music goes straight to the heart and unites us all.” The OKCPHIL kicks off its new season with Opening Night Sept. 17. Newly-announced additions to the season lineup include Grammy and Emmy nominee Michael Feinstein in “Coming Home for Christmas” and Oklahoma native Kelli O’Hara in “An Evening with Kelli O’Hara.”
OKC Mayor David Holt sports the tshirt.
Oklahoma City Public School’s Fridayland schools look to see improvement if voters approve a bond election on Nov. 8. Earlier this week, the OKCPS Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution that officially calls for a school bond election. The board’s vote allows OKCPS to ask Oklahoma City voters to consider two propositions. One totals $936 million and would provide funds for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, equipping, repairing and remodeling school buildings, acquiring school furniture, fixtures and equipment and acquiring and improving school sites; or in the alternative to acquire all or a distinct portion of such property pursuant to a lease purchase arrangement. The other is for $19 million to provide funds for the purpose of acquiring transportation equipment; or in the alternative to acquire all or a distinct portion of such property pursuant to a lease purchase arrangement. OKCPS has the lowest mill levy rate in the metro area at 18. This $955 million bond See BONDS, Page 7
NHills council hopes to end tear downs with Architectural Resource designation By Eric Oesch Staff Writer City leaders in Nichols Hills are concerned about the number of homes being razed to make room for new construction. To combat this
trend, the City Council has embarked upon a mission to identify and list the homes that make the Oklahoma City suburb of nearly 4,000 residents unique to the state. When Nichols Hills Building Commission mem-
bers addressed the City Council last week, they presented a list of homes they have designated as Architectural Resources in Nichols Hills. They describe these homes as “buildings that possess significant local
OKC seeks input on MAPS 4 plans The City of Oklahoma City is inviting residents to weigh in on future beautification projects they would like to see implemented as a part of MAPS 4 by completing a survey at BeautifyOKC.com. The survey is available in English and Spanish and is to be open through late October. Results from the survey will help consultants develop a master plan and determine where the city should prioritize beautification projects identified in the 2019 MAPS 4 Resolution. MAPS 4 is set to help transform the appearance of Oklahoma City with targeted investments in projects such as gardens, plazas, gate-
ways, bridge enhancements, murals landscaping, artwork and more. The project is expected to elevate residents’ daily experience and improve the first impression for visitors. MAPS 4 includes $25 million for beautification projects across Oklahoma City, such as: • City entrance gateways along interstates. • Approaches to Will Rogers World Airport (including the creation of the Bessie Coleman Garden near the airport, State Highway 152 from Meridian to I-44 and I-44 from State Highway 152 to I-40).
interest or significant artistic or architectural merit important to the city’s history.” The city estimates it receives as many as three applications a month to tear down homes some consider historic. Topping the proposed pre-
FRIDAY’s Dogs
liminary list of architectural resources in Nichols Hills are some very familiar homes and some not so familiar. Those homes most familiar with the public include the See NHILLS, Page 5
of the Week Titan is 4-years-old and Rosie is 2-years-old. They like to run in fields and swim. Their owners, Abby and Kaleb Davis, often give them nicknames that they go by such as Titi B and Posie P! Send Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.
This sponsorship is available! Call (405) 755-3311 for details. See OKC, Page 5