LOCAL

Owner Defies City Ordinance
Nearly News
VISTA Associates To Tutor PC Students

Owner Defies City Ordinance

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

A heated conflict is brewing between a local property owner and city officials over alleged code violations filed this week by the city’s building inspector at an apartment complex.

Larry Adams, owner and general manager of the Highlander Apartments, 1407 West Highland Avenue, was cited 13 times by Buddy Osborn, city building inspector and code enforcement officer, for alleged unlawful removal of code enforcement notifications.

If found guilty of these violations, Adams could face fines ranging from $50 to $200 per violation. The amount set for the fine would be at the discretion of the municipal court judge.

“Apparently, someone is angry at the owner of this apartment complex,” said Michael Collins, Adam’s attorney.

He suggested that no other Ponca City apartment complex has been treated this way in years past.

Collins also said city officials have the wrong person, but refused to explain his statement.

Osborn said the danger notifications were posted on the apartments to “keep people from living in something that could be deemed a hazard to their health and safety.”

City commissioner Chris Hand, who initiated the inspection, said he learned of the alleged violations through citizens’ complaints.

“When I heard of some of the problems, that’s when I decided I wanted to see some of them for myself ... and called code enforcement,” Hand explained.

He pointed out that city code enforcement had identified 15 of the 53 apartments at the complex, posting notices on the doors.

“The owner took them down,” Hand said. “The city isn’t going to stand for it.”

Owner Adams said he was acting on the advice of his attorney when he removed the city notices.

Adams refused further comment: “I am not in a position to make any comments due to a pending lawsuit against the city.”

According to Collins, when the code enforcement officer “entered onto the property” he was trespassing: “The officer just started walking into the apartments without notification of the owner.”

The attorney also said it was unusual to find a “city commissioner following a code enforcement officer around on the job.”

Collins indicated he and his client were willing to sit down and discuss the matter with city officials: “The bottom line is ... I haven’t received any notification from any city officials offering to discuss these issues.”

The building inspector said the only apartments tagged with the notices “were ones that were currently unoccupied.”

Osborn said that this was done so that the city did not create a hardship on the residents. “Many of the residents can’t afford to live anywhere else,” he explained.

City planner Todd Kennemer, who was also present at the inspection, said, “We were trying to work with Mr. Adams.”

Kennemer explained that the city had been working toward a time frame when the code violations, which led to the posting of the danger notifications, could be corrected and the building brought to code. “At that time, these apartments can again be occupied,” he said.

Kennemer also said that one of the alleged code violations was hazardous enough to cause a recent fire at the complex.

“The apartment caught fire due to water draining into a light fixture,” he said. “One of our purposes here is to try to prevent other fires from occurring.”

Kennemer commented that bringing the building to code would be to the owner’s advantage.

“The codes protect property owners, in that, if they do everything up to codes ... it can protect them from a potential law suit,” he said.

Adams has five days to file a guilty or not guilty plea to each of the alleged violations. If he pleads not guilty, he will be required to appear before a municipal court judge.

Nearly News

Sen. Paul Muegge, D-Tonkawa, and Rep. Jim Newport, R-Ponca City, will give a wrap-up of the recently adjourned Oklahoma Legislative session at the Friday Second Friday Forum, 8-9 a.m.

The event will be held at Pioneer Technology Center and is sponsored by the Legislative Review Committee of the Ponca City Area Chamber. The public is welcome to attend.

VISTA Associates To Tutor PC Students

YUKON — During a two-day tutor training here that focused on early literacy practices, 20 local AmeriCorps VISTA summer associates took an oath of service Friday. They will tutor more than 150 children in kindergarten through third grade as part of the America Reads Challenge.

Ponca City is one of ten sites in Oklahoma taking part in the America Reads Challenge. Twenty of the 65 summer associates statewide are going to be working in Ponca City.

United Way and Ponca City public schools are partnering to host the program for the second year. Last year, 10 summer associates worked with 86 youth in Ponca City. Several of those associates are returning this summer.

One of the associates who returned this year is Joey Ferguson. “I really enjoy working with the kids,” Ferguson said. “We try to make our time with them both educational and fun.”

Summer associates for 2000 are Ferguson, Heather Roth, Kendra Lewis, Paula Hart, Emily Hufnagel, RaeShauna Anderson, Sarah Yancey, Melissa Whitney, Kellie Anderson, Kati Salmons, Charleen Gecho, Britney Parker, Dee Ann Harrison, Necole Bailey, Pam Yost, Kathy Cripps, Angela Murphy, Keesha West, Jennifer Runyan and Josh Bailey.

After completing eight weeks of service, the associates receive a $1,000 education award. They also receive a monthly living allowance of approximately $650. The associates must have at least a high school diploma.

Most of the children they will be working with read below their grade level. The students’ progress is tracked through pre- and post-testing according to a state standard. The tests will measure changes in both reading ability and attitudes.

America Reads Challenge Summer Associate Program is funded through the Corporation for National Service. Through a contract with the State Department of Education, the corporation provides opportunities for school and community organizations to bring these much needed programs to their communities.

Parents of children in kindergarten through third grade who would like more information should contact Barbara Dewey, VISTA coordinator, at the United Way office (580) 765-2476.

DEATHS

Jerry D. Bejcek
George E. Francis
Lee Martin
Hagen Michael Jordan

Jerry D. Bejcek

ORANGE, Calif. — Jerry D. Bejcek, resident of Glendora, Calif., died Sunday, June 4, 2000, in the Foothill Presbyterian Hospital in Glendora, Calif. He was 61.

The service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, in the St. John Lutheran Church in Covina, Calif. Burial was in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Orange, Calif., under the direction of Shannon-Donegan Chapel of Orange, Calif.

Jerry D. Bejcek was born April 1, 1939, in Pawnee County, the son of Albert and Norene Bejcek. He was a Lutheran teacher for 32 years at St. John Lutheran Church and School.

Survivors include his wife Melinda Bejcek of the home in Glendora, Calif.; and his parents of Ponca City.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the scholarship fund to help children attend school to St. John Lutheran Church and School, 304 East Covina Boulevard, Covina, Calif. 91722.

George E. Francis

PERRY — George E. Francis, resident of Perry, died Tuesday, June 6, 2000, at Greenbrier Nursing Home in Enid. He was 88.

A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, June 9, at Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry with the Rev. Lynn Scott officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Brown-Sisson Funeral Home.

George E. Francis was born March 6, 1912, east of Orlando, Okla., the son of Pearl and Theresa (Wellington) Francis. He married Ruth Smith on Oct. 5. 1946, in Arkansas City, Kan. He was employed as an oilfield worker, mostly with Halliburton in Duncan. He was a member of the First Christian Church, the Order of Eastern Star in Red Rock, and a 32nd Degree Mason.

Survivors include his sister, Evelyn Brown of Fort Stockton, Texas; a brother, Howard Francis of Enid; a step-daughter, Kay Crabtree of Seminole; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1984; his parents; and two brothers.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Order of Eastern Star of Red Rock, c/o Brown-Sisson Funeral Home, 1010 North 7th Street, Perry, Okla. 73077.

Obituaries

Lee Martin

Lee Martin, longtime Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, June 7, 2000, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 89.

The funeral will be held Friday, June 9, 2000, at 2 p.m. at Second Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul Graham, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Lee was born Aug. 14, 1910, in Alco, Stone County, Ark., the son of Andrew Jackson and Cloma Eldarada (George) Martin. In October of that year, his mother died, and Lee lived with his maternal grandparents periodically. In 1912, his father remarried, and Lee returned to his father’s care. He began school in 1916 at Fairview School and attended schools at Timbo, Ark., before moving to Okemah in 1925, where he attended Oak School. They lived nine miles north of Okemah on Franks Place for two years then moved one mile west of Okemah as his father continued to farm.

On Nov. 24, 1934, he married Lillie McElhannon in Cromwell. Lee farmed and milked cows on the Yont Place in Okemah. In 1937, they moved to the Brooks Ranch north of Okemah, where they lived until their house burned. In 1938, Lee, Lillie and their first child, Cloma, moved to Okmulgee. They returned to Okemah in 1940 to work for Triple Heart Dairy, milking 20 cows twice a day for $1 per day.

In 1942, they came to Ponca City where Lee went to work for John Whitehurst, cleaning tanks on the Continental Oil tank farm. In 1947, he began a career with Continental Oil Co. proper, and they moved west of town. They joined Ranch Drive Baptist Church, where they were members until 1971. They are currently members of Second Baptist Church. He retired from Continental Oil Co. in 1975. He also held a membership with Continental Employees Association.

Lee and Lillie were able to vacation on the west coast for the first time in 1966, then went to the east coast in 1983.

He is survived by his wife, Lillie of the home; and three daughters, Cloma Goldman and her husband, Donald, of Ponca City, Wanda Lee Smith and her husband, Jimmie, of Norman, and Drenda Robinson and her husband, Raymond, of Shidler. Additional survivors include two sisters, Edith Marie Davis and Flossie Farris. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Dawn Pruitt, Rebecca Walker, Lee Sharp, Renee Karn, Reginald Smith, Jason Smith, Aaron Robinson and Angela Robinson; seven great-grandchildren; and one step great-grandson. In addition to his parents, five brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.

Casket bearers will be grandsons, Lee Sharp, Aaron Robinson, Reggie Smith, Korey Pruitt and Danny Pruitt. Honorary bearers will be Virgil Townley, Leroy Aulbey, Barry Sicks, George Harman, and Don Steele.

Contributions may be made in his memory to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla 74601.

The family will be at the home of Donald and Cloma Goldman, 320 South 13th.

paid obituary

Hagen Michael Jordan

STIGLER — Hagen Michael Jordan, 3 months and 15 days, was called away to be an angel on June 4, 2000, at a Tulsa Hospital. He was born Feb. 19, 2000 in Talihina to Michael and Tanya (Varnell) Jordan.

He is survived by his parents, Michael and Tanya Jordan; paternal grandparents, Mike and Katie Jordan of Lequire; maternal grandparents, Lee and Joanne Varnell of Stigler; paternal great-grandmother, Emaline Jordan of Lequire; maternal great-grandparents, John and Betty French of Bakersfield, Calif.; his aunt and uncle, Sherry and Mark McGlone of Ponca City; and numerous other aunts, uncles and cousins.

Graveside services were held 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, at Martin Family Cemetery with the Rev. Tommie Parker officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of King and Shearwood Funeral Home of Stigler.

paid obituary

NEWS BRIEFS

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Dinner Postponed — The Memorial dinner for Vivian Warrior Doles has been postponed, and will be held in July.

Weather Lab’s 24hr. weather-line, 762-9999. adv.

Subject Held — An officer at Ponca City Police Department reported at 2:02 p.m. Wednesday that a 56-year-old man was being committed into jail by the court for failure to appear and failure to obey.

Head Country all day Friday special ­ All you can eat, smoked BBQ ribs, beans, potato salad, and coleslaw, only $7.49, all day. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Accident — Someone in the 400 block of South Palm Street reported that someone had hit a tree at a resident. The subject then fled the scene on foot. An officer, responding to the call, arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with the accident for driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a property damaged accident, no driver’s license and negligent collision.

Accident — A motorist at the intersection of North Fourteenth Street and East Highland Avenue reported a hit-and-run accident to Ponca City police at 2:13 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and an accident report was taken.

Mel’s Clothing & shoes. Buy any one item get the 2nd item for half price. adv.

Subject Held — An officer at Ponca City Police Department reported at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday that a 16-year-old man was being held for domestic assault and battery.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Subject Held — A booking officer at Ponca City police department reported a walk-in booking of a 22-year-old man at 6:16 p.m. Wednesday for an assault and battery warrant.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at a business in the 300 block of West Grand Avenue reported at 5:05 p.m. Wednesday that two women and one man drove away without paying for $5.02 in gas. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Skips Taxi cab service. Seven days a week, 24 hours. 716-0979 or 762-6442. adv.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident blocking the roadway at North Fifth Street and East Hartford Avenue was reported to Ponca City police at 5:26 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a state accident report was taken.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat ribs with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv.

Theft — A clerk at a business in the 900 block of East Prospect Avenue reported to Ponca City police at 6:13 p.m. Wednesday that a pair of tennis shoes had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Swim Gear available for purchase at the summer sizzler swim meet, Ambuc Pool, Friday, June 9 (late afternoon) and all day June 10 and 11.adv.

www.HeartandHealth.com -Buy or sell Rexall natural

health products online. adv.

Pauline Steak and shrimp dinner $11.95 Friday the 9th. For reservations call 765-5460. adv.

Ambucs Pool Closed — The Summer Sizzler Swim Meet set for this weekend, Friday through Sunday, will cause Ambucs Pool to be closed to the public those three days. Come to the pool anyway and cheer local swimmers while watching some of the best contest swimmers of the state.

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GARDENING

Diggin in the Dirt
How To Balance Care of Lawns

Diggin in the Dirt

By Kathy Zehr

June is here! I can tell, because it seems “the hurrieder I go, the behinder I get!” Mostly it seems we continually nip, snip, water, feed and weed. The tomatoes and apples had better be good and the mums beautiful!

Just a reminder though — gardening is supposed to be fun, relaxing and good for us, so remember to stop, smell the roses, and count your blessings frequently.

Today, we are going to list reminders of chores that are important to do in June. To start with the lawn should receive at least an inch of water each week and be fed with a 3-1-2 ratio of fertilizer once a month. Reseeding or overseeding may still be accomplished, but keep it watered daily. Watch for yellow or dead patches, which are usually caused by insects or disease. Diagnose and correct problems early before they spread and cost more to cure.

Weeding must be done early too, before the unwanted plants go to seed and spread for years to come! Remember to pull them up by the roots or most will come right back up in a few days. Weed after a rain or water the ground first and the weeds are much easier to pull.

Snip Snip, Nip Nip!

Carry small safety scissors or nippers in your pocket to deadhead all blooming perennials such as rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas as soon as the blooms start to fade. Do not let the plants form pods, which weakens them. Keep branches trimmed and continue to nip all buds from chrysanthemums. Your efforts will be rewarded with a great show when you let them go into full bloom in the fall.

Deadhead annuals as blooms begin to fade. Don’t be afraid to pinch back the stems of fuchsias, geraniums, cosmos and others to keep them in good shape. It’s not too late to divide spring flowering perennials like primrose, arabis and aubrieta. Stake flowers now that will be getting tall and leggy through the summer.

To shape junipers, cypress or conifers, shear, pinch and prune them now. It’s also time to trim the hedges. Remove dead foliage from bulbs and tubers, but leave the green to die naturally. Divide tubers and bulbs about every third year after the leaves have died. Daffodils and other early bloomers are probably ready to dig up and divide.

Prune climbing roses after they have bloomed and feed all roses at least once a month through the summer. Check frequently for insect or disease problems and correct them immediately before they spread to all plants.

It’s not too late to plant a perennial you may think you would enjoy. A good selection is still available at garden centers this week. Brighten up dead spots in your beds with a few colorful annuals as well. Plant some of your tuberous begonias in the beds and it’s okay to plant a few more gladiolus corms.

Veggies

Ahhh, we’ve enjoyed fresh leaf lettuce, onions and radishes from the vegetable garden this week. And — as I weed and dig and plant new seeds — my mouth begins to water when I smell the distinctive aroma of the tomato plants. To make those tomatoes produce at their best, water frequently and feed weekly as the vines begin setting on their fat little green tomatoes.

Even though many plants will soon be past their prime as temperatures climb, the hot weather veggies (corn, squash, pumpkins, okra, and others) may still be planted in this area. Cole crops such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower will probably do better as a fall crop now. We will discuss fall gardens in — July???

Mound up soil around potato plants to cover any exposed tubers. If potatoes are exposed to the sun, they may turn green and are poisonous. Keep your veggies thinned so each plant will grow to its full potential. Use thinnings in soups and stews.

Fruit trees have a natural fruit drop time in June but the fruits of some, including apple, pear, and peach should be thinned further to help produce larger, healthier fruit. It also keeps the tree from being overly stressed. Keep suckers and water sprouts growth pruned from all fruit trees .

Miscellaneous

Did you know that the best time to set a sundial for accuracy throughout the summer is at exactly 12 p.m. (noon) on June 15. If you’re lucky enough to own one — try it and let us know if it’s true.

Do you have trouble with mosquitoes? Keep your work and other areas clear of containers which may collect water. They quickly become a breeding place for larvae. Bird baths and dog water dishes need changing frequently. If water must stand (ditches, etc.) treat it with 1 tablespoon bleach to five gallons of water.

How To Balance Care of Lawns

By LEE REICH

(AP) — For some gardeners, lawn care becomes drudgery about this time of year. But there are other criticisms that can be leveled against lawns, especially the ideal lawn. Altogether, lawn care gobbles up millions of gallons of gasoline each year as well as millions of tons of fertilizer, much of which is washed into and pollutes waterways. The typical lawn is also drenched with pesticides to knock out grubs, chinch bugs, leaf spots and crabgrass.

In fact, more pesticides are added per acre to lawns than to any other land. Today’s lawn is a relatively recent phenomenon. Prior to the middle of the 19th century, lawns consisted of wild grasses and wildflowers maintained with the swing of a scythe four or five times a year or with grazing sheep. Then the lawn mower was invented. Our lawns now add up to over 7 million acres an area many times the size of Rhode Island.

To keep this acreage green, weed-free and no more than a couple of inches tall costs us over $5 billion per year. Of course, lawns do have redeeming qualities. Right after mowing, a fresh scent fills the air. Everything looks pretty and neat. A lawn makes a nice surface on which kids can tumble and to knock a croquet ball around. Public lawns, such as a town green, provides places to eat, read and meet friends. Also to stroll.

There are ways to balance the good and the bad of lawns. Start by treating your lawn correctly. Grow a grass adapted to your site. Mow regularly to the recommended height. Because grass clippings contain nutrients, less fertilizer is needed if you leave them where they fall. A mulching mower does this most effectively. Do not apply chemicals routinely. If you must water, do it deeply and infrequently.

Also consider alternatives to a lawn. Ground covers such as dark-green euonymous or succulent sedums grow well in the sun. In shade, try English ivy, myrtle or pachysandra. Another option is to change your ideal for a perfect lawn. Let weeds like clover and ground ivy mingle with your grass. A perfect lawn can be boring. A final possibility is to allow part of the lawn to become a meadow of taller grasses splashed with orange oxeye daisies and butterfly weeds, purple asters and thistles, and yellow goldenrods. One or two mowings a year is all thats needed to fend off the invasion of woody plants.

SPORTS

Sampson Will Stay With OU

Sampson Will Stay With OU

NORMAN (AP) — Kelvin Sampson will stay on as the men’s basketball coach at Oklahoma, a published report says.

Sampson told The Daily Oklahoman late Wednesday that he met with Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther about coaching the Fighting Illini.

‘‘Ron and I discussed the Illinois job, and we both decided to go a separate direction,’’ Sampson said. ‘‘Leaving OU for Illinois is not the no-brainer some people might think it is.’’

The Oklahoman had reported that Guenther offered a package worth at least $1 million annually, but Sampson would not discuss the details.

‘‘He’s a good guy,’’ Sampson said of Guenther. ‘‘He knows what he’s looking for.’’

Sampson’s name has been mentioned as a coaching replacement at other schools before. He is 130-62 in six years and his teams have made NCAA tournament appearances in all of those seasons.

When asked if he hadn’t been this torn an offer from another school since North Carolina approached him after the 1995-96 season, he said, ‘‘That would be accurate, yes.’’

Another coach in Oklahoma, Tulsa’s Bill Self, said Wednesday he has not been contacted by Illinois officials.

Self’s Golden Hurricane went 32-5 last season, advancing to the regional finals for the first time in school history.

Self has amassed a 74-27 record in three seasons at TU and turned down a potential position with Nebraska earlier this year.