LOCAL

Assessment Testing In Fire Chief Search

Assessment Testing In Fire Chief Search

By PATTI PFEIFFER

News Staff Writer

Today marks the beginning of the end of the search for a new Ponca City fire chief. Two days of assessment testing will begin for the 10 candidates who have applied for the vacancy created when Chief Larry Mullikin resigned to become Stillwater’s fire chief.

In the last month, since Mullikin’s departure, Ponca City Assistant Fire Chief Dale Hicks has been the acting fire chief.

Candidates for the top position include firefighters from the local area, state and nation, with one applicant from as far away as Connecticut.

According to City Manager Gary Martin the testing will include a wide spectrum of topics.

“In addition to how to fight fires, it will include public speaking, dealing with union issues, test managerial and computer skills and will end with the candidates making a presentation to the assessment panel.”

The assessment will be conducted by the OSU Fire Training Academy and the panel is compromised of professionals in the field as well as at least one other.

“OSU brings in some fire chiefs that serve as evaluators,” Martin explained. “We also request that someone from our police department serve on the panel because the two departments work so closely together.”

Assistant Police Chief Clayton Johnson will therefore be on the panel. In addition, Martin says Mullikin has also agreed to be a member.

After the testing the candidates are then ranked. Those that are top ranked will then be interviewed by the city manager and the mayor.

Martin feels confident that the next fire chief will come from among these candidates and a new chief will be hired soon.

“The last time we hired a fire chief he was ranked number one in the assessment,” Martin said. “If all goes well and we move quickly I feel we can have a new fire chief on board by Dec. 14.”

DEATHS

Jimmie Dale Mollett Sr.
Myrtle Gracy Welch
Zelphia F. Goodman
Eula Rains Campbell
Fred B. Winslow

Jimmie Dale Mollett Sr.

Jimmie Dale Mollet Sr., longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday morning, Nov. 30, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 66.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at Sunset Baptist Church with the Rev. Madison Clinton, officiating. Burial will follow in Longwood Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Jimmie Dale Mollet Sr., was born Aug. 2, 1932, in Kingfisher County to Adolph and Christina (Oliver) Mollet. He grew up in the Ponca City and Perry areas. He attended schools in Ponca City and Sumner, graduating from Sumner High School. After his discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1952, he was employed as a roustabout in the oil fields.

On Oct. 4, 1956, he was married to Mary Jo Stillians in Enid and the couple moved to Ponca City in 1965. Mollet was employed as a truck driver for Baughman Concrete and P.C. Concrete Co., for 30 years. He was a member of Sunset Baptist Church and enjoyed country music and OU football.

Survivors are his wife, Mary, of the home; six children, Jimmie Dale Mollet Jr. of Ponca City, Gary Mollet of Tonkawa, Christy Kiser of Ponca City, Lonnie Mollet of the home, Kara Miller of Ponca City and Jimmie Dale Mollet III of Ponca City; one brother, Adolph Mollet Jr. of Ponca City; three sisters, Pherabah Schrock of Perry, Donna Jean Brorosen of Perry and Mary Clinton of Altus; eight granddaughters; one grandson; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Terry Lynn; and his parents.

Casket bearers will be Richard Wilcher, James McSmith, Frances McSmith, Randy Bentley, Charlie Kelley, and Jim Ed Kinder. Honorary casket bearers will be Marvin Heatherington, Jack Stanbrough, Olin Overholt and Jim Patterson.

The family will be at the home, 925 North Pine Street.

Myrtle Gracy Welch

Myrtle Gracy Welch, longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday Nov. 29, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 84.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998 at First Free Will Baptist Church with the Rev. David Bigger, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Born March 22, 1914, in Galena, Kan. she was one of 16 children born to George Franklin and Lynnetta (Shellenburger) Grieggeory. She grew up in Skidmore, Kan. and received her education there.

On Dec. 21, 1935, she was united in marriage to Paul David Welch in Columbus, Kan., where they made their first home. The couple then moved to Baxter Springs, Kan., and lived there until moving to Ponca City in 1958. Mrs. Welch was a homemaker and enjoyed embroidery, making quilts, and traveling.

Surviving are three sons, Paul Welch, of Blackwell, and Carl Welch and Tom Welch, both of Ponca City; one daughter, Patricia Koehn, of Ponca City; 18 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1977; one daughter Louise Gustin; her parents; and 15 brothers and sisters.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Welch’s name to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Diabetes Research, 825 N.E. Thirteenth Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.

The family will be at the Tom Welch home, 1850 East Hubbard Road.

Zelphia F. Goodman

Zelphia Florene Goodman, longtime Ponca City area resident, died early Monday morning, Nov. 30, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 85.

A graveside funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m., Wednesday at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Warren Stafford, pastor, Marland Methodist Christian Church officiating. Burial is under direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Zelphia Florene Goodman was born Sept. 29, 1913, in Sand Creek, Okla., near Wakita. She was the daughter of Jay Lewellen and Eliza Jane (Palmer) Biby. She attended Finley School west of Ponca City and Ponca City schools.

On April 2, 1936, she was married to Harold Wayne Goodman in Winfield, Kan. The couple resided in the Marland and Ponca City area. Her husband preceded her in death on Jan. 3, 1986. Mrs. Goodman was employed at Ponca Military Academy, and at McCord School as a cook. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and had served as a Cub Scout den mother. She also was a member of the Salt Fork Home Exchange Club and a member of Pythian Sister Temple No. 43.

Survivors include two sons, Don Goodman of Copan, Okla., and Harold Goodman of Marland; one daughter, LaDonna Kay Leon of Ponca City; 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, one sister and one brother preceded her in death.

The family will be at the Leon residence on Kelley Avenue in Osage County.

Obituaries

Eula Rains Campbell

Eula Rains Campbell died Sunday morning, Nov. 29, 1998, at Tender Heart Health Care in Ponca City. She was 95.

The funeral will be graveside, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1998, at 1 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Cemetery with the Rev. Hance Dilbeck, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Born Oct. 28, 1903, at Spring Brook Trading Post, Indian Territory, she was the daughter of Frank and Margaret Elizabeth (Myers) Rains. She attended school in Ada, and was married to Dell Campbell, March 26, 1921, at Byng, Okla. They lived in Cushing before moving to Ponca City, when he was transferred by Cities Service Oil Company in October 1927. Later, she worked for a few years at Frohlich’s and Lucerne’s Style Shops.

Mrs. Campbell was a former member of the Ponca City Woman’s Club and the Iris Garden Club. She loved flowers, and with her husband, had a variety of flowers in the gardens around their former home at 920 West Grand, which, together they built. Very often passersby paused to admire their many beautiful flowers. She enjoyed crocheting afghans and clothing for family and friends, cooking, reading, attending church as long as she was able, and dearly loved being with and doing things for her family.

Mrs. Campbell was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ponca City for 66 years and the Disciple’s Sunday School class. For several years she taught junior girls Sunday School classes.

Survivors include her daughter, Louise Trout and son-in-law, Jack Trout of Ponca City; three granddaughters, Dr. Edwina Louise Trout of Oklahoma City, Gloria Elizabeth Trout of Norman, and Julie Dell Lombardi of Tulsa; three great-grandchildren, Caroline Campbell Cox, Brennan John Lombardi, and Megan Elizabeth Lombardi. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dell, on March 1, 1977, her parents, two sisters, and two brothers.

Memorial may be made to the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, c/o First Baptist Church, 218 South Sixth Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.

paid obituary

Fred B. Winslow

Fred B. Winslow, Ponca City resident, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998, at Westminster Village. He was 86.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, Dec. 3, 1998, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ed Coy Light, pastor, officiating. There will be no viewing or visitation at the funeral home. Arrangements are by Trout Funeral Home.

Mr. Winslow was born Aug. 24, 1912, in the Detroit, Kan. Community. On July 3, 1938, he married Catharine M. Robson, of the Carlton, Kan., Community. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army’s 733 Railroad Operative Battalion in England, France and Germany.

Mr. Winslow worked as a lumberman and owned Winslow Lumber Co. in Garber, Okla., from 1972 until retiring in 1985. In March 1996, he and his wife moved to Ponca City. Mr. Winslow was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Temple and the Shriners. He served as Rainbow Dad for 10 years to the Garber Chapter of the Rainbow Girls and was an active supporter of youth and church activities.

He is survived by his wife, Catharine of the home; two sons, Don E. and wife Betty of Littleton, Colo. and Dale A. and wife Hollie of Ponca City; foster daughter, Pattie Simmons and husband Jeff of Utica, Mich.; sister, Linnie Mae Meuli of Cheyenne, Wyo.; three grandchildren, Edward Winslow, Jamie Lynn Winslow and Chad Allen Winslow. In addition to his parents, two sisters, Sylvia Adam and Ruth Hettenbach, and a brother, William J. Winslow, preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.

paid obituary

NEWS BRIEFS

Partee Completes Basic — Navy Seaman Recruit John M. Partee, son of Rusty and Judy Partee of Braman, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. He finished the eight-week program, completing a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, fire fighting, water safety and survival, also receiving instruction on the Navy’s core values. He is a 1998 graduate of Braman Public Schools.

Being Relocated, or in town for a short time. We have homes

available by the month or longer. All homes are full furnished with

appliances, furniture, linens, pots and pans. Inclusive of cable,

local phone, and utilities. Please call 580-762-7980 or 580-718-0681.

adv.

Meeting Cancellation — The Dec. 2 meeting of the Ponca City Council of Garden Clubs is canceled due to the open house on Sunday, Dec. 6.

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. adv.

Winter Concert — The Frontier Schools Music Department will be presenting its annual Winter Concert on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Frontier School Auditorium. This year’s theme is “Carols from Around the World.” No admission will be charged.

Sandblasting, Small jobs. Wally

Dungan. 718-0261 Ponca City. adv.

Cards, Skip-Bo — Cards, Skip-Bo, Kings Corner and Pitch will be held Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, 319 West Grand Avenue.

Every Wednesday ð price clothes, shoes except priced

items. Check our daily specials. Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and

Central. adv.

Attempted Break-In — Police were alerted at 7:10 a.m. Monday that someone had apparently attempted a break-in at Steamatic Carpet Cleaning, 501 South Pine Street. An officer was assigned.

Instant Passport pictures. Graham Photo, 201 North First, 765-

4348. adv.

Assault — At 11:28 p.m. Monday an assault in the 500 block of North Osage Street was reported to police. An officer was assigned and an assault and battery report was taken.

Unlawful Entry — A woman in the 300 block of South Peachtree Street contacted police at 9:15 a.m. Monday reporting that someone had entered her residence and done damage. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Altercation — At 10:15 a.m. Monday a fight at Clarke Street was reported to police. A police report was taken.

Burglary — A man in the 300 block of East Hazel Avenue reported a vehicle burglary to police at 10:41 a.m. Monday. An officer assigned took a report.

Accident — A two-vehicle, non-injury accident in the 700 block of East Hartford Avenue was reported at 12:11 p.m. Monday.

Accident — Police were called to the scene of an accident at South Thirteenth Street and East South Avenue at 3:45 p.m. Monday.

Fraud — At 3:58 p.m. Monday police made a report on a fraud at Ball Trophy, 106 East Grand Avenue.

Assault — At 5:15 p.m. Monday a woman in the 3500 block of North Union Street called police advising them of an assault that occurred on Nov. 26. An officer was assigned.

Attempted Theft — A woman in the 1000 block of North First Street contacted police reporting that a child on a bike had tried to steal her Christmas lights. An officer was assigned.

Stolen Bike — At 6:25 p.m. Monday a bike was reported stolen from the Ponca City Library, 515 East Grand Avenue.

Gas Drive-Off — Police were advised at 7:08 p.m. Monday of a gas drive-off from Ronny’s Westbury Market, 2911 North Union Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — At 7:40 p.m. Monday a man in the 400 block of North Oak Street advised police that a pickup truck had hit another vehicle in front of his residence. An officer was assigned.

Arrest — Police arrested a 20-year-old man at 12:10 a.m. Tuesday from the 500 block of North Osage Street on two Kay County warrants.

Arrest — A 26-year-old man was arrested at North Union Street and Brookfield Avenue at 3:44 a.m. Tuesday for driving under the influence, driving under suspension, no insurance and operating a motor vehicle involved in a personal injury accident. A vehicle was towed from the scene.

LIFESTYLES

Christmas Gala 1998 Food Is Set To Please
Eta Delta Plans Service Projects
Xi Zeta Lambda Plan Christmas Activities

Christmas Gala 1998 Food Is Set To Please

The 1998 Christmas Gala set for Saturday at the Marland Mansion will include, as always, a delicious array of food created by Apple Cart Caterers.

Steve Ellenwood, Kelli Enevoldsen and Wayne Yerger have over 30 years combined catering service and this years Gala will be the fourth year for the group to create the wonderful culinary treats Gala attendees expect and praise.

This year Apple Cart will please everyone's palates with selections such as smoked salmon, burgundy mushrooms, hot Mexican dip and chips, chicken drummies, shrimp dip, pinecone cheese balls, pork tenderloin with raspberry sauce and assorted desserts.

Food and beverage will be located in both the Chapel and main Mansion on all levels when the doors open at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to enter at the Chapel as well as the main Mansion entrance. There will be hat and coat checks in both locations and entertainment and food will also be available. A Coffee Bar will be set up in E.W.'s Restaurant with entertainment from 8:30 until 11:30 p.m.

Items donated from various local merchants and artists for The Arts & Humanities Council Silent Auction will be on display on the lower level in the Inner Lounge and bids will be accepted from 7:00 until 10:30 p.m.

Tickets are $35 and include three complimentary drink tickets. The tickets may purchased from local financial institutions, The Chamber of Commerce, at the Marland Mansion and the Hotel and Conference Center.

Eta Delta Plans Service Projects

Members of Eta Delta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met Nov. 23 in the home of Marilyn Jouret. Wanda Sheehan presided with 12 members present.

Betty Wyatt reported on the November and December service projects. In November a donation was sent to the Friendship Feast program at First Christian Church and, as the December project, selected residents at Tender Heart Health Care will receive Christmas gifts from the chapter.

There were 21 members/guests in attendance at the Progressive Dinner on Nov. 20. For the Dec. 10 Christmas Social members/guests will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres at the American Legion followed by the Letterman’s Show at the Poncan Theater.

Paula Harryman will host a Dec. 14 dinner and secret sister gift exchange. Nancy Taylor received the Beta Bud Basket and Pat Sipe won the door prize.

Members enjoyed an informational program of Fascinating Facts presented by Marilyn Jouret.

Xi Zeta Lambda Plan Christmas Activities

Christmas plans and activities were the main topic of the Nov. 19, 1998, meeting of Xi Zeta Lambda chapter of Beta Sigma Phi with 13 members in attendance. The chapter girls Christmas gift exchange will be held at the home of Terri Whiting on Dec. 17. The party will be a wine and cheese party with each member bringing their favorite wine and cheese to share. Lila Logan, historian co-chair, asked each member to add to their Christmas wish list to aid their secret sisters in selection of gifts.

The annual Christmas cocktail party for members and spouses or guest will be held Dec. 19 hosted by Dottie and Danny Johnstone. The dress will be holiday festive.

Sue Robertson suggested helping a family in need of assistance for the holiday service project. Service committee will review and report at the next meeting. Phyllis Pledger, service co-chair, led members in the making of 72 Christmas Angels to be distributed to participants in the Meals on Wheels program.

Eta Zeta Chapter, originally sponsored by Xi Zeta Lambda, requested Xi Zeta Lambda to present the Exempler Ritual for five of their members. An invitation was extended to Eta Zeta Chapter to joint with Xi Zeta Lambda for their next meeting, Dec. 3, to be held in the home of Carmalita Childers. The ritual will be presented at that time.

Chapter accepted the proposal to alter standing rule paragraph 12. Cookbook orders were verified, and Tobie Neal, a former member who recently moved to Eureka Springs, sent a thank you card and advised members of her new address.

Members were reminded to bring their pennies to play Tripoli at the Thanksgiving Traditional Dinner. Judy Mallory won the traveling basket. The meeting was adjourned, and dessert was served by Francie James, hostess.

BUSINESS

Former Conocoan Takes Stock in IPO Certificates
Dollar General Opening 3rd Store Here Thursday
Garroutte Products Moves Into Pleasant View Facility
City Sales Tax Receipts Up For September
OIC Storm Team Visits Blackwell
Ponca City Third in Growth
Gift Items Solicited

Former Conocoan Takes Stock in IPO Certificates

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

A lot of Conoco employees and retirees are watching the results of the Conoco IPO, but none are probably more interested than William “Bill” McCann, of Ponca City, who retired as a financial analyst with Conoco.

McCann is hoping to get his IPO stock soon to add to his collection. Some of the framed stock that McCann has means more to him than others as his signature or facsimile appears on them.

One grouping begins with Marland Oil (which he did not sign), another is Continental and then there is Conoco.

Prior to going to work for Conoco, McCann was manager of stock and bond transfer for Penn-Central Transpiration Company, a Fortune 500 Company, in New York City. He was transfer agent for the parent company and 13 subsidiaries, register of bonds for 84 bond issuances and also assistant treasurer for a railroad.

“I had a lot of hats to wear on that deal. The Pennsylvania merged with the New York Central. They filed for bankruptcy 18 months later and I stayed four years hoping it would turn around.

“I always wanted to be with a viable corporation. I started looking around and Conoco heard that I was available and they were opening a new transfer office, their securities had been transferred by Morgan Guarantee Trust office for years and that was set up when the rug was snapped out from under Marland and Dan Moran was sent out here at that point in time,” McCann said.

“In 1974, Conoco decided to bring their transfer function in house because they wanted to serve their shareholders better and at that point in time there was a paper crunch and the banks that were doing the transfers functions on behalf of the corporation were so tied up in paper they weren’t servicing their accounts properly and so Conoco thought it could do it cheaper.”

He left Penn-Central company in 1974, and that same month Conoco opened the stock transfer office in Saddle Brook, N.J. His title was assistant manager of security transfer at that point and later became transfer agent.

He explained, “After the stocks are issued you have to have a bank registered and they call that the registrar, a bank can transfer the shares like Morgan was doing, but Morgan would have to have another bank register them. These are all convoluted regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Securities and Exchange Commission was the regulator for anything you did. It was a check from one to the other.”

He added, “The transfer function is to transfer securities from one owner to another. A broker will be approached by an individual and the individual says ‘I want a hundred shares of Conoco and the broker goes on the open market as swiftly as possible and purchases those shares on behalf of the individual.

Years ago they used to issue a certificate in that individual’s name. Now most of the transactions are paper transactions. What they do is they keep the certificate as opposed to putting it in the individual’s name. They set up an account for that individual and account for 100 shares in that account but they don’t issue them any shares. They have his shares represented in a single certificate. So it has eliminated the issuance of shares,” McCann said.

“It used to be one certificate was canceled and one certificate was issued. You can have a dozen or a 100 accounts and those certificates are purchased by the broker and put in a nominee name and recorded to the account of the individual or the 100 individuals.”

McCann received his education in business administration at Rutgers University.

He affiliation with Conoco goes back to Continental Oil Company when he managed the security transfer office in Saddle Brook, N.J. He later transferred to Ponca City and was a financial analyst in the treasury department, retiring in 1985.

“I had to sign each and every certificate that was issued by Penn-Central. That was before facsimile signatures. The facsimile came in late.” On one occasion he transferred 6,000 certificates to a Swiss bank and had to sign each one”

Conoco Unique

The Saddle Brook office was moved to Ponca City in 1975, a year after it was opened. “We were unique in the industry because we were the first ones to transfer securities out of New York City to Saddle Brook N.J.. And then we were the first to transfer securities anywhere in the United States as far away as Ponca City. At the time we opened the office here we would transfer the securities during the day and then mail them airmail overnight to New York City.

“We would take them out to the Ponca plane and the plane would go to Tulsa, the pilots would drop the shipment at the Tulsa U.S. Post office and they would ship them to LaGuardia and they would wind up at Wall Street.”

McCann said, “We ceased transfer in 1981 when DuPont took over. After that I was there in cash management and banking.”

When the DuPont take-over occurred there were 112 million shares outstanding of common stock.

Initially the offering was to issue 150 million shares at roughly $23 a share but they indicated that they had more than they had anticipated by 41.5 million shares.

According to McCann, “DuPont still has a 70 percent hold on the remaining shares. It sets up Conoco with a $14.4 billion capitalization. Which sets them in pretty good stead. At one point in time, when the initial offering took place, a day or two afterwards Conoco was out performing Exxon and Mobile.”

Dollar General Opening 3rd Store Here Thursday

Customers in Ponca City will have a new place to shop for consumable basic merchandise at discounted prices when Dollar General opens its new store located at 801 West Grand Avenue. The grand opening is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday.

This is the third Dollar General location in Ponca City. The original store is at 304 East Grand. The second location is between Hastings and Hobby Lobby in 2900 block of North Fourteenth.

The new 7,900-square-foot store will employ approximately six to 10 people, including the store manager.

With more than 3,500 neighborhood stores in 24 states throughout the Midwest and Southeast, Dollar General serves customers with a variety of basic items including home cleaning supplies, housewares, foods/snacks, health and beauty aids, and basic apparel.

“For nearly 60 years, we have tried to be responsive to the ever-changing needs of our customers,” said chairman and CEO Cal Turner Jr. “Today, we are much more than a retailer that buys and sells merchandise—rather, we are a customer-driven distributor of the consumable basics.”

Dollar General was the first true “Dollar Store” retailer, in that it founded the concept of even dollar price points. Today, customers can find more than 1,500 items priced at just $1, and few items in the store cost more than $25. The company’s low, even dollar price points offer customers great values every day, and because of that, there are no sales at Dollar General.

“Our customers are the most deserving, hard-working people you’ll ever meet. Smart, too. They have to be. Whether it’s a mother working by herself to keep three kids in school clothes, a person on a fixed income, or young families trying to make the payments on their first home, our customers must be smart shoppers. We are committed to everyday low prices they can count on 365 days a year, and we put our stores right in their neighborhood.”

Dollar General is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., with administrative offices and a distribution center in Scottsville, Ky. The company also has distribution centers in Homerville, Ga.; Ardmore,Okla.; South Boston, Va.; Indianola, Miss.; and Villa Rica, Ga. A seventh distribution center in Fulton, Mo., is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 1999.

Dollar General is a publicly held company. Common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “DG.” For fiscal 1998, Dollar General reported sales of $2.6 billion.

Dollar General’s web site is www.dollargeneral.com.

Garroutte Products Moves Into Pleasant View Facility

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

Garroutte Products has moved from No. 5 Building in the Darr Industrial Complex to 4372 North Pleasant View Road. The move has allowed the leather manufacturer to increase the production area and add a showroom for its products, according to Dean Garroutte, owner.

Garroutte Products began in No. 10 at Darr Industrial Complex and two years later moved to No. 5.

The business is now located in a buildings that for a time were occupied by a motorcycle shop and later by a marina. At one time the back building was used by Pioneer Technology Center to train employees for the Huffy Bicycle plant.

The company, which markets leather products all over the United States, Canada and Europe with emphasis on Germany, moved from a building of about 8,000 square feet to the two-building complex that has a combined total of 20,000 square feet. Of that footage about 3,600 square feet is devoted to office and showroom space.

Currently Garroutte Products, which are often marketed under the Circle G brand, has 22 employees. The firm specializes in saddles and tack. The showroom will include these products as well as gift items such as boot scrapers, polished long horns and skulls, roping supplies and some jewelry. Other products include breast collars, bridles, head stalls, cow and horse halters, saddle pads and saddle bags. The shop will be open Monday through Friday. Recently the firm has published a new catalog.

Dean Garroutte, a native of Ponca City, graduated from high school in 1967, did a stint in the Navy and joined Conoco here. After eight years with Conoco, he entered the leather business.

City Sales Tax Receipts Up For September

Ponca City sales tax return from the Oklahoma Tax Commission for business conducted during September was up compared to the same time period last year. Ponca City coffers will receive a total of $832,545 up from $674,661 for the same time frame in 1997.

Marc LaBossiere, finance director for the city of Ponca City, notes that when comparing year-over-year sales tax collections, the recent voter approved a dedicated half cent sales tax to renovate and expand the No. 1 Fire Station must be considered.

This tax equates to 14.29 percent of total collections, or $118,935 in the current month. This tax went into effect Dec. 1, 1997 and will expire on Nov. 30, 1999.

Factoring out the new dedicated tax, and comparing year-over-year collections on retail sales, total sales tax collections in the current month have increased from the same period of the prior year by 5.77 percent, according to LaBossiere.

Statewide, the distribution of city sales tax collections totaled $71,647,902. The disbursement of sales tax collections to 487 cities and towns showed an increase of $8,343,879 from the $69,304,023 a year ago.

Use Tax

In addition to sales tax, the City of Ponca City receives a use tax, which is paid on catalog sales or materials purchased out of state and delivered here. The use tax distributed by the Oklahoma Tax Commission to the City in October totaled zero compared to the same time frame in 1997, which totaled $36,733. The reason there was zero tax returned from the Oklahoma Tax Commission is that a company turned in a tax credit. LaBossiere, who did not identify the company, said that he expected next month’s return show a zero collection.

City Sept. 98 Sept. 97

Barnsdall $11,866 $10,630

Bartlesville 951,207 901,949

Billings 18,786 8,825

Blackwell 81,585 90,760

Braman 3,296 2,117

Burbank 382 426

Deer Creek 632 1,345

Enid 1,179,405 1,142,556

Fairfax 14,804 12,071

Kaw City 2,597 2,132

Lamont 2,093 1,828

Marland 758 864

Medford 24,016 11,025

Morrison 3,236 5,457

Newkirk 22,475 22,615

Pawhuska 54,947 56,773

Pawnee 44,010 28,858

Perry 80,941 38,572

Pond Creek 7,045 6,453

Ralston 1,107 1,791

Red Rock 631 760

Shidler 2,350 2,486

Stillwater 1,049,219 997,584

Tonkawa 37,672 37,786

OIC Storm Team Visits Blackwell

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

BLACKWELL — During the past year the “storm team” of the Oklahoma Insurance Commission (OIC) has made nine trips around the state to assist people with their claims. The team was in Kay County Wednesday to do just that.

The OIC exists as a safety net for the consumer. As a result, the insurance industry is highly regulated. Companies must be licensed to do business here. Business practices are monitored. Books are scrutinized. Under Oklahoma’s system of regulation, most potential problems with a licensed company can be identified and dealt with long before they become serious, according to the OIC.

Flood Catastrophic

Kay County was one of those areas declared catastrophic as a result of mother nature’s freaky tricks. The “storm team” in this instance was made up of the duo of Gary D. Chartier, assistant commissioner, and Nikki Neal, were in the area to assist with claims from the late October and early November floods.

To date about two dozen claims have been filed from the area. Chartier said sometimes folks get upset because the adjustors haven’t called on them and often it is because the complainer does not have insurance in the first place.

The first rule is to be sure the adjustor is licensed, by asking to see the license, according to the “storm team.”

Other areas the “storm team” has been called to this year have been mostly from tornadoes, such as in Shawnee, Prague, Shawnee and Pawnee. The team comes in about a month after the disaster, which gives the adjustors time to canvass the area.

The insurance personnel noted that there is no grace period on property and advised insurance clients to read their policy and have their agent go over the policy with them. One should know how the policy works and the limitations and exclusions.

Information Available

A variety of brochures is available from the Insurance Commissioner’s office and one of the most valuable is an inventory book for homeowners to list everything in their homes, in case the home is destroyed by fire, flood or tornado. Neel said one of the best ways to do this is to take pictures of the contents so they can be replaced.

Home Inventory a Must

One of the main functions of the Insurance Commission is to educate the public. Speakers put on programs upon request and there are about three dozen educational pieces provided to the public.

There is a variety of brochures geared for homeowners and/or renters. In addition to the Home Inventory File, others include Homeowners Insurance Buyers Guide; Title Insurance: What You Should Know; Real Estate Appraisers and You; Winter Fires: Home Safety Tips and Renters Insurance.

Other categories are Automobile, Natural Disasters, Information For Everyone; Health Care; Medicare and Medicaid; Seniors and Technical.

These free forms maybe obtained by calling (800) 522-0071.

Notes and Quotes

Ponca City Third in Growth

OKLAHOMA CITY — Ponca City is third in the state in job growth according to the 1999 Oklahoma Manufacturers Register.

Ponca City added a net of 744 new jobs, for an increase of 15.92 percent due to the register’s inclusion of another pork processing plant, Thorn Apple Valley Inc.

Oklahoma has seen manufacturing growth again this year, continuing a five-year trend, according to the Register. The state experienced net increases of 65 new plants and 6,504 new jobs, within the past 12 months.

The largest net job increase occurred in Guymon. The city, which had only 308 manufacturing jobs in last year’s edition, saw an increase of 2,350 jobs, thanks to the inclusion of the Seaboard Farms pork processing plant, bringing the total up to 2,658.

Second in net job increases is Tulsa with 1,395 for 3.09 percent rate of growth. A total of the 1,200 of Tulsa’s new jobs appeared in the register’s newly listed Whirlpool Corp., which relocated from Findlay, Ohio.

Gift Items Solicited

OKLAHOMA — Commercial Federal Bank’s branches in Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and Iowa will serve as collection sites for food, clothing and toys during the bank’s Seventh Annual Giving Tree event. Contributions dropped off at free-standing branches through Dec. 23 will be donated to local service organizations.

Branches will display a “Giving Tree” in their lobbies under which gifts may be placed. Anyone wishing to contribute to the drive may drop off items during regular business hours. The items most needed are non-perishable food items, toys for children of all ages and winter clothing such as hats, gloves, mittens, coats and socks.

SPORTS

Stoops Gets Nod As Latest in Line at Oklahoma
Grapplers Show Early Promise
Cougar Basketball

Stoops Gets Nod As Latest in Line at Oklahoma

By OWEN CANFIELD

AP Sports Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Bob Stoops has developed a reputation as a coach with great drive, something the University of Oklahoma hopes will serve him well as he takes over the Sooners’ program.

Stoops, 38, was to be named Oklahoma’s head coach during a news conference this afternoon.

A source close to Stoops, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Monday that Stoops was athletics director Joe Castiglione’s choice to replace John Blake, who was fired Nov. 22 after compiling a 12-22 record in three seasons.

‘‘It’s a great situation for Bobby,’’ the source said. ‘‘He’ll turn that program around and get it back to where it used to be.’’

Several media outlets also reported that Stoops had gotten the job. Castiglione, who conducted the search on his own, was not available for comment. He has said repeatedly that he wouldn’t comment until a coach was hired.

‘‘We don’t have anything to announce yet, but I would say it is looking very, very good,’’ OU president David Boren said Monday night.

Stoops played and coached at Iowa and was defensive coordinator at Kansas State before taking the same job at Florida three years ago.

As Florida’s coordinator, he transformed the Gators into an attacking, aggressive defense that helped them win a national championship in 1996 and at times has stolen the thunder from Steve Spurrier’s Fun ’N’ Gun offense.

Florida has been ranked in the nation’s top 15 in defense during each of Stoops’ seasons there.

Stoops will take over an Oklahoma program that boasts six national championships but has not had a winning season since 1993. The Sooners have gone 23-33-1 in the past five years under Gary Gibbs, Howard Schnellenberger and Blake.

‘‘Bob Stoops is a great fit for the University of Oklahoma,’’ OU regent Stephen F. Bentley, who was among a group of OU officials that interviewed Stoops during a nearly eight-hour meeting Sunday in Dallas, told The Daily Oklahoman.

A year ago, when he was mentioned for some coaching vacancies, Stoops said he wanted to be a head coach ‘‘when it’s the right time and the right place.’’

‘‘I think a lot of coaches rush into some bad situation,’’ he said then.

After getting beat 62-24 by Nebraska in the 1995 Fiesta Bowl, Spurrier went looking for the best defensive coordinator he could find. The search led him to Kansas State, which had the top-ranked defense in the country that year under Stoops.

It turned out to be a great fit. With the Gators’ playing bump-and-run coverage with plenty of pressure up front, they finished 14th in total defense in 1996 and were a perfect complement for an offense that averaged 50 points a game.

After the Gators won the national championship, Stoops turned down the job as head coach at Minnesota.

‘‘I didn’t want to be here and then be gone — ride the wave, jump on the national championship and then jump off,’’ he said then. ‘‘I just don’t believe in that. I believe whatever you do, you ought to accomplish something, and you need to be somewhere awhile before you do.’’

Stoops also had been mentioned as a candidate for the vacancy at Iowa, where Hayden Fry resigned last week.

Iowa athletics director Bob Bowlsby told The Des Moines Register that Stoops met Monday morning with school officials, but then decided to become head football coach at Oklahoma.

Bowlsby said he was disappointed by Stoops’ decision. He said Stoops knew after meeting in Atlanta with Iowa’s seven-member screening committee that he could be named Hawkeye coach as early as today or Wednesday, after all interviews were completed.

‘‘When we left the meeting, we felt as confident as anyone could that he understood that he was at the top or near the top of our list,’’ Bowlsby told the Register. ‘‘It never occurred to us that something like this might happen.’’

Stoops would become the fourth coach at Oklahoma since Barry Switzer resigned under pressure in 1989 after 16 seasons. Gibbs served six years, Schnellenberger lasted just one and then Blake followed.

Like Blake, Stoops comes to the job with no head coaching experience. But he has put together a strong record as a coordinator; Blake hadn’t served as a coordinator at any level.

Grapplers Show Early Promise

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

New Wildcat wrestling coach Todd Steidley was pleased with most of what he saw during the annual Red-Blue duals at Robson Fieldhouse Monday night.

“They’re in pretty good shape for this early,” Steidley said as the Cats prepared to open the season here Thursday with a dual against Owasso.

The coach was also pleased to have two grapplers — Toby Red Leaf and Jeremy Leavitt — off the injury list and scheduled to start Thursday.

But Steidley knows the Cats are not in as good health or in the kind of shape he would like going into a very tough early schedule.

Following the dual with the fast improving Rams, the Wildcats enter the Ark City Tournament Saturday, travel to nationally ranked Broken Arrow next Tuesday, go against Edmond Memorial on Thursday, Dec. 10, enter the Tulsa Union Tournament Dec. 11-12 and the host Jenks before the Christmas break.

Facing Class 6A’s top ranked Tigers of Broken Arrow, “will be a good barometer of where we stand,” Steidley says.

Although the Cats return no state or regional placers, there are a number of experienced wrestlers mixed in with the newcomers listed for Thursday’s lineup.

The scheduled starting lineup includes Demont Swindall at 103 pounds, Phillip Brotherton at 112, Shawn Lee at 119, Josh Bailey at 125, Clint Stafford at 130, Cody Grogan at 135, Scott Steichen at 140, Matt Littleton at 145, Michael Osborn at 152, either Kyle Duran or Blaine Empting at 160, Red Leaf at 171, Leavitt at 189, Jason Neurenburg at 215 and Justin Burnes at heavyweight.

That lineup, barring injuries or more ranking matches, will remain pretty much the same until the Christmas holidays.

“We will probably drop some kids down a weight over Christmas,” Steidley said. “We’ll be a tougher team after that.”

There were a few ranking matches Monday night, but most were warmups for Thursday.

“We wanted to give the kids the toughest matches we could,” Steidley said.

There were four falls recorded in the 13 matches, but most were close. The Red team won 30-21.

Mat Notes — There is one major rule change for high school wrestling this year and it concerns injuries time outs.

The new rule says that after the second injury time out, the opponent has the option of restarting the match down, up or in the neutral position.

Red-Blue Dual Results

Bailey d. Gibson, 8-5

Brotherton d. Arbona, 8-1

Lee p. Dewberry

Stafford d. Bailey, 10-5

Grogan p. Sharon

Lockett d. Steichen, 8-6 (OT)

Littleton d. Osborn, 5-3

Empting p. Schmauch

Red Leaf d. Duran, 12-8

Leavitt p. McDonald

Red Leaf d. Windler, 4-3

Miller d. Brooks, 8-6

Neurenburg d. Barnes, 5-3 (OT)

Cougar Basketball

8th Grade Boys Blue

The 8th grade boys blue team was bombed by a highly talented Woodward squad on Monday, falling 68-30.

Woodward launched to a 27-6 lead in the first quarter and never let up, taking a 38-17 lead at halftime, then went on to hold the Cougars (2-3) to single-digit scoring in the final two quarters.

“They were amazing,” said coach Mike Ratliff. “They had one guy who outscored our whole team (32 points).”

Steven Morris led the Cougars with 8 points, followed by Kyle McGenity with 7, David Sikes with 5, Chance Hunt with 4, while Kenneth White, Matt Dexter, Timothy Kana and Jessop LaRue all had 2.

The Blues travel to Enid to take on Longfellow, today. Tip off is at 3:30.

8th Grade Girls Blue

The 8th grade girls Blue team took a hit from Woodward on Monday, falling 46-25.

Woodward held the Poncans to just two points in the first quarter, and went on to take a 26-13 lead at half. They expanded that lead with a 13-5 advantage in the third quarter, and held on for the win.

“They’re the best we’ve played,” said coach Calvin English. “You have to be ready to play a team like that, and we just showed up to play. But those are the kind of teams we like to play — they’ll make us better.”

Brittany Cook, Chelsea Hill and Sarah Adams led the Poncans with 6 points each, followed by Jamie Prado, Jerri Garza and Melissa Fore with 2 each, while Laura Sprehe had 1.

The blues host Enid Longfellow today at the Middle School. Tip of is at 4.

8th Grade Girls Red

The 8th grade girls Red team improved to a Mid-High best 4-1 on the season, Monday, pulling out an impressive win over Stillwater, 32-26.

Though they were down 15-12 at halftime, the Poncans — led by 13 points from Ann Ziegenhain — came back for the win.

“We played great defense,” said coach Tracy Scott. “The girls were pretty focused, and they were embarrassed after that loss (28-14) to Stillwater in the Broken Arrow Tournament. I was proud of them.”

Christin Nicks and Kristina Huddleson each had 5, Lauren Cartlidge and Ebony Phillips each had four, while Pam Snow had one.

The Reds host Enid Longfellow today, at the Middle School. Tip off is at 4.

The junior varsity girls also played Stillwater, but fell 23-18.

“(Stillwater) was playing with five of their varsity girls,” said Scott. “So I was proud of our girls for hanging in there as well as they did.”

9th grade boys Red (varsity)

ENID — After a shaky start, the 9th grade boys Red team defeated Enid Longfellow 49-38, last week, in their first game of the year.

After falling behind 14-9 in the first quarter, the Cougars came back to outscore Enid in the last three quarters to take the win.

“It was the first game of the year, and you could tell,” said coach Brad Parent. “First game jitters. But we started to relax there in the second quarter and played a whole lot better. And we played really good defense in the fourth quarter.”

Kyle Geheb led all scorers with 25 points, followed by Jeremy DeNoya with 12, Trevor Viljoen and Byron LeClair each had 4, while Matt Ellis and Robert Bushaw each had 2.

The Reds travel to Stillwater, Thursday.