LOCAL

Filings Indicating Several Races for Board Positions
Nearly News
District Court
Tulsa Attorney Here Saturday To Sign Copies of His Books

Filings Indicating Several Races for Board Positions

By KRISTI HAYES

News Education Editor

A total of 16 area candidates seeking positions on boards of education in Kay, Osage and Noble Counties for the regular school election on Feb. 8, 2000, have filed since Monday morning in school-board races. Filings were reported by election board personnel as of noon today.

In Ponca City, Michael W. Joosten filed for Office No. 4, a four-year term. The office is currently held by Kyle Keffer, who has announced he will not seek reelection.

For Pioneer Technology Center Office No. 3, a four-year term, Fred Haub, incumbent, will face challenger Robert A. Howard.

Three people have filed for Frontier I-4, Office No. 4, a five-year term. Incumbent David B. Beck will face opponents Cheryl D. Lane and Travis Wade Young.

In Blackwell I-87, Richard Zetterberg filed for Office No. 5, a five-year term, to face Rich Cantillon.

A board race has developed in Newkirk I-29 for Office No. 5, a five-year term between Keith W. Bowen and Terry Morton.

In other area races, the following people had filed Monday and Tuesday morning in Osage and Kay Counties:

— Robin Farrow for Kaw City C-84 Office No. 3 (unexpired term)

— Mark Cranford for Tonkawa I-87 Office No. 5 (five-year-term)

—Guy H. Lewis for McCord C-77, Office No. 1 (three-year-term)

— Dee Cooper for Shidler I-11, Office No. 5 (five-year-term)

— Rick Rice for Woodland I-90, Office No. 2 (four-year-term) and George W. Pease for Office No. 3, four-year-term.

Other Board of Education offices which had no filings as of press time were:

— Braman I-18, Office No. 5 (five-year-term)

— Kaw City C-84, Office No. 2 (three-year-term)

— Kildare C-50, Office No. 1 (three-year-term)

— Peckham C-27, Office No. 2 (three-year-term)

— Billings I-2, Office No. 5 (five-year-term)

— Shidler I-11, Office No. 5 (five-year-term)

— Burbank C-20, Office No. 1 (three-year-term)

Filing Closes

All Kay County filings must be made at the Kay County Election Board in Newkirk, filings for Osage County must be made at the Osage County Election Board in Pawhuska, and filings for Noble County must be made at the Noble County Election Board in Perry. Filings will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 8.

Nearly News

If you’re out looking at all the Christmas lights, you might want to drive by the front lawn at the high school on Wednesday, Dec. 8 to see the luminaries. The event is sponsored by the Po-Hi Student Council.

Red faced is Nearly News to report that some of the names in a sports story on Sunday from the Lutheran seventh and eighth grade basketball games at Peckham were misspelled. Sorry about that Emily Beier, Becky Duckwall and Eric Schatte. Keep on winning as you take on Bartlesville Wesleyan Thursday!

District Court

Newkirk

Marriage Licenses

William Ray Hutton, 37, and Rebecca Lynn Worley, 36, both of Ponca City.

Mark Eugene Beard, Jr., 20, and Morgan Leigh Jack, 18, both of Blackwell.

James I. Nease, 54, and Theresa D. Shoemaker, 41, both of Kaw City.

Keith Gene Feezor, 35, and Crystal Gail Rhodd, 21, both of Paducah, Ky.

Civil Petitions

Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corp. vs. Dale W. Davis, et al.; plaintiff seeking judgment for $19,723.89.

First Select Corporation vs. Lou A. Gray, plaintiff seeking judgment for $3,136.96.

Credit Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC vs. Tammy Walls, et al.; plaintiff seeking judgment for $30,759.01.

Bank of Oklahoma vs. Marsha L. Zembower, et al.; plaintiff seeking judgment for $94,055.15.

Blackwell

Divorces Sought

Margaret R. Lattimer vs. Cecil C. Lattimer.

Civil Petitions

Creditors Recovery Corp. vs. Bridget Smith and Paul Smith; plaintiff seeking judgment for $7,765.34.

Bankers Trust Company of California vs. Jeffrey L. Carnall, et al.; plaintiff seeking judgment for $38,735.40.

Ponca City

Divorces Sought

Kristian Leigh Alton vs. Vincent Hill Alton.

Lori Lee Keeler vs. Richard P. DeBelle.

Twila Lark Christina Root vs. Mayo Thurston Root Jr.

Judith Ann White vs. Harold James White.

Milissa Denise Lawson vs. Kevin Leroy Lawson.

Kimberley Eileen McDonald vs. James Scott McDonald.

Roseann Cummings vs. James Stacey Cummings.

Christy Jean Short vs. James Lee Short.

Jacquelin Lynn Estes vs. Michael James Estes.

Divorces Granted

Susan S. Copple vs. Kevin L. Copple.

Cissy Helina Anderson vs. Joel Gray Anderson.

Civil Petitions

Farmers Insurance Company vs. April McWhitney; plaintiff seeking judgment for $10,000.

Wanda Richardson vs. Ponca City Nursing Home Inc.; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.

Central Bank vs. Robert G. Carlile; plaintiff seeking judgment for $4,942.45.

Jeremy Jeanneret vs. Jeremy Ladell Ball; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.

Regina Malaska vs. Ponca City Board of Education; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.

Kevin Jeanneret, et al., vs. Christopher Lynn Buck; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.

Larry Jones vs. Southwestern Bell Telephone; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.

Lillian Thorp vs. Jimmie Lee Martin, et al.; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.

Tulsa Attorney Here Saturday To Sign Copies of His Books

William Bernhardt is returning to Ponca City to sign copies of his books and visit with readers at Brace Books & More on North Fourteenth Saturday, Dec. 11, from 2 to 4 pm.

Tulsa attorney and author Bernhardt made his debut as a novelist in 1992 with a book called “Primary Justice.” It became a national bestseller and went through eight printings in its first three months.

Since then, he has published eight more novels which have sold millions of copies and have appeared on bestseller lists all across the nation. His books have been translated and published in more than a dozen countries.

The title of his most recent legal thriller, featuring fictional Tulsa attorney Ben Kincaid, is “Dark Justice,” which is being released in paperback format this month. This series has won him critical acclaim. Library Journal called the author a “master of the courtroom drama,” and the Associated Press said he “throws in just enough plot twists to foil most armchair detectives.”

Taking a holiday from this genre, Bernhardt wrote a suspenseful, pulse pounding tale of Christmas time crime with all the trimmings, and titled it “Midnight Before Christmas.” The paperback version comes out this month.

With the town all but shut down for the holidays, attorney Megan McGee races against time — and terror — to keep an out-of-control cop from turning Christmas Eve into a ‘slay’ ride.

The book cover offers this unsettling verse: “Tis the day before Christmas, and all through the town, someone evil’s at large. spreading mayhem around!”

Bernhardt says he wanted to be a writer as long as he can remember. He started early, and received his first rejection letter at age eleven. Saying he “was devastated — but I got over it,” the would-be writer received “a lot more rejection letters after that one, until I finally sold my first novel in 1990.” That book was “Primary Justice” and was the beginning of the amazing Ben Kincaid series.

The author obtained his law degree at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where he was a member of the national championship moot court team. He worked as a trial lawyer at a large law firm for ten years and was repeatedly recognized for his pro bono work for the underprivileged and for his work with teenagers interested in law.

The Oklahoma Bar Association presented him with a special award for outstanding service to the public, and he was named one of the top 20 young lawyers in the nation by the American Bar Association’s Barrister magazine.

The Tulsa father of two serves on the board of directors of Tulsa Arts and Humanities Council, the board of directors of the Oklahoma Center for the Book, the writers advisory panel of the Oklahoma Arts Institute and Peggy V. Helmerich Literary Award selection committee.

Somehow he finds time to play the piano, write what he calls “bad songs” and construct crossword puzzles, which have been published in magazines and newspapers throughout the country, including The New York Times.

When asked about his writing habits, Bernhardt said, “I write every day, five hours a day (sometimes less on Sundays). I work on a computer with a 31-inch monitor and wireless keyboard, so I can lean back in a recliner on the opposite side of the room from the monitor, type on the keyboard in my lap, and still see my work. No back problems or carpal tunnel syndrome for me!”

Since he stopped practicing law (except for pro bono work), he says “I’ve been able to write in the mornings, first thing after I pack the kids off to school. It has been a real treat being able to write while my brain is fresh, rather than plugging away at it in the dead of night.”

Explaining that he does a good deal of advance planning before he ever sits down to write, the author says “If you want a plot that’s full of twists, turns, and surprises (and I do), then you have to do some advance planning. Those things just don’t happen by accident.”

Kirsten Bernhardt, his wife, is also an attorney and works at the public defender’s office in Tulsa. Their son Harry is six years old and is working on his own novel. He has written over 300 pages so far. Daughter Alice is three years old.

Readers often ask Bernhardt whether his protagonist, Ben Kincaid, is anything like the author himself, since they are both attorneys who practice in Tulsa. His answer is “When I created Ben, I tried not so much to create someone like me as to create someone whom I would like — figuring that if I liked him, perhaps others would, too. I doubt if Ben and I are precisely the same — for starters, I’m a much better lawyer. Still, I did put Ben in an environment that I understood. In many ways, particularly with his strong sense of what’s right and his dogged pursuit of justice, Ben is an ideal to which I can aspire.”

Asked about whether his novels are platforms for his own personal political or social agendas, the retired attorney said he figures if people are going to be reading, “maybe I ought to give them something worth reading about. All of my books have involved real-world issues, but it was in my fourth ‘Perfect Justice,’ that I really tried to write a more ambitious book, and to tackle a more complex subject.

“That book dealt with militias and similar hate groups — and was published more than a year before the tragedy in Oklahoma City. ‘Naked Justice’ dealt with the effects of heavy media coverage on the justice system, and my latest, ‘Dark Justice,’ has a strong environmental theme,” said Bernhardt.

DEATHS

Gina Renee Brown
Omer O. Chaney

Gina Renee Brown

FAIRFAX — Gina Renee Brown, resident of Fairfax, died Monday evening, Dec. 6, 1999, in an auto accident southwest of Ralston. She was 33. Survivors include her husband, Mark, and three daughters of the home. Arrangements are pending with Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home of Fairfax.

Funerals

Wednesday

Omer O. Chaney

Funeral will be 2 p.m. at Grace Memorial Chapel with burial on the Chaney family farm in Burbank.

NEWS BRIEFS

Senior Citizen Gift Certificates — Ponca Tribe is now giving out gift certificates to their elderly. Requirements are 60 years of age, enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe, reside in the area. Come to the Tribal Affairs Building between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Saturday special 4-8 p.m. All you can eat beef brisket with beans, potato

salad and coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at Citgo, 400 East South Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:53 a.m. Monday that someone had driven off without paying for $10 worth of gas. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Great Gift ! Needle point pillows, last Christmas of the century, 1999. Mrs. Brown’s Attic. Down

town Ponca City. adv.

Accident — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 8:33 a.m. Monday that an injury accident had occurred in the 2100 block of North Ash Street. An ambulance and rescue unit from the Ponca City Fire Department responded to the scene. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department were assigned and a report was taken.

Get Mobile with the help of our lift chairs, wheelchairs and walkers. Sale prices now through

Christmas on in stock or special order medical equipment at O’Connor Pharmacy, 1113 East

Hartford, 765-3055. As always, free delivery. adv.

Bicycle Abandoned — The Ponca City Police Department received a report at 9:53 a.m. Monday that a bicycle had been abandoned in a yard in the 2400 block of Eagle Road. Animal Control was notified to pick up the bicycle.

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.

Forgeries — A man was at the Ponca City Police Department at 10:51 a.m. Monday to report that several of his checks had been forged and passed at Wal-Mart. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Ponca City Pictorial History Books have arrived! Pick up your copy today! Will make a great

Christmas Gift! Ponca City News Business Office, 8:00-5:00, Monday thru Friday. adv.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of North Elm Street and West Broadway Avenue at 10 a.m. Monday that a 21-year-old man was being held for driving under suspension and having an expired inspection sticker.

Mel’s Clothing and Shoe, storewide sale. Get 25% off Mel’s prices. Adv.

Item Stolen — A man reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:18 p.m. Monday that someone had stolen an air conditioner from the rental property in the 800 block of South Twelfth Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

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.

Collision — A motorist reported to the Ponca City Police Department that a two-vehicle accident had occurred at the intersection of North Fourteenth Street and East Hartford Avenue at 4:25 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subjects Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 1000 block of Poplar Avenue at 12:24 p.m. Monday that a 38-year-old man was being held on a Cowley County (Kan.) warrant for failure to appear, and a 37-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay.

Accident — The Communications Center received a report of an accident at the intersection of North Fifth Street and Williams Avenue at 2:13 p.m. Monday. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a report was taken.

Every Wednesday - price clothes and shoes, except priced items. Check our daily specials.

Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and Central. adv.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident at the intersection of North Fourteenth Street and East Prospect Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:36 p.m. Monday. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.

Injury Accident — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 4:33 p.m. Monday that an accident had occurred at the intersection of South Avenue and South First Street. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a report was taken. A vehicle was towed from the scene and a Ponca City Fire Department ambulance took one person from the scene to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Harassment With Gun — A woman from the 1100 block of North Ash Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:11 p.m. Monday that her youngsters were being harassed by a subject. An officer was assigned and a report was taken that the harassment had included the pointing of a gun.

Items Missing — A man from the 200 block of North Sunset Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:34 p.m. Monday that someone had stolen his garage opener from his vehicle Sunday night. He reported that several items were missing from the garage, including a rifle and ammunition. An officer was assigned and information was logged.

Unwanted Dog on the Porch — A woman from the 700 block of North Lake Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:20 p.m. Monday that an unwanted dog was on her porch. An officer was assigned and the owner contacted and advised of the leash laws.

Bicycle Stolen — A man from the 300 block of North Osage Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:26 p.m. Monday that a bicycle had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Requests Assistance — A woman from the 1400 block of West Grand Avenue requested assistance from the Ponca City Fire Department at 10:51 p.m. Monday when a night light exploded in the wall plug-in. Two units from the department responded and handled the situation.

Uninvited Guest — The Communications Center received a 911 call from a woman in the 500 block of North Osage Street at 11:16 p.m. Monday that a man was sleeping in the utility room. Two officers were assigned and information was logged that the subject had crawled through an open window. The 27-year-old man was held for unlawful entry and public intoxication.

Vehicle Towed — An officer reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:42 a.m. Tuesday from the 800 block of North Lake Street that a 27-year-old man was being held for driving under suspension, expired registration, two Kay County warrants and no insurance. A vehicle was towed from the scene.

LIFESTYLES

The Neighborhood Chef
Little News

The Neighborhood Chef

By SHERRY MUCHMORE

Every Christmas, as tradition dictates, it is time for old favorites, those wonderful old holiday flavors we relate to the season and just can’t do without. The following is one of those Christmas favorites, a nutty-buttery cookie hand shaped into crescent moons.

Sand Tarts

Cream together:

2/3 cup butter (softened)

6 tablespoons powdered sugar

Blend in:

1 tablespoon vanilla

Then add:

2 cups all-purpose or cake flour

(I compromise and use 1 cup

cake and 1 cup all-purpose flour.

Cookies are lighter the more

cake flour used)

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Shape dough into crescents and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a slow oven at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove when they begin to brown. Cool slightly and roll in powdered sugar. Finish cooling and store in air tight container. Makes about 2 1/2 dozen.

This crisp little cookie is my favorite sugar cookie. Of course, every one has their own favorite depending on individual tastes. Some prefer a soft, cake-like texture and some prefer a crisper one such as this recipe. There’s something about the combination of almond and vanilla extracts that really make this cookie special and oh so good. No matter how many new ones tried, I keep coming back to this one over the years.

Sugar Cookies - Take Two

(because you can’t eat just one)

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

(sifted)

1 cup margarine (room

temperature)

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Cream sugar and margarine. Mix in egg and flavorings. Combine dry ingredients and blend into the sugar mixture. Chill for several hours. Roll dough thin on floured board and cut into desired shapes. Sprinkle with sugar, plain or colored. Bake at 350 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet for about 9 to 11 minutes or until light golden for cookies rolled to 1/8 inch thickness, longer for thicker cookies. Makes approx. 3 dozen average size cookies.

The dough can be frozen and thawed in the refrigerator. (I place the dough in baggies to chill or freeze).

The dough can be tinted with food coloring — do your own thing and make all kinds of designs — candy canes, holly with berries, Christmas trees with colored dough balls. Play with it, but don’t work dough too much or it will become tough. Here’s an idea: cut out a large round, then cut out with a small cut-out in center of the large round. In colored dough, cut-out the same small design again and place the colored design into the small cut-out in the large round. Bake as usual.

Now for those who like a softer cookie, one that just melts in your mouth, then here’s one for you. Mom made these and I got to help and now I make them for my family. They are great when you want decorated iced cookies. The flavor is that wonderful cream cheese flavor.

Christmas Cream Cheese Cookies

Cream together:

1 stick margarine (1/2 cup)

softened

4 ounces cream cheese,

softened

Blend into cream cheese

mixture:

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1teaspoon vanilla extract

Sift together and add to the above ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flour

1teaspoon baking powder

Roll the dough out on a floured board and cut with cookie cutters. Beat an egg and brush over the cut cookie shapes and bake in a 325 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes. Cool.

Note: Be careful not to burn the bottom of these. Best when using the air cushion cookie sheets.

These can be sugared prior to baking but are especially good for icing. We always made up a batch of frosting that we divided and tinted in different colors.

Cookie Frosting

1 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon margarine or butter

(softened)

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Combine and beat the above ingredients until smooth. Color as desired and ice enough for 48 cookies.

This next recipe is a great appetizer when served with cocktails or set out as an afternoon snack with coffee or a cup of hot tea. When my children were little, we’d make these pretty little crisp wafers, decorate an apothecary or fruit jar and fill with an assortment of the wafers. They made great teacher gifts. And, the kids got to help in the preparation.

Cheese Wafers

Cream together:

2 sticks (1 cup) butter or

margarine (softened)

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Add and thoroughly combine:

2 cups flour

Fold in:

2 cups grated sharp Cheddar

cheese (approx. 8-oz)

2 cups Rice Krispies

Roll into balls (about the size of a large acorn) and place on an ungreased cookie sheet; flatten with a fork, making criss-cross grooves. (Dip the fork into flour to keep it from sticking.) Sprinkle each wafer with either poppy seed or sesame seed, or leave plain. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Store in air tight containers. Makes approximately 6 dozen.

Send your recipes to: The Neighborhood Chef, c/o The Ponca City News, P.O. Box 191, Ponca City, OK 74602, or e-mail me at: chef@poncacitynews.com (All recipes become property of The Ponca City News.)

Little News

Toby and Jenifer Schieber of Newkirk announce the birth of a daughter at 8:59 p.m. Nov. 10, 1999. Katelyn Nicole Schieber weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces, and measured 20 1/2 inches long. She has a sister, Megan, 7, and a brother, Jared, 4.

Grandparents are Pat and Zeke Schieber of Newkirk, and Harold and Donna Riechers of Owasso. Great-grandparents are Bertha Schieber of Newkirk, and Russell McConnell of Clay Center, Kan.

BUSINESS

City Seeks Answers on Conference Center
Centerline Among One of Fast Growing Industries in Ponca City
Ponca City Board of Realtors Install New Officers, Directors
Grand Opening Of Pretty Paws Set Saturday
Firm To Build New Apartment Complex

City Seeks Answers on Conference Center

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

Mayor Tom Leonard at the Monday afternoon City Commission work session appointed an ad hoc committee to study what should be done with the Marland Estate Conference Center.

As of Dec. 15, the agreement between the City of Ponca City and Monumental Enterprises Inc. (MEI), will end at the request of David Myers, CEO of MEI. The agreement included a clause that either party could end the contract with 30 days notice.

The question before the ad hoc committee, which is to be chaired by Phyllis Kennedy, is “What to do with the facility?” Options appear to be, mothball the facility, raze the buildings or to find another means to keep it open.

All of the options require money. Razing would be about $400,000 and renovation is estimated at $385,000, which includes a new roof and boiler. Randy Lauritsen, City Engineer, said much of the estimated cost of razing is for asbestos abatement. No figures are yet available on moth balling.

While study is going on the building will continue to be heated at least until March 15, when the committee report is due.

The building is not original to the Marland Estate, but was constructed by the Order of Felician Sisters. At that time it was an unfinished building.

When the citizens of Ponca City, with a contribution from Conoco, bought the Estate in 1975, the charter Marland Estate Commission applied for and got an EPA grant of a million plus dollars to convert the structure to a small Conference Center with meeting and lodging rooms.

Thinking behind this idea was the Conference Center would the work horse to support the Estate. This turned out not to be the case over the long haul. The City ran the center until three years ago when it was leased by MEI. Neither operations proved to be profitable, however MEI did raise the occupancy. There was maintenance needed that on the building MEI did feel it should underwrite.

One of the questions to be answered is if the building is razed do the feds have to “okay” the demolition since federal funds were used. City Manager Gary Martin is of the opinion that no permission from the feds is needed.

After discussion among the City Commissioners, and hearing from Mrs. Kennedy, chairman of the Marland Estate Commission, Larry Stephenson, Marland Estate Foundation, and David Myers of MEI, Mayor Leonard appointed the committee.

Serving with Kennedy will be Lynda Clark and Richard Winterrowd of the Marland Estate Commission, Larry Stephenson, twice chairman of the Marland Estate, Charles Hollar, Mark Detten and Bill Lundeen of Conoco. Ex-officio members are David and Sarah Myers, Mayor Leonard and Martin.

Estimated cost of utilities for the next three months, until a permanent decision is made, will be about $5,000 a month. Shutting off the Chapel would save some money, but Martin said that both the roof and the boiler need to be replaced if the building is kept.

Myers said he did not feel the facility could be operated on a cash flow basis without being subsidized by the City of Ponca City. Myers, answering a question, said that Conoco had not used the Conference Center for six months. Stephenson said if the building could not be operated as a benefit to the community he felt it should be razed.

Commissioner Lyn Boyer was for razing the facility to stop the money drain. He later joined with Commissioner Chris Hand saying they would accept moth balling the facility. Commissioner Keni Ray said that “Moth balling will just be prolonging the agony.” All Commissioners were concerned about the possibility of needing to expend more supplemental funds on the Marland Estate, when more money is needed for economic development. Currently the Marland Mansion is subsidized about $107,000 a year.

Commissioner Dick Stone, said that he didn’t see a lot of hope for turning the Conference Center into any kind of viable business.

Kennedy said she planned to have a session with the ad hoc commission with Helen Hatlelid Hester as the facilitator. Public hearings are also planned. After the study, a report and public hearings, the City Commission will make the final decision on the future of facility in mid-March.

Mayor Leonard stressed the importance of the decision being made before the 2000-2001 budget hearing process.

Economic Development

In other discussion Commissioner Hand said he would like to have better communications with the Economic Development Advisory Board. He noted reports were given to the Chamber of Commerce on a regular basis but reports were not given regularly to the City.

Other members of the Board of Commissioners agreed more communication is desirable.

Martin said he will be recommending that the Advisory Board meet in the Municipal Courtroom, where the City Commission meets and that when the new Civic Center is finished there will be an office there for economic development. He said more communication will be forthcoming.

Martin announced that Street Department head Corky Gammon will be retiring and a reception has been set from 2 to 4 p.m., in Marland Mansion on Friday. Gammon has worked for the City for 44 years.

Centerline Among One of Fast Growing Industries in Ponca City

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

One of the fastest growing industries in Ponca City is Centerline Inc., which is doubling the size of its present plant. The firm makes and repairs precision spindles and has increased in size five times since it was established at Pioneer Technology’s incubator in October 1994.

A spindle is actually a small machine sitting in a big machine and doing all the work. Centerline repairs spindles as small as dental equipment and as large as aircraft and automotives.

Some of the better known companies the Ponca City firm does business with are Boeing, Raytheon, Ford Motor Company, Grainger, 3M and American Airlines.

Engster says there is a possibility that Centerline could end up as the authorized dealer and repair facility for the midwest for GMN of Germany. This company is the largest spindle manufacturer for high tech spindles in the world.

Currently the company, owned and operated by Michael A. Engster and son, Stephan, is in the process of building a new addition at it’s plant at 2110 North Ash Street.

Last year the firm did about two and a half million dollars in sales. The company currently employees 19 and the payroll is about $600,000.

With the new expansion will come more equipment and more employees, according to Engster. This will mean a need for more skilled employees. Engster said it takes about two years of training on the job for employees to become skilled.

Some of the company’s new equipment includes computer design which can be worked on in the plant and with a client at a distance. Which beats the drafting board, Engster says.

In 1995 Centerline Inc., received the Incubator Tenant of the Year, award from the Oklahoma Incubator Association.

The company was named the Small Industry of the Year in 1998, by the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Active in the community, Engster is a member of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and a member of Pioneer Area Vo-Tech Advisory Board.

The new addition will include an expanding assembly area, which has a “clean room,” an engineering department and inspection and testing area.

Centerline has a web site at www.Centerline-inc. com. Other advertising is through the Thomas directory and various trade publications.

Ponca City Board of Realtors Install New Officers, Directors

New officers and directors were installed at the annual banquet for the Ponca City Board of Realtors held recently at the Ponca City Country Club. One hundred members, spouses. affiliate members and guests attended.

Jan Jarrett President and CEO of the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce was the master of ceremonies and administered the oath of office for the new officers and directors.

Bryan Streeter was installed as president. Other officers for the year 2000 are: Mike Nash. president-elect, Janie Gearhart, secretary, and Toni Stracener, treasurer. Elected directors included Rachel Gravel, realtor associate director, Fran James, James Smith. Tommie Chesnutt, and C.W. Barber, immediate past president.

Award presentations included the respected “Realtor of the Year” presented to a Realtor/Broker who has actively participated in their local and state associations, displayed exemplary conduct and dedication as well as maintaining and improving the standards of the profession. C. W. Barber of Century 21, Group One Inc. received the honor.

Another special honor is the “Eagle Award.” This is bestowed upon the person in honor and recognition of outstanding achievements, or deeds performed by a Realtor or member of the community. This year’s recipient was Barney Barnwell, owner of Barney’s Barber Shop.

Among Barney’s many accomplishments are: Jaycee of the Year twice. Oklahoma Jaycee Governor, one of three Outstanding Young Oklahomans, Member of Ponca City Main Street Authority and he has won the “Five Who Care” Award from Channel 5.

Beverly Cunningham of Century 21, Group One Inc. was awarded the “Most Cooperative Realtor Associate.” This award designates a Realtor Associate that exemplifies professional courtesy, knowledge and professionalism in conducting their day to day business within the Realtor community.

Bill Bray of Coldwell Banker, Heritage was presented the “Realtor Associate” award. This is given to a Realtor Associate in recognition of conduct related to the Realtor’s code and standards, as well as their participation and support of the Board’s committees and activities.

A special award this year was given to nine Realtors who have worked in the Real Estate Profession for over 25. years.

They are Norma Griffith, Roberta Ford, Marilyn Dorris, Bud Curran, Pat Drake, Bette Lee, Del Rowe, Jeanne Rowe and Dick Sturdevant.

Outgoing President, C.W. Barber. presented the gavel to incoming President Bryan Streeter and Streeter in turn presented Barber with the past president’s plaque.

In closing. Streeter spoke to the group about plans for the coming year.

Grand Opening Of Pretty Paws Set Saturday

Grand opening of Pretty Paws, a dog and cat grooming service, is slated for 10 a.m., to 2 p.m., Saturday. The grooming parlor is located at 105 North Second.

The business is owned by Terri Pinegar. Pinegar grew up in Ponca City and attended dog grooming school in 1995. She has had ten years experience in the business. Her experience includes working for two local veterinarians and operating a mobile grooming service for a short time.

Appointments are being taken for professional and personalized all breed dog and cat grooming.

The business hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m., to 5:30 p.m., and walk ins are welcome from 9 a.m., to 12:30 p.m.

The public is welcome to attend the opening and there will be a drawing for a free grooming. Food and soda for the celebration will be sponsored by Peter’s German Bratwurst.

Firm To Build New Apartment Complex

Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency has announced that Ponca City is one of the sites of eight affordable housing developments which will receive over $1.3 million federal housing tax credits. The eight housing projects total 405 affordable units.

The Ponca City development will be Copper Ridge Apartments at North Waverly Street and West Highland Avenue. The contractor is Copper Ridge Apartments, Limited Partnership, Justin Zimmerman.

The apartment complex includes 54 units and the tax credit is $283,800.

The other seven developments will be located in Bristow, Vinita, Collinsville, Tulsa, Norman, Fort Gibson and Cushing. According to Executive Director Dennis Shockley, six of the eight developments are in rural areas and will result in 283 units for rural Oklahoma.

A federal incentive program, tax credits are offered to private developers to encourage construction or rehabilitation of affordable apartment complexes and single family homes. Developers use tax credits to lower construction costs and pass the savings in lower monthly rents onto residents.

The apartments are owned and managed by private for-profit and non-profit organizations, and typically offer the same quality of amenities and maintenance comparable to market rate apartments.

OHFA is the state’s largest provider of affordable housing. OHFA offers low interest rate home loans, rental assistance, a family self-sufficiency program, housing tax credits to encourage affordable rental developments and HOME dollars for rural housing development. The agency also offers programs that help homeless individuals and those living with special needs.

SPORTS

Chelsie Baldwin One Step Closer
PC Cagers Try Easier Foe Today
Wildcat Wrestlers Have Gotta Believe
Mavs Rebound, Slam Bacone
Freshmen Girls Win
Cat Sophs Fall Short Once Again

Chelsie Baldwin One Step Closer

Chelsie Baldwin is one step closer to her dream of running in the Olympics after being ranked fifth nationally in her (13-14) age bracket. Baldwin ran recently in the AAU National Campionships in Lexington, Ky. She finished the 4,000 meter race in 15:07, her personal best. Her fifth place finish also made her an AAU All-American. It is her second All-American designation.

PC Cagers Try Easier Foe Today

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Ponca City’s Wildcat basketball teams opened the season with two of the top three teams in the Frontier Conference and now stand 0-2.

They try someone a little less highly ranked tonight as they venture into Broken Arrow. The girls’ game is schedule to start at 6:30, the boys’ at 8.

The Po-Hi boys got beat by Jenks’ height and by Stillwater’s quickness last week.

“We match up a little better against Broken Arrow,” coach Ron Arthur said.

The Tigers are neither as tall as the Trojans, nor as quick as the Pioneers. But they can be tough.

Broken Arrow has some height, from 6-7 sophomore Vernell Davis, and 6-6 junior Jeff Whitehead. But both are newcomers.

Broken Arrow’s strength lies in their guards, 6-1 seniors Brett Bagley and Brian Burton, They like to shoot from outside.

The Tigers defeated Owasso 58-40 and Bartlesville 58-48 last week.

With two losses on the season, Arthur feels his team needs a confidence builder at this point. He is hoping the Cats will remember back to this time last year when they upset the Tigers, 63-60.

“We caused them to turn the ball over a lot,” Arthur recalls. “And we went on a streak late in the game.”

That could be the key for the Cats this time out, too.

“There are two things we need to improve,” Arthur said. “We have to take better care of the ball. We had 19 turnovers against Jenks and 25 at Stillwater.

“Also we have to improve on our free throw shooting.”

The Poncans are hitting just 35 percent of their free throws (35-of-101).

They are better from the field, hitting 41 percent (32-of-78) of their two-pointers, but just 14 percent (3-of-22) 3-pointers.

Shooting has been a sore spot for the Lady Cats, although that took a turn upward at Stillwater Friday.

The Ladies have hit just 27 percent (23-of-85) in their first two games. But they are 31 percent (19-of-61) in the 2-point area.

Against Stillwater, the Po-Hi girls hit their first two shots on the night and seemed to gain comfort from that.

It’s important the Lady Wildcats get off on the right foot again at Broken Arrow.

“We got some confidence at Stillwater,” said girls’ coach Dana Pulley. “The girls now know they can stay with the good teams.”

And Broken Arrow can be a good team.

“I kinda break the conference in half,” Pulleys aid. “There are four real good teams. And then there are four or five pretty good teams. Broken Arrow is ranked No. 4 in the conference, so they can be a real good team. They have scored a lot of points in their first two games.

“But on any given night any team can beat any other team in this conference.”

Wildcat Wrestlers Have Gotta Believe

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Wildcat wrestling coach Todd Steidley believes he has a top 10 team, maybe even top 5.

Now, all he has to do is convince his wrestlers of that.

The Wildcats get their first big test of the season tonight when the meet top ranked Broken Arrow in Robson Fieldhouse starting at 6:30 p.m.

There will be two mats on the floor tonight with the high school and junior high matches going on at the same time.

Broken Arrow is a formatible foe. The Tigers have 10 starters back from last year and eight of those are state qualifiers.

Broken Arrow has breezed to a 3-0 record this season, blasting No. 3 rated Midwest City 36-18 and No. 5 Muskogee 47-18. In their last outing. the Tigers burned Skiatook, 53-9.

Despite those figures, Steidley feels his grapplers can wrestle with Broken Arrow — if they believe they can.

“On paper. we should be favored in one or two matches,” the coach said. “But I think seven or eight matches are toss up. If we win most of those, we have a good chance against Broken Arrow. If we don’t it could be a blowout.”

Although some of the Wildcats are still struggling with their weight, Steidley figures he has a strong team to put on the mat tonight.

“There’s just one problem.

“We don’t have a single wrestlers in our lineup who has ever beaten a Broken Arrow wrestler.”

So it is the Wildcats’ mental toughness that Steidley is concerned about, rather that the physical strength of his team.

“We can teach them technique and make sure they’re in shape, but it all comes down to how mentally tough they are.

“This is going to be a big battle for us. But’s it a good opportunity to see where we are.”

Clint Stafford, who hurt his back in the preseason workouts, is scheduled to return to the lineup tonight at 125 pounds.

The rest of the lineup will remain much the same that opened the season by beating Owasso, 49-0, last week.

The scheduled starters include Josh Short at 103 pounds, Phillip Brotherton at 112, Mimi Miller or Daniel Cottman at 119, Shawn Lee at 130, Steven Windler at 135, Roman RedLeaf at 140, Michael Osborn at 145, Matt Littleton at 152, Kyle Duren at 160, Blaine Empting at 171, Jeremy Leavitt at 189, Jason Neurenberg at 215 and James Arbertha at heavyweight.

Following tonight’s dual, the Wildcats are home again Thursday against Edmond Memorial.

Mavs Rebound, Slam Bacone

By TED ATCHLEY

NOC Sports Information

TONKAWA — Following a narrow Homecoming loss on Saturday, the Northern Oklahoma College Mavericks stayed at home on Monday and mounted an aggressive attack to down the Bacone Warriors by a commanding 103-76 margin.

Sophomores Tyler Barnard of Fairfax and Chris Arledge of Krum, Texas, both had 20 points on the night. Head Coach Mick Weiberg said he thought Barnard had the best game of his season to this point. “He hit some big shots and handled the ball well when we needed him to,” Weiberg said.

“Chris Arledge was strong on offense and really had a good defensive game for us,” Weiberg said. Arledge was 6-of-7 from two-point range and went 100% from the free throw line.

Both freshman Spencer Lazosky and Sophomore Sherman Rochell came down with 12 rebounds on the night as part of a defensive effort that held the Warriors to a paltry 24 points in the first half. At the break the Mavericks led 44-24 and when the buzzer sounded again they never looked back.

“We came out from the start focused and played with intensity,” Weiberg said. “Our assistant, Greg Shamburg, got them ready after homecoming night and did a great job for us. It was a pretty impressive ballgame after Saturday.”

The game was an extra treat for the 10-4 Mavs. The Northern team narrowly lost to Bacone on a road trip earlier this season; setting Monday night as the stage for some sweet revenge.

“When you play with this level of intensity your whole game goes better,” Weiberg said. “Your game elevates when you can play this hard for nearly 40 minutes. It was an important lesson for our team to learn.”

Others adding points for the Mavs included guard Larry Reid who had 14, Scott Prater 12, Richie Myers 7, and Jeff Newby, who sank two 3-pointers. Josh Nichols, Spencer Lazosky and Felix Desjardins each added 3 points, and Colt Clark sunk the bucket that sent the Mavs over the century mark for the night.

The Mavericks will next take the long road trip to the College of Southern Idaho Classic Dec. 16-18. Weiberg said his team faces three top-ranked opponents on the trip. “This trip gives our players a chance to not only do something unique, but gives them the opportunity to face some tough teams that will help us grow and get better at what we do.”

The Lady Mavericks came up short Monday night against the Bacone Lady Warriors. The Lady Mavs fell behind early and managed to keep up for the rest of the game but could never pull ahead. The women's team fell by a margin of 75-60.

Freshman LaQueisha Dickerson scored 14 points in the first half but went the entire second period without a point. Others who scored on the night included Reva Howell with 10, Suzi Eisenhauer 8, Baba Robinson 9, Tia Andrew with 7, B.J. Homer 5, Ranada Collins 4 and Deidre Dick with 2.

The Lady Mavs will travel to face the Oklahoma Christian JV squad on Saturday.

Freshmen Girls Win

Ponca City’s freshmen Lady Cats battered Ark City, 34-14, here Monday.

The ninth graders, now 3-0, enter the Sand Springs Tournament today, playing Tulsa Union in the first round.

In Monday’s game, the Ladies shutout Ark City in the second quarter to lead 19-5 at halftime and sailed in for the win.

“This was another good defensive effort,” said coach John Maddox of the team. “And we hit 9-of-11 free throws, which is much better than we have done.

“The girls are playing pretty good. They are responding to what we’re trying to do,

Melissa Fore paced the Ponca City scoring with 11 points while Chelsea Hill had 8, Christina Nix 4, Ann Ziegenhain 3 and Kristina Huddleston, Kelle Wedd, Laura Sprehe and Jerri Prado all had 2 each.

Cat Sophs Fall Short Once Again

Ponca City’ sophomore Wildcat basketballers dropped a second straight narrow decision, falling by one point, 44-43, to Sand Springs Monday.

The sophomore fell to Enid, 48-44, last week.

A cold shooting second period, when the Ponca Citians scored just four points, left them in a 24-14 hole at halftime.

But the Cats came back, closing the gap to 33-26 at the end of the third quarter.

They tried to catch Sand Springs down the stretch, but fell one shot short.

Kyle Geheb led the comeback, scoring 9 of his 17 points in that fourth-quarter rally.

Randy Runnels finished with 9 points while Robert Bushaw had 8. Drew Shelton, Cameron Moore, Aaron Jones and Matt Biddinger all had 2 points each, Trevor Viljoen finished with 1.

The sophomores are now off until Jan. 3 when they play at Frontier,

Enid 48, Ponca City 44

Ponca 6 13 8 17 — 44

Enid 15 8 15 10 — 48

Ponca City — Runnels 12, Geheb 10, Rower 6, Jones 4, Viljoen 3, Hardman 3, Moore 2, Bushaw 2, Yaffe 2

Enid — Druse 16, Lewis 6, Micaney 4, Dillard 4, Tebor 4, Merrifield 4, Jamieson 2, Dillard 2

Sand Springs 44, Ponca City 43

Ponca City 10 4 12 17 43

Sand Springs 15 9 9 11 — 44

Ponca City — Geheb 17, Runnels 9, Bushaw 8, Moore 2, Jones 2, Biddinger 2, Shelton 2, Viljoen 1

Sand Springs — Steward 18, Heller 10, Bruner 5, Garcia 5, Wyes 4, East 2