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December 18, 2008

Dickey wants changes in city operations

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer

Ivan Dickey wants to change some things in city operations and is a candidate for the Ward 3 City Commission seat.

Dickey, a manager at Godfather’s Pizza, said he thought about running previously, but had not yet turned 25. He also had to wait until the seat came up for election and was vacant. Incumbent Larry Dillon has accepted a job as McLoud city manager and resigned effective Jan. 1.

“I’m kind of into politics and it is time to get to it. There are plenty of issues,” Dickey said.

He will face Boomer Appleman and Lewis Blackburn in the Feb. 10 race. A runoff, if needed, would be held in April.

Enid has poor streets, Dickey said, and sewer lines and water pipes are old. He thinks too much money is spent on economic development. Although it is important, he said, not enough is spent on the city’s crumbling infrastructure.

“I know changing things won’t be easy. I’ll try to find where we are spending more and see if we can pull back so we don’t have to raise taxes,” he said.

He said he opposes a current city proposal to increase utility rates, saying there are other places to find the money.

“Enid is in an economic decline and now the last thing the city should do is raise prices,” he said. “How are people to get the money the city needs? If people are hurting the city needs to hurt, too.”

Dickey said he wants to address the problems head on. He said the city has been spending money on failing areas, one of which he said is Enid Woodring Regional Airport. He said the city should fix streets and privatize failing entities the city spends money on.

“If companies want in or the people who use it want to buy it and run it themselves ...” he said, “there are many ways to run a city besides taxing Joe Taxpayer.”

City government should fund core areas, he said, such as police, fire and city workers and taking care of business. The city should fund the James W. Strate Center for Business Develop-ment at Autry Technology Center, he said, throwing money at things that are failing. He said economic development is important, but not the most important thing now.

“The main reason I’m running is to reform government. I’m a reform candidate. It’s time for a change and something’s gotta be done,” he said.

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