By Robert Barron Staff Writer
Voters will have a choice between the old and new when they go to the polls Tuesday in the Enid City Commission election.
The old is incumbent Ward 2 commissioner Don Rose, who has represented the ward the past four years, and the new is challenger Pierce Jones.
Rose is a consulting engineer with Advance Food Co. who said the city’s biggest challenge will be controlling the budget. However, Rose said he favors spending money to maintain the city’s infrastructure and to build a new sewer treatment plant.
“We need to keep putting in streets,” he said. “Because of the increase of industrial growth, we need to work on our sewer plant.”
A new sewer treatment plant will cost an estimated $35 to $45 million, and Rose said he hopes there is a way to retain part of the existing plant while building a new one adjacent to it.
Rose thinks he is the best candidate because of his experience and knowledge of engineering and construction.
“That is a lot of what the city is doing. Currently, we are looking at a sewer plant, and it helps when you have that knowledge when reviewing contracts ...,” he said.
Rose has been criticized for his close watch on projects whose bids do not come in as expected. He said he does not like to see a budget on a project set and then have city staff come back later with costs higher than they originally were estimated. He said he also is concerned about the lack of time lines on city projects. He said he likes the city to be fiscally responsible.
“I like the city having some money. We need to be fiscally sound. We can react when things arise,” Rose said.
Jones said he looks at the probability of a sewer treatment plant project and hopes the public will support a bond issue to raise the money.
More sewer treatment capacity is needed, city officials have said, because of the amount of wastewater that will be put into the city’s sewer system when two new ethanol plants planned for Enid are open.
Jones wants the commission to assist bringing quality jobs to Enid.
“Not just jobs, but careers, with good pay, something that will bring our kids back to Enid after college,” he said.
In Ward 1, three candidates are trying to be elected, and all are newcomers to city politics.
Local trucking company owner Jim Crabbs, retired firefighter Bill Presley and GEFCO retiree Jim Butricks all have filed for election.
Crabbs wants the commission to spend taxpayers’ money wisely. He also is concerned about the lack of city water to some houses in Enid. Crabbs lives a half mile south of Rupe and has no city water himself and is concerned about enough water pressure if there is a fire in an area not served by city water.
Presley said city workers have unionized since he left Enid Fire Department and he can work with an employees union, without being unfair to the city.
Presley said he will be accessible to citizens if elected.
“I have proven my commitment to the community with the organizations I have been in. From the chamber to the Safe Kids Coalition, and many others. The ones I mentioned at the forum are the ones I am currently in. I have chaired almost all of those and I have experience with city government and am a retired firefighter,” he said.
Presley also noted he has been involved as safety coordinator for the city and knows the infrastructure well and also knows the employees.
Butricks said the number one issue facing the commission is building a new sewer plant. Building the type of plant needed and still getting the services needed as economically as possible will be a challenge.
“I am the people’s candidate,” Butricks said. “I want to do what is the best thing for the most people.”
Butricks retired from GEFCO in 1999 and volunteers between 600 and 700 hours and is a board member of PEGASYS.
About serving on the city commission, Butricks said, “Somebody’s got to do it. One day it occurred to me, I have been filming their meetings for two years, why not give it a shot.”
