GIDA Releases Sealed Exec Session Minutes

Minutes of four separate Executive Sessions of the Grove Industrial Development Authority (GIDA) were unsealed Thursday at the request of the Delaware County District Attorney and made available to the public, following another Executive Session Wednesday afternoon.
First, GIDA voted to retain an attorney, Ron Cates of Owasso, on an hourly basis before the Executive Session was held, to consider unsealing the minutes of the four meetings held in 2004-05. GIDA then went into Executive Session, returning just after 5 p.m. and voted unanimously to unseal the minutes of the four meetings.
Earlier, Bob Hinkle had objected to retaining an attorney. "I see no reason to pay an attorney when we have done nothing wrong, it is almost like an admission of guilt."
Member Dave Helms noted that GMSA had earlier voted to retain an attorney and "now we're being investigated for possible misdemeanors with fines up to $6000 and six months in jail."
Then came a verbal exchange between Tim Langley, General Manager of the Grove Sun Daily, and Hinkle, with Langley accusing Hinkle of leaking information. Hinkle denied the allegation.
Here are the unsealed minutes of four GIDA meetings requested by the District Attorney, obtained by The Grove Observer on Thursday:

Feb. 17, 2004:
"2:40 p.m. Doyle Seawright absent; all other board members in attendance. Bill Galletly, Ivonne Buzzard, Dorothy Parker, and James Dill, Vice President of Vector Securities Corporation were also present. James Dill presented an offer to purchase the Grove Civic Center. Discussion followed. No action taken.
3:00 p.m. Board members and others present returned to regular meeting of the Grove Industrial Development Authority."
Minutes signed by Dorothy Parker, City Attorney.

March 1, 2004:
"3:31 p.m. All board members in attendance. Bill Galletly, Ivonne Buzzard, Dorothy Parker were also present. Trustees discussed offer to 'phase in' purchase of Civic Center submitted by Vector Corporation, i.e., to sell the corner lots and retain the civic center building for three years before transferring civic center to Vector. No action taken. 3:57 p.m. Board members and others present returned to special meeting of the Grove Industrial Development Authority."
Minutes signed by Dorothy Parker, City Attorney.

July 6, 2005: "Minutes of Executive Session held by GIDA on July 8th, 2002"
(Editors Note: This was really 2005, and handwritten on the sheet was July 11, but the sealed envelope was dated July 6)
"The Board gathered in the conference room after voting in open session to go into executive session. Present were the 5 board members, Jim Dill of Vector Securities and C.M. Bill Galletly. As soon as the door was shut, Bob Henkle stated that he had a problem with the meeting. He felt the meeting might be illegal because state statue (sic) says that only the staff and board members may attend. He then read what he said was a copy of the statues (sic). Board members immediately began talking about whether or not they could continue with the meeting and asked Bob to read the statue (sic) again. "The manager was asked his opinion and he responded that further research would be needed on his part before he could respond. The conversations continued along this theme for a few minutes longer. Mr. Helms stated that he was leaving the meeting and left. Mr. Seawright indicated that as far as he was concerned, it was time to leave and stood up. The others were still talking to Bob about the statue (sic) but began standing. One of the members said that we were not going any further until we were certain that the meeting was proper. At that time the remaining members started leaving the room and returned to the council chambers.

"Mr. Dill asked me, as we were walking down the hall, what his next move should be and I suggested to him that he submit his proposal in writing and I would get it out to the board members." Name Bill Galletly signed at bottom.

July 15, 2005:
"Minutes for the Executive Session for GIDA for June 15" (Editors Note: no year noted, and June 15th was written over in handwriting as July 15.)
"Presentation of outline of offer, including sketch on board.
General Discussion on pros and cons of proposal
Larry Koch gave some options he felt might work. Can we open back of building? Can we buy 5 acres to the north? Can we buy land behind building?
Perhaps buy 5 acres and lot in back.
Maybe we should go back to our original position--wait 1 year
The costs for additional land and improvements are to (sic) high and won't leave us enough to start a new facility if we decide to go that route."
(these minutes were unsigned).

The following additional information should be noted regarding Executive Sessions held on March 24 and April 29 by the Grove Industrial Development Authority, from open session minutes: (these minutes were obtained from an outside source, not the City of Grove, and are stamped "unapproved")

On March 24, 2005: "At 4:02 p.m. Helms made the motion for the Board to recess into Executive Session for discussion regarding acquisition or disposal of real property as authorized by 25 O.S. 307 B.3. Seconded by Helms. (probably an error) Aye: Seawright, Koch, Helms and Henkle. Nay: None.
Motion carried.
"At 5:15 p.m. Koch made the motion for the Board to come out of Executive Session with no action taken. Seconded by Seawright. Aye: Seawright, Koch, Helms and Henkle. Nay: None."
At the open meeting, after coming out of executive session, Helms made the motion to appoint the following negotiating team of Larry Koch, Bob Henkle, and Bill Galletly, to negotiate the current purchase contract from Vector Securities (Properties) to alternatively be submitted to the people for a vote. Motion was carried unanimously.

On April 29, 2005: "At 9:03 a.m. Koch made the motion for the Board to recess into Executive Session for discussion regarding acquisition or disposal of real property as authorized by 25 O.S. 307 B.3. Seconded by Helms. Aye: Seawright, Koch, Nuckolls, Helms and Henkle. Nay: None. Motion carried.
"At 9:43 a.m. Seawright made the motion for the Board to come out of Executive Session with no action taken. Seconded by Koch. Aye: Seawright, Koch, Nuckolls, Helms and Henkle. Nay: None."
At the open meeting, according to the minutes, Koch made the motion to authorize the City Manager to contact Vectors Securities Corporation regarding the sale of the Civic Center offer, with the offer contingent on a successful vote of the people. Motion carried unanimously.

A city official stated Thursday that there were no minutes of the Executive Sessions available, "either no session was held or the minutes were not taken." But as one can see from the above, Executive Sessions were held in both cases.

It should be noted, again, that at both open meetings, according to the minutes any offers to sell the current Civic Center were contingent on a successful vote of the people of Grove.

Council OK's 18th Project for Bids

Grove's future transportation system took a giant leap forward this week when City Council unanimously approved authorization to advertise for bids for the 18 Street/Shundi Road project, estimated to cost just under $2 million.
The project has been hotly debated for months, after it became apparent that widening 13th Street from Sumac to Shundi would be too expensive, with utility relocations.
Bids are to be received Sept. 21 at 2 p.m.
The design calls for eventually a 4-lane divided roadway but initial construction will be for a two-lane road with bicycle path on the north side.

The roadway will be on a 10 inch aggregate base with six inches of asphalt, with curbs and guttering and openings every sixth mile for cross traffic streets. It will go from Sumac across a field, up a hill and north of the current communications tower just south of the new hospital site.
The hospital is expected to be built in 2009 or sooner, a hospital official said this week.
Shundi will be three laned from 18th to 9th street, and eventually to Highway 10, serving as a bypass around downtown Grove.
The project was outlined by Darold Davis of Garver Engineers, LLC, Tulsa, which considered alignment, right of way, utility accommodations, and legal issues for 18th street, and major drainage issues, utilities, and sanitary sewer relocations for Shundi to the north.
Councilman Terry Ryan asked that the city also estimate costs using city personnel to build the roadway, outsourcing the curbs and gutters, as a comparison.

Editorial--Cox vs. SBC

SBC, the phone company, is running newspaper ads urging citizens of Oklahoma to write the Corporation Commission and let them know Cox Cable's appeal of the Corporation Commission's Docket 42 Order (deregulating the phone company) is not a good idea.
How does this effect Grove?
Not much. A pox on both their houses.
Cox Cable in Grove is waiting for someone else to pay for relocation of their cable lines from Sailboat Bridge into Grove at which time they will upgrade to broadband cable. But they still need to rewire every piece of cable within Grove in order to go to broadband high speed internet service.
SBC, on the other hand, only offers DSL broadband service within three miles of their downtown Grove office, or McDonald's, as many prefer to say. SBC won't spend the money to install new nodes beyond the three mile limit so everybody can have broadband service. Their excuse is that they need to be deregulated. Now they are.
We would like to hear from both....what plans does either one have for upgrading internet service in Grove. SBC claims they can't upgrade service, in their ads, for Ketchum, Afton or Fairland but no mention is made of Grove. If they think three miles worth of high speed cable is enough, they need to rethink. And while they are at it, we would like to hear from Charter Cable as well, on their plans to finish their system inside the Grove City limits, such as Patricia Island Estates.
We will hold our breath until they call.

Grove Chamber, GLA, headed for Divorce?

The Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and the Grand Lake Association, which share a building on Highway 59 west of Grove, are looking for ways to avoid a divorce.
For more than five years the Grove Chamber of Commerce and the Grand Lake Association have shared the GLA-owned building, with the Chamber paying around $600/month for utilities, but no rent. With state funds of $80,000 cut this year to the GLA, it was suggested that the Chamber begin paying rent, about $700 per month to help the GLA offset expenses and do roof repairs that may cost up to $25,000.
The Grove Chamber initially did not react well to this idea and has looked at free office space downtown, owned by PSO. It believes the 10-year contract with GLA should be enforced, which provides for the Chamber to share the facilities on a no-rent basis.
"We want to work things out, we want to stay in the current building, and we're hopeful that we can do that, but we don't have a solution yet," said Greg Martin, President of the Grove Area Chamber.
Lisa Friden, Chamber Executive Director, said "we love this building, we love working with the GLA staff, and we don't want to leave. It is a good fit, the two of us together. We are sympathetic with them as we face similar problems if we don't continue our funding." She added that Congressman Dan Boren held his congressional retreat here last weekend "and we certainly requested his help on solving the funding problem."
As with most issues, there are at least two sides:
The Grand Lake Association and Grove Chamber do a lot of activities designed to encourage tourism and bring people to Grove. Being in the same building, constructed five years ago, made a lot of sense. In effect, both benefited from state funding, plus the Grove Chamber gets some money from the City.
The Chamber contends they raised at least half the funds nececessary to build the GLA building, and paid for the telephone system. The GLA works the reception desk. The building has been appraised at $500,000 and the building's debt is low, so the GLA could sell and move elsewhere, even to South Grand Lake and the proposed new Visitor Center above the Pensacola Dam. Or, they could find a small business which could pay some rent in the current building.
The Grand Lake Association was created in the 1950's and was responsible for a state law which says GRDA cannot take the lake below elevation 735; it conducts the Water Watch Program, the Pelican Fest, the Boat Show in Grove, and numerous other activities. It has dues- paying members, just as the Grove Chamber of Commerce. It's activities benefit Grove as well as the entire Grand Lake area.
The Chamber gets an annual appropriation from the City, but no state funds, and depends on member dues.
Should the GLA go out of business because the Grove Chamber refused to pay any rent, the Chamber would have the responsibility for this on its shoulders, says one observer, and might lose membership because of it.
Members of both organizations have expressed hope that the issue can be worked out. In the meantime, the roof leak remains a pressing issue because if it isn't fixed and the building gets wet inside, damage or mold may occur.

Coach Sutton Speaks to Grove Rotary

Coach Scott Sutton, Oral Roberts University, spoke to the Grove Rotary Club at this week's
meeting. He was accompanied by assistant coach Corey Williams, former NBA player with
the Chicago Bulls and defensive back with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Sutton said he was very excited about the upcoming season at ORU and hopes this will be the year to make the NCAA Tournament. He recalled that last year the team missed the tournament by one game and this year they have most of the players returning for another season.
"We've come a long way the last seven years," he said, and invited everyone to come to Tulsa for an ORU game. "We play OU, Minnesota, and will be in the Great Alaska Shootout with two games on ESPN."
Corey Williams recalled his days on the Bulls roster with Michael Jordan, who gave him the name PeeWee due to his size. The team won the NBA Championship that year.
Scott is the son of legendary OSU Coach Eddie Sutton. Scott said his 4-year-old daughter can already "do the lip thing."
In Photo: ORU Coach Scott Sutton, talks with
Rotarian Bob Hinkle, right.

The Dam Builders--Fourth in a Series

Irving Anderson was born Jan. 11, 1906 in Vian, Sequoyah County, Indian Territory and he remembers the date clearly. He went to a small country school through the 5th grade and now lives in a small frame house just off Main Street in Pryor, OK. with Sybil, his wife of 76 years.
“Andy” as he likes to be called, never attended high school but at the age of 17 was foreman over crews operating grading equipment fashionable in those days, two mules and a grader. And he is proud to tell you he was one of the first to learn the operation of heavy equipment, bulldozers and such. He was living in Colorado when news came of a big construction project in northeastern Oklahoma, the Pensacola Dam.

He rushed to the job site and was hired, first to clear timber in the future lake near what would be Sailboat Bridge, pushing it into piles so it could be burned. Trees were cut down about three feet above ground level. It would be another 18 years before they would be seen again, during a drought in the early 50’s..
“I knew how to burn green timber and get rid of it and that’s why they hired me, “ he related.
Later, using a bulldozer and in charge of 44 people, he pushed rocks and dirt backfilling each of the 51 arches supporting the dam between Langley and Disney and gave himself a reward: He was the first person to drive a car across the dam when it was finished. “I always liked to be the first one to use whatever we were building,” he said. “Sort of a thrill,” he added.
After the dam was finished he went to Illinois and Iowa to work on a number of other projects requiring heavy equipment operators, with one of the last projects being a large culvert and canal in Iowa. He eventually came back to Oklahoma to retire. He looks back on his work that helped create Grand Lake with pride and a twinkle in his eye.

Letters to the Editor

Editor,
Last Saturday night was a fun time in downtown Grove. As a member of the Downtown Revitalization Committee, it was exciting to see the attendance at the monthly Gallery Walk. This event continues to grow each time. One really has to appreciate the quality work of our area’s artists.
Several of the stores/galleries had tasty treats for their visitors that made the walk even better. It was fun finishing at Java Dave’s for a cooling drink and listening to a local band entertain the store-filled crowd which included many local young people.
The store fronts continue to fill downtown. The recent openings of The Gourmet store, Studio 31 Photography, Java Dave’s and the soon to open Tiramisu Café and Restaurant are some of the great additions to the existing businesses with more to come.
A big thank you to the city for improving the parking lot on Grand Street between Third Street and O’Daniel. The new retaining wall and steps, decorative lighting and alley overlay really looks good and will be helpful for customers shopping at the downtown stores. More changes will be coming when we receive the recently awarded enhancement funds from ODOT.
Grove is growing and so is the traffic. Please lower your speed as you enter the downtown area and be courteous to shoppers as they cross the street.
Thank you Grove for your support of YOUR downtown.
Dr. Larry E. Stout, Chairman
Grove Downtown Revitalization Committee

Grove Trolley Needs Drivers

The Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, which operates the Trolley, is looking for drivers, as the current drivers are retiring in September.
"We will be running ads for drivers next week," said Lisa Friden, Executive Director of the Chamber said. We have lots of charters in the works and we need drivers, she added.
Funding for the Trolley runs out in one more year and the Chamber is looking for some group or organization to take it over, she said.

This Week's Restaurant Review

By Sam L. Smithers
Chief Restaurant Reviewer

This week my companion and I visited Paparrazi's Restaurant on Honey Creek. When people ask for the top three restaurants in Grove I always recommend this one, as the food is consistently good.
I began with an Italian Margarita, which is made with the usual stuff but with the addition of Amaretto to sweeten it just a bit. It was delicious. I ordered the spaghetti/ravioli combination dinner with the soup and salad bar, all for only $8.50. The heavy red meat sauce was excellent and was good with the grilled garlic bread.
My companion ordered the chicken fetticini with white sauce which turned out perfect as well, with enough left over for the noon lunch the following day.
Service was very quick, as it was Sunday night after all the touristas had left town.
We've also eaten the pizzas, ordering in advance and picking up via boat at their courtesy dock.
These pizzas are really loaded with goodies and a small one fills two people quite easily. The soups are always quite good as well.
Grove is fortunate to have this restaurant. We hope they are here for a long time.

County Commissioners Meet, OK Development

Platting for a new development, Woodard Pointe Estates in Woodward Hollow, was approved at the regular Monday meeting of the Delaware County Commissioners. Some 12 homes will be built in the $150,000-$200,000 range on a 9-acre point overlooking Woodward Hollow and out to the main lake. Septic systems will be used except on two lots where aerobic systems will be used.
Commission Bruce Poindexter said the new county budget for 2005-2006 would be ready for review in a couple of weeks.
The board again tabled approval for a mixed beverage application from Chiggers, which is near NewSong Church. State law requires a 300 foot separation between the two and commissioners want to "put a tape measure on it" and review documents in the Assessor's office.
Commissioners also approved posting of new speed limit signs on county roads at the county lines, of 45 miles per hour at a cost of up to $100 per sign for 18 signs. This will assist in prosecution of speeders arrested by the Highway Patrol, which is currently arresting people for speeding over the 45 mile limit even though no signs are posted.
In response to a question, Poindexter said there had never been a case when splitting of bids occurred, regardless of the circumstances or changes in requirements. "This is strictly against State Statutes," he said.

MIFD Gets Thermal Imager

The Monkey Island Fire Department has received a $10,000 donation from someone who wishes to remain anonymous and the department has purchased a Thermal Imager, Carl Tesreau, Chief, reported.
Thermal Imagers are sophisticated infrared devices that give firefighters a thermal picture of their work environment, enabling them to see through smoke to identify victims, pinpoint fires, and recognize structural dangers before they cause injury or death. There have been many cases throughout the U.S. where the devices have saved lives.
The T3 imager weighs less than three pounds and is the lightest weight handheld firefighting thermal imager available.
The MIFD just received an ISO rating of 6, up from 7, which will help Monkey Island homeowners on their insurance rates, Chief Tesreau reported.
The Women's Auxiliary of the fire department is having a "Bizaare Bazaar" on Saturday, Oct. 8 where donations of furniture, household items, books, toys, tools, equipment, and just about anything in good condition, will be for sale. Booths are available for $20 each for crafters or fresh produce. A food concession with hot dogs and a bake sale will also be feature.
Call Ruth Kirkpatrick at 257-5881 for booth space, organizers said.

South Grand Lake Visitor Center Needs Funds

Although funds in the amount of $400,000 are in the bank, another $300,000 is still needed to assure construction of the South Grand Lake Visitor Center above Pensacola Dam.
According to Bruce Howell, longtime advocate of the center, "there is now no hope of obtaining any state funding." "We must raise the remaining amount locally," he said.
Total estimated cost, without furnishings, is $700,000.
The center would include a museum housing many artifacts and objects of history from the Pensacola Dam construction in 1938-1940, as well as a home for the South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce. A meeting is set for this week to discuss how to proceed, he said.

The Canine Corner...By Missy MacTavish

I noticed that all my cow friends have earrings with numbers on them. I asked Mom if I could have one and she said no. I don't know why cows should be better dressed than dogs, do you?
Anyway, I heard about this man in Meeker, OK that is telling all the two leggers to slow pump their gas on Labor Day weekend so as to make the big oil companies mad.
I think he should slow pump his bath water and dunk his head in it. What a dumb idea.
Also, there is this TeeVee commercial telling people about a "lockbox" for gasoline taxes if the thing passes Sept. 13.
Personally, I think they should make a great big lockbox and put all of the legislature in it! Did you know that the biggest employer in the State of Oklahoma IS the State of Oklahoma? How 'bout them doggie treats.
You will notice that I am in my golf cart again. I have to drive it on the streets because the developer where I live won't let me drive it on the cart paths around the golf course.
Certainly I wouldn't do as much damage as the golfers out there do. They take these big gardening tools with leather handles and dig holes in the ground like moles and then let out a big curseword. The tools have numbers on them, for what purpose I am unfamiliar. Some of the tools have big heads, and also the golfers.
Me, I would rather play with my soft toys and sleep, but I would sure like to drive around the cart paths someday.
Until next time, Miss Missy says be nice to your pets and they will be nice to you.

Around the Lake....

The new Grove Post Office opening has been delayed to the first week in September, from an original planned opening of mid July, due to issues with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The new facility is at 1200 S. Shundi...Did you know that according to the Grand Lake Association, there are more than 4,000 private boat docks on the lake, and 18,000 property owners?....Beginning Sept. l Leon Hart will be the county assessor, replacing Sharon Lane who resigned. Hart was a deputy in that department and his appointment was recommended by Lane and approved by the County Commissioners at this week's meeting...The Miami News-Record will be putting in seven coin operated circulation boxes around Grove in the next week or so, according to an employee. The Fairland American is currently available at several locations around town as well. Apparently there is a lot of "news" in Grove for a city its size....
Tours of Pensacola Dam officially end Labor Day Weekend so hurry on down to the dam. Tours take about one hour and are free...The Grove Observer is looking for reporters willing to share their news on our free newspaper. Please email us at groveobserver@yahoo.com.
If you or your organization has News, please email us as well.

Help Wanted

Trolley Driver
The Grove Area Chamber of Commerce is looking for a few good drivers. Experience with 1940's era trolley cars a plus. The current drivers are retiring in September for The Trolley and replacements are needed, as there are lots of charters upcoming. Apply to the Grove Chamber.

School Board
The Grove School Board is looking for a Board Member to replace Larry Harris of Ward #5 (Patricia Island, Harber Village, downtown Grove, and other areas). Contact the Superintendent's office if interested, soon. Experience with children helpful, but not required.

Planning & Zoning Board
The Grove P&Z Board needs another member. The position was previously advertised for in the Legal Notices but no one applied. Must be thick skinned and able to bounce off criticisms.
Knowledge of zoning laws helpful but not required.

County Floodplain Administrator
Apply by Monday to the County Commissioners. Position has been open for some time. No salary. Knowledge of record keeping helpful.