Shundi Road Easement Clarified

Delaware County Commissioners will probably take up again the issue of giving the City of Grove part of Shundi Road, Bruce Poindexter, chairman, said this week. The Shundi Road issue is part of the 18th Street Project, with Shundi scheduled to be widened to three lanes from its intersection with the new 18th street, north to 9th street.
The portion from 13th street south to where 18th will intersect is currently a dirt road.
"In the past the Grove city manager used to come down to the commissioners meeting and explain what was happening, when the city wanted to take over a county section line road, and we were usually agreeable to it," Poindexter said. However, the city did not do this for Shundi Road.
"I talked with Bill Galletly last week and he apologized for not bringing us up to speed on the project," Poindexter said.
"We would like for the city to take over all of Shundi down to Lake Road 3 and maintain it, but if that isn't possible we will still do it. As it stands, we are giving the city of Grove 33 feet of easement from Road 300 to 310," he added.
The 18th street project bid came in higher than anticipated due to increased asphalt and cement costs, $2.2 milllion for the original two-lane with bike path proposal. Only one bid was received,
from APAC Construction. The engineer's estimate was $1,982,000.
Councilman Terry Ryan had asked the city to consider whether or not it could build the road to save money, using its own crews, but was told that the city did not have the equipment to do it nor the personnel to operate such equipment, such as a bulldozer, and that it would take the entire city crew off other projects while building 18th street.
When asked if county road crews could build it for the city, Bruce Poindexter said "we could probably build it, we have the crews and equipment, but we would have to pull everybody off other projects which would put us in a bind."
He added that the bid estimate sounded "somewhat high" to him considering the 18th street project itself was just a half-mile long.

Galletly Hearing Is Oct. 6

A hearing on a motion to dismiss charges against Grove City Manager Bill Galletly is set for Thursday, Oct. 6 at 9 a.m. in Judge Robert Haney's District Court in Jay. The hearing was postponed from a Sept. 28 date due to Galletly's appearance at a city manager's conference in Minnesota on that date.
Galletly's attorney, Jack Gordon Jr. of Claremore, filed the motion in August on grounds that the state statute Galletly allegedly violated is punishable only by rendering the split contract void, and omits any referrence to criminal sanction. Galletly was charged with two counts of violating state statute 131, or splitting of contracts to avoid requirements of the Oklahoma Competitive Bidding Act of 1974.
The two projects were referred to in court documents as the "White Building Project" which involved sewer line construction to Rocket Gaming east of Grove, and the "Grove City Hall Remodel Project."

The Canine Corner...by Missy MacTavish

It's Football Season! This is one of my favorite times of the year, when I can get my Dallas Cowboys shirt on and run amock during the TV games.
I just dread Mondays though. When the Cowboys (not the ones in the halloween costumes) and OU both lose, misery spreads around the house like poison ivy. Dad gets in a real funk. Lately he has been in a semi-funk, as OU just has not been able to beat up anyone, and the Cowboys are 2 and 1 for the season.
But the season is young, as they say, and we have plenty of time left. Fall is coming, the leaves will be turning, and I can sleep with my window open and listen for deer, skunks (the four legged ones) and other wildlife. It is very quiet at night where I live, not like my last place with airplanes flying overhead every two minutes.
Mom and Dad went out of town last weekend and put me in what is called a "kennel."
Not good. The place was lousy with dogs, can you imagine, all running around barking at nothing. I got no sleep at all. The food was worse than Lenny's. Hair was all over the floor and it was too hot. Boy was I ever glad to see my folks come pick me up. I wish they wouldn't leave me at a place like that. I think they should just stay home!
Until next time, have a nice day...Miss Missy.

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

I kindly ask that you correct your story published on Friday 23, 2005.

You stated that "Grove Resident Earl Shero and at that time an employee of Grand Savings Bank, was denied access to the packet so he filed suit against the city".

Your story is incorrect, the City of Grove sued me for a protective order and a declaratory judgment to prevent me from asking for a copy of the Council Packet that I had been receiving from the City for the previous three months.

After the District Court determined that the City did not have standing to bring suit against me I counter sued for a declaratory judgment and the documents were then declared to be public. The City was required to pay my attorney fees in excess of $27,000.00 for their violation of the Oklahoma Open Record Act. Also Galletly paid a fine and entered into a deferred prosecution agreement stating that he would not violate any City or State laws.

I would also appreciate it if you remind your readers that the City of Grove pursued this matter after they had received a letter from the District attorney telling them that they were in violation of the law.

The City of Grove is again pursuing this current lawsuit after being told by the District Attorney that they are again in violation of the Open Meeting Act.

Earl Shero

Grand Welcome Program Outlined

Linda Galbreath, owner of "Down on Main Street" in Grove, was guest speaker at this week's Grove Rotary meeting. She outlined the Grand Welcome Program which welcomes newcomers to Grove with delivery of specially made baskets full of goodies and information about Grove and Grand Lake.
A total of 225 baskets have been delivered so far this year with another 25 set for October.
Businesses pay $3 per houshold plus a gift item, if Grove Chamber members; non members pay $5, with a committment of 25 or 50 households.
Interested businesses can join the program by calling the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, 786-2909.
(In Photo, Jim Reynolds, Rotarian of the Day, with Linda Galbreath)

Rummage Sale Set for Saturday

There will be a Rummage Sale Sat. Oct 1, 8:00 to 1:00 at the Grace Presbyterian Church, Main and 4th, by the Delaware County Genealogical Society. There will be all kinds of "good stuff". Also will have a table selling Old SailBoat Bridge Mementos, $10 each, cookbooks and tote bags. All proceeds goes toward buying books on Genealogy to be put in Grove Library. Or call Linda McDonald for mementos at 918-786-9367.

YMCA To Hold Grand Opening Saturday

The Grand Lake Family YMCA will hold a Grand Opening of its first facility in Grove on Saturday, October 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Located in the “old library” on South Elk Street behind Subway, the YMCA building will house a fitness center, aerobic studio, child care space and offices.
At the Grand Opening, families will be able to tour the facility while they enjoy games, clowns, sports contests, and free food and drinks. Representatives of D.A.R.E. and the Grove Fire Department will also be on hand and health screenings will be offered.
“This local office will allow us to introduce residents to the YMCA,” said William Skea, chairman of the Grand Lake YMCA Development Committee. “Our goal is to offer a diverse exercise program for young people and for our older population.”
According to Skea, an upcoming capital campaign will be launched to build a permanent facility comprised of an aquatic center in the next two to three years.
Howard Birdsong, an original member of the Neosho YMCA Board of Managers and Mayor of that city will be interim director of the Grand Lake YMCA.
“We are very grateful to the Bill Galletly and the Grove City Council for making it possible for us to lease the old library,” he said.
Inside the YMCA, members will enjoy a fitness center with 20 pieces of equipment including a treadmill, stair stepper, weight machines and free weights. Aerobic classes will be scheduled throughout the week in the studio, led by qualified instructors.
And to help busy parents while they work out, a child watch program will be available on premises.
The Grand Lake YMCA will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Introductory membership fees range from $25 per month for a single adult to $20 per month for seniors and $30 per month for a family.
The Grand Opening event coincides with the launch of the YMCA Kid’s Club, a before and after school program for kindergarten though third grade students. That program will begin on October 3 at the Grove Lower Elementary site.
For further information on programs and membership fees, call the Grand Lake YMCA at 786-5774.

City Board Appointments Being Considered

The City of Grove is accepting letters of application to fill several of the public trusts with Friday at noon being the deadline.
Two positions on the Zoning Board of Adjustments will be filled, due to the end of term of Dale Dawson, and the resignation of Bill Miller, who has been appointed to the Planning & Zoning Board.
Three positions on the Grove Industrial Development Authority (GIDA) are being considered, according to the city. Bob Henkle and Doyle Seawright's terms both expire this month. Board Member Larry Koch has resigned.
For the GMSA board, Doyle Seawright's term ends this month as well.
Applications from interested parties are due by noon Friday at the City Clerk's office.

Auditions Planned for "A Man For All Seasons"

A very theatrical and important play, “A Man For All Seasons” is scheduled for performances next February 17-26. The director, Suzanne Boles, has been contacting potential cast members for some months, as it is a large, mostly male, cast. It is also a show with many costumes. Early auditions and pre-casting are necessary, due to costume requirements and the holiday season.
The play by Robert Bolt is about Sir Thomas More and the stance he took against Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon and marriage to Anne Boleyn, which cost More his life. It is a very powerful play set in the early days of the Reformation.
The Rev. Phil Lawrence has been pre-cast in the role of Sir Thomas More. Other pre-casting is necessary due to scheduling difficulties. Some characters are only in one or two scenes so rehearsals for those parts won’t begin until January. However, all characters need to be cast by Oct. 27 so that seamstresses can begin the costumes. Besides Sir Thomas, there are ten other male characters in the cast, one of which has no lines. There are parts for three women, but only one remains to be cast and that character is in three short scenes. Those interested in knowing more about the roles or in being considered for a part in this play should contact The Playmakers soon, 918-786-8950.
...from Correspondant Suzanne Boles