“State Champion Day” Proclaimed for City of Marlow

The Marlow City Council proclaimed December 11 as “State Championship Day” at their meeting on December 21, in recognition of the many athletic and academic state championships throughout the school’s history.

The Proclamation, prepared by Mayor Jeff Prater and presented to Head football coach Matt Weber by Vice-Mayor Joe Marcano, specifically mentions not only the three State Football Championship titles that were won on December 11 in the years 1959, 1964, and 2021, but also the academic accomplishments of Marlow teams.

The Marlow boys’ cross country team won the 48th championship for the school earlier this year, and the football team’s championship was the 49th in history. Also represented were the Marlow Bootleggers, who earned the school’s 50th state title.

The Proclamation also acknowledged the success of all extra-curricular activities for Marlow schools throughout the past two school years.

“The level of success by the extra-curricular activities of the students at Marlow High School have reached unheralded heights over the past two school years,” the Proclamation reads.

After reading the Proclamation, the Council was joined by members of the 1959 and 1964 Marlow football teams, the 2021 football team, the 2021 cross-country team, and the 2021 Bootleggers for a photo.

During the same meeting the Council approved the purchase of a 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan for $15,500 to serve as the senior citizen van for the City and to be paid from the Capital Improvement Fund.

City Administrator Jason McPherson said that the vehicle would typically be paid for by grant funds, but that those funds were “a way off” and the vehicle was needed sooner than the funds would be available. The vehicle will be used to deliver meals to senior citizens in Marlow; the previous van has been out of service since July of this year.

“The fact that we got it this close to the budget, and it’s in really great shape,” McPherson said. “Right now we’re driving an old cemetery truck that used to be a water truck, that used to be a street truck, and it’s time to replace this vehicle.”

The Council also voted to approve the appointment of Mary Lou Mahaffey to another term on the Garland Smith Public Library Board. Mahaffey is a Charter Member of the board.

“She’s a great member, she’s active in it,” McPherson said. “She’s an asset to have.”

The City will seek bids for the Fiscal Year 2023 Street Resurfacing Project after the Council voted to do so. McPherson said that he was confident that the project could be done for less than the $600,000 budgeted.

The project includes Park Avenue from Ninth Street to the east edge of the swimming pool parking lot; Cherokee Avenue from Fifth Street to Ninth Street; patching South Railroad near Choctaw Avenue; Eighth Street from Caddo to Choctaw Avenue; and Wade Avenue east of Broadway. There are additional projects if funds allow.

The bids will be awarded in February.

The Council also voted to make changes to the transfer of funds from the Capital Improvement Fund to the General Fund. Previously, the City would transfer $6,500 of Use Tax revenue monthly; the change will stipulate that $10,000 per month would be left in the Capital Improvement Fund and the rest of the funds will transfer to the General Fund.

During the meeting of the Marlow Municipal Authority, Trustees approved the purchase of supplies for the Water Department in the amount of $9,929 from Oklahoma Contractors Supply. McPherson said that the purchase was not the lowest bid submitted, but that the supplies are available immediately rather than having to wait for the supplies from the lower bidder.

“We can get this stock now, or 90% of it now, versus $800 less and it’s two to three months out,” McPherson said.

Trustees also voted to adjust rates and fees of services for electric, water and sewer, and sanitation.