GREG COX: WARD 1 CITY COUNCIL
I’ve seen Cordell in the best of times and in times of struggle. It is my hope that with continued forward thinking, we can see Cordell beautiful and thriving into the future.
I’m a fourth generation resident of this town and I’ve served Cordell as a banker for eight years. I spent 31 years as an educator in Cordell. I am honest and a good listener and I believe I know how to deal peaceably with the public.
Over my term I would like to see economic growth. I would like to see our hospital, care center, and first responders made a priority. I would like to see a partnership with small business and schools.
My wife’s name is Ronita and I have three grown children and three grandchildren. I am a member of the Northside Church of Christ. Cordell has been my home for my entire life with deep family roots.
BUDDY HOLMAN: WARD 3 CITY COUNCIL
I love this city. I have been here my whole life. I went to school here, lived here while I went to college and I have made my home here. Cordell is home. When I was approached with the pos- sibility of being on the City Council in 2020, I felt that this was a good opportunity for me to make a difference in promoting and building up our town. I feel that we have be able to accomplish some great things the last few years and I would love the chance to continue working towards make the future of our city bright! I am not on the council for myself. I have not been one of those that shy away from people. I feel that I have made myself available to anyone who had a problem or a question. One thing I am not afraid of is asking for help. If I don’t know the answer, I will do my best to find someone who has the answers!
Experience is the main qualification I have. I have been on the council since my appointment in February of 2020. I attended the council training 2 months after. When I finished out the term I was appointed to, I refiled and ran unopposed for my second two year term. I have attended the Open Meeting and Open Records Seminar that was put on by the Oklahoma Press Association four months ago to further educate myself.
I would love to continue working towards improving the infrastructure of Cordell! We are inching closer to the end of the water project. It will be nice to have that done. We have streets that are in need of being resurfaced. One of my main concerns is that we need to focus on is the economic side of things. We need to start working on bringing businesses to town. We were able to bring the Family Dollar/Dollar Tree in. I think with all the water improvements and with people moving in, we could attract more businesses to our town! I just want to encourage everyone to come out and vote on April 4th. I would appreciate your vote and would love to talk to anyone who has questions or concerns!
BLAKE REED: WARD 2 CITY COUNCIL
I would like to represent my ward because I believe I can help be a positive change for the City of Cordell and hopefully start to earn trust back from the citizens towards the council and city officials.
I am currently on the Leadership team at Cordell Memorial Hospital as a Registered Nurse where we have numerous Leadership training from various credible sources. I also believe that I have strong moral and family values such as honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness that can be used to help the City of Cordell. I also have two young boys who I am raising in Cordell so I am vested in making Cordell great!
I would like to see as much transparency from the City to the citizens as much as possible regarding concerns on various issues. I think people just want to know what is going on and feel informed with information that can be trusted. I would also love to see the square even more thriving than it currently is, so continually keeping it updated and hopefully getting new businesses in town to make Cordell a destination for surrounding cities.
EARLENE SMITH – MAYOR CANDIDATE:
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, i.e., age, job, hometown, family, hobbies, etc.?
I was born in Thomas, Oklahoma and graduated from Cordell High School in 1977, then moved away to attend college. Johnny and I moved back to Cordell to raise our children, all of whom attended Cordell schools. We are proud parents of four children and seven grandchildren. I manage our rental properties and am a genetic genealogist. We enjoy camping, motorcycles and spending time with our children and grandchildren.
Why are you running for Mayor? What are things you hope to accomplish if elected?
I am running for mayor to bring change where it is needed and replace confidence where it has been lost.
My hope is that the mayor and city council can come together and work for the good of the city. We need to listen to the residents of the city, develop goals, and then work effectively with each other to achieve our objectives.
What experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as Mayor?
I have served as a city council member for the last 6 years. During which time I worked with other council members on multiple city issues. I learned how important it is to work as a group, but also how important it is to stand for my own values.
Having owned various small businesses over the years, I understand the importance of building relationships, ensuring I find the best variety, products and prices for the customer and ensuring the suppliers are treated fairly all while earning a reasonable profit. It comes down to finding common ground for everyone. I always listened to what the customers wanted and needed and found an affordable solution to the problem.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in Cordell?
I plan to allow members of the community to share their concerns during council meetings. For citizens who do not wish to speak openly during meetings, I will continue to make myself available by phone and in-person as I have done the last 6 years and encourage other elected officials do the same. Committees and focus groups are another way to involve the residents.
What are some of your favorite things about the town?
My favorite thing about Cordell is its people. Every day you can read on social media how a citizen has stepped forward to help another citizen of this city. Whether it’s finding a dog, jumping a car battery, or needing boxes, the citizens always step forward to help. I read one day that the local Blessing Box was running short on food–and by the time I got there with my donation, the cupboard was full. I am also impressed by a group of individuals who work long and hard hours for our community, and don’t receive any pay for it. Yet, year after year this group delivers many amazing community events such as, Pumpkin Festival, Spook the Square, etc. and they do it for us!
It’s the members of our community that make Cordell a destination, and their love of the community that make Cordell a fantastic place to live.
Why should you be elected?
I am honest, conservative, flexible, and I don’t play games. I will listen fairly, listen thoughtfully, and then do what’s right. As mayor I will focus on the issues, not on awards.
What changes would you like to see happen during your term as Mayor?
I will seek more open and respectful interactions with community members, city leaders, and city employees.I will be more transparent and open to the public. Economic development and growth is a top priority for every city. I will welcome new business into our community while also supporting and encouraging the existing businesses. I will work with the members of the council to reevaluate the automatic utility rate increase policy. I will focus on the usage needs and budget restraints when considering rate increases.
What else should people know about you or your candidacy?
I intend to keep my eyes focused on the future not on the past.
I am a candidate that can stand on her own two feet. I am only human so when I inevitably make a mistake, I will do my best to correct it. I will stand up for the best interests of my community and work hard to make Cordell the best it can be.
As a council member, I am known for voting my conscience, not someone else’s. As mayor, I will continue to follow my conscience and do what’s best for the city as a whole.
CHERI NABORS: WARD 3 UNEXPIRED
I am Cheri Nabors. I was born and raised in Cordell. My husband and I have owned Nabors Body Shop for the past 27 plus years. I have watched our town go through some changes, both good and bad. I would like to have the opportunity to serve on the City Council to help bring about some good changes. We need to bring our town back to what makes this such a great place to live. I would like the opportunity to help reestablish communications between citizens and council. We need to work together not against each other. This town has some wonderful assets and we need to focus on the positive. I hope to bring to the council a cooperative, understanding, listening and working voice. I have been a part of this town my entire life and I would love the opportunity to restore and repay the blessings Cordell has given me and my family.
DARRYL ANTHONY: WARD 3 CITY COUNCIL
I would like to be elected as a Councilman in order to represent our citizens. I have a little experience in some fields that I feel would help in my position as Council member. I have served on the Cordell Chamber of Commerce Board. This service was fun and interesting. I have also served on the Planning and Zoning / Historic Preservation Boards. These boards gave me a little better insight into how some of our local government worked. I found these Boards to be educational. Then I moved on to the Cordell City Council. Oh, did I mention that I was elected President on every Board that I have been on?
As for the future of our city, this can be what we want it to be. It’s up to all of the citizens and includes our city leaders. Our citizens need to know that they have a voice and will be heard by our city leaders, which includes the City Council. Openness and transparency are a must when it comes to the city leaders and the public.
With your help and support I hope to serve the community in any way that I can.
CARL RAMSEY: WARD 2 CITY COUNCIL
I’m not running to represent just my Ward; I am running to represent all Citizens of Cordell. I have experience in business operations and budgets. I also have experience in working with customers and making sure they are satisfied with the services provided, which I believe Cordell strongly needs! I would love to see more transparency within our city’s government and the citizens of Cordell. I would like to see the town of Cordell thrive just as it did in the days of the many stories I have heard from the residents who have lived here most of their life. Cordell is now my home and has been the last 13 years and I want it to stick around not just for all of us today I want it to stick around for future generations to come.
J.D. BANKS: WARD 1 CITY COUNCIL
I would like to represent my ward to bring back honesty and trust to the people in my ward and to the citizens of Cordell.
I moved to Cordell in 1976 and I have seen what works and what does not work for our community and the best interest for our city. I have been a business owner in Cordell for the last 17 years and know how finances work.
The main thing I would like to see is growth that brings in more revenue so we can continue fixing problems that need to be addressed.
PHIL KLIEWER – MAYOR CANDIDATE:
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, i.e., age, job, hometown, family, hobbies, etc.?
I am a 4th generation Washita Co and Cordell resident with ancestors dating to 1895. Graduated from Cordell High in 1970 where I spent K-12 here. I am 71 years old, having graduated from Westminster College with a BA in Economics and Business in Administration in 1974 and received an MBA from OU in 1976. I was away from Cordell for about 13 years while working in OKC at a large bank and my school years in Missouri and Norman. I am an amateur photographer, retired aviator, like traveling and college sports. I have two daughters, Abbey and Addison, and a son-in-law, Quinton. They are in professional (journalism) and medical fields (pharmacy) and they visit here frequently.
Why are you running for Mayor? What are things you hope to accomplish if elected?
I am running for mayor because I love Cordell based on my working and living here for 40 years, still not retired. I know with a positive “can do” attitude and proven leadership we can find ways to be the talk of the area and state once again, as noted during our Main Street years.
What experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as Mayor?
I served as mayor for 8 years previously where we were an award winning community: Great American Main St Award, multiple large grants that are evident today; historic restorations dot the downtown, Mayor of the Year 2001, work well with state and area officials to develop partnerships. My educational, finance and management background of 40 years provides a very solid foundation for this opportunity. I am a good listener, work well with numbers and budgets, and will delegate authority when appropriate.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in Cordell?
We invite questions from our citizenry that are written in advance and also, with council’s agreement, a short time for pertinent Q&A during council meetings. Also, I hope to revive and activate citizen boards, commissions and special appointments. Planning, training and leadership development is a cornerstone of well-run communities.
What are some of your favorite things about the town?
Cordell’s historic town square and Washita Co Courthouse are incredible assets that must be groomed and nurtured. The traffic counts and economic development on 183 and 152 needs to be fostered. Our school system, small business vibrancy and county government need to be effectively melded together with our mutual strengths.
Why should you be elected?
City experience, rekindling vital community partnerships and the still vivid memory of what made our community excel 20+ years ago. Our team brought substantial grants for downtown sidewalks, The Florence House, The Washita Theatre, Centennial Park, and council approved Gregory Park upgrades, to name a few.
What changes would you like to see happen during your term as Mayor?
Curb appeal of town and downtown area. Help existing small businesses expand or survive with business-friendly policies. Make sure we can adequately protect and serve our community with police, fire and EMS. Change our mindset that centers on “solutions” and not just pointing out problems.
What else should people know about you or your candidacy I was told, “Kliewer you know how to do this, it’s no different than getting back on your bike and going again.”
AMY RIGGS: WARD 1 CITY COUNCIL
I would like to represent my Ward on the City Council because I never given up on this town. I have run for a council seat several times and yet I have still continued to boost business in this town and have continued to fundraise and give back in this town and have never said I will leave because I have not been elected.
I believe I am qualified because I have run a successful business for five years and I attend council meetings often and in the past I have been on several different Cordell boards including the planning and zoning, Cordell Chamber, Historical Preservation and the Lions Club.
What I would like to see during my term is more communication between the residents of our town and the decisions that are being made within our community with funds and different grants. I would also like to see improvements in our city owned properties that have been vacant and need improvements.
Any questions on where I stand on any issue can be addressed at my business during hours of Operation. 214 E Main St 6:30am to 2pm Mon - Fri or 9am - 2pm on Saturday. I would be happy to speak with anyone.
JAMES NEWMAN: WARD 3 UNEXPIRED
Cordell is home. No matter where I lived and worked, Cordell was and is my home. My family is here. My home is here. I wanted to be a voice for Cordell. I've represented Cordell for the last four years as council person for this ward. I vote with my heart and I try to do what the people tell me they need or want. The biggest things we are working on are the infrastructure of Cordell to make sure we have good foundation for the future of Cordell.