Flashbacks

25 Years Ago Feb. 1, 1995

New Mayor Will Make Less Money, Chief Will Make More

When the next Mayor of Cordell takes office in April, he or she will be making one quarter of the salary the current mayor is receiving, a decision made by the Cordell City Council at a recent meeting.

Max Cunningham, mayor sice 1990, has made the same salary for four years - $525 per month. The city ordinance book, issued in 1984, said the mayor can only make $140 per month, which is the same price city council members receive. However, an amended ordinance raised the salary to cover the duties of Utilities Supervisor, a now defunct position.

The City Council voted to pay the office of mayor $140 per month unless the city has no administrator. Under that circumstance, the mayor would make $1,000 per month.

The city hired an administrator, David Fuqua, earlier in the year to handle the internal affairs of city administration.

Cunningham, who has already stated he would not seek another term in office, said the office of mayor does more work than a councilman.

Sam Holden, Cordell councilman, rebutted that statement by saying the mayor would not have as much to do if the city administrator could take “over the reins” and run the city.

The council also voted to keep their salaries the same - $140 per month.

In other payroll action, the council restructured the salary of Police Chief. As of April 17th, the position will pay $28,000.

Rough Crossings Will Be Repaired

The two bumpy railroad crossings on the west edge of town, dissecting State Highway 152, will get over $84,000 worth of improvements next month.

February 15th is the target date to get started on the repair project according to Cordell Mayor Max Cunningham.

He said the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is footing the bulk of the bill, with Farmrail/ Grainbelt Corporation picking up the rest.

50 Years Ago Jan. 29, 1970

County Children To Be Given Vaccine On Rubbella Sunday

A “Rub Out Rubbella” clinic will be held in Cordell Sunday, Feb. 1, for Washita County children aged one to 11 years as a part of the statewide campaign to wipe out the disease.

The county clinic will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the Community Center in Cordell under sponsorship of the Washita County Medical Society of which Dr. Jim C. Couch is president.

Dr. Roy Anderson will serve as coordinator of the clinic with Dr. Gordon Livingston and Dr. Tisdal Jones and their nurses participating. Arnold Rexall Drug will serve as repository for the vaccine, which was expected to arrive about mid-week.

Three Chosen For All-State Band

Jana King, Kathy Ratzlaff, and Julie Perkins, Blue Devil band members, will represent Cordell high school at the 1970 All-State music festival in Oklahoma City Friday through Sunday, Jan. 30 to Feb. 1.

To be chosen for membership in the All-State band is regarded as the top honor for a high school band member.

To be chosen as an allstate band member, a student must attend two auditions. The first, the district contest, was held at Weatherford in November. The final or state audition was conducted at John Marshall high school in Oklahoma City in December.

Groundhog Supper Scheduled Feb. 4

Twenty-fifth annual groundhog supper of the Cordell Methodist church is dated for next Wednesday evening, Feb. 4.

The Methodist Men, sponsoring organization, say the meal will be served family style -- “all you can eat” - from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

The Methodist church is located a block east and two blocks south of the courthouse.