25 Years Ago
May 3, 1995
Committee Looks At Cutting Deposits For Small Business Owners
A newly formed committee was born Monday night at the Cordell City Council. Headed by Councilman Jim Price, the committee will look at ways to restructure utility deposits for small business owners.
Price, himself a business owner, said he hopes the reworking of deposits will entice businesses to open in Cordell.
“When I opened, I felt I was asked an outrageous amount for utilities,” he said. “We want the city of Cordell to encourage small businesses to open, not discourage them by asking to pay high deposits that tie up their cash flow.” He is working on a plan
He is working on a plan that will give consideration for businesses with a business/marketing plan, a good credit history, and small business management training. He said an example business might have its deposit dropped from $400 to $50 by meeting the criteria.
City Planting Trees In Honor of Lost Children
The City of Cordell is asking Cordell area citizens to bring donations to purchase trees in memory of the children who perished in the Oklahoma City disaster of April 19. The campaign is called “Trees of Faith.”
Jerry Duke, Cordell’s park supervisor, and Mayor Phil Kliewer, are spearheading the effort to plant one redbud in Lee Park for each of the children who lost their lives.
Duke said he hopes to purchase established six foot tall trees estimated to cost $35 per tree. Also, Kliewer hopes to memorialize the children with a small plaque or stone to indicate the circumstances of the tragedy.
“The total we hope to raise in the effort is approximately $750,” said Sue Brown, city clerk.
Burns Flat Firemen Aid Oklahoma City
The Burns Flat Volunteer Fire Department responded to the Oklahoma City bomb site on three different occasions since the deadly blast. Those who voluteered their time and services were: Larry Hall, fire chief; Hank Gillham, assistant chief; and firemen Jeff Headrick, Floyd Raemhild, and Lonnie Wilson. The volunteers reported to the Oklahoma City Fire Department Command Post April 21, 23, and 27. They were assigned to various duties including search and rescue of victims in the “pit” area and the “pancake” area.
50 Years Ago
April 30, 1970
City Soldier Is Awarded Medal Posthumously
By direction of the President of the United States, the Meritorious Service Medal was posthumously awarded recently to Sergeant Major Karl V. Schmidt of Cordell.
The presentation was made to his widow by Major Edwin Miller, chief of the admistrative services branch at Fort Sheridan, Illinois.
The army announcement of the award stated:
“SGM Schmidt distinguished himself by outstanding performance of duty while serving at HQ Fifth United States Army, Fort Sheridan, as the Sergeant Major for the Administrative Service Branch, office of the Adjutant General, during the period 24 July 1964 to 6 March 1970.”
Pair Jailed In Canute Theft
The theft of $45 from the Washita Motel in Canute Tuesday led to the arrest of two suspected car thieves.
Gerald Kupka, Washita County Undersheriff who lives at Canute, was alerted at 7:30 a.m. as he was on his way to Sayre to attend police school.
He returned to Canute where he was told by the motel owner, Mrs. Jewell Alexander, that $45 had been taken from the cash register and a stranded hitchhiker said most of his clothes and a duffel bag had been stolen.
Kupka notified Elk City officers and a pickup order was broadcast for the two suspects traveling in a 1966 gray Chevrolet sedan.
The suspects, identified as Clarence Dewayne Beard, 19, and Richard Wayne Sanders, 20, both of Dallas, Texas, were arrested in Sayre by Billy Ray Thomas, Elk City highway patrol trooper, and Lamar Ubert, Beckham County deputy sheriff stationed at Erick.
County Lauded By Economic Base Report
Washita County has much to offer industry - an adequate labor supply, favorable weather, plenty of land for sites, and easy access to Interstate 40 and to a main railroad line.
This was the gist of the Economic Base Report for Washita County that was presented to the Cordell Chamber of Commerce at its monthly luncheon meeting last Friday.
Harry Revelle of Oklahoma City, analyst for the Oklahoma Employment Service which conducted an exhaustive economic and labor survey in Washita County last year, encouraged citizens of the county to take advantage of these favorable conditions and go after industry with enthusiasm.
The report showed that Washita County has 1,002 workers available for new industries and also has 3,828 potential workers.