Positive Solution Overcomes the Falls

I was very  privileged to be a part of wonderful group of people in an organization called  Enid Beautiful Inc back in 2003. Then, a very assertive and positive group of people who loved Enid and Government Springs Park were strategizing about the demise of the spring’s old water fall. Erosion, 40 years of neglect, poor engineering and maintenance had rendered the waterfall useless, ugly and a great liability. Several concepts were drawn up with plans to include the whole south ridge or just replace the immediate site with a more suitable waterfall. The project would cost from $125,000 to $75,000. With the passion of evangelists, several folks rallied the fervor from a few other organizations and key individual supporters in Enid.

With the support of a Enid Symphony concert and a big financial contribution from the Rotary Club, the $75,000 waterfall was put into place by August of 2004. With the enthusiasm of kids with  new toys, many gardeners and landscapers clambered upon the newly place boulders along the ridge to plant new growth and mold the final touches to the beautiful waterfalls of today. Thank you, Enid for proving the positive side of our community’s efforts can overcome obstacles and make this the best place to live in NW Oklahoma!

 

Targeting Eastside is Becoming a Culture

The City of Enid and its Zoning Czars have taken most all of the service and retail businesses from the eastside’s neighborhoods. Over 90% of new businesses are pushed to the far west, as well as the new developing infrastructure. Now, instead of offering to improve relations with the constituency, city leaders would rather use oppressive political tactics such as specific ordinances that generally define eastside property owners. There many families that work in shifts at several of the 24-hour industries around town. These families own more than 2-3 cars, but are still only able to make it from pay day to pay day.

Now, the city is adding to their challenge of living in Enid. It’s bad enough that the eastside neighborhoods have barely enough affordable housing. Enid manufacturer employers are desperately needing more housing for their workforce. Hospitals are also desperately trying to attract more medical workforce, too. Now, instead of coming up with a better housing solution, Enid officials can only operate in an attack mode. I wished that Mayor Criner and his cronies could find the positive side of their responsibility and promote positive solutions. I’ve personally talked with the Mayor, and I knew of his dreams for Enid. Somebody must have something on him, because he sure has done a flip-flop from when he was platforming for his candidacy. Enid needs to know who is holding the whip! If the Mayor would arise to the challenge, the city leaders could collaborate with town leadership from Garber to Meno and from Hennessey to Pond Creek and develop economic corridors for industry and advertise area tourism along 412 from I-35. Work on that angle and maybe we could all get a pay increase and stay happy