Official voices concerns about mayor's actions

By Fawn Porter/The Mustang News

Chad McDowell Tuesday denied abusing his role as mayor when he asked board of adjustment members to be more “open-minded” regarding an application to mine dirt on a piece of property in Mustang.

At the Mustang Board of Adjustment meeting Tuesday night, member Walt Sirman voiced concern about communication by the mayor to board members regarding a decision that he did not agree with.

McDowell said he approached three board members and told them he was “disappointed” in the fact the board didn’t attempt to find common ground with resident Louis Krivanek who requested permission to mine dirt on his property located at SW 59th and County Line Road.

Larry Spohn, one of the board members in question, said he was approached by McDowell at a homebuilder’s association meeting in Oklahoma City regarding the issue.

He said the mayor asked him what he thought about the Krivanek decision.

“(McDowell) suggested we, as the board of adjustments, should have offered a compromise,” Spohn said.  

He added when he asked what McDowell meant, the mayor said he thought the board should have offered another avenue to get the variance approved.

Spohn said if anyone has any suggestions to make to the board, he feels they should make them before the board during a meeting.

Spohn and the other two board members said they never felt “intimidated” by McDowell.

For his part, the mayor said he was only offering his opinion that a compromise was warranted.

“We aren’t just talking about Mustang beautification like the board suggested,” McDowell said. “We are talking about denying a man the right to make money from his property.”

Board chairman Jack Price said he did not want the board of adjustments to become “a political arena” and agreed with Spohn that if anyone had something to say about the board’s decision, they should approach the board as a whole.

“This is the kind of thing we don’t need from an elected official,” Sirman said.

Ted Pool, city attorney, addressed the legality of the issue. He said an elected official is “just like anyone else.” When an elected official is falsely representing the city and acting on a board or the city’s behalf and not authorized to do so, then that is improper.

Price said in an earlier interview, “was he (McDowell) trying to persuade us, sure, but where do you draw the line?

“I think (the mayor) was speaking mostly on behalf of himself he didn’t give us any mayoral direction or suggestion,” he said.

Students to spread cheer to soldiers overseas

By Carolyn Cole/The Mustang News

Mustang High School students need help to mail Christmas stockings to U.S. troops stationed overseas.

National Honor Society students collected items at school and local stores, enough to fill two Chevrolet Suburbans, according to Tyler Sellers, the group’s vice president.

“These soldiers are over there serving their country and they are not able to be at home with their family members like we are for Christmas,” he said. “I think this is a way to make their time over there a little more enjoyable.”

Sellers, whose father is stationed in Afghanistan, said the support the project received was “overwhelming.”

“It takes so long to ship this stuff, four to six weeks, I           really wish we had more time,” he said.

Students distributed fliers to every high school student, with collection places scattered around campus. They also spent a few days after school collecting items and passing out fliers in front of Larry’s Homeland, Dollar Tree and Dollar General. Students asked for DVDs, nonperishable foods, socks, pajama pants, slippers, T-shirts, hygiene items, board games, Christmas cards and stockings.

Student Amanda Ashby said she was excited to help.

“Tyler is so excited about it,” she said. “I just wanted to get involved to help out anyway I could.”

Danna Colbert said she volunteered because she wanted soldiers to know they are appreciated.

“This is to send them something to keep them wanting to come home and remind them somebody is here to care about them,” she said.

For the most part, student said response from the community has been positive.  

“We had some guy who was like thank you so much for doing this,” Rachel Rowe said. “They really appreciate it.”

Sellers said they have received several Christmas cards for the troops.

“People have filled out these cards with stories and saying thank you to these soldiers who are over there making the sacrifices they are making,” he said.

Now students are looking for help to mail the items. Tom Garner, faculty sponsor, said he’s proud of what the students have accomplished.

“These kids are so genuine in their desire to help others and to give back to their school and community,” he said.

If you would like to help with shipping costs, call the school at 376-2404 and leave a message for the students or Garner.