Woodward, Okla. — By Bill Fanning

Woodward’s Municipal Judge Vickie Cook retired from that position, effective August 31.  We appreciate the service Judge Cook has given to our community for nearly 10 years.  She has been very dedicated to carrying out those duties and has earned the respect of our law enforcement personnel.  We recognize the factors that led to her difficult decision to leave her position and all of us at City Hall say “Thank You Judge Cook, for a job well done.”

 The City Commission approved the appointment of Justin Eilers to fill the position of municipal judge and I was honored to conduct his swearing-in ceremony on August 26.  We are excited to have Mr. Eilers on our team.  He is an impressive young man who will do a good job for the city.

 The U.S. Census Bureau recently presented a plaque to the City of Woodward, as a valued partner in appreciation for our support in raising awareness of and inspiring participation in the 2010 Census.  Our efforts to help achieve a complete and accurate census count have made a lasting impact on the nation.  Thank you to everyone involved for helping to paint the new portrait of America.

 We are very excited to have a new administrator at the Woodward Regional Hospital  David Wallace, wife Kelly and their 3 children moved here from Durant.  They are an energetic family and Dave has hit the ground running.  Be sure to say hello if you see them around town.

 A big thank you goes out to the Tourism and Convention Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma Blues Society, for planning and sponsoring the 2nd Annual Mayor’s Blues Concert.  The weather was great, the food from Dairy Queen was good and the bands were exceptionally good.  Thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed the show.  And by the way, we had 3 visitors at the park that evening from Atlanta, Ga. and Augusta, Ga. and they were impressed with all of the quality entertainment and activities that Woodward has to offer.

 A long awaited event happened this week at the Boiling Springs State Park.  The grand re-opening of the Spring Box occurred on Wednesday.  As a youngster, I always enjoyed watching the water boil out of the sandy-bottomed spring in the park.  Boiling Springs is one of Oklahoma’s original 7 state parks and was built in the 1930s.  The renovation cost approximately $785,000.00 and included a new cedar log shelter, reflecting pond, interpretive signage, new parking areas, sidewalks and viewing areas.  More than $2.3 million in renovations are under way throughout the park. I can’t wait to see the park when everything is complete.

  Be sure to watch progress start at the 34th Street site of the new Conference Center.   Heavy equipment is arriving and soon the dirt work will be completed by our own Kevin Kornele and his crew, and County Commissioner Vernie Matt and his crew.  The pre-construction meeting has been held and bids were opened.  Another exciting project for Woodward.  I will keep you informed next month as construction begins.



Bill Fanning is the mayor of Woodward.