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The articles listed on this page/category and within this website is for entertainment and information purposes only. Advice or suggestions should not necessarily be taken literally or followed. The authors are not responsible or liable for any harm or loss to anyone or their property due to the content of their article. Any advice or instructions followed by reader will be at reader’s own risk. Furthermore, we are not responsible for the accuracy of submitted content. |
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The viewpoints submitted on this site are not necessarily the opinion of the Cordell Chamber of Commerce or it’s members. |
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From The Third Floor of The Courthouse
Title: The Washita County Justice Center
On April 9th, 2010, the Washita County Public Facilities Authority held a ground breading for the Washita County Justice Center. The Justice Center will be located at the east end of McClary Street on the east side of Cordell.
The Justice Center will house 120 adult inmates as well as the Washita County Sheriff’s Department. In addition the Center will have separate holding cells for up to four juvenile offenders and isolation/medical cells for sick or ill inmates. As an increase in security measures, the Center will have a courtroom and video visitation booths. These two measures will increase the security at the Center, as well as the Washita County Courthouse, by reducing the number of trips to the Courthouse.
Establishing a new or refurbished jail for Washita County has been a commitment of Washita County Sheriff Larry Burrows for quite some time. The current jail was built in the 1930 by the WPA. It housed approximately 25 inmates and was later increased to approximately 35. Currently the population of the jail in somewhere between 45 and 50 persons and has been for sometime.
In 1996, Sheriff Burrows and I met with the Washita County Commissioners and proposed the idea of building a new jail. At that time the Oklahoma State Jail Inspector had informed Sheriff Burrows that the jail was over populated and unsafe; not just for inmates but for his staff and the general public. However, in 1996, there were many jails across the state that needed repair and the Washita County jail was low on the list.
In 2008 that all changed. The State Jail Inspector informed Sheriff Burrows that Washita County had moved to the top of the list and must be replaced or repaired. In response to that demand, the Washita County Commissioners formed the Washita Public Facilities Authority, with the directive of investigating and remedying the problems faced by the existing jail. The Authority consisted of James Gee, Washita County Commissioner District 3, Sheriff Burrows, Larry Peck of Sentinel, Jerry Weichel of Colony and Dennis Krueger of Cordell. The authority decided that the best option available was to build a new facility and set that process in motion.
In June of 2009, the citizens of Washita County overwhelmingly approved an increase in sales tax to fund the program. At a cost of around 7.5 millions dollars, when completed, the Washita County Justice Center is not only the largest building project in Cordell but also the single largest building project in Washita County.
Over the next several months, this project will bring many workers to the Cordell area and our community which will assuredly increase sales and revenue.
Christopher S. Kelly Associate District Judge Washita County Cordell, Oklahoma |
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04/29/10 May is Tourism Month by Claudia Gray
May is a magical time in Western Oklahoma. The wildflowers are getting in full bloom and it is a wonderful sight down Highway 152 the scenic road from Sayre to Oklahoma City. We invite travelers during the month of May to drive this 100 mile road to see the true beauty of Western Oklahoma. May is Oklahoma's tourism month. Cordell is ready to welcome all you travelers to come see us!
Make sure that Cordell is one of your stops to dine, catch an evening movie at the Washita Theatre with the largest screen in Western Oklahoma plus THX sound and Dolby surround sound. Cordell offers you the most photographed Washita County courthouse with the early 1900's buildings that make up our square with businesses ready for your shopping passion.
In 2011 the Washita County Courthouse will be one hundred years old. Open from Sam to 4pm. Cordell offers so much for tourists, we have a newly vamped golf course, bowling alley, two tennis courts and more for the sports minded. The Washita County Museum with over 10,000 county items on full display on Friday's from 2 to 4pm and opened by calling for an appointment.
Cordell has two wonderful parks for the children to enjoy. Lee Park on Highway 183 (over 100 years old) and the new Centennial Park downtown. Looking for a great place to open a new business or maybe you would like to get out of the "BIG" cities and find a warm, friendly town to live, please consider Cordell. Cordell loves our alumni and baby boomers moving back to Cordell. Great schools and low crime are a plus for Cordell.
Cordell one of the locations for the filming of the "The Killer Inside Me" to be released this summer. Walk in the footprints of the stars, Casey Affleck, and Simon Baker. Sit in the booth at the restaurant that they sat in while filming. Visit the downtown locations and see what the Director Michael Winterbottom saw in Cordell. Come to Cordell see the wildflowers on your drive into Cordell and book a few nights at our lovely 41 Motel, newly remodeled and come spend the weekend with us. Bring the cameras. Enjoy peace and quiet in Cordell. A magical trip, you will think you have stepped back in time around 1900. Cordell the friendly city. |
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From The Third Floor of The Courthouse by: Judge Chris Kelly
Title: Local Youth Win Law Day Contests
May 1st of each year is Law Day in the United States and across the country there are many different celebrations and events. Our local bar association, the Washita County Bar Association participated with the Custer County Bar Association in the annual “Ask a Lawyer” event.
In addition to that event, the Oklahoma Bar Association sponsors contests of school age children from across the state. The contests range from coloring pages to writing essays. As president of the Washita County Bar Association, I had the great pleasure to present plaques and prize money to the children from this county who participated in and won some of those contests.
In Canute, Ms. Goss’ seventh grade participated in the creative writing contest. Blake Goss finished first and Amanda Higgins placed second.
In Cordell, the T1 classes of Ms. Wilkie and Ms. Goeringer participated in the Coloring Contest. All the children received a participation award and there were many who made honorable mention. Averie Cary placed first and McKenna Wedel finished second.
The teachers, parents and the entire community should be proud of these young people and the hard work they put into these events. Thousands of entries were submitted from across the state and the top two participants in the Seventh grade and T1 classes reside here in our county.
On behalf of the Washita County Bar Association, I say “Congratulations”. |
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Cordell Chamber of Commerce |
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Articles Page 4 |
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Dean Jackson Entertainer |
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Featured Writer |
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My Past Articles |
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Featured Writer |
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“Car Crazy” By: Donna Goeringer |
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My Past Articles |
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Chamber Board Member |
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Judge Chris Kelly |
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My Past Articles |
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“From The Third Floor of The Courthouse” |
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Claudia Gray |
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Featured Writer |
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My Past Articles |
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From The Third Floor of The Courthouse by: Judge Chris Kelly
May was National Drug Court month. Since 2004, I have been involved with the Washita/Custer County Drug Court; first as a prosecutor and now as a judge. For those who don’t know or aren’t familiar with Drug Court, it is a prison diversion program for non-violent drug offenders. They are required, along with many other things, to submit to random urinalysis (as many as 5 per week); GPS tracking and monitoring, be full time employed, abide by a strict treatment schedule including weekly court appearances and self help (AA or NA) meetings and to complete 6 hours of community service each week. Many of those community service hours are completed here in Cordell.
Of the 65 people who have already completed this three year program, only 9 have been rearrested. That is less than 14 percent. That pales in comparison with the traditional prison release rate of recidivism; which is some where between 35 and 50 percent.
The National and State motto for Drug courts is “Drug Courts Save Lives”. This is a true statement; many lives have been saved by Drug Courts. However, our motto for the Washita/Custer County Drug Court is “Drug Court Saves Families”. I am constantly approached by the mothers, fathers, wives, husbands and children of our Drug Court participants who say to me that they are amazed at the changes their loved ones have made while in the program. Recently a 15 year old daughter of a Drug Court participant said to me “Thank you for giving me my father back!”
With the lower amount of repeat offenders and the reuniting of families, Drug Court appears to be doing its job.
NOTE: On June 26, 2010, the 4th Annual Ellis Cabaniss Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at Riverside Golf Course in Clinton. Proceeds from this tournament benefit the Washita/Custer County Drug Court. For more information contact Chris Jones at 580-383-1358. |
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07/22/10 Article by: Claudia Gray
Have you ever wondered, I mean really think why it is so important to shop your "Hometown" first? If you have an item you can't purchase in your hometown. Keep your purchases close to home. Purchasing from your town businesses and neighboring towns keeps your money in your town and area. I am speaking of TAX DOLLARS. The box stores may save you a few bucks, but your tax dollars are not in your county or neighboring counties. For instance (true story) you might save a few dollars buying in the box store, say in Oklahoma City. You are looking for microwaves...same model as found in Cordell only $4.00 higher. What do you do? For a simple $4.00 more your taxes stay in Cordell. You have saved money by not buying gas, and most likely a meal or two. Plus, when you purchase in your hometown, if you run into problems, you just call your local dealer, and they will see that you get it repaired or an exchange. If you buy the $4.00 cheaper on at the box store and having to leave it for repairs...now this makes three trips to the box store. If you bought it at the box store, you will have to take it back to Oklahoma City, costing you time, gas, and meals. Hold on now! You have made the trip to Oklahoma City, you are hungry so you will find a higher price restaurant to dine in. Prices will be higher than in your hometown restaurants. When you get back home, you have lost a full day for one micro-wave. The worst part is that you left your tax dollars on the item, one hundred miles away. Most likely when you were at the box store, you purchased more items, and you are hoping they will not be defective as well. Don't go through this hassle, shop at home. IF they don't have what you want locally, just ask the business owner to order in the style and model you need. Most likely, they can get you what you want, and you will only have to wait a few days. Trust you local businesses to take care of you, they know you and will want your business in the future. The box stores, you are just a face, they don't know you and they generally will not take care of your needs, like someone in your area. Western Oklahoma is struggling right now. We need to keep our existing towns alive. If you want to see your community progress...please SHOP AT HOME, keep your tax dollars in Washita, Beckham, Custer, or Kiowa Counties. Do make sure the local businesses can not supply you with what you need, give them the first chance to make the sale. It is so important right now with the economy the way it is to shop in your area, not one hundred miles away. Keep our tax dollars in Western Oklahoma, for schools, roads, and etc.
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