A map for success

During a regional economic summit, area officials are discussing what they have in common, rather than their differences.

By BETTY RIDGE

For years, governments and communities have defined themselves by their boundaries.

But in today’s society, city limits, county lines, state lines are just that — limits. They limit community growth, economic development. Only by crossing these boundaries and working together can areas succeed.

That was the message nearly 400 leaders from across northeastern Oklahoma heard when they assembled Tuesday for the first area economic summit, “Giving Voice to Our Region,” at Northeastern State University.

The event was co-sponsored by NSU, the Cherokee Nation, and SACC-EZ (Sequoyah, Adair and Cherokee County Empowerment Zone), an economic development organization.

Dr. Don Betz, NSU president, said the summit is part of “making place matter,” a strategic goal of Oklahoma’s regional universities.

What is important is not what divides us, but what unites us, Betz told the group before the keynote address. More than 300 people had registered for the conference, and Betz estimated 350 to 400 were assembled in the Herb Rozell Ballroom at the University Center Tuesday morning.

“We are here to grow the ‘net generation,” Betz said. “We must not only be the architects of the change, we must be the change.”

Bill Langley, chair of SACC-EZ, echoed the sentiment.

“It could be summed up in a couple of words. Together we shall overcome the worst economic conditions we have seen in most of our lives, to give voice to this region,” said Langley.

He said the interdependent approach requires crossing boundaries, interdependence, and innovative approaches to regional challenges.

The goal is systematic, long-term planning for economic change.

Meredith Frailey, speaker of the Cherokee Tribal Council, represented the tribe in welcoming attendees. She said Principal Chief Chad Smith was at a tribal conference with President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., but that he and the Cherokee Nation are committed to working with leaders from across the region to meet the same goals.

The tribe has cooperated with communities on roads, its landfill, and such endeavors as the NSU College of Optometry, she said.

Speaking on a video, Smith referred to the first Trail of Tears, which brought Cherokees to Indian Territory in 1838 and 1839; and the second Trail of Tears, which led them to California in a government-sponsored exodus from their new homeland, in the name of economic betterment. He encouraged the group to develop a strategy that would eliminate a third Trail of Tears.

As the summit began, small groups gathered by their interests, discussing education, local government, business, allied health and chambers of commerce.

Tahlequah Mayor Ken Purdy led the group on local government, in which area leaders said they had progress, and problems, in common. Purdy compared the session to an old family reunion. He already knew and had worked with most of the people in the room as they tackle regional issues.

While much of the news focuses on what happens in the nation’s capital, what happens at city hall or the county courthouse has more impact on the daily lives of most Americans, Purdy believes.

“From my perspective, local government is the most important form of government,” he said.

It not only touches people’s lives on a more personal basis, but it also allows more direct access. If the city street or the county road in front of someone’s house needs work, the citizen knows it. And he knows how to get ahold of city officials or his county commissioner to discuss the problem and seek its repair.

Purdy said the migration from rural areas to the county or city is increasing. Governmental agencies must deal with this population shift.

“We all have challenges, whether it’s because of the changing demographics, the economy or what we all share in common,” Purdy said.

He asked other officials, ranging from elected leaders to Cherokee Nation staff and community members, to discuss the issues they face.

Lack of revenue in today’s economy was the first thing most mentioned.

“Just like anybody else, we’re struggling,” Pryor Mayor Jimmy Tramel said. “I’m here to network and see what we all can do.”

Elaine Carr, mayor of West Siloam Springs, emphasized the need for local services.

“They’re [Washington, D.C.] not here on a local basis and they don’t know what we do,” she said.

Representatives from Sallisaw, Jay and Stilwell also talked of local challenges. In Sallisaw, passage of a county sales tax placed in jeopardy city plans to continue its own sales tax. The closing of Blue Ribbon Downs is also impacting the area.

Delaware County is struggling with issues, including the lack of ambulance service in the southern part of the county. Jay’s ambulance provides service but is some distance away, as is the Cherokee Nation ambulance in Oaks.

Purdy noted that for the past decade, the Cherokee chief, NSU’s president and the Tahlequah mayor have shared their problems and ideas over breakfast about once a month.

“I think [Smith] calls it biscuit and eggs diplomacy,” Purdy said.

He said the three entities have several interests in common, including Tahlequah’s downtown area. The Cherokee Nation is developing its historical sites — the old capitol, the supreme court building and penitentiary — along with other property it has purchased, with the goal of promoting cultural tourism.

The city has worked to improve the downtown area with streetscaping, the history trail and work in Norris and Sequoyah parks, while NSU maintains its interest in the buildings it owns, including the NSU Playhouse and Shawnee Street Theatre.

The other problem communities and governmental entities share is maintaining public services in a time of declining revenues, Purdy said.

“Our sales tax is down 8 percent. How do you provide the essential services to the community the same way?” Tramel said.

He said a bond issue failed by 41 votes, and it will be brought back, with more public education.

Another issue, which will be controversial with the counties, is a proposal to allow cities to derive revenue from property tax, Tramel said.

“I think all of us in the is room collectively can do this together,” he said.

Stilwell Mayor James Collins said his town’s revenue is pretty constant.

“We don’t normally go through peaks, highs and lows. We’re on the low side right now,” he said.

Mike Doublehead added that the Stilwell Utility Authority has been putting money aside for a major park, including 10 ball fields, under a long range plan established 13 years ago. That park will become reality within the next year, attracting tournaments and additional revenue to town.

“We’re only going to have to borrow about $1 million out of a $4 million project,” he said. “I think the day it really changed for Stilwell is when we started looking at the community as customers. It’s community investment. It wakes our community up, and they see city government did listen to what they wanted.”

The group included two staff members of U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla.

Tramel asked them for some relief with the paperwork associated with grants, a sentiment echoed by some of his colleagues.

“I’ve got 450 man-hours, personally, in a $50,000 grant, and I’m not through,” he said. “Whether it’s $50,000 or $1 million, it’s still the same.”

During the afternoon, the participants gathered in small workshops focusing on growing the region through the learning community, healthy living, personal mobility, workforce readiness, infrastructure, working with state legislators, and telling their story. Among the facilitators were Sandy Garrett, state superintendent of education, and Wilma Mankiller, former Cherokee Nation principal chief and NSU’s first Sequoyah Fellow.

What’s next

Community leaders from across northeastern Oklahoma will continue meeting at 8 this morning at Northeastern State University to discuss developing strategies for competition in the global market. The summit will conclude shortly after noon, with reports and a presentation on moving forward.