Staff
TAHLEQUAH —
Longtime Tahlequah resident Gary Cacy recently announced his candidacy for the upcoming election of city councilor for Ward 2.
Cacy attended Northeastern State University, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1996, and his master’s degree in college teaching in 1998. He has served the Tahlequah and NSU communities in many capacities over the years.
Cacy is an investigator with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, where he has worked since 2005. He began as a part-time deputy, transitioned to full-time in 2006, earned a promotion to sergeant in 2008, and to investigator in 2010.
Cacy also works with the elderly and disabled through a Department of Human Services Advantage program, designed to help the elderly and disabled avoid premature nursing home placement. He has worked in social services for the past 14 years, serving people with developmental disabilities and teaching others who work with them, as well as providing service to the elderly.
Cacy has been a volunteer firefighter since 2004. He is a member of the Cherokee Masonic Lodge and is a past master from 2008. He is also a member of the Bedouin Shrine Temple. Cacy is a member of the board of trustees for the Oakwood Homeowners Association.
He was raised in the church, and his parents have attended the same church in Tulsa for over 50 years. He is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Muskogee.
Cacy has been married to his wife, Emily, for 13 years, and is the father of three: Alexa, 12; Ethan, 4; and Avery, 8 months.
He enjoys watching and helping coach Alexa in basketball and softball, and has been a volunteer coach with Boys & Girls Club.
“Tahlequah has grown in so many ways in the past 20 years,” Cacy said. “I look forward to more growth in the future of this great city. I believe in a proactive and not a reactive approach to the needs of our community, today and for the future. I want our community to be a place where the young want to raise a family and the older generation feel safe enough to retire. I want our community to offer jobs to support families; retail and other services to keep our money local; and recreation and leisure activities to create a well-balanced community.”
Cacy also believes local officials should be accountable to those who elect them.
“I believe in the transparency of local government and accountability for our leaders,” he said. “I want all people in our community to feel that their voice counts and that they will be heard. I want to work with local agencies, including police and fire, to ensure this city is receiving the best possible service and protection we can offer today and as this city grows.”
