I was appointed to fill the vacant Ward Four City Council seat on March 3, 1997. When I began serving as a councilman, I wanted to be a point of contact for all people in the City of Chickasha. I wanted to listen to and provide a voice for people in every ward with equal representation. That was my agenda and I feel that the citizens of Chickasha have helped me with that agenda. I must say how proud I am to be a member of the City of Chickasha. I love this community and all the progress we have made and know that there is still a great deal of work to be done. However, a bittersweet choice has been made and I will not seek reelection to the City Council. I believe that new ideas and thought processes are vital to healthy government and growth for Chickasha. A new person will fill my seat and continue working on behalf of the citizens of Chickasha.

Over the past ten years I have had many telephone calls and personal conversations with people throughout Chickasha expressing concerns on issues. I have tried to find a way to keep those concerns in mind and address those concerns for the people I represent whether in favor of or against a particular project or ordinance the Council was entertaining. I will state now that I promised to vote with the majority of contacts made to me on every issue while thinking of ways to keep the minority in mind so that their voices could be heard as well. I feel that I kept this promise.

I am quite proud of our growth and progress over the past decade. One of the things that I am most proud of is the Washita Valley Transit System. The City assisted this program with start up money, which has since provided affordable public transportation to all citizens within the city. This program has allowed many people to enjoy continued independence and conduct business when they might not have had transportation. The new sports park is a wonderful addition to the City of Chickasha. This project, from the very beginning, was for our children and only second for adults. I am proud of the renovations made to Elliott Field. This is a premier facility for any high school baseball team. I am proud of City Hall, a wonderful building that deserved to be saved and shared with all citizens of the state of Oklahoma. I am proud of the f?nancial condition that the City is in and the studies the City undertakes to ensure that all change is affordable and of course, there are numerous other projects as well that I will not mention.

Many people helped me as child in this community; some that I never knew had helped me. I am grateful beyond words in expressing my appreciation to them and their organizations for their dedication and unselfish work for me and the thousands of other Chickasha children. I firmly believe that a society of responsible people must think of future generations when making decisions. When we build a church, school or new municipal building, future generations should benefit the most from that choice. I trust that our work over the past ten years is leaving Chickasha in a better place for our future generations. Thank you for allowing me to serve you and the pleasure has been all mine.

Guy Huggins Jr.