Susan Wagoner
Chouteau is one step closer to having a public library after action taken by the Board of Trustees at the town meeting Monday night.
The board approved action to proceed with a public library. They also approved establishing an ordinance, appointing a library board and actively seeking grants.
There was discussion about using the old city hall at 111 N. McCracken to house the library. Flyers will be distributed announcing the coming of the library and contact information for those who wish to help in the effort.
The board also gave approval for a budget amendment in the Finance Department to create a library account with $2,000. The money will be used for cleaning, painting and minor repairs to the building, as well as purchasing shelves from Jeans and Things, which is closing.
“What if we don’t get the grant money?” Board Member Tonya Yoder asked.
“We’re gonna have
whatever library we can,” Mayor Jerry Floyd answered.
“It may not be as grand as the committee wants,” Board Member Brenda Cunningham said.
“Maybe a Dick Tracy book or something,” Floyd said to audience laughter.
Further discussion revealed that Chris Hardy, owner of The Book Exchange in Pryor has offered some of his surplus inventory to help them get started.
Chouteau Schools and Pryor’s Harrison Public Library will also assist.
In other business, trustees approved taking action on House Bill 1800, Section 3, “which allows municipal courts to collect unpaid fines and costs by filing a claim with the Oklahoma Tax Commission.”
This would allow the town to file the defendant’s information with the Oklahoma Tax Commission and when the individual worked and earned an income tax refund, the outstanding money owed would be garnished and sent to the town.
Also approved was the hiring of Erik Henson as a Reserve Police Officer. Henson is a graduate of Jay High School. He lives in Pryor with his wife and two children. Currently he is employed at Cherokee Nation Enterprises as a security guard.
Trustees voted to pay $2,100 to the Pryor Firefighters Association to pay for Firefighter One Training Class. Seven firefighters participated in the class at a cost of $300 per student.
