When the Blaine County Commission met in regular session Monday, it was in front of a full house.
That was due in large part to the members of the local branches of the Oklahoma Home and Community Educators, who were on hand for the reading of a proclamation naming May 3-9 as OHCE Week. OHCE in Blaine County is responsible for the annual Christmas Bazaar, helping organize the fair exhibits, and puts on the annual cheese food contest that is part of the Watonga Cheese Festival.
Brook Harman, one of the OSU Extension Educators for Blaine County, noted the members of the local OHCE clubs had raised more than $210,000 over the past 25 years by holding bake sales to support numerous charity organizations. The members had also provided delectable snacks for the meeting- goers, as well as stocking the courthouse with goodies for a come and go reception near the OSU offices in the basement.
Treasurer Crystal Campos told the commissioners that the list for the June 8 tax sale was ready, holding the legal description of 62 properties that could go to the auction block. The sheriff's office had posted notices on the affected properties over the weekend, she said.
In other business, the commissioners approved a state contract quote from Southwest Ambulance Sales for a Ford diesel 4x4 ambulance for the Watonga EMS. That vehicle will cost $371,026.31.
Watonga Fire Chief Robert Daugherty said that this will provide emergency services with an additional rig, but the delivery date may be as far as three years in the future, simply because it will not be available from the manufacturer sooner.