A Bubble Off Plumb

By the time this paper prints, I will be gone, headed West to take a different job opportunity. Part of the decision was we love the mountains, part of it that my husband’s health can no longer take Oklahoma summers.

It has been a gift to work in Blaine County. I could not have done the job without the assistance of a lot of people. It took some time for County Commissioner Raymond Scheffler to decide I wasn’t the devil incarnate, but he became a staunch ally as did the other commissioners, Mike Allen and Brandon Shultz. I like to think county clerk Jennifer Haigler was on my side from the get go, as were court clerk Christi Matli and elections secretary Brenda Rice.

Bill Seitter was the Watonga superintendent when I arrived, and he set me straight more than once. He has kept me straight since he moved over to city council, where city manager Larry Mitchell, members Allen Cowan and Travis Bradt served as backup.

Mark Batt, Dr. Dwight McGee and my friends Lane Edsall and Aaron Clewell did the same on the school board at Watonga. Doris Ware and Lori Graham were top of the mark as resources, too.

Socially, I lay much of what I have become as a Christian and a human squarely at the feet of Zac Brack, Dwaine Richey and Oasis Church. Arlene Higgins cooked the first meal for me here and has never been afraid to tell me if I was wrong or pat me on the back. And Teresa France was on the scene for my first story here and turned into my friend.

Likewise, Dr. Tim Nelson and his pretty bride Sheri have been our very good friends and Steve Lake and his family have meant more than we can say.

Police chief Shawn Kays has been great to work with, and so, too has the Sheriff’s Department and firefighters. Over at Geary, how could I have survived the ins and outs of council without Amy Woods, Mary Hays and Jeff Choate? Or Cecil Harrall? School board members Jason Bernhardt and secretary Tammie Brack were always handy with an answer, and principal Sean Buchanan has got the elementary and the district headed in the right direction.

I like to think I have been a real cheerleader for this community. I have loved pointing out things going right, like the casino, the wind farms, the shops and the gas plant. There are new attorneys opening offices here, and attorneys don’t buy things for no reason. New restaurants are opening in spite of the pandemic. And Wheeler Bros. has continued its steady growth.

And here, at this office, life will go on. I believe I have been overseen in my work by old T.B. Ferguson himself, or more likely Mrs. F. I swear there were days when I could smell cigar smoke and hear one or the other whispering, like breeze through a harp string, and I would find the right word or phrase to finish what I was working on. So will the next person who fills this chair.

I am sad to go but happy in the belief I am leaving this paper and this community on solid ground. Part of my heart will always belong to Watonga and I am a better person and journalist for having been here.

It has truly been an honor and a privilege. So long.

Connie Burcham can be reached at Editor@WatongaRepublican.com