Recently I heard Mr. Hilterbran, Superintendent of Watonga Schools say, “I am working to make Watonga Schools the best in the state”. That set me to thinking. Why not make Watonga, and Blaine County for that matter, the best in the state? Or as the president elect says: “Make America Great Again”. But to make America great again, let’s start locally.
Yes, let’s start with the schools. We pay our property taxes to support Watonga, Geary, Canton and Okeene schools and the Chisholm Trail Tech Center (CTTC). Let’s support the great teachers and administrations because our students deserve the best education and extracurriculars to prepare them for leadership in the world.
Let’s make Watonga/Blaine County great in terms of government. We will have some new city council members in April. In January, we have a new county clerk to go along with our outstanding commissioners, one newly re-elected, a sheriff in his second term, district court, treasurer and assessor. We have a new county jail, at least the fourth I am aware since the 1893 stacked wood jail now at the Ferguson Home. Watonga is getting major upgrades to infrastructure and there are improvements in the county as well.
Let’s make Watonga/Blaine County great in transportation. We have three major highways carrying gas, diesel and electric vehicles transporting produce and people; a fine airport; and private rail. Let’s capitalize on the voluminous traffic coming through four corners to provide needed services and invite them to stay to help us build. And you can get your commercial driver’s license at the CTTC program just north of town.
Let’s make Watonga/Blaine County great in terms of tourism. We have not only the Ferguson, 80% of whose visitors are from out of town/state, and casinos in Watonga and Canton, with a new one under construction at Geary, but a unique state park unlike any in the country in Roman Nose. Beyond Roman Nose, we are a gateway to Little Sahara, Salt Plains, Boiling Springs, Alabaster Caverns, Black Mesa and Gloss Mountain State Parks. We are a gateway to Washita National Battlefield out U.S. 33. Within the county, we have 18 sites on the National Registry of Historic Places. And don’t forget our local parks with the improvements made this past year. The annual Cheese Festival, Trout Derby and trail rides and Bikers and Bar B Q, the Germanfest and Rattlesnake Roundup in Okeene and Walleye Rodeo in Canton all bring people to our county. And let’s cater to the many hunters, trappers, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiast who come to the county.
Let’s make Watonga/Blaine County great in terms of health care. With Mercy in Watonga, the Okeene Hospital and clinic associated with SSM Health, and Great Salt Plains Clinic in Canton, the Blaine County Health Department, Indian Health Service, two dental clinics, pharmacy and home health we have primary care and access to tertiary care. With the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and LPN programs at CTTC, we practice good health and produce excellent health practitioners.
Let’s make Watonga/Blaine County great in terms of finance and business. Many of the former Main Street businesses have relocated to the highways allowing more contact with the many who transit Highways 270, 33 and 8. Let’s sell them what they need, collect sales taxes, and put the profits in the new Bank 7 or First State Bank.
Let’s make Watonga/Blaine County great in terms of energy. Let’s capitalize on the wind and sunshine to make electricity and gas and oil and geothermal from below ground to heat, make electricity, and run our engines. Let’s investigate hydrogen and use and hydroelectric energy from Grand River Dam Authority and nuclear power from Arkansas. Oh, and did I mention oil and gas?
Let’s make Watonga/Blaine County great in terms of the arts. Let’s revitalize the giant murals that tell the story of our town/county, support the bands, the Watonga Community Theater and the Hispanic dance troupe. Let’s support the Watonga Public Library with hard copy and virtual books and courses through the internet that open the world to all.
Let’s make Watonga/Blaine County great in terms of minerals. With sand perfect for petroleum production, medical grade gypsum and salt from Salt Creek (Jesse Chisholm did), let’s capitalize to use these resources wisely.
And you might puzzle when I say let’s make Watonga/Blaine County great in terms of lumber. But just drive by the fences on 8A made of 2x8s and 2x6s 16 feet long from trees harvested on site and milled at local sawmills.
Let’s make Watonga/Blaine County great in terms of our seniors. If you are 55, you can join the Watonga Senior Center, feel refreshed after exercising for 45 minutes three times per week, and enjoy a 7-course meal for $7 at lunch. Then get rowdy every other Saturday night playing games and listening to live music at the center.
And let’s make agriculture great because we feed the world with grains and meats and clothe the world with cotton.
Working together, we can have a great year making Watonga/Blaine County the best in the state.