With the current economic crisis unfolding each day, local citizens and business owners are seeing the direct effect in Grady County.
Some have posted signs saying, “NO BAILOUT.”
While others are taking a more personal approach to solving some of the issues within their homes and businesses.
“Business overall is down. Compared to this time last year, we are down 10 to 15 percent. I can say exactly why that is, but part of it is business travelers are not making as many trips it seems,” said Best Western General Manager Chuck Phelps.
“We have had to look at our payroll and shifts to see if there are any areas that can be tweaked. We also lowered what we call our best available rate from $84 to $76 per night. But it’s not a good thing when our lowering prices and the price of doing business is going up.”
Mosley Agency/ Century 21 owner John Mosley said, “It has not been as good as last year but we are still doing fine. We still do business.”
Mosley attributed some of the local real estate success to the oil and gas industry in the area,
“Lending is the hardest part of the real estate deal right now. Banks are still lending but they are much more picky about who to lend to,” added Mosley.
Angel Nichols, a convenience store worker, is worried about where things are headed.
“Kinda makes me feel like we could be heading for another depression. There isn’t any extra spending going on at my house. We are really watching the budget,” she said.
However, Oklahomans may not be feeling the hardships as deeply as other states.
Derek Martinez of Montrose, Colo., said, “Everything here is less expensive to start. Our gas prices were $1.00 more per gallon when I left, and housing, food, everything is less expensive,” said Derek Martinez of Montrose, Colo. “I understand that we are paid more but it still doesn’t equal out. Bottom line is, McDonalds has a $1.39 menu not a dollar menu. I am a waiter at Chili’s and over the last year tips have went down a bunch.
“It’s sad because people still want the luxury of eating out, but can’t afford to tip after paying for the meal,” Martinez lamented.
Congress passed a $700 billion bailout package earlier this month, hoing to jump start the economy.
The stock market has been slow to respond, leaving some people are worried about their retirement portfolios and 401K plans.
That’s what concerns Darrell Harrington, 60, of Chickasha, who works for a Duncan equipment. He is looking at retirement in a couple of years.
“I’m afraid to check my portfolio. I have a 401K plan and by the looks of things right now and from what other guys are telling me, I may not be able to retire at 62,” Harrington said. “I know of at least three guys that have lost over 100K on their retirement in the last few months.”
It is unclear at this time if the bailout and other measures taken by the federal government will ease the pain.
Only time will tell but for many Chickasha residents, a turnaround can’t come quickly enough.
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Many in Chickasha feeling the pinch
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Food Bank initiates local drive against student hunger
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma invites Chickasha schools and students to participate in the sixth annual Students Against Hunger Food Drive.
Food and fund donations collected from the drive, which runs Sept. 27-Oct. 29, will benefit First Baptist Church in Chickasha.
“We have been low on food,” said one partner agency. “This food drive will help us serve those in need.” -
Homebuyers class on tap for Sept. 18
If you are thinking about purchasing a home in the near future, you will want to make plans to attend the Homebuyers Education class which will be held on September 18, 2010, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Grady County OSU Cooperative Extension Service Conference Room. To make a reservation for the class, please contact the Grady County OSU Cooperative Extension Service at 224-2216.
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Director: Prepare for flash floods
Grab the umbrella and stay tuned to weather alerts, Grady County is included in the flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service.
Moisture is streaming into the area courtesy of Tropical Storm Hermine, which is tracking through the state from Texas. Showers began Tuesday afternoon and are forecast to continue through Wednesday night. The NWS warned that some of the rainfall could be heavy. -
County agrees to pay tort claim
Questions linger after a 2-1 split vote by the Grady County Commissioners to pay a tort claim to the Town of Hinton.
The claim is a request for a law enforcement officer's salary in the amount of $7,700 paid by the Town of Hinton while the officer attended CLEET training. The officer resigned from the Hinton Police Department without completing the one-year employment requirement and was hired by the Grady County Sheriff's Department. The officer has since resigned from the sheriff's department, also. -
DOUGLAS EUGENE HENRY, SR.
Funeral services for Douglas Eugene Henry, Sr., of Chickasha, will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, in Epworth United Methodist Church.
Douglas Eugene Henry, Sr., was born May 30, 1939 in Chickasha to Joel and Lessie Inez (Parker) Henry. He passed away on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010 ,in Oklahoma City, at 71.
He and Camelia Turnbow were married for 18 years, and later he married Alicia Malicoat Blair on June 12, 1986 in Chickasha. -
HIWANAH JOAN CASSMEYER WOOD
Funeral service for Hiwanah Joan Cassmeyer Wood, 70, of Rush Springs and formerly of Alex, were held at 1:30 p.m, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, at the Main Street Church of Christ in Alex.
Hiwanah Joan Cassmeyer Wood was born May 6, 1940 at Alex. She was the daughter of Robert and Annie (Bedford) Stewart. She died Friday Sept. 3, 2010 in Duncan.
She married Anthony “Tony” Cassmeyer; he preceded her in death in 1974.
She later married Wylie Wood. Joan has lived in Rush Springs since 1982.
She was a member of the Alex Main Street Church of Christ.
Her parents and two daughters, Shirley Crosby and Becky Cassmeyer preceded her in death. Four brothers Buford, Leonard, Bobby Joe and Elmer Stewart also preceded her in death. -
ANNA MAE LARGENT
Funeral service for Anna Mae Largent, 33, of Chickasha, is pending with the McRay Funeral Home.
Anna Mae was born on Aug. 29, 1927.
She died on Sept. 7, 2010 in Chickasha. -
HASKELL CURTIS GREENROYD, SR.
Private services were held for Haskell Curtis Greenroyd, Sr., 93, of Minco.
Haskell was born Oct. 15, 1916, at Rush Springs to Sam and Jessie Mae (Taylor) Greenroyd.
He died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, at the Grady Memorial Hospital in Chickasha. Haskell lived in Minco most all of his life.
He served in the United States Army during WWII.
Services were under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home Minco. -
MARLIN EUGENE LAURENS, SR.
Marlin Eugene Laurens, Sr., was born on May 7, 1943 in Snyder Texas. He was the son of Charles and Gussie (Pete) Laurens. He went home on July 24, 2010. He and Linda (Jones) was married August 3, 1963 in Tijuana, Mexico. He was widowed, then he and Jeanne married November 15, 1997. Marlin was a retired truck driver. He enjoyed cooking and family. He lived in Chickahsa off and on for 40 plus years.
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ROSA NUCKOLS/ GUFFEE
Rosa Nuckols/Guffee, 49, left this earth for her heavenly home on September 3, 2010, after loosing her battle with cancer. Rosa was born on March 28, 1961, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to the parents of Calvin and Inez Guffee.
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Food Bank initiates local drive against student hunger
