| A view toward making Henryetta grow and continue to move forward was the common theme from three city council candidates Thursday night. The three, Ward 1 hopeful Darrell Coppedge and Ward 2 office-seekers Christy Jeffcoat and Lucy Peoples, gave their views at the second and final candidate forum at city hall |  |
| Click here to see the entire forum video | A third Ward 2 candidate, Richard Larney, was unable to attend due to a family medical emergency. Coppedge joined the other two after a similar issue kept him away from the Ward 1 forum the week before. |
| When asked what were the challenges facing Henryetta, Coppedge said the town needs to quit blaming others and the council needs to work together. "Personal opinion has no belonging here." Jeffcoat wants to see the a change in attitude. "There has been a lot of negative feedback. The citizens felt they are not being heard. We have to change the old way of thinking," she said. Peoples wants a city council that, "listens to each individual. We need to look out for the needs of our neighbors." Looking toward the next four years, all three agreed the community is going in the right direction and needs to continue with cleanup efforts both in town as well as Nichols Park. Jeffcoat said her goals are to continue the path already started. She pointed out positive changes in the parks and recreation areas. "We are making leaps and bounds. I love the splash pad and can't wait for it. I want to see that completed and start new ones." To help build the local economy, Coppedge said there needs to be more effort down on revitalizing the downtown area. He pointed out some things may be viewed as eyesores to some people but recognized as history by others. "They can be eliminated and that doesn't kill anybody." Peoples pointed out that more advertising of the opportunities in Henryetta needs to be done. "We need to get the word out that we are not dead yet. | |
