Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2006 CNO
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation’s work towards regional bridge and road repairing and rebuilding continues with the tribe’s contribution in helping complete a project that improved a major collector road in the East Hancock Street and Gooseneck Bend area in Muskogee.
Attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony were (left to right) Sue Harris, president, Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce; Wren Stratton, Muskogee mayor; Gene Wallace, county commissioner for District 1 in Muskogee Co.; Don Garvin, Cherokee Nation District 4 tribal councilor; Walt Beckham, Muskogee city manager; Mike Stewart, director of Muskogee’s public works; and Michael Lynn, director of roads for the Cherokee Nation. 
A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the final project, which featured the complete resurfacing and reshouldering of more than four miles of road.
“Today we are making history by showing what can be done when we have teamwork. Collectively, the Cherokee Nation, the City of Muskogee and Muskogee County District No. 1 have accomplished the resurfacing of one of the busiest collector roads within the Cherokee Nation. The main event that brought all this together was when the Nation decided to build its new Muskogee Health Clinic on the east side of Muskogee,” said Don Garvin, Cherokee Nation tribal councilor for District 4, which includes Muskogee.
The Cherokee Nation provided nearly $150,000 dollars towards this project, which represents two years of funding from Cherokee Nation car tag money. When the Cherokee Nation and the state finalized their car tag agreement, part of that agreement stipulated that any car tag money spent by the tribe for road projects must be spent on major collector roads only, and the funds the Cherokees contributed to this project meet this state requirement.
A major collector road is a low or moderate-capacity road that features levels of service below turnpikes, major highways or arterial roads.
Those attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony included Wren Stratton, Muskogee mayor; Sue Harris, president of the Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce; Walt Beckham, Muskogee city manager; Mike Stewart, director of Muskogee’s Public Works; Gene Wallace, Muskogee County commissioner for District 1; and Michael Lynn, roads director for the Cherokee Nation.
“All of us (in public service) are expected to operate and to be as efficient as possible. This contribution provides the opportunity for more improvements and for us to stretch our dollars farther. This major collector road improvement provides a safer and more dependable road for commerce and economic growth in our rural areas. Cherokee tribal involvement has become the principal engine that is driving improved area infrastructures. We are extremely fortunate to have (Cherokee Nation) council member Don Garvin’s full attention to these needs,” said Wallace.
The Cherokee Nation is currently contributing to several other road and bridge rebuilding and repairing efforts in the Muskogee vicinity as well.
Related path(s):
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |
