A farmer tries to move hay bales to avoid further fire damage on his farm during a brush fire early in '06. (Staff photo by Eric Bradshaw)


Newsmakers
A glance back at the top 10 stories of the year

Stacy Barnes

As we enter into 2007, it’s a good time to take a look at some of the city’s top news over the past year.

10. Council redefines resident memberships

In the wake of falling revenues over an 18-month period, Council members voted in November to grant resident status to Town Center members living within the Mustang School District. The decision was made because memberships at Town Center declined sharply after a 55-percent non-resident rate hike took affect in June ’05, costing the city thousands of dollars.

9. Fires

The largest local wildfire in recent history occurred on this date in 2005, destroying six homes and burning several acres of property. The New Year began with a statewide burn ban in effect and the state of Oklahoma receiving an emergency disaster declaration. Drought conditions throughout 2006 brought fire danger to the forefront of people’s minds and saw several fires within the city.

8. Where Are They Now? Series

This series of stories highlights former Mustang residents and graduates to let locals see what they are up to today. It has met with a lot of popularity and will continue on into 2007, so if you know someone who would be good for a story, let us know.

7. Rape stories

This year saw two of Mustang’s youth charged with rape and one charged with rape and forcible sodomy. All three boys were originally charged as adults although two of them are minors. In one case, the rape charge was dropped, and the accused is scheduled to go to trial on the forcible sodomy charge Feb. 5, 2007. Another case was sent down to juvenile court and the third defendant is still awaiting a preliminary hearing on Feb. 14, 2007.

6. Voters nix bond issue

Just this month voters had the opportunity to weigh in on whether or not they wanted to fund a multi-million dollar sports complex, fire fighting equipment and street repairs through general obligation bonds. The bond issue was in the news throughout the year, but in the end voters defeated all the measures except the one for fire fighting equipment on Dec. 12.

5. Fireworks controversy

This year perhaps more than in years past, people were vocal on both sides of the fireworks issue. For weeks people wrote letters to the editor, called us and addressed City Council in an attempt to get others to see their side. City Council and city staff vowed to work on a solution that would allow residents to continue their Fourth of July tradition, but somehow control the chaos and debris.

4. We are the champions

This was a great year for Mustang sports as several locals won top team and individual honors. Winners include the ’05-‘06 Lady Broncos Basketball team, MHS cheerleaders, Boy’s cross country team, and three-time state champion runner Kevin Schwab. The ’06-’07 Mustang Broncos football team also made it to the quarterfinals of the state play-offs, and the ’06-’07 Lady Broncos softball team made the final four in their play-off games.

3. Landrith wins!

That was the headline in February when Mayor Jeff Landrith beat incumbent Chad McDowell and candidate Harry Weatherford in a heated race for the city’s number one position. Landrith captured 55.2 percent of the vote to McDowell’s 37.5 percent and Weatherford’s 7.3 percent. He made headlines again this month when he resigned his position as MIS Director with the Board of Oklahoma County Commissioners.

2. Highway 152 officially open

In October a 2.3 mile section of Highway 152 that connects Mustang with Oklahoma City was completed. Gary Ridley, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, said the new road will open up the city to more progress.

“The main street of Mustang now ties into the whole world,” Ridley said. “You can go from Mustang to anywhere in the U.S. on a four-lane highway. You’re going to see some major changes.”

1. Threats at school

Throughout the year there have been several threatening notes, calls and evacuations at various Mustang schools, causing them to be on heightened alert through most of the school year. In May two Mustang Middle School students were arrested on felony charges related to a planned school bombing.

Honorable Mention: Mustang News employee admits to theft

A Mustang News employee stole 20 papers from a Mustang Times news rack in front of the local Post Office.

After the police were called, he returned the papers with payment and apologized for the incident. He was driving a publisher's vehicle when he took the papers.

Fireworks illegal in Mustang during New Year's Eve

Carol Brimm

Mustang police and fire departments are asking residents to refrain from discharging fireworks during the holidays. Mustang Police Captain Willard James said the police have responded to a few calls regarding the discharge of fireworks and it is important for residents to remember that fireworks are illegal in Mustang from July 5 – June 26 each year.

“Fireworks City is open and selling fireworks,” Capt. James said, “but Fireworks City is not inside Mustang city limits. We will be issuing $84 citations for the discharge of fireworks.”

Fire Chief Carl Hickman said fireworks are much more dangerous now than on the Fourth of July because of the dead grass and vegetation and high winds.

“We haven’t had any fire calls due to fireworks yet and we don’t want to have any,” Hickman said. “It was a year ago Wed., Dec. 27 that Mustang faced the largest fire in our history and citizens need to be extremely cautious this year as conditions are much the same.”

Capt. James request citizens call the police if they hear fireworks being discharged.

“We just want everyone to have a safe holiday season,” James said.

Linda Gray, Fireworks City Property Manager, said the decision to open during the Christmas holidays was made by the parent company. She said there are signs posted at Fireworks City advising customers that fireworks are illegal in Mustang and the clerks are also verbally reminding customers of Mustang's fireworks ban and encouraging safe use during the holidays.

She said the company chose not to open last year at this time due to drought conditions.

City residents support recycling options, but not fee increases

Brendan Hoover

A majority of residents who responded to a survey authorized by the Mustang City Council said they would participate in a weekly curbside recycling program if it were offered by the city, but would not support an additional fee increase on their monthly utility bill.

Finance Director Brenda Wright presented the results of the six-question recycling survey to the City Council during their regular meeting on Dec. 19.

The surveys were mailed to residents in utility bills that went out from Sept. 25 to Oct. 16. Wright said the survey results included responses received through Dec 4. The city received 1,219 completed or partially completed surveys.

Mustang residents most enthusiastically supported the question about curbside pickup service, as 73 percent, or 881 of 1,212 respondents, said they would participate in such a program if it were instituted.

However, if weekly curbside pickup required an additional fee between two and three dollars per month on utility bills, 64 percent, or 781 of 1,219 respondents, said they would not support such an increase.

Mustang already has a free recycling drop-off location, located at 520 S.W. 59th St. The facility is comprised of three recycling bins, one each for paper, cardboard and commingled products, such as plastic, tin, steel and glass.

The results of the survey indicated that 59 percent, or 710 of 1,212 respondents, said they would use the facility.

Brian Figgins of Mustang Recycles, an organization commissioned by the City Council to promote environmental efforts, reported that 208 drop-offs have been made to the site since its opening on Oct. 21.

The recycling facility is open from 9-11 a.m. every Saturday, except holiday weekends, including Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. Figgins said that Mustang High School has started an environmental club called ECO, and students from the club will join adult volunteers at the facility as usage grows.

Figgins said the survey results are very encouraging.

“It shows that we have a lot growth possible in the drop-off facility,” he said. “The last weekend (Dec. 16) we were open before the Christmas/New Year’s holiday, we had 40 customers, and the survey shows that another 670 households are willing to use a facility. We just need to get the word out.”

Figgins also said the survey showed strong support for curbside pickup, and that the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality had some suggestions to drive the potential cost down to under two dollars per customer per month.

“They suggested providing an additional poly cart instead of the small bin used in Oklahoma City and Edmond,” he said. “This would allow the collection of recyclables to be automated, similar to garbage collections, reduce the number of employees needed to collect it, and mean less frequent collection.”

The results of the survey reflected that 89 percent, or 1,090 of 1,218 respondents would not support a “pay as you throw” trash collection program, where the city only picks up specially marked bags that would be bought from local retailers for $12.50 for a box of 10.

The city currently collects up to five plastic bags under 20 pounds on weekly curbside pickup in addition to one green poly-cart, or two carts for a monthly fee of $8.98.

The survey also asked respondents if they would participate and deliver hazardous waste, such as used motor oil, paint, lacquer, varnish, and expired household chemicals, to a disposal site in Midwest City, as Mustang does not have its own facility. To this question, 67 percent, or 727 of 1,091 respondents said they would not participate in such a program.

Wright said that as it is hazardous waste is probably being put into the landfill the city utilizes.

City Manager David Cockrell expressed concerned that hazardous waste was being deposited into storm drains in Mustang.

According to the National Recycling Coalition, recycling results in a net reduction in ten major categories of air pollutants and eight major categories of water pollutants.

Every ton of newsprint or mixed paper recycled is the equivalent of 12 trees. Every ton of office paper recycled is the equivalent of 24 trees.

It takes 95 percent less energy to recycle aluminum than it does to make it from raw materials. Making recycled steel saves 60 percent, recycled newspaper 40 percent, recycled plastics 70 percent and recycled glass 40 percent.

The Mustang Recycles website address is http://members.cox.net/mustangrecycles.

Bottom line looks good, audit says
City's revenue and assets are on the increase

Brendan Hoover

Mustang received an unqualified opinion from an independent accounting agency for the 2005-06 fiscal year in its yearly audit mandated by the city’s charter, reported Finance Director Brenda Wright at the City Council’s regular meeting Dec. 19.

The Council accepted the audit unanimously.

In her report, Wright stated the unqualified opinion is a fair and clean statement of the financial position of the city and its component units.

“This is the best opinion that can be issued on the financial statements,” Wright said in her report.

The report stated the total net assets of the city increased by $4.6 million or 19.5 percent from the prior year.

“This means taking all funds of the city (general, MIA, special revenues, debt service, capital project) and subtracting the total liabilities (what we owe) from the total assets (what we own). We are better off by $4,649,123,” the report stated.

Wright explained the increase in assets did not mean the city had that mean the city had that much more cash.

“The majority of our increase is due to infrastructure assets (streets, drainage, water lines and sewer lines) built by developers and donated to the city. The assets are recorded at the fair value ($3,155,544) at the date of donation and depreciated over their useful lives,” she reported.

Wright told the City Council that revenues for the year increased by $16.9 million or 9.7 percent over the prior year, due to the continued residential and commercial growth of Mustang. Major revenue sources included: sales and use tax, 35 percent; charges for services, 19 percent; and capital grants and contributions, 19 percent.

The cost to operate continues to increase as the city grows but at a slower rate, Wright reported. Total operational cost increased by 1.6 percent over the last year. A programming cost breakdown included the following: water, sewer and sanitation, 30 percent; administration, 29 percent; public safety, 24 percent; and culture and recreation, 13 percent.

“I really just want to point out to everyone that we are doing very well financially. We are very conservative as a city government,” Councilman Scott Gibson said during discussion of the audit.

Gibson led the meeting as Vice Mayor due to Mayor Jeff Landrith’s absence.

City Manager David Cockrell suggested the increased revenues and slowly increasing operational cost of the city indicated the efficiency of city government.

Wright reported the city received its first certified bond rating to the 2006 Revenue Bonds. Factors that hindered the city in receiving a higher rating was the current population, under 20,000, and limited retail development.

The city saved taxpayers $7.1 million in interest over the next 15 years by refinancing bonds, Wright reported. The city refunded a portion of the 1999 MIA Revenue bonds with the issuance of the 2006 Utility System Refunding Revenue Bonds. The money saved was a result of taking advantage of the low interest bond market and the increase in sales tax received from the one-cent restricted for bond retirement, the report states. The term of the new bonds were shortened by seven years.

“A successful financial year is based upon more than the numbers. A successful year also includes establishing sound financial practices, exploring new revenue streams and planning for the future,” Wright wrote in her report.

Gibson, alluding to the recent bond election failure, said: “We saved more money than a new ball park would have cost. I wonder what it will take to gain the city’s trust.”

In other City Council business:

Jury qualifications for prosecutions in municipal court increased from $200 to $500.

The fire department will solicit bids to install a new heat and air conditioning system in the fire station that will cost less to operate.

Councilman Jay Adams will hold a Ward One town hall meeting on Jan. 29 at the Mustang Community Center to familiarize citizens to the changes of his ward due to the new ward boundaries.

Lawmakers make history with deal in state Senate
Democrats and Republicans to share power

Brendan Hoover

OKLAHOMA CITY—The Democratic and Republican caucuses in the Oklahoma state Senate have reached an agreement to share power in the upcoming legislative term, due to the tie created by the outcome of the Nov. 7 election, Senate leaders announced on Dec. 12, according to a state Senate press release.

The 48-member Senate has an unprecedented tie of 24 Republicans and 24 Democrats.

The agreement recognizes that there is no majority party in the Senate. Barring any seat changes during the next two years, power will be shared in all daily operations, including committees, floor leaders and presiding officers.

Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson (R-Oklahoma City) said the new arrangement is state history and called the Republicans’ newfound leverage in the Senate a major victory for her party.

The Republicans picked up two seats in November to create the tie.

“This is history in the Oklahoma legislature. In our 100-year state history the Senate has always been controlled by the Democrats. There’s never been anything like this in Oklahoma. By the will of the people, Democrats don’t have total power anymore,” Wilcoxson said on Dec. 19.

Sen. Ron Justice (R-Chickasha) said the split in power would force the parties to work together on certain issues.

“I’m very pleased about the agreement. It will allow for us opportunities to work together across party lines. Our vote is going to be very important on every issue. It will make people show up and work very hard to get things done,” Justice said on Dec 21.

Wilcoxson and Justice represent Mustang in the state Senate.

President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan (D-Stillwater) said the agreement would help both parties avoid gridlock in the Senate.

“Faced with the challenge of an equal partisan divide, the members of the state Senate have chosen to respond with a bipartisan accord that will ensure that the Senate will continue to efficiently and effectively undertake the people’s business and provide a steadying hand for our state,” Morgan said in the state Senate press release.

Morgan will serve as President Pro Tempore for the next two years, except from July 1 through July 31, 2007, when he will serve as Co-President Pro Tempore.

Senator Glenn Coffee (R-Oklahoma City) will serve as Co-President Pro Tempore for the next two years except from July 1 through July 31, 2007, when he will serve as President Pro Tempore.

“Oklahoma’s state Senators have put aside partisanship to reach this historic agreement. Republicans and Democrats alike realize that we must work together to make sure the people’s business gets done,” said Coffee in the press release.

Per the terms of the agreement, each party will appoint a co-floor leader. The leaders will share responsibility for scheduling the daily legislative calendar and rotate the management of floor activities on a daily basis.

Democrats and Republicans will share presiding duties, rotating daily. On days when one co-floor leader is managing floor activities, the other party will preside in the chair.

Each committee in the Senate will have equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans, and will be headed by a Republican and Democratic co-chair, who will share leadership responsibilities.

The agreement will remain in effect unless a special election to fill a vacancy changes the balance of power in the Senate.

In the event of a tie vote on any particular piece of legislature during the next term, Lieutenant Governor-elect Jeri Askins (D-Duncan), acting as the President of the Senate, will cast the tie-breaking vote.

“I want to complement and commend the Democratic caucus leadership and members for conceding power to the Republican caucus,” Wilcoxson said.

“This is the first time in state history that Republicans will have a significant impact on the legislative process in the State Senate. We look forward to adding our new leadership and fresh ideas to the Senate committees during the upcoming legislative session,” Coffee said in a Dec. 20 press release.

In the past, 16 other states in the past have had similar ties in power in one legislative body or the other, and had to adopt special rules. When the tie became apparent within Oklahoma’s Senate, a special bipartisan committee was organized. Senators Morgan and Coffee worked together on the agreement, piecing parts of other states’ rules into an arrangement that worked for Oklahoma, Wilcoxson said.

“I am excited to begin the First Session of the 51st Oklahoma Legislature because I know we have a unique opportunity to lay aside partisan politics and move common sense measures through the legislative process,” Morgan said in a Dec. 20 press release.

Wilcoxson suggested that now the majority party would not be able to impose its will on the minority, as both parties would have half the power and half the time on the Senate floor.

“That’s where we’re going to have to learn how to strategize,” she said. “Last year I had several bills pass through both chambers’ committee and floor, only to die on final approval in the Senate because it wouldn’t get heard.”

Wilcoxson serves as a whip for the Republican caucus.

“I expect this (agreement) to work beautifully, but it may get hot at times,” she added.

The Senate will convene at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

Celebrating 100 years
Local centennial projects to cost the city money

Brendan Hoover

Several Oklahoma Centennial projects which have been approved for Mustang in 2007 are in varying stages of development, some on schedule and some waiting for funding by the appropriate agency.

Two of the projects are events to be held in Mustang next year, and the other two projects would enhance the Mustang Town Center and Wild Horse Park.

The Oklahoma Centennial Mustang National Car Show on April 20-22, and the 31st Annual Mustang Western Days on Sept. 7-8, are gaining more notoriety and distinction by being designated Oklahoma Centennial events, city manager David Cockrell said.

“We are going to expect more planning,” Cockrell said. “But we aren’t gong to have to change or alter our plans. We are expecting more attendance. The economic impact will be greater.”

According to the Oklahoma Centennial website, 50,000 people are expected to attend Western Days this year.

Mustang Chamber of Commerce director Becky Julian said that applications for the events were submitted to the Oklahoma Capitol and Centennial Commemoration Commission. The commission chose to accept them because they are relevant to the state’s history, Julian said.

“We naturally want to bring in more events that deal with the state’s history, like the American Indian dancing demonstrations,” Julian said in regard to Western Days. “The level of the state historical events (in Western Days) depends on the sponsorship. It costs money to put on the entertainment.”

Western Days events include a chili cook-off, a carnival, the 5K Fun Run, the parade, and Armed Forces displays.

The Mustang National Car Show is relying heavily on private sponsorships to help pay for its event. The show is attracting Ford Mustang enthusiasts from across the country. Joe Cooper Ford of Oklahoma, Car FX of Tulsa and the City of Mustang are among the sponsors who have donated at least $2,000 to the event, according to the Oklahoma Mustang Club’s website.

The car show is hosting a Native American Pow Wow on Friday, April 20th to help celebrate the centennial. On Saturday, April 21st, those participants who wish can go as group to Bricktown in Oklahoma City.

Another of the Oklahoma Centennial projects would add three, one-and-a-half ton bronze horses to Wild Horse Park. The statues would be one wild Mustang, one mare, and one colt galloping in succession on the plains, Parks and Recreations Director Justin Battles said.

However, funding for the bronze statues is not solidified, Battles said.

If funding comes through for the $100,000 project, a third would be paid by the centennial commission, a third by private donations, and a third by the City of Mustang, he said. The approval for the funds must come from the state legislature, and the body should decide within the next 60 days, Battles said.

If the funding is approved, a two-and-a-half foot scale model of the project would be on display at the Town Center, he said.

The other project is the Oklahoma Centennial Clock, which will hopefully be dedicated at the Town Center by April 1, Julian said.

The clock is a 16-foot, four-faced Victorian clock that the Centennial commission is offering to cities across Oklahoma. The cost for the clock is $24,995, not counting installation.

Helping hand
Santa’s Toy Shoppe provides gifts for those less fortunate

Brendan Hoover

The old Mexican food restaurant looked a little like a manger.

The vacant restaurant was transformed into Santa’s Toy Shoppe Saturday as the Canadian County Salvation Army ended its annual toy drive by distributing gifts to parents of hundreds of needy children who live in Mustang, Yukon, El Reno and other cities in eastern Canadian County.

Jim Poe, chairman of the county chapter of the Salvation Army, said the event was a hit.

“Everybody east of Banner Road in Canadian County came together to really make this a success,” Poe said.

Earlier in the week two closets in the old restaurant were filled waist high with toys, Poe said. The toys, ranging from Barbie dolls and board games to stuffed animals and robots were donated to local fire and police stations throughout the county. Community centers, churches, and local Wal-Mart stores also accepted donations.

The toys were brought to Santa’s Toy Shoppe inside the old restaurant, located in the
Chisholm Trails Shopping Center in Yukon. Volunteers from both Mustang and Yukon fire departments and the Mustang High School Pom Pon squad help to move and organize the toys, among others, Poe said.

Parents were referred to Santa’s Toy Shoppe by several agencies, including local school counselors, the civic group Yukon Sharing, the Mustang Community Center and the Piedmont Community Center. The parents then filled out an application and brought it to Santa’s Toy Shoppe, Poe said.

Last year during the same event, the Salvation Army had drawings to give away the bicycles that had been donated, Poe said. This year, anyone who wanted a bicycle got one, as they had collected over 100 to distribute, Poe said.

Girls were given two Barbie or Bratz dolls. Boys were given two cars. And that was just for starters. Toys lined the wall as parents looked through them for the perfect gift, helped by volunteers wearing Santa hats.

The Mustang Fire Department showed up with an engine full of toys, Poe said.

Halfway through the day bags of gifts were still showing up to be given away, he said. Any toys that did not get distributed would be given to local church groups, Poe said.

In years past, the Salvation Army and Yukon Sharing both held separate toy drives for the eastern part of Canadian county, Poe said. Three years ago, the two groups joined forces to create Santa’s Toy Shoppe.

He said in the past they measured their success by how many of the two most popular toys they received: bikes and Barbie dolls. They ran out of neither this year, Poe said.

Last-minute tax tips for year-end deductions

Carol Brimm

As 2007 quickly approaches time is running short to take advantage of tax deductions for 2006. Ray Young, who recently stepped down as Oklahoma State Representative for District 43 and purchased Linda McColl’s CPA practice in Mustang, says reviewing some of the general mechanics that go into timing a tax deduction or credit can help most taxpayers before year end.

Charitable Contributions – Charitable contributions pledged in 2006 but not paid until 2007 cannot be deducted until the year the contribution is actually paid. All contributions must be made by Dec. 31, 2006 to be eligible for 2006 deductions. However, a contribution made by credit or debit card is considered paid when the charge to your credit card is made or the sale with the debit card is completed, even if the funds are not deducted from your bank until Jan. 2, 2007. Contributions made by check are considered paid when your check is tendered in the transaction. If you are paying by mail it is considered made when it is mailed, but if the check “bounces,” the expense is considered to have never been paid. Young says it is important to know if the organization you are contributing to is a registered 501C3 charity. Little league sports teams or other youth activities are often not registered 501C3 charities and may not be tax deductible. If more than $250 is given to one organization or the total contributions equal more than $500 the deduction must be substantiated with receipts. Restrictions have tightened on deductions for cars donated to charitable organizations. According to Young the deduction is limited to the amount the organization receives in the sale of the car. If you donate a car in 2006 but the car is not sold until later by the organization you must take the deduction for the year in which the car is sold.

IRA’s – A change in tax law for 2006 affects those 70 ½ or older. This year those over 70 ½ can contribute up to $100,000 from an IRA to a charitable organization without being assessed a tax penalty but they cannot deduct the contribution. Young says now is a good time to consider contributing to an individual retirement account. Individuals who do not have a 401K with their employer can contribute $4,500 catch up contributions this year.

Deductions – According to Young, many allowable deductions have increased this year. The deduction for moving expenses has increased to .18 cents; standard deductions have increased to $5,150 for single filers, $10,300 for joint and $7,550 for head of household. Standard exemptions have increased to $3,300 per individual. Full time college students up to age 24 should be claimed on their parents’ taxes if the parents supply 50 percent of the student’s support. A residential energy credit is available this year on form 5695 for some energy efficient home improvements. Federal excise taxes on phone bills can be taken as a credit on form 8913. The standard mileage deduction has increased to .44 ½ cents per mile. Young says the FICA ceiling has been raised to $94,200 for those who are self employed but there is still no ceiling on Medicare. One half of health insurance cost are also deductible for the self employed.

Get ready – Young says individuals should go through their check register now and highlight anything that could be a tax deduction. He said a receipt is now preferred in addition to a copy of the check as the IRS doesn’t necessarily accept cancelled checks as proof. He suggest making a list and compiling receipts for charitable contributions (including church giving statements), medical expenses paid which total more than 7 ½ percent of the adjusted gross income, property taxes paid and mortgage interest paid (form 1098), college tuition statements, brokerage statements for sale of investment vehicles, and gathering W-2’s from each employer, Interest, Dividend and Miscellaneous 1099s, 1099Gs for gambling winnings, and 1099Rs for retirement income. For those with a home office, it is also important to gather copies of utility bills, telephone, internet and cable bills if applicable to business, and all receipts for necessary and regular cost of doing business.

Filing – Young strongly recommends electronic filing and electronic refunds. He says individuals with simple returns and a basic understanding of tax law could use computer tax software, however if a tax preparer is used he believes it is important to deal with a tax professional CPA rather than an unlicensed practitioner.

More information can be obtained at www.rayyoungcpa.com or calling 376-0001.

Where Are They Now?
Some nurses treat more than one species

Carol Brimm

When Jayme Brimm Howard’s dad took her with him to obedience classes for their new Mastiff puppy he had no idea he was setting her feet upon the path she would choose for her life’s career. Howard, a 1999 Mustang High School graduate, was impressed with the trainer’s skill with the animals and questioned her about her job. She learned the trainer was a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and had received her degree at Oklahoma State University (OSU). This chance meeting inspired Howard to take a course to become a Veterinary Assistant and she fell in love with the field.

“I loved it,” Howard said, “and I knew I wanted to know more so I enrolled at OSU in Oklahoma City.”

Getting into Vet Tech School was very difficult, according to Howard. She said the program is one of the most difficult at the school and a graduate has over 500 skills by the time the program is completed. The program includes courses in lab techniques, reproduction, radiology, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, pathology, breeding, chemistry, microbiology and biology. Howard says what makes the program especially difficult is that medical doctors and nurses must learn this information for one species – humans. In the Veterinary field this information must be learned for all species.

“Anatomy was hard,” Howard said. “You don’t learn just one set of anatomy in this program. We had to learn the anatomy for all animals. It was a much more difficult curriculum than I expected and it exceeded my expectations about what a Vet Tech can do. I got a very good, meaningful education. I learned a lot.”

Howard worked her way through school as the head Vet Tech at Hefner Road Animal Hospital in Oklahoma City. On Dec. 1, 2006 she graduated from the OSU and will be a Registered Veterinary Technician after passing her state and national board exams in Jan. 2007.

“I didn’t want to be a Veterinarian because as a tech I’m the one who does everything with the animal, the Vet makes the diagnosis and reads the lab work. I get to talk to the clients and it gives me a sense of accomplishment and connection with my patients because I’m the one taking care of them. The doctor has to be the bad guy as far as the animal is concerned, I get to be their friend,” Howard said.

Howard’s love of animals began as a child when she spent summers in the country with her Grandma and Granddad feeding the cows through the fence. She says some of her fondest memories are of chasing her Granddad’s cows in the pasture, playing with the family kittens and petting her dog as he slept beside her bed each night.

Her first brush with Veterinary medicine came in high school when someone shot the family pet, Shadow, with a blow dart gun, which almost cost him his life. Howard says as she watched the Vet work to save her dog, she became interested in what he was doing. Now she is the one in charge of keeping the animal asleep and alive as Veterinaries perform life-saving surgeries.

“I love the responsibility of taking care of someone else’s baby. I love teaching and explaining things to owners and assuring them that it will be okay,” Howard said. “Sometimes we have an animal come in with its life hanging in the balance. The scariest thing is when an animal crashes during anesthesia. Your adrenaline jumps and it just seems like you know what to do.”

Throughout the course of her career and education Howard has had a lot of experiences, some funny, some scary, but she says they were all learning experiences. During the Vet Tech program she had the opportunity to work with a variety of animals including Bengal Tiger cubs, elephants, Chimpanzees and lab research animals.

“Once I had to draw blood from a Chimpanzee and he wasn’t very sedated. He kept looking at me while I took the blood. I have also washed an elephant. Washing an elephant makes you feel very small. You use a water hose and a BIG scrub brush,” Howard laughed. “On another school trip a Vet sent me into a pen to get a specific bull. As I threw my leg over the fence I thought I would die. I had no idea how to get one bull out of a pen with 20 huge bulls in it. One of his techs helped me. She said the Vet thought it was a funny joke to do that to amateurs.”

Growing up in Mustang may not have prepared Howard for all of the challenges and adventures she has faced, but it gave her the sound footing she needed to meet those challenges and persevere. She says her favorite memories of Mustang High School are of dating her husband, Kris Howard also a 1999 MHS grad, going to Sonic after school and going to Braum’s after Church on Wednesday nights. Howard is the daughter of Darrell and Carol Brimm of Mustang. Her sister, Rachel, is a 2004 MHS grad.

Happenings @ Town Center
Hoops tourney January 13

Desiree Webber, Justin Battles & Gloria Shotwell

Everyone is invited to the Mustang Senior Center New Year’s Eve Party on Sunday, December 31, from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. There will be no alcohol. Bring your favorite snack. There will be music, food, and good fellowship. Let’s bring in the New Year together.

The Mustang Public Library provides free WI-FI access throughout Town Center. Bring your laptops and work in the library. Schedule your next business meeting or conference at Town Center and utilize access to the Internet via your own equipment. The library also has four stations with Cat-5 cabling. If your laptop does not have a wireless card, you are welcome to use one of these four laptop stations. For more information, please contact the library at 376-2226.

If you are thinking about purchasing a new car, you will want to read the 2007 Fuel Economy Guide published by the U.S. Department of Energy. The guide gives the miles per gallon plus the estimated annual fuel cost for various car models, including those that are ethanol flexible-fuel vehicles.

The Friends of the Mustang Public Library would like to thank the following businesses who supported the annual Cowboy Christmas Ball fundraiser: All Season Building Supply, Beth Allen (Marolyn Pryor Realtor), Bronco Stop, Cossey’s Custom Cut Meats, DJ Ranch, Hair Razzors, Mustang Flowers and Gifts, Mustang Rotary Club, Noreta’s Catering, and Westlake Hardware. Their generosity and support of literacy and education are much appreciated.

Youth Services Librarian Patty Young has started a Teen Advisory Committee. Young people ages 12 to 17 will meet to discuss what programs, services and materials that the library could provide for teens. The first meeting will be held Tuesday evening, January 23, at 6:00 p.m. Pizza and soft drinks will be served. Teens interested in serving on the committee should come by the library and complete an application. For more information contact Patty at pyoung@cityofmustang.org or call 376-2226.

The Oklahoma Watercolor Association Traveling Art Show will exhibit award winners during the month of January at the Mustang Public Library. Some of the pieces on exhibit include “The Governor’s Veranda” by Lynden Wilcoxson, “Foul Ball” by Terrell Roos, and “Winter Tapestry” by Ramona White.

The exhibit is co-sponsored by the Mustang Library Board of Trustees and the Mustang Chamber of Commerce.

An opening reception will be held Tuesday, January 9, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A sketch session with a live model will be held in the library on Thursday, January 11, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Lyndon Wilcoxson will lead the sketch session, which is open to the public. For more information about library programs and services, please call 376-2226.

Do the kids want to run and play over the break? Consider registering them for the Winter Mini Camp that runs Wednesday through Friday, December 27th to 29th. Attendees will play games, enjoy the gym, and make crafts. For more information, contact the Recreation Dept. at 376-3411.

American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training Course on Thursday, December 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Course covers basic childcare, feeding and changing diapers, handling emergencies, preventing accidents, first aid and breathing emergencies. Cost is $30.00 and includes Babysitter’s Training Handbook and Red Cross certification. Pre-registration required by calling 376-3411.

Join the fun. Register now for the Free-Throw Challenge to be held January 15, 2007. This event is open to boys and girls ages 6 to 13. For more information, call Mustang Parks and Recreation Center at 376-3411.

There will be a 3-on-3 Hoops Tournament on January 13. Entry fee is $40 per team and the registration deadline is January 11. Cash prizes will be awarded to division winners and there will be four divisions of play. For more information contact Dennis Qualls at 376-7755 or dqualls@cityofmustang.org for more details.

To view the Community Calendar for a listing of programs and events, check the website at www.cityofmustang.org or tune into channel 20.

Sports
Lady Broncos' dream is Jaguars' nightmare

Brendan Hoover

OKLAHOMA CITY--Midway through the fourth quarter of the Mustang girls game at the Ford Center on Friday afternoon, support staff for the Oklahoma City/New Orleans Hornets had arrived and were beginning to set up electrical equipment for the game that night against the Memphis Grizzlies as the Lady Broncos made their way up court on offense. Junior guard Kaitlin Ellison fired a dish to junior forward Lacy Ramon for an easy layup to give Mustang a 49-28 lead over the Westmoore Lady Jaguars.

More than one head turned from the computers, printers, and cables to watch Ellison drop the dime.

“Nice pass,” one of the workers said as the Mustang fans cheered in the stands on the other side of the court, the sound rising and echoing off the empty seats in Loud City. The affirmation came from an apparent objective and impartial observer, an unqualified compliment for a true and pure basketball play.

When you are undefeated and ranked number one in the state, these things happen.

The Lady Broncos stayed perfect on the Court of Dreams, defeating the Lady Jaguars 55-32 in front of approximately 400 fans.

Junior Forward Jordan Pyle led the way for Mustang with a game-high 22 points, 12 in the first half.

“Jordan’s playing really well right now,” head coach Nichole Copeland said after the game.

Senior Kasey Tweed contributed nine points in the game. Ramon chipped in seven. Junior guard Brittnay Prandy made two threes in the first half and finished with 6 points. Senior forward Julie Lofland scored five points off the bench. Junior Autumn Foley had four points. Ellison finished with two points.

The Lady Broncos came out at the start of the second half with a 29-19 lead. After both teams traded turnovers in the first possessions of the half, Prandy assisted a Pyle layup on the right side of the basket to make the score 31-19 with 6:30 to go in the quarter.

Mustang played good defense in the third quarter, contesting every rebound and loose ball, leading to multiple Westmoore turnovers.

Then Foley hit a 15-foot jumper, Ramon converted back-to-back field goals, and Ellison made two free throws to give the Lady Broncos a 39-23 lead with 2:15 to go in the third.

Prandy forced a Lady Jaguar turnover with just over a minute remaining in the quarter, leading to an Ellison layup, making the score 41-25.

Lofland assisted to Ramon for a layup off another Westmoore turnover and the Lady Broncos defense denied a last second shot to end the quarter with a 43-25 lead.

Back-to-back Pyle baskets to start the fourth extended the Mustang lead to 47-25.

Lofland hit two free throws with 2:38 to go in the game to give the Lady Broncos their largest lead of the game at 55-28.

Senior guard Christina Wilson and Junior guard Karmin Smith entered the game in the final minutes, helping the Lady Broncos hold Westmoore to four points in the last 4:29.

And although the Lady Broncos came away with their 5-0 season intact on the biggest stage in Oklahoma City, the game itself was not perfect.

Mustang started the game a little flat, missing their first several shots and making some uncharacteristically lazy passes. They trailed 6-4 with 4:47 to go in the first as Lady Jaguar junior Brittany Burge scored two of her seven points in the game.

“We were sloppy with the basketball,” Copeland said. “We unofficially had 10 turnovers in the first half, eight of them in the second quarter.”

But Copeland did not attribute the Lady Broncos’ slow first half to Ford Center nerves or the expanse of the arena.

“I think it was more like ‘we already played and beat them.’ We didn’t come out with a lot of intensity. But we made some adjustments (in the second half). They set a couple of traps on ball screens, we got some steals, and that made it easier,” she said.

Copeland, who was an assistant coach for the Lady Jaguars, helping them win a state championship in 1999, had good things to say of her former team.

“Westmoore is the best team we’ve played so far, and we beat them twice,” she said.

The Lady Broncos are playing in the Mid-America Tournament in Ada this Thursday through Saturday, and are back at home Jan. 5 to take on Edmond North.

Sports
Broncos suffer rude awakening

Brendan Hoover

OKLAHOMA CITY--The Mustang Broncos rode a two-game winning streak and a 2-1 Metro Athletic Conference record into Friday’s Court of Dreams game against Westmoore, a team they lost to by only three points in their first game of the season.

The game had all the makings of sweet revenge for head coach Alan Green on his 40th birthday.

But the dream of a third straight victory on the pristine floor of the Oklahoma City/New Orleans Hornets’ did not come true, despite a valiant fourth-quarter comeback, and the Broncos fell to Westmoore a second time, 63-55.

“I’m going to quit saying we’re a young team, five games into the season,” Green said. “We have to get better. It’s my job to do that. We could have gone from being completely embarrassed on this huge floor to a great comeback.”

As the fourth quarter got underway, Jaguar senior Kyle Worcester converted one of two free throws after a foul by junior guard Shane Carroll, giving Westmoore its largest lead of the game at 50-31. Worcester hit four threes against the Bronco defense in the first half and had a game-high 15 points, quelling any shred of momentum Mustang could muster.

The rout it seemed was on.

But the Broncos would not give up so easy.

Senior forward David Balenseifen assisted to junior forward Steven Anderson for two at 7:16, and Carroll hit a three-point field goal at 6:54 to make the score 36-50.

After two straight traveling calls on Westmoore, Balenseifen tipped in a Carroll miss to make it 39-50.

Green called time out after the basket as the Bronco faithful cheered in the cavernous Ford Center, urging their team on.

Then Junior Auston Davidson made a three from the corner with 4:01 to play, and the Broncos were in the middle of a 11-0 run, making the score 50-42.

Westmoore junior Matt Mobley picked off a Bronco pass and went the distance for a layup to put the lead back to 10 points, 52-42. Mobley had 15 points for the Jaguars.

Anderson was then credited with a basket after a goaltending call on Westmoore with 3:30 to play, cutting the lead back to eight at 52-44, but two straight Jaguars baskets pushed the lead to 12 with just under three minutes to go.

Senior forward Kevin Kerner hit a three from the wing at 2:47 and the Jaguar lead was nine, 56-47.

Then Anderson blocked a Westmoore shot and the Broncos came back down the floor. Davidson missed a three and the Jaguars pulled down the rebound after going over Balenseifen’s back with no foul called.

Following a Westmoore time-out, Mobley made two free throws on Davidson’s fourth foul, making the score 58-47. Westmoore was in the bonus for almost the entire fourth quarter.

Anderson scored on an inside layup and Westmoore made two more free throws to make it 49-60 with 1:04 to play.

Then Carroll grabbed an offensive rebound and hit a three from the top of the key to pull the Broncos within eight, 60-52.

Sophomore guard Graham Faulkner nailed a three from the wing with 24 seconds remaining to cut the lead to five, 60-55.

“He shoots the ball with no fear, that’s why I put him in there, for some offense,” Green said.

Mustang fouled on the ensuing play to stop the clock and Westmoore made two more free throws. Faulkner missed a three with eight seconds to play and Westmoore hit one last free throw after a Bronco foul to seal the victory.

The Broncos had come back from down 19 points with less than 8:00 to play, but made too much work for themselves after falling into a 36-17 halftime hole.

A dispirited Green later said the game was a tale of two halves.

“That’s as bad a first half as I’ve seen us play,” he said. “An extremely poor first half and a great second. When you dig yourself a hole it’s hard to get out,” he said.

The Broncos scored only 10 first quarter points and seven in the second.

“You just have to learn from that and get better,” Green said.

Carroll and Balenseifen both finished with 12 points for the game. Faulkner scored 11 off the bench. Davidson fouled out, scoring six points. Anderson finished with five points. Kerner had five points for the game.

Junior Austin Feuerborn scored four points, having fouled out in the third quarter after a blocking call and a technical foul for bumping into a Westmoore player. Green questioned both calls, saying any contact was inadvertent.

The Broncos are in action next Jan. 5 at home against Edmond North.

Sports
Hornets defeat Memphis after Mustang games

Brendan Hoover

OKLAHOMA CITY—Before Friday night’s NBA contest between the Oklahoma City/New Orleans Hornets and the Memphis Grizzlies at the Ford Center, the Mustang JROTC presented the colors for the singing of the national anthem.

Every one of the 18,097 fans in attendance rose and stood to salute the flag. As the four members of the Mustang honor guard reached center court a yell rang out from Loud City, the upper section of the arena.

“Go Mustang!” a male voice called.

And so it was that the city put its own stamp of approval on the proceedings on a day when both high school basketball teams played on the same court as NBA stars Chris Paul and former Oklahoma State University standout Desmond Mason.

The Lady Broncos had no trouble in their 55-32 win over Wetmoore and the Broncos fought bravely in a fourth-quarter comeback before succumbing 63-55 to the Jaguars earlier in the afternoon.

Oh, and Hornets won in overtime, defeating the Grizzlies 100-97.

Hornet forward Marc Jackson dropped a nice pass to Mason for an easy shot with 25.3 seconds to go in overtime to put the home team in the lead to stay. Jackson had 19 points off the bench and Mason had 17 points and a season-high 12 rebounds.

Paul played almost 48 minutes in the game, scoring 15 points and adding 14 assists.

The affair was back and forth the whole night. The Hornets squandered a 45-40 halftime lead and were down 70-65 after the third quarter. Memphis center Pau Gasol led the Grizzlies with 28 points on the night.

Gasol made a turnaround layup with 0.9 seconds remaining in the game to tie the score at 90.

Hornets’ rookie Hilton Armstrong scored 14 points in his fourth start of the season, and center Tyson Chandler had 17 rebounds.

On Saturday the Hornets lost at home to the San Antonio Spurs 112-77.

The Hornets are 11-15 on the season and nine games behind the Spurs for first place in the NBA’s Southwest division. The Hornets have lost 12 of their last 15 games and have had many injury problems during the season.

The Hornets signed guard Devin Brown to a contract on Friday to help fill head coach Byron's Scott already thin roster.

Sports
Player of the Week: Jordan Pyle

Brendan Hoover

Junior forward Jordan Pyle earned Player of the Week honors for her 22-point performance in the Lady Broncos' 55-32 victory over Westmoore at the Ford Center on Friday. She has led Mustang to a 5-0 start on the season and a number one state ranking in Class 6A.

"I love how long she is. She can go out and catch anything. Her teammates are confident she will catch the ball every time they pass to her," head coach Nichole Copeland said.

"She can post up and she can shoot the three," she said.

Pyle is averaging 15.2 points and 8 rebounds per game this season.

Pyle was named MAC newcomer of the year for the 2005-06 season, her sophomore year.

"Jordan's playing really well right now," Copeland said.


What is your favorite food?
Mexican.

What is your favorite school subject?
Math.

What is in your CD player or right now?
Christian music.

What do you do in your free time?
Hang out with my family.

What are your parents’ names?
Karol and Jeff.

Who are your siblings?
Samuel, 10.

What is your favorite movie?
Anchorman: The Ledgend of Ron Burgandy.

Where do you want to go to college?
Any D-1 school where I can play basketball.

Business
New mobile dog groomer has clients and canines wagging their tails

Stacy Barnes

It’s a fact of life that many dog breeds need to be groomed on a regular basis. Even those that don’t may have owners who like having their pets professionally groomed, but getting those canine companions to the groomer isn’t always an easy task.

Anita Brashier of Happy Tails to You may have the solution with her mobile dog grooming service. Brashier, a former GM employee, said the plant’s closing shifted her dream of owning a dog grooming business into high gear.

“I planned on becoming a dog groomer when I retired and they just hurried that up about three years,” she said.

Instead of her clients having to load up their dogs and drive to her, she comes to her clients’ homes and will even go inside the house or backyard to retrieve dogs for clients who are away, if they wish.

“I have some clients who are comfortable giving me the code to their house and I just go in and get their dogs and groom them,” she said. “And when I’m done, I put them back inside. It’s a convenience for people.”

A Mustang resident, Brashier says she will travel anywhere with her new trailer that was specifically made for grooming animals.

“Everything you can have done in a salon, I do there (in the trailer),” she said. “I had it specially made in Denver and it’s specifically designed for mobile groomers. It has heat and air, a stainless tub and a 55-gallon water tank, so I carry the water I need with me.”

She just pulls up and plugs into an outside electrical outlet and she is ready to groom.

With Brashier’s innovative and convenient service, the days of coaxing, pushing, pulling and dragging your dog in and out of the car can be over. She says her prices are comparable to salon prices, but with much less hassle. And the benefits are not only for the dog owners, as the pets themselves are also much more comfortable in the one-on-one setting.

“I take time with them. If they need potty breaks, I put them on a leash and we go out and have a potty break. I don’t use cages of any kind, and I seldom ever use my tether,” she said. “The only time I think I’ve used it is on my own dogs. I don’t need to because everything I need is within arms reach.”

Happy Tails is available by appointment seven days a week by calling 408-7770. Brashier says she is happy to work around her clients’ schedules.