The Chamber’s Ponca Politics Committee will have a forum at noon Friday, Sept. 23, in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall.

This forum will be on city government and feature Mayor Homer Nicholson and City Manager Craig Stephenson. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Ponca Politics Committee is a very important committee assisting our members with all levels of government.

Objective: Promote responsible legislation and government which creates an environment for economic development and enhances quality of life for our city and region at all levels of government.

Membership: Open to any Chamber member

Goals:

• To develop recommendations to be presented to the Chamber Board of Directors on federal, state, county and area legislative issues that affect the business environment, and communicate the Chamber’s position to appropriate officials and the general public.

• To conduct public forums such as “Ponca Politics” to discuss pertinent issues on a non-partisan basis.

• To continue to communicate with Chamber members on legislative issues that affect our region and state.

• To promote our Chamber members and area citizens to get registered and to vote.

• To identify, promote and support those serving on state and federal level boards.

• To host an elected officials appreciation picnic.

• To offer and promote voter registration in the Chamber office.

• To work to increase Ponca City area citizens’ involvement with local and state governments by serving on various boards in Ponca City and within Kay County.

• To host “Ponca City Day” in the Capitol rotunda during the legislative session to promote Ponca City.

Legislative issues: Support passenger rail service; support adequate funding for Oklahoma Department of Tourism; support adequate funding for K-12 education, technology centers and higher education; support no unfunded mandates; support online sales tax collection; support sales tax enforcement; and, support adequate funding for infrastructure needs.

Meeting Date: 4th Friday – 11 a.m. City Hall in the McFadden Room.

Chair: Barry Bickle, Eastman National Bank

Vice Chair: Bruce DeMuth, Pioneer Technology Center