The Lawton Constitution (Lawton, Okla.), Vol. 73, No. 234, Ed. 1 Tuesday, July 1, 1975 Page: 1 of 20
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THE LAWTON CNSTTTUTION
31,195
iCouriiv Puelie service
SINGLE COPY 10c
‘AGES
THIRD AND A AVE., LAWTON, OKLA
1 I
Six-Year, $60.6 Million Capital Works Program Sought
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Need For Future, New Revenue Stressed
Thomson Airs $23 Million
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Budget Proposal For City
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Record Request
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Price To Stations Boosted
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Provides Funds
8 Slots In New
Gas Hikes Due
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Budget Cutback
For Pay Boost
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4,000-Man Jump Expected
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Sill Training Site Started
Pennsylvania Moving To Halt
Statewide Strike Of Employes
Most unionized state employes,
in-
Secretary Of State
News In Brief
Sworn In At Capital
Church- Operated Bus Line Proposed
What’s Inside
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HARRISBURG, Pa < AP) - Unions
representing 90,000 of the state’s
120,000 workers staged the first state-
wide strike in Pennsylvania history
today, and the state went to court to
try to force pi ison guards and hospital
nurses to return to work
THE CITY'S back-to-work motions
were before Commonwealth Court.
There were no immediate decisions
Among those on strike are welfare
workers, social service workers at
slate mental institutions, and clerical
workers in the bureau of motor vehicle
and state lottery offices. It appeared
that the single biggest stale agency,
the Transportation Department. was
seriously slowed when road workers
and highway maintenance men refused
to report to work
The strike does not include state po-
liceman, who are covered under a sep-
arate contract it also does not affect
state liquor stores being operated on
extended contracts still being nego-
tiated.
buses to provide transportation soon if
necessary
Davenport added the ministers have
talked with Mrs Mary Morris, owner
of the line which ceased operations
Monday about buying her equipment
and are investigating whether the al-
liance-owned operations would be eli-
gible for a Small Business Adminis-
tration loan
Several other ministers spoke in fa-
vor of mass transit at the meeting But
several councilmen said there is little
the city can do at this point to provide
the service since the federal govern-
and park improvements, landscaping
and manna development at Lake El-
lsworth
The fourth year CIP would include
such actions as more street reconstruc-
tion, water and sewer line replace
ment, outdoor recreation and park fa
cilities, downtown improvements, mu
seum expansion, swimming pool engi-
neering, additions to public facilities
such as fire department and library,
sports arena engineering in the down-
town area, and further lake area im
provements.
eluding nurses, are permitted by law
to strike, but they can be ordered back
by a court Prison guards are prohibit-
ed by law from walking out
I
7
merous community improvement ef
forts
Thomson has stressed that the plan
is nothing more than a preliminary
proposal for City Council debate and
policy decision
Third year CIP proposes some $2
million for replacing minor streets,
over $1 million for water line replace
ment, $13 million for the downtown
urban renewal project, drainage im-
provements, indoor swimming pool
construction, right-of-way acquisitions
for street improvements, recreation
Fifth year activities would include
further work in the above areas in ad-
dition to proposed $2 5 million rehabili-
tation and modernization of the water
filter plant
in the sixth year, a $3 5 million
treatment plant addition to handle
Waurika water is suggested, in addi-
tion to more street reconstruction,
water and sewer line replacement, and
park and landscaping improvements
He indicated he offered the long list
of proposed projects as a starting point
for the Lawton City Council
al development will claim a major por
lion of the work this year under com-
munity development and revenue shar-
ing grants Those projects and a num-
ber of smaller public facilities and
some social program projects will
claim some $10,759,260 this year
Next fiscal year, 1976-77, the city
manager proposes a $9,772,980 effort
$10 4 million in 1977-78. over $9 million
in 1978-79, $118 million in 1979-80, and
$8 7 million in 1980-81.
The second-year Capital Improve
ments Program (CIP) is proposed to
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — About one third of Oklahoma's motorists
will face an insurance increase averaging $27 per car each year as a re-
sult of a ruling today by the State Board for Property and Casualty
Rates. The board, on a 2-1 vote, approved a 17.7 per cent rate increase
for the insurance Service Organization (ISO). a rating bureau represent-
ing 260 companies.
I
draw more than $6 million from a
general obligation bond issue, more
than $3 million from community devel-
opment block grants; $222,000 from the
general fund, $319,080 from the general
revenue sharing and $47 470 from a
special, limited one-mill levy
Major portions would go for down-
town urban renewal, Second Street re
construction in the downtown area re
construction of East Gore from the
Pioneer Expressway to SE 45th Street,
city courtroom and office expansion,
and right-of-way acquisition, plus nu-
NEW YORK (AP) - Mayor Abraham D Beame ordered the firing of
19,000 city employes today, and protesting sanitationmen staged wildcat
strikes that halted the collection of garbage throughout the city. The fir-
ings. which include police, firemen and sanitationmen. were ordered by
the mayor to take effect at 12:01 a m today in an attempt to balance the
city's "modified crisis” budget.
The City Council narrowly voted
today to allow fireworks in Elmer
Thomas Park between noon and mid-
night Friday. The council tied 5-5 on
the motion and Mayor Wayne Gilley
broke the tie by voting in favor of the
fireworks.
Today’s Weather
Clear to partly cloudy, warm
and humid weather will continue
here through Wednesday with a 28
per cent chance of thunderstorms
forecast for tonight and Wednes
day. Tonight's low will reach the
low 70s with a high in the mid-90s
expected Wednesday.
Mostly sunny skies prevailed
over Lawton Monday with a high
of 92 and a low Monday night of
72.
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Ford says the United States has not
given Israel an ultimatum to accept Egyptian terms for a Middle East
settlement. And he says he Is confident the economic decline at home is
over. Clashing bead on with the leader of the nation's largest labor orga
nization. Ford declared today that he is confident the economic decline
is over.
7,
Temperature Chart
24 Ronee Endine Todey
4”
Combined Paid Daily
Circulation
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A $60.6 million, six-year capital imp-
k rovements program, the first
ever proposed here, is recommended in
City Manager John Thomson’s budget
proposal handed city councilmen
today
The multi-year plan, promised by
Thomson soon after he was hired here
in February, draws heavily on already
conceived and federally funded proj-
ects this fiscal year, but would depend
almost entirely on locally generated
revenue starting two years from now
Urban renewal, streets, and industri-
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90
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OKLAHOMA CITS' (AP) - Jerome
W Byrd, a retired Oklahoma City en-
gineer and former city councilman,
was sworn in early today as secretary
of state and he immediately endorsed
Gov. David Boren's plan to make the
office appointive
Boren had appointed Byrd late Mon-
day to succeed John Rogers Supreme
Court Justice William A Berry admin-
istered the oath of office to the new
see SWORN IN. Page 4
A UNION official and two other per-
See STRIKE. Poge 4
first basic trainees in February Until
then it will concentrate on cannon and
missile advanced individual training
currently underway there
Lt Col Robert Arciero accepted
command of the Field Artillery School
Brigade from Col Edward Kelley Jr
during the ceremony today.
Immediately following the ceremony
the size of the brigade was reduced
through activation of the Field Artil-
lery Training Center under Col. Kelley
Several of the units presently under
See SILL, Page «
Capital Use Aired
While he has identified $10,759,260
for capital improvements, most of it is
in previously approved projects, either
under way or planned to start this
year
Only $67,650 of the total capital im-
provement program this year will
come from the general fund under
Thomson’s request
Over the next six-year period the city
manager has proposed the city devote
more than $60 million to capital im-
provements
Revenue to finance major public fa-
see record. Poge 4
22
TWO HEADS BETTER THAN ONE. Gary Zimmerman, 11,
son of Maj. and Mrs. Guy Zimmerman, 96 NW 44th,
smiles over the head of his new-found friend, a burro at
Boy Scout Camp George Thomas. Gary is one of more than
400 area boys enjoying Boy Scout Camp this summer.
(Staff Photo by Jeff Dixon)
which one dealer described as
"becoming almost a regular
thing,” should push the pump
price of regular gas solidly into
the 60 cents per gallon range by
the end of the month, the station
managers and gas wholesalers re-
ported
Shell Oil Co. and Standard Oil of
Indiana announced today they are
raising the price of gas sold to
their wholesalers by three cents
per gallon Texaco is charging its
dealers 14 cents a gallon more ef-
fective today
Other oil companies with sta-
tions here are passing along unan-
nounced increases to dealer, job-
bers here report
Sun Oil Co. (DX) and Champlin
have raised prices two cents per
gallon and APCO dealers here
see NEW GAS, Poge 4
By SKIP GIBSON
City Manager John Thomson today
unveiled a $23 4 million spending
request for this fiscal year, including a
$10 7 million capital improvements
program as part of a $60 million, six-
year effort, and sounded a clear call
for ' early’’ revenue rate hikes The in-
creases are not needed to finance
spending proposals outlined today
The budget proposal will face later
City Council action
No specific employe pay raises were
requested pending the outcome of sala-
ry negotiations with firefighters and
policemen But the proposed budget,
submitted to the council today, lists up
to $500,000 for employe pay hikes.
The total $23,391,890 recommenda-
tion. unlike previous years, includes
every penny the city manager expects
to be spent this year from paper clips
to bond payments.
Block Grant Added
General obligation bonds and the
sinking fund were not included in the
total budget figure of previous years
Thomson has identified $6,382,780 in
revenue and expenses for those pur-
poses in his budget this year
Also hiking the total budget picture
is the new federal community devel-
opment block grant program from
which the city starts receiving more
than $6 1 million per year this month
Thomson has figured that in his budg-
et Some $5,984,970 is requested to be
spent City councilmen have already
set up and approved the projects for
which that money is intended
And. for the first time in Lawton his-
tory, the city manager has set up a
separate capital improvements pro-
gram
4,5 2
"pa
I Police To Lose
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8,-3
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4
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By DENNIS LANG
City Manager John Thomson’s police
department budget for fiscal year 1975-
76 includes a recommended personnel
reduction of eight persons
Police Chief Alford Hennessee said
today before the budget was announced
that he had "anticipated and expected
a cut in personnel."
Thomson’s budget recommendation
of $1,693,070 is some $21,000 more than
the 1974-75 fiscal year budget, but
some $38,000 less than that requested
by Hennessee
In anticipating the personnel reduc-
tion, Hennessee said the main cause is
a drop in federal Law Enforcement As-
sistance Administration (LEAA) funds
LEAA Funds Drop
A total of $160,331.36 in LEAA funds
was allocated to the Lawion Police De-
partment during the last fiscal year,
and Hennessee said he expected to re-
ceive only $30,000 this year. Thomson’s
recommended budget includes $78,910
in LEAA grants
The chief said today personnel af-
fected by the LEAA funding include 12
Task Force officers, four in crime pre-
vention. three in intelligence and three
in narcotics.
By expecting the personnel cutback.
Hennessee said that he has held off on
replacing some people at the depart-
ment who have left, and shifted some
Task Force personnel to other areas
Although Hennessee understands the
cutback need, he pointed out that the
department cannot cut back on its in-
vestigation of traffic accidents and
crimes reported to police.
The crime rate here is now at an all-
time high
Results Unknown
While the police department has not
replaced some resignations within the
department, as Hennessee noted, it
was not known at noon today whether
the vacancies are sufficient to cover
the recommended personnel reduction
LEAA funds are allocated by the
state on a 90 per cent federal and 10
per cent matching local money basis
for projects within the programs of po-
lice. juvenile, courts and corrections.
Hennessee said LEAA fund appli-
cations approved for this fiscal year in-
clude $10,000 for juvenile counseling.
See police, Poge 4
Rev J L. Davenport, pastor of St
John's Baptist Church, told the council
the end of service Monday by the Law-
ton-Fort Sill Bus Co has had a serious
impact on many low income families in
the city
"A city the size of Lawion with our
growth potential needs public trans-
portation,” Davenport said “We can't
neglect our people who can't buy and
operate automobiles "
The pastor said the ministerial
group met Saturday to discuss options
in providing bus service to the city He
said several churches plan to use their
ment vetoed the use of Community De-
velopment funds to match a federal
grant which would set up a city-owned
bus line
“The people voted in favor of a city-
owned line in March but they did so
with the understanding federal funds
would be used," said Councilman Don
Aust. “At this point, we don't have the
power to do anything."
Councilwoman Norma Roberts said
the city had invested $80,000 to keep
Mrs Morris line operated for the past
See CoUnCIL Pem «
By PAUL HART
A Lawton minister today told the City
h Council that a ministerial associ-
ation may ask the city for a 20-year
franchise to operate a city transit sys-
tem if no other solution to the bus
transit problem is found.
is
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VOLUME 73 — No. 234 (AP) — (AP WIREPHOTO)
By WARD BYERS
NTATIONAL and state oil com-
- % panies have presented south-
west Oklahoma motorists with a
pre-July 4 traveling gift, announc-
ing price increases averaging two
to three cents a gallon of gas and
ranging up to a “whopping" seven
cents per gallon, local dealers and
wholesalers reported today.
The dealers, citing the increas-
ing competitiveness of the local
gas market, said this morning
they have not yet decided how
much of the company-announced
increase will end up on their
pump meters
But he said the first of July
hikes came as no surprise to them
and they expected motorists to be
paying two to three cents a gallon
more within an outside limit of
three weeks
The early month increases.
By DONNA EVERS
H’ORT Sill began preparation today
I for One Station Training with the
activation of the Field Artillery Train-
ing Center during a ceremony at the
post's Polo Field
A military population increase of
about 4,000 is expected at Fort Sill
when One Station Training is fully op-
erational next summer The increase
will include 3,500 trainees and 500
cadre A civilian increase of about 200
is also expected.
The training center will receive its
—
2 .gg 33
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Bentley, Bill F. The Lawton Constitution (Lawton, Okla.), Vol. 73, No. 234, Ed. 1 Tuesday, July 1, 1975, newspaper, July 1, 1975; Lawton, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc2038340/m1/1/: accessed July 4, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.