By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer
An Okarche resident has joined the chorus of candidates who believe business as usual in town government should come to an end.
Matt Blackwood will face incumbent Mayor Mike Mendel for Ward 1 on the town board during the April 2 election.
Blackwood has had a closeup view inside town government while he served as an Okarche police officer. He resigned during former Chief Mark Sterling’s tenure with the city and took a private sector job with Millennium Roofing Construction and Restoration.
“I already know for the most part how the town government runs,” Blackwood said. “I’ve seen it firsthand for almost 12 years. I’ve seen how things can and should be run.”
Blackwood said people have urged him to seek town office for a couple of years. Voters have told him they want to see a better relationship between town officials and the public, more transparency and technology for the town.
Candidates including Joe Frisby and James Nance for Ward 3 have expressed their concerns about rumors and distrust the public holds toward town government. Blackwood has also encountered it.
“If we can turn the relationship around with the town and the public, it will open up opportunities to grow. They’re (residents) hesitant to sell because they haven’t gotten along with town government for so long. People would be more open to selling and helping the town grow if they had a better relationship with town officials,” Blackwood said.
To increase transparency, Blackwood suggested the town broadcast town board meetings live on Facebook. Those who have attended meetings have taken exception to lengthy and frequent executive sessions.
“I think executive session is a little over used and I know there are reasons to do that and I’m not against that, but people are asking why are there so many executive sessions and what’s going on,” Blackwood said. “The reasons may be totally legitimate, but people have been wanting a little more openness and transparency.”
Blackwood believes his experience as a police officer and now his career as a sales manager would make him a good fit for town government. He travels all over the Midwest and lower half of the nation and sets up sales teams following disasters where storm victims need contractors. When he isn’t organizing teams Blackwood said he spends his time networking for the company.
“I’m building relationships with realtors, insurance companies and keeping those relationships. I think that’s much needed in the town,” he said.
His decision to seek public office are also personal. After his youngest daughter Reagan was diagnosed with a rare heart defect four years ago, residents and churches raised money for medical expenses.
“People I don’t even know, from churches I don’t attend would show up at our house and pray with us and leave us a check,” he recalled. “They’re still praying for us and showing their support. What all this did was allow us to research the greatest surgeon in the world that she could have. The best team and the best guarantee came from Dallas Medical Center. Honestly my reason for running is I have a love for this town.”
Blackwood is married to Jessica and two daughters Kennedy and Reagan. They attend the Church of the Nazarene in Kingfisher.
