"New Edmond Mayor's Message"

When I started writing these messages, my purpose was to gain an additional way to communicate to and with our citizens.  The good news is – it’s working.  Weekly, I hear back from our residents about my mayor messages.  Many times, Edmond residents follow up by asking questions.  In recent weeks, the questions have focused on relief for individuals that suffered damage in the June floods.  Other questions have focused on road construction on many of our busiest roads.  Clearly, these are important questions that need to be answered in a public way. 

First, governmental relief for flood victims has been slow coming.   Much to our disappointment, Oklahoma County was NOT declared a federal disaster area by President Obama, and FEMA to give individual assistant.  However, Oklahoma did meet the criteria to be declared a disaster area for public assistance (this assistance applies to roads and bridges.) 

The Small Business Administration made a different decision, and declared Oklahoma County to be an area entitled to relief both for businesses and individuals.  They now have an office at 16 E. Campbell, in Edmond, and are working with both businesses and individuals who suffered damages to get low-interest loans.  If you suffered damage – either to your home or your business – I urge you to contact this office.  You can apply for help online or in person at the temporary office in Edmond.

Thanks again to the many churches, individuals, and groups who showed up to help these victims.   Edmond proved it deserved the honor of being named one of America’s best cities.

Road and bridge construction is continuing on the roads that were damaged by the June 14 floods.  Along with Oklahoma County, Edmond has been surveying areas to get damage and cost estimates, and has been repairing those less-damaged roads quickly.  Most of the damage occurred outside our city boundaries, but we are providing technical resources whenever we can to county officials. 

On the topic of roads, I have heard from several of you wondering why so many roads came under construction in the last month.  Simple answer – the timing was right and the funding became available. 

As for timing, our city staff aims to begin and finish construction quickly and efficiently hoping to cause the least disruption to our resident’s travels.  When Edmond Public Schools are out for summer, we put a big push on repairing the roads surrounding schools. 

For example, Danforth , from Broadway to Santa Fe , has been resurfaced or is in the process of being resurfaced.  Inconvenient timing?  Not when you consider that Edmond North High School and John Ross Elementary sit in the heart of this area.  Best to accomplish the repairs when school is out, and parents are not caught in the construction while delivering kids to school.     

Always important is how these overlays can be funded.  These roads were in the cue for repair, and federal funding was available to accomplish them.  Edmond seeks to maximize other funding sources and works to use this funding in the most efficient method to accomplish the most needed repairs on our busiest streets. 

In our local neighborhoods, we spent considerable time and resources in Fox Lake and Arrowhead Valley.  Those neighborhood streets were in need of milling and overlay.  These projects have just been completed. 

If you need more information about roads, feel free to contact our city offices.  City staff knows you are our customer and will work hard to deliver the information you need in a timely manner. 

Patrice Douglas, Mayor