Wed, Aug 20 2008
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Published May 12, 2008 11:37 am - Mayoral candidates campaign down to the wire Muskogee voters will go to the polls Tuesday to select the city’s next mayor and decide the outcome of two ward races. The mayoral contest pits Hershel McBride and John Tyler Hammons. McBride, 70, is a longtime city councilman who served three terms as mayor before stepping down in 2006 because of health concerns. McBride cites his business and civic experience as his main selling points. Hammons, 19, is a Muskogee High School graduate who is about to complete his freshman year as Oklahoma University political science major. Hammons says he brings youthful exuberance to the table and will work the will of the people. McBride said he will be campaigning hard during the final few days before Tuesday’s election, talking to potential voters and putting up signs. “Some people think that might be kind of late,” McBride said. “But here lately we seem to be changing a few minds, and we’re going to work hard to change some more minds.” Hammons said he will spend the final days of his campaign “meeting and greeting, knocking on doors, and speaking to anybody who wants me to speak.” “The voters will make the right decision,” Hammons said. “Whether it’s me or my honorable opponent, I have no doubt in the voters’ ability to do what’s right.” While both candidates will spend the final days of the campaign similarly, their ideas about important issues differ as starkly as their ages. Hammons, 19, said the single, most important issue in the 2008 mayoral race is change. “Do we want positive change?” Hammons said. “Or do we want to keep things the way they are?” Hammons defined “positive change” as those things that must be done to make the lives of Muskogee residents easier, “make it easier to live and easier to conduct business.” McBride, 70, said the top issue that should be on the minds of potential voters is experience. “With the possibility of three new city councilors and a new city manager on board, I feel really strong that people ought to select someone who has experience in business and city government,” said McBride, a longtime local businessman. McBride said experience will be key to helping oversee the city’s $28 million annual budget and determining how best to use the proceeds from the lease of Muskogee Regional Medical Center to Capella Healthcare. 
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