The main difference City Councilor Jim Ritchey said he sees in east side versus west side is that voters turn out in much greater numbers on the east side.

The councilors also discussed studying the city charter for possible updates.

Ritchey said he would like to see the mayor's term changed from two years to four years. He also would like to see some type of pay for city councilors and the mayor.

Ritchey said many other towns offer compensation for those positions.

"It costs us a great deal to perform our duties," Ritchey said.

Bob Luttrell, also a newcomer to the council, said he has lived here 30 years and serving on the council is a way for him to give back to the community, that he doesn't expect pay.

Hammons said that with gas at more than $3 a gallon and the necessity of having a cell phone, he feels it would make it easier for people to serve.

"It's not a full-time job and doesn't have to have full-time pay," Hammons said. "A little stipend would not hurt."

On its list of programs that could be implemented within the next year, the group was unanimous that a top program this year should be getting the Muskogee Foundation enabled. The foundation will oversee the expenditure of funds from the leasing of the hospital.

They also listed as possible projects that could be accomplished in the next 12 months. Their preliminary list included:
Continuing housing rehabilitation and derelict housing removal and cleanup of the city.
Annexing property.
Hiring a public information officer so that all media relations would go through a single person and to serve as sort of a lobbyist for the city.
Extending the boundaries for planning and zoning to three miles beyond the city limits.

Reach the mayor

John Tyler Hammons said Saturday he intends to stay in touch with the public but doesn't have a cell phone number to publish at this time.

However, anyone with Internet access may e-mail him at jthammons@hammonsformayor.com.