Mayor’s Message February 2019

2019 brings an election to Jones. There are 3 Trustee seats up for election and City Clerk. Currently, the 3 seats are held by Mayor Ray Poland, Vice Mayor Michael Calvert, and Trustee Tyler McElhaney. The Clerk is Tammy Wallace. All seats are “at large” meaning there are no wards and you may live anywhere in the city limits. You must have lived in the city limits at least 6 months prior to the filing period. The only other requirement is you must be 18 years of age. The filing period is Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, through Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019 during regular business hours. The filing is done at the Oklahoma County Election Board located at 4201 N Lincoln Blvd. OKC, OK. When you file, your form will have to be Notarized and notarization is not provided at the Election Board, you will need to go off site and then return your form to them by the end of business on Wed. Feb. 6.

The Town of Jones operates as a Board of Trustees Under “§11-12-101.  Statutory town board of Trustees form of government.” The Mayor is then chosen from and by the elected Trustees, every odd year. The Mayor’s term is for 2 years.

“§11-12-104.  Election of mayor.

The board of trustees shall elect from among its members a mayor.  The mayor shall be elected in each odd-numbered year at the first board of trustees meeting held after trustee terms begin, or as soon thereafter as practicable.  The mayor shall serve until his successor has been elected and qualified.  All references to the president of the town board of trustees in Oklahoma Statutes shall mean the town mayor. Laws 1977, c. 256, § 12-104, eff. July 1, 1978.”

There have been questions “why can’t we vote for Mayor?” It’s because of our statutory form of government as a Trustee system. In order for this to change, it would have to be on a ballot to be voted on by the people.