By Daniel Lapham/Staff writer

A month ago, the Mustang City Council voted against joining a proposed Canadian County Economic Development partnership. The move took some El Reno city leaders by surprise.

Following an informal meeting last week, the prospects for such a partnership may be a little brighter. El Reno Mayor Matt White and Mustang Mayor Jeff Landrith met for dinner last week in a Yukon restaurant to simply get “to know each other a little bit better,” said White

White said he contacted Landrith following the Mustang vote. The two agreed to meet, but with Landrith’s wife recently giving birth to their child, the timing was not good. After a few weeks, Landrith got back in touch with White and some other elected leaders. It was hoped all could sit down together and discuss issues.

“We had some conflicts with the other mayors who were going to meet with us, so it ended up being me and Jeff Landrith,” White said. “We are going to have another meeting with the other mayors, but I am not sure when.”

Calls to Landrith were not returned.

White said the meeting with Landrith went well.

“Back in the ‘90s we had a Canadian County Alliance,” White said. “They would meet once a month in a different city. Jeff said he wants to get together so we can know what each other is doing. I think we both saw where our priorities are and we both want what is good for Canadian County.”

White said it’s important neighboring communities communicate and work together in areas that are feasible and effective. He said he hopes a consensus can be reached on the economic development partnership by the end of the month.