May 2020

To the Editor:

Recently, El Reno Professional Firefighters reached an agreement with city officials that will provide significant financial relief to support the looming revenue deficit caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our firefighters’ number one priority is the safety of El Reno citizens. We are used to providing assistance in difficult situations, although this is a different kind of assistance. We are happy to be able to help.

The terms of the agreement will mandate that firefighters use unpaid leave when normally scheduled to work.

Editor’s Note: This column was created by the American Legion National Headquarters. It pays tribute to those men and women who have given of themselves, both during times of war as well as during national emergencies.

Every crisis has new heroes. During the 9/11 attacks, they were the first responders running into burning and crumbling buildings as others ran out.

While their seasons were cut short due to COVID-19, several area baseball and softball players recently picked up postseason honors for the 2019 spring campaigns.

The Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association released the All-Star by Class teams last week with El Reno senior Gabe Ruoff making the Class 5A West Team as an outfielder, and classmate Brice Hill as a pitcher. Players must be on the All-Star by Class team to be eligible for All-State consideration.

Since 1935, the Oklahoma Coaches Association has held its annual Coaches Clinic and All-State Games for coaches and athletes across the state.

This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the OCA board of directors have made the difficult decision to cancel all activities during the Coaches Clinic and All-State Week.

With an attendee rate of around 4,500 during the annual convention, health concerns and the ramifications that could be presented to attendees were a major factor in this decision.

The American Legion and VFW are asking for volunteers to help place American flags at the El Reno Cemetery. Volunteers are asked to be at the cemetery this Saturday, May 23, at 8 a.m.

Flags will be placed on the gravesites of men and women who served in the U.S. military. Flags will also be placed along Elm Street, approaching the cemetery.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic there will be no service Monday at the cemetery. There will also be no lunch served by the organizations that day.

An El Reno company is making something new, filling a need brought on by the pandemic.

Gemini Coatings, a wood coating and paint manufacturer, has been producing hand sanitizer for the past two months.

Between 14,000 and 21,000 gallons are produced each workday. Contracts with some large companies, including a possible deal with an airline, are in the works.

Canadian County commissioners on Monday approved guidelines for the public as the courthouse and administrative offices reopen.

Guidelines are as follows:

▶ Doors will be open in a limited fashion.

▶ If you as a citizen are sick, stay home. If you have a temperature of 100.4 or higher, stay home.

▶ Citizens are encouraged to continue to conduct their business with Canadian County by phone, electronically or mail if possible.

Savannah Station Therapeutic Riding Program held a Pass and Pet event last week to allow riders a chance to see the horses they have not gotten to ride since early March.

While they won’t be able to take a dip in the municipal swimming pool, El Reno youngsters can still cool off when the city turns on its splash pads.

The splash pads will begin shooting water into the air on June 1, said a statement issued by the city. The splash pads in Legion Park and downtown at Youngheim Plaza will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be no lifeguard on duty and children need to be accompanied by an adult while at the splash pads.

Council member Tracey Rider has a message for people who frequent Lake El Reno: Put your trash in the trash carts and not on the ground.

Rider made the comments at last week’s city council meeting. She said after visiting the lake area, she was disgusted by all the discarded debris. Rider said there is “no excuse” for the litter at the lake.

“It’s time for we citizens to do our part,” Rider said. “Our city workers are doing their part.”

She said people should be responsible for their own debris and not “lay it off on someone else to do it for you.”