The Indian Journal from Eufaula, Oklahoma • 1

Eufaula Mayor Proclaims Boy Scout Week Feb. 8-13, 2010 TT A 3 DIGIT 731 1 Tli HISTnH0MA (12D40) HISTORICAL society 2401 NL AIRDAVE OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73105- 7914 February 4, 2010 VOLUME 132, ISSUE 5 (USPS 261-620 Lowry faces ijsniaaiM 1 TWO SECTIONS, 18 PAGES Local police take furloughs Committee met in January, Murray and Det. Wesley Dawson, local FOP president, proposed a one-day furlough per pay period through February, March and April. "The first months of the year are our slowest anyway; so I don't feel we are Jeopardizing the safety of our residents. All emergency calls will be said Murray.

"It would save'around JTTBOO and we could then go full force In May and June when we are busier. -Police Chief Don Murray By Donna Pearce Managing Editor Local police officers, including Police Chief Don Murray, will take furloughs as part of working through the citys budget crisis. The decision was made during the regular February meeting of the Eufaula City Council on Monday night. Council members went into executive session to discuss the furlough proposal made by Eufaula Police Dept. The proposal was created by the department with input from the Fraternal Order of Police in January during mid-year budget reports.

"We'd been watching our PD budget and the overall trend and had seen the steady decline in sales tax collections. said Murray. "In December, we had spent slightly over half of our budget." When the City of Eulaula's Budget dispatchers because the department is already shorthanded in that area. We would have to replace them with workers who would receive overtime pay. said Dawson back in January.

Dawson, who is attending a training school out-of-state this week, had also said in January that the Eufaula Police Dept, had already instituted cutbacks in operation costs in November. I don't know what well do if it gets worse, said Dawson. Murray said the department will keep a close watch on the budget and revisit the issue if needed before the end of the fiscal year. On Monday night, city counselors also went into executive session to discuss the local FOP Lodge contract for fiscal year 2010-201 1. In open session, the counselors authorized Mayor Dean Smith to proceed with necessary actions toward negotiating the contract for the new fiscal year which starts July 1.

Before the police department could make the proposal to the city, they had to present it to the Union. Murray said the Union decided this time to furlough rather than have any layoffs. The Union was extremely cooperative with us on this, he said. The furlough plan did not include murder trial By Donna Pearce Managing Editor After 18 years. Baby Jane Doe may get some Justice.

Penny Anita Lowery, mother of the Infant born and found dead In November of 1991, appeared In McIntosh County District Court last Thursday. At the State's request, Lowery's first-degree murder trial was set for April 1. Assistant District Attorney Greg Stidham made the request to allow the State more time for discovery. Judge James Pratt told the State the motion cutoff date is March 26. Lowery remains in the McIntosh County Jail where she's been since her arraignment on first-degree murder charges on July 21.

2009. Baby Jane Doe was found dead In a plastic bag Nov. 12, 1991 on the shores of Jake's Lake near Warner. A witness said he saw a woman and a man beside the lake; and he heard the woman screaming. He went to look and found the dead Infant.

The baby is burled at Checotah. When it happened, the community got involved and gathered money to bury the said Joe Hogan. 'Everyone was so concerned." Many people, most from Checotah, provided funds and services for the baby's burial. Hundreds showed up to pay their last respects at the Infant's funeral. Last July, Lowery arrested near Tulsa on material witness warrant.

DNA testing, which wasn't available in 1991, confirmed Lowery was mother of Baby Jane Doe. According to Hogan. Lowery had served some Jail time for wire frauld. which added her DNA the OSBIs databank. Hogan also remembered Lowery being among Connor's students interviewed concerning the back in 1991.

Authorities continue look for others who might have been involved in case. At last report, Lowery has refused to identify supposed man with that day by the lake. was a the to the case to the the her Photo by Tony Dovntnf Freezing rain, fog and mow hampered driven In Eufaula last weekend. Not many driven were out on this section of Selmon Road near Posey Park on Friday. More pics on Page A3.

Planning for the worst, yet hoping for the best Council approves billing change, Mr. Printer gets job By Donna Pearce Managing Editor In a special session of the Eufaula City Council, members approved the changing of the billing to letter-style bills from the postcards which have been used for many years. Ronnie Cantrell. Eufaula Public Works employee, presented information about how changing the billing method could save the city $5,000 a year. Every little bit said Mayor Dean Smith.

Cantrell said notes Identifying the contents as the water bill could be stamped on the envelopes at first, at least until customers got used to receiving the letter-size bills instead of the postcards. The savings on printing was not the only advantage discussed. A lot of people have said they don't understand the way the information is presented on the postcards, plus there is no room to print anything extra, said Cantrell. "We've had calls from many who had complained that the print on the cards is too small to read, said Smith. The smaller cards are hard to keep up with, said Councilman Greg Anderson.

1 would think the letter bills would be easier for the pitman to handle, too, said Councilman Marshall Pruitt. All agreed and approved of the letter-style water bills. Cantrell had already sought quotes on the printing of the new letter-style bills. She had five quotes. The council went with a local business.

Mr. Printer. The quote from Mr. Printer offered less printing time and no Upping charge. Mr.

Printer also offered one iff the two lowest quotes for the Job. 'And, It's best to do business with a local. It keeps our sales tax here at home, said Smith. Watch lor your next water bill to come in the from of a letter Instead of a postcard. By Donna Pearce Managing Editor Nightmare stories of the 2007 Ice storm in Eufaula were on everyone's mind.

Many gave Up service to the memories. "We hope we don't get ice; we'd rather have the snow. said Mayor Dean Smith. On Wednesday. Jan.

27, the National Weather Service alerted all of Oklahoma and other states of the oncoming winter storm. Specific to McIntosh County was a mixture of sleet and rain on Thursday morning with the mixture growing heavier in the afternoon and night. Snow was predicted for the early hours of Friday morning. Predictions indicated one-half to one inch of ice and from one to five inches of snow. The next 24 hours will tell if we get the ice or snow, said Smith on Wednesday.

You know we're so close to the 1-40 corridor where the weather seems to break one way or the other. Smith said city crews were out checking on the generators for the water and wastewater plants, seeing that enough fuel was at the ready, and making sure the Walkle Talkies radios had plenty of batteries and chargers. "We have nine portable generators. We took action to get those after the 2007 storm, Smith said. He said the public works department was making preparations for possible use of salt, tractors, back-hoes, chlppers and chainsaws.

Smith said a call had already been put to to the American Red Cross in preparation for a shelter at the Eulaula Community Center if needed. He said the first step is See STORM, page 3 Phots by Dmm Pmks Tom Carter of Eufaula la one of hundreds out on Wednesday, Jan. 27, stocking up on water, food and other supplies for the approaching winter storm. I can handle anything but the Ice, said Carter, who said he has wood cut and has a gas heater In his bedroom. Lake Eufaula Association SuiMiny Szm tm i 1 VSLlfc.

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