Low-interest federal disaster loans available in Muskogee, Tulsa, Wagoner counties

SBA Stands Ready to Assist Oklahoma Businesses and Residents Affected by Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes and Flooding

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Oklahoma businesses and residents as a result of President Trump’s major disaster declaration, U.S. Small Business Administration’s acting Administrator Christopher M. Pilkerton announced.

The declaration covers the Muskogee, Tulsa and Wagoner counties as a result of the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began on May 7, 2019.

“SBA is strongly committed to providing Oklahoma with the most effective and customer-focused response possible and with access to federal disaster loans to help businesses and residents affected by this disaster,” said Pilkerton. “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.75 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.938 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov. As soon as Federal-State Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the affected area, SBA will provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants. Additional information and details on the location of disaster recovery centers is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.

Pres. Trump approves Oklahoma request for flood aid in hard-hit counties

WHITE HOUSE APPROVES REQUEST FOR FLOOD AID

Governor Kevin Stitt announced today that President Donald Trump has approved the state’s request for an emergency declaration for 10 Oklahoma Counties.

Gov. Stitt requested the first federal aid yesterday afternoon and the White House approved the request today less than 24 hours later.

Counties included in the emergency declaration are: Haskell, Kay, Le Flore, Muskogee, Noble, Osage, Pawnee, Sequoyah, Tulsa, and Wagoner.

The declaration authorizes federal resources to assist state and local governments as they continue to respond to the widespread, significant flooding. These resources may include industrial size generators, bottled water, cots and blankets.

State authorities will continue to assess the need for additional federal disaster aid to cover further response and recovery costs, including possible federal assistance for homeowners impacted by flooding. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is working with FEMA and local emergency management officials to secure all eligible assistance warranted by these dangerous floods.

“We appreciate the President’s prompt response to our request for federal aid and we will continue to stay in close touch with the White House and federal authorities as we try to help communities keep their residents safe from this deadly flooding,” said Gov. Stitt. “Many Oklahoma communities have been hit hard, and we will be doing everything possible to help them today in their time of need and in the weeks to come.”

Oklahoma remains under a statewide declaration of emergency.

Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott, McDugle supporter, terminates McDugle's challenger

Wagoner County Sheriff Terminates Nick Mahoney Amid Pressure To Exit House District 12 Race

Wagoner, OK  – Nick Mahoney, a Republican candidate for House District 12 and a seven-year Wagoner County Deputy Sheriff, was terminated abruptly Monday morning by the Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott. His termination was preceded by statements made by Elliott to fire Mahoney if he did not exit the race for House District 12 along with statements made by Judy Elliott, Wagoner County 911 coordinator and Elliott’s wife that “(Mahoney) running for State House District 12 will have consequences."

“When I shared my intentions to run for State House District 12 to Sheriff Elliott last January, he initially indicated that he wished me the best luck, but that he was supporting Kevin McDugle, my opponent in the State House District 12 race,” said Mahoney.  “I assured him that I would continue to perform my duties as expected and not let the campaign interfere with my job as a deputy sheriff and he in-kind wished me luck in my race.”

Mahoney then explained how quickly the tone from Elliott changed as Mahoney received dozens of personal emails, phone calls, and text messages accusing Elliott of actively campaigning against Mahoney, slandering Mahoney's reputation and demanding citizens remove Mahoney's yard signs from private property.  “It’s pretty discouraging to find out Sheriff Elliott has told people that he’s going to demand I drop out of the race or be fired from the Sheriff’s Department.”

Mahoney then talked about how Elliott started abusing his power as Mahoney’s boss by demoting Mahoney, taking away Mahoney’s police car and instead making him drive the departments’ oldest model, and switching Mahoney’s work schedule from day to night shift. “There is no doubt that Sheriff Elliott was taking punitive actions against me in the workplace,” said Mahoney.

Mahoney then discussed his previous seven years at the Wagoner County Sheriff’s office. “I had nothing but high marks. I did not receive a single write-up for bad behavior and no disciplinary action was ever taken against me,” said Mahoney.  “My firing was political payback for daring to run against Sheriff Elliott’s friend, Kevin McDugle.”

Mahoney has retained legal counsel and is considering all legal options, including a wrongful termination lawsuit.  They are looking into the possible ethics violations for the Sheriff's inappropriate actions to influence an election.  "I am determined now more than ever in my campaign for State House District 12," said Mahoney.  "It just goes to show how far Sheriff Elliott will go to help my opponent retain power."

Mahoney continued, "This is a prime example of government corruption and Oklahomans deserves better. In the end, I believe it only reinforces my campaign to restore integrity and provide new leadership for the people of Wagoner County."

Nick Mahoney is a Republican running for House District 12. To learn more about Nick Mahoney, visit MahoneyforStateHouse.com.

Wagoner County Commissioner switches to GOP

Wagoner County Commissioner Chris Edwards has switched his voter registration to Republican, making term-limited State Representative Wade Rousellot the lone elected Democrat in Wagoner County.

COMMISSIONER HONORS, CONVICTIONS MAKES CHANGE

In keeping with his personal values and convictions, District Two Wagoner County Commissioner, Chris Edwards has changed his voter registration to the Republican Party.  When asked about the reason for the switch, Edwards explains that based on changes made to the Democratic Party platform during the last national convention, he feels the party platform no longer reflects his personal values.

Being a devout Christian, even serving as a deacon in his church, Edwards has always been solidly pro-life and says that he has always supported limited government and lower taxes.  Being a veteran himself, he is also a strong advocate for our military.  In fact, Edwards’ original voter registration was for the Republican Party.  “I made the switch to be a Democrat at the request of a commissioner I worked for here and I just never switched back.  At that time, you almost had to be a Democrat to vote in Wagoner County”.

He goes on to say that, even so, party affiliation has never been an issue to him. “I have always wanted to just do the best job I can do as an elected servant of the county.  I have tried to leave the politics out of it and make the best decisions I can make based on my convictions” and he says he believes the citizens agree he has done just that.

However, it is those convictions that have now led him to make the decision to change registration. He said, “I have always been at odds with some of the things in the (Democratic) party platform, but I really have a hard time reconciling some of the things they are supporting now, especially their views on the family, with my Christian faith.”  He said he began considering the move when the crowd booed God at the last Democratic National Convention.

Edwards says he believes that the majority of the people in Wagoner County are much more conservative than are some of the more far-left in the Democratic Party. “I think when they look at the two parties and what they believe side by side, they will see the same thing I did.  My values and beliefs really are more in line with the Republicans.  If that’s the case, I hope they will join me and make the move too.”

Area School Board Filings

The filing period for area school board races ended yesterday. Multiple candidates filed in several districts across the area.

Muskogee: Larry Dan Leatherman and Pamela Isaacs (incumbent Danny Shiew did not file).
Hilldale: Terri Breedlove (incumbent) and Vernon Antonioni.
Fort Gibson: Darren Kilpatrick (incumbent) drew no opposition.
Okay: Jon Oxtoby and David Rodden.
Braggs: Kyle Jones (incumbent) and Audra Lynn Hunt.
Norwood: Rickey Moore (incumbent) and Susan Kirk.
Hulbert: Kent Barnes (incumbent) Christopher Sallee and Linda Baker.
Webbers Falls: David Jarrard and Robert Vinson.
Wagoner: Vernon Sullivan (incumbent) and Mark Collins.
Tahlequah: Hamid Vahdatipour and Duel Smith.

The school board elections will be held on February 9th, 2010. Any runoff elections will be held on April 6th, 2010.