Municipal Awards Presented During OML Annual Conference
Last week during the 2024 Oklahoma Municipal League Annual Conference, several municipal leaders were recognized for their accomplishments and work on behalf of their municipalities.
The award winners recognized include the following:
The Mayor of the Year Award: First established in 1992 recognizing outstanding mayors who have made significant contributions to their community as well as their profession through personal growth and involvement. The Mayor of the Year award has two categories, one with a population of 5,000 and over, and fewer than 5,000.
The 2024 Mayor of the Year for communities over 5,000 – awarded by the Mayor’s Council of Oklahoma: Mayor of Glenpool, Joyce Calvert.
The 2024 Mayor of the Year for communities under 5,000 – awarded by the Mayor’s Council of Oklahoma: Mayor of Stilwell, Jean Ann Wright.
The Jeff Shockley Award: The 2024 winner is Homer Nicholson, Mayor of Ponca City.
This award was established in 2021 recognizing outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities. Named after Jeff Shockley, long-time Poteau mayor, OML Board Member, and Hall of Fame inductee, Shockley was a great ambassador for OML, city of Poteau, and the State of Oklahoma.
The Don Rider Award: The 2024 winner is Matt Sandidge, City Manager of El Reno. The Don Rider Transparency in Government Award sponsored by the Oklahoma Press Association and OML was established in 2021 to recognize municipal governments and employees who live up to the principles of transparency, both in the letter and spirit of the law. Don Rider was a leader in the creation and passage of the two most important Oklahoma laws that help citizens interact with their government – the Open Records Act and the Open Meeting Act.
Municipal Innovations Award: In 1996, OML created an award to recognize cities and towns for their innovative ideas. With this award, the goal is to encourage the sharing of ideas among our members and to celebrate the innovations of Oklahoma’s municipalities.
2024 Innovations Award for communities under 5,000 winner: City of Stilwell for their Fletcher Park Project.
2024 Innovations Award for communities over 5,000 winner: City of Sapulpa for Sapulpa’s Route 66 Christmas Chute.
Women of the Year Awards: The Oklahoma Women in Municipal Government group established this award to recognize outstanding women who have made significant contributions to their community through their role in municipal government.
The 2024 Woman of the Year for communities over 5,000 winner: Lindsey Grigg-Moak, El Reno.
The 2024 Woman of the Year for communities under 5,000 winner: Christie Dockins, North Enid.
“The OML Annual Awards recognize the best of municipal government in the State of Oklahoma,” said Mike Fina, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Municipal League. “These awards give us a chance to highlight the outstanding work and dedication that is happening all across the state, and we are grateful that municipalities allow us to share their stories.”
The Oklahoma Municipal League is the authoritative source for information, training, and resources on effective local government for member organizations and is recognized as the unified voice of Oklahoma cities and towns.
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EDITORS AND BROADCASTERS: Photos of the award winners are available on our website www.omlconference.org/awards.