City of Wilson, OK: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?

There are many great things to appreciate about our little community and her citizens. We can enjoy walking our streets and outlying areas without fear. We can enjoy all the beautiful flowers and manicured lawns. There is no smog, traffic jams, or beeping horns. Instead, we breathe fresh air, enjoy wide open spaces and hear mockingbirds spanning their repertoires. Our city's beautiful planters and classic street lamps on Main Street are very nice touches, as well. Yes, I know... technically, it's not Main Street anymore, but to me, it will always be OUR Main Street. Who cares if someone changed its name? Anyway, the point is... our community has a lot going for it and has a lot more potential. We have an advantage over most area towns because we don't have a busy highway running through our downtown. Our downtown area has the potential for a pedestrian revival with little shoppes and boutiques to display the wares of all you arts and craft creative types.

Wouldn't it be so nice to have our Main Street ACTUALLY BE a Main Street again? WE could have the cutest little downtown area with flower gardens and park benches located in the empty lots. If we used the Wilson Historical Society as a guide to create early 20th century building codes in a designated downtown area, we might seek restoration or community development grants. We could help businesses retro their facades... wouldn't a barber pole on Main Street be so cool? I know we don't have a barber, but you know what they say, "Build it and they will come."

There is so much opportunity for our town. We just have to create a shared vision to work towards making a reality. The Wilson, I have in mind conjures up thoughts of Norman Rockwell and Mayberry RFD. We obviously can't control what develops outside our fair city, but inside city limits... this is OUR town. We can do whatever we want... as long as it's legal. lol We need to reunite as a community and rebuild our dream. It's not too late. We just need the breath of life, namely, money.

OK, OK... maybe y'all didn't like the prison idea. But let's discuss that for a moment. I understand why one might have trepidation about putting a prison in our town, but for the record, the facility will not be "in" town. The city is allowed to set up a separate authority to own an out-of-town facility several miles away. Cities do it all the time with landfills. Secondly, I know the city cannot afford any additional expense. We're going to have to borrow a lot of money to fix water/wastewater lines in the near future. If we could afford it, we would repave all our streets, pour new sidewalks so pedestrians didn't have to walk in the streets, and tear down and mow all the health hazards. But as far as the faith-based correctional facility, all expenses would be covered by bond sales from the largest faith-based bond underwriter in the nation. The bond debt would be secured only by the property and facility with no risk to the City of Wilson, its good name, or that of its citizens.

I've heard the, "We don't want the criminal element" excuse. But of course, if it wasn't for the DOC workers' almost free labor, this town would be in a pinch... well, maybe a bear hug is more like it. I know some citizens are uncomfortable with DOC workers out on the streets, but they're always supervised. Regardless, the faith-based inmates would never see the outside of their facility except for when they were initially transferred in and again, when they were being transported back to the originating jurisdiction after completing the 24 months left on their sentence. I suppose a citizen might wave goodbye to one through a bus window or something. On the other hand, it's my understanding DOC workers can have up to 8 or 9 years left. But of course, they're out on the streets picking up our trash, reading water meters, and doing just about whatever needs arise. They seem like pretty nice guys to me. Each is someone's son, father, or brother who has made a mistake. Some of us have made mistakes in our lifetime, whether we admit it or not. And those of us that are perfect, have family members with fallen halos.

Another point, the DOC workers are all healthy men. Odds are in our favor of getting either a geriatric or women's facility for the faith-based prison, instead of a men's facility. Don't see too many women and invalid wheelchair escapees breaking out, but then again... there was Thelma and Louise... and Grumpy Old Men. One never knows. Of course, the City of Wilson couldn't use the $30,000 each and every month for twenty-five years until the facility was completely paid, never mind owning CLEAR and FREE a facility which will be worth, say, $30-$40 million to sell, lease, or use for whatever we choose.

No... our city leaders must be nuts to think we'd want something like that. But that's right... they don't. Our city leaders have said they would vote on a non-binding resolution if the people wanted it. You know, the resolution that would enable them to get enough information by meeting with the Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections and the governor's office to make an INFORMED decision. Yet, even though not one could answer a single question about the proposal, our "leaders" are making a "no" decision on our behalf. Contrary to popular belief, there's no shyster big-city lawyers trying to skin our town. Bill Robinson, CCI, and the City of Wakita's attorney, Jack Sheedy, are already meeting with state officials. The bad part is... they are attending those meetings with the City of Wakita. Fortunately, CCI intends to build four different facilities, geriatric, women, juvenile, and men.

In a recent conversation with Bill, he stated CCI is still willing to partner with us if we are serious. But meanwhile, by doing nothing, our city council is letting another historic economic opportunity slip away. Do I need say, "Halliburton?" By the way, I saw the recent petition for a dollar store in town. I even signed it. I figured, the Easter Bunny had better chances in Wilson than a dollar store, but what the, "hey?" As I suspected, all those petitions still lay awaiting a mystery person to just show up someday and carry those petitions away and whisk back a dollar store. Could we make that a Dollar General store with an extra shot of whipped cream and a cherry on top?

I'm sorry, but if we keep doing the same thing, our town is going to dry up and blow away. Are we going to let Wilson become another Simon, Reck, Hewitt, etc? Don't laugh. Time is against us. The few structurally sound buildings left on Main Street will fall down just like the rest, if we do nothing. Just in case you don't know... the way to get a dollar store in town is to make our community attractive enough that they WANT to build one here. Then it's in our community's best interest for our "city leaders" to not be heavy-handed when they finally do come around. Trust me, Wilson has no monopoly on anything. Well, except maybe, abandoned properties in decay and ruin.

I want to be clear, though. This is not a reflection upon Wilson's citizens, but a reflection upon our leaders whom apparently do not understand the concept. Let me spell it out, L-E-A-D-E-R. Look it up. According to Merriam-Webster, "a person who leads". Either you're a leader or a follower. Which is it? If our city council and mayor want to be followers, I want to encourage them to stay home and let someone else lead. It's time for them to either step up or get out of the way. Wilson's citizens cannot afford to continue allowing their community's future be squandered by those clinging to the status quo. Honestly, at least, one council member's main agenda is to hurry up and get through the meetings so they can go home. I say, just stay home. Retire. Take life easy. It's your turn. Rarely do any of them have their information packet, agenda, or exhibit any indications of previewing the issues.

So for the sake of me, I cannot comprehend why our community allows four individuals to make decisions with such far-reaching and long-term negative consequences without demanding they perform the due diligence for which you have elected them. There is not one city council member familiar with the details of the faith-based prison concept. Each have received packets months ago. Channel 9 and the Daily Oklahoman recently reported that Wakita was soon going to be the first in the nation to unfold this unique and much-needed alternative to the current prison system. But like the news reporter said, Wakita was the site of the film, "Twister". They are a progressive community... with half the population of Wilson.

Every business owner in this town should be jumping at the idea of 100+ new jobs within a couple miles of their business. That is an extra $4 million in payroll circulating in western Carter County each month. But according to the city council members, not one business owner is in favor of the proposal. Wilson must have some really good business people. From all appearances, I would speculate they are just hanging on, but evidently, that is not the case.

May I make a suggestion? Instead of prison, think, "25 year oil boom." That's the economic impact we're talking about. Furthermore, imagine the jobs and increased business during the $30 million construction project. But don't take my word for it. There's one way to know if Oklahoma communities with existing correctional facilities actually benefit from them or not. When state DOC officials mentioned possible closures due to budget cutbacks amid a search for "alternatives", every politician representing those communities was in up arms to fight over keeping THEIR facility open. From mayors to state senators, democrats and republicans alike, politicians were ready to fight to keep their prison. What does that tell you?

On a side note, there were more deaths and injuries from the oil boom than we'll ever see from a faith-based prison facility. Plus, think of all the prison guards living around here. Won't that be even more of a crime deterrent? The inmates volunteering to transfer to the proposed facility would be choosing to get an education, learn a skill, pay restitution and receive faith-based instruction... with two years or less left to serve. Does that sound like someone who is going to risk their life to break out of jail, especially, if they are elderly or a mother with children at home waiting on their return?

If you and your family's wants and needs are satisfied, do nothing and be thankful. It's that simple. But if you want more for your family, contact city hall. Wouldn't it be awesome if your children could remain in Wilson? Wouldn't you like to earn a good living for your family? Wouldn't it be nice to see your children and grandchildren have medical insurance? The average job payroll is $30,000 with free employee medical insurance and daycare. Don't forget, more residents increase property tax revenues which lowers your property taxes.

In the words of Martin Luther King, I have a dream. I see Wilson with new sidewalks, freshly-paved streets, city parks, maybe even a nine-hole and Frisbee golf course. I see Main Street full of thriving businesses with folks from all around driving to visit our community. We might even be able to buy a greeting card in town. Think about it. God intends for each of us to prosper and live well. Hold your elected officials accountable for their decisions. If they cannot envision a brighter, better future, get rid of them and find someone who can. Our community deserves it. You deserve it. And more importantly, your children deserve it. Let's be a positive role-model for our youth. Let them experience a community. It will do them good.