*****Updated on 3/3/2023 to include all seven candidate bios.*****
Hello Readers, Welcome to the third edition of the Trustee Candidate Bio’s brought to you by The Jones Journal. We sent a survey of six questions to all seven Jones Trustee Candidates. Their responses are listed in alphabetical order below. If you would rather read a printed copy of this article, there is a PDF available at the bottom.
Duane Coy
1. What are your qualifications for this job?
I have lived in Jones since 1979. I am proud to say that I am a Longhorn Graduate of 1986. I have seen great years for our town and seen some down years for our town in my 44 years as a resident of Jones, but Jones always bounces back stronger through our challenging year. Except for 4 years (1986 thru 1990) when I proudly served our country in the United States Marine Corps and 4 years, I was relocated for Dolese Bros. Co from 1996 thru 2000 to be the Assistant Manager of 5 locations in Western Oklahoma. My heart always brought me back to Jones. I have owned 3 houses in our great little community and raised our family here. I have worked for Dolese Bros. Co. for over 32 years and have been in a management position since 1996. I have served on numerous boards on both the state and national level as well as being a member and leader of several others.
- National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
- Currently the Vice Chair for the National Build with Strength Program.
- Will be the Chairman for the National Build with Strength Program before our April 4th election here in Jones.
- On the committee for Government Affairs and Membership as well.
- Oklahoma Ready Mixed Concrete Association
- Held the positions of President, Past President, Vice President
- American Subcontractors Association of Oklahoma.
- Currently a Board Member and Chairman of the Activities Committee.
- Association of Oklahoma General Contractors (Road and Bridge).
- Active Associate Member through Dolese Bros. Co.
- Association of General Contractors. (General Contractors)
- Active Associate Member through Dolese Bros. Co.
- Oklahoma Municipal Contractors Association
- Active Associate Member through Dolese Bros. Co.
- Civic Organizations I have belonged to.
- Kiwanis Club
- Lion’s Club
2. Why are you running for office?
My original reason for running was with the leadership skills and experience I have listed above from numerous organizations I have served. I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Board of Trustees for the people of Jones to lean on. Then as I attended the Oklahoma County Livestock Show at the Don Ramsey Agricultural Facility and attended the playoff games for both the High School Girls and Boy at the High School it came to me that not only am I doing it to offer my leadership skills and experience, but I am doing this for these kids who are the future of Jones. Working as a TEAM member of the Jones Board of Trustees we can make a difference for our kids and grandkids and leave it better than we found it.
3. What do you love about the Jones community?
There are many things that I love about Jones. Our school system is top notch, and our teachers show their expertise and their love for our kids daily that makes our schools special especially in these trying times. Our police department and fire department show their love for the community by giving back in the ways they can. The people of Jones have always been a strong, tight knit loving community and that is something that gets lost in our age of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. But when something gets put out on one of those platforms for help for themselves or another resident the Jones residence, churches, or civic organizations always answers the bell. Our small-town feel is apparent and very special, and I hope we always keep the small-town core values.
4. What changes, if any, would you like to see during your term?
I think our focus If I am elected to the (The Board of Trustees) needs to be on the issues at hand instead of change! We have many issues at hand currently that need to be addressed such as the water pressure issues, storm water runoff, sewer issues, police department and fire department needs, just to name a few. We cannot address change until we take care of the core needs of our current Jones families. Changes will come after that with responsible and reasonable growth within our ability to support it with our infrastructure and school systems.
5. What is one thing you feel every voter should know about you?
I am a very approachable person. I have been in the community for 44 years and have no issues meeting with anyone. I am old school! If you have an issue let’s meet face to face, along with the appropriate Jones Department Head and work on the situation together. Just keep in mind we have many residents with issues, and we cannot afford to fix everything at once but maybe we can come up with a temporary fix until the town can afford to make a permanent fix. I am not a keyboard warrior. I will answer any question that is brought to my Facebook page directly, but I will not answer anonymous post. If you do not put your name on a question or issue, you are not serious about being part of the solution. I prefer to work as a team. I will NOT throw any current Board of Trustee Member or candidate under the bus. I don’t believe in degrading my opponents for my gain. I do not do this in business and will not do it for this position. If you have a legitimate concern or question my phone number is on my Facebook page, call me, text me or message me on my Duane Coy for City Council Page and let’s talk it out.
6. What is the best way for Jones voters to meet with you? I prefer a phone call, text or in person meeting. You can also reach me on my Facebook page Duane Coy for Jones City Council. Thank You for your time and I would be humbled to earn you vote on April 4th!
Brian Heard
1. What are your qualifications for this job?
This is an extremely difficult question to answer, there are no real qualifications that should stand out, to represent people is a privilege and something that anyone has. For myself, I feel like I represent honesty, integrity, and endeavor to be level headed and look for compromise. I recognize that our community is diverse and solutions are not always one size fits all. I believe I’m able to be transparent and believe that I can effectively bring that to the board. I’m not afraid to challenge the attorneys when the want things kept secret. If there is dirty laundry in the town, it is all of our dirty laundry and needs to be aired out. Secrecy and hidden details only breeds distrust.
2. Why are you running for office?
I am running for our board of trustees to bring greater transparency and help guide a bridge to involving the community by informing them of what goes on. Specifically I’d like to do away with pre meetings. I would like to see the public get access to information at the same time.
I’d Iike to see the agenda items have all the information posted before the meetings and have the town monthly Financials posted with the agenda for the public to have an opportunity to review. We have many new infrastructure projects and the information about them gets presented to the board, I believe that info should have to be presented in writing for review before the meeting even if it’s just to approve a change order.
Simply put I am running to work to make it easier for the public to be informed and knowledgeable of the towns operations if they choose.
3. What do you love about the Jones community?
I love that Jones is a tight knit community of amazing people. We have an amazing school district with top notch staff. I love our very active and engaged civic groups from the Masons, to the Oddfellows and Kiwanis club. We have people who love our town, it’s kids and it’s future.
4. What changes, if any, would you like to see during your term?
I would like to see the water tower project continue, I’d like to see regular reports to the public about all infrastructure projects and a full scale plan begin to be implemented for long term storm water management and mitigation of the current problems. I’d like to see our ordinances updated to clearly prevent new developments from being approved unless they have adequate utilities that will not negatively affect other residents. I would also like to see a partnership with Fema to update the flood maps and work to come up with a solution to fix our flooding issues, and ensure that all new developments take into consideration the down stream affects they will have on neighbors that are further away.
5. What is one thing you feel every voter should know about you?
I’m, dedicated to standing up for what I believe and will not blindly follow, I want to look for compromises to issues that people do not agree on. I’m loyal and am an advocate for encouraging people to grow and learn.
6. What is the best way for Jones voters to meet with you?
I’ll happily meet anyone to discuss issues they may have. I’m also open to a phone conversation. I’ll message or email but I feel so much can get lost in translation. If you want my number I’ll happily give it, just reach out through email.
Brian@energyproroofs.com
Dana Holland
1. What are your qualifications for this job?
I have been a Jones resident for 21 years and care what happens in the community. I will vote with the citizens of Jones interest in mind.
2. Why are you running for office?
I’m running for office to help take Jones in a positive economic direction & to give back to the to the town.
3. What do you love about the Jones community?
I love the friendly people and the quite rural setting/feeling but still close to the bigger cities.
4. What changes, if any, would you like to see during your term?
The changes I would like to see/work on is zoning regulation so we can clean up the town.
5. What is one thing you feel every voter should know about you?
I would like for everyone to know that I regularly attend the monthly board of trustee meetings. If I’m not elected I will still be going to the meetings.
6. What is the best way for Jones voters to meet with you?
The best way for me to meet the voters is for them to come to the monthly meetings or by emailing me.
Frank Koehler
1. What are your qualifications for this job?
I have been working for/with the government for over 20 years and have seen what can and will go wrong.
2. Why are you running for office?
I want to get re-elected since there is a lot more to do and we are not even close to being done.
3. What do you love about the Jones community?
The small town feel, and the desire to stay that way.
4. What changes, if any, would you like to see during your term?
Reverse, prevent previous mistakes (made by my predecessors) and shortfalls that could hurt the citizens and the Town itself.
5. What is one thing you feel every voter should know about you?
That my decisions are based on information given pertaining to the agenda, case or subject, not to please someone or get the popular vote.
6. What is the best way for Jones voters to meet with you?
Email, txt or call. Info is available through the towns web page or can be requested by calling city hall.
Ray Poland
1. What are your qualifications for this job?
Associates Degree in Public Service, BLA in Administrative Leadership, 18 years of service to Jones as Trustee. Under my leadership, we have implemented for the 1st time in Jones history, a capital improvement plan, a hazard mitigation plan, and a comprehensive plan for the betterment of Jones. I also serve as President of the Oklahoma Municipal League, as a board member of the Mayors Council of Oklahoma, as a board member of the ACOG 911 committee, a board member of the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), Cairman of the Garber-Wellington committee, and ACOG transportation planning services committee. I also serve on the National League of Cities (NLC)-Small Cities Council and the NLC-Race Equity And Leadership council. In 2019, I was voted by my peers to be the Small Town Mayor of the Year. Serving on all the various committees listed has enabled me to develop relationships with state and federal legislature members which in turn has benefited Jones and our ability access state and federal grants through the REAP program and Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
2. Why are you running for office?
Although we have been able to accomplish many things during my tenure on the board such as a new library, new sidewalks downtown, improved wastewater system, pond reclamation at the City Park and more, I want to be able to continue the work started to improve the infrastructure of the town as well as stormwater controls to address the flooding issues that plague our community. More generally, I truly care about the community and its citizens and want to continue to make Jones a wonderful place to live and raise a family.
3. What do you love about the Jones community?
Everything. Trite but true, I love the area, the school and its many accomplishments, our close proximity to OKC, our small town feel and our the citizens.
4. What changes, if any, would you like to see during your term?
Beyond finishing the work previously mentioned, I’d like to see the addition of a splash-pad at Beatty/Mulhausen Park and more economic development whose benefits would push forward our efforts for a full-time Fire Department.
5. What is one thing you feel every voter should know about you?
All my decisions are based on what is best for the town AS A WHOLE and the next generation(s) not what would benefit one or a few people.
6. What is the best way for Jones voters to meet with you?
Email me at trustee1@jonescityok.org. If you leave your phone number, I will call you.
Timothy Wall
1. What are your qualifications for this job?
35 years of working with municipalities on site developments and subdivision work.
2. Why are you running for office?
As a Trustee, I will encourage our local business owners and promote an image of a business-friendly city.
3. What do you love about the Jones community?
The people here are down to earth folks.
4. What changes, if any, would you like to see during your term?
As more homes are built in Jones, I would like to see more businesses move into Jones, and I think we can continue to maintain an business friendly environment.
5. What is one thing you feel every voter should know about you?
I’ll bring my best efforts to represent Jones well.
6. What is the best way for Jones voters to meet with you?
Contact me on my mobile phone: 405-425-9255. If I don’t answer, leave a message and I will get back to you.
Missy Wilkinson
1. What are your qualifications for this job?
This may not apply, because the board itself asked me to occupy a vacant seat in July 2020. My current qualification would include the fact that I have been part of this community and this community has been part of me for more than 40 years. I was elected in April 2021 for my reputation of integrity. Anyone who would argue my commitment to my hometown does not know me.
2. Why are you running for office?
Our town is, figuratively, threatened by barbarians inside and outside the gates. I will not allow self serving attention seekers or opportunists to destroy my hometown.
3. What do you love about the Jones community?
I love Shuffs.
I love Friday night football.
I love the girls who deliver state basketball championships.
I love Blue & Gold Sausage.
I love the neighbors on the perimeter of my 5 acre Funny Farm.
I love that my 12 year old is receiving a better education than at the best private school.
I love that our traffic jam is related to the Thursday night Sale Barn
I love that I can make Drug Store deliveries without inquiring as to where my customers live.
I love everyday, ordinary life in this town.
4. What changes, if any, would you like to see during your term?
I will continue to pursue progress with integrity.
5. What is one thing you feel every voter should know about you?
Almost everyone knows everything about me, I wouldn’t want to confuse them with my own opinion. Actually, I AM pretty transparent.
6. What is the best way for Jones voters to meet with you?
If you have a legitimate question, my cell number is 405-620-5008.
The Jones Journal 