Special election is Nov. 14

A Special Election for Mayor of the City of Morris will be held Tuesday, Nov. 14.

There are three citizens seeking the post: • Joe Berryhill

• Greg Foreman

• Nicholas Jindra.

Early voting will take place Nov. 9-10 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Okmulgee County Election Board on the first floor of the Okmulgee County Courthouse.

— About Joe Berryhill

My name is Joe Berryhill and I am running for the position of Mayor for the City of Morris. I have lived continuously in Morris since 1992. I graduated from Morris High School in 1998 and my wife, Michele, also graduated from Morris in 1996. I have two daughters, Phoebe who is a Freshman at Morris and Sierrah who currently lives in Lane, OK, and is to be married in the Spring.

I purchased my home in Morris in 2002, then rebuilt the home in 2012 at the same location and have maintained that same address since that time.

I began working at Morris State Bank, now Mabrey Bank, in 1998, spending 20 years there and then moved to the Okmulgee Branch of Mabrey Bank five years ago. My wife also operates her own nail salon business, Tips & Toes, located in Morris and has since 1998. I have been on the Morris Volunteer Fire Department for the last 18+ years and currently hold the position of Assistant Fire Chief. I have served previously on the Morris City Council and am an active member of the Morris First United Methodist Church.

We own several rental properties located in Morris and we take pride in keeping those properties in great shape. We believe this mindset helps keep our community clean and a place to be proud of. My mother and many friends that I consider my family live in Morris as well. To say that I’m well vested in the Morris community would be an understatement and I believe I can help to improve our city.

The common thread running in the above paragraphs is “Morris.” This community has been my life since I moved here in 1992 and I have no plans for that to change. I love this community and support it in any way I can and want to attempt to give back what it’s given me.

My family works here, shops here, attends school here and own property here. I want what’s best for Morris and will work diligently to improve all facets for the betterment of our community.

I appreciate all the work that has been done in the past by so many, but I also want to move Morris forward by improving roads, infrastructure, service areas and to increase tax revenue by recruiting additional small businesses.

I strongly believe that a viable candidate shouldn’t hold personal agendas or preconceived ideas but should rather instead be willing to serve with an open mind and should assess and work towards rectifying any immediate or future issues for the betterment of our community. I believe that my city council experience, work ethic and love for this community works in my favor to fill this role.

I also strongly believe in maintaining a clean, well-kept city and will work towards reaching that goal. I have personally scraped curbs, mowed, picked up trash, volunteered, participated in nearly all community events, and maintained my own property in a very clean and presentable manner. As mentioned earlier, I believe in presenting a town image of which we can be proud.

I would appreciate your consideration and vote on Nov. 14 so that I can serve you and this community as Mayor. Also, you can vote early at the Okmulgee Courthouse at the Election Board office on Nov. 9-10 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thank you for your consideration and together we can make “The Little City with a Big Welcome” the best place in the state to live and raise our families!