City Council candidates Bobby Bruehl and Allen Eubanks were asked to answer questions about their intentions for seeking office.

Bruehl’s answers:

1. What prompted you to run for city council?

“I’m running for city council because I believe in the strength and spirit of the great people of Purcell. This community has shaped who I am, and I want to give back by helping it grow and thrive. I care deeply about Purcell’s future and look forward to working alongside its people to build a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone.”

2. Where do you see deficiencies in the City of Purcell?

Purcell is a strong community, but infrastructure, especially water systems and long-term planning, needs attention. Growth brings new challenges, and ensuring reliable services will be important for residents and businesses alike.

3. What do you think are the positives about Purcell?

Without a doubt, Purcell’s greatest strength is in its hardworking, supportive and dedicated people. From local businesses to thriving students, our community is built on pride, perseverance, and a commitment to the future.

4. If you could change one thing about the city, what would it be?

If I could change one thing about Purcell it would be expanding community development to create more opportunities for growth while maintaining the character that makes our town special. A strong community depends on thoughtful improvements that support residents, businesses, and the local economy.

5. What do you think you bring to the table for the betterment of Purcell?

I bring common sense, business experience and a deep appreciation for the community I grew up in. Understanding both local business and community needs, I approach challenges with practical solutions that balance growth with Purcell’s small-town values.

Eubanks answers:

1. What prompted you to run for City Council?

In one word – service. I have been gifted the desire to serve and the opportunity to dedicate 100 percent of my efforts to the citizens of Purcell. I have remained steadfast in my purpose to be the voice for all members of our community without prejudice or presumption. 

Many of the challenges facing our town do not have simple answers nor solutions that will make everyone happy. Hard decisions need to be made for the betterment of whole community that will have long lasting effects on generations to come. All of the issues must be considered from a variety of perspectives. I believe I can help our city navigate these waters in a way that benefits the community as a whole.

2. Where do you see deficiencies in the City of Purcell?

I call them opportunities. Opportunities to meet needs, make improvements and direct the path we travel. I believe the largest opportunity is to develop a long term plan for city infrastructure that addresses maintaining and improving current services but also enables and manages future growth. And we will see growth due to our proximity of I-35, the new interchange at Hwy 74, the future Turnpike crossing I-35 just north of town and the expansion of the OKC metro area.

Without a long term plan we will lack direction and purpose. We will waste time and money addressing non-priority issues. By investing in long term planning we will be more efficient in our overall efforts and spending the tax dollars entrusted to the city by its citizens.

3. What do you think are the positives about Purcell?

Without question its people are the strength and core of Purcell. Their love of community and each other is evident wherever you find yourself in our town. Our schools, our small businesses, our historic downtown, our natural resources at Red Hill or Purcell Lake are what they are because of the folks that make them function day in and day out.

The small town atmosphere is desired and must be maintained in a way that we do not lose our identity yet flexible enough to allow growth so opportunities will exist for all those that seek to make Purcell their home in the future.

4. If you could change one thing about the city what would it be?

Our town only gets just one chance to make a positive first impression on visitors to our community. The beautification of our gateway corridor, Green Ave, is how we make that first impression.

The work that has been completed north of Main Street to I-35 N yields positive comments all of the time. First time visitors and even from those returning to town after several years of absence make mention of the improvements. I would like to see the same effort be applied to beautify Green Ave south of Main St. to I-35 S so that it reflects the same character and ambiance of North Green Ave.

I believe that single change would have a multi-generational positive impact in our community. One that will reap rewards for us all by increasing the number of visitors and the dollars they spend, increasing commercial opportunities, increasing job opportunities and ultimately population growth that will drive our continued economic growth cycle.

5. What do you think you bring to the table for the betterment of Purcell?

Experience, involvement and results.

I have had the unique opportunity to learn work ethic on a family farm, pursue an engineering vocation, live and work in five different states, manage 300+ employees in a manufacturing and distribution facility and own and operate a successful local small business.

I have been able to give my time to my community thru a variety of organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Board and church. Volunteering my efforts towards the projects of these organizations and serving in leadership roles on a variety of their boards has been a tremendous blessing.

I have experienced successful navigation of economic swings as an operations manager and small business owner.

As the community spokesperson for Pauls Valley, we were able to secure an approximate $8 million grant to build their Donald W Reynolds Recreation Center.

As a Chamber of Commerce Board member our team worked to pass the Purcell Lodging Tax which now brings in $140,000 per year of visitor funds to improve our city. We also worked with city management to encourage ODOT to reconsider their one ramp plan and develop a 4 ramp interchange plan on I-35 at Hwy 74.

And as a sitting council member we have seen the financial performance of the Purcell General Hospital improve to be a self-sustaining entity, we have improved financial and project accountability within the city and we have persevered city leadership challenges.

These are just a few examples of the positive results realized while I was involved in the various organizations and I believe more opportunities for success exist in the future.

My wife, Lisa, and I have chosen Purcell as our home and I am willing to continue to give my talents and strengths to the citizens of Purcell. And to be their voice should they decide to give me the privilege again with their votes.