Purcell Mayor Graham Fishburn presented what amounted to a State of the City report at Happy Camper last Thursday evening.

The Evening with the Mayor event, sponsored by The Heart of Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce and First United Bank, was attended by around 30 citizens.

Fishburn began his presentation by telling the audience reliable infrastructure for the community is of the utmost importance.

He said the city continues to provide excellent electric service to the community.

“When it goes out we try to get it back on as quickly as possible,” the mayor said.

“The council’s job is to make sure the city’s funds are spent properly, deciding what we need opposed to what we want,” he said.

The mayor expressed his gratitude for those who have served on the council in the past.

“They built such a wonderful community,” he said.

Fishburn praised the performance of Interim City Manager Bobby Elmore since the resignation of City Manager Sam Demel.

Elmore has split time between serving as the city’s police chief and city manager but has elected to not seek the full-time city manager position and to continue his police career.

“Bobby Elmore has done a phenomenal job filing in as the interim city manager,” the mayor continued. “We have good candidates and expect to fill the position by June.”

Fishburn gave an update on the old Purcell Municipal Hospital site.

“We thought the building had value initially but it turned out the land was more valuable,” Fishburn said.

The city received a grant for removal of asbestos, funds that were used for other city projects.

The price tag to raze the building was $175,000.

The city will be taking bids for up to six week for the land and have several interested parties.

Fishburn touched on the interchange project at I-35 and SH 74.

He said a safety issue is being addressed by ODOT when Walnut Creek floods.

The project is waiting on right of way acquisitions.

A public meeting by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has been set for May 21 at 5 p.m. at the Multi-Purpose Center.

Councilman Jay Tate said Purcell residents are encouraged to come early.

A crowd from Norman is a possibility.

Fishburn assured the gathering that water for the city is one of the council’s top priorities.

Purcell gets its water from the Garber Wellington Aquifer where there are 17 wells with the  desired output of about 200 gallons per minute.

New wells cost about $2 million to drill and outfit for use.