There was a new feature in the Hennessey Christmas parade Thursday night – Commissioner District 2 road graders sporting Christmas lights brought from home by shop employees.

District 2 County Commissioner Michael Sparks walked alongside the large machines to help guide them and also to hand out candy to children along the parade route.

Sparks, the newest member of the county commission, was excited Thursday as he helped plan the Christmas parade activities, just as he is excited about serving as the newest member of the board of county commissioners.

“I can hardly wait to get to work every day,” he said.

That excitement spills over into working with two fellow commissioners – Jeff Moss in District 1 and Anthony Schwarz of District 3.

“I enjoy getting together with them,” he said of their weekly meetings.

But the thing that excites him the most is fellowship with District 2 constituents, including visiting them in their homes to explain projects being completed near them.

The weekly commission meetings give the elected officials the opportunity to exchange work tips and discuss mutual problems while pooling their talents for the betterment of Kingfisher County.

There is always work awaiting Sparks and his road crew, who build and maintain 590 miles of county roads in District 2.

Sparks is also in the process of upgrading District 2 headquarters.

County employees have already begun the work of expanding the equipment yard in Hennessey.

The project will involve fencing the additional lot space and also razing the old Cow Palace where Hennessey- Dover stock shows were once held.

The yard expansion was made possible by Hennessey’s town trustees donating an eight-acre tract north and west of the county shop in west Hennessey.

Sparks said he expects the lot expansion to be completed within a month with his crew doing the work. He estimates the cost at about $10,000.

The total project will take longer.

The Cow Palace, which has asbestos problems – a health issue – will be replaced by a 70-foot by 120-foot building that will become the district’s new office and shop.

The lot upgrade, which has already started with leveling, will involve putting down a rock base, extending a 10-foot fence to encompass the new property and adding security lights.

Also, a waterway is planned to divert excess water away from the expanded yard.

“I’ve got a great crew,” Sparks said, commenting on the willingness of the District 2 road crew to jump in to make the improvements.

The expansion will make possible maintaining all district equipment in one location and allow easier, quicker and accurate inventory of project materials.

Sparks took office in January after being elected in November 2024. He succeeded longtime Commissioner Ray Shimanek, who retired.

“I am excited to be in this position,” he said.

For one thing it’s the first time he hasn’t had to have two jobs at the same time. However those jobs allowed him to send all the kids to college.

Sparks served 22 years with District 2, then operated an oilfield business for 14 years before returning to District 2 two years ago.

Sparks and his wife, Lori, have been married 41 years and have five children: Jared Ruhl, Jace Sparks, Lauren Sparks, Mason Sparks and Olivia Sparks.

Sparks, who calls his staff “great,” provided the following list: Current full time employees and time of service: Foreman Clay Vincent, 25 years; Michael Grace, 27 years; Alisha Haymaker, 17 years; Jason Franklin, 10.5 years; Gary Wulffenstein, 10.5 years; Kenny Tucker, seven years; Jake Frost, 5.5 years; Tommy Bohnstedt, 4.5 years; Joe Bohnstedt, 3.5 years; Grant Kerby, 2.5 years; Les Cofer, 2.5 years; Travis White, two years; Mikey Smith, 1.5 years; Courtney Swart, one year; Chad Dowell, one year; Clayton Furlong, one year; Tyler Streck, 10 months, and Hesston Shaw, seven months.

There are also two parttime employees, Javier Orozco, five months, and Jodie Streck, five months.