Five people filed for the two seats on the Hennessey Board of Trustees that will carry four-year terms.

They are: Miguel Hernandez, 31; David O. Jones, 68; Tim Riddle, 63; Evelyn Ramirez, 22; and Harold Shaw, 58.

Shaw, who is currently the mayor, and Jones are the two incumbents.

Voters will be asked to mark two of the five names on this portion of the ballot.

The two candidates who receive the most votes will earn spots on the board.

ABOUT THE CANDIDATES

Miguel Hernandez, 31, is currently employed as a transportation manager at PT Coupling and has worked there for the past four years. Before that he worked at Quick Pump Service LLC as an operations supervisor for nine years.

This is his first time to ever run for an elected position.

He is married to Karen (Duran), who is an employment coordinator at TPI Staffing Service in Enid. They have three children: Sofia, 12, Alaih, 6, and Emilia, five months.

Hernandez graduated from Hennessey High School in 2012.

He is a member of PT Thrive Committee and Scissor Tail Details.

David Jones, 68, has been retired since 2014. He worked for the Department of Defense, 2001-14; Raytheon Aerospace, 200001; Metro Tech Aviation Career Center, 1998-2000; Northrop Grumman, 199698, and was in the U.S. Air Force, 1975-95.

He currently serves on the Hennessey Board of Trustees and Utilities Authority and was elected to the board in a February 2022 special election against Frank Patton. That election was called to replace Trustee Keith Meek who resigned from the board Aug 30, 2021.

Jones is married to Evangeline (Nucum Fernandez) who is also retired. Their children and grandchildren are Cathy Dillon, Neil Jones, Christine Thompson, Camryn, Avery, and David and Olivia Jones.

Jones attended Northcentral University 2004-05 PhD studies, business administration 45 semester hours (degree not awarded); Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2001-2003 masters of aeronautical science, graduate research project: Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 1996-2000, bachelor of aeronautical science; Community College of the Air Force,1987-92 associate’s of applied science, aircraft maintenance technology; Aircraft Maintenance Technician School, 1976; USAF NCO Academy, 1985; USAF Senior NCO Academy, 1992, and USAF Air Command and Staff College, 2005.

He served in the U.S. Air Force,1975-95.

Jones is a member of Hennessey United Board of Directors, Hennessey Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans.

Evelyn Ramirez, 22, has been a Certified Medical Assistant for the past two years at the Hennessey Nursing and Rehab Center and was a Certified Nursing Assistant there for four years.

She is single and is the daughter of Freddy Meraz and Adriana Meraz.

Ramirez attended Hennessey Public Schools from pre-K and earned a high school diploma in 2021. She attended Chisholm Trail Technology Center her junior and senior years and earned her CNA license, then her CMA license from CTTC in October 2023.

Tim Riddle, 63, has been vice president and branch manager at Hennessey’s Community State Bank for the past 26 years. He worked in sales for Luber Chevrolet for two years and was a loan officer at Kingfisher Bank & Trust for two years.

He is married to Janell (Bregenzer), a teacher at the Hennessey Public Schools.

Riddle has one daughter, Kimberly (Trey) Lester, and one son, Cory (Sundi), and three stepchildren, Erin (Colby) Thrash, Austin Edsel and Mallory (Trevor) Harms. Grandchildren are Morgan, Quinn and Kennedy Lester, Hutch and Pryce Riddle, Mack and Maddox Thrash and Graham Harms.

He ran for the state House of Representatives in 2008 and ran for and was elected to the Hennessey Town Board of Trustees, 1997-03, and was elected mayor in 2001.

Riddle started at Hennessey Public Schools in 1966 and graduated in 1979. He attended Oklahoma State University and received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics in 1984.

He is a member of the Hennessey Lions Club, Kingfisher County Republicans, Northwest Oklahoma Bankers Association and the First Baptist Church of Hennessey.

Harold Shaw, 58, has worked in the oilfield for 40 years, mainly in wireline, and is currently semi-retired, but “helps out at Eagle Wireline” when needed. He was elected mayor by the board in June and took office July 1, 2024, after the resignation of then-mayor Clif Vogt who moved to another state.

Shaw had been elected, and served, as vice mayor for about six months before his new appointment.

He was elected by voters to the town board in 2021 and before that was a member of the Hennessey Planning Board, 2017-19.

Shaw has lived in Hennessey almost all his life and is a 1984 Hennessey High School graduate. He attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva for two years.

He is married to Paula (Gillette), who is retired, and they have two children, Hesston and Mistye Shaw, and two grandchildren, Racilynn and Brinnley.

Shaw is a member of the Hennessey United Board of Directors, the Hennessey Second Amendment group and the Hennessey Car Show Committee.

QUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES

Tell voters why we should vote for you:

Miguel Hernandez: “I am running for Hennessey town trustee because I believe our community thrives when families and individuals have the tools they need to succeed. With your vote, I will enhance local services, support small businesses and work to build a strong community for everyone. Together, we can create a brighter future for our great town!”

David Jones: “Continue my efforts to ensure citizen representation on the board. Meet with citizens/listen to their concerns/take action with board colleagues as appropriate. Promote our town to the public/support

Evelyn Ramirez: “My name is Evelyn Ramirez, I grew up in the town of Hennessey. Throughout the years my community has been supportive and welcoming to our townspeople and newcomers. I knew from a younger age I wanted to make a difference in the world. I’m privileged to have the opportunity to start in my hometown. As a young adult I want to hear everyone’s opinions, and thoughts; to continue making Hennessey a great town for everyone.”

Tim Riddle: “I have been an active member of this community for the last 40 years and have served on numerous school and town organizations. I have been elected president and secretary/ treasurer of almost every organization in which I have been a member. Hennessey has a lot going for it currently and I have the experience and leadership knowledge to help sustain that momentum, and keep moving our community forward.”

Harold Shaw: “As a now Town Trustee and Mayor I will continue to ensure transparency, responsible financial oversight and smart infrastructure development. I’m committed to help by making decisions that will benefit the entire community. With my experience and dedication, I’ll work to build a stronger and more efficient local government that listens to residents and gets real results.”

What are the top two issues, or projects, in your town that need immediate attention? If elected, what will you do about them?

Miguel Hernandez: “Hennessey has some key areas that need attention, like improving our water and sewage lines, fixing up our public roads, and making our parks more inviting for kids. With technology keeping kids indoors, we should invest in better recreational spaces to encourage outdoor activities and bring the community together. It’s time to focus on growth, safety and a stronger sense of hometown pride.”

David Jones: (1) “My main concern is spending. We need to accomplish a top down spending review, a review of ALL spending. This review should be done by two Town Board members. This committee should work to review spending for the last three fiscal years. This spending reduction review, once completed, should then be reported to the board to include spending reduction recommendations. Further action should include immediate spending reduction approved by the board and then be rolled into the following fiscal year budget.” (2) “Another concern is supporting our firefighters. Chief Scott and his crew have accomplished great things with our new fire station, equipment and vehicles. Our county commissioners have supported our firefighters with outstanding results. Now it’s time for our town to help grow our firefighting capabilities. We need to work to fund more facility improvements along with the purchase of a ladder truck. This will enhance public safety into the future.”

Evelyn Ramirez: “My first project, I want to take charge of making our town a clean and safe environment. If elected, I would suggest gathering a group of people and work as a community to keep it organized. Second project would be to bring more attention and expand our town and community. If elected, as a young adult I would suggest to get the younger generation involved, as well to assist with new fresh ideas.”

Tim Riddle: “ Infrastructure and Housing. I feel like our town staff is doing a very good job of getting grants to improve our infrastructure and that needs to continue. Housing is a big need in Hennessey. We have some local developers who have done a good job of building some homes on the west side of town to help fill the housing void, but we still have a housing shortage. As a trustee, I will help our staff however possible to find ways to improve our housing needs of Hennessey. The town and school system have a great working relationship and between the school and town we have a lot of great facilities that are used to bring people to Hennessey. I want to make sure that the town, school and civic organizations continue to work together to use these facilities to bring a variety of events to our town.”

Harold Shaw: “The top two issues in Hennessey that require immediate attention are: financial transparency and our infrastructure development. (1) A forensic audit started in October 2023, by the state Auditor & Inspector’s Office over concerns of possible financial irregularities. If re-elected, I’ll make sure there is full transparency with strict financial oversight, and help keep the public informed. (2) We also need to complete infrastructure projects: such as street and road improvements, and the John Deutschendorf Memorial Pavilion. I will prioritize those projects, and make sure they are completed efficiently and within our budget.”

recreational and business activities. Work to improve town infrastructure and facilities. Ensure our town complies with Oklahoma laws as they apply to municipalities. Work to spend taxpayer funds appropriately and efficiently and support town employees to have what they need to get the job done.”