Bill Tucker

[Editor’s note: Bill Tucker has authorized the Times & Free Press to publish the following paid announcement of his candidacy for re-election to the Kingfisher City Commission, subject to the April 5 election.]

My name is Bill Tucker and I’m seeking re-election to continue serving Kingfisher residents as city commissioner.

I am a Kingfisher High School graduate and I hold an accounting degree from Hills Business University and a commercial-residential electric degree from Red Rock Community College.

I also have completed the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Basic Reserve Academy, the municipal treasurer and municipal clerk institutes at Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma State Health Department building inspector certification program, and I am a certified floodplain manager.

Through the years, I’ve worked as a real estate broker and reserve police officer for the Kingfisher Police Department, but most of my career has been spent in Kingfisher City Hall.

I retired as city clerk, but over my 31-year career, I served the city in a variety of other capacities also, including city treasurer, building inspector, floodplain administrator and grant writer.

During that time, I was also active in state associations and board related to municipal government, including past president of the Oklahoma Municipal Treasurers Association, past president of the Oklahoma Municipal Finance Officers Association, past vice president of the Oklahoma Plumbing Inspectors Association, board member of the Oklahoma Mechanical Inspectors Association and member of the State Advisory Board for Training Clerks, Treasurers and Finance Officers.

I am a decorated Vietnam veteran, serving in the U.S. Air Force as a Special Weapons Team member and was awarded the Bronze Star and Certificate of Meritorious Service from the 35th Security Police Squadron.

I’m also active in our local American Legion Post 5, serving as past post commander and current financial officer.

My wife Linda and I have four children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Over the years, I’ve acquired a wealth of knowledge about city finance and basic operations and a unique understanding of the issues and challenges facing our city and its employees.

I’ve spent the last four years putting that knowledge to use on behalf of the citizens of Kingfisher and I’m asking voters for the opportunity to continue to do so.

I will represent citizens of Kingfisher by supporting street and building construction and maintenance, along with maintenance of equipment needed to achieve the effective operation of the city of Kingfisher.

I encourage all registered voters to exercise their Constitutional right and get out and vote.

Ryan Deatherage

[Editor’s note: Ryan Deatherage has authorized the Times & Free Press to publish the following paid announcement of his candidacy for the Kingfisher City Commission subject to the April 5 election.]

I am running for a commissioner’s seat for the City Council of Kingfisher.

I have a bachelor’s degree in ag business with a minor in finance from Panhandle State University and I’m the owner of The Grounds Guys in Edmond.

I am the father of three children, Andrew, Aubrey and Amy and I’m also a volunteer with Oklahoma Baptist Relief.

Prior to moving to Kingfisher in 2004, I served as a city council member and vice mayor of Goodwell, Okla.

I believe my experience in municipal government will allow me to serve you best. My day-to-day experience of running what was at one time a multi-unit, multi state franchise with over 60 employees combined has also given me vast experience in business.

For example, I understand long range planning, working within budgets, employee retention, and day-to-day operations, just to name a few.

It has been a goal of mine to serve the citizens of Kingfisher in this role for some time now.

I am asking for your vote in the upcoming election.