Saying he is dedicated to a responsive Tahlequah city government that is responsible to its citizens, Jack Spears recently announced his candidacy for re-election as Ward 2 councilor.

Spears said he embraces the philosophy that government works best when it works close to the people. He emphasized his interest in returning to a council that continues to be citizen-friendly, fair to each individual citizen and serves the interests of the majority of the electorate. He said Tahlequah can expect fair representation and continued conservative stewardship of tax dollars.

“During my term as your councilor, we have aggressively pursued a strong abatement program to make this a more beautiful city. We have managed to make improvements to our infrastructure while being constrained by a tight budget,” he stated. “Although in the minority, I lobbied against the annexation of the Ross Valley area due to the added expense to the city. My concern was our ability to maintain our present streets before adding additional mileage.”

Spears said the city’s department heads and employees are doing a good job of supplying city services.

“They enjoy a good working environment and morale is high. We have many areas that need to be addressed with top priority given to a better recreational program for our youth.”

Spears is a Tahlequah native and a Cherokee Nation citizen. He said his thorough understanding of the community and its citizens was gained through involvement in numerous activities. He said citizens can expect the promotion of economic growth, continued efforts to beautify the city through abatement proceedings and a working relationship with Northeastern State University, the Cherokee Nation, public education and the business community.

Spears has been involved with many community organizations. His service includes two terms as a member of the Tahlequah Board of Education and two terms as Ward 2 councilor. He served as a Chamber of Commerce president and received the prestigious “Big T” award for community service in 1985. As a pilot member of the city’s airport board for 14 years, he said he fulfilled a commitment to the growth of the Tahlequah Airport.

Civic organizations he was active with include the Rotary Club, where he holds a charter membership. He is a former president and received a Rotary Presidential Citation and was named a Paul Harris fellow, one of the highest humanitarian designations of a Rotarian.

Spears graduated from Tahlequah Central High School and received two degrees from NSU. After a coaching tenure in Lawton, he returned to Tahlequah to open Spears Motor Company, a Chrysler-Plymouth Dealership co-owned with his father, D.E. Spears. He was director of the Tahlequah Skills Center, providing vo-tech manpower training; was sub-area coordinator for the Oklahoma Health Systems Agency (health planning), and served as NSU alumni director for NSU for six years, where he was instrumental in the concept and fundraising for building the Gene Branscum Alumni Center. Spears retired from NSU in 1996 as a field service coordinator with the education department.

During the summer months, Spears and his son, David, own and operate Arrowhead Resort, on the Illinois River. He resides in Ward 2 with his wife, Brenda. They have three children: Adam, Austin and Keri.

“Very simply, the citizens of Ward 2 and Tahlequah can expect fair representation, a harmonious council, conservative stewardship of their tax dollars, and a councilor who will be responsive and as near as their telephone.”