Applicants seeking appointment to the City of Bartlesville’s open Ward 4 seat are invited to address the City Council during a special meeting set for 7 p.m. Monday.
The Bartlesville City Council has several agenda items on tap for consideration during its Feb. 22 meeting, including an item allowing for introduction of the applicants to speak with council members. The council is also expected to formally receive the applications submitted for consideration.
It is anticipated the council will vote to appoint one of the applicants during the council’s regularly scheduled meeting on March 7.
The Ward 4 seat was vacated several weeks ago — nearly a year before the term expires. The council hopes to appoint an interested Ward 4 resident to fulfill the unexpired term. All five council seats will be subject to the upcoming election cycle, with an election set for Nov. 8.
Council members have been reviewing the applications submitted for the appointment — six in all — and have invited each applicant to address the council on Monday.
The applicants
Based on information provided by each applicant, the applicants include:
Joseph Callahan
Callahan has been employed with Philips 66 as the director of Fitness Services since May 2014. He previously served as the Wellness Program Manager with NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, wellness director at Amarillo (Texas) National Bank, instructor at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, proprietor and president of Panhandle Wellness of Amarillo, and fitness professional/youth strength and conditioning coordinator at Gold’s Gym & Athletic Club in Amarillo.
Callahan earned his doctorate degree from Texas Tech University, a master’s degree from University of Texas-Pan American and a bachelor of science degree from West Texas A&M University. He holds several certifications in the sports and health industries and has volunteered for numerous committees and boards, primarily in Texas, including the United Way, Red Cross and Big Brothers Big Sisters programs.
Callahan says that if appointed, he will work to “provide leadership that will help Bartlesville reach its full potential by listening to the citizens, responding effectively and upholding the current initiatives and practices that already make our city great.”
Tim Bart
Bart is the director of Athletics for Bartlesville Public Schools. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Oral Roberts University-Tulsa and a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma-Norman.
He is a founding member of the Bartlesville Sports Commission and serves as United Way Grants chair. Bart has attended Leadership Bartlesville and is a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus.
David Pennell
A retired technician, Pennell is a founder and the current president of the Oak Park Community Association. He serves as vice president of the Green Country Lions Club and has been involved in Main Street Bartlesville (formerly Downtown Bartlesville Incorporated) projects, as well as several Theatre Bartlesville projects.
Pennell is a volunteer with Mary Martha Outreach and has served as a volunteer tutor for English as a second language at the Bartlesville Public Library. He has also volunteered to tutor young people at The Rock Ministries and is involved in the Engine 940 group, which oversees the restoration of the city’s train. He attends Oak Park United Methodist Church.
Donald Pyles
Pyles is a retired Real Estate appraiser and serves several local organizations as a volunteer, including the Bartlesville Area Chamber of Commerce. He is the past vice president of the Bartlesville Jaycees, the past commander of the Bartlesville American Legion Post 105, past president of the Bartlesville YMCA, past director of the Bartlesville Red Cross and the past president of the Oklahoma Athletic Congress.
He served on the Bill Doenges Stadium Operating Committee and City Building Committee.
Pyles served in the United States Marine Corps, retiring with the rank of Major. He has lived in Bartlesville for 54 years — 30 years in Oak Park.
Christopher Pool
Pool, an Oak Park native, says he hopes to focus on helping young people in the community, particularly in keeping “them off the streets and out of trouble.” Pool says he believes his youth will aid him in relating to Bartlesville’s younger population and in bringing a fresh perspective to the council.
Stephen Early
Early describes himself as “a Cherokee, semi-retired landlord born and raised in Bartlesville.” Early graduated from Sooner High School in 1970 and attended Northeastern Oklahoma University-Miami, Tulsa University and Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He was employed with TRW in the machine shop from 1970 to 1980 and now owns several rental properties in Bartlesville, including several in Ward 4.
Early has served as a member of the Moose Lodge, the Optimist Club, the Kiddie Park Association Board, the Landlord Association Board and the Bartlesville Street Committee. He has also served as Little League Board member and coach and ran for Cherokee Nation councilman in 2007.
He says his goal as Ward 4 councilor is to “make local money stay and prosper in Bartlesville.”
Open meeting
The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Ave. Everyone is invited to attend.