For years, and in some cases, decades, a handful of citizens have tried to change the generational trajectory of city politics in Muskogee, Okla., with absolutely no success. That trajectory includes alleged corruption, alleged financial malfeasance, and “good old boy politics” that have benefited the wealthy, powerful, and influential but have left the masses behind. For years citizens have presented evidence of wrongdoing by the city during council meetings with no response but a blank stare, no contact after the meeting to find out more information, no concern displayed, no righteous indignation. It looks like, more and more, that the powerful who run the city, explicitly and implicitly, do so at their whim and to their benefit with no opposition. Why? Over the decades, those who have opposed such absolutism have been ignored and oppressed to the point of giving up, which is what city leaders want — no opposition, no speaking out, just compliance or silence. And if you do speak up, they will silence you or ignore you. I know.

 

          In these books, I present evidence and information gleaned from public documents, personal experience, anonymous yet credible sources, and the stories told to me by others who have encountered the wrath and unlimited power of city officials. While I name names using public documents, I am not accusing anyone of the alleged acts stated in those public documents nor of corruption, financial malfeasance, or incompetence. My purpose is to reveal public information that has been kept from the people of Muskogee so citizens will have a better understanding of local politics, local politicians, and the actions of certain public officials and influencers. Hopefully, this will cause citizens to ask penetrating questions of those elected officials and demand straight answers, and, hence, keep elected officials accountable through the voting booth. 

 

          My hope is that the common, hard-working, honest citizens of Muskogee will read this book, consider the evidence, and then do something that will change Muskogee for the better. I have included a chapter on things we can do to bring about an honest and truly open government. But to do so takes citizens who will organize into a group and involve themselves in local government, who don’t mind holding signs during city council meetings protesting unwise actions, who will doggedly contact their council representative over important issues until they get a straight answer, who don't care what their so-called friends think of their new determination to do the right thing, and, most importantly, those with integrity and unimpeachable character to run for office.

 

          It’s time for the people of Muskogee to rise up and demand honesty, integrity, and character from council members and city leaders at both the personal and corporate levels. Hopefully, this book will generate the passion citizens need to do just that.