Ricky Mayes has been a resident of Duncan for 31 years. He is a local business owner and has served six years, or two terms, on the Duncan City Council.

He was born and raised in Lawton, but his grandparents were Duncan natives, so he said he spent his fair share of time in Duncan when he was younger. Mayes moved to Duncan and began working at Halliburton, but then decided to open his own business, and has worked there since.

Mayes said that his job as a construction person gives him a unique perspective into city projects.

“I see things that others don’t see,” Mayes said. “I understand the concerns of other local contractors or businesses, and I’m always available to be their voice if they have problems or concerns in working with the city.”

Mayes was instrumental in creating the splash park at Hillcrest Drive and the playground equipment at Fuqua Park.

“I’m a park person,” Mayes said, “and I don’t think there’s enough for families at the parks right now.”

However, he is excited about the ongoing work happening at the bath house and swimming pool in Memorial Park and the construction of the train depot museum in Fuqua Park.

Mayes said he is a big supporter of many other projects in Duncan, including the water tower, and the improvements to Elk Street and 10th Street, and hopes to see a lot of this type of improvement work continue.

Along this same area, Mayes said he would like to see candidates for City Manager be local.

“I think this should be done by those familiar with the ongoing projects over the past few years, and what is needed in the future,” Mayes said. “A new member of Council will not be informed enough of the situation.”

Mayes said he would also like to see the work week at city offices changed back to a five day work week. His main concern for this is customer satisfaction and service.

“In my opinion, (this) does not serve the city’s best interest,” Mayes said.

He said that it is “probably the biggest complaint” he gets from citizens, and that the majority of them wish offices were open on Fridays. He said it causes more hardship when holidays fall on weekends, which keeps offices closed up to five days in a row.

“This is just not acceptable,” Mayes said. “The city’s goal should be to provide the best possible service to our citizens.”

Another issue that he said may stem from this situation is lack of returned phone calls regarding city issues from city offices, something Mayes makes a point to do whenever he is contacted by a citizen.

“I’ve always made it my practice to return every call I receive from a citizen about any concern they may have,” Mayes said. “And if I don’t know the answer, I find out.”

Mayes takes all concerns presented to him seriously, and should it be necessary, he brings it before the city council for more information, or to the city manager should it need to be handled in that respect.

He also realizes in this time of tough economy the importance of saving money, rather than spending it.

“I know there are cost items that will be presented to the council for our approval in the upcoming months that honestly should be put off this year until we see revenues up,” Mayes said. “Just because something is requested of the city manager, does not mean the city council needs to approve it.

“There’s no difference in the city’s budget than there is in my own. If I didn’t have the money to pay my utilities, then I sure wouldn’t be going out to buy a new car.”

When asked why he wants to take on the responsibilities of city council for a third term, Mayes simply said he enjoys doing it.

“I enjoy working with people and helping the city,” Mayes said. “Anything to expand the city with good ideals, I love doing it.”



-Kevin Kerr is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354 Ext. 147 or by e-mail at kevin.kerr@duncanbanner.com.