Main Street Awards -- April 30, 2004 -- Collinsville, OK -- www.cvilleok.com

On Tuesday, April 27th, 2004 the National Cowboy Hall of Fame was the setting for the 15th Annual Oklahoma Main Street Awards Banquet. Collinsville Downtown, Inc. was present at the State's most prestigious banquet in Oklahoma City where 39 towns and urban programs vie for the recognition and honors of Main Street achievements. Collinsville took first place in two categories. Present to receive the awards were: State Representative Mike Wilt, Mayor Stan Sallee, City Commisioners, Gail Rogers and Melodie Bateman, City Manager, Mike Tinker, Mr. And Mrs. George Sallee, Larry Shafer (American Bank), Stephen Howe (Bank of the Lakes), Julie Stanley (Board Member of the Year), Nancy Phelps Promotion Chair, Board President Brad Francis, Board Secretary Mary Risley, Board Member Luann Hennessee, and Program Director Deborah Berry. All who attended enjoyed the banquet dinner. The entertainment was excellent. Governor Brad Henry praised the efforts of the Main Street communities across Oklahoma that are working to revitalize their towns using the proven methodology of Main Street. Statistics tell the story and you can find those statistics at the Oklahoma Dept. of Commerce website, www.odoc.state.us.

2004 Best Improvement Project
This project partnered The City of Collinsville, Collinsville Indian Education Dept. and students from Wilson Elementary, and Collinsville Downtown, Inc. to complete a beautification project that made a huge difference in the way Main Street looks.

City employees painted the tops of electric and signage poles while Main Street program volunteers painted the lower (reachable) portions of the poles and signs. Cherokee Nation Indian Ed. Students and teachers planted seedlings that they had started and nurtured in public areas at Collinsville Library and Collinsville Downtown, Inc. This project received Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s Oklahoma Main Street 2004 Best Public Improvement Project Award. Thanks to all of those that took part in this worthwhile and worthy project. It shows and they noticed. Congratulations!

2004 Premier Special Event
Hogs ‘N’ Hot Rods Car and Bike Show took top honors statewide as the number one Main Street event. What happens when volunteers and a Main Street organization with a plan, work plan that is, work very hard to bring classic and collector cars and bikes to a community of 4,077? 10,000 plus people attend and it is recognized as the 2004 Premier Special Event! Not to mention the half dozen communities (Oklahoma, Louisiana and others that want copies of those work plans so that they can replicate the success.) Thanks to all those dedicated volunteers and Collinsville supporters that work so hard to make this a fun and memorable event.

Governor Henry expressed, with example, how each individual has the power to impact the progress of a community or state by focusing and working toward a positive goal. Collinsville has made great strides in the right direction in the few short years that we have worked to make changes.

We invite you to attend the volunteer rally for the third annual Hogs ‘N’ Hot Rods Car and Bike Show on May 21, 2004 and welcome you to join in the fun as we invite others to visit, stroll, and shop our business district. If you want more information about any of the things in this article, do not hesitate to give me a call at (918) 371-5530, I would love to tell you what’s happening and where you are needed on Main Street.

Deborah Berry
Program Director
Collinsville Downtown, Inc.

(Collinsville Downtown, Inc. Press Release and Photos)