At 19, mayor-elect's the pride of Muskogee
At 19, mayor-elect's the pride of Muskogee

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By Julie Bisbee
Published: May 15, 2008

MUSKOGEEJohn Tyler Hammons may have already performed his grandest feat as mayor, even before taking office.

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He put Muskogee in the national spotlight.

Hammons, 19, beat his 70-year-old opponent in a runoff election Tuesday, getting nearly 70 percent of the vote.

Hammons, who just completed his first year at the University of Oklahoma, spent Wednesday fielding questions from national news networks and producers of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

"Everybody has the same question,” said Hammons, who will be a delegate to the Republican National Convention in the fall. "‘Why would you do this at 19?' I think they're fair questions. A lot of people are asking if I think I can do this. Of course I think I can do this, or I wouldn't have run. The voters think I can do this. It's amazing what some people think you don't know.”

Even though he hasn't taken office yet, Hammons was sitting in the mayor's office Wednesday, getting used to the feel of leading the city of about 40,000 people, 50 miles southeast of Tulsa.

Open and transparent
He's polished, stays on message and isn't fazed by tough questions about the future of Muskogee or pending labor talks with the firefighters union.

Hammons defeated former Mayor Hershel McBride in Tuesday's runoff.

McBride complimented Hammons on running a clean race, and said he intends to continue volunteering in the community.

"I told him he could call if he ever has any questions, since I used to be mayor,” McBride said.

The firefighters union, which has been at odds with city government over wages, backed Hammons. Doctors at the Muskogee Regional Medical Center were some of Hammons' top campaign donors.

For Hammons, open and transparent government is a priority.

"People that voted for me wanted change,” said Hammons. "We want to handle the people's business, and we are being open about it. One of the first orders of business is to establish an independent ethics committee and establish campaign finance laws.”

Pretty lofty for someone who doesn't have a credit card and isn't old enough to drink.

For some voters, Hammons provides a breath of fresh air at city hall.

"We really truly needed a change in Muskogee,” said Billye Lackey, who supported Hammons's campaign. "We need new ideas. I don't know this young man. I don't think I know his family; I was just impressed with him.”

Lackey said Hammons' positive outlook and enthusiasm for Muskogee's future was infectious.


 


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On the map? That's for sure...nothing against the kid, but nineteen can't possibly fathom the job. Of course, he probably won't do any worse than the crooks who usually win elections.
Jim, Rockwall - May 20, 2008 at 5:11 pm
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If I'm not mistaken, a young man about that age in Tishomingo, OK was the city's mayor - Dustin Rowe. It was some time ago, but he's a fine young man yet...
Margaret, Jefferson - May 17, 2008 at 2:46 pm
das in OKC, what are you babbling about?? You could cry...robot Republican of racist parents?? I think you have some prejudice issues. Power to the guy--some people mature at an early age. You could learn a few things from him, I'm sure!
Amy, Oklahoma City - May 15, 2008 at 3:40 pm
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This guy is a breath of fresh air. I hope he does make a change for the better.
Thoughtful, Oklahoma City - May 15, 2008 at 10:38 am
Burt, don't forget about the aliens that Stipe was involved with. I heard his wife was really an alien. Is that true? What will happen to Muskogee now that the body snatchers have left? Organized crime??, illegal immigrants?? Sounds pretty shady to me. But no big deal for the prince of darkness
David, Norman - May 15, 2008 at 8:53 am
The Jay Leno show? How about the Howard Stern Show instead.
Kevin, Muskogee - May 15, 2008 at 7:24 am
You hear old people talk about youth in derogatory terms like, "The kids are going to run the country some day." I guess those people didn't think it was going to happen so soon. Muskogee does need a lot of help. It has experienced a huge void in leadership since the fall of the Little Chicago syndicate. With the Stipe regime gone, and most of the administration of his and Francis Stipe's prosecution happening in Muskogee, there is a void in organized crime leadership. Maybe Mr. Hammons can get the BNSF train crew switchover moved back to Muskogee after Stipe and his brother got it moved to McAlester. This was to allow Francis to use his hotel and 25 guaranteed nightly rooms as the host for train crews. It also allowed Francis to help Gene move illegal aliens from Mexico to McAlester to work in the chicken plants. They needed to stay somewhere after getting out of train cars at the McAlester stop while their papers were being prepared at the Stipe Law Firm. Moving the stop to Muskogee would remove that step out of the Stipe family's control and put it under scrutiny of railroad police. The whole idea of the train stopping in McAlester was to hide the disembarkment of illegal aliens. The train blended in with the whole town. In Muskogee, it was stopped at a switching yard and was much harder to hide illegals jumping out of train cars.
burt, edmond - May 15, 2008 at 6:36 am
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