By Karen Wages
Poteau, OKLAHOMA – The Poteau Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present Mayor Jeff Shockley with the 2019 Business Excellence Stewardship Award for 20 years of Valuable Service and Dedication Enhancing Business Development, Quality of Life for the city of Poteau and Residents.
Karen Wages, CEO of the Poteau Chamber of Commerce stated this during her presentation of the Award about Shockley.
The Poteau Daily News Headline on Wednesday, April 7 1999 read
Shockley Wins Council Jeff Shockley became Poteau’s New Mayor.
Mayor Shockley’s quote that day was “The fun part is over, it’s time for the work to begin, he said. “I plan on working hard and treating people fairly. This began a new era for the city of Poteau that has taken us through 20 years with a man that has worked to make Poteau a better place.
Another quote which sums up the success of Mayor Shockley is “it’s all about attitude” “With a Positive attitude, we can separate ourselves from other communities who have many of the same things to offer that we do.” He has sat a standard for Poteau that many communities larger in size can’t even match.
I could go on all night about what Mayor Jeff Shockley has accomplished in the past 20 years but I will just touch on a few. While re-searching the news archives a few thingsI found were.
The new renovation of City Hall, ground breaking of a new fire station, many proclamations, national day of prayer, Poteau Mayor Twistin for Dollars, the construction of PARC, New buildings in the industrial park, Expansion and improvements to the Robert S. Kerr Airport, Twyman Park Swimming Pool, The Patrick Lynch Library and This beautiful facility we are in here tonight, driving longhorns down Dewey Ave for the Oklahoma Centennial, City wide trash pickup, Dancing With The Stars At The Poteau Chamber Banquet. His 9 & 10 year old girls’ softball team were undefeated champions.
The list just kept going and I can’t mention it all tonight.
He received the Oklahoma Municipal League Mayor of the Year, Served as Chairman for the OML.
Poteau Chamber Man of The Year
Served on the Board for Oklahoma Southeast and was Chairman. The Fort Smith Regional Alliance Board Member and Chairman. The Keddo Board of Directors and was Chairman. He has mentored many new Mayors in the state. He has a close working relationship with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Choctaw Nation. I am sure I didn’t cover it all.
My favorite quote is…. “The roads less traveled are where the opportunities lie”
And on those roads Jeff Shockley did travel long hours and many miles looking for industry, and opportunities for Poteau.
He is very well known around the state and has worked with many Governors and Elected Officials on the Federal and State Level. He has advocated for Poteau in the halls of the State Capitol and Our Nations Capitol. His Poteau Pride is bigger than this room. Many times he put Poteau first before his own life and health. He has spent time away from family, received calls in the middle of the night and missed some family occasions because his duty was solving problems or working to achieve what was important to Poteau.
He has a very supporting family, his wife Connie, Daughter Brook and two sons Taylor and Tyler.
He is a proud Pa Pa to Joel, Jenna, Trevon and Holden and one on the way.
He maybe only the Mayor of Poteau, but everyone knows him. When I travel and mention Poteau many times the next conversation is about Mayor Shockley and sharing a funny moment or story he told.
I f you meet him once you will never forget him.
When we were teenagers (of course he’s older than Connie and I ) we would cruse Poteau or pester Jeff while he was working at CR Anthony’s if you would have told me he would be Mayor one day. I would have said now way. BUTT One day he was and a great one he was for 20 years.
As you stated in your press release, Now Is The Time To Turn The Page, We will all miss you greatly Mayor Shockley and Wish You Best of Luck in your next endeavors. Thank You From All Of Us Here Tonight.
I would like to present you the 2019 Business Excellence Stewardship Award for 20 years of Valuable Service and Dedication Enhancing Business Development, Quality of Life for the city of Poteau and Residents.
Karen Wages.
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