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Guthrie voters will soon have an opportunity to determine who will sit on the Guthrie City Council during the next two years. On November 21, the Guthrie Council requested that the Logan County Election Board hold an April 3 election. The election has been called to determine who will serve as council members from Wards 1, 2, and 3. The person who holds the title and office of Mayor will also be determined at this time.

The holder of the office of Mayor serves two terms. In 1997, recently elected Mayor Don Hardin was forced to resign in order to accept a new job in state government. In accordance with the Guthrie City Charter, Vice Mayor Evelyn Nephew was allowed to attain the office of Mayor to serve the remainder of Hardin's term. Nephew won re-election in 1999 by a margin of 37 votes.

As recently as December, Mayor Nephew had not indicated whether or not she would seek to retain her seat on the council. On January 9, Nephew informed GuthrieCouncil.com that she has decided to seek re-election. Nephew cited her drive for undoing racism in Guthrie as a major goal of her future influence as Mayor. "We have to do something with this community," Nephew says. She indicated that she feels the Martin Luther King celebration provides a catalyst for this to occur. Nephew also says that undoing racism in Guthrie should occur through the schools.

Since Nephew has held office, the Martin Luther King celebration has found a home in Guthrie. Under her direction, the King celebration has grown to a multi-day event that draws statewide attention from the African American Community. Nephew has also made a significant outreach to Guthrie Job Corps in an effort to involve the youth in this event. Nephew also made notable strides in reaching out to Langston, Meridian, and Coyle through the Logan County Champion Community Board.

Nephew has worked to include Rev. Hersey Hammons, head of the Logan County NAACP, in the invocation of the City Council. Nephew also led the Council in a standing ovation during a January 2000 meeting, this ovation was in response to a rendition of Martin King's "I have a dream" speech.

During the January 9 meeting of the Council, Nephew indicated that racism exists in Guthrie by stating, "It took the people to put certain things in the community. It will take the people to work some of the things out." Nephew indicated a drive to erase what she feels is racism in Guthrie.

At this time Nephew has drawn one declared opponent. Long time Guthrie businessman Jon Gumerson has completed the sale of his insurance agency. Gumerson, who was Mayor of Guthrie in the early 70's, has expressed a desire to reclaim his position. Gumerson feels that he can serve the citizens well since he has now retired and can spend a lot of time on the job as Mayor.

Nephew has not yet spoken with Gumerson but says it is important that a person not be running for the position of Mayor just to have it. Nephew says that a lot has changed since the 1970s and cites her desire to undo racism in Guthrie as a reason to maintain the office.

During the election, GuthrieCouncil.com will be interviewing all of the candidates to allow them to express their ideas in regard to the community. Gumerson will have the same opportunity as Mayor Nephew to address these issues.

The race for Mayor in 2001 appears to be a potential classic. Gumerson, who has served as Guthrie's Territorial Governor, is one of the most liked citizens in the community. Nephew is the longest serving member of the council, winning re-election for many years.