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Mayor's Messages

• Swimming in Opportunity
  Last week, Edmond took a giant step forward.  Our second swimming facility is moving towards reality.  Preliminary plans include an indoor family swimming area (a smaller version of our Pelican Bay); a workout/swim lesson area; and a competitive 50 meter swimming pool and seating for up to 800 spectators. A partnership between the City of Edmond and the Y (YMCA) was approved by both boards.  A few days later, an interlocal agreement between the City and Edmond Public Schools (EPS) was approved by both the school board and City Council.  These three partners, all critical to this state-of-the-art facility, have accomplished something that has never been done in Oklahoma, to create an aquatic center that is only a dream in other Oklahoma communities.  This discussion has been ongoing for 10 years.  When you – the voters of Edmond – approved the 2000 sales tax, you asked for a second swimming facility for our community.  As city leaders attempted to meet this need, partners like the Y came to the table.  The EPS always joined the conversation, and let it be known that with the competitive swim teams growing by leaps and bounds, a competitive pool was being seriously considered.  In the last 15 months, these three partners got serious.  The City of Edmond, in the designated 2000 Capital Improvement Sales Tax Fund, held 6 million taxpayer dollars that was set aside to meet the citizens’ request of the second facility.   We have the land set aside at Mitch Park next to the MAC.  But we knew that this amount would not cover the building costs. After design concepts were requested, a family-friendly, senior citizen friendly design was presented, but cost estimates were 12 million.  The partnership with the Y also includes recreation facilities with a fitness center, indoor walking trail, special exercise rooms and gymnasium which the Y will operate. The Y also agreed to a critical capital contribution of $6,000,000. But this family-friendly pool and play area did not meet the needs for a competitive swimming pool.  Edmond has a growing number of swim teams, with many neighborhoods like, Steeplechase and Chimney Hills, having huge numbers of children participating.  Competitive teams like the Chesapeake Swim Team and the Extreme Aquatic Team travel all over Oklahoma to swim meets.  Parents drive these children to neighboring cities to practice.   In a recent swim meet, 450 children competed, with 400 of them being from Edmond.  All this played into the decision of the Edmond City Council and the Edmond School Board to continue the discussion of how to bring a competitive pool to Edmond.  With much work and negotiation, the two have reached an agreement that a 10 million dollar school bond request will be placed on the ballot for Edmond residents in December.   This money will provide the funding for the actual building of the pool and the venue for spectators, with the City of Edmond contributing the land and infrastructure such as an additional road and utilities. Both the school and the City will contribute to its operation.  Only one other Oklahoma community is looking at a facility of this type.  But Edmond has taken giant steps toward bringing Oklahoma’s top aquatic facility to our city – both as a partner with our public schools, and a partner with our private and philanthropic sectors.  It is likely to be the home for many competitive swim teams, and could be the site for state competitions.  Much like our other youth sports such as soccer, baseball and lacrosse, Edmond can be a leader in this type of tourism.  It is economic development that fits our family-friendly city; economic development that meets the need of our public schools, and our active neighborhoods; and economic development to benefit our citizens. A win-win for all of us and a swimmingly-terrific partnership.   Patrice Douglas, Mayor
• Back to School
  As our kids started back to school last week, my two sons reminded me how exciting it is to start a new school year.  Exciting for moms and dads because we see our kids growing up – and because if you have smelly teenagers like mine, your house will get a break.   It is also a perfect time to look at what the City of Edmond has to offer for fall activities, and what resources can be used by parents and teachers. Pelican Bay may be closing on Labor Day, but your chance for activity is not.  Our Parks and Recreation Department has published the fall program guide for activities for all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens.  This guide includes events and activities available during cooler months at our parks, the MAC and at Arcadia Lake.  For teachers, the Parks Department can come speak to your classes about healthy lifestyles and fun activities going on throughout fall at our parks and MAC facility.  Parks representatives can also get your classes active with interactive play during recess and physical education time. Our Edmond Fire Department, with the new Children’s Safety Village, is busy working throughout our city to teach fire safety.  We are receiving an abundance of positive feedback from you as you take your children to visit this village.  Located at Covell and I-35, at the Fire Department Administration Building, the village is designed to be a hands-on learning experience for Edmond’s children.  Going beyond “stop, drop, and roll,” this new addition to Edmond teaches kids the importance of fire safety.   One parent emailed me about the learning experience.  Her child visited the village, and insisted they come up with a family fire safety plan.  This mom was thrilled to see her child’s interest in staying safe, and was amazed at how much information the child retained by memory.  Another great program the Fire Department hosts is the Children’s Safety Challenge being held October 21-23. If you want further information about this program or the village, please call the Fire Department Administration, at 216-7303. Likewise, Edmond Electric wants to introduce and reinforce the principles of safety with electricity.   Through its Safe Kids website, parents, teachers and students can get useful electrical safety information.  Teachers, you can also call and get Edmond Electric to visit your classroom to help you teach topics from the importance of electrical safety to  energy conservation- all while having a great time! Another great teaching opportunity is with our Drainage Utility staff at the City. Keeping our storm water quality clean is a priority in our community and our staff has a model to teach just that. They can bring the Enviroscape model to your classroom and help educate the importance of clean water. You can call the Drainage Utility staff at 359-4772 for more information. Last, but certainly not least, our Edmond Police Department stands ready to help.  With topics ranging from “Stranger Danger” to “Say No to Drugs,” the Edmond Police will meet with your elementary, middle school, high school or college class, home school group, or scout troop.  You can contact Officer Randy Payne, at 359-4437 or randy.payne@edmondok.com.  If you are a parent, student or teacher in one of our Edmond Public Schools, feel free to stop an officer and chat.  They want to hear from you, and are ready to help with anything from seatbelt safety to bullying. As always, let me know if you have questions.  Kids, remember you are our next leaders – work hard, learn much, and be a good example to those around you.  You can make a difference in Edmond.   Patrice Douglas, Mayor
• Sign of the Times
  Edmond is a beautiful city. Whether in a park, a front yard or by a commercial building, the landscaping is lovely. The roads are clean and well marked. And the signs are tightly regulated to keep Edmond beautiful. Recently, the Edmond City Council has faced many requests for blade signs and electronic signs. Since our current sign ordinances do not address either of these, we have been making the decisions on an ad hoc basis, simply using our best judgment. But the frequency of these requests prompted us to begin the process for additional guidelines for these new signs. A city needs to keep a vital, fresh look in order to attract lovely homes and quality businesses. These new types of signs, blade signs, like you see on some of the buildings in downtown Edmond and electronic signs, like the ones you see that show the time, temperature and prices, are truly not “new.” Other cities have permitted them for a decade. But they are new to Edmond. Done right, they can update the look of our city without being overwhelming or distracting. To achieve the council’s goal, a sign ordinance committee was appointed to look into these new signs and to make recommendations for regulations that should govern them. Represented on this committee is a cross-section of Edmond. The Edmond Neighborhood Alliance and Keep Edmond Beautiful each have designated appointees. Other appointees include small business owners, land developers, and engineers. They come from all walks of Edmond life – moms, dads, grandparents, business owners, bankers, lawyers, former mayors, and members of the 1996 sign committee. All are Edmond residents, most are homeowners, and many have served in other capacities in our city for decades. The committee’s charge , once closely defined by the city council , is to review current trends in signage for blade signs and electronic signs, and to make recommendations to the city council. The city council retains the final authority for these signs. Council members did not choose to open our entire sign ordinance for review. Instead, the task was narrowly defined so that it could be quickly accomplished. As they work, they will ask for input from Edmond residents and businesses.  Signs bring much to our city, and to our businesses, but must be done in a way as to not distract from Edmond’s beauty and quality of life. It will be the decision of this committee, and ultimately the city council, that will determine Edmond’s look for the next decades.  Remember, sign up for the mayor’s message on our city’s website, www.edmondok.com, or email ashleigh.clark@edmondok.com.  Have a great week. Patrice Douglas Mayor
• Reporting Back on Citizens Questions
  When I started writing these messages, my purpose was to gain an additional way to communicate to and with our citizens.  The good news is – it’s working.  Weekly, I hear back from our residents about my mayor messages.  Many times, Edmond residents follow up by asking questions.  In recent weeks, the questions have focused on relief for individuals that suffered damage in the June floods.  Other questions have focused on road construction on many of our busiest roads.  Clearly, these are important questions that need to be answered in a public way.  First, governmental relief for flood victims has been slow coming.   Much to our disappointment, Oklahoma County was NOT declared a federal disaster area by President Obama, and FEMA to give individual assistant.  However, Oklahoma did meet the criteria to be declared a disaster area for public assistance (this assistance applies to roads and bridges.)  The Small Business Administration made a different decision, and declared Oklahoma County to be an area entitled to relief both for businesses and individuals.  They now have an office at 16 E. Campbell, in Edmond, and are working with both businesses and individuals who suffered damages to get low-interest loans.  If you suffered damage – either to your home or your business – I urge you to contact this office.  You can apply for help online or in person at the temporary office in Edmond. Thanks again to the many churches, individuals, and groups who showed up to help these victims.   Edmond proved it deserved the honor of being named one of America’s best cities. Road and bridge construction is continuing on the roads that were damaged by the June 14 floods.  Along with Oklahoma County, Edmond has been surveying areas to get damage and cost estimates, and has been repairing those less-damaged roads quickly.  Most of the damage occurred outside our city boundaries, but we are providing technical resources whenever we can to county officials.  On the topic of roads, I have heard from several of you wondering why so many roads came under construction in the last month.  Simple answer – the timing was right and the funding became available.  As for timing, our city staff aims to begin and finish construction quickly and efficiently hoping to cause the least disruption to our resident’s travels.  When Edmond Public Schools are out for summer, we put a big push on repairing the roads surrounding schools.  For example, Danforth , from Broadway to Santa Fe , has been resurfaced or is in the process of being resurfaced.  Inconvenient timing?  Not when you consider that Edmond North High School and John Ross Elementary sit in the heart of this area.  Best to accomplish the repairs when school is out, and parents are not caught in the construction while delivering kids to school.      Always important is how these overlays can be funded.  These roads were in the cue for repair, and federal funding was available to accomplish them.  Edmond seeks to maximize other funding sources and works to use this funding in the most efficient method to accomplish the most needed repairs on our busiest streets.  In our local neighborhoods, we spent considerable time and resources in Fox Lake and Arrowhead Valley.  Those neighborhood streets were in need of milling and overlay.  These projects have just been completed.  If you need more information about roads, feel free to contact our city offices.  City staff knows you are our customer and will work hard to deliver the information you need in a timely manner.  Patrice Douglas, Mayor  
• Our Next Generation of Leaders
  As mayor, and as a mother of two teenage boys (well, one is 12 ½ years old), I firmly believe we, as a city, need to focus on our next generation of leaders.  In one decade, our high school students who worked so hard to raise nearly a million dollars for charity will be having families, will be starting and building companies, and will be choosing where to call “home.”  Our focus on youth and family is one of the primary reasons that Edmond was named as the top community in America in this month’s Family Circle magazine.  Young leaders like this will determine the future of Edmond.  With that in mind, former Mayor Saundra Naifeh championed the membership of youth on our city boards and commissions.  She also worked for a youth council program, with the help of Councilman Charles Lamb.  The youth council program introduced young residents to the workings of municipal government.  And in my first year as mayor, I have championed volunteerism among our middle school, high school and college students.  The three programs work together, addressing different interests and different areas.  All have one common umbrella goal – to train Edmond’s young leaders.  We encourage their involvement at a meaningful level to build a city they can be part of and be proud of.  This goal is not insignificant.  Governor Pawlenty, of Minnesota, stated it more succinctly than I can – he pointed out that you value something more if you pay for it – whether payment is made with dollars or with sweat.   To let our kids have a chance to invest in our city will benefit both the kids investing and the city receiving the investment.     I ask for your help.  Recommend young people for these three different, but related initiatives.  The first, youth members for our boards and commissions, requires that the young person be an Edmond resident, attend monthly meetings, and likely be able to drive to those meetings. The mayor appoints each member for a one-year term. Many of our boards, ranging from public transportation to parks and recreation, are seeking youth members at this time.  The second initiative is our youth council program.  This program requires a time commitment in both fall and spring semesters, and will include an introduction to all our city government functions.  It will culminate in a mock city council meeting, where the students will conduct a meeting, playing the part of mayor or council member, citizen, attorney, or some other equally fun role! And as for the last, our youth volunteerism group, EdmondInvolved, is looking for board members and participants ranging from 6th grade to college.  If you or someone you know wants to participate, this will include a project in the fall for Make a Difference Day.  It will also likely include volunteer hours at some of our local agencies and philanthropics.  This initiative focuses on all the different volunteer opportunities here in Edmond, ranging from beautification of our city parks to gathering food and clothing for our citizens in need.  It is a great way to get church youth groups or neighborhoods involved in Edmond’s volunteer projects. If you would like to play a part in any of these three initiatives or recommend someone, just visit www.edmondok.com/government/city_youth_programs, and sign up.  Energy and enthusiasm are critical to Edmond’s future.   Thanks for your investment. Patrice Douglas, Mayor
• Life and Liberty
  Edmond’s largest annual festival officially started on June 26th.  LibertyFest, a two week celebration of America and our freedom, shows our city at its best.   We celebrate patriotism with events, ranging from patriotic concerts to fireworks.  It blends great family events with our reverence to those heroes who have served to preserve and protect the freedom we have in the United States.  Freedom is not free.  It may sound like a slogan – but it is not.  This nation’s sons and daughters have given life and limb to protect liberty and freedom that we enjoy.   This morning, at church, the preacher said he always gets a tear in his eye when he sees the American flag – and that he hopes he always will.    Edmond chooses to celebrate our freedom, and remember these sacrifices, with family-friendly events designed to give everyone an opportunity to participate.  If you have the chance, give a big thank you to Ray Hibbard, and his committee, for their work and dedication to these grand celebrations.     On Sunday evening, my family and I enjoyed a “Taste of Edmond.”  My two sons love the frozen custard, but my husband, Brent, went straight for the barbeque and ice tea.  Hundreds of people left with full stomachs and smiles, after feasting on the cuisine of more than 25 Edmond restaurants.    In the next week, we can look forward to a patriotic band concert on the UCO campus, July 1st.  Next comes “Chalk It Up for LibertyFest,” the Edmond Parks & Recreation’s chalk drawing contest in the Festival Market Place.  Families are invited, and encouraged to bring the little ones.  On Saturday, July 3rd, we celebrate our nation with the LibertyFest Parade.  With its route starting at UCO, and winding through downtown Edmond, you can join the thousands of Oklahomans who line the streets to see Oklahoma’s largest Independence Day celebration.  This year, the parade is a day early - but the fireworks are still on July 4th.  Bring a blanket and enjoy the fireworks at UCO.  They start at 10:00, and are spectacular.  You don’t want to miss them – and you might be able to see them from your own backyard. As our nation, our state, and our cities face unprecedented challenges, this is a time when we can come together as citizens of the United States of America, and celebrate the foresight and heroism of our founding fathers.  We can stand proud and honor those who have fought in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  Pay tribute to these individuals who know firsthand that freedom is not free.  Happy Birthday, America! Patrice Douglas Mayor        
• Floods
  A 500-year flood.  As a banker, I know about 100-year flood plains.  We require insurance for loans that sit in these designated areas.  But frankly, I had never heard the term “500-year flood,” until Monday, June 14th.  On June 14th, Edmond faced the consequences of a 500-year flood.  In thirteen hours, parts of Edmond received more than 12 inches of rain.   Edmond’s Public Works director explained to me that this was a 500-year flood.   In layman’s terms, this was a flood that occurs once every 500 years.  To our knowledge, we did not have any fatalities or injuries.  Our police and fire departments spent the day rescuing people, animals, and safeguarding property, while our emergency communications fielded the calls.  Hats off to a job well done.  Edmond’s roads, bridges, drainage and detention were designed to handle large quantities of water.  While it would be extravagantly expensive to design for a 500 year flood, Edmond clearly was designed to handle flood waters of the 100-year magnitude – as are most cities.  As our public works director explained to me, Edmond’s systems, for the most part, exemplified good design and city planning. We have several roads and bridges that suffered significant damage that need repair.  But our new downtown water detention area worked, our storm water drainage systems worked, and all of our newer bridges held.  Standing water drained within a couple of hours to let roads re-open.   At this point, there were isolated events reported of water in homes inside the Edmond city limits.  We have all seen the reports of the homes that were sitting just outside our city boundaries, and have seen the devastation they faced.   Many Edmond citizens, churches and service organizations  have shown up to help these neighborhoods as they clean up, tear out, and rebuild.  As for funds, our city will be filing all the necessary paperwork to get disaster relief funds.   City employees are working now to assess and document the damage caused by floods.  Federal agencies have already toured Edmond to see the damage. In the meantime, you can find updated information on road closings on our city website, edmondok.com.  We will be working to repair roads and bridges, and to remove debris.   Some repairs will be done in a couple of days, but some will take considerably longer.  If you are outside the Edmond city limits, be sure to check the website of your city for updates about debris removal and assistance.  As a word of caution, pay attention to signs warning of road and bridge repair.  The damage may not be apparent from a few feet away – but it is there.  Don’t drive, walk, or bicycle near these signs.  Keep your children away from them.  There are dangerous conditions being blocked by barricades and signage.  Take heed of it.  Thanks to all our city personnel who did an outstanding job.  And thanks once again to the hundreds of you that showed up to help your neighbors.    Patrice Douglas Mayor
• A Road Less Traveled
  Many of us read and enjoyed a famous book about taking the less-traveled road.   But if we are talking about less-traveled roads in a literal sense – for example, some of Edmond’s roads – the “less-traveled” category can drop the priority of that road project to the bottom of the waiting list.    Every week, an Edmond resident asks me about a road construction project – “When will it be finished?”, “When is the next one starting?”, “How do you choose which one to tackle next?”  All those questions are important considerations when our city engineering staff is looking at the next project to be accomplished.  Edmond works to maximize our investment in roads by taking advantage of matching (or greater than matching) funds available through Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), through Oklahoma County, or through the federal government.  With the current budget crunch, this funding is imperative.   Matching funds come with rules.  To receive funds from ODOT, there is a scoring system.   Projects move higher on the priority list depending on factors such as safety of the road, current traffic load, cost, and length of time in cue.  Roads like Broadway Extension usually rank high on that priority list, especially since the highest traffic counts in Edmond occur at 33rd, 15th, and 2nd Street – all at Broadway Extension.  When matching funds are not available, the city must fund the entire cost of the project.   Edmond prioritizes them based on similar factors, but also looks at whether specific projects were part of a dedicated sales tax.   For example, the widening of Kelly and the widening of Covell were both addressed in literature leading up to the 2000 sales tax vote.  While they are quite costly, the “yes” votes were due in part to voters’ agreement on these projects.  Some projects are very important, but are so expensive that the city must bite off one piece at a time. One such project is the redesign of Danforth and Thomas - next to Edmond North High School.  Several years ago, the city council agreed that, due to the growth at our high schools, the main roads to access the schools needed renovation.  Both Edmond Memorial and Edmond Santa Fe have benefitted from these needed improvements.    Edmond North, however, has yet to see major road construction.  With more than 3500 teachers and students located at Edmond North, and the nearby John Ross Elementary, traffic can prove frustrating.  The city council recently requested the design work for Thomas be completed, including the corner of Thomas and Danforth - the first step towards improvement. This project is further complicated because of the big silver utility poles (which cost about $250,000 per pole to relocate), close proximity of the railroad tracks to the school, and the short length of road between Broadway and the tracks.  Numerous underground utility lines will also have to be moved. Recently, concerned parents and administrators met with me and city engineers to see if a solution could be reached.  This meeting has resulted in better communication about the difficulties facing both the schools and the city.   Possible “short-term” fixes were discussed until a long term redesign and rebuild can be undertaken.  With the redesign of Thomas being the first step underway, this communication link will be critical.  Thanks to parents and administrators for coming to the meetings, and taking the initiative to bring ideas to the table.  We certainly need to insure communication between our schools and our city is not a “road less traveled.” Happy travels, Patrice Douglas, Mayor
• Budget Revisited
  Last week, the Edmond City Council held budget hearings.   The good news – it will balance with no predicted layoffs or furloughs.  More good news?  We are raising the percentage of reserves, or rainy day money, in the operating account.  The bad news – reduced sales tax of more than 9% from last year’s budget means tough choices. It‘s taxpayer money, and Edmond’s taxpayers need to know how it was prioritized.    First and foremost, we are proposing a reduced budget that does not reduce police, fire or other city services.  Currently, we do not propose any layoffs or furloughs.    Second, we are continuing with as many capital projects, including roads, as the budget will allow.  Priority is being given to projects identified before the 2000 sales tax vote.  Included, is the completion of the MAC expansion – which includes the second community swimming pool.  It also includes several road projects, like the continued planning, design, right-of-way acquisition and widening of Covell.    The question taxpayers are asking is what distinguishes Edmond from other communities that are facing layoffs, furloughs, and reduced city services?  Several decisions some made recently and some made more than a decade ago, have helped Edmond in this time of economic uncertainty.   The soundness of our electric utility, Edmond Electric, is top of the list.  Edmond Electric provides rates to Edmond residents at a lower cost, is basically self-sufficient, and gives us the ability to add needed revenues to our operating fund, and to support entities like the Edmond Economic Development Authority.  Also critical is the cost-cutting measures of city staff.  Every department, from Public Works to Police, cut costs.  No new positions were added.  Our finance director, Ross VanderHamm, met with each department.  They were asked to reduce their budgets by 7 %.  They did – by cutting or delaying projects, by trimming expenses again, and by focusing on customer service.  Another big factor was the City Council’s change in how Edmond pays for ambulance service.   Like other Oklahoma cities, Edmond now has an opt-out feature for ambulance service.  It saves money for residents, and eases a great burden on the city’s operating account.  Our budget is dependent on several factors – all of which could change this precarious balancing act.  Top city management, on their own initiative, declined any pay increases.  As Edmond works to reach new contract agreements with the three unions representing police, fire, and employees, these top leaders are setting a good example.    Our tentative budget has a 0% increase – which requires no pay increases for employees.  Another crucial element is the leveling or increase in sales tax collection.  Last month, our sales tax stayed even with the prior month.  Hopefully, we will see these numbers stay even.    City council continues to prioritize those projects which bring matching funds.  We continue to work with Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma County for increase road funding.  We are working with the YMCA to reach agreement for additional private funding for the MAC expansion.  Our public art fund is only spent when there are matching private dollars.  We continue to partner with our Edmond Public Schools, Francis Tuttle Career Technology and University of Central Oklahoma on projects ranging from economic development to educational training for employees.  Most importantly, it is our Edmond residents that have made this possible. You listen when we ask you to shop Edmond first.  You act when we call for volunteers to work on our city parks.  You give tirelessly to our boards and commissions.  You tip the balance in our favor.   You make Edmond great.  ###
• Edmond?s Summertime Specials
  At the Douglas house, we have a tradition – at least once a summer, we take a vacation day at home. We put away the telephone, and wait on the laundry – and just hang out around Edmond, and do activities – maybe at home, maybe at the lake. It has become one of our favorite days. This may be the year you decide to vacation in your own hometown. Edmond has so much to offer, and with May being National Tourism Month, I thought I might highlight a few of our summer events so you can plan your vacation at home. Lake Arcadia is always a great place to visit for the weekend. My teenage sons love it – boating, fishing and camping. I love it because it’s close to home. It is not expensive and can be a fun-filled family day. While they like sleeping under the stars, I like sleeping under a roof – and Lake Arcadia allows both of us to get our wish. Starting with Memorial Day weekend, you can visit Stephenson Park for great jazz and blues music. Thanks to Mark Neighbors, this event has grown in the last couple of years, and has become an Edmond tradition. For amazing blues and jazz, starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, you can bring a blanket and relax in the park. Food provided by vendors and nearby restaurants makes it even better. Stay the whole time or just come by for a visit – either way you will enjoy yourself. June 10-13, Edmond will once again host the Endeavor Games. Last year, the opening ceremony was inspiring as the veterans who had suffered the loss of a limb filed in bringing the American flag. These athletes compete hard, and their physical disabilities don’t slow them down. The events will take place all over Edmond, and range from archery, to swimming, to sitting volleyball. The Endeavor Games opened the way for UCO to become a Paralympics’ site for the 2010 World Sitting Volleyball Championships. More than 30 countries will be here in Edmond, competing in this event July 10-18. If you would like to volunteer or to get a schedule of the event you can find information on the UCO Paralympics’ website. Want to see Oklahoma’s largest parade, and all the events leading up to July 4th? Not a better city to visit than Edmond on this great holiday. LibertyFest is stacked with events – so whether you like to rodeo, or sit back and watch fireworks, this is Edmond’s premiere event. Throughout the summer, you can visit Edmond’s Pelican Bay – opening May 29 – or catch a production with Summerstock, at the Mitch Park Amphitheater. Visit the Festival Marketplace for our Farmers Market, and then treat yourself to a little shopping. Edmond is home to two Bed and Breakfast inns that offer incredible food and a chance to have a little peace and quiet. And of course, our parks and trails are open year round. So take a little time this summer, and check out all the events and places in Edmond, your own hometown. Patrice Douglas, Mayor