Bob Coburn is a Muskogee businessman and a first-time mayor candidate.
Phoenix: Why are you running for mayor?
Coburn: I was approached by a couple of people saying they would like to see a small businessman get involved in leading the city and they thought I was the man for the job.
After thinking about it, talking it over with my wife and other people I respect and praying about it, I felt it was the right thing for me to do and the timing was right. Muskogee has been good to me and my family as well as my business.
This is an opportunity for me to give back to my community. I plan to be here for the rest of my life and I have children and grandchildren whose lives will be affected by the decisions we make today.
Phoenix: Why are you qualified to be mayor?
Coburn: I’ve been involved in manufacturing, retail, property management and renovations over the years. I’ve been the representative of a company moving into a community looking for a building site, labor force and working with local officials. I’ve lived and worked with city regulations. I’ve known cash flow problems and meeting a payroll.
I know it takes cooperation between management and labor force to reach a goal. You need to have a win-win situation for both parties. I’ve had to make unpopular decisions for the good of the business. Realistically, I know I won’t please everyone with some decisions that may need to be made to move Muskogee forward.
Phoenix: What do you want to accomplish if elected mayor?
Coburn: By City Charter, the mayor has only two basic functions: preside at the City Council meetings and serve as the ceremonial head of the city government. Therefore, the vision and leadership you can provide is essential to accomplish any goals.
You have one vote just like the other council members and only two years in office, unless re-elected. You must hit the ground running.
I would like to bring the council members together for a common goal. I want to set an atmosphere of cooperation so each member does not have their own agenda, but one set of common goals to accomplish what is best for our city.
I would like to work with our council, city leadership, school board and citizens to determine how to improve the negative perception of our school system and correct areas that might need improvement. I believe we have quality education in Muskogee, and great programs going on in our schools that should be applauded. However, we must identify any areas that might need improvement. This is vital to our city in recruiting new businesses.
I want to work on an attitude of cooperation between citizens and city government. Encourage city government to be “user friendly” in solving problems.
Together we can solve a problem rather than being on opposing sides; whether it is resolving a building code issue or problem with a trash pickup. The citizens are the customers and we should treat each other with respect.
Muskogee has a great list of assets ready to attract business and tourism. We must determine the best and most cost effective method to get this word out across the state and nation and put this information in the hands of the right people and organizations.
One goal would be to restore pride in our city, our neighborhoods, our resources, our schools and ourselves. We have a lot to offer individuals, families and businesses. Muskogee is a great place to live and raise a family.
Phoenix: What are the biggest challenges facing Muskogee?
Coburn: Meeting the current budget, with possibly as much as a $1.8 million shortfall. Putting together a budget for the upcoming year based on our best reasonable revenue projections and estimates. Getting us to pull together as a community to improve our self image – having pride in Muskogee.
Jobs — small businesses, retail and industrial.
No substantial growth in the city. We’ve stayed around 40,000 since I’ve been old enough to remember. The surrounding areas seem to grow at a faster pace than the city. Most everyone I talk with says Muskogee has all the necessary assets a city could wish to have, but we still don’t see substantial growth in our population numbers.
Perception of being difficult to deal with in solving issues, whether constructing a house, renovating a residence or business structure or trying to open a new business location.
Municipal election
Today and over an eight-day period, the Phoenix will publish responses to four Phoenix questions by Muskogee candidates for City Council and mayor.
Schedule:
Ward IV candidates
March 15: Jim Ritchey.
March 16: Cedric Johnson.
Wednesday: Kenny Payne.
Ward II candidates
Thursday: David Ragsdale.
Friday: Randy Howard.
Mayoral candidates
Today: Bob Coburn.
Sunday: Teresa Garris.
Monday: John Tyler Hammons.
Tuesday: Chris James.
The city election is April 6. If needed a runoff will be May 11.
