Dr. L.V. Baker made personal donation to bring in Western muralist
Dale Denwalt
Daily Elk Citian
The Elk City Commission on Wednesday approved the acceptance of a large donation for a mural at the Route 66 Museum.
At the commission's previous meeting, Dr. L.V. Baker offered to donate the cash needed to bring in a muralist to paint a section of the museum that is currently vacant.
Interim City Manager Eddie Holland said that Baker and the Elk City Museum Board has agreed to bring in Western artist Stylle Read to paint the mural, which will represent Arizona as Route 66 passes through it.
"The mural will resemble a trading post one might remember while traveling down Route 66," Holland said. "Read has painted various murals in the museum complex buildings. Dr. Baker contacted Stylle Read to paint the mural and is waiting for commission approval before proceeding."
The cost for the mural will be $10,000, and the commission accepted the total amount in the form of a donation from Baker.
"With the commission's acceptance and approval of the donation, the $10,000 will be earmarked for the expense of having the mural painted," said Holland.
Ward 4 Commissioner Dan Gambill said after the meeting that he wants to start inviting citizens living in his ward, along with any other citizens, to meet in a town-hall event.
"I heard they used to have ward meetings. I wish we could have done it a little sooner because of the budget," he said. "We'll see if there's any complaints, thoughts, things that need to be fixed and worked on. The mayor told me they used to do that in times past and I thought I would just get out and do it again."
There are no set plans, however, and Gambill is still considering how often to have the meetings and when to schedule the first one.