One of the greatest strengths of any successful Community isn’t found in its buildings, its streets, or even its businesses. The true strength of a Community is found in its people, especially those who choose to step forward and lead. Volunteer leaders are the backbone of thriving towns. They are the individuals who give their time, energy, and ideas to make their Community better, often without recognition or compensation. They serve on boards, organize events, mentor younger leaders, and help guide important conversations about the future. Without volunteer leadership, Communities simply cannot grow and improve the way they should. Here in Chickasha, we are fortunate to have many people who are willing to step up and serve. One of the most important ways we cultivate those future leaders is through the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Chickasha program. Leadership Chickasha was created to help identify, develop, and connect emerging leaders in our community. Participants spend months learning about different aspects of Chickasha: from education and healthcare to agriculture, local and county government, economic development, and civic organizations. The goal is simple… help people understand how our Community works and inspire them to become involved. Two individuals who have been instrumental in making that program successful are Kimmy Loggins and Johnny Trammell. Both Kimmy and Johnny have dedicated countless hours to Leadership Chickasha, helping guide participants through the program while encouraging them to see the many opportunities to serve and lead. Their passion for developing future leaders is evident in the way they mentor, encourage, and challenge each class to think about how they can make a difference. Programs like Leadership Chickasha don’t happen by accident. They happen because people like Kimmy and Johnny believe in the importance of investing in others. They understand that our Community’s future depends on preparing the next generation of leaders today. Many of the individuals who have gone through Leadership Chickasha have gone on to serve on boards, lead nonprofit organizations, support Community initiatives, and help move Chickasha forward. That ripple effect is exactly what strong volunteer leadership creates. Communities that continue to grow and succeed are the ones where people don’t wait for someone else to solve problems or create opportunities. Instead, they raise their hand and say, “I’ll help.” That spirit of service is alive and well in Chickasha, thanks to dedicated volunteers like Kimmy Loggins and Johnny Trammell and the many graduates of Leadership Chickasha. We continue to build a stronger Community for the future full of #TheGoodStuff! 

Property taxes are one of the most discussed—and often misunderstood—topics in Oklahoma. They fund many of the essential services we rely on every day, from our public schools and career technology system to county government and city services. With several proposals currently being discussed at the State Capitol that could impact how property taxes are structured in Oklahoma, it’s important for our community to understand what those changes might mean locally. That’s why the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Property Tax Legislation Town Hall this Friday, March 13th at 9:00 a.m. at Chickasha City Hall (117 N. 4th Street). We are grateful that State Representatives Brad Boles and Dick Lowe will be joining us to walk through some of the legislation currently being discussed at the Capitol. They will explain the proposals being considered and how those ideas could potentially impact county government, public schools, career technology programs, and the City of Chickasha. One of the most valuable parts of the meeting will be a simple breakdown of where your property tax dollars actually go. Many people are surprised to learn how those funds are distributed and which entities rely on them to provide services in our community. This Town Hall is not about taking sides, it’s about providing information. When legislation at the state level has the potential to affect local services, the best thing we can do as a community is make sure citizens have clear and accurate information. We encourage anyone who owns property, operates a business, or simply wants to better understand how local government works to attend. Coffee and donuts will be served , and the format will allow time for questions so citizens can hear directly from their elected officials. Chickasha has always benefited from engaged citizens who care about the future of our community. Opportunities like this Town Hall allow us to stay informed and be part of the conversation about decisions that affect our schools, infrastructure, and public services. If you’ve ever wondered how property taxes are calculated, where those dollars go, or what changes might be coming , this will be a great opportunity to learn more. Caring about our Community…well that’s #TheGoodStuff!