My name is Scott Stahl and I moved here in 1980 and I have always loved Ardmore and what it has to offer. I graduated from Lone Grove High School and SOTC. Being that Ardmore had no college at the time, I left for a few years to obtained a Bachelors Degree in Computer Information Systems with a Minor in Business and Accounting. I opened Mr. Auto Glass in 1989 and I used my extra time giving back to our community by being on the auto body advisory board at SOTC. I opened up my sign shop in 2006 and as Ardmore grew so did I. In 2018 I helped open the first dispensary in Ardmore where I currently spend my time handling the financial and operation side of the business. I have been married to my wife Shelly Stahl for 27 years.
Why do you want to serve as city commissioner?
The City of Ardmore is the people of Ardmore and I believe that has been forgotten at City Hall. I want to be part of fixing our City. Everyone has to be included and more different citizens with different ideas need to be part of the trust boards. It makes no sense why the same members are on multiple city boards. We need to strive on being an inclusive community including all of our citizens. I want to see town hall meetings where we can talk about what needs to be fixed. I want to see the city drop the sales tax on groceries. Michelin is going to wind down this year and 1400 good paying manufacturing jobs are gone. The city coffers are going to be impacted. We have to come together and address our problems and that is why I want to serve on the city commission.
Describe your leadership experience.
My first job was working at the Colvert house taking care of that nice big yard. Mr. Raymond Colvert first gave me some advice that has lasted throughout the years, “It’s up to you what you make it.” I have always strived to do be the best that I can be throughout life. I understand how to be a leader as every non-profit organization that I have belonged to, I have worked up to the rank of president. Why? It’s because people like being around someone with leadership qualities. It’s really simple be around good people and do good things for others and leave it at that. That is how I lead.
Please prioritize the needs of the city as you see it.
Managed growth is needed in Ardmore. Let’s protect housing from infringement of commercial.
Housing is a problem here in Ardmore. One solution is simple — infill of new homes and even smaller homes allowed where homes no longer exist. Infrastructure already exists
Crime is a problem that must be addressed. The city is talking about building a new police station where the Colvert Dairy once stood. Why not utilizing Civic Auditorium, turning it into our community-based police station opening doors for our citizens.
We have messed up roads and flooding issues in our neighborhoods. No more potholes. Fix the traffic light hiccups on Commerce Street. A penny sales tax addressing the $220million infrastructure I am against.
No more broken concrete pathways at BroadLawn or Regional Parks. A little Maintenance is needed. New restroom facilities at BroadLawn Park should be addressed at the splashpad.
Describe your views on personal property, business and the needs of the city.
The needs of the people of Ardmore should come first. Neighborhoods should come first. I don’t understand why our buffer zones for residential properties are being removed. Look at 12th street. The residential neighborhoods were platted and built years ago. Now new commercial properties on the north side of the street. Instead of new development on Commerce Street, the city made 12th street a Tax Increment Finance District and we have to live with residential on the south side of 12th street and commercial on the North Side. 12th street now is the only buffer zone for homeowners.
The city is talking about widening Myall Street by Plainview School. The widening can only come if homeowners front yards are taken. Is this needed? Is it fair for everyone? Let’s talk to the homeowners as they say NO, but the City of Ardmore’s approach is the road is going to be built.
Is the city doing enough as a retail and tourist destination?
Ardmore is the central shopping area for southern Oklahoma. The City of Ardmore did their part by implemented a tax increment finance district where we are subsidizing the developer to bring national retail chains to 12th street. The sales tax from these new businesses go to help pay the developer and not to help run the city. The Colvert house got tied up in the same tax increment finance district. Many Ardmoreites believe that this house should had been on the city preservation district.
The convention center is not being fully utilized. Our citizens paid for our convention center and voted financial support allowing a hotel/motel tax. On April 1, the City is going to have an open meeting about spending $12 million on a Paradise Alley improvements. Let’s make Ardmore Great Again and let’s listen to our people that live here as they have all the answers.
