City of Marlow swears in new municipal judge

May 1—MARLOW — After 22 years of service as the Municipal Judge for the City of Marlow, John Alexander has officially retired. His last act was to swear in new municipal judge Carrie Hixon in the April City Council meeting.

During the March 2021 meeting, the board voted Hixon to fill the current term and start a new two-year term on July 1, 2021.

Marlow Mayor Jeff Prater, in the first part of the meeting, made a special presentation for the outgoing Alexander and his many years of service to the City of Marlow.

"We will now present the honorable John Alexander for his 22 years of service as municipal judge for the City of Marlow," Prater said. "We do appreciate your service, 22 years is a long time in the position you have served and we present this for the 22 years that you have devoted to the citizens of the city of Marlow and your services as Marlow Municipal Judge. We appreciate you."

Alexander said it was an honor. The council gave him a plaque and a stamp with his signature on it for personal use before he turned around to give the oath to Hixon.

Hixon raised her hand to take the oath from Alexander.

She said it was a proud moment to take the oath of the office and the council thanked both of them for their time.

Alexander said it was an honor and privilege to serve Marlow and as he left, he made sure to congratulate Hixon on the new position.

During regular business, Council approved a meeting date for a special meeting to discuss the new fiscal year budget for the 2022 fiscal year. The board settled for 5:30 p.m. May 17.

McPherson and the council moved on to the next discussion item, which included possible action to approve Marlow Police Chief Leroy Walker to make and sign the Chickasaw Nation Law Enforcement Commission Agreement.

This was done in response to include provisions pertaining to McGirt v. Oklahoma and Bosse v. Oklahoma. McPherson said this was done to reflect the Supreme Court's decision on those two cases. He stated there will be several changes as a result.

McPherson said the Marlow Police Department is doing the best they can with the new regulations and keeping up with the agreement and rules.

Walker stated to council that they have met with the tribes, district attorney's office and even said there has been some people they have had to turn loose because the tribes wouldn't take them.

Council agreed to give Walker permission to sign the agreement and then went to the final parts of the regular city council meeting with no comments from McPherson but a question from one of the council members.

Council Member Nuell Brown asked about the upcoming Fourth of July festivities for the 2021 year. McPherson confirmed that the festivities will take place on July 3 this year.

McPherson stated since July 4 is a Sunday and they usually don't hold the festivities on a Sunday, that is the reason for the change.

He also stated that in 2022, there will be a change to the schedule as it will take place on July 2 and the reasoning is because they usually set up the park the day before.

In 2022, July 4 will fall on Monday and McPherson didn't want workers to work on Sunday July 3 to set up the park so they will move that day as well.

The next meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. May 25 at Marlow City Council Chambers, located at 119 South Second Street.