Altus veteran city councilman Dean Garrett, who presently serves as the vice-mayor, has decided to seek another four year term. Garrett was first elected in April 2001 and has run unopposed since his election.

“During the past eight years I have been involved in many programs that have benefited the city of Altus and there are many more on the horizon that I want to be a part of. We have a new water plant, [we have]purchased specialty equipment for several departments including a fleet of new police cars, first responder fire vehicle, new fire ladder truck, new and the latest state of the art 911 equipment, and with the use of a joint sales tax, we are on the verge of building a new city hall complex, fire station, senior citizens center and remodeling and expanding our high school. This joint venture with the Altus Board of Education and the city has set new ventures for other communities across Oklahoma.”

To help in the accomplishments of these projects and others similar projects in the city, I presently serve on the Altus Southwest Economic Development Corporation; a member of the Altus Jackson County E-911 Regional Trust Authority, a member of the Altus Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, member of the board of directors for the Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc. services as the financial officer for the Centennial Memorial Committee which has just completed the memorial chapel in the Altus cemetery. Additionally, he has found time to serve on the citizens Advisory Board to the warden at the Oklahoma State Reformatory in Granite.

Garrett is married to the former Karan Smith and they have been married for 48 years. Karan is a retired Altus Public School teacher and Dean retired as the vice-president of fiscal affairs at Western Oklahoma State College. Both retired in 1995. They have been active members of the First Baptist Church in Altus for more than 41 years.

“I am very concerned about the future of the city of Altus and have worked hard during my past eight years on the council to help improve our community but there is still much work that needs to be done and I would like very much to be a part of that future growth. And, most importantly, I want to see our new city hall, schools and senior citizens center completed and operational.”