LONE GROVE – Deannexation caused a bit of chaos for the City of Lone Grove. As the filing period for Lone Grove Wards 3 and 5 neared, it was either figure out the new boundaries or file for an extension.

Lone Grove City Clerk and Assistant City Manager JL Self was commended by City Manager Ian O’Neal for her dedication to search out the population that remained within the city limits based on the most recent census, as required. She then divided the population as close to equal as possible between five proposed wards.

In the past Lone Grove’s population has hovered around 5,000. Following the most recent deannexation, the population of Lone Grove has been whittled down to 4,073. Ward 1 has 829 residents; Ward 2 has 855; Ward 3, 782; Ward 4, 827; and Ward 5, 780.

During a special called meeting on Monday, February 3, the Lone Grove City Council approved the new ward map.

Although the filing period for Wards 3 and 5 began Monday, Feb. 3, anyone interested in becoming a council member has until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, to register at the Carter County Election Board in Ardmore.

Ward 3 was vacated by former City Councilman Butch Kinslow who had served one year of his three year term. The person chosen to serve Ward  3 will finish that term.

Incumbent Mickey Davis currently holds the Ward 5 seat.

All seats on the city council are staggered three year terms.

Presently, Chris Povendo represents Ward 1, Dean Williams holds the Ward 2 seat, Ward 3 is vacant, Ward 4 is represented by Mayor Jeff Matthews, and Mickey Davis holds the Ward 5 seat. 

All four councilmen were present at the February 3 meeting and voted unanimously in favor of the new Ward Map.