McClain County is very fortunate to have high quality law enforcement and first responders.

Sheriff Landy Offolter has his department running smoothly and is nearly at 100 percent fully staffed.

And speaking of staffing, Fire Chief Greg Cypert and Assistant Chief Rocky Claunch needed a full-time firefighter to fill the void created with the retirement of Jason Benefiel.

One spot, mind you.

With the reputation of the department here so outstanding, he reported having just shy of 50 applicants.

Likewise, Purcell’s Police Department is nearly at 100 percent .

Under the direction of Chief Bobby Elmore and Assistant Chief James Bolling the department is in the process of filling a couple of positions.

And we have an outstanding group of City of Purcell employees that do a great job for the citizens.

Department supervisors Matt Martinez over the streets, Trey Phillips over electric and Michael Minor over water do a top shelf job.

The city has solid members of the City Council in Mayor Graham Fishburn and councilmen Alan Eubanks, Jay Tate, Greg Wheat and Joseph Franco, not to mention new City Manager Sam Demel.

Also, a tip of the hat to Purcell’s excellent School System.

Led by Superintendent Dr. Sheli McAdoo and the board of education including President Tracy Folsom, Vice President Kevin Andrews and members Nicolle Car, Holly Baker and Mary Webb.

McClain County is also fortunate to have professional County Commissioners in Wilson Lyles, Glen Murray and Terry Daniel who do an excellent job running the county’s affairs.

Another institution that is on the uptick is Purcell Municipal Hospital.

Under the direction of Chris Wright the medical facility is getting rave reviews from patients and family members alike.

Board members include Chairman David Shirley,
Vice-Chair Todd Clouse, Trey Smith, Bridget Cosby Regional Director/Rural Health and  Justin Blankenship.