2011-12-27

Joe Johnson, Easterns’ Student of the Year

Joe Johnson, Easterns’ Student of the Year

Wilburton, named ‘Student Senator of the year’ for 1972-73 is Joe Johnson, Eufaula Sophomore at
Eastern Oklahoma State college who has enjoyed a full tow years of club activity at Eastern State.
An art major and president of the Young Democrats, Johnson was selected by other members of the
student senate and recognized at the annual installation banquet may 8, Chairman of the Senates
activities committee this year, Johnson keeps bus as a reporter for the prize winning student newspaper.
As a freshman the Crowder High graduate who now calls Eufaula his home, was elected Freshman
class president, Vice President of the young democrats, a student senator and listed on the Deans Honor
Roll both Semesters.
Johnson was named to Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges this year and was chosen as
one of the 10 campus leaders to represent Eastern State at a conference with the advisor to President
Nixon in Midwest city. A member of the 4H MP battalion of the Oklahoma National Guard, he will
take his initial active duty at Ft. Jackson, S.C., and advanced training at FT. Gordon, Ga. Before
resuming his education at southeastern state college, Johnson received the Associate Degree during
Easterns’ Commencement Exercises May 18th.
Johnson has worked two years for the Indian Journal newspaper in Eufaula and plans a teaching
career in art and journalism upon completion of his college work.



Picture of Multi-Purpose Center Fountainhead, Eufaula, Oklahoma

Picture of Multi-Purpose Center Fountainhead

Johson-Shurden-Moore Muti purpose center at Fountainhead resort was dedicated Friday June 5th 1992.
On hand for the ceremony were State Senator Frank Shurden, Fountainhead Resort Manager David
Hammond, State Rep. Glen Johnson and Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson. The center was named for Sen.
Shurden, Mayor Johnson and the late George Moore, former manager of the resort, for their hard work
and dedication to the tourism business of Lake Eufaula. The center which houses an indoor swimming
pool, indoor tennis courts, racquet ball courts as well as a multi-purpose room is open and in use.



Bicentennial Scrolls Travel By Canoe On First Leg Of Journey

Bicentennial Scrolls Travel By Canoe On First Leg Of Journey

Eufaula's Bicentennial Flag Raising Ceremonies held in Eufaula Cove (Collies Campground) on
Sunday could be considered successful, as some 500 people gathered to witness the event. Eufaula's
Mayor Joe Johnson welcomed the people early in the program and was handed the scrolls by
bicentennial chairman Jim Young. The Mayor joined Richard Garrity and Carl Hervey in the canoe
for the trip up to Lake Eufaula as far as possible, where Mayor Joe Johnson joined Bret Boyd, Gail
Burdine and Rodney Helms, (local high school students) finished delivering the scrolls by horseback to
the National Wagon Train which was camped in Checotah on Monday.
The Eufaula Bicentennial was very impressive with the canoe being paddled in the distance,
while a group of Indians from Tuskogee Church sang Amazing Grace in the Creek language. The
pledge of allegiance to the flag was under the direction of W. Star Wilson and Rev. Kenneth Shaw
gave the invocation. The color guard under the direction of Jimmy Walker Jr. is known to be the only
all Indian color guard in the state.



Eufaula's Mayor at 24 'youngest' --Bernadette Pruitt

Eufaula's Mayor at 24 'youngest'--Bernadette Pruitt

Months ago, reporter Joe Johnson covered a city council meeting and didn't like what he saw. His
determination to do something about it let to his being elected the youngest mayor in the state. Johnson,
easy going mustachioed and with sun bleached blond hair touching his ear lobes, is 24. Although his
victory over three-term mayor Tulley O'Reilly, a man 40 years his senior, is three months past, Johnson
is still campaigning.
He wants reform and wont settle for anything less. Things are changing for the young mayor
who has a fisheye view of the town of 2,000 plus at his office door. “I was dissatisfied with the past
and the way things had past and the way things had been going.” said the former journalism student
and reporter for the Eufaula Indian Journal. “People weren't really aware of some of the things that
were going on at City Hall.” Johnson said his background in journalism helped him shape his own
ideas on a government's responsibility towards citizens and the importance of keeping voters informed.
The Eastern Oklahoma State College graduate began working election night and has been at it ever
since. Unneeded jobs are being eliminated through attrition at a savings of 14,000 a year. City
employees are getting a salary boost, the town’s tourism potential is being better realized and a
menacing juvenile burglary problem is being placed under control.





Works his hobby, but Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson says play is key to future

Works his hobby, but Eufaula mayor says play is key to future--
Muskogee Phoenix & Times Democrat by Liz McMahan

Ask Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson anything about city government, local industry or the areas economy
and and he has an answer. But ask him a question like what he does for fun and he’s stumped. For
Johnson work is fun.
“Work is kind of my hobby,” he finally says adding that he owns a few pieces of rental property which
fill his time when he isn’t wearing the mayor's hat.
“I don’t fish or golf or anything like that. I'll have plenty of time to do those things later, they don’t pay
as well.”
Johnson has seen a lot of changes in Eufaula since becoming mayor nearly 13 years ago and thinks the
town of about 3,500 pop. is on the verge of a very prosperous future.
That future, Johnson believes, will largely center around a tourism industry which is still in its infancy
and probably will not be ready to blossom if it weren't for a marina developed by Meeco Marina Inc. as
a showplace for its operations; and the decision by Three Buoys Houseboat Vacations Inc. to place 75
of its luxury houseboats here.
Now during the tourism season Eufaula is a beehive of activity as people from Dallas/Fort Worth
area and from throughout eastern Oklahoma flock to the community for a taste of the easy life Lake
Eufaula. The city of Eufaula is supporting the development of an amusement park in the cove just south
of the marina and have purchased two used water slides and will erect them, then turn them over to the
park.
They also have invested heavily in getting Eufaula designated as a Main Street city and have put the
director of that project on the city payroll. They are also putting money into the renovation of the
downtown area by footing part of the bill for new sidewalks.
And the city recently produced a 16 page, two section newspaper with four-color process
pictures touting the town's assets. Those will be distributed to tourists and potential tourists as the city
sells itself here and at various travel and trade shows. Johnson admits a lot of what the city is doing
could be done through a chamber of commerce. “But in a town this size, the chamber has a very
limited budget. Where we depend so much on tourism, the city feels like it is a part of our function to
promote tourism and handle some of the responsibility that a chamber would normally have.”
Johnson says he is ready for Eufaula to grow.


2011-12-12

1980's Resort To Eufaula | Little town that could - Mayor Joe Johnson

Eufaula: Little town that could

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson said: “I couldn't have done anything without their help. I'm certainly not egotistical enough to
think Eufaula would not have grown without me.”
Mary Rule, managing editor of the Indian Journal, the states oldest consecutively published
newspaper, said Johnson is a “progressive”
He was covering city council meetings for the newspaper, saw what was going on and decided
he could do a better job, he said. He ran successfully for mayor at the age of 24.
Johnson spearheaded the drive to get the 1-cent sales tax passed. He said he feels they were
fortunate to get it passed before “the shortfalls the state was going to experience came to a head.”
“I can name a number of communities where it has failed,” Johnson said. “They expect returns from
the state and federal agencies, but they're not willing to give locally.”
Randy Nobles, director of the eastern Oklahoma Development District, said “All towns of
similar size are growing in eastern Oklahoma, but Eufaula's growth is more pronounced. I think its an
attitude of elected officials, community leaders and an active Chamber of Commerce.”
“They're very good at grantsmanship,” Nobles said. “It's a willingness, an attitude, and having
good people there to package projects.”
Stan Kelly is the man who knows how to wrap the package. Johnson said Kelly had been
writing grants for Eufaula for about six years. Nobles said Kelly had done the same thing for Checotah.
Eufaula has received grants from 'the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, the Environmental
Protection Agency, Housing and Urban Development, the Development of Economic and community
Affairs and the Economic Development Administration. The list is like alphabet soup.
Johnson agrees grantsmanship has been an integral part of Eufaula's progress, but said “don't
misunderstand this. They don’t just call you and ask you if you want some money. If we don't ask for
it, we don't get it.”
He feels the residents of Eufaula contributed to the pool of available state and federal funds
“The better job we do of returning their taxes to them, the lower we are able to keep local rates,” He
said.



1980's Resort To Eufaula Video



2011-10-14

Joe Johnson Eufaula Mayor Accepts Role as Chief Justice in 1987

Joe Johnson Eufaula Mayor Accepts Role as Chief Justice in 1987


Joe Johnson- Editor – Mayor – Judge – Chief Justice – Career Manager




 Joe Johnson was appointed to the Creek Nation supreme Court and served for 16 years. He was the youngest member to ever serve and was selected to be the chief Justice where he served for 10 years. Johnson was appointed by three different chiefs to the tribes highest court and was confirmed by the National council three times with only one dissenting vote out of the 36 member body.           



Chief Justice Joe Johnson of the Muskogee Creek Nation. Johnson served for 16 years He also was selected to serve on the National Indian court Judges association and was elected Vice president for this organization.



Chief Justice Joe Johnson swears in Creek Chief Bill Fife after the Chiefs landslide election, defeating six other opponets.  The Chiefs wife and father look on with pride at the swearing in ceremony conducted by the tribes highest Judge.


The Supreme Court of the Creek nation and the District Judge Pat More upper left.L-r front row Chink Douglas, Chief Justice Joe Johnson, State Senator Richard Lerblanc,Mike Flud, and Willard Pitman.

2011-10-04

Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson displays the Life Time Achievement Award


Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson displays the Life Time Achievement award given to him by the Oklahoma Municipal League's board of directors for serving them as President for two consecutive terms. This was the first time in the leagues 75 year history that anyone had ever served two terms. Johnson  served for approximately 18 years on the board of  directors of the 400 member organization.

2011-09-20

Joe Johnson | Eufaula, Oklahoma


Joe Johnson |  Eufaula, Oklahoma

Editor – Mayor – Judge – Chief Justice – Career Manager

Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24

 

                     Joe Johnson Eufaula recieves the prestigious award of Student Senator of the year during his sophomore year at Eastern State College at Wilburton Oklahoma. He was also elected as the President of the Young Democrats at the University of Oklahoma his junior year where he majored in pre-law.




Joe Johnson sets behind the desk he occupied for over 23 years as the full time Mayor of Eufaula Oklahoma. He was elected as the youngest Mayor in Oklahoma history at that time. It was 1975 and he held it longer than any elected official in Eufaula's  history.

Chief Justice Joe Johnson of the Muskogee Creek Nation . Johnson was appointed by three different Chiefs and served on the Supreme Court for over 16 years. He was Chief Justice for 10 years.


Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson participated in many ribbon cuttings through out his 23 year tenure

Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson participated in many ribbon cuttings through out his 23 year tenure.


In May of 1976 Eufaula's youngest Mayor took on the project of  helping get the funding and completing the construction of the 33 bed municipal Hospital--- here the first administrator George Oakie,  Mayor Joe Johnson then Governor David Boren along with Eufaula city attorney Kenneth Lackey cut the ribbon for the grand opening. This was Johnson first project for the city of Eufaula and he chaired the hospital board  for approximately 10 years before he spearheaded the sale of the Hospital to a private group. It still serves the City of  Eufaula Oklahoma and sets a top of a hill over looking Lake Eufaula with every room having a view of the lake.





Eufaula Oklahoma mayor Joe Johnson cuts the ribbon opening the road for the new industrial access road opening up the forty acre tract for a number of industries that located there. The Oklahoma Mayor was able to obtain funding from the State highway dept to complete the project.  Pictured with Mayor Johnson is several city council members including Don Wilkerson, Eufaula Vice Mayor Glenn Pitman, several chamber members, Oklahoma State Senator Frank Shurden and Oklahoma Main Street Director Les Hall.
Go Vacations took over the 79 house boats first placed by Three Buoys from Canada and offered them for rent on Lake Eufaula Oklahoma here Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson and Eufaula community development director Stan Kelly along with chamber officials and several houseboat employees cut the ribbon welcoming them to Eufaula Oklahoma.

Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson along with Councilman Don Wilkerson and several other Eufaula City and chamber of commerce officials  help with the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Pete's Deli in downtown Eufaula Oklahoma.

Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson cuts the ribbon for the opening of a 24 unit apartment building he and his partner Stan Kelly built near the lakeshore of Lake Eufaula.


A new doctors office opened in downtown Eufaula Oklahoma with Mayor Joe Johnson helping with the ribbon cutting along with several other city and chamber officials.
Eufaula Oklahoma Vice Mayor . school board chairman and several other officials  help Mayor Joe Johnson with the ribbon cutting for a new furniture store locating in the Burham building in downtown Eufaula Oklahoma.
Marks country store added the Specialty shops here owner Barbara Wheeler cuts the ribbon assisted by Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson and several other city officials including Eufaula Vice Mayor Glenn Pittman.

Dr Glenn Odom opens his optometry office on south main in Eufaula Oklahoma here Mayor Joe Johnson and other city and chamber officials cut the ribbon for the grand opening.
A new veterinary clinic opened in Eufaula Oklahoma-- here community development director Stan Kelly Eufaula city councilman John Harkey assist Dr Mike Aday with the ribbon cutting along with employees and chamber members. Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson and his dog Snort assist.

One of  the many achievements Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson was most proud of was getting Braums to locate in Eufaula here he cuts the ribbon with several Braums employees and other Eufaula city officials. The facility brought approximately 30 new jobs to Eufaula Oklahoma. Mayor Johnson worked for several months convincing the owners to locate to his community.

One of the largest houseboat rental company in the world was convinced to locate to Eufaula Oklahoma by Mayor Joe Johnson.Three Bouys houseboats of Canada located a fleet of  79 52 foot boats to Eufaula cove marina and created approximately 50 jobs and thousand of tourism dollars for  Eufaula. Here Mayor Joe Johnson along with Oklahoma State Senator Frank Shurden assist founder Randy Carroll with the ribbon cutting.
A Shears opened her shop on Simpson street in Eufaula Oklahoma offering $5.00 haircuts and became popular fast. Here Mayor Joe Johnson helps with the ribbon cutting.



Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson along with Oklahoma State Senator Frank Shurden cuts the ribbon for the new baseball field the Mayor was able to get the Oklahoma State tourism dept to fund at Eufaula Cove on Lake Eufaula. Others included are State Representative Dusty Rhodes and several city councilman.

Voight motors opens the new Chevrolet dealership on Birks road in Eufaula Oklahoma here Mayor Joe Johnson several city council members, the Voight family and employees cut the ribbon for the grand opening.




Medical Home Health opens a new clinic near the hospital helping with the ribbon cutting is Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson.


Links about Eufaula


Eufaula, Oklahoma on Travelok.com
Eufaula, Oklahoma on Wikipedia.com

'Our Mayor' A Poem by Marie Turley written for Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson

 Written for Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson when he was elected the first time in 1975.  Mrs Turley was a well known local poet and civic leader.  Her husband Elbert was a former Mayor of Eufaula and convinced Johnson into running when he was at thier home doing a feature story on Elbert for the local newspaper the Indian Journal.  Johnson went on to serve 23 years winning 5 elections and never being defeated to the full time post. This was longer than any Mayor in the history of the city
'Our Mayor' A Poem by Grandma Turley Written for Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson







Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Elected Chairman For the Eastern Oklahoma Development district which covers seven counties in Oklahoma

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Elected Chairman For the Eastern Oklahoma Development district which covers seven counties in Oklahoma

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Elected Chairman For EODD

Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Eufaula City Council Members Nominate Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson for OML Rider Award

Eufaula Oklahoma Indian Journal reports


Eufaula City Council Members Nominate Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson for OML Rider Award



Eufaula City Council Members Nominate Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson for OML Rider Award





Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.


Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Appointed To State Municipal League.

 Joe Johnson contiuned to serve on the board of directors  which represents all of the cities  and towns in the state of Oklahoma for 18 years. This was longer than any other elected offical in the leagues 75 year history.
Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson  Appointed To State Municipal League






Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson Selected to Appear in The 1978-79 Edition of Personalities of The South.

Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson Selected to Appear in The 1978-79 Edition of Personalities of The South.  The young Mayor recieved national recognition because of his many accomplishments in municipal  government


Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Selected to Appear in The 1978-79 Edition of Personalities of The South



Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

State Labor Department Presents the City of Eufaula with a special safety award

State Labor Department Presents the City of Eufaula  with a special safety award .  Under Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson's leadership the city went for years without a major accident earning them this award

State Labor Department Gives City of Eufaula Award



Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Settles into Job

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Settles into Job--- the new Mayor was only 24 years old when elected and was considered the youngest Mayor ever elected in the state of Oklahoma at that time in 1975.  His crtics said because of his mustache and longer than convential hair style he could never be elected.  Also he  was   a student at the University of Oklahoma when he ran.


Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Settles into Job


Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

2011-09-14

Joe Johnson- Editor – Mayor – Judge – Chief Justice – Career Manager


Joe Johnson- Editor – Mayor – Judge – Chief Justice – Career Manager

            Joe Johnson has worn many hats during his career. During college he was a student leader and got involved campus politics. He was also the editor of the student news paper while studying journalism. He went on to be the editor of two different weekly’s the Hartshorne Sun and the states oldest the Indian Journal. He ran and won five different terms as Eufaula’s full time Mayor. Johnson served as the Municipal Judge for six years. He was appointed to the Mvskoke Creek nation supreme court by three different chiefs and was selected by the courts other Justices to be the Chief Justice for ten years. Currently he runs a large career consulting firm as Executive Vice President in Texas.
        Years ago, Joe Johnson was covering the city council while working for the Eufaula Indian Journal. He didn’t like some of the things he saw, and being young and brash, he thought he could do a better job.
            He campaigned hard in 1975 for the full time city managerial position, and when the final tally was in, 24-year-old Joe Johnson had become the youngest mayor in the state and held the job continuously longer than any mayor in Eufaula’s history.
            He held the position for over 24 years. The consensus from Eufaula’s citizens, his peers in the city management positions and government professionals is that Joe Johnson has been a strong and effective leader… bringing stability, industrial growth and cultural enrichment to this community along the shore of lake Eufaula.
            As some measure o the respect her earned from his peers in city management, Johnson was elected president of the Oklahoma Municipal League – despite the fact that he served less that the normal tenure on the board of directors before being chosen for the post. He was the first President to be elected two continuing terms in the history of the 75-year-old organization.  Johnson was also the only small town mayor to ever receive the George Nigh Mayor of the Year Awards.
            Johnson is not unduly modest, but while proud of his achievements he passes around accolades to citizens, city employees, and city council members. “Our accomplishments are because off the good help we have.”
            The life-long Eufaula area resident grew up in the Stidham area and finished high school at Crowder in 1968. He then went on to Eastern State College at Wilburton, where he studied journalism – something of a family tradition going back to his great-great uncle, Alexander Posey, a noted Creek statesman who once edited the Eufaula Indian Journal. Johnson then furthered his education at the University of Oklahoma studying pre-law.
            There were many accomplishments under Johnson’s administration. A 7,500 square foot building to house the Department of Human Services was completed in 1983. Located near the Eufaula Hospital, the new Facility is leased from the City by the State of Oklahoma. A thirty-three bed hospital was completed soon after Mayor Johnson took office and was sold after eight years of City ownership at a profit of $1 million.   The proceeds were used to retire the debt for the City’s matching share of the grant for the water plant and to match a CDBG grant, which funded the purchase and renovation of a 7,500 square foot community center. A fire station was purchased in 1983 with sales tax revenue.
            A new 6,000 square foot library was completed in 1986 with Mayor Johnson spearheading the effort to obtain $150,000 in state and private grants. The total cost was $500,000. The balance was made up of donations from local citizens. A new 5,000 square foot building for the McIntosh County Health Department was completed in 1987 and allowed the Department to occupy a new building without any capital outlay.
            In 1986, Mayor Johnson also directed the razing of the original City Hall and remodeling of the former community center into offices for the new City Hall and a completely remodeled jail facility. The original community center was built in 1941 by the National Youth Administration.
            In the past ten years over four hundred houses have been renovated. These primarily elderly citizens who cannot do the work required and could not afford to hire contractors to do the repairs.
            Mayor Johnson also oversees a summer recreation program which offers baseball, swimming, swimming lessons, softball, volleyball and tennis. Mayor Johnson developed the program with the help of local merchants. One of Mayor Johnson’s favorite triumphs was the completion of the new lake access road connection No. 9 highway and Lakeshore Drive.
            Mayor Johnson was responsible for developing a 43 acre Certified Industrial Park.  He has also been a driving force behind the Eufaula Main Street Program. This economic revitalization effort resulted in $1.6 million in private reinvestment in the downtown. the listing of most of the downtown are on the National Register of Historic Places, and public improvements of $500,000. Another byproduct of the Main Street Program is the Transportation System, two 25-passenger buses that are operated by the city of Eufaula, making it the only small city in the state to operate a public operation.
             Mayor Johnson’s achievements go beyond the city limits of Eufaula. He served as secretary for the Eastern Oklahoma Development District for three years and then as chairman for another three years and served on the Board of Directors for several years.  Mayor Johnson was appointed by the Governor and served for six years on the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement Board. He was selected to Who’s Who in the South and Outstanding Young Men of America.
           
            When asked in 1983, Why do you serve?, Johnson replied, “It involves the opportunity to serve in a unique  capacity, to face constantly changing challenges, the new problems and new issues which arise almost daily in municipal government give it a certain quality which other public officials can never experience.”
            Other achievements for Johnson include, being a member of the Oklahoma Conference of Mayors, a member of the Oklahoma Conference of Regional Councils, Past Secretary/Treasurer of the McIntosh County Democratic Central Committee, served on the State Higher Education Alumni of ESC, served on the development council of Connors State College, served on the Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse PAC Board, serving on the Board of Directors for Literacy Council, and served on the OK Travel Industry Association.
            Johnson has two children, Kristi an attorney in Norman. Her husband is the running back coach at OU, Cale Gundy.  Joseph Blake, Johnson’s son is the assistant debate coach at the University of Oklahoma. Blake was also the number one debater in the nation in 2007. Johnson has two grandchildren KC and Caitlin Gundy.

- Morris, Connie, Ed. Eufaula: A Pictorial History 1883-1993. Marceline, MO: Heritage House Publishing, 1993. Print.

            

2011-09-13

Selmon Road dedication in Eufaula Oklahoma

Lucious Selmon holding Selmon Rd street sign on Selmon Brothers day in Eufaula Oklahoma |  Photo by Joe Johnson/ The Indian Journal




Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma.  He was also editor at The Indian Journal. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Lee Roy & Dewey Selmon Signing Papers For OU

Lee Roy & Dewey Selmon Signing Papers For OU

Selmon Brothers & Parents at Fountainhead Resort Eufaula Oklahoma | Photo taken by Joe Johnson when working at The Indian Journal




Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. He was also editor of Indian Journal. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Stidham Oklahoma Birthplace of Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor Joe Johnson.

Stidham Oklahoma Birthplace of Eufaula Oklahoma  Mayor Joe Johnson.
Stidham was once a thriving community in McIntosh county and was even considered for the county seat during statehood back in the early 1900's


Stidham Oklahoma Birthplace of Joe Johnson

About Stidham Oklahoma http://oklahoma.hometownlocator.com/ok/mcintosh/stidham.cfm

The life-long Eufaula area resident grew up in the Stidham area and finished high school at Crowder in 1968. He then went on to Eastern State College at Wilburton, where he studied journalism – something of a family tradition going back to his great-great uncle, Alexander Posey, a noted Creek statesman who once edited the Eufaula Indian Journal. Johnson then furthered his education at the University of Oklahoma studying pre-law.
http://joe-johnson-eufaula-oklahoma.blogspot.com/p/about-joe-johnson-mayor-eufaula.html

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Attends Eufaula Hospital Ribbon Cutting

There were many accomplishments under Johnson’s administration. A 7,500 square foot building to house the Department of Human Services was completed in 1983. Located near the Eufaula Hospital, the new Facility is leased from the City by the State of Oklahoma. A thirty-three bed hospital was completed soon after Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson took office and was sold after eight years of City ownership at a profit of $1 million.   The proceeds were used to retire the debt for the City’s matching share of the grant for the water plant and to match a CDBG grant, which funded the purchase and renovation of a 7,500 square foot community center. A fire station was purchased in 1983 with sales tax revenue.


Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson | Eufaula Hospital Ribbon Cutting

See more http://www.hospital-data.com/hospitals/COMMUNITY-HOSPITAL-LAKEVIEW-EUFAULA.html 

Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.



Joe Johnson Attends The 1968 Eufaula High School 20th Reunion at Fountainhead Resort Eufaula Oklahoma


Joe Johnson- Editor – Mayor – Judge – Chief Justice – Career Manager


            Joe Johnson has worn many hats during his career. During college he was a student leader and got involved campus politics. He was also the editor of the student news paper while studying journalism. He went on to be the editor of two different weekly’s the Hartshorne Sun and the states oldest the Indian Journal. He ran and won five different terms as Eufaula’s full time Mayor. Johnson served as the Municipal Judge for six years. He was appointed to the Mvskoke Creek nation supreme court by three different chiefs and was selected by the courts other Justices to be the Chief Justice for ten years. Currently he runs a large career consulting firm as Executive Vice President in Texas.
        Years ago, Joe Johnson was covering the city council while working for the Eufaula Indian Journal. He didn’t like some of the things he saw, and being young and brash, he thought he could do a better job.
            He campaigned hard in 1975 for the fulltime city managerial position, and when the final tally was in, 24-year-old Joe Johnson had become the youngest mayor in the state and held the job continuously longer than any mayor in Eufaula’s history.
            He held the position for over 24 years. The consensus from Eufaula’s citizens, his peers in the city management positions and government professionals is that Joe Johnson has been a strong and effective leader… bringing stability, industrial growth and cultural enrichment to this community along the shore of lake Eufaula.


Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson at the 1968 Eufaula High School 20th Reunion at Fountainhead Lodge & Resort Eufaula Oklahoma


Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Receives OML Lifetime Membership Award

Eufaula Mayor Johnson Receives OML Lifetime Membership Award



Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Making Of Youngest Mayor No Fluke









Making Of Youngest Mayor No Fluke




Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Mayor Convinced He's Old Enough---- The headline on the front page of The Muskogee Phoenix

Mayor Convinced He's Old Enough---- was the headline on the front page of the Muskogee Phoenix  daily news paper when Joe Johnson was elected Eufaula Oklahoma Mayor at the age of 24  surprising  most political observers that did not think he was old enough to be elected to this full time job running the city.


Mayor Convinced He's Old Enough


Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.



Joe Johnson Receives George Nigh Mayor's Award 1991

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Receives George Nigh Mayor's Award 1991

Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson Receives George Nigh Mayor's Award 1991


Joe Johnson wore many hats and started his political career while attending college at Eastern and at the University of Oklahoma. This was before running and getting elected  Mayor of the City of Eufaula at the age of 24.

Oklahoma general news