Scoufos Law Named Member of the Month; Clean Line Energy Promotes Transmission Line

Jennifer and Fourth Scoufos, above, accept the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Member of the Month for March award from Chamber President Shannon Vann, right, at the chamber luncheon Wednesday at People Inc. Scoufos has been with the Scoufos Law Office in Sallisaw since 1999. Judy Martens, chamber executive director, said, “Never do we have a need that Fourth and Jennifer don’t step up to fill it.”

Max Shilestone, director of business development for Clean Line Energy, was the guest speaker at the luncheon.

Clean Line Energy is developing transmission lines for wind generated power from Oklahoma’s panhandle to other areas of the country. One line is planned to go through Sequoyah County and eventually to north of Memphis, Tenn., to deliver power to the Tennessee Valley Authority. The project has met with much opposition by both individuals and governments in the area.

Shilestone said the line, which is privately financed, will deliver enough power for one million homes.

He said easements for the transmission lines are 150 feet wide, much smaller than those for other transmission lines.

The county could benefit from about $1.2 million in ad valorem taxes for the easements, Shilestone said.

Shilestone said it is expected that construction will begin in 2018, and transmission would begin in 2020. The company is investing over $1 billion in the project, he said.

Shilestone said, “The best wind in the country is right here in the middle – the rib – of the United States.” And the best wind in the middle is in the Oklahoma Panhandle, he said.

In other business, Chamber President Shannon Vann reported over $90,000 was raised for youngsters at the Sequoyah County Junior livestock Show, which is believed to be a new record.

Upcoming events:

-April 4 at 6 p.m. the Harlem Ambassadors will play the Diamond Dunkers at the Sallisaw High School gym. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and general admission at the door is $5. Children age 5 and under will be admitted free.

-April 26 at 6 p.m. will be the Community DodgeBrawl Tournament to benefit the Sallisaw High School Senior Class. The dodgeball tournament will be held at the Sallisaw High School gym, and the entry fee, due by April 20, is $25. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place and a special prize will be awarded for the most creative uniforms.

-June 2-4 will be the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce Diamond Daze Festival, which will feature country music stars the Brothers Osborne and Tracy Lawrence. The Brothers Osborne will perform at 7:30 p.m. June 3 and Tracy Lawrence will perform at 7:30 p.m. June 4. Local artists will be featured in the Battle of the Bands at 7 p.m. on June 2. Admission is $5 per carload on June 2, $10 per person of June 3 and $5 per carload until 5 p.m. on June 4. After 5 p.m. admission will be $10 per person. For a complete Diamond Daze schedule visit www.sallisawchamber.com or call the chamber at 918-775-2558.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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