Meet the candidate

On Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 voters will take to the polls to vote on a mayor for Bristow. This election there are three candidates in the race for the mayoral position.

Bristow's current mayor, Rick Pinson, is seeking reelection. Pinson is a native Bristownian, born and raised, graduating Bristow High School. In 1971, Pinson joined the US Army. After completing his enlistment, Pinson attended the truck driving training program at Central Tech, formerly Central Vo Tech, in Drumright. After driving a semi for over 30 years, he went back to Central Tech, in Sapulpa, for advanced security training, achieving a CLEET license, working a year for Creek Nation before moving on to Hillcrest Medical Center for eight years. Since 2019, Pinson has served the community of Bristow as mayor.

Pinson said he decided to run for mayor as he saw that the town had become very stagnate, there was no growth and no improvements. “I have a deep passion for this community,” says Pinson, “I have the ability to bring people of all backgrounds and skills together in effective teams to better the community for everyone.”

“If re-elected, I intend to complete the current hospital projects that are in progress,” said Pinson. “I want to ensure the completion and renovation of the swimming pool is complete and work with economic development teams to complete the hotel and northern economic projects that are currently in motion and ensure the south residential housing development is completed, along with working with economic development teams to bring in new businesses for more better paying jobs,” he said.

When asked where he saw Bristow at the end of his term, he said, “I would like to see Bristow in a state of growth, with many completed projects and many in the works. I would like to leave a blueprint and a vision for the future of the community to be sustainable and prosperous.”

Kris Wyatt is seeking the seat for mayor. After graduating OU, Wyatt and her husband Bob, looked for a community midway between Tulsa and Oklahoma City to raise their sons. Bristow checked all the boxes. They have now resided in Bristow for 27 years. Wyatt has four step children, two sons, nine grandchildren and two great grand children.

Wyatt graduated from high school in Ohio. After moving to Oklahoma, she attended Rogers State University in Claremore. She has a bachelor's of art in elementary education from Langston University and in 1995 she received a bachelors of science from the Oklahoma College of Medicine ( physicians assistance

program).

Wyatt has been on the city council for four years. “I have been successful in meeting the needs of the citizens in her ward.” Wyatt says, “I enjoy connecting with people and addressing their quality-of-life concerns.”

Outside of the city council, Wyatt was successful in launching a first of its kind recycling program, Replenysh, collecting over 200 tons of material to date, and sold that material, raising thousands of dollars for scholarships and local charities. Wyatt also helped to organize the founding of the new Narcotics Anonymous chapter in Bristow. Wyatt also was the president and founder of the Bristow Habitat for Humanity, helping coordinate a donation of $20,000 to the Bristow Social Services.

Wyatt said, “I have enjoyed being of service to this community and as mayor I plan to continue that by donating a minimum of 75% of my net salary to local causes and nonprofits. I plan to decline the city employee healthcare coverage, which costs the city $20,000 a year, and introduce a resolution to earmark those funds towards other city needs,” said Wyatt.

Wyatt said, “At the end of my term, I see Bristow as a shining star on the Mother Road.”

Justus Riley

The third candidate seeking election is Justus Riley. Riley was raised in Slick and attend Bristow Public Schools, graduating with the Class of 1995. After high school, Riley started his career traveling all over the United States working in the oil and gas industry. Riley brought his family back to Bristow in 2018 when he purchased some property. Shortly afterwards, he opened an office for his current company with profitable success after six months. Since that, the company has grown to a multimillion dollar company throughout the Midwest and southern regions.

Riley has resided in Bristow for the past five years. He says he moved back to Bristow to be closer to family along with giving his children a school system the Riley was familiar with. Riley said, “I believe Bristow has some of the most caring and supportive teachers and staff members in Oklahoma.”

Riley said he feels strongly that Bristow is in a stagnant state. The community has not progresses or regressed in the last ten years. He says, “If new businesses come to town, I feel old businesses will leave. My focus is to bring new business to town along with retaining the businesses that have been faithful to the city.”

In his position with his company, he oversees daily operation, handles all finances, retaining his existing business as well as acquiring new business, oversees inventory and all customer relations.

Riley says the future growth of Bristow is lowering axes, transperancy, safety, acess to new jobs, well maintainance of our roads and bridges, bringing in new business and increasing the population of the city and retaining the existing businesses. Riley said, “I would like to incorporate more famiy friendly activities to the community.” Riley said, “If elected, at the end of my term I see population growth, lower taxes, better water and sewer systems, and a stronger community. Outsiders will have a better perspective of our beautiful town of Bristow.”