Join us in making Muskogee a better place for all families and residents that call Ward 3 their home!
Empowering Community Voices - Right now
Join us in making Muskogee a better place for all families and residents that call Ward 3 their home!
One Mission for a better Muskogee for you
Charles Crawford for Muskogee City Council-WARD 3
I strive to enhance community support through active engagement and collaboration. Our vision is to empower residents and foster a sense of belonging and safety for all that call Muskogee home.
Revitalize community - it starts with you
My name is Charles Crawford and I am running for Muskogee City Council - Ward 3.
I am different from what you are used to and want to clarify why and how that would affect you.
FIRST:
Big government is slow and reactive, not proactive. As my work requires, my companies are run through a voting process. Every “owner” gets a say.
So should you. I will not lead or vote based on my whims or needs or “what I think is best”. This is YOUR DECISION. You will put me in that seat.
This is our community. No one is better than another. I fight hard for this, oftentimes prominently and publicly.
Q). How to accomplish this task quickly and without pause?
A). A City Council seat run by a committee to ensure fairness and equality. Ultimately, by law, I have to make the vote, sit solely in that seat. But, I am bound by my constituents and your opinion matters most - you all in Ward 3.
Q). How do I do this without violating the Open Meetings Act?
A). Carefully. Certain items are private to City Council elected members only. Those matters cannot be discussed publicly. Those include: liabilities to the City and other legal issues, etc.
I will not and can not violate my Oath of Office and will not entertain the notion to do so.
Q). So what can be discussed and decided on by the community?
A). A lot. Public works, infrastucture, housing, roads, water, sewer, storm water. As long as the subject is not private or confidential.
Q). Why do this?
A). I don’t want total control. You benefit or suffer from what your elected officials decide. What if you were a real part of your own life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Corny? Sure! But it’s what our forefathers fought for and based this Country upon.
Q). Can this even be done and not just an empty promise?
A). Yes! The beauty of being in and running businesses is that you have a team. A team of engineers, geologists, hydrologists, farmers, ranchers, industrial designers, surveyors, bankers, lawyers, and accountants. That model works when it is checked by others.
Unchecked, total control is destructive and unfair.
No control is inherently dangerous and ineffective.
THERE IS A MIDDLE.
Q). How will I get to participate?
A). Meetings, ideas and solutions. All compiled and looked at. Every, single one.
There is a difference between “want” and “need”. I will promise or put forth nothing that isn’t legal, fact checked, and strictly conforms to City, County, and State law, code, or ordinance.
Q). Where will my question “show up”?
A). I like spreadsheets, maps, and charts. But this is open to your suggestion. Note: it has to be legal.
Q). Why spend money to get elected and give some power away?
A). Because it is expensive to run for office. It is time consuming. It is a job that doesn’t pay anything, so very few can “afford” to run, time, money, availability.
But everyone has their own life, friends, home, family. Your opinion matters. Not just for the next few weeks to “get your vote”, but my entire 4 year term in office.
Your needs may change, society may change, work and family might change for you.
NOTE: our new City Manager, Kendal Francis has opened up a chance to talk with your government, ask questions, be transparent. This is a GREAT IDEA. I have been to almost every meeting and it is working!
Called “Kendal’s Koffee” or “Coffee With Kendal”, it is a great chance to speak up and learn a lot. Or get some good coffee and “food for thought”
Often, the Muskogee Phoenix is present. You are being heard.
Additionally, City Council meetings are open to the public. They are held at City Hall on the Third Floor, 5:30 PM, usually on Mondays…
These meetings are broadcast live, so you can watch from home or work or later (record).
You must register to speak with the Muskogee City Clerk’s Office, beforehand.
An Agenda is posted on the City’s website. Google “City of Muskogee Agenda and Minutes”, you will find everything, in detail.
SECOND:
The few will no longer control the many.
7-8% of you vote, maybe 10-12% in a major election. If you want to vote, register now. There is a time limit to vote by February 10, 2026.
Stand in a small crowd. If you vote, statics say that the 9 people around you are only 30% likely to vote as well. The number gets smaller as you branch further out. It’s math. But it’s scary.
Don’t vote, I don’t care. You still live here, raise your family here, pay taxes here, depend on social services like Police, Fire, EMS, utilities, taxes, water, roads, and power. Those services are controlled by government, yet YOU pay for it.
You bought it, you should control it!
Moments of Unity and Support in Our Community
