Lawton Ward 4 runoff candidate preview: George Gill & Tiffiney Dimery
Registered voters in Lawton's Ward 4 will take to the polls for a second time on November 18 to make their final decision on who will be representing their area.
Registered voters in Lawton's Ward 4 will take to the polls for a second time on November 18 to make their final decision on who will be representing their area. The September 9 election came down to incumbent George Gill and Tiffiney Dimery. Dimery received a majority of the votes from the original selection of candidates, but didn't reach over 50%, which led to the runoff.
Dark Roast staff sent each candidate the same seven questions. Below are the answers, copied and pasted, from each candidate.
Q: Give us a bit of background on yourself (experience, time in Lawton, etc…)?
Gill: I was born in Lawton and went to a great school junior/high school. I graduated Lawton High School, and attended Oklahoma University where I received a degree in military science. Further, I gained a BS in math engineering in advanced studies. Upon receiving my BS degree, I was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Hence, I was four years ROTC, went in the military as a second lieutenant first tour. I did an overseas tour came back and did my last tour at Fort Sill again as a battery commander with the rank of captain. I started a construction engineering and development company and for the last 56 years this company has been working around Lawton building projects, doing developments, doing roads and subdivisions. This all done with five other companies I also own and run today. I am CEO and owner of GCG properties which is an engineering consultant and a development firm.
Dimery: I’m an Army veteran with 18 years of service, and I’ve called Lawton home since 2014. I worked for the Farm Service Agency before earning my real estate license in 2016 and work with Coldwell Banker Salute, helping families find their homes right here in our community. Ive been married for 28 years and have four children, one of whom we lost two years ago to a fentanyl overdose. We also have six grandchildren who are a big part of why I care so deeply about Lawton’s future. I’ve been serving our community through volunteer work with various local organizations, and I also serve as a Precinct Official with the county election board. I’m running because I want to be part of making Lawton a place where people are proud to live, work, and raise their families.
Q: How do you feel after seeing the September 9 election results?
Dimery: Honestly, I wasn't sure what the outcome would be, but after receiving majority of the votes, it was a confidence booster and eye opener that people are ready for change.
Gill: With five people in the race for ward 4 councilman, it was very probable that there would be a runoff. Henceforth, there is a runoff. I was not surprised, but a little disappointed that more people did not get out and vote. We had a very low turnout as we did across the complete city for an election of this nature, but unfortunately that’s what happens in elections these days.
Q: What efforts have you taken to further campaign?
Gill: I’ve taken quite a bit of effort in getting out to my constituents in ward four. I’ve walked almost every door in every subdivision to include all of the different subdivisions crossword for which is a little over 5000 and some odd registered voters. I hope they all turn up at the polls. I’ve left door knockers. I’ve talked to constituents. I’ve listened to some of their concerns, but I’ve never had any problems with my constituents being able to get a hold of me, so a lot of them I had talked to in the past. It was good to get out and see all of them again through my ward. Be familiar with everything that’s going on I do this ever so often so in some respects things didn’t change just out kindling other conversations and other problems that are every day operations inward for this also answers the question about furthering my campaign
Dimery: Door knocking has been my biggest impact, and I enjoy getting out and talking to residents and listening to their concerns. It's important for the citizens to know that you care and are willing to put them first.
Q: What got you interested in running in the first place?
Dimery: When my family and I decided to make Lawton our home, I knew I wanted to stay engaged and contribute to the decisions shaping our city’s future. I’m running because I believe in being part of the process that will impact not just us, but generations to come.
Gill: I got interested in running in the first place because this is my hometown, I was born here. I came back here after the military and started my business which has been good for me. I’ve done well in Lawton. I have all my family in Lawton, I have six brothers and sisters, several aunts and uncles, so as I said, Lawton is my hometown. I’m proud of Lawton and I wanted to see it grow maybe just a little bit faster pace than what it had been. There were lots of things that needed to be done: infrastructure, streets, bringing a new industry a lot after all as I stated in the debate last night, the lifeblood of the city is in fact, new jobs better jobs in industry to provide those and schooling and education and here again jobs to bring our children once I go off to the universities and colleges to bring them back. I’ll have a place to come back in a job to receive so I’m all about Lawton.
Q: What would you say to reaffirm the idea that you are the best candidate for this position?
Gill: I think that’s real simple just check my record. For the last three years, over 50 miles of roads, $180 million in infrastructure as far as water and sewer lines. We have new cables, new fibers, and we’re doing construction all over town in ward 4. Three brand new parks, complete with new equipment, complete new playgrounds. I’ve done a lot in the last three years. I’m real proud of that. I think I am the best candidate. Like I said, my record will show that and I want to continue that record.
Dimery: I’ve dedicated my entire adult life to serving others, and I want to continue that same spirit of service with the City of Lawton. Over the past few months, I’ve shown that I’m the people’s choice, not just through the recent election results, but by being out in the community, meeting residents, and truly listening to their concerns. My commitment is to represent their voices and work hard to make a positive difference for everyone in Lawton.
Q: What areas are you looking to address in your ward?
Dimery: I receive calls every day from residents who feel unheard and overlooked. Addressing those concerns and ensuring their voices are represented will be my top priority. Many issues in the ward have gone unresolved for too long, and my focus will be on making sure residents see real action and accountability from their city government.
Gill: What are the areas that I’m looking to improve in my area of course infrastructure is already in place our city parks are brought up to way above standards so I’m still working on roads and streets. I accomplished getting cash road done from flower mound to 45th and my first term. I did two segments of new road on Rogers Lane in Ward four I also did Gore Boulevard all the way from Laurie Tatum to flower mound both lanes on the southside double lane in the northside double lane so I’ve been working on roads and Ward four have many more to go. I’m also working on the traffic signals changing those putting permissive arrow turns up where you don’t have to sit there once it’s all clear you’re able to make left-hand turns in other words, bring our traffic system into the 21st-century.
Q: How do you feel Ward 4 has been represented in the past and how do you plan to change that, if at all?
Gill: I want to be positive in answering this so I’m just gonna say that my record stands of what I’ve done already I’ve made great changes in ward 4. Easier to get around with traffic, better streets to drive on, better parks for our children to play and there’s still more to come. That’s why I’m seeking another three years.
Dimery: Ward 4 is unique in many ways and doesn’t face some of the same challenges other wards experience. Overall, I believe it has been represented fairly. However, there’s always room to strengthen communication and engagement, so residents feel more connected to the decision-making process and confident that their voices are being heard.
The City of Lawton has a history of low-voter turnout. We did a story over the number of people taking to the polls before the Sept. 9 election. You can read that story below. Many people say voting local is just as important as the national elections, as your local representatives shape your immediate life, from the roads you drive on to the quality of living in your area.
Seth Marsicano
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