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Atoka residents press board on door-to-door solicitors, check-register transparency and website costs
Summary
During public comment, residents urged a solicitor permit, expressed alarm about a persistent canvasser asking about children, and asked for clearer check-register details and more options for a proposed website vendor.
Residents used the Atoka public-comment period on Sept. 9 to press elected leaders on neighborhood safety, municipal transparency and proposed website spending.
Pam Givens asked whether the Board of Aldermen can overturn planning commission approvals if they believe a proposed project is not in the town’s interest; Mayor Barry Aiken explained the board sets zoning ordinances and could deny an applicant but warned that an applicant who meets zoning requirements may have legal recourse. "The board sets the parameters by approving the zoning and the ordinances that lay out the foundation for the planning commission," Aiken said.
A resident identified as Dennis asked the board to consider a solicitor-permit ordinance after reports on social media about a canvasser known locally as “Mark the Education Man.” Dennis described the canvasser’s behavior as troubling: "He's coming at late at night, like, 09:00... he's disturbing families... he kind of forces his way into people's homes," and said he reported the matter to police. Mayor Aiken and staff indicated citizens may file complaints with police and suggested a solicitor-permit process is a reasonable topic for board consideration.
Resident Vicky Gallagher raised questions about the town’s check register and multiple phone/Internet charges she saw in the packet, asking whether the finance reports could include clearer notes describing what each charge covers. Town staff and the finance representative said departmental billing and multiple fund accounts often produce separate line items and invited Gallagher to request more detailed reports; staff also offered electronic access to full records.
On a related technology issue, resident Stephanie Borman—who said she has substantial experience with websites—questioned the proposed new vendor and suggested the town could leverage existing systems or consider local vendors. The board postponed a website-vendor vote and asked staff to return 2–3 bids, including local options, and cost breakdowns for a 12-month period.
Board members said staff will follow up with legal and procurement details where needed and return updated documentation at future meetings.
