The Chickasaw Nation strives to be a positive impact for its citizens and neighbors in many areas of life including public safety, roads, environmental protection and community outreach.
The Lighthorse Police Department (LPD) keeps the peace and provides vital support to law enforcement agencies throughout the Chickasaw Nation. The LPD consists of 26 full-time sworn officers and nine support personnel. In FY 2009, the LPD responded to almost 12,000 calls for service.
Inter-agency cooperation between the LPD and community, state and national law enforcement is an ongoing initiative of the LPD. In FY 2009, the LPD entered into new cross deputation agreements with the city of Tishomingo and Stephens County. The LPD crime analysis office has integrated its operations with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma criminal intelligence Fusion Center. The LPD also participated in a national level terrorism preparation exercise with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The LPD also actively participates in providing educational and volunteer services to the communities it serves. In FY 2009, the LPD, in partnership with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, implemented an anti-methamphetamine public awareness and education campaign. The "Be A Winner-Stand Your Ground" anti-meth campaign has been presented by LPD officers through numerous presentations to community groups and schools.
The tribe's roads program completed a number of significant projects in FY 2009. Roads that have seen improvement in the past year include the Pickett Housing Road, the Springer Housing Road, Price Road and Ag Road. The roads program also includes Chickasaw private driveway repair and construction for Chickasaw elders and families living within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation. In FY 2009, 38 driveways for Chickasaw citizens were completed and many more are on the way.
Each week, many tribal citizens depend on the services of the transportation department for the delivery of medications and for rides to and from health care facilities for medical appointments and other needs. Despite record breaking fuel costs, the Chickasaw Nation continued to provide safe and dependable transportation and deliveries to more than 3,400 clients, made more than 10,800 trips and logged more than 580,000 miles in FY 2009.
Other accomplishments:
- The Chickasaw Nation Emergency Energy Assistance Program assists individuals with home heating and cooling bills and energy assistance. In FY 2009, nearly 1,500 Chickasaws received aid through this program.
- The Chickasaw Times was redesigned to make it more engaging and reader friendly to the nearly 27,000 subscribers of the monthly paper. The full online version of the Times is scheduled to launch next year.
- More than 750 animals received rabies vaccinations at Chickasaw Nation area offices throughout the year.
- The area offices distributed more than 1,600 Thanksgiving baskets and more than 1,700 Christmas baskets to needy families during the holidays.
- Chickasaw Farms harvested more than 24,000 lbs. of vegetables in FY 2009. The majority of the produce is distributed to senior sites, the culinary program, nutrition services and the Get Fresh! healthy eating program.
- The Chickasaw Farms program implemented a new program for Chickasaw homeowners living within the Chickasaw Nation. A benefit designed to improve the overall appearance and value of Chickasaw homes, each homeowner is eligible for three trees, six shrubs, two flats of flowers, three ornamental grasses and up to 8,000 square feet of sod.
- The computer distribution program provided more than 400 new computers to Chickasaw families in FY 2009.
McSwain Theatre
Continuing to provide quality entertainment for the entire family
Built in 1920 as a venue for silent films and vaudeville acts, the McSwain Theatre in Ada has undergone extensive renovations over the past few years. It has re-opened and is reclaiming its place as a beacon of entertainment for communities of southeastern Oklahoma.
The McSwain Theatre's new classic and elegant interior brings performances to life as local and national artists perform country, rock, gospel and oldies music, as well as comedy acts, magic shows and more.
In addition to restoring the structural integrity of the historic theatre, renovations included modernizing the McSwain with needed amenities such as elevators and accessibility for handicapped patrons. The theatre was also equipped with proper sound, lighting and multimedia systems.
The redesigned stage area features wood flooring, quality design work and burgundy stage curtains embroidered in gold. The stage-level viewing area and an upper and lower balcony provide seating for more than 560 people.
The second floor contains a large meeting area for art galleries and other events. The third floor houses special services, community outreach and McSwain Theatre staff. The theatre also houses a concession stand area, dressing rooms, restrooms and a prop storage area.
In 1929, the McSwain Theatre was the site for the first "talkie" picture in Ada, which was "Canary Murder Case," a Paramount-released murder mystery. To accommodate the new era of "motion" pictures, the theatre went through extensive renovations in 1935. The newly renovated McSwain Theatre was the scene for many high profile events over the next several years.
In 1946, the world premiere of "Home in Oklahoma" debuted at the McSwain Theatre starring Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Gabby Hayes. During the 1960s and 70s, movies such as "Psycho," "Cool Hand Luke," "The Godfather" and "Star Wars" were popular features for McSwain patrons. Then in 1991, the theatre became home to country-style entertainment starring local favorites and legendary country artists.
Forever remembered as an Ada-area hot spot for entertainment, the McSwain Theatre is once again alive and bringing back traditional favorites as well as introducing a variety of entertainment to accommodate audiences of all ages.
