What if we could give back to our community’s local heroes while revitalizing our city at the same time?

The Hometown Heroes Land Run is a bold new vision to help teachers, police officers, and firefighters build a future right here in Bartlesville by offering free land for their primary residence.

As part of my campaign for city council, I’m championing this innovative idea to reward those who serve our community while creating stronger, safer neighborhoods.

Why the Hometown Heroes Land Run?

Supporting Our Heroes
Teachers, police officers, and firefighters are the backbone of our community, yet many of them struggle to establish long-term roots in Bartlesville due to lower wages compared to neighboring states. The Hometown Heroes Land Run would give our local heroes the opportunity to build wealth and stability through homeownership.

Revitalizing Our City
At the same time, the program would transform vacant, tax-delinquent lots into vibrant homes, strengthening neighborhoods and raising property values across the city.

How Would It Work?

1. Free Land for Local Heroes
Teachers, police officers, and firefighters serving Bartlesville would have the chance to receive free land to build their primary residence. These lots, currently owned by the city, would be offered at no cost to eligible participants.

2. A Raffle System
To distribute the land fairly, a raffle system would be implemented:

  • One entry for each year of service: The longer you’ve served, the more entries you get. For example, if you’ve been a teacher in Bartlesville for 5 years, you get 5 entries in the raffle.

  • The goal is to reward long-term service and commitment to our community.

3. Preparing for the Raffle
Once the city takes control of the lots, there would be a 90-day public notice period before the raffle. During this time:

  • Participants could visit the available lots.

  • They could also meet with local lenders and developers to create a plan for building a home on the lot.

  • To enter, an applicant must show they have secured funding to build on the property.

Key Stipulations

  • Construction Must Start Within One Year
    The raffle winner would need to begin construction within one year, ensuring that the property is developed quickly.

  • Owner-Occupied for 10 Years
    The home must be owner-occupied for at least 10 years. This ensures the property is used to strengthen the community and not as a rental. The land-winner may sell their house, but the buyer must also be an owner-occupant.

The Benefits for Bartlesville

  • The Hometown Heroes Land Run would provide multiple benefits for our community:

    • Safer, Stronger Neighborhoods: Teachers, police officers, and firefighters living in our neighborhoods would make the entire community safer, more connected, and more stable.

    • Increased Property Values: Transforming vacant lots into new homes raises the value of surrounding properties and improves the overall quality of life in the area.

    • Support for Affordable Housing: Some lots may be zoned for multi-family use, allowing participants to build additional rental units that could help address Bartlesville’s affordable housing needs.

My Vision for Bartlesville

This program is still in its early stages, but I’m committed to making the Hometown Heroes Land Run a reality if elected. Here’s why this initiative is important to me:

  • It rewards those who serve: Our teachers, police officers, and firefighters deserve to be recognized and supported. By giving them the opportunity to own land, we’re helping them build their futures here in Bartlesville.

  • It revitalizes our city: Vacant lots are a drain on city resources and bring down neighborhood property values. By turning these lots into homes, we create stronger, safer, and more vibrant communities.

  • It’s a win for everyone: This initiative not only benefits our local heroes but improves property values, enhances public safety, and generates tax revenue for our schools and services.

Help Me Make This Vision a Reality

How You Can Help:

  • Share this idea: Let teachers, police officers, firefighters, and your neighbors know about the Hometown Heroes Land Run and why it’s important for Bartlesville’s future.

  • Give your feedback: I want to hear your thoughts on how we can improve and refine this idea.

  • Vote for me on November 5th: If you believe in ideas like the Hometown Heroes Land Run, I need your support to make this vision a reality.

Together, we can build a future where our heroes are rewarded, our city is revitalized, and Bartlesville continues to thrive.