-
Pam Polk, who began her duties April 5 as Durant city manager, talks to Mike and Charlene Ridgway during a welcome reception April 11 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center & Library. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat
New Durant City Manager Pam Polk was welcomed with a reception in her honor April 11 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center & Library.
Durant City Council voted unanimously during a Jan. 30 to hire Polk, who began her duties April 5.
Polk began her municipal career in 1996 serving as city clerk for the City of Mangum before becoming the Mangum city manager in 2002. She had been city manager in the City of Collinsville since July 2005 before coming to Durant. Polk also is a former Durant resident having worked for Southeastern Oklahoma State University for about 12 years.
“I am very excited for Ms. Polk to begin working in Durant and look forward to working with her for the betterment of our wonderful community,” Durant Mayor Martin Tucker said, after Polk was hired. “She has the professional experience necessary, an excitement about where Durant is going and I believe Pam will be a wonderful fit for our city.”
During last week’s reception, council member Lauran Fuller expressed excitement that Polk is here, something she said everyone can agree with.
“We are excited about the leadership she’s going to bring to this community,” Fuller said. “We know we’ve got great things coming. We are looking forward as a leadership team to build and grow stronger and that we will have nothing but positive results in the future.”
Vice Mayor Mike Simulescu said, “We’re excited to have Pam get started here and we appreciate her taking her time to start here the last two weeks and look forward to working with her over the next few years.”
Polk said that coming back to Durant has just been a joy and that she already bought a home here. She also has family members that live in Durant, including sons Chaz Polk and Dr. Jason Carper, plus grandchildren.
”I moved from here 30 years ago and it just feels great to be home,” Polk said. “I’m looking forward to working with the council and the citizens and the staff to help move Durant forward.”
Rick Rumsey had been serving as interim city manager and Tucker thanked him for serving in the interim capacity.
“He’s done great work for us as well as an interim city manager and also other roles,” Tucker said. “But’s he’s been a godsend to the City of Durant while we were in the process of getting Pam, here so we’re very thankful.”