RhondaWhitsetthaslived in Marshall County for 33 years and been the Clerk and Treasurer for the Town of Oakland for 14 years. She said running for the position was out of necessity. That same necessity is the reason she cares about her role and the town that she calls home.
Whitsett takes on many responsibilities within the town and said she hopes to lead by example to encourage others to step up and be more active in their local and county government.
Whitsettandherhusband, Steve have been married for 32 years; they have two adult sons, and a two-yearold grandson that she said she adores.
The Madill Record was able to sit down with Whitsett for a short Q&A for the residents of Marshall County to get to know her.
Q: Tell our readers about yourself, where were you born?
A: I was born and raised in Redding, Calif. I moved out here when I was 18 and met my husband; we have been married for 32 years. So, I have been around here for quite a while.
Q: What brought you to Oklahoma?
A: Both sides of my family, are from Southeastern Oklahoma.Andsomeonethat I knew from Redding, that lived out here and they came down and got me and moved me here. And that was that, been here since.
Q: Tell our readers aboutyoureducationand background.
A: I went to school at Murray. I started out, first off in nursing. First off, I started off at Shasta College, in California. I started out there in pharmacy. Then I came out here, transferred to nursing, found out that I and my sickness do not get along. ThenIwentintoteachingand then transferred to business school at OSU. So, I have done it all.
Q: Who did you land here at your current role in the Town of Oakland?
A: I was having issues with my water pressure. I complained about the water pressure because when we got into our house there was no water pressure. I had to get water from the bathtub to bring in to do dishes, for years.
And I would complain and they told me to do something about it, so when the position came open I was notified by somebody that hey that position is open. So I applied and got the position and was elected. I got us a new water tower to fix the problem.
That was 14 years ago. And not only do we have a new water tower we have boosterpumpsandnewwater lines. We are getting ready to replace the last metal lines in Oakland.
Q: You see and hear about a lot of people these days that complain on social mediaaboutonething or another but take no action. You however, saw a problem within your community and you did take action. What do you have to say to encourage others to take action and step up?
A: Actions speak louder than words. Everybody should attend council meetings, becauseyoudonotknow what is going on if you don’t participate. They want to say that you are the problem but no one wants to help.
I have so many more people that like me than do not like me. You always got the “keyboard warriors” who like to talk crap, you know, behind the keyboard; I never respond to that stuff.
Everybodywilltagmeand tell me all about it but I do not respond because that is feeding into whatever they have got going on in their brain. You just look at the people who are doing the complaining and that is your answer right there.
Q; Besides being the town clerk and treasurer what other hats do you wear?
A: Everything because, honestly the town council and the mayor only come here when we have a meeting or if they are needed. So, I basically take care of most everything. I have even read meters and replaced them. The thing is that if it has to be done, someone has to do it.
Q: Would you say that it comes from a sense of ownership, that makes you want to step up and take on those responsibilities?
A: Yes, this is my community and I want it to be the best that it can be.
Q: When you aren’t workingandoutchanging meters, what do you and your family like to do?
A: Well, my husband works all the time, so, I like to hang out with my family. We have gotten to where we like to cruise, now.
We have been going on some cruises. We have been to Alaska, we have been to Canada,wejustgotbackfrom the Bahamas and Mexico. Now we are getting ready to go to Honduras. in August.
Q: Which one is your favorite so far?
A: I don’t know if I have a favorite. Being away.
Q: Being away is your favorite, just that sense of disconnecting. A Lot of people do not take the time to do that, they feel like they have to keep pushing forward. What would you say to encourage them to take that needed time off?
A: Get out and do something. You gotta have that break,yougottagetaway.We never did until 2019, when I won a cruise. That is when we went to Canada. And it kind of just got me hooked. Of course we did not get to do anything during covid, but now we have been going and we enjoy it.
Q:Whatisyourfavorite cruise activity?
A: We go to all the shows. We try to do everything we can. It is all included, so why not.
Q: Is there anything that you would like to say to the readers?
A: Be nicer to people on social media. They do not realize that they may be venting, but we still have feelings and it hurts.