"Significant difference” is how Joe Gallagher, deputy to the commanding general at Fort Sill, describes efforts of the Lawton’s city council and mayor’s actions toward developing greater partnerships between the city, the base and defense contractors.
“Lawton is a great place to live; the people make it what is,” said Gallagher, the highest-ranking civilian at Fort Sill. Gallagher spent 27 years in active duty, some of which were at Fort Sill. He recalled several changes that have been made in Lawton over the years, stating that former Mayor Fred Fitch and current Mayor Stan Booker have done a lot to improve not just the community but also its relationship with the base.
When asked about the FISTA (Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator) and other efforts to build a stronger relationship between the community and the base, Gallagher said, “The work that city leaders are doing will make a significant difference.”
Gallagher spoke highly of the city that he and thousands of servicemen and women call home. He noted there has been improvements in the “hire our spouses” movement. “When you are moving every two to three years, it is hard to build your career.” There still needs to be work done on reducing the timeline concerning reciprocal licenses for professionals, but Gallagher applauded efforts the state government has made in recent years.
According to Gallagher, with active military members, the civilian workforce and retirees, the 93,000 acre base “touches 111,000 people annually” bringing an annual economic impact of $2.89 billion.