By Conrad Easterday

Mayor Chris Mosley’s decision not to seek a fourth term at the helm of city government wasn’t an easy one. Many factors played into the decision, but two interconnected reasons had the greatest influence.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, but it takes a lot of time,” Mosley explained. “Twice I’ve been interim city manager, working 80-90 hours a week, attending 450 meetings in six years. I didn’t want to put my personal life ahead of Chickasha.”
During those three two-year terms as mayor and 415 days as interim city manager, Mosley also strove to excel at his full-time job as vice president of Mosley Agency, Inc., a family insurance agency that also employs Mosley’s brother, Mike, and Mosley’s sons, Kyle and Cooper. The agency has been in business continuously for 72 years.
While mayor, he also served as chair of the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma and chair of the Board of Regents of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha.
Upon stepping down from the mayor’s post April 15, Mosley will have more time to devote to insurance, without worrying about the state and fate of the City of Chickasha.
“I think we’re moving in a really good direction,” he said. “We’ve turned the ship around (and) made some great strides. We’ve got a solid city manager and a solid city council.”
Leaving at the end of his third term will allow him to achieve his aim of “going out on top rather than crashing into the ground.” It’s important to Mosley to finish his tenure with the mayor’s gavel with the same energy that he started six years ago, he said.
Another local businessperson is the old mayor’s choice for the new mayor.
Zach Grayson is currently vice mayor and a councilman on the eight-person Chickasha City Council. Grayson oversees Interurban of Chickasha, a family restaurant.
“I’ve got a ton of respect for Zach,” Mosley said of his decision to endorse Grayson. “He knows his way around a balance sheet.”
Grayson and any other contenders for the mayor’s post and four open city council positions will have to file for candidacy no later than today, Feb. 7. Each of the four city council posts represent different geographical wards where candidates must reside. However, all voters regardless of where they live can vote in all of the ward elections.
Mosley said he may no longer be on the ballot, but he still plans to make an impact on Chickasha’s future.
“I don’t plan on being silent by any means,” he said. “I’ll find something to volunteer for.”
Mosley is proud of the new dialogue among Chickasha’s most important groups. Entities that once ignored each other are now working together, Mosley said. They are “no longer working in silos. They’re all talking to each other.”
A Facebook post Nov. 29, explained more about Mosley’s decision:
Over the past 5 and 1/2 years I have been honored to serve as your mayor. When I began in this role, I had four primary goals that I felt were my highest priority.
One; work to establish financial stability of the City. Two; enhance relationships with the Chickasha Public Schools, Grady County, USAO, Technology Center, EDC, and Chamber. I’ve worked to develop these lines of communications so that we may move our community forward more efficiently. Three; inspire the expanded development of downtown and create a community where folks would want to move. And four; start the process of rebuilding infrastructure. A water treatment plant and water infrastructure are in the design stage now and physical work should begin within 12 months. A street program will be brought to council very soon as well as work sessions concerning our parks. So much to do and so little time it seems. Goal one was critical.
I am proud to work for you. By April 2024 I will have attended approximately 276 scheduled meetings, 415 days as interim city manager, and there are dozens of special meetings such as speaking to our children at Chickasha Schools, Technology Center and many other groups. It has been an incredible honor to represent you and our entire community.
We have accomplished a lot, but we have so much more to do. Some things went well and there are several things I would do differently. It has been an incredible privilege to meet many citizens, other elected officials, and the city staff and our incredible employees. I am proud of them all.
I read a book which talks about the Infinite Game. Chickasha is infinite and what I work towards is trying to serve the next generation. But also addressed is being finite. I am finite, we all are. I feel I am helping the next council with my work today as Mayor. However, I do know that I cannot do it indefinitely.
All this stated, I will not be seeking a fourth term as mayor. This is a decision I made back in August, but feel it is time to announce that my days as your mayor will end next April.
It has been an honor to serve you and I am blessed.

­— Mayor Chris Mosley