YUKON PATHWAYS
Thoughts on community, leadership, and life from Mayor Brian Pillmore's bi-weekly newspaper column in Yukon, Oklahoma.
His Name Shall Be Called (Christmas Series 4 of 4)
Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. Each name speaks volumes. This isn't a feel-good moment—it's a royal proclamation. The King is here.
Dec 23, 2025
His Name Shall Be Called (Christmas Series 4 of 4)
Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. Each name speaks volumes. This isn't a feel-good moment—it's a royal proclamation. The King is here.
Read moreDec 16, 2025
The Government Shall Be Upon His Shoulder (Christmas Series 3 of 4)
Isaiah didn't say 'the church choir' shall be upon His shoulder. He said the government. This child came to take the throne—ultimate power, ultimate justice, ultimate peace.
Read moreDec 9, 2025
Unto Us a Son is Given (Christmas Series 2 of 4)
This wasn't just anyone's kid. 'Son of Man' comes from Daniel 7—a global ruler demanding allegiance. Not a theory. Not a metaphor. A literal, unstoppable, global reign.
Read moreDec 2, 2025
Unto Us a Child is Born (Christmas Series 1 of 4)
This wasn't just a baby. This was a coronation. The magi brought gifts fit for royalty, shepherds bowed in awe, and Herod resorted to bloodshed. The King had come.
Read moreNov 22, 2025
The Art of Thankfulness
My father writes down two things he's thankful for every evening. This quiet practice has become one of his greatest sources of strength. This Thanksgiving, I'm committing to do the same.
Read moreNov 8, 2025
What Makes Us Civilized? (Part 5 of 5)
Roads are mobility, connection, and commerce. When roads crumble, civilization crumbles. Yukon is investing in 273 lane-miles of roadway to ensure safe passage for generations to come.
Read moreNov 1, 2025
What Makes Us Civilized? (Part 4 of 5)
Water-borne illness killed our great-grandparents. Today, clean water is essential to civilization—and Yukon is planning for redundant, sustainable sources for the next 50 to 100 years.
Read moreOct 25, 2025
What Makes Us Civilized? (Part 3 of 5)
The last flush. That bowl is empty. When wastewater systems fail, civilization breaks down. Yukon is investing in generational repairs to ensure this never happens.
Read moreOct 18, 2025
What Makes Us Civilized? (Part 2 of 5)
In the wilderness of Alaska, help is hours away. In Yukon, Oklahoma, our fire department and emergency medical personnel arrive in 5 to 8 minutes. That difference is civilization.
Read moreOct 11, 2025
What Makes Us Civilized? (Part 1 of 5)
What holds civilization together? Five basic elements—from safety in our homes to clean water flowing from our taps—form the invisible threads of our daily lives.
Read moreSep 13, 2025
Brotherhood and the Open Road
What do you get when five guys pile into a car in a foreign country with nothing but Google Maps, a Bible, and a sense of humor? A deeper sense of brotherhood and a reminder of the value of male friendships.
Read moreAug 30, 2025
Conservatives greatest opportunity
One of the greatest opportunities that conservatives have over the next decade is to embrace the Latino population into the conservative movement. We share core values: God, Family, Community and Work.
Read moreAug 16, 2025
Endless Summers
Do you remember a summer that seemed to never end? Endless summers may slip away with the shorter days, but they never truly end. They live on, etched into our hearts.
Read moreAug 2, 2025
More than conquerors
One thing I did not expect after being elected was the number of people that would pray for me. Paul's words about being 'more than conquerors' take on new meaning when you understand what true conquest looks like.
Read moreJul 18, 2025
It's hard to imagine what you haven't seen
Imagination is a compilation, in new order and significance, of what we have already seen or experienced. After seeing LaGuardia's transformation, what could we imagine for Yukon?
Read moreJul 5, 2025
The Spy Who Planted Trees
Sometimes the most heroic acts don't come with explosions or headlines. Sometimes, they grow—quietly—in the form of trees. A lesson from Eli Cohen about quiet courage and strategic thinking.
Read moreMay 24, 2025
Experience is a Hard Teacher
Experience is a hard teacher; it gives you the test first and the lesson later. Like Robert Fulghum, I could write 'All I Really Needed to Know I Learned as a Resident Advisor.'
Read moreMay 14, 2025
Not a Straight Line
The path forward is rarely a straight line. City-building isn't either. We're at an inflection point, but I'm more excited than ever for Yukon's future.
Read moreMay 10, 2025
Living My Oath
A year ago, I was sworn in as a City Council member. That night, and each day since then, I have been living my oath: 'I will faithfully discharge my duties as City Council Member to the best of my ability.'
Read moreApr 16, 2025
There are only three cities
There are only 3 cities: New York, San Francisco and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland. But Yukon has a distinct identity that makes it one of the great ones.
Read moreApr 12, 2025
Leaving More for the Next Generation
True inheritance extends beyond financial assets. What memories, lessons, strengths, social connections or other wealth are you passing down?
Read moreMar 15, 2025
Braum's: Oklahoma's Great Equalizer
In a world that often feels divided, places like Braum's remind us of what we share. It's more than an ice cream and burger joint—it's a great equalizer where everyone belongs.
Read moreMar 1, 2025
Accepting Mortality and Embracing Life
Spoiler alert: You will die. The real question isn't about safety—it's about living. As William Wallace said, 'Every man dies, not every man truly lives.'
Read moreFeb 15, 2025
Inaccurate assumptions and genuine character
Zacchaeus gets a bad name, often unfairly labeled as a thief. His name means 'innocent' or 'pure' - suggesting he was misunderstood and unjustly vilified by those quick to judge.
Read moreFeb 1, 2025
It's a feature, not a bug
My failing bathroom light fixture taught me about perspective. Sometimes what seems like a defect turns out to be beneficial - dim light for five minutes before full brightness kicks in.
Read moreJan 18, 2025
Looking Forward but Not Ignorant of the Past
The Forensic Review Report reminded me of auditing Budapest Bank in 2009. We are turning a page in Yukon with robust governance and the West Point Honor Code.
Read moreJan 4, 2025
The Flavor of Life: Are You Alive?
The greatest foods and drinks are fermented. It takes something living—like bacteria or yeast—to create flavor. Just as fermentation brings life to food, being truly alive brings richness to our lives.
Read moreDec 24, 2024
The Fullness of Time Had Come
Paul wrote that 'when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son.' The Roman world of the First Century was perfectly set for Jesus to change the world.
Read moreDec 17, 2024
Not Another High School Musical
A revolutionary musical far beyond Hamilton, depicting a greater love story than West Side Story - Mary's Magnificat, the song of a holy woman trusting in God.
Read moreDec 10, 2024
An Unlikely Audience (2 of 2)
Matthew's account of the surprising visitation of the Magi from the east - not astronomers, but astrologers who read horoscopes and searched ancient prophecies.
Read moreDec 3, 2024
An Unlikely Audience (1 of 2)
The Gospel writer Luke records the angel's message announcing Jesus' birth was delivered to an unexpected audience - shepherds in the fields, much like farmers and ranchers north of Yukon.
Read moreNov 26, 2024
The Power of Shopping Local
A dollar spent in Yukon stays in Yukon. When you spend locally, you're making an investment in our community and funding the essential services we all rely on.
Read moreOct 26, 2024
Echoes Into Eternity: The Legacy of Our Words
How can our lives echo into eternity? Through our children and the written word. Take up the pen and leave a legacy—a way to outlive your own body.
Read moreOct 15, 2024
The Wheels Are Coming Off
I am sending out a call via the CB radio to you all, the citizens of our great city, 'The wheels are coming off.' The day we are pulling the big rig over is this November 5th.
Read moreOct 1, 2024
There is nothing like 'on the job' training
With NO experience in government prior to May 14, I have been drinking from a firehose. There is nothing like being thrown into the arena to make you learn quickly.
Read moreSep 24, 2024
It's Better to Be Lucky Than Good
Sometimes circumstances beyond our control change everything. My friend went from managing the 'ugly stepchild' subsidiary to becoming a 'lucky duck' when world events created demand for his products.
Read moreSep 14, 2024
Building Bridges, Not Walls
Economics is a positive-sum game where everyone can win together. A rising tide lifts all boats—what benefits our community typically benefits everyone.
Read moreSep 7, 2024
Money for nothing? Your grant ain't free.
Every grant comes with both a carrot and a stick. What seems like 'free money' isn't worth the price if the stick is too burdensome.
Read moreAug 31, 2024
Strategic Neglect: What to Ignore
What you decide not to focus on is as important as what you focus on. A critical daily question: What am I NOT going to focus on?
Read moreAug 25, 2024
Begin with the End in Mind: The City Manager Search
By removing overly stringent requirements and focusing on essential skills, we increased applications from 7 to 35 candidates in our city manager search.
Read moreAug 20, 2024
Two Cups, Two Paths: Bacchus and Jesus
Two feasts, both centered around wine, offer different paths: the indulgent ecstasy of Bacchus or the sacrificial covenant of Jesus.
Read moreAug 17, 2024
How did you get your start?
I got my start in a bagpipe shop, learning everything about business in 3-4 hours each afternoon from a 6'8" former construction worker named Angus MacDonald.
Read moreJul 20, 2024
Embracing Our Foundational Documents
Just as kings in the Bible were required to make a copy of the law and read it all the days of their life, I am committed to reading our city charter each week.
Read moreJul 2, 2024
An Epidemic of Loneliness
We are facing an epidemic of loneliness. About one-in-two adults in America experience loneliness, with health impacts similar to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Read moreJun 22, 2024
The Cry of the Heart Toward Freedom and Independence
Freedom and independence are, in my opinion, the highest calling of the human heart.
Read moreJun 8, 2024
Leaving It Better Than We Found It
While 'Leave No Trace' is crucial, Baden-Powell's principle of 'Leave It Better Than You Found It' takes it a step further.
Read moreMay 25, 2024
Welcome to Yukon Pathways
Our city is experiencing a unique 'Goldilocks moment' – we are not too big, nor too small; we are just right.
Read more
| Date | Title | Excerpt |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 23, 2025 | His Name Shall Be Called (Christmas Series 4 of 4) | Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. Each name speaks volumes. This isn't a feel-good moment—it's a royal proclamation. The King is here.Read more |
| Dec 16, 2025 | The Government Shall Be Upon His Shoulder (Christmas Series 3 of 4) | Isaiah didn't say 'the church choir' shall be upon His shoulder. He said the government. This child came to take the throne—ultimate power, ultimate justice, ultimate peace.Read more |
| Dec 9, 2025 | Unto Us a Son is Given (Christmas Series 2 of 4) | This wasn't just anyone's kid. 'Son of Man' comes from Daniel 7—a global ruler demanding allegiance. Not a theory. Not a metaphor. A literal, unstoppable, global reign.Read more |
| Dec 2, 2025 | Unto Us a Child is Born (Christmas Series 1 of 4) | This wasn't just a baby. This was a coronation. The magi brought gifts fit for royalty, shepherds bowed in awe, and Herod resorted to bloodshed. The King had come.Read more |
| Nov 22, 2025 | The Art of Thankfulness | My father writes down two things he's thankful for every evening. This quiet practice has become one of his greatest sources of strength. This Thanksgiving, I'm committing to do the same.Read more |
| Nov 8, 2025 | What Makes Us Civilized? (Part 5 of 5) | Roads are mobility, connection, and commerce. When roads crumble, civilization crumbles. Yukon is investing in 273 lane-miles of roadway to ensure safe passage for generations to come.Read more |
| Nov 1, 2025 | What Makes Us Civilized? (Part 4 of 5) | Water-borne illness killed our great-grandparents. Today, clean water is essential to civilization—and Yukon is planning for redundant, sustainable sources for the next 50 to 100 years.Read more |
| Oct 25, 2025 | What Makes Us Civilized? (Part 3 of 5) | The last flush. That bowl is empty. When wastewater systems fail, civilization breaks down. Yukon is investing in generational repairs to ensure this never happens.Read more |
| Oct 18, 2025 | What Makes Us Civilized? (Part 2 of 5) | In the wilderness of Alaska, help is hours away. In Yukon, Oklahoma, our fire department and emergency medical personnel arrive in 5 to 8 minutes. That difference is civilization.Read more |
| Oct 11, 2025 | What Makes Us Civilized? (Part 1 of 5) | What holds civilization together? Five basic elements—from safety in our homes to clean water flowing from our taps—form the invisible threads of our daily lives.Read more |
| Sep 13, 2025 | Brotherhood and the Open Road | What do you get when five guys pile into a car in a foreign country with nothing but Google Maps, a Bible, and a sense of humor? A deeper sense of brotherhood and a reminder of the value of male friendships.Read more |
| Aug 30, 2025 | Conservatives greatest opportunity | One of the greatest opportunities that conservatives have over the next decade is to embrace the Latino population into the conservative movement. We share core values: God, Family, Community and Work.Read more |
| Aug 16, 2025 | Endless Summers | Do you remember a summer that seemed to never end? Endless summers may slip away with the shorter days, but they never truly end. They live on, etched into our hearts.Read more |
| Aug 2, 2025 | More than conquerors | One thing I did not expect after being elected was the number of people that would pray for me. Paul's words about being 'more than conquerors' take on new meaning when you understand what true conquest looks like.Read more |
| Jul 18, 2025 | It's hard to imagine what you haven't seen | Imagination is a compilation, in new order and significance, of what we have already seen or experienced. After seeing LaGuardia's transformation, what could we imagine for Yukon?Read more |
| Jul 5, 2025 | The Spy Who Planted Trees | Sometimes the most heroic acts don't come with explosions or headlines. Sometimes, they grow—quietly—in the form of trees. A lesson from Eli Cohen about quiet courage and strategic thinking.Read more |
| May 24, 2025 | Experience is a Hard Teacher | Experience is a hard teacher; it gives you the test first and the lesson later. Like Robert Fulghum, I could write 'All I Really Needed to Know I Learned as a Resident Advisor.'Read more |
| May 14, 2025 | Not a Straight Line | The path forward is rarely a straight line. City-building isn't either. We're at an inflection point, but I'm more excited than ever for Yukon's future.Read more |
| May 10, 2025 | Living My Oath | A year ago, I was sworn in as a City Council member. That night, and each day since then, I have been living my oath: 'I will faithfully discharge my duties as City Council Member to the best of my ability.'Read more |
| Apr 16, 2025 | There are only three cities | There are only 3 cities: New York, San Francisco and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland. But Yukon has a distinct identity that makes it one of the great ones.Read more |
| Apr 12, 2025 | Leaving More for the Next Generation | True inheritance extends beyond financial assets. What memories, lessons, strengths, social connections or other wealth are you passing down?Read more |
| Mar 15, 2025 | Braum's: Oklahoma's Great Equalizer | In a world that often feels divided, places like Braum's remind us of what we share. It's more than an ice cream and burger joint—it's a great equalizer where everyone belongs.Read more |
| Mar 1, 2025 | Accepting Mortality and Embracing Life | Spoiler alert: You will die. The real question isn't about safety—it's about living. As William Wallace said, 'Every man dies, not every man truly lives.'Read more |
| Feb 15, 2025 | Inaccurate assumptions and genuine character | Zacchaeus gets a bad name, often unfairly labeled as a thief. His name means 'innocent' or 'pure' - suggesting he was misunderstood and unjustly vilified by those quick to judge.Read more |
| Feb 1, 2025 | It's a feature, not a bug | My failing bathroom light fixture taught me about perspective. Sometimes what seems like a defect turns out to be beneficial - dim light for five minutes before full brightness kicks in.Read more |
| Jan 18, 2025 | Looking Forward but Not Ignorant of the Past | The Forensic Review Report reminded me of auditing Budapest Bank in 2009. We are turning a page in Yukon with robust governance and the West Point Honor Code.Read more |
| Jan 4, 2025 | The Flavor of Life: Are You Alive? | The greatest foods and drinks are fermented. It takes something living—like bacteria or yeast—to create flavor. Just as fermentation brings life to food, being truly alive brings richness to our lives.Read more |
| Dec 24, 2024 | The Fullness of Time Had Come | Paul wrote that 'when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son.' The Roman world of the First Century was perfectly set for Jesus to change the world.Read more |
| Dec 17, 2024 | Not Another High School Musical | A revolutionary musical far beyond Hamilton, depicting a greater love story than West Side Story - Mary's Magnificat, the song of a holy woman trusting in God.Read more |
| Dec 10, 2024 | An Unlikely Audience (2 of 2) | Matthew's account of the surprising visitation of the Magi from the east - not astronomers, but astrologers who read horoscopes and searched ancient prophecies.Read more |
| Dec 3, 2024 | An Unlikely Audience (1 of 2) | The Gospel writer Luke records the angel's message announcing Jesus' birth was delivered to an unexpected audience - shepherds in the fields, much like farmers and ranchers north of Yukon.Read more |
| Nov 26, 2024 | The Power of Shopping Local | A dollar spent in Yukon stays in Yukon. When you spend locally, you're making an investment in our community and funding the essential services we all rely on.Read more |
| Oct 26, 2024 | Echoes Into Eternity: The Legacy of Our Words | How can our lives echo into eternity? Through our children and the written word. Take up the pen and leave a legacy—a way to outlive your own body.Read more |
| Oct 15, 2024 | The Wheels Are Coming Off | I am sending out a call via the CB radio to you all, the citizens of our great city, 'The wheels are coming off.' The day we are pulling the big rig over is this November 5th.Read more |
| Oct 1, 2024 | There is nothing like 'on the job' training | With NO experience in government prior to May 14, I have been drinking from a firehose. There is nothing like being thrown into the arena to make you learn quickly.Read more |
| Sep 24, 2024 | It's Better to Be Lucky Than Good | Sometimes circumstances beyond our control change everything. My friend went from managing the 'ugly stepchild' subsidiary to becoming a 'lucky duck' when world events created demand for his products.Read more |
| Sep 14, 2024 | Building Bridges, Not Walls | Economics is a positive-sum game where everyone can win together. A rising tide lifts all boats—what benefits our community typically benefits everyone.Read more |
| Sep 7, 2024 | Money for nothing? Your grant ain't free. | Every grant comes with both a carrot and a stick. What seems like 'free money' isn't worth the price if the stick is too burdensome.Read more |
| Aug 31, 2024 | Strategic Neglect: What to Ignore | What you decide not to focus on is as important as what you focus on. A critical daily question: What am I NOT going to focus on?Read more |
| Aug 25, 2024 | Begin with the End in Mind: The City Manager Search | By removing overly stringent requirements and focusing on essential skills, we increased applications from 7 to 35 candidates in our city manager search.Read more |
| Aug 20, 2024 | Two Cups, Two Paths: Bacchus and Jesus | Two feasts, both centered around wine, offer different paths: the indulgent ecstasy of Bacchus or the sacrificial covenant of Jesus.Read more |
| Aug 17, 2024 | How did you get your start? | I got my start in a bagpipe shop, learning everything about business in 3-4 hours each afternoon from a 6'8" former construction worker named Angus MacDonald.Read more |
| Jul 20, 2024 | Embracing Our Foundational Documents | Just as kings in the Bible were required to make a copy of the law and read it all the days of their life, I am committed to reading our city charter each week.Read more |
| Jul 2, 2024 | An Epidemic of Loneliness | We are facing an epidemic of loneliness. About one-in-two adults in America experience loneliness, with health impacts similar to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.Read more |
| Jun 22, 2024 | The Cry of the Heart Toward Freedom and Independence | Freedom and independence are, in my opinion, the highest calling of the human heart.Read more |
| Jun 8, 2024 | Leaving It Better Than We Found It | While 'Leave No Trace' is crucial, Baden-Powell's principle of 'Leave It Better Than You Found It' takes it a step further.Read more |
| May 25, 2024 | Welcome to Yukon Pathways | Our city is experiencing a unique 'Goldilocks moment' – we are not too big, nor too small; we are just right.Read more |
Stay Connected
Want to share your thoughts on these columns or discuss community issues? I'd love to hear from you.
Contact Mayor Pillmore