Assistant DA: Woman

was treated with respect

Dear Editor:

As employees of the District Attorney's Office, we normally do not respond to letters to the editor. However, the recent letter from Mary Tooman needs to be addressed.

Ms. Tooman stated the "gal" in the DA's Office would not work with her and that her debit card had recently been stolen leaving her unable to pay her bills. On the contrary, the "gal" Tooman refers to is Julie Shrader, the bogus check coordinator for the Grady County District Attorney's Office. Mrs. Shrader made every attempt to work with Ms. Tooman. While speaking with Mrs. Shrader, Tooman became agitated and began screaming profanities which could be heard throughout the office.

While Tooman was treated with respect by Mrs. Shrader, Tooman continued to rant and curse at Mrs. Shrader. Tooman became enraged, slapped Mrs. Shrader on the hand, grabbed her papers and stormed out of the District Attorney's Office.

In her letter to the editor, Ms. Tooman left out the fact she has been writing false and bogus checks in Grady and Stephens Counties since 2003. Her story about her debt card being stolen is just that: a story. Tooman admitted writing a bogus check in Grady County to a local merchant for over $1,200. An investigation confirmed that Tooman's debit card had not been stolen. Bank records reveal that Tooman simply wrote a check to a local merchant when she did not have the money in her bank account to cover the check.

All the employees of the D.A.'s Office work for our District Attorney Bret Burns. We also understand we are public servants and we appreciate our jobs. We strive daily to do what is right and ensure the credibility and integrity of our criminal justice system. In Ms. Tooman's case, she will be held accountable just like any other person who defraud's a Grady County business owner.

As the Grady County Bogus Check Coordinator, Julie Shrader collected over $500,000 last year for the benefit of Grady County merchants. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy as she battles breast cancer. When she was attacked by Tooman, Julie's head was covered by a scarf because she has lost her hair as a result cancer treatments. This is no secret. Julie's appearance is visible proof of her on-going battle. We ask for your prayers for Julie's speedy recovery.

For the record: Tooman was arraigned in Grady County District Court the day following her letter to the editor on a felony bogus check charge.



Lesley March

Assistant District Attorney









Reader favors

school bond

proposal



Dear Editor:

The sole purpose of this letter is to make a statement of support for the up-coming school bond election, to fund the construction of a new Early Childhood Center.

I am proud of the remodeling at the high school campus and the building of the new multi-purpose facility. At a recent activity and out-of-towner made the statement that is was obvious what Chickasha thinks of its students and teachers by simply seeing the beautiful facilities provided for them.

When we moved to Chickasha 28 years ago, a high priority for us was to check out the schools our two sons would be attending. That is a priority for most people checking out a new community.

I want Chickasha to become the standard by which other school districts look to in planning their facilities. We are headed in that direction with this Construction Project. The building of this Early Childhood Center will not increase our taxes.

Please join me in voting for this bond election. The benefits will return to us for many years to come.

Jim Morris



New center

is next step



Dear Editor:

As a parent, school board member and citizen of Chickasha, I am pleased with the direction our community has taken. The citizens of Chickasha have continued to step up and support “our” long range plan for educational facilities and support of our kids. Look back over the last 5 years and you see progress from the outside. A new multi-purpose facility that continues to be highlighted, new and improved high school with windows and much needed commons area, 9th grade center, new high school science labs, a new FFA swine barn, ladies indoor softball facility, and the list goes on.

The next step is the Early Childhood Center. The new facility will be energy efficient which will save us all for years to come, and will create an ideal learning environment. What a great way to start our kids in the learning process.

As our community continues to strive for new jobs and new citizens, it will be great to be able to show that Chickasha cares for our kids, by having a great place for education. And we will be able to show that not only do we build, but we are utilizing our older facilities to fit the education process. Whether they will be used for the Head Start program, Quality Academy, or Adult Education, the plan is to utilize all our facilities for the best education experience possible.

I thank you for your support of our school system. Now is the time to continue to do what is right for our kids. A “no tax increase” bond proposal will save us money for years to come in energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs, while providing the best educational facilities for learning. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Please vote, Tuesday April 6th because your vote does count, and continue your support of education.

Scott Williams

WFEC

City not

lending

institution



Dear Editor

When did the tax paying citizens of Chickasha become a charitable organization and a lending institution.

Why is John Fever asking for a handout?

Why doesn't Arvin Meritor apply to a lending institution for a loan?

Who serves on this Chickasha Economic Oversight Committee that has recommended that we the taxpayers give this money to entities who seem to be unable to manage the money they now receive?

These are questions every citizen of Chickasha would like to have answered in a straight forward manner, not in gobbledygook double talk.

John Feaver, every learning institution in the state of Oklahoma has received cuts in their budgets also. I have not read of ANY OTHER institution asking for a handout from the city in which they are located. Many business, yes, even in Chickasha have had to cut expenses due to reduced income and they have not asked for a handout. As to cutting personnel you might consider cutting the salaries of the ten highest paid employees at your institution to help defray the operating cost. If they are set by the state, then apply for permission to change them. Don't ask the tax payers of Chickasha to subsidize your institution.

Arvin Meritor, the banks have a policy of lending money to causes they deem feasible. If you can not secure a loan from a reputable institution it is possible that you have over extended yourself and the institution considers you a poor risk. If this is the case the city of Chickasha would be making a foolish decision to make a loan to you.

Members of the Chickasha Economic oversight Committee, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? DO NOT ALLOW THE CITY TO BE HELD HOSTAGE BY A THREAT OF JOB LOSS. If you accept these proposals, WHAT WILL COME NEXT? THINK! THINK!

Hank Ross, as to your statement " We're going to really have to sell this to the council", I do believe this tactic is being used in Washington today to try to shove down the throats of American citizens a program they do not want.

IF the city has 1.5 million plus 400,000.00 dOLLARS at there discretionary disposal, THE MONEY SHOULD BE USED TO IMPROVE THE CITY IN A MANNER TO BENEFIT ALL TAXPAYERS.

Taxpayers of Chickasha, I certainly hope the majority of our council members will exercise wisdom and reject both of these proposals.

Mary Johnson