Local News
Representative goes out on limb
Even though Oklahoma’s 2009 legislative session is finished, one local representative is taking extra time this summer to get the ball rolling on two projects.
Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, submitted 10 ideas for interim studies to the House in June.
Three were accepted, but two of Dorman’s favorite projects were overlooked. The interim studies are the first step in creating legislation.
Dorman strongly supports programs to deter high school dropouts, and he wants to find a direct revenue stream for the state to pay disaster reimbursement.
Without funding from the House of Representatives, Dorman is tackling these issues with his own time and money.
“These were two that I am very passionate about, and would like to see opened for discussion,” Dorman said. “I will have no additional dollars to supplement the cost of having experts come in, which I’m more than willing to do.”
Dorman has plans to gather information from surrounding states and bring in experts on the issues, which costs money. He said the bulk of funding will be accrued directly from his campaign budget.
These studies are not simply pet projects for Dorman. He said he has heard multiple requests from his constituents for help in these matters, and he is answering their call.
Students Call for Help
Chad Hagerman, a recent graduate of Elgin High School, called Dorman and requested he research high school drop out rates and their effect on his peers.
Hagerman is a member of the High School Advisory Team, which is made up of 50 students from around the state who provide feedback and information to administrators and legislators.
“It is such an issue, especially in our state it is really an epidemic,” Hagerman said.
Dorman said high school drop out rates are becoming increasingly alarming, especially in rural areas. He said he hopes to bring in members of the Oklahoma Department of Education as well as legislators for his study. State Superintendent Sandy Garret has similar plans to Dorman’s, which she expressed in her 2009 State of Education Address on July 15.
Garret said Oklahoma ranks 22nd nationally in drop out rates.
“But, we aren’t accepting that,” she said. “We’ve got to transform our schools to be more engaging for students.”
Garrett’s “Leave No Future Behind Plan” embraces new technology and innovation, and Dorman said he hopes there is common ground they can meet on. Both Garrett and Dorman agree the problem is multi-faceted and cannot be solved with a simple solution.
Finding a Revenue Stream
Dorman’s second study has been in the works for several years. He said he has been trying to find a revenue stream that will more quickly pay out funds set aside for disaster relief.
Dorman said disaster relief is split into three parts; 75 percent is paid by FEMA, 12.5 percent by local agencies and 12.5 percent by the State. FEMA and local agencies are required to pay up front, but he said the state has had problems paying victims in a timely manner. He said at one time it took six years for residents to receive disaster relief.
Dorman said Governor Brad Henry addressed the issue in February at his State of the State Address. Henry was also unavailable for comment.
In the past the state paid victims out of a rainy day fund, but with a $600 million budget shortfall in 2009 the rainy day fund is nearly dry. Dorman is now looking to any and all revenue streams to protect those disenfranchised by disaster.
“I’m looking into ideas to cover this cost,” Dorman said. “In Oklahoma we’re guaranteed to have at least one disaster every year. Whether it’s tornados, floods or fires, we’ve had it all.
Dorman has past experience and success studying issues without support of the House of Representatives. He said if this year’s studies go as planned he hopes to draft new bills for the 2010 legislative session.
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Transformations
What comes to mind when you think of the word, “Transformation”?Do you have fantastic thoughts of people or things changing into something amazing for example, Clark Kent turning into Superman or Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk or possibly something a little more down to earth like a caterpillar miraculously changing into the beautiful butterfly?
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GRADY COUNTY FAIR RESULTS
Plants
Potted Plants
(Several varieties combined)
First: (Adult) Ann O'Bar
Second: (Adult) Joyce Riker
Third: (Adult) Jallane Link -
AROUND THE AREA
SEPTEMBER 2
Poetry Reading
• When: Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
• Where: Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Room, 3127 S. 4th St., Chickasha
• Details: Featured Poet is Carol Hamilton, writer, storyteller and Poet Laureate of Oklahoma 1995-97Hamilton’s website is www.carolhamilton.org. There is no admission fee to attend the Poetry Reading, and refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, contact Rockford Johnson, 224-0160 or 317-7506. -
Duncan nips Chicks for straight-game win
Duncan got their eighth match win of the season Tuesday, beating Nancy Waters’ Lady Chicks in straight games at the Activity Center.
The Chicks looked like they had a little hangover from Monday night’s tough road loss at Tecumseh, coming out flat again and dropping their first two games by identical 25-17 scores.
They came out firing on all eight cylinders for game three, running out to a 15-9 lead on the strength of a 7-0 run with Shelby Crosley serving, but the Demons battled back to tie it late and the Chicks let it slip away, 25-21. -
STATE SPORTS BRIEFS
NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has named walk-on Patrick O'Hara as the starting place-kicker for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
Stoops said on his radio show Tuesday night that O'Hara won the competition with Jimmy Stevens, freshman Michael Hunnicutt and redshirt freshman Bryce Easley. -
OSU's Gundy still learning on job
STILLWATER (AP) — Mike Gundy hasn't lost his love for dialing up the right play to keep Oklahoma State's offense purring along.
That passion, which he has called the most enjoyable part of his job as head coach, was bred into him as an offensive coordinator. And he is a former starting quarterback for the Cowboys. -
Whimsical metal work, jewelry part of big art show at USAO
A showing of whimsical metal work and jewelry is scheduled to be on display at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma during Helen’s Show Sept. 10-Oct 1.
The show will feature the work of USAO graduate Helen Shafer. The exhibition will be open daily during normal business hours in the Davis Hall Third Floor Art Gallery on the USAO campus. The show is free and open to the public. An opening reception is scheduled Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the gallery. -
High-speed chase lands 1 in jail
A high-speed motorcycle chase down Highway 81 last Wednesday landed a Ninnekah man in jail and a felony charge of eluding a police officer.
Court records show that James William Hutchins, 21, blew by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Timothy Parrish at U.S. Highway 81 and County Road 1460 and was clocked going 144 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone.
Parrish reported that he was sitting stationary at that location at about 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 25 when he observed a red motorcycle traveling southbound. He engaged his emergency lights and siren and pulled onto the roadway behind the Triumph motorcycle. -
5 inmates denied parole
Parole was recently denied for five Grady County inmates serving sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
The following individuals were denied at the August Pardon and Parole Board meeting:
• Jeremiah Daniel Cline, who is serving a five-year sentence for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and a five-year sentence for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, began his sentence in August 2008.
• Warren P. Diego, who is serving a 15-year sentence (10 years PTS) for lewd molestation, began his sentence in February 2009. -
Judge recuses herself from pharmacy case
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state district judge has stepped aside from the first-degree murder trial of a pharmacist accused in the fatal shooting of an unconscious would-be robber.
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Transformations
