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DOING BUSINESS
In race for Gov., jobs take priority
State Attorney General Drew Edmondson opened his campaign for Oklahoma governor last June with a laser-like focus on improving the state economy.
His emphasis hasn't wavered.
Edmondson, a democrat, made a campaign stop in Chickasha last Friday and said his first priority as governor would rest in creating jobs and economic growth.
"First thing we need to look at is helping current businesses expand," Edmondson said. "Our second priority would be encouraging entrepreneurial start-ups."
Edmondson expects Oklahoma to thrive in areas such as the medical field, aerospace and energy production. Every medical breakthrough, plus the presence of military bases and the transition to clean fuels, helps provide numerous new business plans for Oklahomans in every corner of the state.
"Wind turbines are going up, but they are being manufactured in Iowa and overseas," he said. "Those supply companies should be located in
Oklahoma, near the fields."
Edmondson also touted natural gas as a commodity that could leverage Oklahoma's finances for many years.
He said there are three main advantages to natural gas: It helps America become energy independent, It's good for the environment, and It's good for Oklahoma. Edmondson even sees a future in celluosic bio-fuels produced from Oklahoma's naturally abundant switch grass.
"It's not cost productive yet, but that is why we do research," he said. "And, I think it is just a terrific idea."
A recent poll conducted by Sooner Poll shows that Edmondson has gained traction against party-rival Lt. Gov. Jari Askins of Duncan. Edmondson rose 17 points in the polls, passing Askins and closing in on Republican candidate Rep. Mary Fallin.
He said carrying Tulsa and rural, Democratic parts of the southern Oklahoma will be the key to victory.
Edmondson said it will be difficult to win as a Democrat in a predominantly Republican state, but he thinks his history as attorney general will prove his worthiness to Oklahoma voters.
Since taking office in 1994, Edmondson has accomplished many things. His first order of business was to change Oklahoma execution laws, guaranteeing that defendants would be executed after proper appeals on the date originally specified.
He has actively fought to protect Oklahoma's water from theft and pollution. He won a law suit against tobacco companies, establishing a "Tobacco Trust" that has contributed nearly $500 million in funds, $21 million of which was used last year for special projects.
Edmondson also helped create the Education Technology Trust, which has provided smart boards to more than 50,000 students.
"Oklahoma voters are very independent," Edmondson said. "They tend to vote more so for the candidate than for the party."
As the campaign progresses, it will take a combined strategic approach to win the race, he said. Since June, he has traveled the traditional campaign trail, but he is incorporating modern ways to reach the masses.
Edmondson's campaign managers also have established pages on many social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. His wife, Linda Edmondson, has been on the road and keeps a blog to reach out to those she meets.
Edmondson plans to have a Field Action Team ready to respond to constituents in all 77 Oklahoma counties.
"We are listening very closely to what the people have to say," he said.
The need to keep tax rates steady, has been one thing Edmondson has heard many times. While Oklahoma faces a rough fiscal year, he can accomplish his goals without a general tax increase, he said. He said no income, corporate or sales taxes will increase, but he did not rule out an specialty-tax increases to cigarettes and other goods.
Edmondson also endorses a systemic change in Oklahoma courts and how the state handles multiple offenders.
He said many of Oklahoma's prisoners have underlying mental, drug and alcohol problems, and treating those can have far greater effects than incarceration alone.
It also saves the state money. He said the average inmate costs the state more than $20,000 annually.
The gubernatorial election will be held Nov. 3, 2010.
Current Gov. Brad Henry will not run because of term limits on the seat. Edmondson
will face off against Askins and Fallin in a highly contested race, which will only get more competitive as the clock ticks.
If Askins or Fallin are elected, they will be the first female governor in Oklahoma.
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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
