WELCH—April 5, 2011, is election day for the Town of Welch and Welch school district. We’ll have more info about the town issues in a later post. In this post, we turn our attention to the proposed $2.75 million bond for the addition of classroom space (creating a middle school), cafeteria and kitchen renovations, HVAC upgrades, and lighting upgrades. First up you will find an 20-minute audio interview with Clark McKeon, superintendent of Welch Public Schools, in which he shares information about the proposal. Following that you will find various documents about the bond, including drawings and renderings of the proposed upgrades. There will be a second public information meeting, which includes the opportunity for Q&A, Thur., Mar. 31, 2011, at the Welch Civic Center at 7:00 p.m.

Polls will be open Apr. 5, 2011, from 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Dr. Clark McKeon sat down with Tyson Wynn to discuss the bond improvements:

Interview with Dr. Clark McKeon 3/25/2011 [ 20:34 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation about the bond issue:

Here are some documents distributed by the school district:

Outside Rendering:

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Floorplan:

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Bond Info Flier:

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Estimated Savings from HVAC & Lighting Upgrades:

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Bond Schedule

WELCH—The above video may not have been perfectly precise, but it did succeed in predicting the overall upheaval of American voters in yesterday’s elections. From coast to coast and border to border, Americans turned out to vote in what are sure to be record numbers for a mid-term election. And though the president’s party typically loses seats in a mid-term election (the average is around 24 seats), this will likely prove to be the greatest loss of Congressional seats in a mid-term election since WWII. Estimates as I type this are that as many as 65 seats could shift from Democrat to Republican control in the U.S. House of Representatives. Republicans did not regain control of the U.S. Senate, but the upper chamber is very evenly split, with the Republicans holding well over the 40 seats needed to be a powerful minority under Senate rules. All in all, Americans from every state sent a powerful message to their elected leaders and that message is deep dissatisfaction.

Closer to home, that same discontent was evident. Every statewide office in Oklahoma was placed in Republican hands. You read that right. Every Republican candidate for statewide office was victorious. Further, Republican candidate for Oklahoma’s District 2 Congressional Seat, Charles Thompson, made a 43% showing against incumbent Democrat Dan Boren. Locally, Welch voters agreed with their statewide compatriots in all those races except for superintendent of public instruction, where Democrat candidate Susan Paddock edged out Republican Janet Barresi by a mere 27 votes in the two Welch precincts.

Statewide, all judicial officers were retained (as they were on Welch ballots). All but two state questions were passed. State Question 744 on education spending was soundly defeated statewide (81% No), and was also rejected by Welch voters. State Question 754 on funding formulas, which was on the ballot as a fail safe in case 744 passed, was rejected statewide (63% No) and locally.

Unofficial statewide results are available on the state election board’s website. Here are all the results from Welch’s two precincts.

Welch General Election Results - Nov. 2, 2010

WELCH—It’s election day! Many people have been eagerly waiting for the opportunities this day offers. Polls are open statewide from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. We’ll try to provide a recap here as soon as Welch’s polling place posts results.

As a reminder, here are our endorsements for the ballot you will see in Welch.

Governor: Mary Fallin

Lt. Governor: Todd Lamb

State Auditor & Inspector: Gary Jones

Attorney General: Scott Pruitt

State Treasurer: Ken Miller

Superintendent of Public Instruction: Janet Barresi

Commissioner of Labor: Mark Costello

Insurance Commissioner: John Doak

U.S. Senator: Tom Coburn

US. Representative: Charles Thompson

Judicial Retention:

Steven W. Taylor: No

James R. Winchester: No

Deborah B. Barnes: No

Doug Gabbard II: No

John F. Fischer: No

Larry E. Joplin: No

State Question 744: NO (A thousand times NO!)

State Question 746: YES

State Question 747: YES

State Question 748: YES

State Question 750: YES

State Question 751: YES

State Question 752: YES

State Question 754: YES (But we can understand a NO)

State Question 755: YES

State Question 756: YES

State Question 757: Yes

From Your Plumb Worn-Out Publisher and Executive Editor:

Radio Shack used to use the slogan, “You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers.” I’ve felt like Radio Shack lately because folks have been asking about the eleven state questions on tomorrow’s ballot. I appreciate people valuing my opinion, so I decided I’d do a quick run down for you here. This is later than I had hoped to get it posted, but I hope you find it useful. Rather than take lots of time and space to lay every aspect of each question out for you in a separate post, we’re providing one post with our endorsements and a brief statement of why. (As for our recommendations on the candidates, we’re endorsing Republicans in every race; and we recommend voting no on each judicial retention question). Also, some hold the belief that you need to vote no on all state questions. That’s not the case. You need to read them carefully and (thanks to the out-of-control, power-abusing attorney general, Drew Edmondson) know the information beyond the ballot language to make an informed decision. We hope this helps.

State Question 744 (aka the HOPE Petition)

This is the 800-lb. elephant in the room. If passed, this would require K-12 education spending in Oklahoma to be funded at a level equal with the average of K-12 education spending in our six surrounding states, which would require an increase in education spending in Oklahoma. Estimates put this increase in spending at anywhere from $850 Million to $1.4 Billion. That’s a lot of dough, and it MUST be spent if 744 passes. If it must be spent, it must come from somewhere, which means taxes MUST be increased or other parts of the state budget MUST be slashed to fund it. And by slashed, we’re talking cut by 20%. The decision on 744 boils down to this: Is education spending important? Yes. Is it the most important thing the state does? No.

Further, empirical evidence shows that increased education spending does not necessarily result in better public education. I support public education, and we have a great school system in Welch. And sure, I’d like to see them have the money to do everything they want. But, if it comes at a cost of cutting the Department of Corrections budget by 1/5 (possibly resulting in releasing inmates) and cutting the Department of Transportation budget by 1/5 (goodbye road and bridge repair), it’s just not worth it.

If you want to improve public education in Oklahoma (and in Welch), the best thing you can do is elect good state legislators (and hold them accountable for their decisions), elect Janet Barresi superintendent of public instruction, and get involved in local groups, like the Welch Public Schools Enrichment Foundation, that make sure improvements end up in the classroom, unlike 744, which has no similar guarantee. 744 is so bad, in fact, that whoever you support for governor, Jari Askins or Mary Fallin, oppose it, as do Brad Henry and Drew Edmonsdon and most state newspapers. In fact, you have to look long and hard before you find anyone other than the most liberal among us and those affiliated with the Oklahoma Education Association who do support 744. A vote for 744 is a vote to cripple the state, and could quite literally send this state into bankruptcy. A vote against 744 is a vote to require the legislature to use their authority to fund education in Oklahoma and hold them accountable for how they do so. Vote no on 744.

No on 744 Website
List of news about and those opposed to 744
Janet Barresi for State Supt.

State Question 746 (aka Positive Identification Required to Vote)

This is a no-brainer. If passed, 746 would require persons to provide identification, either by photo ID or voter ID card, when seeking to vote. The only reason one can fathom for people to oppose this proposal is that they have some sort of voter fraud in mind. Vote yes on 746.

State Question 747 (aka Term Limits for Statewide Office)

Another no-brainer. I used to buy into the notion that term limits should be at the full control of the voters and the ballot box, but the benefits of incumbency (i.e., already holding an office makes one almost immune to electoral challenge) have changed my mind. This would limit the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state treasurer, labor commissioner, state auditor and inspector, superintendent of public instruction, and state insurance commissioner to eight years. Service as corporation commissioner would be limited to twelve years. In a perfect world, one would like to believe we could find self-less good persons who might spend a lifetime of dedicated service to the state in one position. The reality is that this rarely happens, and when a person can be reelected indefinitely, it seems to make officeholders more concerned with holding office than with serving the citizens. Vote yes on 747.

State Question 748 (aka Reconstituting Apportionment Commission)

The federal government conducts a census every ten years, and in response to each census the state must reapportion districts for the legislature. The legislature is tasked with this, but if it fails to do so (i.e., is deadlocked), an apportionment commission does it. Currently, the apportion commission is made up of three persons: the state attorney general, the state superintendent of public instruction, and the state treasurer. This formula means that the apportionment commission could potentially consist of members from one political party. If 748 passes, it would remove all three current members of the commission and increase the commission from three to seven members. The new members would consist of one Democrat and one Republican appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate, one Democrat and one Republican appointed by the Speak of the State House, and one Democrat and one Republican appointed by the Governor. The seventh member would be the Lt. Governor, who would serve as a non-voting chairman of the commission. This new formulation will be more even-handed and ensure a more fair apportionment. Vote yes on 748.

State Question 750 (aka Ballot Access Calculated on Gubernatorial Elections)

Oklahomans have the opportunity to propose laws, offer amendments to the state constitution, and reject laws passed by the legislature. This is done by circulating petitions, which must meet a certain number requirement, which is based on a certain percentage of the last general election. When the last general election is one which included a presidential election, it will require many more signatures than when the last general election didn’t include a presidential election. 750 will level the playing field for those seeking ballot access by looking only at every other last general election, those which include gubernatorial races (which are staggered with presidential elections). This does not change the percentage needed; it simple requires the same percentage of elections when fewer persons usually cast votes, thus reducing the overall number of signatures needed to access the ballot. It’s a good change. Vote yes on 750.

State Question 751 (aka English as Official Language)

This would simply make English the official language of official state business, thus avoiding the cost and confusion of doing state business in multiple languages. It also has the benefit of bonding Oklahomans by a common language. Vote yes on 751.

State Question 752 (aka Judicial Nominating Commission Reformulation)

The Judicial Nominating Commission selects three or four qualified persons to be nominated when judicial vacancies occur and the governor must then appoint one of the nominees. 752 would add two at-large members, who may come from any congressional district, to the commission. One of these new members would be appointed by the State Senate President Pre Tempore, and the other would be appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House. At-large members cannot be lawyers, nor may they have an attorney in their immediate family. No more than two at-large members can be from the same political party. All in all, this is a good change that should help ensure fairness in the judicial nomination process. Vote yes on 752.

State Question 754 (aka No Spending Formulas)

This has been the most difficult state question to form an opinion on. It is designed to be a fail-safe in case 744 passes. This measure change the state constitution so that it could not require the legislature to fund state functions based on predetermined constitutional formulas, how much other states spend on a function, or how much any entity spends on a function. So far, so good. I can live with all of that (as I believe it’s the job of the elected legislators to hammer out the budget based on revenue). But the sticky part is in the rest of the question. According to the ballot language, written by Attorney General Drew Edmondson, the measure, if passed, could never be amended or rescinded. I don’t like the idea of that. The people ought to have a means for changing their collective mind. If we pass this and it works, great! If we pass this and it has problems we haven’t anticipated, we need to be able to undo it. But this is further complicated by the fact that it appears that Edmondson may have been editorializing a bit when he added that part about not being able to amend or rescind it. Michael Bates of Batesline has done some excellent analysis on this, so I won’t rehash it here. Go read Michael’s take and make up your own mind. For now, we’ll say our inclination is to vote yes on 754.

State Question 755 (aka No international or Sharia Law in Oklahoma Courts)

This simply bans Oklahoma judges in Oklahoma courts from relying on (considering or using) either international law or Sharia (Islamic law based on the Koran and the teaching of Mohammed). 755 requires Oklahoma courts and judges to rely on only state and federal law in rendering its decisions. You might appreciate Michael Bates’ analysis on this issue. Vote yes on 755.

State Question 756 (aka Obamacare Opt-Out)

The US Congress passed Obamacare in spite of vast disapproval by the people. Much of the sentiment against Washington, the president, and the congress we’re seeing this election is due to its ignoring pr the people’s wishes in regards to universal healthcare. Obamacare will raise taxes and will raise the cost of healthcare, while resulting in rationed and lower quality care. 756 opts Oklahoma out of the federal healthcare bill, though it again appears that Drew Edmondson did a bit of editorializing in the ballot language, saying it wouldn’t apply to laws or rules in effect before January 10, 2010, and that federal law would overrule because of the “supremacy clause” in the US Constitution. He fails to mention that there’s also a Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution. (Let’s be honest folks, we should be so thrilled that Drew Edmondson is out of public “service”). The best bet is to pass 756 and elect Scott Pruitt attorney general, so he can do the legal work to enforce the will of Oklahomans to opt out of Obamacare. Vote yes on 756.

State Question 757 (aka Increasing Rainy Day Percentage)

When Oklahoma has a surplus of revenue (i.e., when the legislature doesn’t spend every dime that comes in) the state constitution requires that 10% of the surplus go to the Constitutional Reserve Fund (i.e., rainy day fund). If 757 passes, it would change that percentage from 10% to 15%. Strangely, I’m hearing opposition to this state question from folks I never thought I would because of what the rainy day fund has been spent on. But let’s think about this a second. Currently, when there’s a surplus, the legislature can spend 90% (because 10% goes to rainy day). 757 would limit them to spending (read: wasting) only 85% of the surplus (because 15% would go to rainy day). Frankly, I’m in favor of reducing how much they can fritter away at the beginning. If we don’t like how the rainy day fund has been spent, we need to hold the legislators responsible (i.e., fire them) and/or pass provisions as to just how the rainy day fund can be spent. The answer is not to reject 757. 757 makes good fiscal sense, and hoping we one day have state surpluses, we’ll be wise to require a larger portion go to rainy day. Vote yes on 757.

Above all, educate yourself, and once you have done so, go vote on the government you will have to endure.

From Your Election-Minded Publisher & Executive Editor:

Next Tuesday the polls will be open so that citizens can have their say as to the governance they must endure. It’s a privilege to vote, and we should responsibly walk into the voting booth and mark our ballots. While there are typically turn-out-the-vote campaigns, I’m not convinced that every eligible voter should vote. Voters should be informed about the candidates and issues before they make their voices heard.

And this is a very good year to get informed about the issues because, in addition to a full ballot of state and federal candidates for office, Oklahomans will decide eleven state questions. That’s right, the entire back of your ballot is completely full of ideas, notions, and schemes that the people have the last and final say on. And it’s a darn good thing, because there are some doozies.

It’s no secret that I’m a conservative; therefore, I favor conservative candidates (which usually means I support Republicans). The Republican party seemed to lose its way there for a while and it paid a price for that, ultimately resulting in the nomination of the lackluster John McCain for president and the resultant loss to Mr. Hope & Change himself, Barack Obama, aka Jimmy Carter’s long-lost and more liberal twin.

Since Obama’s election almost everything I and my ilk claimed would happen (and worse) has occurred. The backlash to the vehement liberal agenda has resulted in a refreshing uprising of conservatism, due in large part to the almost spontaneous combustion known as tea parties. Regular, plain ole Americans (of many parties and no party at all) just got sick and tired of a government being out of control, so they gathered in parks and on courthouse lawns to make their voices heard. They were mocked, maligned, and misquoted, but they refused to yield. Their momentum has hit full stride and both parties (read: both parties’ establishments) have taken notice. But never, ever forget that the party establishment was scared of Reagan, too.

So it’s that time. If you’ve had it with an out-of-control and non-responsive government, here’s your chance to weigh in and say enough is enough.

But, you might say, we’re from Oklahoma, the reddest of the red states. In fact, every county in Oklahoma went Republican in the last presidential election, even though our candidate was a dog. You’d be right. But elections aren’t all about who’s president (and we’re not electing a president this time, anyway). The race I really want to direct your attention to is Oklahoma’s second congressional district.

The incumbent, Dan Boren, is heir to the political dynasty of his dad, O.U. President David Boren, and his grandfather, Lyle Boren, who was a Congressman for a decade. It would be naïve to pretend that politicking isn’t in Dan Boren’s blood. Boren has been our congressman for three terms, following on the heels of that other Democrat “genius,” Brad Carson.

So what’s the problem with Boren? We all know he’s got a good rating from the NRA on Second Amendment issues (how could you not, when it’s what he seems to advertise about most?). Let’s face it, though, no one—Democrat or otherwise—stands a snowball’s chance in July of holding political office in Oklahoma if he or she isn’t pro-gun. But what else do we know about Dan Boren? In fairness, here’s one you may not know. He’s a co-sponsor of the Fair Tax. In fact, at one time he was the only Democrat co-sponsor of the bill (and for all I know, he still is). I have previously publicly lauded him for this fact. But there’s not much else I can think of in Boren’s positive column.

On the other hand, Boren has some very, very strong negatives. Primary among them, he casts his vote for Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the house. He’s been questioned about this vote, and his response is that Pelosi is the only Democrat running for speaker. So what? Which would be wiser for a man supposedly representing the interests of voters on Oklahoma’s second district: voting for Pelosi because she’s the only Democrat running or breaking ranks with your party and voting for the Republican speaker nominee because he or she is more in line with the values of those in your district (and those which your campaign ads claim you also hold)? But he just can’t break with his party. It would cost him too much.

And so, to be clear, a vote for Dan Boren is a vote to keep the Democrat leadership that daily subverts both the will and the interests of the people. Most Oklahoma Democrats I know have very little in common with Democrats in the national party, but if you send Boren back to Congress, those national Democrats are precisely who he votes to have the reins in Congress.

Let’s jump to a very recent recent example of Boren’s disconnect with those he supposedly represents. When the Bush tax cuts were made law, they included an expiration date. It was a concession that was made to get them passed. Well, time is tick-tick-ticking away, and those tax cuts are set to expire at the end of 2010. What that means is that the largest tax increases in American history are set to automatically kick in on Jan. 1, 2011, unless something is done to extend (or better yet, make permanent) the Bush tax cuts.

Without a doubt, tax increases are the absolute worst thing that could happen to our stagnant economy with high unemployment rates. The combination of the new Obamacare taxes plus the expiration of the Bush tax cuts could very likely send our economy into a harsh recession, if not a full-fledged depression (welcome back, Carter, as the t-shirt says).

Thankfully, there was a plan to begin the process of extending those Bush tax cuts. Unfortunately, before Congress could deal with the issue, as it should have, there was a motion to adjourn and a vote on it. And, unfortunately, the motion to adjourn passed by a single vote. Yes, friends, it was one single vote that decided to adjourn the Congress (so they could get home and campaign) rather than debate and vote to stop this massive tax increase. Too bad that one vote belonged to our Congressman, Dan Boren. With friends like this, who needs enemies? (To read more about the problems with Boren, scroll to the bottom of this post and follow the links to two posts from Michael Bates. You’ll be glad you did.)

And here’s the good news, folks: we have an option. You may not have heard much about him because he does not have the built-in political machine Dan Boren does, but I bet you have seen his signs. Charles Thompson, a double vet (U.S. Army retiree and doctor of veterinary medicine), is running to be our Congressman. If you read his bio, I think you’ll find he sounds an awful lot like just who we’d like representing our interests in Washington, DC, as opposed to Dan Boren, who votes with the Nancy Pelosi agenda about 90% of the time.

And so, when you go to vote next Tuesday, help me in saying buh-bye to Boren. If you vote for Dan Boren, you’re also voting for Nancy Pelosi and her ilk, and frankly, we have no one to blame for the fact that our representative in Washington represents very little of who and what we are. Let’s turn out for Thompson and do our part to help get American back on track. At least I’m certain that Charles Thompson will never be the deciding vote to adjourn Congress instead of debating tax cuts. I guarantee it.

Ed.

Michael Bates on washing Dan Boren out of office

Michael Bates on Boren pulling the mask off

Charles Thompson’s Website

Charles Thompson on Facebook

WELCH—It’s now less than one week until the 2010 mid-term elections. Here is a list of what will be on the Welch precincts’ ballot (R=Republican, D=Democrat, I=Independent):

State Officers

For Governor

Mary Fallin, R
Jari Askins, D

For Lt. Governor

Todd Lamb, R
Kenneth Corn, D
Richard Prawdzienski, I

For State Auditor & Inspector

Gary Jones, R
Steve Burrage, D

For Attorney General

Scott Pruitt, R
Jim Priest, D

For State Treasurer

Ken Miller, R
Stephen E Covert, D

For Superintendent of Public Instruction

Janet Barresi, R
Susan Paddack, D
Richard E. Cooper, I

For Commissioner of Labor

Mark Costello, R
Lloyd L. Fields, D

For Insurance Commissioner

John Doak, R
Kim Holland, D

Congressional Officers

For U.S. Senator

Tom Coburn, R
Jim Rogers, D
Stephen P. Wallace, I
Ronald F. Dwyer, I

For U.S. Representative, District 2

Charles Thompson, R
Dan Boren, D

Judicial Retention

Justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court

Dist. No. 2: Shall Steven W. Taylor of the Oklahoma Supreme Court be retained in Office? Yes or No

Dist. No. 5: Shall James R. Winchester of the Oklahoma Supreme Court be retained in Office? Yes or No

Judges of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals

Dist. No. 2, Office No. 1: Shall Deborah B. Barnes of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals be retained in Office? Yes or No

Dist. No. 3, Office No. 1: Shall Doug Gabbard II of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals be retained in Office? Yes or No

Dist. No. 3, Office No. 2: Shall John F. Fischer of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals be retained in Office? Yes or No

Dist. No. 4, Office No. 2: Shall Larry E. Joplin of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals be retained in Office? Yes or No

The opposite side of your ballot will contain eleven (11) state questions. Rather than reproduce them here for you, here’s a link to a PDF of an actual ballot sample that lists all the state questions. It’s a large file, so if you’d rather read the same questions from a smaller PDF, here’s one from the Oklahoma State Election Board.

WELCH—The regular Welch Town Council meeting will be held Mon., Oct. 25, 2010, at 5:00 p.m.

On the agenda are the following items:

• town dumping policy
• renewing electric franchise with Empire District Electric
• approval Welch Area Development Authority grant for main street improvements
• increasing salary of town judge from $200 to $500
• increasing salary of court clerk (unspecified amount)
• new fine amounts for Welch court
• modification of minor curfew policy
• setting date of Christmas parade
• possibility of taking over monthly testing of automatic generator at Civic Auditorium and other emergency preparedness
• scheduling a special meeting to finalize emergency preparedness and administer oaths of office

The Welch Public Works Authority will meet following Town Council. On its agenda:

• monthly claims and waivers
• increasing employee health insurance rates

See the complete agenda here:

WELCH—Voters turned out around the state today to make their voices heard in primary elections. Here are the results of the polling in Welch.

Welch Primary Election Results 7/27/2010

WELCH—Next Tuesday (July 27) is primary election day in Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, primary elections are open only to registered Democrats and Republicans. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are unable to vote on election day, in-person absentee ballots may be cast at the Craig County Election Board Office on the first floor of the Craig County Courthouse, 210 West Delaware Avenue, Vinita, Okla. Hours for in-person absentee voting are: Fri., July 23, 2010, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., July 24, 2010, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.; and Mon., July 26, 2010, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. The Election Board’s telephone number is (918) 256-7559.

And now, here’s what’s on your ballots.

All Ballots (for those living within the Town of Welch)

PROPOSITION

PROPOSED QUESTION

Shall the number of Trustees of the Town of Welch, Craig County, Oklahoma be increased from three (3) members to five (5) members? The foregoing pursuant to 11 O.S. § 12-102, and will be effective as set forth in 11 O.S. § 16-205 at the next general election to be held on the first Tuesday of April, 2011 which is April 5, 2011.

This is pretty straight forward. It would enlarge the town council from three to five persons. If you care to see the Oklahoma Statutes referenced int he question, you can click them and the links will take you to the specific statute.

You have to wait until next week to cast your official vote, but you can vote in our poll now:

Democratic Party Ballots:

STATE OFFICERS

FOR GOVERNOR

• Jari Askins
• Drew Edmondson

FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

• Susan Paddack
• Jerry Combrink

CONGRESSIONAL OFFICERS

FOR U.S. SENATOR

• Jim Rogers
• Mark Myles

FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT NO. 2

• Jim Wilson
• Dan Boren

DISTRICT OFFICERS

FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY DISTRICT NO. 12 [Editor's note: see our report on these two candidates here.]

• Janice Steidley
• Patrick Abitbol

And on the Republican party ballots:

STATE OFFICERS

FOR GOVERNOR

• Randy Brogdon
• Roger L. Jackson
• Mary Fallin
• Robert Hubbard

FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

• Bernie Adler
• John A. Wright
• Todd Lamb
• Paul F. Nosak
• Bill Crozier

FOR STATE AUDITOR AND INSPECTOR

• Gary Jones
• David Haniger

FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL

• Ryan Leonard
• Scott Pruitt

FOR STATE TREASURER

• Ken Miller
• Owen Laughlin

FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

• Janet Barresi
• Brian S. Kelly

FOR COMMISSIONER OF LABOR

• Mark Costello
• Jason Reese

FOR INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

• John P. Crawford
• John Doak
• Mark Croucher

FOR CORPORATION COMMISSIONER

• Tod Yeager
• Dana Murphy

CONGRESSIONAL OFFICERS

FOR U.S. SENATOR

• Evelyn K. Rogers
• Lewis Kelly Spring
• Tom Coburn

FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT NO. 2

• Daniel Edmonds
• Charles Thompson
• Raymond Wickson
• Chester Clem Falling
• Howard Houchen
• Daniel Arnett

And there you have it. These are the choices awaiting you at the polls next week. You might be wondering why the Republican ballot is so much longer than the Democratic one. Simply because many of the races on the Democratic side drew only one candidate, so there’s nothing to do in the primary. To see a complete of all candidates, including those running unopposed, visit the Oklahoma State Election Board online.

WelchOK.com encourages you to exercise your hard-fought right to vote. We will not be making endorsement in the primary elections. We will issue endorsements for the general election.

By special arrangement with the Oologah Lake Leader, we’re reprinting its interview with Democratic district attorney candidates Janice Steidley and Patrick Abitbol here for your benefit. Long-time district attorney Gene Haynes is not running for reelection. The winner of next Tuesday’s Democratic primary will face Republican Bryce Lair in the general election in November. Chris Edens, of the Leader, filed this report (Craig, Mayes, and Rogers Counties share a D.A.). Visit the Oologah Lake Leader online for more quality reporting, especially related to the Rogers County and Oologah Lake areas.

From the Leader:

STEIDLEY CHALLENGES ABITBOL FOR D.A.

Two candidates are courting voters in the Democratic primary for Rogers County District Attorney. Janice Steidley is challenging Patrick Abitbol for the job. Current DA Gene Haynes is retiring.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Bryce Lair to become Haynes’ successor.

JANICE STEIDLEY

Why do you want to serve as district attorney?

It is time for the District Attorney’s Office to be accessible and accountable. It is time for the District Attorney to be an active District Attorney.

The District Attorney’s Office must provide better and more efficient service to the people of Rogers, Mayes and Craig Counties. I can provide that positive change. The office can do a better job of building relationships and making prompt decisions. There has been a serious breakdown within the District Attorney’s Office. Someone has to step up to the plate, so I did.

I want our growing communities to be the best they can be. I’m a property owner and a mother, so I want safe neighborhoods and efficient use of our tax dollars.

The Claremore Police Lodge of the FOP has endorsed me saying, “You best represent the needs of law enforcement in Rogers County and . . . you embody the character, experience, and professionalism needed to lead the District Attorney’s Office.”

I have also been endorsed by the Pryor FOP and Vinita FOP.

I think it speaks volumes when you are endorsed by all three county fraternal orders of police.

I’m humbled by all the support I am getting. It shows me that there really are problems within the District Attorney’s office. It is encouraging to receive endorsements from people I’ve worked with for several years and see that I have earned their trust and respect.

What will your priorities be and what do you hope to accomplish while in office?

The most critical issue is to get the job done and get it done right. I believe I have a broad range of experience and the management skills to do that. There are several areas where we can make improvements:

- There is a breakdown in communication between the District Attorney’s Office and those it serves. Rebuilding relationships will be a key task. We can do that through regular meetings with law enforcement. I also intend to get out in the communities and talk to local officials and citizens.

- Cases and decisions are getting bogged down in the District Attorney’s Office. It wastes taxpayer money to have suspects sit in jail for months or years awaiting trial. I will be a working prosecutor and handle my share of cases in court. That will give us an extra pair of hands to move cases promptly.

- We will also improve work flow by communicating better with law enforcement. We need to get back with them promptly if we need additional information to bring a case. We need to make prompt decisions on whether to prosecute cases.

- The taxpayers deserve the best possible representation and performance from the District Attorney’s Office. I will make sure we have the right people in the right jobs. I will make sure the work gets done and done competently.

What are your qualifications and what skills will you bring to the position?

I want to apply my management skills to make the District Attorney’s Office more efficient and productive.

I have the experience as a prosecutor, drug court coordinator, practicing attorney, college teacher, mother of three and school volunteer. I have the skills and experience needed to get the job done right.

I joined the District Attorney’s Office in 1999, handling felonies, misdemeanors and juvenile cases. I left the District Attorney’s office in 2003 and joined my husband in private practice. I have been on both sides of a criminal case and know how a prosecutor and defense attorney think. This is key no matter what side of a case you’re on, to know how the other side is going to attack your case so you can give successful representation.

Please provide some background information on yourself. (family, education, employment etc.)

I graduated cum laude from the Oklahoma City University School of Law, where I met my husband, Larry Steidley. We returned to his hometown of Claremore where I was an assistant district attorney and my husband went into private practice.

I have been the Drug Court Coordinator for Mayes and Craig Counties since 2003, managing the drug court to streamline and improve their operations. When I first took over drug court, our funding was cut off for Mayes and Craig due to my predecessor not doing their job. I have taken the Mayes and Craig County drug court from nothing into a productive efficient program.

Our family includes three children. We have made our home in Verdigris where our children attend Verdigris Schools. I have been an active volunteer at my children’s school.

You’ll hear a great deal about “experience” in this campaign. The leadership in the current District Attorney’s Office has a combined 100 years of experience yet the problems have grown with each year they have served. Now, the property owners of Rogers County have been hit with a $12.5 million dollar judgment, which if we don’t win the appeal will have 3 years to pay off.

The District Attorney’s Office has far more responsibilities than prosecuting criminals -ranging from collecting overdue child support to protecting the citizens from ruinous lawsuit judgments – I have the broad experience, drive and energy to solve the problems in the District Attorney’s Office.

PATRICK ABITBOL

Abitbol has been an assistant district attorney in Rogers County since 1995. He is assigned to sexual and physical crimes against children and serious felonies.

He said: “I am proud to have been able to serve this district as a prosecutor. I am deeply committed to doing the best I can. Many people we deal with need help, be it drugs, alcohol or mental health issues. A balance must be considered regarding the offense and the appropriate sentence for the defendant. Treatment as part of the sentence is a consideration if the public can be protected.

“Those who sexually abuse our kids and commit violent crimes need to go to prison, period. I have tried numerous jury trials including murder cases, drug cases, victimized children cases and manufacturing cases as well as other serious crimes.

“I have the ability, experience and determination to protect our children, our families and each and every person in our three counties as your district attorney.”

Abitbol is married with five children. He has 12 grandchildren and another on the way.

[Editor's note: Abitbol declined to answer the specific questions for this article, citing a very busy schedule, and asked that information be taken from his campaign literature.]

Both Democratic candidates are online. Janice Steidley is at www.steidleyforda.com and Patrick Abitbol is at www.abitbolforda.com.