Yearly Archives: 2009

Vote “Yes” On BA School Bond

Joe Cook

Separating Fact from Fiction:

For some reason, a group of people in Edmond believe they know more about what’s best for our schools and our kids than we do. Sadly, in an attempt to impose their will on us, they have resorted to a campaign of distortion and falsehoods.

As the Dec. 8 election nears, it is important that we clear the air and separate fact from fiction.

Fact:  This bond issue is NOT a tax increase. Despite the gibberish these outsiders would have us believe, the school district and its financial advisors have gone to exceptional lengths to ensure improvements to our school system while maintaining tax rates at current levels.

Fact:  This proposal is a well thought-out package that has been under development for more than three years. There is no fluff or extravagance in it. Each and every item listed is essential to provide the quality education our kids need and deserve.

Fact: This bond issue will provide money to build three new schools while updating and equipping all existing sites. High on the priority list is doing away with “temporary” prefabs that have been around for decades. 

Fact: Even though this bond package is larger than in past years, it does not max out the district’s debt ceiling. Should an unexpected need arise, a mini-bond issue can be presented for voter approval.

Fact: Nowhere in this issue is there an $11 million indoor football stadium the agitators point to with glee. There is a $2.8 million bad weather practice facility that would be used by a variety of school groups, including band, softball, soccer and football.

Fact:  All bonds no matter how small or large have fees attached. They are legal requirements and cannot be avoided. The difference here is for the first time, fees earned by the bonding agent will stay in Broken Arrow and will be used for economic development purposes. The agitators would have us believe this is some kind of an evil conspiracy. In fact, it is a major positive element that makes an excellent proposal even more attractive.

Fact: This issue will provide critically important improvements to our school system and may well be the only way the district can get ahead of the fiscal curve. For full details, visit www.baschools.org.

About the author: Joe Cook is a parent who lives in Broken Arrow and is working with the Build A Better Broken Arrow Committee encouraging voters to vote YES for the schools. This loose coalition of citizens from all walks of life are ALL Broken Arrow residents who live or work in the Broken Arrow community." For more information visit http://voteyesba.com or on facebook/imvotingyes

Oilers come up big in final minute.

Rich Lohman

With all due respect to baseball great Yogi Berra, the Tulsa Oilers proved that a hockey game “ain’t over till it’s over” against the Missouri Mavericks Friday night when T.J. Caig lit the lamp on the power play with a little more than 45 seconds remaining to overtake the Mavs 5-4.

The Oilers managed to find a way to win with little or no time left in regulation and despite the Colorado Eagles victory over Rapid City, Tulsa remains atop the Northern Conference of the CHL by one standings point.  Notable in the game was the continuation of the amazing scoring runs of both Rob Hisey and T.J. Caig.  Both players managed to score a goal and an assist in the game.  Goalie Kevin Armstrong turned away 29 of 33 shots, and went 3-for-8 on the power play.

Next up is a home-and-home series with the Wichita Thunder, whom the Oilers defeated last Tuesday night 4-3.  The Thunder are coming off a big win over the Arizona Sundogs last night and they are hungry to knock off the first place Oilers.  They play tonight at 7:05pm in the Kansas Coliseum and again in the amazing BOK Center in a matinee game at 4:05pm on Sunday.  Another pairing to keep an eye on tonight is a game between Rapid City and Colorado in Ft. Collins, which puts all of the top teams in the division in play tonight.  

Tickets are on sale for Sunday’s game and all of the Oilers home games at all Reasors stores, tulsaoilers.com, and the BOK Center box office.  It’s family day on Sunday with a post-game skate with the players scheduled.

Live Nativity Tour Planned

Staff Reports

Christview Christian Church is presenting its 11th annual Bethlehem Walk.

The free event is a 45-minute guided outdoor walk through one of Tulsa’s most exciting realistic nativity tours, which includes a cast of 150 plus live camels, donkeys and sheep.

Each guest becomes a member of a family that is traveling to Bethlehem to be counted in the census and to pay their taxes.  Guests encounter Roman soldiers, beggars, lepers, and even a host of heavenly angels along the road to Bethlehem.  Each person has their ‘tax’ papers stamped before being allowed into the City, which is alive with activity.

Shopkeepers and dancers in the streets welcome each guest; some have wares to sample. Guests also will hear about the birth of a mysterious child in a manger and learn the child’s life story.

The tour has lighted paths for safety and authenticity. There are a limited number of golf carts available for handicapped/disabled guests. Please advise the reservation operator if you need to reserve one.

Please call the Reservation Hotline at 918-407-9195 starting November 15, 2009.  Operators on duty from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. nightly, or leave a message 24 hours a day and an operator will be back in touch to schedule your time or go to our website www.christviewchristian.com- click Special Events link.

Republican Caucus Wants Special Session Sooner Than Later

Staff Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate Republican Caucus has asked Gov. Brad Henry to call the Legislature into special session in December, rather than January as the governor proposed.

“It’s very clear that more reductions in spending are inevitable,” said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee. “Agency heads are awaiting our direction as to how much their budgets will be reduced.

“We believe it is prudent, given the fiscal crisis facing all state agencies, to come in, examine the numbers as an entire body, and make the hard decisions sooner rather than later,” he continued.  “We have a good feel for the direction revenues are heading, so why wait any longer?”

The Senate Appropriations subcommittees have been meeting over the past weeks with agency heads to project how various cuts – from five percent to 10 percent – would impact their departments.

“Agency heads are willing to make the tough calls,” Coffee said.  “They just need to know when and how much.  It’s not a pleasant task, but we all understand the reality of the times in which we’re operating.”

 Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the Governor can call a special meeting of the State Equalization Board, who would declare a budget failure, at which time the Governor could call a Special Session of the Legislature.

Republican Caucus Wants Special Session Sooner Than Later

Staff Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate Republican Caucus has asked Gov. Brad Henry to call the Legislature into special session in December, rather than January as the governor proposed.

“It’s very clear that more reductions in spending are inevitable,” said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee. “Agency heads are awaiting our direction as to how much their budgets will be reduced.

“We believe it is prudent, given the fiscal crisis facing all state agencies, to come in, examine the numbers as an entire body, and make the hard decisions sooner rather than later,” he continued.  “We have a good feel for the direction revenues are heading, so why wait any longer?”

The Senate Appropriations subcommittees have been meeting over the past weeks with agency heads to project how various cuts – from five percent to 10 percent – would impact their departments.

“Agency heads are willing to make the tough calls,” Coffee said.  “They just need to know when and how much.  It’s not a pleasant task, but we all understand the reality of the times in which we’re operating.”

 Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the Governor can call a special meeting of the State Equalization Board, who would declare a budget failure, at which time the Governor could call a Special Session of the Legislature.