Commission may want to rethink this one

Mike McCormick, Shawnee News-Star

 THE ISSUE The proposed yard parking ordinance
OUR OPINION It's impractical, if not impossible, to enforce

Shawnee city commissioners have struck a nerve with local citizens over their proposed yard parking ordinance. Most of those we've heard from aren't happy with the proposal, and they are making their opposition known.

Unanswered cries for help

Ted Streuli, The Journal Record

In the silence of the cellblock, you hear the screaming of tortured souls.
A pair of ghostly eyes peered through a narrow window in the cell's steel door, vanished, then reappeared. Whatever he was thinking while looking at our group of 49 Leadership Oklahoma participants remains as mysterious as the look in his eyes: partly bafflement, partly anger, primarily vacant.

Dealy must go

John M. Wylie II, Oologah Lake Leader

We've written for two weeks about the problems Rogers County Election Board Secretary Rebecca Dealy created for the voters of the Northwest Rogers County Fire Protection District. Voters who should have gotten in-person absentee ballots did not receive them. Voters who lived in other fire districts did receive Northwest ballots.

Lessons

John Hruby, The Marlow Review

Our parents teach us many lessons. Some we are more willing to absorb — others have to be learned the hard way.

A 'Good Samaritan' at Mel's Bar

Leslie Collins, The Cherokee Messenger & Republican

It was a simple request. His wife wanted a hot shower.
He called churches in Cherokee, not asking for money, but simply a place to shower.

Advice to the GOP: Keep clean rhetoric on your side of the campaign

J. Leland Gourley, Oklahoma City Friday

The Republican Party is well ahead in the national political races in this year's campaigns. The election is the GOPs to lose. If winning is the party's desire, they should be certain they don't do something silly or stupid and turn victory into defeat. The GOP can, and should, state their case strongly and effectively, without the use of vulgarity and hatred.

Combat troop pullout doesn’t ease parent’s pain

Andy Reiger, The Norman Transcript

PURCELL — The flashing lights on the police car were out of place on John Scripsick’s farm north of Purcell. He was getting the fields ready for the winter wheat crop. Immediately, he knew why the lawmen were there. Hours earlier, he had popped straight up in bed at 1:30 a.m. with the kind of helpless feeling only a parent can know. They were there about Cpl. Brian Joseph Scripsick, USMC, forever 22.

Not Again

Wayne Trotter, Countywide & Sun

  Thirty days hath September, April, June and November,
But when the city needs some more Let August count for thirty-four.
(With Apologies)

We have said this before but we'll say it again: Jim Thompson has been right on the big issues he has tackled since becoming city manager of Tecumseh three and a half years ago. He was especially on target when he set out to yank the Tecumseh Utility Authority out of the red. Nobody in their right mind could argue that the city could continue selling electricity, water and all its other services at a loss. Everyone knows the consequences.

Heat can affect fisherman more than fish

Vic Allshouse, Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise

Man! Is it hot? Or what? Our temps are hovering around the 100-degree mark and that's almost too hot to go fishing. Well, almost. I know several anglers that have resorted to bass fishing after dark and that's not such a bad idea. But they are finding out that the temps don't really bother the fish as much as the fisherman.

A time for our kids to learn life lessons

Jeff Kaley, Waurika News-Democrat

It’s that time once again. In the past few days, that uniquely American endeavor known as interscholastic sports began in earnest for a new school year.
Throughout Jefferson County and all around the Sooner state, thousands of young folk who participate in fall sports are strapping on shoulder pads or slipping a hand into a ball glove; cross country athletes are running over hill and dale.

Nothing was wrong with Wonder Woman

Karen Brady, Chickasha Express-Star

I recently read that DC Comics has decided, with doubtful wisdom, to “update” Wonder Woman’s iconic costume.

Perception is reality: Where do we want to stand?

Kim Benedict, The Ardmoreite

Recently, the Ardmoreite did a two-part series on individuals who have immigrated to America and the costs and processes that are involved. An additional story that we might consider is the integration of immigrants into our culture and communities.

B-17 flight brings back memories of service

Brian Blansett, Shawnee News-Star

When the e-mail came across offering media flights aboard a restored B-17 bomber on Memorial Day, it seemed like a good way to honor the thousands of American airmen who died in World War II.

Open Discussion

Wayne Trotter, The Countywide & Sun

All right, let's get this straight. Shawnee's firefighters, or at least the union which represents Shawnee's firefighters, went public last week in a belated effort to convince "the small people" (thank you, BP) that the city's new budget cut their department to the point that it could endanger union members and the public in general. The protest started on Facebook and culminated with a half-page ad in Sunday's edition of The Shawnee News-Star.

Marty, Monsters & My Miracle Mets

Kelly Wray, Chickasha Express-Star

The mention of Marty Seymour no longer makes me curl into a ball, assume a fetal position, and cry for my mother.

I’ve slain that emotional dragon, thank you very much. The psychotherapy is working.

Crucial decisions ahead

Mike McCormick, Shawnee News-Star

Shawnee city staff and commissioners are facing some crucial decisions. Over the next few weeks, they must decide about furloughing some city employees, possibly closing city hall at least one day a week, and other measures to ensure the city remains solvent.

Going home for the holiday

Faith Wylie, Oologah Lake Leader

We gathered at home for Easter, like we have done so many times since 1959 when my family moved into our brand-new house in Shawnee Mission, Kansas.

We awakened Easter morning to candy eggs near our pillows, just like when we were children. We searched for candy eggs throughout the house, looking high and low. Potato salad and ham were consumed in appropriate quantities.

Elected officials should suffer, too

Kim Poindexter, Tahlequah Daily Press

For anyone who's up to snuff on' current events, it's a real challenge to deny the hypocrisy running rampant at the Oklahoma statehouse.

This week, officials announced that Cherokee County, among others, will be losing a valuable asset with the closure of its Child Guidance Center. Furloughs are being taken left and right, and many of the same Oklahomans who last month were rallying for tax cuts are now realizing some cherished service or another their families depended on is being eliminated or slashed. About the only thing to be said in this regard: Be careful what you wish for, you might get it.

The measure of a man

Kimberly Noe, The Newcastle Pacer

He was the last great cowboy in that classic line.
Like Gene Autry and Will Rogers without the celebrity.
He was born and raised in Oklahoma. He had six sisters, two brothers and parents who knew only hard work.
They farmed and ranched through dust bowl and depression and never took what they had for granted.

Comparative religious study for our teens

Jeff Kaley, Waurika News-Democrat

To my knowledge, Tom Adelson and I have never cross paths. But on the issue of teaching religion in public schools, Adelson and I seem to walk the same road. When the Oklahoma Senate passed a measure allowing the Bible to be taught in public schools, Adelson, a Democrat from Tulsa, was one of four senators voting nay. The bill would allow school districts to offer an elective course to students in grade nine through 12 that would present the Bible as a historic and literary document. The curriculum — and instructors — would be mandated to maintain religious neutrality.

If every belle gets her day, where is mine?

Shana Adkisson, Norman Transcript
Feb. 20, 2010

Ever get the feeling someone, or some-thing, is out to get you?
I have that feeling. And as a result I've officially taken Mother Nature off my Christmas card list. And if I ever see her face at the grocery store I will not be polite. Yes, if I ever meet Mother Nature shopping for frozen corn I'll give her the worst stink eye she's ever seen. Guaranteed.
It started at Christmas. I wrote about that a few months ago. Where I was trapped alone at home on Christmas Eve with a frozen pizza while my husband was stranded in a blizzard. I got over that pretty quickly because I have a birthday at the end of January. I figured since I endured such heartache at Christmas that surely my birthday would go off without a hitch.

It's decision time

Mike McCormick, Shawnee News-Star
Feb 28, 2010

THE ISSUE: A Bryan Street interchange at I-40
OUR OPINION: City commissioners should approve the resolution Monday Night

It’s now or never for an interchange on I-40 at Bryan Street. That is the decision awaiting Shawnee city commissioners Monday night when they consider a resolution reaffirming support for the feasibility study authorized nearly three years ago.

You can never have too much love...

Jeff Mullin, Enid News & Eagle
January 29, 2010

He was dying, that much was obvious.
His breathing was labored, his face drawn, his skin bearing the yellow stain of jaundice.
His liver had been gradually shutting down for months, the result of hepatitis C, hence the jaundice.
He had just been approved for the liver transplant list at an Oklahoma City hospital.

To impound or not to impound

David Gerard, Muskogee Phoenix
January 20, 2010

Driving an uninsured vehicle is illegal. Without insurance, a driver creates a greater financial risk to himself and other drivers.
But the state should see how the new Compulsory Insurance Verification System works before it begins impounding vehicles for failure to carry liability insurance.