Muskogee Phoenix Editorial Board: Doerflinger's actions disgraceful

The Muskogee Phoenix has historically been a fairly liberal newspaper, but on occasion, they get things dead right. Today's editorial is one example.

Muskogee Phoenix Editorial Board: State official’s actions disgraceful

A Facebook feud initiated by the governor’s finance secretary demonstrates the depth to which leadership at the Capitol seem willing to sink themselves and the state.

Secretary Preston Doerflinger accused the state auditor of falling “asleep at the wheel” in a Facebook post attempting to assign blame for the fiscal mismanagement of the Oklahoma Health Department. Gov. Mary Fallin’s appointee said Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones had “been derelict in his duties” and urged him to abandon his bid for the Republican Party’s nomination in the 2018 governor’s race.

Jones attributed the dispute to a discrepancy in the testimony presented by the two men during hearings convened by lawmakers investigating Health Department expenditures. The state auditor said Doerflinger “got his feelings hurt” because their recollections differed about when financial problems at the agency first surfaced.

Doerflinger’s accusations against Jones appear petty considering the scope of the fiscal calamity at a state agency that provides core services to thousands of Oklahomans. His conduct, on the other hand, is quite alarming and further bruises the state’s image — an image tarnished by those who place politics and above the best interest of their constituents.

Fallin’s finance secretary was responsible for overseeing the state’s finances as director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. He now serves as interim director of the beleaguered agency that must lay off scores of workers across the state due to alleged misfeasance.

From this vantage point, it appears Doerflinger should focus more attention on the serious issues that jeopardize the public health in Oklahoma and threatens its residents. His Facebook feud appears to be little more than a charade — perhaps an attempt to deflect attention from himself or a ploy to influence the outcome of party politics.

Letter to Editor: Vote No on SQ779

Vote No on State Question 779

(originally printed in the Muskogee Phoenix)

Education funding should be a top concern for Oklahomans, but the one cent statewide sales tax proposed by State Question 779 is not the way to do it. Oklahoma already has one of the highest sales tax in the nation and this extra cent would make us the highest. At a time when local retailers are hurting to compete with tax-free online competition, this tax hike will push even more consumers away from shopping locally.

There would be further negative impacts on our city and county governments who get a majority of their revenues from sales tax. If 779 passes our sales tax would be hiked to over 10 percent statewide on July 1, 2017 and from that date on it will become very difficult for cities and counties to pass sales tax bonds. A quarter of a cent bond issues to improve city streets or public services that may have seemed affordable to voters in the past, would now become very difficult to pass.

Please vote no on 779 because of the damage to our local economy and the future negative effects on city and county governments.

Martin Updike (Fort Gibson)

MuskogeePhoenix: Jarrin Jackson says his military experience will benefit veterans

Candidate says his military experience will benefit veterans

by D.E. Smoot, Muskogee Phoenix Staff Writer

A combat veteran awarded two bronze stars for his service in Afghanistan plans to compete for the Republican nomination in the contest to elect the next representative of Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District.

Jarrin Jackson, an Oologah native who lives in rural Rogers County, said he decided to compete for the post in the fall of 2014 while on the battlefield in Afghanistan. He is competing for a post that will be defended by U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin of Westville, who is seeking a third term.

"My decision was made ... when one of my soldiers lost a leg to ISIS and we were not allowed to return fire," said Jackson, who earned the rank of captain before leaving active duty in the U.S. Army. "I learned on that day that we have leaders in Washington ... who are getting soldiers hurt and killed overseas because we are not allowed to win the mission."

Jackson said his core decision to compete for the congressional post "has nothing to do" with Mullin and "and everything to do with the defense of the country." He did, however, criticize the incumbent's record with regard to veterans issues, spending and rapid rise to become part of the Washington establishment.

"He is the consummate politician: He has convinced everyone that he is a small-business man ..., not a politician ..., but yet he has created his own leadership PAC," Jackson said about Mullin's Boots Political Action Committee, which was organized in May 2015. "You only create a leadership PAC if you plan on being in politics — they exist only to influence other politicians."

Jackson insists he is not a single-issue candidate, citing conservative concerns such as the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, improving border security and reduced spending. But as a West Point graduate and a Ranger-qualified officer who commanded more than 500 soldiers at the platoon and company levels, veterans issues clearly rank at the top of his concerns.

"When politicians talk about veterans issues they do so not from a position of expertise, not from the position of solving a problem, they do so because they understand everyone agrees veterans should be helped and get their health care," Jackson said. "The problem is they elect politicians like Rep. Mullin, who posts pictures on Facebook of himself with veterans or says he is going to do a veterans town hall — that doesn't produce results."

As a combat veteran, Jackson, a fifth generation Oklahoman, said he has first-hand experience with the issues veterans face after they transition from active duty to civilian life. Unlike Mullin and other congressmen and women who have no military experience, Jackson said he would bring solutions to the table that address those issues at the front end rather than react to them as they are presented.

"The problem is every congressman is reactionary — they look at a problem as they walk through the door or leave a message on voicemail — and don't get ahead of the problem," Jackson said. "As long as they are reactionary, veterans will continue to suffer."

Jackson said there needs to be a greater focus on veterans as they transition from active duty to civilian life. He said neither the military nor Veterans Affairs take ownership of that process, which contributes to a multitude of problems veterans are forced to face alone after they are discharged.

"I find it ironic that a district that has as many veterans as we do here doesn't have somebody in Washington who will better represent them," Jackson said. "If they want to see real reform ..., they should vote for me."

The filing period for the 2016 congressional races is scheduled for April 13-15. The primary election to select party nominees will be June 28, with a runoff scheduled Aug. 23 if needed.


MEET THE CANDIDATE

• NAME: Jarrin Jackson.
• AGE: 30.
• HOMETOWN: Oologah.
• FAMILY: Wife, Katie; sons Lloyd, 4, and Dale, 1.
• OCCUPATION: U.S. Army veteran, left active duty in 2015.
• EDUCATION:  U.S. Military Academy at West Point, 2008 graduate with Bachelor of Science Degree in Military History; U.S. Army Ranger School and Airborne School.
• RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Church of Christ.
• HOBBIES: Football, Little League soccer coach, American history. 

Hammons won't seek reelection

From the Muskogee Phoenix:

Mayor won't seek new term

Hammons plans to attend law school

Mayor John Tyler Hammons said Thursday that he would step aside next year at the end of his second term to pursue a law degree.

Hammons dispelled speculation that he might run for the House District 14 post held by Rep. George Faught, who is seeking the Republican nomination in the 2nd Congressional District race.

Hammons said he made his decision after he received law school scholarship offers. He hopes to attend the University of Oklahoma or the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

“We’ve done a lot of good things since I’ve been here, and I’m proud of that,” Hammons said. “I’m looking forward to going back to being a private citizen. ... It’s time to seek other opportunities.”

Read more from the Muskogee Phoenix here.

Muskogee-based Site Roundup

I'd like to let everyone know about two new (or new to me) sites I have come across recently that are Muskogee-based.


MuskogeeNOW.com is a new alternative news source, started by Leif Wright. Wright, a former editor with the Muskogee Phoenix, explains "why this site is here" [halfway down the page]. Look for great things to come from competition in the Muskogee news market.


The other is MuskogeeUSA.net. The author of this blog talks about a wide variety of topics, but also spends time on Muskogee issues. I'll definitely be adding his blog to my area read-list.

GloverGate and the Muskogee Phoenix Coverup

(picture from the Oklahoman website)

A controversy is beginning to brew over Muskogee highway contractor Craig Glover and his interaction with State Sen. Kenneth Corn (D-Poteau) and State Sen. Earl Garrison (D-Muskogee).

Randy Ellis with the Daily Oklahoman wrote an article detailing how Glover, twice rejected by ODOT's prequalifications committee due to ties to his father's suspended company*, contacted Garrison and Corn in 2007 to intervene on his behalf. After communicating with the aforementioned state senators, ODOT had a sudden and complete change of mind about Glover, who received the credentials he needed to bid for state projects. Since that time, Glover's company has been awarded over $35M in road contracts, including almost $3M in federal stimulus monies.

*(George Paul Glover pleaded no contest to using prohibited material on U.S. 64 and U.S. 59 in 2007, and intimidating a state grand jury witness. His company was subsequently suspended from bidding on state projects, and Craig Glover formed his own company a short while later.)

Two months before both state senators got involved, Craig and George Paul Glover gave a combined $1,250 to Earl Garrison's re-election campaign. Craig had also donated in 2002 to Corn's campaign. At the time, Sen. Corn was on the Senate Appropriations Committee and Sen. Garrison was on the Senate Transportation Committee.

The Daily Oklahoman also ran an editorial today that blasted the senators involvement.

However, there is another twist to the story.

When the Muskogee Phoenix ran the AP story, they conveniently neglected to mention Earl Garrison's involvement. The article that ran in the December 28th print edition of the Phoenix referred to two state senators, but only mentioned Kenneth Corn by name.

Scan of the Muskogee Phoenix article, with no mention of Garrison.

Why would the Phoenix not mention Earl Garrison, the local state senator (and the figure with the most local interest), but instead only mention Kenneth Corn, whose district is outside of the Phoenix circulation area? Why try to hide Garrison's involvement?

Also, did they really think no one would notice the absence of the second senator? Did they really think no one would question why Earl Garrison was not included?

UPDATE: According to sources, the Phoenix employee responsible for laying out the page with the article had to edit it in order for the article to fit. Still no explanation on why Garrison was completely cut out of the story.

Mayor to Announce Reelection Plans at State of the City

Muskogee Mayor John Tyler Hammons plans to announce his reelections intentions at his State of the City address next Thursday.

Hammons was first elected in the spring of 2008, when he was 19 years old, defeating long-time former mayor Hershel McBride, who was attempting to reenter city politics. At the time, this made Hammons the youngest mayor in the country, and his election drew significant media attention.

According to the Muskogee Phoenix, Hammons stated "I will be announcing whether I will be running for re-election as well as another thing that will be affecting our economy. I've been meeting with various other players, who I can’t identify at this time, who are on board with the idea and we'll be taking it to the public."

City Councilor Jim Ritchey has already announced his plans to run for mayor. The election will be held on April 6th, 2010.

I fully expect Mayor Hammons to run for reelection, mainly because he has not been able to accomplish much of what he originally set out to do - campaign finance reform, term limits, ward voting, et cetera.

Hammons will be delivering his State of the City address at the annual Chamber of Commerce luncheon at 11:30am on october 1st at the Muskogee Civic Center.

Phoenix Finally Posts Rock's Coburn-bashing Column

Yesterday evening, I posted Sen. Tom Coburn's rebuttal to Muskogee County Democrat chairman Calvin Rock's op-ed. At that time, the Muskogee Phoenix had not posted the column on their website, contrary to practice.

The Phoenix typically posts the Opinion page for the next day's issue the afternoon before. Sometimes, they don't get it done until the next morning, but that is very rare.

The Phoenix ran Rock's column in the print edition on Sunday, August 6th. Noticeably, for some reason they did not post it online.

At the time of my post last night, the article was still not online.

Check out what they did at 10:48 this morning:

(click to see larger picture)

Eight days after the fact, the Phoenix finally decides to post Rock's op-ed? I wonder what prompted them to do that...

Coburn Responds to County Democrat Column

Sen. Coburn responds to a column that ran in last Sunday's Muskogee Phoenix by Muskogee County Democrat chairman Calvin Rock. Rock's column was about the leftist conspiracy over the D.C. group called "The Family" that Coburn has ties to.

Incidentally, the Phoenix did not post Rock's article on their website, as is usually the case. I can't remember the last time something on their Opinion page was not placed online.

Don’t waste time with conspiracy theories; let’s talk policy
by Sen. Tom Coburn

In a recent op-ed on your page the president of the Muskogee County Democratic Party, Calvin Rock, asks readers to believe that I, Sen. Jim Inhofe, former Rep. Steve Largent and other Republicans are part of a secret, fundamentalist conspiracy bent on controlling our nation. Also, according to Rock, we exclude females and nonwhites, and we tolerate rape.

I normally ignore bizarre personal attacks and conspiracy theories of this nature, but it’s important for readers to understand why Rock is making these outlandish claims.

Rock, I believe, is attempting to participate in a broader debate about faith in the public square.

First, however, it’s telling that the chairman of the Muskogee Democratic Party isn’t using his platform to express the ideas of his party, such as their health care plan, but is instead spending his time recycling conspiracy theories of the radical left.

I’m more than happy to discuss any of my votes or policy positions with Rock or any Oklahoman, Republican or Democrat.

Yet, Rock is not interested in debating policy. Instead, he is engaging in crass, partisan and amateurish character assassination. The people of Oklahoma want constructive solutions from their party leaders, not conspiracy theories.

Second, Rock’s op-ed, I believe, expresses a hostility toward faith in the public square that runs throughout much of the criticisms I’ve seen regarding the “C Street” house and the foundation — which Rock describes as “The Family” — that helps members of Congress host the National Prayer Breakfast every year.

In politics, I’ve found that those who accuse others of harboring secret, nefarious agendas often have hidden agendas of their own. The fact is, the moral failings of some of my roommates at C Street and the subsequent media frenzy about congressional prayer gatherings have given those on the far left ammunition to make their case that anyone who aims to bring faith into the public square has a secret theocratic agenda.

Rock tries to make his case with an argument that is riddled with factual errors and innuendo. In fairness to Rock, some of his errors may be the fault of another author, Jeff Sharlet. What Rock calls “The Family” is hardly an “elite fundamentalism” but a loose and disjointed affiliation of thousands of national and international individuals who have been active in areas of faith, business and politics and who have attended one of the National Prayer Breakfasts in the past 50 years.

People come to the National Prayer Breakfast from all backgrounds for all sorts of reasons. Some are devout Christians, some are Jews, and others have no faith at all. Some come to mingle with politicians while others are seeking answers to life’s most important questions.

The alleged elite fundamentalist organization pulling the strings behind all of this doesn’t have a formal hierarchy or membership roll because they are trying to elevate Christ rather than any organization or individual. It’s true that those involved describe themselves as “followers of Christ,” which is another way of saying Christian. In fact, it is their faith as “followers of Christ” that has led various lay ministers involved in The Family to not only reach out to members of Congress but to children living in inner-city Washington, D.C., and in some of the poorest parts of the world.

If this organization has a secret plan to take over our government, they aren’t having much success. In spite of my best efforts to bend my colleagues to my will, two of the more active participants in congressional prayer breakfasts, Sens. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Mark Pryor, D-Ark., still vote the other way most of the time.

If Oklahomans want to understand the true, “secret” agenda of this group they should read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and study groups like Young Life and the Navigators.

I believe our country needs more, not fewer, elected officials who acknowledge an authority higher than party or government in their lives.

As Americans, the freedoms we enjoy are a gift from God. We have thrived as a nation because we’ve always understood that our rights as individuals do not come from a king or the state but from a creator.
The public square is not merely a place for faith. It was built on faith.

I make no apologies for that belief, nor do I apologize for trying to live out my faith when I’m away from my home church in Muskogee. I hope readers will put in proper perspective the views of a party operative who would rather attack my faith than my votes.

Calvin Rock's column was based on the recent conspiracy book by author Jeff Sharlett, "The Family - the Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power". Rock is also the president of the Muskogee-area PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) group (real Muskogee/Oklahoma values, wouldn't you say?).

I'm the 'Preppie Son'

According to Larry Parsons of Warner, I'm "preppie".

The aforementioned liberal letter writer had a letter-to-the-editor on Friday. Parsons railed against conservatives, and then turned to discuss State Rep. George Faught and me.

He said, "Recently, state Rep. George Faught, who never met an insurance company he wouldn’t suck up to, and his preppie son wrote tearful op-ed pieces basically asking for right-wing nuts to stand up." (Rep. Faught had a column in the Phoenix and I had a letter-to-the-editor on July 3rd)

First of all, the standby accusation from the Democrats when it comes to Rep. Faught is that he's "in the pocket of Big Insurance" (just like his "pal", the other George: George W. Bush).

As for me, well, if 'preppie' is the worst he can call me, I'll take it as a badge of honor. Not that I'm 'preppie' or anything... I have no idea where he pulled that from...

EDIT: An interesting note on Rep. Faught being "in the pocket of Big Insurance" - during his last campaign, I believe less than 5% of his campaign contributions were from insurance PACs or those employed in the insurance field. Nothing like the Democrats, whose candidates are commonly funded 75% or more by lawyers and unions.

Muskogee Phoenix: Spend $20 on the 20th

From Larry Corvi, publisher of the Muskogee Phoenix (published in today's newspaper):

Dear Muskogee Area Residents:

As we all know the national economy has slowed. Some are calling it “the great recession.” So far Middle America has been spared much of the pain. Housing prices here, for example, are overall holding. Our local and state unemployment rates are up but way below the national average.

But many local businesses have seen sales slow down affecting jobs of their employees and in some cases shaken their future viability.

Additionally, as the news article on this page points out, many dollars leave Muskogee and small towns around us for businesses in Tulsa. In some cases up to 30 percent of the dollars in local business segments are lost because of leakage.

We also spend money with online retailers across the country and around the world. These dollars, too, are lost from our local economy.

A newspaper plays a number of roles in the local community it serves in addition to keeping area residents informed. I take these responsibilities very seriously. One role I believe a local newspaper has is helping our local communities grow and prosper.

With that in mind we at the Phoenix are proposing that on Saturday, June 20, Muskogee and residents in other communities we serve spend $20 on some good or services you had not planned to spend, in our local communities. That $20 purchase will greatly help local merchants, who down the road could improve their business for you. And according to economic experts your $20 will continue to circulate up to seven times locally providing other economic benefits.

The $20 will come back to our towns in more sales tax revenues. Those tax dollars will be spent in improving quality of life issues right here in our communities, for you and your families.

So let's go out on the 20th and spend that $20 locally. Your community will get a lot more back than the good or service you purchased. And you will, too!

LAWRENCE CORVI
President/Publisher
Muskogee Phoenix

Important Meetings for Muskogee Residents on Tuesday

There will be two important meetings for Muskogee-area resident on Tuesday. First, from the Muskogee Phoenix:

Muskogee voters are invited to attend a public question-and-answer forum concerning the three sales tax increase proposals on the June 9 city ballot.

The town hall meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Roxy Theater.

City Manager Greg Buckley and other city officials will be there to answer residents’ questions concerning the three proposed increases that would total .75 percent or three-quarters of a cent on a $1 purchase if passed.

The taxes are proposed to address a series of Muskogee needs, including replacing a city sewer line and water lines, repairing streets and a training center for police and fire.

The forum is sponsored by the Phoenix, and if you have questions regarding the meeting, call 684-2920.

And now the second one:

National organizations Americans for Prosperity Foundation and American Majority are proud to announce a series of joint grassroots town halls around Oklahoma called

“The Barnstorming Tour for Liberty!” to build awareness of local and state issues amongst citizens around the state and communicate to them how they can be more involved in their community. This tour is a “do not miss” event for all Oklahomans who love their freedom and want to be an active participant in the fight for liberty.

Over the course of these three days, events will be held in eight cities at the following locations and times:

Enid on Monday, May 18th, at 7:30 a.m. at Wee Too, located at 4002 N 4th St.

Ponca City on Monday, May 18th, at 12:00 p.m. at Head Country BBQ, located at 1217 East Prospect

Bartlesville on Monday, May 18th, at 6:00 p.m. at Montana Mike’s Steakhouse, located at 3825 SE Adams Rd

Claremore on Tuesday, May 19th, at 7:30 a.m. at Eggbert’s, located at 900 South Lynn Riggs Boulevard

Tahlequah on Tuesday, May 19th, at 12:30 p.m. in the “H Room” of Cherry Springs Restaurant, located at 704 East Ballentine Road

Muskogee on Tuesday, May 19th, at 6:00 p.m. at Cowboy’s BBQ, located at 401 North York Street

Lawton on Wednesday, May 20th, at 8:00 a.m. at IHOP, located at 1060 NW 38th St.

Altus on Wednesday, May 20th, at 12:00 p.m. at Val’s Restaurant, located at 800 N Main St.

The cost of attendance is FREE and includes training and training materials. (Meal not included)

In reference to the upcoming tour, American Majority Deputy State Director said, “Each of these events will be an outstanding opportunity for Oklahomans to hear from two great organizations in AFP and American Majority. Our hope is that the folks we talk to can first find out what is happening in their community, state, and country and then discover the role they can play in our ongoing pursuit of freedom.”

Set to kick off on Monday, May 18^th and go through Wednesday, May 20^th in cities throughout Oklahoma, the tour will cover 8 cities across the state over the course of 3 days.

AFP State Director Stuart Jolly said: “These stops are meant to highlight and answer the ‘What’s next?’ question posed at the recent tea parties in order to make a real difference in real peoples’ lives.”

Each stop along the way will feature information about Americans for Prosperity Foundation and American Majority and the function each organization plays in the cause for liberty. This tour will highlight current issues facing Oklahomans. There will also be a time for discussion regarding the ongoing efforts at the local, state, and federal levels of government to renew free market and limited government principles.

I highly encourage you to try to make one or both of these events.

Muskogee Tea Party Pictures, Part 1

Here is the first handful of pictures from the Muskogee Tea Party that took place on Wednesday, with around 225-250 attendees. I'll post some more later, as well as video.

Here's a link to the Muskogee Phoenix front-page above-the-fold article. They also posted video on their website here.

People beforehand, lining up to sign in.

Yours truly, kicking things off.

Dave Amis, Americans for Prosperity.

3 year old Sarah Lemmons of Checotah holds a wonderful sign.

The crowd of nearly 250.

Our third speaker, local businessman Greg Gaither.

Jim Conroy, FairTax.

Charlie Williams, with a good quote.

The wonderful crowd again.

Final speaker, local businessman Rob Raasch.

Columnist: Don't Trample on the Constitution

Here's a great column that will be running in tomorrow's Muskogee Phoenix:

Sacred document can’t be trampled

By Robin L. Quillon - CNHI News Service

Legislation is pending in the U.S. Senate to grant the District of Columbia voting representation in Congress (it currently has a House delegate who has no voting rights). D.C. residents have long believed they cannot be taxed without representation.

However, the U.S. Constitution clearly states that “members of Congress shall be selected from States.” Clearly, D.C. is not a state, and the Supreme Court agreed when it ruled: “The Constitution does not contemplate that the District may serve as a state for purposes of the apportionment of congressional representatives.”

The only other option for Congress is to amend the Constitution or carve up the district and give it to Maryland.

I believe if Congress proceeds to grant D.C. a representative, its members will be in violation of the oath they took to “solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States” designed by our Founding Fathers to form a more perfect union, and should be removed from office immediately.

We the people cannot allow our sacred Constitution to be trampled upon, stretched and ignored so blatantly by the very people who have sworn to support it.

But let’s face it, taking an oath seriously these days is passé and means something to a politician only if it is convenient to his or her cause or gain. And in this case, it is all about retaining majority and power.

The argument of giving Utah another representative (something they deserve as a result of the census) to offset this move insults our intelligence.

As members of Congress contemplate their oath, perhaps they should reflect upon the trials of Sir Thomas More.

More faced a dilemma that would test his resolve. His mind was made up, and he refused King Henry’s edict to swear an oath and sign the Act of Supremacy.

The main purpose of this act was so that Henry VIII could get an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon – something Pope Clement VII refused to grant – and be declared King Henry Supreme Head of the Church of England.

More tried to remain out of the line of fire, but More, indeed, was arrested and sent to the Tower of London to await execution by beheading.

He gave his life rather than comprise his standards.

Let’s hope members of our Congress think twice and do not lose themselves by opening their fingers just a little, causing irreparable damage to our Constitution and endangering our more perfect union.

Robin L. Quillon is the publisher of The Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown, Pa.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Local School Board Results

From the Muskogee Phoenix:

In Muskogee, Saunders received 388 votes, or 63.61 percent to Bonney’s 222 votes or 36.39 percent. [...]

Bonney said after the election that he wishes Saunders “the best.” [...]

He said he was shocked at the low turnout in Muskogee.

The voter turnout was abysmally low; only 610 votes were cast. However, we are glad to see that Bonney was not the victor. We certainly hope that Muriel Saunders will do a good job in her next term, and do a better job at being present for school board meetings.

In the Hilldale school board election, challenger Shawn Kuykendall smashed incumbent Eldon Schoonover 686 (91.59%) to 68 (8.41%).

On another race, here's what the Phoenix had to say:

However, Kuykendall didn’t have the night’s biggest margin of victory. In the Cherokee County dependent school district of Woodall, David Sevier defeated Jeremy L. Hitchcock by taking 98.41 percent of the vote. One person voted for Hitchcock.

Talk about a smashing victory...

Muskogee County Under Burn Ban

From the Muskogee Phoenix:

Muskogee County Commissioners have declared a burn ban in effect until further notice.

It is unlawful to build a campfire or bonfire, or to burn trash or other material or otherwise cause a forest, grass, range, crop or other wildlands fire, according to Oklahoma law.

It is unlawful for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, range, crop, or other wildlands, or to build a campfire or bonfire, or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass, range, crop or other wildlands fire.

Sense-less Letters to the Editor

Let us get more involved. Let us help you prevent war, poverty, disease and all the other problems that seem to plague us.There are some poor souls whose sole object in life is to write bafflingly ridiculous letters to newspapers, local or not. Here are two prime subjects who wrote to the Muskogee Phoenix in the past week.

Example One:

Give us all a break and an Internet page

Leaders of all nations, give us a break, all six billion of us.

Please set up a Web page on the Internet for your nation and on it talk about any issues that involve the advancement of civilization. Please include blogs for communicating and linking with viewers, YouTube for visual displays and RSS feeds to alert us by e-mail when new information is available.

We could then have a town hall meeting all day, every day, in every home and office on the planet. Each site will grow and soon all people who want to get involved will know what works and what does not work.

Then we simply flow chart the work to be done, and do it.

The payoff for all people is going to be a better life forever.

David R. Oliver - Oklahoma City

Example Two:

Disco, dancing proposal could help save world

Fort Gibson could help by building a “Green Dream Motel.” The builders of the dream green hospital that honors Muskogee, the state and our nation in striving to be the first LEED certified hospital in the country (It’s very sad about the drainage problem. Let’s help out).

“In the War against Nature, I am sorry to say, we are winning” is a favorite quote environmentalists repeat a lot because it is so true.

Fort Gibson could also put in a disco like those built in other places, so when people dance the vibrations on the floor generate electricity. Oklahoma, fortunately, has net metering, so with solar panels, electricity could be sold back to the electric company.

During times of disaster it might be the only structure people could go to. It could be a weight-loss center. If you danced enough and became happier and healthier, you could get free health care at the green hospital in case of emergency. We could advertise, begging people to come and dance with us as we save the world.

Jean McMahon - Fort Gibson

(McMahon is a local Green Party activist, whose area claim to fame comes from attending various public events dressed as a polar bear.)

Debate Raging Over Muskogee Mayor's Powers

Sparked by an order by Mayor John Tyler Hammons, there is a debate raging over exactly what the mayor of Muskogee can do. Here is a time-line of events.

Monday:

Mayor names successors
Hammons sets order of succession in case of emergency

If Muskogee’s mayor and vice mayor are unavailable during a state or national emergency, Councilor James Gulley would take the reins of city government, according to orders by Mayor John Tyler Hammons.

Hammons issued an order before he and five other members of the Council left for the National League of Cities convention in Orlando, Fla., earlier this month.

[...]

Both orders state Hammons is authorized by City Charter and by state law to determine who would be in line to succeed him and Vice Mayor Robert Perkins in case of disaster.

[...]

Councilor Jim Ritchey questions Hammons’ authority to issue an order of any sort.

“I don’t know of a mayor previous to him ever doing it, ever granting that,” Ritchey said. “This is news to me.”

Pam Bush, who has been city clerk since 1992, said she has never received a mayoral order before.

[...]

While Ritchey questions, Hammons’ authority to issue orders of any kind, Gulley said he didn’t have a problem with that.

“To me, it was kind of a non-issue because I didn’t think it was going to happen (a national emergency),” Gulley said.

Wednesday:

Mayor’s power topic of meeting
Special session set to discuss recently issued orders

Just how much power the mayor has will be taken up by the City Council in a special called meeting Tuesday afternoon, according to an agenda posted Wednesday by the City Clerk’s Office.

Mayor John Tyler Hammons said he called the meeting at the request of Councilors Jim Ritchey and Bob Luttrull.

They asked the mayor’s powers and duties to issue orders be clarified after Hammons recently issued two orders designating who would succeed him and Vice Mayor Robert Perkins in case they were unavailable during a national or state emergency. The agenda calls for a review of the mayor’s powers both under the City Charter and the state Emergency Interim Succession and Judiciary Succession Act.

Hammons says he is authorized by both to issue an order of succession.

[...]

Ritchey says the charter specifically precludes the mayor from doing so and sets out the order of succession.

Interim City Attorney Roy Tucker said he is preparing to address both issues at Tuesday’s meeting.

Tucker said the entire issue of succession could be a moot point under the Emergency Operations Plan the city adopted several years ago.

[...]

Tucker said he believes the law requires that if a state of emergency was declared, emergency management officials would take over.

Today, Muskogee Phoenix editorial:

Whose authority?

If Muskogee is faced with a disaster, residents’ main concern would not be the mayoral line of succession.

They also would not want a part-time, ceremonial mayor directing emergency services.

That’s why Mayor John Tyler Hammons’ supposed order denoting a line of succession for himself in case of disaster is ridiculous and tragic.

Hammons filed an order recently with the city clerk in an attempt to establish a line of mayoral succession. He claims the state gave him power to do that.

What Hammons overlooks is that the state gave the respective officers of each city the authority to determine lines of succession, and the respective officers of Muskogee who make official decisions, according to our City Charter, are the members of the City Council acting as a body. The Charter clearly states, “All powers of the City shall be vested in the Council” and the mayor is only the presiding member of that council.

He is not the king. He only has one vote.

The council, it seems, should decide whatever order of succession there is, and our council made that decision several years ago. If Hammons wants to alter that order, then he needs to take his proposal to the council for approval, not assume powers that he doesn’t have.

That’s the real issue here, and why the City Council is correct to hold a special meeting to discuss it. We don’t need someone giving orders who doesn’t have the authority to make them. It only causes confusion.

It’s also clear, and wise, that the Charter states our weak mayor has no administrative duties.

The mayor is not involved with day-to-day operations of the city, so we would not want someone stepping in to make orders regarding something he doesn’t understand completely.

For instance, if a disaster were to occur, we would not want someone unfamiliar with the city’s day-to-day operations directing any rescue or emergency efforts. The heads of city departments under the direction of the city manager or an emergency official should do that. They are paid for that and have been trained as well.

That’s why this question of who’s in charge in case of a disaster is important. We agree with City Attorney Roy Tucker that if an emergency is declared, emergency management officials should handle the emergency — not a ceremonial part-timer.

The City Council will meet at 4:15pm this Tuesday, to debate this issue. If you wish to go, the meeting will be held downtown at City Hall (Okmulgee and 3rd), on the third floor in the Council Chambers. I plan on being there to cover the meeting. Things might get interesting.

Muskogee Fifth Least Expensive City in the US

This from the Muskogee Phoenix:

Muskogee fifth least expensive city to live, report says

By Cathy Spaulding
Phoenix Staff Writer

Three months after being ranked the sixth least expensive city in the United States, Muskogee moved up a notch to No. 5.

A report released this week by Muskogee Development quotes the ACCRA Cost of Living Index as ranking Muskogee as the America’s fifth least expensive city, 14.8 percent below the national average, for the third quarter of 2008.

(Rest of article)

Democrat Infighting this Session?

Will there be infighting among the Democrats this legislative session? Look at what Sen. Earl Garrison (D, Muskoge) said about Gov. Brad Henry in today's Muskogee Phoenix:

“Republicans have enough votes to pass any workers’ compensation or tort reform you want,” Garrison said. “We have a governor and if he grows a backbone, we will have some vetoes. Miracles happen everyday.”

This will be interesting to watch.