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LOWER ELEMENTARY EVACUATED BUT ALL ARE SAFE
By CHRIS EDENS, City Editor
Oologah Lower Elementary students were evacuated from the building just after 11 a.m. Thursday when a smoke alarm and sprinkler went off in one classroom.
Northwest Fire Chief David Puckett said it appeared a heating duct had overheated in Kristen Bradfield's kindergarten classroom and it activated the sprinkler. The students were evacuated in less than a minute.
"The students were never in danger," said Lower Elementary Principal Gina Metcalf. "The students and teachers evacuated very quickly. This is why we have fire drills--to ensure the students know where to go and what to do."
The students were evacuated to the gym and the field house.
Firefighters assisted school personnel in clearing materials and water from the damaged classroom. Classes resumed except in the damaged classroom, whose students were moved to another location.
BOND VOTE GOES TO VOTERS ON APRIL 6
O-T School Board members approved two bond propositions Wednesday night.
Proposition one is for $21 million for construction projects, technology and athletic facility upgrades, including a turf football field. Board members discussed splitting the proposal, but decided to submit it to voters all in one package.
Proposition two for $825,000 is for transportation. The bond package will go before voters April 6.
WILL ROGERS NEVER MET THE GOVERNOR
PLAN WOULD BURY WILL IN BUREAUCRACY
By JOHN M. WYLIE II, Editor
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE WRMC STATEMENT
Gov. Brad Henry has refused to apologize for his proposal to eliminate the Will Rogers Memorial Commission as an independent agency, putting its functions under the Oklahoma Historical Society.
His move drew immediate shock and outrage from affected lawmakers and officials, who were blindsided by his plan.
The Will Rogers Museum and ranch now have an independent budget and an independent governing body whose sole mission is to preserve the legacy of famed humorist and movie star. Under the governor's plan, the Will Rogers facilities would become one of many secondary functions of the Oklahoma Historical Society.
The governor admits he failed to consult with or warn key lawmakers, but through a spokesman did say the proposal could not be enacted without legislative approval and that lawmakers could reject it.
The plan is buried in the governor's 298-page budget. WRMC Executive Director Steve Gragert, Chairman Jim Hartz (former host of the NBC Today show), State Senator Sean Burrage, and State Reps. Tad Jones and Chuck Hoskin were neither consulted about nor notified of the action until the Oologah Lake Leader discovered the plan.
It was first publicly reported at 5 p.m. Monday on Oologah.net.
Burrage's district contains the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore and the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch in Oologah as well as the JM Davis Arms and Historical Museum, which also would be consolidated into the Historical Society under the governor's plan.
Jones' district includes both museums and he is an Oologah-Talala graduate who has spent considerable time at the Birthplace Ranch. The ranch is located in Hoskin's district.
"Any tampering with this institution puts in jeopardy not only millions of dollars in tourist spending but the education of the youth of our state," Hartz warned. "We ask the governor and legislature to consider carefully the singular, national impact the Will Rogers Memorial has made since it was created by the State of Oklahoma 71 years ago on land that was a gift from Will Rogers' widow and paid for by the people of Oklahoma to honor their most famous hero."
Burrage said, "No one from the Governor's office has ever spoken to me or Rep. Jones about this proposal. We were totally blindsided. At first blush I am totally opposed to the proposal. I am not convinced that moving these agencies would save the state a single dollar."
Hoskin said, "We need to maintain local control. I certainly am opposed to it. He (Henry) could have at least said, 'Hey.' He didn't and that's unfortunate."
He joined Burrage and Jones in questioning whether the move would produce any savings at all, let alone worthwhile savings.
The moves are among 26 consolidations proposed by Henry which, all told, would offer a savings of just $5.3-million out of a total budget of $6.9 billion, or just .07 of 1 percent.
"The Historical Society is a fine organization," said Gragert, "but we are a fiscally responsible, highly efficient agency. We have realized exceptional savings already in our operations and have a lean, professional, and competent staff.
"Our focus is on a national icon of great Oklahoma and Cherokee renown."
Gragert noted that attendance for 2009 was the highest in eight years.
"Our visitors last year came from 45 states and 11 countries. We are one of the most popular Oklahoma tourist attractions with national and international appeal. More importantly, we celebrate the life and times of Oklahoma's favorite son. The museum and ranch are a source of great pride for school children from all over the state," he added.
VOTERS TO PICK TICE OR WADSWORTH TUESDAY
Registered voters in the Oologah-Talala School District will choose between incumbent Don Tice and challenger Kent Wadsworth for a seat on the board of education. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 9) at regular precinct locations.
Voters may also cast ballots early using the in-person absentee ballot procedure from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday (Feb. 5) or Monday (Feb. 8) at the Rogers County Election Board office, 415 W. First St. in Claremore.
"In-person absentee voters fill out an application form when they get to the office. They are not required to give a reason for voting absentee," said Rogers County Election Board Secretary Rebecca Dealy.
"They are required to swear that they have not voted a regular mail ballot and that they will not vote at their polling places on Election Day," she added.
Whether voting at a regular polling place or by in-person absentee ballot, voters are urged to bring their voter identification card with them.
"Your voter identification card can help precinct officials find your name in the precinct registry and it may help them resolve the problem if you are not listed in the precinct registry," Dealy said.
A voter who makes an error in marking the ballot should return the spoiled ballot to precinct officials, who will destroy it and issue a new ballot.
SNOW DAYS MELT AWAY
By CHRIS EDENS, City Editor
The latest winter storm used up the last of Oologah schools' built in snow days.
Classes were canceled Friday and Monday because of the snowstorm. Oologah's five snow days are now gone.
Superintendent Rick Thomas said it was a difficult decision on whether to hold classes last Thursday as the storm was moving into the area.
"Last Thursday was a tough one. I kept watching the forecasts and they kept changing. Finally, when three of the four stations were saying it would come in late Thursday afternoon we made the call to stay in," Thomas said. "It wasn't an easy call to make, but looking back on it, I'm glad we made that decision."
Classes were back in session on Tuesday. Thomas said there were no problems on bus routes Tuesday morning.
He's a little concerned more snow days may be needed with several weeks of winter left. He said the district has two options if more snow days are needed.
"The state has allowed us to count hours instead of days, so we have a little leeway if we miss any more," he said.
The district could also add days to the end of the school calendar. Thomas noted that snow days could be made up the week before Memorial Day.
WOFFORD CLEARNED OF MOLESTATION CHARGE
A Rogers County jury on Monday acquitted Edward Lee Wofford IV of Talala of a charge of lewd molestation in a case that began in July 2007.
The ruling came after a trial that began Jan. 25 before Judge Dwayne Steidley.
Jury selection took the first day of the trial and part of the second, court records show.
The remainder of the second day and all of the third was taken up with prosecution testimony.
The trial was then recessed until Monday, when the prosecution rested, the defense presented its opening arguments and case, the state presented a rebuttal witness and the judge issued instructions to the jury.
Both sides delivered their closing arguments, then jurors deliberated and returned a verdict of not guilty.
Court records show that Wofford's $25,000 bond was returned Tuesday.
Wofford, then 48, had been accused of molesting a then-10-year-old girl on July 12, 2007 at his home. He was charged Oct. 3, 2007 and maintained his innocence from the beginning.
Wofford was represented by Tulsa attorney Scott Douglas Hjelm. Senior Assistant District Attorney Patrick Abitbol prosecuted the case.
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