EDMOND — Reader praises park board for no-smoking policy consideration
To the Editor:
Edmond parks are such wonderful places for families, especially in the fall! Last weekend my son and I walked our Border Collie at Hafer Park, and I was so thankful for the beautiful fall foliage and accessible, interesting walking trails.
I am also thankful for the fact that the Edmond Parks Commission recently voted to recommend that the City Council consider an ordinance that would ban smoking in city parks. Such an action would make our already great community gathering places even better.
According to a 2006 Surgeon General report, there is no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Plus, cigarette butts are the most common littered item in the world. Discarded cigarettes pollute land and water, and the inherent toxins may be ingested by toddlers, pets, birds and fish. Parks maintenance crews have enough on their hands without the added task of cleaning up cigarette-related litter.
Our neighboring cities Moore and Norman already have passed ordinances banning smoking in their parks. And, many recreational facilities like the Oklahoma City Zoo and Bricktown Ballpark are now tobacco-free.
What kind of example do we want to set for our children? Known as a great place to raise families, Edmond should be in the business of providing the healthiest environment possible. I am very grateful for past and present community leaders who have had the foresight to invest in our wonderful community and neighborhood parks.
Jane Sutter
Edmond
JANE SUTTER is a member of the Tobacco Prevention Coalition.
Community organizing group gives back to metro area
To the Editor:
Kudos to Mark Schlachtenhaufen for presenting his fair and unbiased article regarding the Oklahoma Sponsoring Committee’s work for social justice on behalf of families within the greater Oklahoma City area. As a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, I am excited to have the opportunity to be involved in the efforts of the OSC. What a wonderful thing to be able to tell my grandchildren someday!
There are needs within our neighborhoods and communities that only can be met by a coalition of congregations and social organizations standing on common ground and working toward a common goal. As Kristen Ausdenmoore, OSC’s lead organizer so aptly explained: “… the heart of community organizing is giving churches the tools they need to act on their traditions of social justice.” We should all benefit from the knowledge of how to work together, love one another, identify neighborhood and community needs, and present those needs with proposed solutions to community leaders.
Sheilah Wiser
Oklahoma City
Deer Creek bond passage will make an impact
To the Editor:
Congratulations to the citizens of the Deer Creek school district for the passage of $139 million in bonds to build new schools which improves their community. The passage of bonds to support the fast growing district is a sure sign of a community ready to commit to continued growth and build for a brighter future.
Sadly, the voter turnout was rather slim. The Deer Creek school district has about 8,000 voters. A little more than 700 people voted for the proposition, or about 80 percent of those casting a vote. This means about 10 percent of the registered voters cast a ballot.
A little more than 700 people created a $139 million bond debt for property owners. The 700 voters approved a debt of $198,570 for each vote cast, which will result in a debt of $17,000 for every property owner in Deer Creek.
While 90 percent of the voters in the district didn’t vote, they will support paying off the debt. That debt service or payments from property owners on $139 million will be about $600 for each property owner per year in addition to their current ad valorem taxes. While the market value of property in the Deer Creek school district next year may remain stable the property tax bill will increase when these voter-approved school bonds are sold.
Leonard Sullivan
Oklahoma City
LEONARD SULLIVAN is the Oklahoma County
assessor.
Opinion
10-30 Letters: your views
- Opinion
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
If you read any of the letters to the editor in the past two weeks regarding Tuesday’s District 2 Edmond school board race, then you already know that this election is not about the individual candidates so much as it’s about what type of school board do Edmond residents really want governing their school district?
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What are your presidential 10 Commandments?
As we brace for the upcoming presidential campaign, we should be honest about our responsibility in the process. Before we get pushed, pulled, bribed, frightened, bullied, flattered, fooled or charmed into voting for a candidate, let’s take a mature thoughtful look at what the profile of the president should look like. In order to do that, let’s do an exercise. Sit down with a pencil and paper and draft your proposal for the Ten Commandments to be obeyed by the president. Let me share some of my suggestions.
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What would Reagan do today in Oklahoma?
As we celebrated the 101st anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth on Feb. 6, several of us at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs started discussing what Reagan might do today. Here are some of the ideas we came up with.
- LETTER: School counselor says Roy ready to help all students
- LETTER: Supporter calls Duncan 'a firecracker'
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Consequences of an overregulated nation
Overreaching government regulations are costing jobs and killing our economy. They are a heavy burden on our nation and its citizens — in some cases worse than our nation’s increasingly out-of-control debt.
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LETTER: Supporter: Duncan shows passion for children’s needs
To the Editor:
The families in the Edmond Public School District are fortunate to have Kathleen Duncan as their advocate on the Edmond Board of Education. Duncan has worked tirelessly for the welfare and benefit of the Edmond schools’ students. -
LETTER: Teacher supports Duncan’s re-election
To the Editor:
On Feb. 14 patrons of District 2 have an opportunity to re-elect the current president of the Edmond School Board, Kathleen Duncan. Duncan has served as a board member for 10 years. When people move to the Oklahoma City area, they buy a home here because of the exceptional quality of Edmond Public Schools. This speaks to Duncan’s goal of “Excellence in Education for All Edmond Public School Students.” -
LETTER: Supporter: Duncan understands diverse issues
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan understands the diverse issues that effect our schools. She carefully studies the district’s issues and works tirelessly as an advocate for all students. Her votes as a board member have an impact for years to come and she takes that responsibility very seriously. - LETTER: Reader says incumbent's personal agenda in the way
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
