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.