GRDA Lake Relations Coordinator Lori Starks welcomed the public to GRDA’s booth the Grove Boat Show, held during the 2013 Bassmaster Classic on Grand Lake.

Langley – For one long weekend in February, Grand Lake was the center of the bass fishing world. Countless eyes were focused on its 46,500 acres of water as it played host to the prestigious 2013 Bassmaster Classic and the 53 professional fishermen who came from all over the country to cast a line into Oklahoma’s premier water destination.

Those who attended the event certainly know there was a lot going on: early morning launches, late afternoon weigh-ins, anglers in action on the water and more activities and pageantry to go hand-in-hand with the sport’s biggest moments.

For many of those moments, as well as the preparations leading up to them, the Grand River Dam Authority and its employees played an important role. Like other event organizers and volunteers, the GRDA team put in plenty of man-hours before and during the event to help promote a classic experience on a grand lake.

GRDA Fisheries/Tournament Coordinator Brent Davis is no stranger to bass tournaments. Though the Bassmaster Classis is the most popular event of its kind to visit Grand Lake, Davis has worked with many tournaments, organizations and anglers over the years to insure things go smoothly throughout their tournament experience.

“My job at the Classic was everything from crowd control to valet parking,” Davis said with a laugh, although his duties really went far beyond that, all the way to helping get the fish back into the water.

“We handled the fish, brought them back and returned them safely to Grand. That is very important for GRDA; we want all our fish turned back into the lake at every tournament at the highest possible survival rate. We work very hard at it and have been successful.”

Still, before those fish could ever be caught, the anglers had to get their boats into the water. GRDA was a part of this process by constructing the new tournament complex boat ramps at the Wolf Creek site. Fortunately, the mild winter cooperated when

GRDA Biologist Steve Nikolai meets the public and promotes GRDA lake programs at the Classic Outdoor Expo in Tulsa, during the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.

the GRDA Facilities Management Crew poured the concrete for the new ramps in late December. That project, and associated dirt work at the site, was a large part of GRDA’s financial contribution to the new tournament complex which was completed in partnership with other entities likes the city of Grove, Oklahoma Department of Parks and Tourism, Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Long after the Classic has passed, the complex they helped to build will continue to benefit the area.

“By building the new ramps, GRDA was able to accomplish many things,” said GRDA Chief Executive Officer/Director of Investments Dan Sullivan. “As part of the new fishing tournament complex, these ramps – which are built on GRDA property – will help enhance public access to Grand Lake. Not only does that meet our lake management mission but the popularity of the Classic, which was such a regional success, has brought a lot of recognition to Grand Lake. That is a great boost for GRDA’s economic development mission.”

Promoting the lakes area supports the local economy, and GRDA employees did their part during the Bassmaster Classic. Employees from several departments, including GRDA Lake Relations, Police Department and Ecosystem Management manned booths at both the Grove Boat Show and the Classic Expo in Tulsa. It was an opportunity share GRDA’s story, meet the public, promote lake-related programs and talk about important lake issues with long-time residents and first-time visitors.

“We had a lot of visitors stop by our booth,” said GRDA Ecosystems Lab Specialist Roger Simmons. “It was great to hear all the positive things they had to say about the tournament and the lake itself.” Though he is normally found working in the lab at the Ecosystems and Education Center, he was part of the workforce at the Classic Expo in Tulsa.

Back at the lake, the GRDA Police Department was at work in the early morning hours to provide assistance at the launch site. As the anglers hit the water each morning at 7AM, GRDA patrol boats were close by to provide a safe traffic lane from

GRDA Fisheries Coordinator Brent Davis (left) answers a question about Grand Lake rules for 2013 Bassmaster Classic participant Jared Lintner (Arroyo Grande, California). Davis’ duties during the event involved everything from traffic control and valet parking to providing information and insuring all fish were returned to Grand Lake.

Wolf Creek to the rest of the lake. At the same time, the GRDA helicopter was overhead, providing eyes in the sky as well.

“Our officers enjoyed the opportunity to ensure the safety of the anglers and spectators,” said GRDA Assistant General Manager and Chief of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Brian Edwards. “We had no incidents during the tournaments in spite of the challenging weather. We think the event was a great success. “

Overall, the efforts of many GRDA employees went a long way in helping to make the 2013 event on Grand Lake a successful and memorable event.

“Events like the Bassmaster Classic help to highlight what many have known for years about the Grand Lake area,” said Sullivan. “This area is a wonderful destination, and helping to promote it and preserve it are foundational to GRDA’s mission.  I want to thank the GRDA employees who worked so hard to help make the event such a success.”

GRDA-Water-Quality-Profiler11

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Grove Municipal Services Authority received a multimillion-dollar low-interest loan Tuesday to renovate its water treatment plant.

The Oklahoma Water Resources Board approved a $7,050,000 loan that is to be coupled with $270,000 in local revenue for the extensive project. The announcement was issued by J.D. Strong, executive director of the agency.

Jim Ford, Chairman and Kenneth Fitch, Trustee of the Authority appeared before the board in support of the loan application.

Blueprints indicate the funds will be used to construct two raw-water intake pumps, two rapid-mix tanks, four water-treatment basins; to equip four sedimentation basins with an automatic track-mounted sludge vacuum and three rapid sand filters; to replace the dual media in the treatment plant’s six existing filters with multimedia; to enlarge the 300,000-gallon clearwell where treated water is stored before being pumped into the distribution system; to install two high-service pumps, and to modify the existing sludge lagoons to increase capacity.

Grove draws raw water from Grand Lake and cleans and disinfects it in a 4.4 million-gallon per day treatment plant. Treated water is stored in six standpipes and an elevated tower that have a combined capacity of 5.35 million gallons, officials reported. The town’s distribution system consists of approximately 200 miles of water mains and half a dozen booster pump stations.

The Delaware County municipality has 5,681 water customers, ledgers reflect. Water connections in Grove increased 16 percent in the past eight years.

Joe Freeman, chief of the Water Board’s Financial Assistance Division, calculated that Grove utility customers will save an estimated $2,115,000 in interest charges over the 20-year life of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan, compared to traditional financing.

Since 1983 the OWRB has approved more than $2.9 billion in loans and grants to improve and enhance the water and wastewater infrastructure needs of communities across Oklahoma.

“We thank state Sen. Charles Wyrick and state Rep. Doug Cox for their support of our programs,” Strong said.

The Grove City Council in special meeting Tuesday afternoon confirmed an employment contract with Mr. Bill Keefer, city manager of Augusta Kansas, a suburb near Wichita . Motion passed by 4-0, with councilman Ed Trumbull absent. Trumble says, “We think we have a winner here”, and councilwoman Ileta Bray says, “ There are a lot of similarities in Augusta and Grove, excepting that Grove is a Tourist Destination. We all were impressed with Mr. Keefer’s record in Augusta, and welcome him to help us continue Grove’s winning streak!”

Keefer will begin work in Grove on June 1, and was selected from over 60 applicants. “Grove has some of the same problems and issues as Augusta. I’m excited about the new opportunity and I look forward to getting to know new staff members and council. It will take a little time to get the feel – to get to know people, but it will be nice,” He said.

Many public officials in Augusta speak well of Mr. Keefer, and wish him well in Grove. Readers should review local stories at AugustaGazette.com online. http://www.augustagazette.com/article/20130321/NEWS/130329863#art-tit

Keefer’s employment contract will begin June 1 with a starting salary of $100,000 per year to run the City of Grove, Grove Municipal Services Authority (GMSA) and Grove Economic Development Authority (GEDA). The contract is for one year, with two 1-year options.

Additional benefits include the standard paying of association dues, health insurance, $500 car allowance, 3 weeks vacation, Oklahoma retirement contributions, and six-month severance if terminated.

Although included in Bruce Johnsons contract, sources indicate it is peculiar that the council would include a provision that allows the city manager to “Employee is not prohibited from engaging in other gainful employment” although city council approval is required.

A new item included in the new city managers contract, is the inclusion of an Ethics Rules Section in his Employment contract, including an exemption of paying severance payments if terminated for ethics violation. (A copy of the ethics rules is included in the attached pdf)

According to an inside source at city hall, Jim Ford confirms “that former City Manager Bruce Johnson was terminated not for financial mismanagement, ‘It was a moral thing” says the GMSA Chairman’.

Attached PDF is of Bill Keefers employment contract Grove City Manager Contract

Grove Council persons Berwin Kock and Ileta Bray lost their appointed seats on the Grove City Council in Tuesdays election.

CITY OF GROVE

FOR COUNCILMEMBER, WARD NO. 3 (UNEXPIRED TERM) CITY OF GROVE

DON NIELSEN                 ILETA M. BRAY

Precinct

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210005       56      61

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210007     195      184

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210009      85        84

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210011         5           3

Total:                                                   341          332

CITY OF GROVE

FOR COUNCILMEMBER AT LARGE (UNEXPIRED TERM) CITY OF GROVE

IVAN DEVITT, SR.                        BERWIN KOCK

Precinct

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210005                   71               44

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210007                   280            101

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210009                   106              72

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210011                      5                  3

Total:                                                                          462                 220

CITY OF JAY

FOR COUNCILMAN WARD 1 CITY OF JAY

KYLE STUMP LINDA JACKSON

Precinct

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210014                27        2

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210016                  31        1

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210017                  2         0

Total:                                                                        60         3

TOWN OF COLCORD

FOR TOWN CLERK-TREASURER TOWN OF COLCORD

TIFFANY WHORTON                    DANA S. MAMMEDATY

Precinct

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210019          61           40

Total:                                                                  61          40

TOWN OF OAKS

FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES TOWN OF OAKS

KIMBERLY TURTLE-DRY                 SUZANNE WARREN                  JOLEEN WILLIAMS               DOROTHY THEROS

Precinct

CHEROKEE COUNTY PCT 110018                10             9             1             0

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210022               49           45             9           8

Total:                                                                        59            54          10           8

TOWN OF OAKS

FOR TOWN CLERK-TREASURER TOWN OF OAKS

JESSE W. REED                         DARLA WHORTON

Precinct

CHEROKEE COUNTY PCT 110018             0                 10

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210022           11                 46

Total:                                                                   11                   56

TOWN OF WEST SILOAM SPRINGS

FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES, OFFICE NO. 4 TOWN OF WEST SILOAM SPRINGS

ELAINE G CARR                 SHARON D. DUNLAP PECK

Precinct

DELAWARE COUNTY PCT 210023          27            20

Total:                                                                   27              20

April 8, 2013, Sac & Fox Nation, Stroud, Okla. – In an effort to promote government-to-government consultation, at least twenty-five Oklahoma tribal nations converged on Stroud, Okla., home to the Sac & Fox Nation, today to form a united front in their negotiations with the state to reach a tobacco compact.

“The majority of tribes in Oklahoma stand united behind the principle of good faith negotiations between the state and tribes over matters that are economically important to both our peoples,” said George Thurman, Principal Chief of the Sac & Fox Nation and Chairman of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas (UINOKT).

Stemming from a case involving the Citizen Potawatomi Nation in the early 1990s, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the state could not tax commercial activity between natives and native smoke shops on their land, while stating that non-Indian sales on Indian land could be taxed by the state. This mixed decision led to the first Oklahoma tribal tobacco compacts.

In late 2012, the tribes received a letter from Governor Mary Fallin notifying them that the current compacts, scheduled to expire on June 30, 2013, would indeed terminate.  Since Governor Fallin took office, Oklahoma tribes have been waiting to establish good working relations with the governor’s office, and the first real issue to come before her office regarding tribes has been the tobacco compacts.

“We had hoped that there would have been better, more effective, and more respectful communication between the state and the tribes regarding the upcoming deadline of the tobacco compacts, which bring millions annually to the State of Oklahoma, as well as tribal treasuries,” added Thurman.  “We were doing what we were supposed to, and the state decided to move the goal post in the middle of the game.”

Three tribes have reached three separate agreements with the state.

“While we respect the right for each tribe to sign a tobacco compact to meet their needs, let us be clear that none of those compacts are binding on the tribes in the absence of effective government-to-government consultation,” said Don Patterson, President of the Tonkawa Tribe.

Chief George Thurman of the Sac Tribe

“They’re treating us as Indians and not enterprises,” said Wallace Coffey, Chairman of the Comanche Nation.  “We feel that there are other issues that are more pressing from the tribal government standpoint than tobacco.  Sadly, there appears to be a pattern of behavior from this Governor. They’ve dismantled the Indian Affairs Commission; we were not consulted on opting out of the Affordable Care Act, and the state has been noticeably silent regarding the Indian Child Welfare Act case pending before the Supreme Court.”

“The economic success of Oklahoma is reliant upon tribes and tribal entities.  The federal sequester is impacting the state and tribal economies.  This is the time for us to work together for common ground,” added Thurman.

“Communication is vital to the success of both of our economies,” said Thurman.  “The Governor has been uneven in the performance of that historic relationship.  As the key economic partner and (with tribes collectively being) one of the state’s largest employers, we should have the opportunity to sit across the bargaining table from the Governor. We have not been afforded that opportunity.”

An INTEGRIS Grove Hospital microbiology lead technologist recently received an award of distinction from Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma (DLO), which is a joint venture between INTEGRIS Health Systems and Quest Diagnostics.  Debbie Styles was named 2013 Clinical Scientist of the Year, the highest honor DLO bestows on a medical technologist.

Styles was selected for the honor from nearly 740 technologists throughout the state including managers, supervisors, leads, bench technologists and QA technologists.  Employees at the Grove DLO lab nominated Styles, and a DLO senior leadership team chose the winner of the award, which recognizes the importance of the work that is being performed by the employees of DLO.

“I was so excited about being awarded DLO’s Clinical Scientist of the Year because it is an award that is based upon nominations from your coworkers, and that makes it very special,” Styles said.  “I sincerely appreciate the significance of this award and will do my best to live up to it.”

Styles began working at INTEGRIS Grove Hospital in 1990 before she graduating from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) in Miami, Okla., in 1991.  She began working at the hospital because they agreed to pay her college tuition at NEO if she would in turn work at the hospital for two years.  Those two years became 23 years as Styles continued her work in the lab, even as it changed hands to a new employer, DLO.  In 2000, just before DLO took over lab services for INTEGRIS Grove Hospital, Styles was named INTEGRIS Employee of the Year. Styles cites this award as one of the most special memories from her years as an INTEGRIS employee.

In her early years at the lab, Styles worked as a general lab technician before becoming a microbiology lead and then the group lead technician in 2002.  She has continually drawn strength from her co-workers, and she did not have to look far for a mentor in her profession.

“Connie DuBois was a big inspiration to me,” Styles said.  “She was a medical technician and was an influence in choosing my career as well as helping with a lot of my training.  She had a great work ethic and was a very positive role model for me.”

These days, her co-workers at DLO look to her for inspiration.

“I just know that without Debbie as the lead and as my mentor, I would have had a much steeper learning curve when I moved into the lab supervisor position here at Grove,” said Joella Hanus, medical technician and lab supervisor.  “I appreciate Debbie’s support as we move forward with both DLO and INTEGRIS Grove hospital. She is the lab’s head cheerleader and my voice of reason. I am proud to have Debbie as my lead and partner in the journey here at Grove.”

In her free time, Styles enjoys spending time with her husband of 37 years, Larry, their children and their grandchildren.

Their son, Matthew, and his wife, Heather, live in Jefferson City, Mo., with their two daughters, Paige and Payton.  Matthew, a Major in the Missouri Army National Guard, is scheduled for deployment to Afghanistan.  When he still lived in Grove, Matthew spent many years delivering supplies to the INTEGRIS Grove Hospital from Vans Printing.

The Styles’ daughter Casey and her husband, Chad, live in Neosho, Mo., with their two children, Carter and Callee.  Casey, who worked part-time for the late Dr. Ron Forristall while attending school, now teaches second grade in Goodman, Mo.

Mitchell, their second son, lives in Pea Ridge, Ark., and works as the marketing and communications coordinator at Ozarks Electric in Fayetteville, Ark.  Like his brother, Mitchell made deliveries from Vans Printing to the hospital for several years.

Styles continues to serve the hospital and community in her capacity as group lead technician at DLO.

“There have been many changes during my career,” Styles said.  “The name of the hospital and the name of the lab has changed. A lot of friends and coworkers have come and gone.  The thing that has remained a constant is the desire to provide quality care for our patients.”

“Time goes by so quickly,” Styles continued.  “Somehow I have gone from the youngest, newest face in the lab to one of the few ‘older’ ones of us left.  I hope to influence these younger faces to make good ethical decisions and provide quality care when I’m no longer here.”

Scott Donaldson, assistant vice president for student affairs and director of recruitment, (on left) and Amy Ishmael, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management

Miami, Oklahoma – Friday, May 24, 2013 – Officials at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) named Scott Donaldson as the new assistant vice president for student affairs and director of recruitment. He formerly served as an instructor in the College’s business department and as an advisor for Phi Beta Lambda, a college business and technology club.

Donaldson taught business education at Carl Junction High School and worked as an adjunct, business instructor at Crowder College, in Webb City, Mo., prior to joining NEO faculty.

Donaldson has been at NEO since August 2010. He graduated from Riverton High School in Riverton, Kan. before attending Missouri Southern State University and obtaining two bachelor’s degrees.  His degrees are in business administration and business education.  Donaldson also has two master’s degrees, one in business education and another in educational administration, both from Emporia State University.

Donaldson currently resides in Riverton, Kan. with his daughter Sydnee.

Under Donaldson’s leadership, the small business division team known as “Revolutionary Transportation” received third place at the 2013 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup competition in Oklahoma City. This was the first year NEO has competed in the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup competition, as well as the first year for the competition to include a small business division.

He is also responsible for the growth of the PBL organization by 128 percent in one year. PBL received distinguished honors at the state conference in 2012 and 2013, as well as winning the President’s Cup in 2012 under Donaldson’s leadership. Donaldson was also the recipient of the Dobson New Faculty Award in 2012.

He serves on the following committees: Technology “Goal Team” Committee 2010 – Present and the Textbook Committee 2010 – Present

“I am very excited that President Hale, Vice President Amy Ishmael, faculty and staff members here at NEO A&M College have entrusted their faith in me to oversee the recruiting department at NEO,” Donaldson said. “Since I stepped on campus three years ago, I have worked very hard to promote NEO, its amazing faculty, staff, and most of all, its superior students.”

Donaldson’s professional affiliations include Phi Beta Lambda professional member, and he is a member of the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Teachers’ Association

“I am excited about the enthusiasm that Scott brings to the position,” said Amy Ishmael, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management. “I believe he will be a strong leader for the recruitment office, and I am eager for the opportunity to implement new student development initiatives under his guidance.”

“It is a very exciting time to be at NEO A&M College, and I feel honored to work for such a great institution,” Donaldson added.

The Legislature has adjourned for the summer. It was an up and down session, but let’s talk about the good things first.

It is always a pleasure to work with the high school students who spend a week at the state Capitol serving as a page. They have their own legislative session where they debate and vote on a couple of bills. They work hard while we are in session to help things run smoothly. Near the end of session Brooke Herbst and Kira Armstrong from Grove served as pages. Both of these ladies did a great job and are a credit to the young generation of our state.

The main job of the Legislature is to craft the state budget. Like all negotiated products, no one is ever completely happy with the final product. Due to our recovering economy we had more money (your tax dollars) to distribute this year. Every area of government, from education to roads and bridges, received more money this year than last. No area got as much money as they asked for with the exception of the Department of Mental Health. Like everyone, I wish we could have funded education more and given state employees a pay raise, but overall it was a decent budget and I voted in favor to adopt it.

Perhaps the most significant piece of legislation passed was a bill to reform our Worker’s Compensation Insurance system. Worker’s compensation is the insurance that businesses have to have to cover their employees in case they are injured on the job. Our system has some of the highest rates in the company. It is a system that creates an adversarial relationship between the injured worker and the company he works for. The new system (modeled to some extent after the one in Arkansas) uses an administrative system rather than a court system. Companies can use the savings they should begin to seen in their insurance rates in a couple of years to expand their business, give pay raises or hire more employees. I voted for the bill.

If there was a glaring failure in the legislative session it was in the area of health care. The popular program known as Insure Oklahoma, which uses cigarette tax dollars to assist small companies and their low-wage workers with health care insurance premiums, is going to expire at the end of this year. The program currently helps 30,000 Oklahomans get health insurance. When the program expires about 18,000 of these folks will be covered under the new Affordable Care Act (“ObamaCare”), but the other 12,000 will lose their insurance. I worked with Senator Brian Crain of Tulsa and designed an excellent plan to address this problem, but due to the politically charged nature of health care reform following the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the governor was not willing to support our plan at this time. As this issue comes to a head at the end of this year I suspect she will have to address the problem, like it or not. I am sure components of my plan will be a major part of any solution.

During session we also tried to reform the food stamp (SNAP) program. It is a federal program so there is not much we as a state can do to change the rules. We did put in the requirement that able-bodied adults had to be working or looking for work in order to use food stamps, which are paid for by Oklahomans’ taxes.

Overall, it was a session with little controversy, and few major accomplishments. I am glad to be back home and look forward to traveling the district (Delaware and Mayes Counties) and having the opportunity to visit with many of you. I appreciate that you allow me to serve as your voice in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. I can be reached atdougcox@okhouse.gov or405-557-7415.

 CLICK HERE USA Today web edition boast of Grand Lake’s bass fishing,

The Taste of Grand committee is honored to announce Bank of Grove as its major event sponsor.  Bank of Grove has generously sponsored the event the past nine years, in turn helping raise nearly $400,000 for the INTEGRIS Grove Hospital Foundation.

The Taste of Grand, which showcases an excellent selection of wine and spirits with a delicious array of area cuisine, will be held Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at 900 E. 13^th Street in Grove.  Tickets are $80 and can be purchased by calling 918-399-4392. For more information, visit tatseofgrand.com or find the Taste of Grand page on Facebook. All proceeds go to the INTEGRIS Grove Hospital Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds continuing advancements in local health care and medical treatments for those in need.

“We are extremely grateful for Bank of Grove’s continued generosity toward the Foundation,” said Kristi Wallace, event chairperson.  “Their support has allowed us to help countless people through the Hospital Foundation these last nine years.”

Ed Townsend, Bank of Grove owner and CEO, has been an integral part of INTEGRIS Grove and its Foundation; he and his wife Barbara donated $1 million to help build the new hospital, created the Townsend Children’s Fund, which provides medical and dental care for needy children in Delaware County, and were the first $1 million donors to the INTEGRIS Rural Health Foundation.  Townsend is also a former president of the INTEGRIS Health Board of Directors in Oklahoma City.

“Through sponsoring this event, we can make a friend’s life easier and potentially even save their life,” Townsend said.  “It warms my heart to help our neighbors in need.”

Pictured above, Ben Hampton, Bank of Grove loan officer, presents a sponsorship check to Greg Martin, INTEGRIS Grove Hospital administrator.  From left are: Kristi Wallace, Taste of Grand Chairperson; Gary Smith, Bank of Grove president; Martin; Hampton; and Ed Townsend, Bank of Grove owner and CEO

Rogers County Human Resources Director Jenny Bennett (far left) explained her job duties and how she has helped her county save tens of thousands of dollars during her tenure. Also shown (L-R) are Deputy County Clerk Michelle Baker, County Clerk Barbara Barnes, District #2 Commissioner Tom Sanders and District #3 Commissioner Danny Duncan.

JAY, Okla. – Delaware County Commissioners were busy with lawsuits during their regular meeting Tuesday morning; both receiving and trying to avoid them. They received and forwarded to the county’s insurer three new lawsuits; one filed by a former inmate at the jail, one filed by former sheriff deputies, and one filed by a former 911 dispatcher.

The former inmate, Lucretia Jo White, has filed a civil rights violation complaint in federal court, similar to the one that the county settled for $13 million in November of 2011. White is claiming that she was raped while an inmate and that the sheriff should have trained his employees better.

The second lawsuit involves a complaint by eight former sheriff deputies who are seeking compensation time under the Fair Labor Standards Act, claiming breach of contract for wages, and unfair treatment.

In the third lawsuit, Serena Bradley is claiming a violation of her rights under the Family Medical Leave Act.

In an effort to avoid future lawsuits, commissioners and the county Budget Board are considering hiring a Human Resources director. Both groups met Tuesday morning with Jenny Bennett, the Human Resources Director for Rogers County, to find out if an HR person would help Delaware County. She explained her duties and told how her job has helped Rogers County tremendously.

District #2 Commissioner Tom Sanders said he felt like the county needs an intermediary to make sure hiring and firing is done correct. “I have a feeling we’re skipping a lot of steps.” But hiring and firing were only two of a myriad of duties that Bennett said she performs. Training employees and county officers in how the law requires that individuals are treated was probably the biggest duty that she outlined that could really benefit Delaware County.

Of course the county officers expressed concern about the expense of hiring an HR director; however, Bennett said her job has saved Rogers County tens of thousands of dollars. County Clerk Barbara Barnes agreed that an HR person would pay for the position. “I feel like some small steps could reap big benefits.”

In the end, the budget board took no action to hire an HR director, but they are planning to keep exploring the possibility. “I’d like us to continue this discussion,” said Commissioner Sanders.

In other county business, the commissioners:

∙ Approved a $50,000 STOP grant application for the Sheriff’s Office to pay the salary of a domestic violence investigator;

∙ Approved a $49,993 REAP grant application for Colcord Public Schools to renovate the Dan Draper Community Center;

∙ Approved a $50,000 REAP grant application for the Delaware County Fair Board to renovate the county fair barn;

∙ Approved renewing membership in Northeast Oklahoma Rural Alliance to foster economic development;

∙ Received, opened, reviewed and forwarded bids to the Grove Fire Department for a boat trailer and boat and a motor for the boat;

∙ Approved advertisement for purchase of bunker gear for the Eucha Fire Department;

∙ Voted to extend the start date for replacing flooring at the Delaware County Community Center, and;

∙ Approved the annual services agreement between the county and Oklahoma State University for the county extension office.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Governor Mary Fallin today announced that she is suspending a task-force designed to study the operations of the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA). Fallin said that while she still supports the mission of the task-force, its work might unintentionally and negatively affect the GRDA’s future bond ratings.

The GRDA board is expected to vote as early as this Wednesday on the creation of a new natural gas-fired power plant. The project, estimated to cost $300 million, would be paid for by bonds let through the GRDA.

GRDA board members previously delayed voting on the new power plant at Fallin’s request. In July, the governor asked board members to take more time to review the issue and to wait on the recommendations of an independent study. They did so, and Fallin says she is now satisfied that GRDA leadership has done their due diligence and is able to make an informed decision.

Fallin said her decision regarding the taskforce was made after hearing concerns from GRDA leadership about unintended consequences related to bonds.

“When I was elected to office, I promised voters that one of my first priorities would be to take a close look at our government agencies and make sure they were functioning as efficiently and effectively as possible,” Fallin said. “The GRDA is an important agency that is doing some great work in Northeastern Oklahoma. It’s providing affordable power to a large community that creates jobs and grows our economy. But like every area of government, we know there are improvements to be made. As the state’s chief executive, it’s my responsibility to make sure that all of our state agencies are using their resources in a way that maximizes their benefit to all Oklahomans. That’s why I routinely request audits and studies of various agencies, and that’s why I assembled a taskforce to study the GRDA and provide recommendations about potential improvements.

“It’s also my duty as governor to listen to our agency-heads and board members and to take their advice seriously. One of the things I consistently heard about the taskforce studying the GRDA is the timing is wrong. If the GRDA does decide to move forward to build a new natural gas plant, it will need to fund that project with bonds. As GRDA CEO Dan Sullivan has told me, bond rating agencies will likely react negatively to the uncertainty created by an ongoing performance review like the one conducted by this taskforce. That, in turn, could negatively impact GRDA’s bond rating, dramatically increasing the total cost of a new power plant and ultimately raising utility rates for Oklahomans. That is not an outcome that any of us support.

“For that reason, I am suspending the idea of a GRDA taskforce and performance review for the immediate future. I will, however, continue to work with GRDA leadership to pursue greater efficiencies in their agency and throughout state government. “

Oklahoma State Representative Doug Cox -Grove said how “Pleased he is that Governor Fallin has reconsidered here thinking about GRDA, and that after considering all the facts surrounding her decision, has decided to drop plans to consider privatazing or splitting up the energy giant into small pieces.”

Cox further noted that “All of us know how difficult it is for public officials to change their minds on public positions. Kudos are in order for Gov. Fallin, as her further fact gathering on the issue, demonstrated all the benefits that GRDA brings to NE Oklahoma and our beautiful state.

Since Mach 8, 1988, the Delaware County Solid Waste Authority has provided free collection and disposal of solid waste for all Delaware County citizens, except if they are citizens of Grove, Jay, Bernice and Colcord.

The Delaware County Solid Waste Authority began its efforts in 1988 with the passage of a ½ cent sales tax of Delaware County citizens, “to provide solid waste services for the people of Delaware County”.

Yes, you read it right; this public authority has for 25 years ignored the intent of the law, and has charged citizens of Grove, Jay and Bernice & Colcord for these services.

PLEASE NOTE THE BALLOT SAYS “Said revenue is to be deposited int he general revenue fund of the County to be used only for the acquisition, establishment and operation of Solid Wast Services FOR THE PEOPLE OF DELAWARE COUNTY,

…….EVERYONE BUT…COUNTY CITIZENS that live in cities and have their trash picked up by independent trash haulers.

 WHY CITIZENS FROM GROVE, JAY, BERNICE and COLCORD GET GOUGED BY THE AUTHORITY!

Here’s the skinny,

Rural citizens of Delaware County bring their trash to collection points throughout the county, the Green Boxes or Convenience Centers, and our Solid Waste Authority collects this trash, hauls it to a collection point called a transfer station, where huge trucks then haul the trash refuse to a Cherokee owned landfill in Tulsa. This is all paid for by the ½ cent sales we all pay, a $2 Million Dollar income stream for the TRUST.

But when citizens from Grove, Jay, Colcord and Bernice hire a local trash hauler to come to their door and pick up their trash, this same County Solid Waste Authority charges these citizens to receive their trash, and won’t accept it, or haul it to Tulsa without a $50 per ton charge. All citizens of Delaware County were to have their trash collected and hauled to Tulsa and paid for by the ½ cent sales tax!

Transient folks on their way thru town are charged the same $50 per ton. Oops, just remembered this Authority has just raised the costs for Bernice, Grove, Jay and Colcord to $55.00 per ton.

In reviewing the last published audit of this authority, ending in June 2012, the trust had revenues of $2,239,536.70, .

$1,566,709.30 from the sales taxes on all Delaware County citizens and our guests.

$672,259 from (solid waste revenues), which over half is from special fees assessed citizens of Grove, Jay and Bernice.

Receiving accurate numbers from the Authority has been difficult at best, with their General Manager refusing an interview until they had a private meeting with County Attorney Eddy Wyant. First attempts at determining what portion of the solid waste revenues were from Bernice Sanitation; the authority provided a ream of 70 pages, single-spaced lists of financial entries, with no totals. Yea right.

Subsequent requests have yielded that Bernice Sanitations’ charges for 2011 were $384,604, most of which is taxpayers from Grove, Jay, Bernice and Colcord. 2012 estimates are about the same.

According to Delaware County Solid Waste Trust Authority General Manager Larry Burrow, “In 1989 The Green Boxes were created to serve non incorporated areas, and we started off with collections of 15-18 tons per day in refuse, now it is up to 158-160 tons per day”. Burrow said that he manages 32 Green Dumpsters sites, and picked up trash from these sites every 24 hours. He hauls solid waste to a Cherokee Indian owned and operated solid waste site outside Tulsa and uses 4 trucks, 9 trailers and makes 2 trips per day to Tulsa for disposal.

Burrow says “Delaware County population of 41,438 dumps 2500 tons per month, averaging 4.5 lbs of trash per day per person”.

When asked how Burrow can justify charging Grove, Jay, Bernice and Colcord citizens extra money to receive their trash, Borrow explains that they only do dumpsters for free, and charge the towns because they use private haulers

At the close of this 11minute interview, Mr. Burrows admits that residents from Grove, Jay, Bernice and Colcord, get no benefit from his $2+ million dollar operation, unless they bring a couch or refrigerator to him for disposal.

Mr. Burrows is ok with the Authority charging residents from these towns, and if you don’t like it you can bring your own trash out to the collection point, and they will accept it without charge.

Mr. Burrows makes clear that if the residents of these four towns use a commercial hauler, and if a hauler gets paid, the hauler will get charged at the transfer station at $55/ton.

Mr. Howard Sitton, one of the Trustees of the Solid Waste Trust Authority, said ” Thats just the way it is,” when asked about Grove being charged extra to accept their trash, “and its not going to change!” commented the Trustee. “In fact, my term expires in January, and why don’t you get Commissioner Tom Sanders to appoint you to the board, that’d be ok with me.” Sitton said. “You have no idea the costs to keep this operation going, and paying salaries plus 18% benefits. I support these benefits, and would not want to cut back on them at all”, said Sitton.

When asked about Bernice Sanitations’ efforts underway to build their own Transfer Station and the Authority would loose the $350.000 per year, Sitton said “I think that would be fine, we could probably lay off half our employees, and that would relieve us of most of our trips to Tulsa for landfill.”

Former County Commissions Dave Kendrick and Ken Crowder sit with Sitton on the  Authority.

Following is the 2012 Audit of the Solid Waste Authority . The Auditors mention that it looks like serious problems can occur when you have the same office staff person open the mail, opens the checks, makes the deposits, writes the checks, pays the bills, and there is only one person involved in handling all those functions. 2012_delaware_co_solid_waste_authorityfinal_oykh

SAVING DELAWARE COUNTY MONEY BY RECYCLING TRASH

The Delaware County Solid Waste Trust Authority delivers trash to a Cherokee Indian owned landfill just north east of Tulsa, and pays the landfill, $17.00 per ton, for an expense of $469,685 in 2012.

In 2008, Covanta’s Trash to Energy Plant in Tulsa proposed to the Authority that they bring trash to their new facility where it will be converted to energy for only $12.00 per ton. The proposal would help save the land, and their proposal would save Delaware county taxpayers $177,180 per year.

A summary of their proposal is:

ENERGY FROM WASTE

PRICE AT COVANTA VS. LANDFILL

CURRENT DISPOSAL SERVICE

2400 tons per month x $17 per ton                  $40,800.00 per month

PROPOSED COVANTA DISPOSAL SERVICE

2400 tons per month x $12 per ton                  $28,800.00 per month

Total estimated monthly savings                  $12,000.00 per month

Total estimated yearly savings                           $144,000.00

Total Impact on Savings

Savings on labor but additional fuel         $8,580.00

Savings from tires and maintenance         $24,000.00

Savings on landfill fees                           $144,000.00

TOTAL YEARLY SAVINGS                  $177,180.00 per year

The entire proposal is attached as a pdf, as received from Covanta officials after invoking the Freedom of Information Act.  Covanta Sustainable Solution for Delaware Co Oklahoma  Although this document contains privileged information, this document was presented to the Solid Waste Trust Authority in December 2008, and therefore is public information. Reluctantly, Covanta officials released this copy.

In reviewing the Covanta proposal with Solid Waste Trust Authority General Manager Larry Burrows, Burrows believes there would not be much savings from the Covanta proposal, and feels doing business with the Cherokee Landfill is the way to go.

Covanta Tulsa Renewable Energy processes 1,125 tons-per-day of solid waste, generating up to 240,000 pounds-per-hour of steam. The steam can be used to power a turbine generator to produce 16.8 megawatts of clean, renewable energy that is sold to Public Service Company of Oklahoma. However, on a more regular basis, the steam is sold to Holly Frontier, Inc. (an independent refiner), adjacent to the facility, and used in the refining process. This offsets the need for the refinery to use fossil fuels to generate their own steam.

WHO VOTED FOR THIS DEAL?

As you can see, the 1/2 cent sales tax passed by 166 votes, and was carried by south county. Grove and other communities in Delaware contribute  most of the $1,566,709.30 sales taxes collected to run the county trust authority, but receive no direct benefit other than having a cleaner county roads.

Each week the number of “likes” for the Grand River Dam Authority’s Facebook page continues to rise a bit. That is encouraging for GRDA because we are always adding new content in an effort to enhance communications and expand online. This has proven to be a helpful tool for that and we encourage the public to connect to GRDA’s social media presence, which also includes Twitter and YouTube.

On the GRDA Facebook page, photos – including the new “Flashback Friday” feature – are always being added, as well as the weekly Power For Progresscolumn, news releases and other information that could prove to be important for our customers, Grand Lake stakeholders and the public. True, like a lot of social media, it is a constant work in progress, but also a great resource that gives GRDA the potential to share event more information and receive important feedback.

On its YouTube channel – www.youtube.com/user/GrandRiverDamAuth – GRDA recently added a video that details the recent summer boating season on Grand and Hudson lakes. It has been called one of the best seasons in recent memory, but you don’t have to take GRDA’s word for it; check out the video. Then, remember to check back often as GRDA plans to add more of our videos in the future.

As a reminder, GRDA’s original cyberspace location – grda.com – is always open for business too. You can read the latest news releases there and get more information on all aspects of the broad GRDA mission. The Power of Power book, which tells both GRDA’s story and its positive economic impact in Oklahoma, is still featured online, along with the latest version of the GRDA lake rules. More information on lake permitting, GRDA job openings, vendor requirements, education programs (Electric Express) and overall GRDA operations are also available.

Need more information?  That’s easy, just visit us online.

Headquartered in Vinita, GRDA is Oklahoma’s state-owned electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Directly or indirectly, GRDA’s low-cost, reliable electricity touches75 of 77 counties in the state. At no cost to taxpayers, GRDA also manages 70,000 surface acres of lakes in the state, including Grand Lake, Lake Hudson and the W.R. Holway Reservoir. Today, GRDA’s 500 employees continue to produce the same “power for progress” that has benefited the state for 75 years.

# # #

This article is part of the GRDA Power For Progress series.

For more information on GRDA visit us online at grda.com, or stop by our Facebook site.

Grand Lakers of the Year Awards were given to Dr. Darrell Townsend – Assistant General Manager of Ecosystems and Lake Management at GRDA and Brent Davis – Head of Fisheries with GRDA.

The Grand Lake Association held their annual banquet at the Summit at Shangri La where they named their Grand Lakers of the Year and gave out several other awards.

The guest speaker was former Nebraska and NFL star Grant Wistrom.  He spoke about his time growing up on Grand Lake and some of his football memories.

The GLA gave out awards that were voted on by the membership for their favorite in several categories.  The winners in each category were…

What To Do – Sail Grand

Area Services – Signs By Sikorski

Real Estate – Remax Grand Lake

Where To Stay – Pine Lodge Resort

The GLA also announced its Grand Lakers of the Year.  Because of the unprecedented coverage of Grand Lake with all the national fishing tournaments and the recent rankings of Grand Lake as the 15^th best bass fishery by Bassmaster Magazine and the Top 10 bass fishery by USA Today, the Grand Lakers of the Year Awards were given to Dr. Darrell Townsend – Assistant General Manager of Ecosystems and Lake Management at GRDA and Brent Davis – Head of Fisheries with GRDA.

“The banquet was great, the food was excellent and it was good to get together with our membership,” said Tad Jones, Executive Director of the GLA.  “We had a great 2013 and we are expecting an even bigger 2014.”

The GLA closed the evening by giving away several items related to the upcoming Grand Lake Extravaganza, the World’s Largest Bass Tagged Event April 1^st-May 18^th of 2014.

“The Grand Lake Extravaganza is going to be a huge event for the area,” said Ray Claggett, President of the GLA.  “The success of the GLA is because of our membership and I look forward to serving as President for 2014.”

Larena Ellis Cook, the Delaware County Assessor, has announced a series of availability sessions in Grove, West Silom Springs, Kansas, Colcord, Oaks, Bernice and Cleora, where Ms. Cook and staff will be available to county citizens for information from her office.

LARENA ELLIS COOK

Delaware County Assessor

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, THE DELAWARE COUNTY ASSESSOR, WILL BE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:

*IN THE EVENT OF BAD WEATHER….PLEASE CALL THE COUNTY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE FOR RE-SCHEDULED DATE & TIME.

SAVE MONEY IN 2014!

ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS- AVOID ASSESSMENT PENALTIES!!- Your Business Assets are taxable in the State of Oklahoma.

Every Business Owner must assess their business personal property assets and inventory each year before March 15th  to avoid an assessment penalty. FORM 901.

FARMERS AND RANCHERS- AVOID ASSESSMENT PENALTIES!!-Farm Equipment is taxable in the State of Oklahoma.  All farm owners must assess their farm equipment each year before March 15th  to avoid assessment penalties.  Applications for Agricultural Exemption Permits (“Farm Cards”) are also taken during this time period.  Agricultural Exemption Permits exempt farm owners from paying sales t ax on certain items when purchased for use on their farm. FORM 924 & FORM 105-17.

ATTENTION PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNERS (MOBILE HOMES, IMPROVEMENTS ON LEASED LAND AND BOAT DOCK OWNERS)- AVOID ASSESSMENT PENALTIES!!- Your Personal Property is taxable in the State of Oklahoma. Owners of personal property must assess each year before March 15th to avoid an assessment penalty. FORM 935MH.

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION- This exemption is available for all permanent residents that own land regardless of age or income. The filing deadline for this exemption is on or before March 15 or within thirty (30) days from and after receipt of notice of valuation increase. FORM 921.

ADDITIONAL “DOUBLE” HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION- This exemption is available for all permanent residents of Delaware County that qualify for the Homestead Exemption above and have a gross household income that does not exceed $20,000 per year. The filing deadline for this exemption is on or before March 15 or within thirty (30) days from and after receipt of notice of valuation increase. FORM 994.

PROPERTY VALUE LIMITATION “FROZEN VALUE” EXEMPTION-This benefit “FREEZES” the valuation on your homestead qualified property. This exemption is available to individuals with homestead exemption who are 65 years of age or older as of January 1st and have a gross annual household income that does not exceed $44,400.00.   The filing deadline for this exemption is on or before March 15 or within thirty (30) days from and after receipt of notice of valuation increase. FORM 994.

100% DISABLED VETERANS EXEMPTION- Veterans who are receiving 100% service-connected disability compensation from the VA and not subject to further examination or rating action can now receive 100% exemption on their homestead qualified property. Bring your official letter from the Veteran’s Administration and picture identification to file for this exemption. FORM 998.

MANUFACTURED HOMEOWNERS HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION- This exemption is for owners of manufactured homes that do not own their own land and are 62 years of age or older with an income that does not exceed $22,200 per year.  The filing deadline for this exemption is on or before March 15 or within thirty (30) days from and after receipt of notice of valuation increase. FORM 952.

PERSONAL PROPERTY HEADS OF HOUSEHOLD EXEMPTION- Available for property owners who live in Delaware County and have taxable agricultural machinery and farm equipment. The deadline for new filers is March 15th. FORM 935.

PERSONAL PROPERTY VETERANS EXEMPTION- This exemption is  available for  all veterans who live in  Delaware County and  assess agricultural machinery and farm equipment. Deadline for new filers is March 15th. FORM 930.

PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS- If you are 65 years of age or older OR totally disabled AND your gross household income does not exceed $12,000 annually, you could qualify for up to a $200.00 refund on your property taxes from the Oklahoma Tax Commission.  This refund must be filed with your annual state income tax or by June 30th (if you have no income tax filing requirement). FORM 538-H.

“I want to help all taxpayers save money on their property taxes. All of the above forms are available on our website, by mail, or in our office.   If you have any questions concerning exemptions available or refunds, please call me.” Larena  Ellis Cook

Tel.No.918-253-4523   ♦  On the web: www.myassessor.org  ♦   Email Address: lelliscook@myassessor.org   ♦   FaxNo.918-253-8933

The post The Assessor is in Town, Business Tax Information / Homestead/ Inventory / Assessor will be in Town appeared first on Grand Lake Business Journal.com.