August 2, 2019 Issue, Page 4 of 12

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Page 4 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Friday, August 2 2019 Opinion Page “ElkCituNews Serving Western Oklahoma since 1901 Splash pad a plus for Elk City By Don Munsch, Editor The new splash pad at Ackley Park West opens today, and based on the reaction of people at The Elk City News’ Facebook page, most people are elated about having a new recreational feature at the park. But some naysayers chimed in, too. Hey, everyone’s entitled to an opinion. People can object to these type of city projects for different reasons. A few people thought the new splash was too small. One indi- vidual wanted taxpayer money to be spent for other needs that she found more urgent. The town I used to live in added a splash pad to its city park last year. That splash pad was smaller than this one, although that was a smaller town and smaller park. Still, people seemed to appreciate what they had there and the splash pad addition was deemed a success. Folks should appreciate this new feature to the park, and they should be aware that new projects are on the way to EIk City through the Community Action Project Plans. In- cluded in CAPPs will be an aquatic center that is projected to have two splash pads, according to Jim Mason, director of economic and community development for the city, ina City of Elk City Facebook response on a post on Tuesday. This newly installed splash pad, incidentally, was paid for by city funds and a grant and was in the works be- fore CAPPs was approved in February. Other splash pads through CAPPs are planned for neighborhood parks. Five GOP U.S. representatives have announced in recent weeks they are not seeking reelection in 2020, according to Before you scold that child a Tuesday story from Politico. The story caught my attention because two of those peo- ple represented districts I used to live in in Texas. Rep. Mike Conaway (11th District) represented an area in West Texas. Rep. Pete Olson (22nd District) represented an area near Houston, in the city’s southwestern suburbs. Glynda Lomax is a Chris- I knew they saw some ex- or tired or out of patience. When I worked at papers in those regions, Conaway and tian author and podcaster terior that did not represent How easy it is to forget they Olson agreed to some sit-down interviews at the newspaper who resides in the Ozark who he truly is. may have pain of their own, offices. Mountains of Northern Ar- After we hung up the that their home life may be Tonly hope to do the same here in Elk City with our rep- kansas with her two very phone, I found myself won- far less than desirable, or resentative in Washington. bossy dogs. She wrote her dering. Wondering if the that they walk through each About a week ago, I requested an interview with U.S. (first About Life..column in teachers he spoke of would day with hearts crushed un- Rep. Frank Lucas (R-District 3) through his office, and his 2003 for a newspaper in be so harsh to him if they der heavy grief over losing communications director replied and said he would try to Dallas. She is planning her knew what his life had been someone they loved. set up something. Congress is in recess now, and Lucas’ next book. like. If they knew his father We should all strive to re- communications director, C. Patrick Bond, said he would had died suddenly when he member the impact of hast- let me know when something can be worked out when Lu- “You can learn was only 9 years old, and he ily spoken words, but espe- many cas is in the area and district. things from children. How was sent right back to school cially those entrusted with our children and grandchil- Glynda Lomax Elected officials should speak regularly to their constit- much patience you have, after he was buried, that no uents and media as much as possible, and I was always for instance.” — Franklin P. one comforted him through dren. I still remember harsh or she may be fidgeting be- appreciative in receiving opportunities to talk to our Con- gressmen or cover their speaking engagements during my Jones his long grief. If they knew words spoken to me over cause they are hurting and stints at other newspapers. I will happily convey what I his father had been his best 50 years ago when I was in have no way to process their Iremember 10 or so years friend. Or if they knew of elementary school. Words pain or grief. Maybe they Jearn from Lucas when that opportunity arises soon. ago getting a phone call the Great Grandmother that convinced me I could aren’t lazy, maybe they are from my now grown grand- Elk City shows how who no longer lived within never play any sport well, sad. Or maybe the fighting son about school activities. walking distance that he had or that I could never hope to at home kept them awake I was saddened to hear that previously spent time with be physically coordinated. all night. You are there by to pay for new stuff some of his teachers were far less than patient with every single day before her illness landed her in a care So I never tried. Because of choice, they are there be- hastily spoken words form a cause they have to be. By Joe Mysak him. home. Or maybe if they teacher, I gave up before I And if you have no com- If you want nice stuff, you'd better figure out how to pay Hearing the pain and suf- knew that just the summer ever tried. As children, we passion for those you teach, for it. That’s why voters in Elk City, Oklahoma, a munici- fering in his voice was al- before, he had stood at his assume what our teachers maybe it isn’t the child who most more than I could bear, grandpa’s hospital bed and say is right, and we take it needs to be scolded. Maybe pality of 11,693 located 110 miles west of Oklahoma City and I longed to comfort him held his hand as he watched to heart. it’s you. with big plans, passed a tax extension back in February. — to protect him from harsh him die. Teachers, your words have The city laid out those big plans in the offering docu- words of judgment spo- How easy it is to speak the power to wound or to “Tis easier to build strong ments to the $23.5 million in sales tax revenue bonds it sold in June. They include a new indoor activity center with ken against him. Knowing harsh words to a child or to heal the children you touch children than to repair bro- his heart and how hard he someone we hardly know each day. Remember before ken men.” — Frederick Dou- basketball and volleyball courts, an aquatic center, replace- ment of baseball and softball field turf and improvements strived to do the right thing, when we are feeling rushed, you scold that child hat he glass to Red Rock Stadium in Ackley Park, which was originally A succesful celebration of built in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration and which is home to the Elk City Elks high school baseball team. But that’s not all. Over the next few years, Elk City plans Oklahoma’s real heroes to build a new conference center, an “exposition Center” designed for livestock shows and rodeos and an Oil and Gas Museum “planned to memorialize the area’s close ties to the energy industry in the past, present and future.” The city already has embraced its heritage and connection By Oklahoma Institute The Heroes Ball helped this effort, please reach out 20, 21 and 22 by Senator Ik- with historic Route 66, one of the nation’s first highway for Child Advocacy CEO raise funds for OICA for to our office at (405) 236- ley-Freeman, respectively at systems, as it says in the preliminary official statement, and Joe Dorman upcoming events and child 5437 or to jdorman@oica. looking at disaster response has a Route 66 museum. It was an amazing eve- wellbeing programs which org to learn more details. protocols, youth access to The $23.5 million deal is the initial financing of the city’s ning last Friday, as the He- are held throughout the ‘We will also be preparing mental health programs, Community Action Project Plans, or CAPPs, a master plan roes Ball and Sidekicks Ball year. Galas like this also for the 2019 Fall Forum, to seclusion and restraint poli- which was developed by the city with a firm called Studio hosted more than 370 adults provide the opportunity to be held at OSU-OKC Octo- cies in schools and childcare Architecture in Oklahoma City. The goals of the plan are to and 30 kids for a night of raise awareness about our ber 1 and 2. Early bird reg- deserts; study 32 by Senator “provide an enhanced quality of life” for residents and “to fun and celebration. We work on behalf of children istration will be available at Montgomery which looks increase economic development opportunities,” according honored seven outstand- and to educate attendees oica.org within the next few at the Earned Income Tax to the preliminary official statement to the deal. ing Oklahoma individuals about what remains to be days, so we encourage you Credit; studies 46, 48, 49, CAPPs was inspired by the Metropolitan Area Projects, and organizations who do done. We have many peo- to sign up now and save on 50, and 51 by Senator Scott or MAPS sales-tax funded capital plan passed by Oklaho- great work for the children ple to thank for making the the cost to attend. analyzing DHS _ practices ma City voters in 1993, said Lee Litterell, Elk City city of our state. Our honorees Heroes Ball a success, but I Finally, I want to thank for investigating daycare manager. He said it took 16 months to put together the plan, included Karen Waddell of especially want to thank the Senate President Pro Tem- facilities, summer feeding based upon “things people have talked about for the past Count Me In 4 Kids, Judge committees who oversaw pore Greg Treat for approv- programs for youth, funding five years,” and involved active citizen participation. Lisa Tipping Davis (recog- each aspect of the event, ing so many interim studies for storm shelter space and Which just goes to show that people will vote for taxes nized posthumously), Tulsa our hardworking volunteers, that look at issues impacting a study of the Family First even in the reddest states. County Commissioner Ron and the OICA staff who the youth of our state. Sena- Prevention Services Act; These bonds are backed by sales tax revenues. Elk City Peters, former Norman State spent many hours ensuring tor Treat was honored by voters in February approved by a 2-to-1 margin extending Representative Laura Boyd, we had a great event. OICA a few years ago for study 57 by Senator Simp- a 1% sales tax used for capital expenditures and economic the Oklahoma Commission Moving forward, we have legislation he carried to sup- son looking at our opioid development that was scheduled to end in 2023 by another on Children and Youth, the a busy schedule at OICA port at-risk youth; we cer- crisis, and studies 60 and 20 years. By coupling this with a 0.50% sales tax approved United Methodist Circle and a lot of work to do. Our tainly appreciate his contin- 64 on the DDSD waiting in 1973 and with no termination date, the city estimates of Care and Judy Payne of next upcoming project will ued focus on these issues as list and cyberbullying by debt service coverage on the bonds of 3.25 times. Palomar (Oklahoma City’s be to purchase and distrib- well as his passion for pur- Senator Standridge. These Sold by the Elk City Industrial Authority, the bonds were Family Justice Center). ute — with the generous sup- suing better outcomes in our and other studies can be re- rated A by S&P Global Ratings, and were priced to yield Each of these honorees were port of Walmart, Express criminal justice system. Of viewed at OkSenate.gov and from 1.65% in 2020 to 3.25% in 2043, a spread of 102 basis either selected by the Okla- Employment and Simmons the interim studies we hope we encourage you to contact points over the BVAL benchmark AAA scale. homa Institute for Child Bank ~ approximately 700 to have a hand in are Study lawmakers requesting the Joe Mysak writes for Bloomberg. This column does not Advocacy (OICA) board of “back to school” backpacks 14 by Senator Haste, look- study if you want to be no- necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or directors or by a vote of the to foster children. If you ing at the Safe Babies Court tified on when they will be Bloomberg LP and its owners. people. would like to contribute to Team program; studies 19, held.