Saying Oklahomans need to be more ambitious and “set their sights higher,” House Speaker Lance Cargill praised the “historic reforms” passed by the GOP-controlled House of Representatives. Those reforms, Cargill said, have brought “hope, growth and opportunity” to the Sooner State.
Cargill made the remarks Thursday evening at the Cleveland County Republican Club’s Helen Cole Awards Banquet. More than 150 people attended the event at the J.D. McCarty Center, which also featured a presidential campaign announcement by retired Major General Jerry Curry.
“Maybe it was our dustbowl mentality,” Cargill said. “But Oklahomans have not always set their sights high enough. I want the 21st century to be Oklahoma’s. I think this can be our century.”
And Republicans, he said, are leading the way.
“The historic reforms passed by Republicans have brought hope, growth and opportunity. We are experiencing a renaissance time.”
Cargill said those reforms include lowering the state’s income tax, adopting a pro-life agenda and investing in state infrastructure.
“There is probably no area of which I am more proud, than our pro-life agenda,” he said. “Until there was a Republican majority, Oklahoma didn’t have some of the most basic protections for life that other states had passed.”
In addition, Cargill said Democrats are misleading voters about the state’s revenue picture.
“The liberals are misleading you about the amount of revenue,” he said. “Did you know that the taxes paid into government this year are going to go up, this year by $200 million, maybe $300 million?”
Speaking to the GOP’s faithful, Cargill said elections in Oklahoma “have consequences” and the consequences have been “good for Oklahoma.”
Following his review, Cargill introduced Mina Hibdon who received the club’s Pioneer Award. Hibdon, the first Cleveland County woman elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, thanked all those who supported her 1973 campaign.
“I have a lot of memories,” she said. “At that time we were in trouble with Watergate, that was a big problem nationally for our party. But here in Norman, I very quietly filed in a district that never had a Republican.”
Word got out quickly, she said.
“Well, everything begin to happen then, and the rest of my campaign is history.”
Following Hibdon’s award, state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft and Sen. Jonathan Nichols thanked the group for their efforts.
Wesselhoft, serving his second term in the House of Representatives, said he was excited by the upcoming legislative session.
“I have a full plate of bills that I’m going to be working on,” he said.
Nichols predicted the GOP would take control of the state Senate. “We can take over the Senate this year and I look forward to working toward that goal.”
A former staffer for Congressman Tom Cole, state Rep. T.W. Shannon, a Lawton Republican, introduced a video by Cole. Cole praised the group and said his late mother, Helen, would be pleased by their work.
“My mother would be honored,” he said. “She was a selfless, strong woman.”
The group also honored Don and Pat Allen for with a Lifetime Achievement Award and named former House member Thad Balkman as the Republican of the Year.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Curry signs, then announces for president
In what can only be billed as one of the country’s more unusual political announcements, retired Major General Jerry Curry launched his bid for the Republican presidential nomination Thursday night at the Cleveland County Republican Club’s Helen Cole Awards Banquet.
For about 10 minutes Curry delivered a scathing attack on Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and said Illinois Senator Barack Obama might make a good presidential candidate several years from now.
But prior to that speech, Curry did something few other national candidates have attempted.
He sang.
Listed on the program under “music,” Curry — without the aid of music or microphone — sang a chorus of the songs “God Bless America” and “My Country ’tis of Thee” for the 150-plus audience.
“I’ve been asked to sing a patriotic song,” he said. “So I’m going to do that even though I did graduate from the University of Nebraska.”
Following the song, Curry switched to campaign mode.
Blasting Mrs. Clinton, Curry said the former First Lady “could not fulfill the duties” of Commander in Chief because she “called General Petraus a liar last year” in front of the U.S. Senate.
“She did this with no cause,” he said. “And no facts to back her up, without even paying him the respect of having a private conversation with him. It was a cheap political stunt and it undermined our military leadership’s loyalty and confidence in the office of president — should she be elected.”
Saying Mrs. Clinton acted “cowardly” Curry said she had “forfeited her right to ever become the Commander in Chief of our military forces.”
Referring to Mrs. Clinton again, Curry then quoted the country’s first president, George Washington, saying “congressmen who wilfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs that should be arrested, exiled or hanged.”
Acknowledging he was seen as a dark horse candidate in the race, Curry said Americans are seeking a candidate who will “capture their imagination” and gain their respect as the “person best able to lead the country.”
“I am running for president because I am convinced that none of the current candidates — of either party — can fix America’s problems.”
Curry said he chose to make the announcement in Oklahoma because the people here “have already responded so favorably” to him.
“Oklahoma is a proving ground for my message,” he said. “If it resonates in this state, it will resonate with the American people everywhere.”
A former deputy assistant secretary of defense in the Carter administration, Curry also served as press secretary to the secretary of defense in the Reagan administration and as the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the Bush Sr. administration.
Married, Curry and his wife, Charlene, have four children. He said his “mixed racial and cultural ancestry is as colorful as America itself.” Curry said he will be campaigning throughout the state Jan. 22-29.
For about 10 minutes Curry delivered a scathing attack on Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and said Illinois Senator Barack Obama might make a good presidential candidate several years from now.
But prior to that speech, Curry did something few other national candidates have attempted.
He sang.
Listed on the program under “music,” Curry — without the aid of music or microphone — sang a chorus of the songs “God Bless America” and “My Country ’tis of Thee” for the 150-plus audience.
“I’ve been asked to sing a patriotic song,” he said. “So I’m going to do that even though I did graduate from the University of Nebraska.”
Following the song, Curry switched to campaign mode.
Blasting Mrs. Clinton, Curry said the former First Lady “could not fulfill the duties” of Commander in Chief because she “called General Petraus a liar last year” in front of the U.S. Senate.
“She did this with no cause,” he said. “And no facts to back her up, without even paying him the respect of having a private conversation with him. It was a cheap political stunt and it undermined our military leadership’s loyalty and confidence in the office of president — should she be elected.”
Saying Mrs. Clinton acted “cowardly” Curry said she had “forfeited her right to ever become the Commander in Chief of our military forces.”
Referring to Mrs. Clinton again, Curry then quoted the country’s first president, George Washington, saying “congressmen who wilfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs that should be arrested, exiled or hanged.”
Acknowledging he was seen as a dark horse candidate in the race, Curry said Americans are seeking a candidate who will “capture their imagination” and gain their respect as the “person best able to lead the country.”
“I am running for president because I am convinced that none of the current candidates — of either party — can fix America’s problems.”
Curry said he chose to make the announcement in Oklahoma because the people here “have already responded so favorably” to him.
“Oklahoma is a proving ground for my message,” he said. “If it resonates in this state, it will resonate with the American people everywhere.”
A former deputy assistant secretary of defense in the Carter administration, Curry also served as press secretary to the secretary of defense in the Reagan administration and as the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the Bush Sr. administration.
Married, Curry and his wife, Charlene, have four children. He said his “mixed racial and cultural ancestry is as colorful as America itself.” Curry said he will be campaigning throughout the state Jan. 22-29.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
COMMENTARY: King's speech still rings true
It was August 1963.
JFK was president and America still believed in Camelot.
In Washington, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and hundreds of his supporters marched to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
There, in the shadow of Lincoln, King reshaped American’s civil rights debate with a single speech.
In just a few minutes, he spoke eloquently of the need for peace, and brotherhood.
He spoke of the dream of equality which is found the hearts of all good men.
Kennedy would be assassinated in November.
Dr. King would be killed by James Earl Ray in 1968.
But his speech, that wonderful essay on hope, trust and equality, lives on. Forty years later, King’s evangelical call still rings in our ears:
“I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal.”
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together...”
Our country has come a long way since Dr. King spoke in Washington, D.C. We have, in some ways, become better stewards of the good doctor’s legacy. Yet, King’s dream remains, still, a dream.
The truth is in America, not all men are seen as equal.
In our country, hatred and bigotry remain.
And, in many places, thousands still struggle for simple equality.
But King’s dream lives on.
And for those who choose to hear and live those famous words, they desire to make their country a better place burns deep.
Perhaps this year, our leaders will remember Dr. King’s dream and, once again, fight to make it a reality.
The directions are there.
The road lies before us.
We simply need to continue the journey.
JFK was president and America still believed in Camelot.
In Washington, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and hundreds of his supporters marched to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
There, in the shadow of Lincoln, King reshaped American’s civil rights debate with a single speech.
In just a few minutes, he spoke eloquently of the need for peace, and brotherhood.
He spoke of the dream of equality which is found the hearts of all good men.
Kennedy would be assassinated in November.
Dr. King would be killed by James Earl Ray in 1968.
But his speech, that wonderful essay on hope, trust and equality, lives on. Forty years later, King’s evangelical call still rings in our ears:
“I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal.”
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together...”
Our country has come a long way since Dr. King spoke in Washington, D.C. We have, in some ways, become better stewards of the good doctor’s legacy. Yet, King’s dream remains, still, a dream.
The truth is in America, not all men are seen as equal.
In our country, hatred and bigotry remain.
And, in many places, thousands still struggle for simple equality.
But King’s dream lives on.
And for those who choose to hear and live those famous words, they desire to make their country a better place burns deep.
Perhaps this year, our leaders will remember Dr. King’s dream and, once again, fight to make it a reality.
The directions are there.
The road lies before us.
We simply need to continue the journey.
Wesselhoft wants to expand DNA database
OKLAHOMA CITY — Any person arrested for a felony would be required to provide a DNA sample, under a bill filed this week by a Cleveland County lawmaker.
State Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore, said his proposal — House Bill 2603 — could help police solve “many unresolved crimes.”
In a media statement sent to The Transcript, Wesselhoft said the measure, “would require all individuals arrested on felony charges to provide a DNA sample for a state database.”
Should it pass, Wesselhoft said the bill would be known as “Katie’s Law,” in honor of a New Mexico crime victim.
“In August 2003, 22-year-old Katie Sepich was brutally attacked outside her home in New Mexico. She was raped and strangled, and her body was set on fire and abandoned at an old dump site. No suspects were immediately identified, but skin and blood samples were found under her fingernails, leaving the attacker’s DNA sample. The DNA samples were sent to the national DNA database system,” he said.
Wesselhoft said most states do not currently allow law enforcement to take DNA samples for felony arrests, making it more difficult to identify suspects through the national database.
“If there was a swab of the person who killed Katie, they would now be in prison and unable to harm someone else,” he said. “By expanding the DNA database, we can catch more bad guys who would otherwise remain free.”
Officials with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation say they support the idea.
“We have a statewide DNA database and the more people and samples we have in it the more crimes we can solve,” said Jessica Brown, OSBI public information officer. “Many states have already done this — it’s a good situation for everyone. It will help us solve more crimes and prevent other crimes from happening, and it will help victims’ families find closure.”
However, some defense attorneys disagree.
Norman attorney David Smith, who serves as Cleveland County’s public defender, said Wesselhoft’s bill “was a terrible idea.”
“Beyond the obvious privacy issues, people who are arrested for a felony haven’t been convicted of anything,” Smith said. “And each year thousands of people are arrested on a felony charge.”
It’s that huge amount, he said, that could cause errors in processing and handling the DNA samples.
“The thing that bothers me most is this: There’s gonna’ be an awful lot of felony arrests, and everyone one is going to have to provide a sample,” he said. “In some places, in the smaller counties, consider the idea you’re going to have people who may not be very well trained or who may very well have no training at all. With that many samples, the potential for error is huge.”
Statistics support Smith’s claim.
Data included in Norman’s 2006 Community Report Card show the Norman Police Department made 3,635 arrests for the “eight most serious crimes” for 2006.
“When you look at the number of felony arrests on a county level, well the numbers would be huge,” Smith said.
In addition, Smith said he has “real concerns” about residents being forced to turn over personal information — such as DNA — to the government.
“People think DNA profiling is very routine, they see it all the time,” he said. “But when you are talking about giving the government the power to take a piece of your body, the potential for abuse is real. I’m sure at some we’re going to be able to look at person’s DNA profile. I know insurance companies want that type of information now, because it lets them hedge their bets on who they would provide coverage for.”
Wesselhoft’s bill, he said, would give government “too much” information about a person who hasn’t been convicted of a crime.
“It’s terrible, and the potential problems with it are enormous,” he said.
Wesselhoft downplayed the bill’s controversy.
“DNA profiles generated by crime labs contain no private medical or genetic information. This protects privacy,” he said. “There has been no instance of misuse of the DNA database. But there is evidence of its success—already the data has been used to solve nearly 50,000 crimes nationwide, according to the FBI.”
Wesselhoft said all states require DNA for felony convictions, and 26 of those states have considered bills to require DNA samples from individuals arrested on felony charges.
“This should be an easy measure to pass,” he said. “It is a measure that could prevent what happened to Katie from happening again by identifying criminals based on DNA before they are able to strike again.”
No so, Smith said.
“You are always going to be able to find anecdotal evidence like that. A single situation is not a good enough reason to give the government that authority,” he said. “A mistake could have horrible consequences.”
State lawmakers will have the chance to review Wesselhoft’s proposal in two weeks, when the Legislature reconvenes in Oklahoma City.
State Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore, said his proposal — House Bill 2603 — could help police solve “many unresolved crimes.”
In a media statement sent to The Transcript, Wesselhoft said the measure, “would require all individuals arrested on felony charges to provide a DNA sample for a state database.”
Should it pass, Wesselhoft said the bill would be known as “Katie’s Law,” in honor of a New Mexico crime victim.
“In August 2003, 22-year-old Katie Sepich was brutally attacked outside her home in New Mexico. She was raped and strangled, and her body was set on fire and abandoned at an old dump site. No suspects were immediately identified, but skin and blood samples were found under her fingernails, leaving the attacker’s DNA sample. The DNA samples were sent to the national DNA database system,” he said.
Wesselhoft said most states do not currently allow law enforcement to take DNA samples for felony arrests, making it more difficult to identify suspects through the national database.
“If there was a swab of the person who killed Katie, they would now be in prison and unable to harm someone else,” he said. “By expanding the DNA database, we can catch more bad guys who would otherwise remain free.”
Officials with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation say they support the idea.
“We have a statewide DNA database and the more people and samples we have in it the more crimes we can solve,” said Jessica Brown, OSBI public information officer. “Many states have already done this — it’s a good situation for everyone. It will help us solve more crimes and prevent other crimes from happening, and it will help victims’ families find closure.”
However, some defense attorneys disagree.
Norman attorney David Smith, who serves as Cleveland County’s public defender, said Wesselhoft’s bill “was a terrible idea.”
“Beyond the obvious privacy issues, people who are arrested for a felony haven’t been convicted of anything,” Smith said. “And each year thousands of people are arrested on a felony charge.”
It’s that huge amount, he said, that could cause errors in processing and handling the DNA samples.
“The thing that bothers me most is this: There’s gonna’ be an awful lot of felony arrests, and everyone one is going to have to provide a sample,” he said. “In some places, in the smaller counties, consider the idea you’re going to have people who may not be very well trained or who may very well have no training at all. With that many samples, the potential for error is huge.”
Statistics support Smith’s claim.
Data included in Norman’s 2006 Community Report Card show the Norman Police Department made 3,635 arrests for the “eight most serious crimes” for 2006.
“When you look at the number of felony arrests on a county level, well the numbers would be huge,” Smith said.
In addition, Smith said he has “real concerns” about residents being forced to turn over personal information — such as DNA — to the government.
“People think DNA profiling is very routine, they see it all the time,” he said. “But when you are talking about giving the government the power to take a piece of your body, the potential for abuse is real. I’m sure at some we’re going to be able to look at person’s DNA profile. I know insurance companies want that type of information now, because it lets them hedge their bets on who they would provide coverage for.”
Wesselhoft’s bill, he said, would give government “too much” information about a person who hasn’t been convicted of a crime.
“It’s terrible, and the potential problems with it are enormous,” he said.
Wesselhoft downplayed the bill’s controversy.
“DNA profiles generated by crime labs contain no private medical or genetic information. This protects privacy,” he said. “There has been no instance of misuse of the DNA database. But there is evidence of its success—already the data has been used to solve nearly 50,000 crimes nationwide, according to the FBI.”
Wesselhoft said all states require DNA for felony convictions, and 26 of those states have considered bills to require DNA samples from individuals arrested on felony charges.
“This should be an easy measure to pass,” he said. “It is a measure that could prevent what happened to Katie from happening again by identifying criminals based on DNA before they are able to strike again.”
No so, Smith said.
“You are always going to be able to find anecdotal evidence like that. A single situation is not a good enough reason to give the government that authority,” he said. “A mistake could have horrible consequences.”
State lawmakers will have the chance to review Wesselhoft’s proposal in two weeks, when the Legislature reconvenes in Oklahoma City.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Students, Independents changing County's voter registration profile
The University of Oklahoma’s student population and an increasing number of voters with no political party affiliation, have conspired to change the profile of Cleveland County’s registered voters.
Documents provided by state and local election board officials show major changes in the county’s voter registration — trending away from the two main political parties and, instead, toward Independent and Republican registration over the past eight years.
And though county officials have registered more than 13,000 new voters since 2000, fewer of those voters are choosing to affiliate themselves with the Democratic party and, instead, are choosing to register Independent or Republican.
The change began several years ago.
In 2000, 124,616 voters were registered to vote in Cleveland County, with a majority of those voters squarely in the Democratic column.
Records indicate that registered Democrats outnumbered Republicans by 5,569 voters — with Democrats claiming 58,656 voters to the GOP’s 53,087 in 2000.
A total of 12,826 residents listed themselves as Independent; 26 voters registered Libertarian and seven with the Reform Party.
Then, in 2002, Democrat’s numbers began to fall.
That year, both parties registration numbers were within 225 of each other. Democratic registration fell by 3,908 to 54,748 while GOP numbers rose by 1,436 to 54,523.
Independents, too, showed large increases, rising from 12,286 in 2000 to 14,930 in 2002 — a difference of 2,104.
Libertarians remained at 26.
“It’s been the trend for sometime,” said Cleveland County Election Board Secretary Paula Roberts. “I think it’s because people say they don’t want to be associated with either party. They see something on the news and it causes them to change their registration. Plus, many of them don’t understand our voter laws.”
Two years later, in 2004, Republican numbers would overtake Democrat’s.
In January 2004, Democratic registration fell by another 1,871 voters to 52,877 while county Republicans increased to 55,208 — 685 more than in 2002.
Independent and Libertarian registration climbed to 15,354 — an increase of 464 from 2002 for Independents, and 48 for Libertarians.
Only one county voter remained registered with the Reform Party.
Roberts said she believes those numbers reflect county voter’s emotions.
“To me it shows some frustration with the parties,” she said. “And it shows confusion about how Oklahoma classifies Independent voters.”
By 2006 the frustration had increased to new levels.
With Democrats and Republicans waging a scorched Earth battle for control of the Oklahoma State Senate, and the United States continuing its emotional struggle with wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, voter registration numbers increased.
But most of those new voters chose the Republican Party.
According to election board data, the heaviest voter registration was in the Republican’s favor.
And though Democrats regained some lost ground, adding 1,735 new voters for a total of 54,612, that increase was still 136 voters short of their 2002 mark, and more than 4,000 below their high water mark of 58,656 in 2000.
Republicans numbers jumped by 6,507 — for a total of 61,715. Independent registration increased by 1,467 to 16,821.
That year, a total of 133,157 county residents were listed a registered voters.
In 2007, records show Independents and Republicans continue to reach new heights, while Democrats struggled to catch up.
During that year, Independent registration stood at 18,002 — 1,181 more than 2006 and 5,176 more than the year 2000.
Republican registrations climbed from 61,715 in 2006 to 63,785 in 2007, a difference of 2,070.
And though Democrats came close to registering almost as many voters as their GOP counterparts — Democrats added 1,907 new names to their rolls, for a total of 56,619 — they still have not reached their original 2000 registration level of 58,656.
“It’s definitely a change,” Roberts said. “But I believe some of those numbers are inflated because of the OU student population. Students move around a lot and then they leave. I think some of those precincts by campus are overstated because of the student population being so transient.”
But a shifting student population isn’t the only reason for the county’s increasing number of Independent voters.
Independent voters, Roberts said, are quick to voice their opinion and to change their party registration.
“Independents are the most vocal,” Roberts said. “And part of it is frustration. Many times they were previously a Republican or Democrat and they will come in and change because the party did something they didn’t like.”
State election board officials agree.
Mike Kilngman, secretary of the state election board, said Independent registration jumped in 2001 “during the state’s right-to-work election.”
“That election had a fairly high bump in independents,” he said. “And it’s kinda’ continued since then.”
Additionally, Klingman said he believes more younger voters are registering to vote and they “are more likely to register Independent than in the past.”
“Party affiliation seems to matter less,” he said, “Being independent sounds like a good thing. For many, political parties mean very little any more.”
Plus, many voters are taking advantage of new laws which expanded the number of cites where voters could register.
“Many of those places are online or in a facility like a tag agency,” he said. “And there’s not the same level of awareness of election laws. Back in the old days, when we had registrars, they could answer questions. We don’t have as much of that now.”
Because fewer voters are aware of the law, Klingman said new voters register Independent thinking they can vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary elections.
“That’s not the case. In Oklahoma we have a closed primary system. Republicans vote in the Republican primary and Democrats vote in the Democratic primary. Many younger voters don’t realize that. I don’t think they really understand that you can’t vote in a primary election with an Independent registration.”
And while Klingman says he does agree the state’s ballot laws are “fairly restrictive” he also said he believes voters who would choose a third party candidate are “probably going to vote for someone in either main party who better represents their views.”
“People who are interested are always going to be active,” he said. “If you are in-tune enough to know about the minor parties, I wonder whether or not you would vote anyway.”
Either way, he said, the move away from party affiliation will continue.
“I don’t have any solid data, but I believe it will probably continue,” he said. “I believe the parties, themselves, will continue to be less visible.”
Documents provided by state and local election board officials show major changes in the county’s voter registration — trending away from the two main political parties and, instead, toward Independent and Republican registration over the past eight years.
And though county officials have registered more than 13,000 new voters since 2000, fewer of those voters are choosing to affiliate themselves with the Democratic party and, instead, are choosing to register Independent or Republican.
The change began several years ago.
In 2000, 124,616 voters were registered to vote in Cleveland County, with a majority of those voters squarely in the Democratic column.
Records indicate that registered Democrats outnumbered Republicans by 5,569 voters — with Democrats claiming 58,656 voters to the GOP’s 53,087 in 2000.
A total of 12,826 residents listed themselves as Independent; 26 voters registered Libertarian and seven with the Reform Party.
Then, in 2002, Democrat’s numbers began to fall.
That year, both parties registration numbers were within 225 of each other. Democratic registration fell by 3,908 to 54,748 while GOP numbers rose by 1,436 to 54,523.
Independents, too, showed large increases, rising from 12,286 in 2000 to 14,930 in 2002 — a difference of 2,104.
Libertarians remained at 26.
“It’s been the trend for sometime,” said Cleveland County Election Board Secretary Paula Roberts. “I think it’s because people say they don’t want to be associated with either party. They see something on the news and it causes them to change their registration. Plus, many of them don’t understand our voter laws.”
Two years later, in 2004, Republican numbers would overtake Democrat’s.
In January 2004, Democratic registration fell by another 1,871 voters to 52,877 while county Republicans increased to 55,208 — 685 more than in 2002.
Independent and Libertarian registration climbed to 15,354 — an increase of 464 from 2002 for Independents, and 48 for Libertarians.
Only one county voter remained registered with the Reform Party.
Roberts said she believes those numbers reflect county voter’s emotions.
“To me it shows some frustration with the parties,” she said. “And it shows confusion about how Oklahoma classifies Independent voters.”
By 2006 the frustration had increased to new levels.
With Democrats and Republicans waging a scorched Earth battle for control of the Oklahoma State Senate, and the United States continuing its emotional struggle with wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, voter registration numbers increased.
But most of those new voters chose the Republican Party.
According to election board data, the heaviest voter registration was in the Republican’s favor.
And though Democrats regained some lost ground, adding 1,735 new voters for a total of 54,612, that increase was still 136 voters short of their 2002 mark, and more than 4,000 below their high water mark of 58,656 in 2000.
Republicans numbers jumped by 6,507 — for a total of 61,715. Independent registration increased by 1,467 to 16,821.
That year, a total of 133,157 county residents were listed a registered voters.
In 2007, records show Independents and Republicans continue to reach new heights, while Democrats struggled to catch up.
During that year, Independent registration stood at 18,002 — 1,181 more than 2006 and 5,176 more than the year 2000.
Republican registrations climbed from 61,715 in 2006 to 63,785 in 2007, a difference of 2,070.
And though Democrats came close to registering almost as many voters as their GOP counterparts — Democrats added 1,907 new names to their rolls, for a total of 56,619 — they still have not reached their original 2000 registration level of 58,656.
“It’s definitely a change,” Roberts said. “But I believe some of those numbers are inflated because of the OU student population. Students move around a lot and then they leave. I think some of those precincts by campus are overstated because of the student population being so transient.”
But a shifting student population isn’t the only reason for the county’s increasing number of Independent voters.
Independent voters, Roberts said, are quick to voice their opinion and to change their party registration.
“Independents are the most vocal,” Roberts said. “And part of it is frustration. Many times they were previously a Republican or Democrat and they will come in and change because the party did something they didn’t like.”
State election board officials agree.
Mike Kilngman, secretary of the state election board, said Independent registration jumped in 2001 “during the state’s right-to-work election.”
“That election had a fairly high bump in independents,” he said. “And it’s kinda’ continued since then.”
Additionally, Klingman said he believes more younger voters are registering to vote and they “are more likely to register Independent than in the past.”
“Party affiliation seems to matter less,” he said, “Being independent sounds like a good thing. For many, political parties mean very little any more.”
Plus, many voters are taking advantage of new laws which expanded the number of cites where voters could register.
“Many of those places are online or in a facility like a tag agency,” he said. “And there’s not the same level of awareness of election laws. Back in the old days, when we had registrars, they could answer questions. We don’t have as much of that now.”
Because fewer voters are aware of the law, Klingman said new voters register Independent thinking they can vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary elections.
“That’s not the case. In Oklahoma we have a closed primary system. Republicans vote in the Republican primary and Democrats vote in the Democratic primary. Many younger voters don’t realize that. I don’t think they really understand that you can’t vote in a primary election with an Independent registration.”
And while Klingman says he does agree the state’s ballot laws are “fairly restrictive” he also said he believes voters who would choose a third party candidate are “probably going to vote for someone in either main party who better represents their views.”
“People who are interested are always going to be active,” he said. “If you are in-tune enough to know about the minor parties, I wonder whether or not you would vote anyway.”
Either way, he said, the move away from party affiliation will continue.
“I don’t have any solid data, but I believe it will probably continue,” he said. “I believe the parties, themselves, will continue to be less visible.”
Moore, Norman Schools earn API awards
OKLAHOMA CITY — Three Moore schools — one of them making a repeat performance — and Norman’s McKinley Elementary are among the 63 state schools to receive bonus checks for their academic performance, state education officials announced this week.
Moore’s Wayland Bonds Elementary School, Fisher Elementary School and Earlywine Elementary School all received API awards, state school superintendent Sandy Garrett said Thursday.
The award is the first for the Wayland Bonds and Earlywine schools and the second year in a row for Fisher Elementary School.
“This is the kind of merit program that enjoys much support among school leaders across the state because it rewards teams of teachers whose instructional efforts result in both top-caliber academic performance and significant academic gains in one year,” Garrett said.
Moore school officials said they, too, were pleased by the awards.
“I am so proud of what they have accomplished,” said Moore superintend Deborah Arato. “They are just absolutely working so hard to make sure every student succeeds. It’s very difficult to achieve a perfect API score.”
Designed to reward and encourage academic excellence, the awards are based on a school’s Academic Performance Index (API) score. An API score — ranked on a scale from 0 to 1,500 — is based on the school’s student success on state achievement tests, and its attendance rates. For secondary sites, dropout and graduation rates also are factored in, as well as ACT scores and participation, Advanced Placement credit and college remediation rates in reading and mathematics.
“I often share that teachers don’t become teachers with any expectation of making a big salary,” Garrett said. “However, they, like all professionals, definitely should be recognized and rewarded when they go the extra mile for their students.”
Garrrett said teachers and administrators at Fisher and Earlywine will each receive a $3,000 bonus while administrators and teachers at Wayland Bonds will each see $2,000.
Arato said the awards are proof the district’s schools “are all doing well.”
“The only reason Wayland Bonds didn’t have a perfect API score was because of attendance,” Arato said. “They just missed it. We’re very, very proud. We had several other schools who just missed getting awards because of the attendance standard.”
Part of that success, she said, is because the district continually assesses students to make sure those students are learning.
“We’ve done a lot of really good work on our standards and making sure that we are well aligned. We do assessments every six weeks,” she said. “We’re constantly working to find out where kids are behind. When we get those indications, we can do what needs to be done quickly, before it becomes a large skill deficiency.”
At Wayland Bonds, principal Robert Romines praised his staff, saying they were primarily responsible for the school’s success.
“My staff is phenomenal,” he said. “They are very child centered. And our community has embraced many different concepts — before and after school tutoring, remediation. Everything we do is centered around kids.”
Romines said teachers and officials at the school, which opened three years ago, work hard to “create a family environment.”
“The teachers and staff are one big family,” he said. “And the parents realized that quickly. We have wonderful parents who are in and out (of here) day long. They are here to work. Their goal is to help the kids.”
And that atmosphere, he said, helps make the school successful. “Everything is centered toward the child,” Romines said.
McKinley elementary in Norman was one of 23 schools statewide that earned a perfect API score of 1,500.
Principal Terry Hopper said everyone who was a certified employee for the 2006-2007 school year will receive a $3,000 bonus check.
“It’s nice to be rewarded for our efforts,” he said.
Hopper said parents and the PTA deserve credit for their continued support through school-sponsored activities and programs.
“It’s really just a group effort,” he said.
Norman Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe Siano said all schools within the district have done an outstanding job of educating children.
The superintendent said he is proud of the McKinley Elementary staff for their hard work and recognition.
“We also appreciate and congratulate the parents and students for their part in working together to provide quality educational environment for all students,” Siano said.
In 2006, Purcell Elementary School score 843 on the API index. A year later, the number jumped 41 percent to 1,192, according to the State Department of Education. That increase also came along with $1,000 checks for school employees.
Principal Tammy Dillard said she and her 40 co-workers learned about their gift Friday morning.
“We’ve been celebrating all morning long,” Dillard said. “We were thrilled.”
Dillard was named principal eight years ago. At the same time, the school implemented a site improvement process working with the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation and Literacy First.
“We also are able to tap into resources through a Reading First grant and using those models we’ve learned about the latest research on education and instructional processes,” she said.
Dillard said Purcell Elementary educators are focused on academic progress of each child. Each year, Dillard and faculty members expect the API to increase. She believes several factors contribute to the steady rise including improved performances from English Language Learner, special education and regular education students.
The principal said student success would not be possible if it wasn’t for the educators who teach at the school.
“It would be impossible to overstate the degree to which they’ve invested in to make sure each child makes education progress each year. They have invested personal time and energy. It really is paying off,” she said.
Moore’s Wayland Bonds Elementary School, Fisher Elementary School and Earlywine Elementary School all received API awards, state school superintendent Sandy Garrett said Thursday.
The award is the first for the Wayland Bonds and Earlywine schools and the second year in a row for Fisher Elementary School.
“This is the kind of merit program that enjoys much support among school leaders across the state because it rewards teams of teachers whose instructional efforts result in both top-caliber academic performance and significant academic gains in one year,” Garrett said.
Moore school officials said they, too, were pleased by the awards.
“I am so proud of what they have accomplished,” said Moore superintend Deborah Arato. “They are just absolutely working so hard to make sure every student succeeds. It’s very difficult to achieve a perfect API score.”
Designed to reward and encourage academic excellence, the awards are based on a school’s Academic Performance Index (API) score. An API score — ranked on a scale from 0 to 1,500 — is based on the school’s student success on state achievement tests, and its attendance rates. For secondary sites, dropout and graduation rates also are factored in, as well as ACT scores and participation, Advanced Placement credit and college remediation rates in reading and mathematics.
“I often share that teachers don’t become teachers with any expectation of making a big salary,” Garrett said. “However, they, like all professionals, definitely should be recognized and rewarded when they go the extra mile for their students.”
Garrrett said teachers and administrators at Fisher and Earlywine will each receive a $3,000 bonus while administrators and teachers at Wayland Bonds will each see $2,000.
Arato said the awards are proof the district’s schools “are all doing well.”
“The only reason Wayland Bonds didn’t have a perfect API score was because of attendance,” Arato said. “They just missed it. We’re very, very proud. We had several other schools who just missed getting awards because of the attendance standard.”
Part of that success, she said, is because the district continually assesses students to make sure those students are learning.
“We’ve done a lot of really good work on our standards and making sure that we are well aligned. We do assessments every six weeks,” she said. “We’re constantly working to find out where kids are behind. When we get those indications, we can do what needs to be done quickly, before it becomes a large skill deficiency.”
At Wayland Bonds, principal Robert Romines praised his staff, saying they were primarily responsible for the school’s success.
“My staff is phenomenal,” he said. “They are very child centered. And our community has embraced many different concepts — before and after school tutoring, remediation. Everything we do is centered around kids.”
Romines said teachers and officials at the school, which opened three years ago, work hard to “create a family environment.”
“The teachers and staff are one big family,” he said. “And the parents realized that quickly. We have wonderful parents who are in and out (of here) day long. They are here to work. Their goal is to help the kids.”
And that atmosphere, he said, helps make the school successful. “Everything is centered toward the child,” Romines said.
McKinley elementary in Norman was one of 23 schools statewide that earned a perfect API score of 1,500.
Principal Terry Hopper said everyone who was a certified employee for the 2006-2007 school year will receive a $3,000 bonus check.
“It’s nice to be rewarded for our efforts,” he said.
Hopper said parents and the PTA deserve credit for their continued support through school-sponsored activities and programs.
“It’s really just a group effort,” he said.
Norman Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe Siano said all schools within the district have done an outstanding job of educating children.
The superintendent said he is proud of the McKinley Elementary staff for their hard work and recognition.
“We also appreciate and congratulate the parents and students for their part in working together to provide quality educational environment for all students,” Siano said.
In 2006, Purcell Elementary School score 843 on the API index. A year later, the number jumped 41 percent to 1,192, according to the State Department of Education. That increase also came along with $1,000 checks for school employees.
Principal Tammy Dillard said she and her 40 co-workers learned about their gift Friday morning.
“We’ve been celebrating all morning long,” Dillard said. “We were thrilled.”
Dillard was named principal eight years ago. At the same time, the school implemented a site improvement process working with the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation and Literacy First.
“We also are able to tap into resources through a Reading First grant and using those models we’ve learned about the latest research on education and instructional processes,” she said.
Dillard said Purcell Elementary educators are focused on academic progress of each child. Each year, Dillard and faculty members expect the API to increase. She believes several factors contribute to the steady rise including improved performances from English Language Learner, special education and regular education students.
The principal said student success would not be possible if it wasn’t for the educators who teach at the school.
“It would be impossible to overstate the degree to which they’ve invested in to make sure each child makes education progress each year. They have invested personal time and energy. It really is paying off,” she said.
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