On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Shawnee Public Schools Independent District-93 will be asking patrons to vote on a $3 million bond issue. The school board and administration fully understand the difficult economic times, but the need for Shawnee High School renovations and improvements are at a critical point.

According to most sources I could find, there are about 30,000 of us living in Shawnee. I guess it would be asking too much for all of us to just “get along”. After all, in my classroom of twenty, there are days when even our small group fusses and fights about how things should be. (And yes, sometimes I’m the one fussing!)  In my household of four, there are periods of more discord than harmony, especially with a toddler in our midst. And yet, despite it all, I still think I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

THE ISSUE: A local puppy mill
OUR STANCE: One of the greatest outpourings witnessed in a long time

Discovery of a puppy mill west of Shawnee this past week led to one of the most incredible outpourings by people we have witnessed in a long time.
More than 100 dogs were rescued by the Tri-County Humane Society and within 24 hours people from Shawnee and throughout the area were clamoring to see how they could help.

Do you know people who do not take advantage of their “home court”? Surely you know someone who lives in an area of the United States where visitors make it a point to stop during their vacation to see the local sites, and the resident hasn’t found the time to see the same sites located minutes from their home.

About a mile south of the State Capitol building, just off Lincoln Boulevard, is a small institution of learning. A special place because of the young men and women who attend and because of what they are preparing themselves to do some day.

THE ISSUE: Moving our community ahead
OUR STANCE: A citizens advisory group can be a huge benefit

Several months ago Shawnee city commissioners indicated they were contemplating appointment of some type of citizens advisory committee. In fact, the idea surfaced one evening during the commissioners’ comment portion when Vice Mayor Pam Stephens chaired a meeting during a rare absence of Mayor Linda Peterson.

Last Saturday night Katherine and I dined at “The Club” restaurant that is located at the Shawnee Country Club, which is open to the public by the way. They are celebrating “Oktoberfest” with specials on Friday and Saturday evenings during the month of October. Our experience was delightful. The food was delicious and the German Bier was special!

I read your opinion about State Question 744 which was reprinted in the Muskogee Phoenix. Hopefully you will consider some of the policies we initiate and how we manage spending may cause some of the frustration the common education community experienced which prompted State Question 744.

For those of you interested in quality of life issues in our community, I want to describe the disappointing outcome of efforts to create a committee of citizens that would provide research, support and recommendations to the city commission.

The issue :DUI laws
Our opinion: Laws should be tightened to make roads safer

If Oklahomans really want to make their roadways safer, then they should support strengthening laws dealing with drunk drivers.
There are too many drunk drivers on the roads today, because loopholes in current laws make it far too easy for these people to continue driving. Stronger legislation is being promoted which would tighten up laws and help keep those off the roadways who habitually and continually break the laws.

Last week I took part in an exercise which asked, “What will you never be too old for; what things will you always enjoy?”  Others in the group listed good food, laughter, and time spent with friends, family and pets. My own list added holidays, the changing of the seasons and receiving mail.

As a former teacher, I know firsthand the positive influence that student leaders can have on their friends, schools and communities. This is the reason that I am so pleased to announce a new statewide initiative to tap into our high school students’ energy, enthusiasm and creativity to address one of Oklahoma’s most pressing health issues, cancer. Oklahoma Students Care encourages students from all over the state to help change the terrible toll that cancer takes on our citizens.

The issue: Cleaning up the community

Our stance: Significant progress is being made

Beautifying and cleaning up Shawnee will take a continuous effort on the part of both the public and private sectors of the community.

In June of this year, the city of Shawnee and the Greater Shawnee Chamber of Commerce joined forces and launched a campaign aimed at making our community more attractive and code compliant. In order to really put some teeth into the campaign though, the chamber realized this had to be a collaborative effort with the city.

We have had an eventful summer to say the least. We started our summer with an Alaskan cruise that was great!  Everything appeared to be headed in the right direction for a wonderful summer. But, as you know things can change on a dime.

The arts and humanities play a vital role in our lives. Music, visual art, literature, history and more help us engage with the world and view it from different perspectives. That’s why I am proud to designate October as Arts and Humanities Month in Oklahoma.

THE ISSUE: State Question 744
OUR STANCE: The negative outweighs the positive

Oklahomans can brace themselves for higher taxes and fewer services if a state question being pushed by the education lobby is approved in next year’s general election.
State Question 744 will be on the 2010 general election. It’s also known as the Helping Oklahoma Public Education, or HOPE, initiative and would force the Legislature to spend an additional $850 million on public schools annually.

My neighbors are retired missionaries who served in Thailand for over 30 years. They are a source of conviction for me because I pass them walking nearly every day, either as I’m going or coming from work. I wave, as the overwhelming guilt sinks in. I doubt that I could keep up with Bob and Jeannie Spears but they sure inspire trying.

While everyone wants to talk about health care, no one seems to be willing to talk about health. The assumption seems to be that we all know what health is and that it is something that all Americans want, need and have a right to expect. After all, what could be more fundamental to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” than one’s physical well-being?

When I was a student at Oklahoma Baptist University, I led on quite well that TV shows were something of a pithy stab at the deeper meaning of life and I would never be caught dead employed by such a thing. I had more significant things to do like stroll around the student union with a copy of Carl Jung’s “A Man and His Symbols” and anticipate that someone would inquire as to what I was reading. But, clandestinely, my roommate and I would gather with a few others and watch “Project Runway” dutifully every week.

THE ISSUE: Grant application to improve rail in this area.
OUR STANCE: It serves a critical need to the area’s economy.
Submission of a grant application for railroad improvements between Shawnee and Oklahoma City and for the line running north of the city signals that Oklahoma Department of Transportation officials recognize its importance to this area.