Sunday (tomorrow) is Mother’s Day. It’s that special day we honor the women in our lives. We should set this day aside to pay tribute to them for all they have done and still do for us.
Let us not forget to utter an “I love you” or two during the course of the day, whether in person, by phone or any other way we choose to communicate with them.
I’d like to pay a special tribute to my wife Pat, our 27-year-old daughter, Meghan, along with my 85-year-old mother, Roberta McCormick, Oklahoma City, and my 81-year-old mother-in-law, Ruth Davis, who resides in Shawnee.
The women in our lives, whether it be our wives, mothers, grandmothers or others really are the people who nurture our children in their early years. They seem to form a special bond, and that carries on in their lives. For many, they serve as role models.
We, men, may not want to admit it, but for some reason that’s the way it is.
Even though I wrote a humorous piece several years ago about Mother’s Day, the underlying meaning then, just as it is today, is Sunday should be “their day” and we want them to enjoy it.
We (the men) should ensure they don’t have to cook, clean house or do other chores. It would be wise for us to forego golfing, hunting, fishing, watching golf on the TV.
It’s befitting we recognize that Sunday is really meant to honor the women in our lives and that we allow this day to be set aside especially for them.
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Former City Commissioner James Harrod tells me he will seek the Ward 3 seat now held by Marva O’Neal. The three-day filing period for city, county, state and federal offices opens in three weeks, Monday, June 2.
Harrod was first elected to the commission in 2000. He sought re-election four years ago, but was defeated by O’Neal. She hasn’t said whether she will seek another term.
Harrod said it appears the commission has a lot more meetings than when he previously served, and he said, “How many studies have we had on better living and better life in Shawnee?”
Another concern he aired is filling major personnel positions more quickly, calling it a priority. He also said it makes no difference whether O’Neal decides to run, he will.
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Shawnee Ward 2 Commissioner Tom Schrzan confirmed for me this week he is not going to seek re-election to his position. Schrzan, whose term won’t actually conclude until November, said four years on the commission is sufficient.
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After receiving two inquiries about renovation of the high school track at Jim Thorpe Stadium, I contacted Shawnee School Superintendent Marilyn Bradford and she gladly provided this update. I also have included, after her comments, the statements which were phoned in to us.
She said, “Steve Fluke (Shawnee High School athletic director) has been waiting on ATG, the track vendor in Kansas, to get with him on a date to do an on-site visit. Steve tells me ATG will be in Shawnee Wednesday at 3 p.m. The committee asked Steve to set up a meeting with ATG to secure some idea of the scope of work and costs. The committee decided to meet again when we had estimates for replacement of a track, i.e. six or eight lanes, and then what would be estimates if we had to remove visitor stands to make room for eight lanes with additional long jump pit, pole vault, etc.
“When the committee met they wanted Steve, the coaches, David (Harp) and I to get wish estimates on everything — if money wasn’t an issue. Some of the items mentioned to consider were: new concession/public restrooms/dressing area; new visitor stand; and artificial football-playing surface.
“Eight lanes could move the track farther east and maybe south as well as the drainage system under the track will cause some disruption to the football field. We’ll have to get our architects to help on estimates for some of the other areas (concession, visitor stand etc.) that the track vendor may not cover.
“ATG has been busy installing tracks and Steve left several messages before he finally got them nailed down to come to Shawnee. I’m fearful that fluctuating energy prices may impact the track material costs,” Bradford said.
I think her comments show she plans to let the track issue die or just fly by.
These were the comments phoned into us earlier in the week.
One caller said, “We passed a bond issue to have that terrible track repaired. I have heard from reliable sources that the coaches were told they’re not going to do that, they don’t have the money. I wish you guys (the paper) would investigate this. That track is the worst in the state. I’ve seen a lot of high school tracks and we passed a bond issue to fix it and now then they’re being told they don’t have the money.”
Another caller said, “Following up on the Shawnee High School track. The superintendent met with some coaches. Coaches were told she wanted to resurface the track. She was informed that resurfacing would just last a little while. She said she would probably meet again, which she hasn’t done. I think she’s wanting to just let the issue die. But I guarantee you, some child or somebody is going to turn an ankle on that track. I challenge you to go up and look at the track and question the superintendent. Get it in the paper; she’s just letting this thing fly by.”
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The East Central Oklahoma Chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse is holding a fundraiser May 17 in Wewoka at the Trading Post, 220 N. Wewoka St.,on the north end of Main Street. It begins at 10 a.m. running until 4 in the afternoon. A yard sale starts at 9 a.m. that morning.
A number of activities are planned. Some of these include face painting, kids games, moon bounce and bungee run. There will be door prizes and raffle tickets for drawings, and the Kamikaze Karoke presenting the karaoke challenge.
For more information, call (405)) 997-8700.
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This year’s political contest for Pottawatomie County sheriff is assured of not being finally decided until the November general election, if at least one of the Republican hopefuls follows through with his commitment to file for the office. And it appears we also will have Democratic and Republican primaries for the race, too.
Jerry Farris, south Pottawatomie County resident who has said he’s running for sheriff, passed along this week he will file as a Republican. Chris Hurley, former deputy, reserve deputy, K-9 unit, and military veteran, has said he also will file on the GOP side.
Sheriff Kurt Shirey, who says he’s seeking another four-year term, is a Democrat. Mike Booth, currently a DA investigator, Jay Davis, retired Shawnee police officer, and Gary Roe, McLoud police chief, also said they will file for the position. Booth ran as a Democrat six years ago, and the other two haven’t said what political affiliation they are.
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If you have ideas or something of interest for this column, please call me at 214-3922 or e-mail me at michael.mccormick@news-star.com, but please include your name and a phone number for contact purposes.
