One year ago I wrote about change and its accompanying joys and challenges as I started a new job. One year later, I am still excited about my change to Shawnee High School.
One year’s experience has helped me to feel less tenuous about rules, regulations, and procedures, and some significant changes have been effected at SHS that I want to share with you. You might call this a “good news” editorial.

In an earlier editorial, I sought to point out that health care is directly related to personal health choices. Health care specialists agree that half of our personal and national health care costs could be eliminated if Americans made rational lifestyle choices. In a free society, people may to choose to smoke, drink, eat and exercise as they choose. My question was, who should pay the health care costs associated with the risks brought on by those choices? Now I want to turn our attention to the cost of health care insurance.

I woke early one morning this summer and as usual, I began to give thanks to our heavenly Father for a wonderful night’s rest and also for watching over me while I slept. One thank led to another thank and to another, until it seemed I could not stop saying, “Thank you Father, for all things are yours for you created all things for your glory over me”.

When my family and I moved from Kansas City to Shawnee in 2006, we were excited to start a new chapter in our lives, but also a little nervous. We were leaving the ambience of a big city in exchange for life in a smaller town. Our initial thoughts were no Super Target and no Kansas City Chiefs football. However, upon arrival in Shawnee, these thoughts quickly vanished and both my wife and I were able to get quickly involved in our new town.

Employer health insurance costs overtook profits in 2008, and the gap continues to grow.
Health care costs are the fastest growing expense for employers. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that job-based health insurance could increase 100 percent over the next decade, reaching nearly $25,000 for a family of four by 2018, four times the rate of inflation.

The Shawnee City Commission will consider its most important issue in years Tuesday night when city staff presents a $55 million water and sewer improvements plan.
The plan covers 10 years and would replace the 30-inch water line from the Twin Lakes, tie the Lake Atoka water line directly to the treatment plant, build a new water tower and wastewater treatment facility and improve the existing water treatment plant.

Last week I attended the Junior Service League Kick-off Supper and Fall-Sports pep rally at Jim Thorpe Stadium. It was great to see all the students recognized for their hard work that goes on in preparation for the upcoming seasons. The crowd was filled with proud parents who are looking forward to cheering on their children. The cool evening really made it feel like football season. When the band finished playing “Shawnee Will Shine Tonight,” my 2-year old daughter yelled “Again, Again.” I felt the same way. I am looking forward to hearing the band play that song all season long.

THE ISSUE: Open Meetings/Open Records Seminar
OUR STANCE: Great opportunity for public and non-profit officials to attend

Oklahoma’s Opening Meetings and Opens Records laws are meant to be strictly followed.
That is why elected, hired and appointed officials, of public and non-profit boards, commissions, councils, agencies and organizations should have a thorough knowledge of what the Act includes.
The Oklahoma’s Open Meeting and Open Records Act serves a distinct purpose.

On Thursday Aug. 20, 2009, I was honored and proud to take part in one of the most exciting things to happen in the city of Shawnee in many, many years. At 9 a.m. several people gathered at First American Title Co. to close on the property the Shawnee Convention and Visitors Bureau has purchased.

Isn’t technology amazing? I’ve decided that there are several tasks that I do on my own that my cell phone could probably do for me. No longer do I really need to know how to use maps, for example, when an automated voice can tell me turn-by-turn how to get anywhere on earth. My alphabetizing skills can go by the wayside, because I won’t need a phone book either; my phone naturally seems to know how to find people when I need them.

THE ISSUE: State revenue declining
OUR STANCE: More cuts, tapping fund may be needed

Oklahoma’s revenue outlook continues to look pretty grim. Because revenues continue to decline, even at a faster clip than some officials apparently had predicted, the governor and legislative leaders are talking about a special session.
When Gov. Brad Henry took office more than 6 1/2 years ago, he faced a $700 million shortfall, the worst in state history. Treasurer Scott Meacham has indicated the budget shortfall this fiscal year could exceed that and become a new record.

Kermit is right--It’s not easy being green.
While I think it is wonderful that people want to be “green”, sometimes it seems to me this is a difficult task because:  1.) there is no clear definition; and 2.) what is “green” today may be “brown” tomorrow.

THE ISSUE: The Next Speaker of the House
OUR STANCE: State Rep. Kris Steele will serve us and the state welld

Barring any unforeseen hiccups, or the Republicans losing control of the House of Representatives, it appears State Rep. Kris Steele will be the next House Speaker.
Republicans have scheduled a caucus meeting for Oct. 19, at which time Steele is expected to be chosen Speaker Designate.

All we have to do is turn on the TV or talk to a friend to hear about hard times and difficult situations many people are currently facing. I believe everyone probably knows someone who has been affected by the current recession. Times like these give us the opportunity to reach out to our neighbors. We just never know when we may be the one faced with overwhelming challenges and would welcome a boost to get us back on our feet.

In a climate full of misinformation and an atmosphere of fervently held positions this article is not about the current conflicts but about the need for a solution. Just say no is not a solution. It is in effect putting your head in the sand and then taking a breath!

The issue: Inequity in school funding
Our opinion: School consolidation is permanent solution

Imagine one Shawnee School District with net assessed valuation of more than $177 million and what type of facilities and educational opportunities could be provided students. Think of the advantages and cost savings of a centralized administration and the efficiencies in a single transportation system.

My 15-year-old wants a job. She’s tired of asking for spending money and wants to earn her own, which certainly gets my hearty endorsement.
This has led to some conversations about my teenage jobs. She’s always interested in what I earned, so I try to explain that the most important thing you get from a first job isn’t always as tangible as the greenbacks in your palm. The things that you learn can be worth much more in the long run.

The City of Shawnee wants $55 million! Guess where they are going to get it from? That’s right, your water bill and sewer bill. First our local Shawnee industry is going to be hammered on our incoming water with a first year increase of 36 percent, second year increase 51 percent, third year increase 64 percent, fourth year increase 20 percent, fifth year increase of 12 percent! In five years the industry monthly rate will go from a current monthly base rate of $6.70 to $30.63.

We are fortunate to have numerous service organizations in our community.  One such organization, Meals on Wheels, has been lending valuable assistance in the Shawnee area. Meals on Wheels is a service organization that provides the valuable service of serving a hot lunchtime meal once a day for five days a week. Meals on Wheels is a nationwide program which has been providing a nutritious meal to the elderly, shut-ins and others for more than 30 years.

Oklahoma’s Open Meeting and Open Records Act serves a distinct purpose. It’s intended to allow citizens public access to meetings and to records.
Public officials often seem to forget the public has a right to know what they are doing. The business they conduct is the public’s and in only certain instances should they go behind closed doors.