Grand Lake Business Journal

Sen. Ford says state should honor promise to National Board Certified teachers

Staff Reports — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:30:03 +0000

OKLAHOMA CITY –Senate Education Chairman John Ford is working to restore a $5,000 stipend to Oklahoma teachers who’ve completed National Board Certification. Ford said ensuring those educators get what was promised is a top priority in the 2012 session.

“I believe a promise made is a promise kept,” said Ford. “These are dedicated educators who have gone above and beyond what is required. In return, they were promised a $5,000 a year bonus for the duration of their National Board Certification. We need to honor that promise.”

Ford said National Board Certification is a rigorous program that takes teachers one to three years to complete. According to state statutes, those educators who have completed the process are to receive an annual $5,000 stipend for 10 years, if funding is available. Ford’s legislation would make it clear that eligible teachers would get their stipends, as promised.

“If we don’t have the funding to pay the stipend because of budget constraints in the current fiscal year, then those teachers will receive this year’s payment at the end of their certification period,” Ford said. “We have about 2, 275 teachers who are currently eligible for the bonus. They did the additional work and kept their end of the bargain. We need to keep our end of the bargain as well.”

For more information, contact Sen. John Ford, 405-521-5634

REVEREND BUTRICK’S JOURNAL, CHEROKEE CHAOS

Grand River Historical Society — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:24:30 +0000

Once the perfect storm of retribution against the Cherokees erupted, only the horrors that followed along the Trail of Tears exceeded the chaos that preceded it. When military rule was invoked by the United States government in 1838, troops herded more than 16,000 Cherokees into holding camps, stockades which were 200 by 500 feet with sixteen foot high walls and no shelter or provisions for sanitation. The occupants remained much longer than intended. Although the plan was to begin removal immediately and while some were removed, Cherokee leaders convinced General Scott that more tribesman would survive if they waited until fall.
One of the most poignant accounts of their suffering during and after imprisonment was documented in the journal of a Baptist missionary, the Reverend Daniel S. Butrick. Unlike most of his fellow missionaries who had migrated to western Arkansas in 1836, Butrick determined to stay with his parishioners. He had been assigned to the Brainard Mission, now Chattanooga, in 1818, served in several others and, by 1838, was fully integrated into Cherokee society. Unlike most accounts of this tragedy which have been developed after-the-fact, Butrick’s daily observations regarding the chaos, capture events as they occurred. He continually attempted to intercede on behalf of tribesmen, but most of his efforts were refused. Following are a few excerpts from May until September regarding their capture and confinement before the journey west began.
May 26 – “As the soldiers advanced towards a house, two little children fled in fright to the woods. The woman pleaded for permission to seek them, or wait until they came in……..but all entreaties were in vain….it was not till a day or two later after that, she would get permission for one of her friends to go back after the lost children.”
“A man, deaf and dumb, being surprised at the approach of armed men, attempted to make his escape, and because he did not hear and obey the command of his pursuers, was shot dead on the spot.”
“Women absent from their families on visits, or for other purposes, were seized, and men, far from their wives and children, were not allowed to return, and also children being forced from home, were dragged off among strangers.”
“And, it is said that the white inhabitants around, stood with open arms to seize whatever property they could put their hands on.”
“Those taken to the fort at New Echota, were confined day and night in the open air, with but little clothing to cover them, when lying on the naked ground.”
May 31 – “Astoundingly, a little before sunset, a company of about 200 Cherokees were driven into our lane. The day had been rainy, and of course all men, women and children were dripping wet with no change of clothing, and scarcely a blanket fit to cover them. As some of the women, taken from their houses, had on their poorest dress, this of course was the amount of clothing for a journey of about 800 miles.”
June 11 – “The weather being extremely warm and dry, many of the Cherokees are sick, especially at Calhoun, where we understand that from four to ten die in a day.”
July 18 – At Cassville, it is said, some poor Cherokees were enticed to drink, and when drunk, one of the women was taken out into the public street, and her clothes pulled up, and tied over her head, and thus she was left to the gaze of the multitudes passing by.”
July 23 – (Regarding Property sold by agents) “It is very evident that a mere trifle of what was left was ever given to owners. Thus, a horse said to be worth $100 sold for $12. Twenty or thirty ducks sold for twenty five cents, and these cents go to pay the cost.”
July 26 – “They were not allowed to stop or rest on account of sickness. They were driven on as long as they could walk, and then thrown into wagons. When some were perceived to be in the agonies of death, the wagon master ordered them to drive on!”…..”When it was known that one was dead, the lifeless body was left to the care of some stranger.”
August 20 – “ We also learned that when the last company was taken over the river at Ross’s Landing, a woman, in the pains of childbirth, stood and walked as long as possible, and then fell on the bank of the river. A soldier coming up, stabbed her with his bayonet, which, together with other pains, soon caused her death.”
These graphic excerpts do not include Butrick’s comments of absolute disbelief regarding the inhumane treatment and the immoral conduct condoned by the United States government. He continues entries to his journal as he and his wife accompany a contingent of Cherokees on their “Trail of Tears” during the following winter.
Next week: Reverend Butrick’s Journal…The Terrible Trail

Absentee Ballots for February 14, 2012 Annual School Elections Nears

Dixie Smith Delaware County Election Board Secretary — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:18:27 +0000

Voters in Delaware County who want to have absentee ballots mailed to them for the February 14, 2012 Annual School Elections should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Dixie Smith said today. Although the County Election Board can accept applications for absentee ballots until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 2012, Smith urged voters who want to vote by absentee ballot to apply early.

Absentee ballot application forms are available at the County Election Board office located at 225 South 5th Street in Jay. The absentee ballot application forms also can be downloaded and printed from the Internet at www.elections.ok.gov.

“At least two mail transactions must be made,” Smith said. “The County Election Board must mail the ballots to the voter and the voter must return the voted ballots by mail.” Ballots must be in the hands of the County Election Board by 7 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted.

Smith said any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he or she is eligible to vote. It is not necessary to give a reason —or excuse—for voting absentee. “While anyone can vote absentee without giving a reason, the law still provides several excuses and it is to the advantage of some voters to use one of them,” Smith said. By stating one of the following reasons on their applications, these voters can activate some special conditions that make it easier for them to use absentee ballots.

The reasons are:
–Voters who are physically incapacitated and voters who care for physically incapacitated persons who cannot be left unattended may vote absentee. They may apply only by mail or by fax.

–Voters who are confined to nursing homes in the county may vote absentee. An Absentee Voting board actually goes to the nursing home a few days before the election, sets up a small polling place and allows these persons to vote under circumstances similar to those at a regular precinct polling place. They may apply only by mail or by fax.

–Military personnel and residents of the county living overseas and the spouses and dependents of each group are eligible to vote absentee without being registered. These voters may apply only by mail or by fax. Military personnel should contact the Voting Service Officers in their units for application forms and additional information. Residents of Oklahoma living overseas can obtain the same materials from any United States military installation and from United States Embassies and Consulates. Military personnel and overseas citizens also can download and print the appropriate application form from the Internet at www.fvap.gov.

For further information,
DELAWARE COUNTY ELECTION BOARD
P.O. BOX 589 ~ JAY, OKLAHOMA 74346
Phone 918-253-8762 ~ Fax 918-253-3286
dceb@brightok.net

NEO signs 49 football recruits — 24 from Tulsa-area

Katie Sweeten — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:59:18 +0000

Miami, Oklahoma – Head Football Coach Dale Patterson and the coaching staff at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, (NEO) signed 24 Tulsa-area football recruits yesterday to play for the Golden Norsemen in the fall of 2012.

The following students listed below have agreed to play NEO football:

Name Ht. Wt. Pos. Hometown
Alton Adkins 5-11 185 DB Glenpool
Trevor Barron 6-3 315 OL Edmond North
Jared Benway 5-11 205 FB Edmond North
Tyrone Beverly 6-2 260 DL Lawton Eisenhower
Alverey Braxton 6-1 165 WR McAlester
Keegan Carter 6-2 185 K/P Oklahoma Christian School
Cameron Colbert 5-11 195 LB Jenks
Derrick Crawford 6-3 305 OL Tulsa East Central
Jevonte Cross 6-3 230 LB Tulsa East Central
Casey Curtis 5-9 185 RB Putnam City
Kendal Davis 6-2 175 WR NOAH
Ronnie Davis 6-1 170 DB Midwest City
Troy Davis 6-4 215 TE Edmond North
Eric Dockins 6-1 220 RB Broken Arrow
Quataeous Douglas 6-2 185 ATH Lawton Eisenhower
Chase Duke 6-1 250 DL Sapulpa
Hunter Endres 6-5 280 OL Kingfisher
Kegan Fox 6-3 235 TE Sapulpa
Braylon Freeman 6-1 280 DL Lawton McArthur
Sid Grayson 5-10 160 DB Muskogee
Chris Harris 6-0 175 DB Tulsa East Central
Jordan Jones 6-3 310 OL Coweta
Josh Jones 6-3 220 DL Tulsa Edison
Anthony Kiefer 5-11 180 QB McAlester
Kevin King 5-10 165 K/P Jenks
Kason Key 6-4 215 QB Owasso
Demarious Littles 6-3 200 WR Lawton
Brady Mann 6-4 290 DL Comanche
Randy Martinez 6-3 250 OL Anadarko
Zach Maynard 6-0 210 LB Davis
Danny McCoy 6-2 185 DB Duncan
Dalshawn McFayden 6-1 180 DB Tulsa Washington
Jakii Moore 6-1 180 DB Tulsa Webster
Unique Moore-Bell 6-0 175 DB Tulsa Webster
Daniel Murray 6-2 230 DS Bixby
Malachi Neal 6-1 190 DB Tulsa East Central
Dillon Proctor 6-1 195 QB Caddo
Wes Satoe 6-2 200 LB Anadarko
Sam Shepard 6-2 195 WR Afton
A.J. Smith 6-2 195 LB Stilwell
Kyle Smith 6-4 280 OL Okemah
Brandon Taylor 6-2 205 QB Mustang
JoNiko Thomas 5-1 170 DB Tulsa Union
Jesse Vester 5-10 180 WR Stillwater
Brooks Victor 6-2 258 OL Afton
Demonte Wallace 6-1 170 DB Catoosa
Will Wiedenmann 6-7 330 OL Edmond North
Sheldon Wilson 5-10 180 RB Anadarko

Tracker Marine Group Announces a Reduction in Force

Miami Bureau — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:48:12 +0000

Tracker Marine Group announced that they will be moving their TAHOE boat line to their Clinton, MO facility, which along with the ongoing decrease in customer demand in the boat industry will result in the company reducing its workforce by approximately 112 employees. The lay-offs will take place in approximately sixty days. “Although these changes are a cause for concern, City of Miami officials are optimistic that the local plant will remain open to build the new MAKO boat line,” stated Mayor Kent Ketcher.

Along with the new line, Tracker Marine is considering the installation of innovative, high-tech robotic equipment at the Miami plant; the only facility that is being considered for this type of equipment at the present time. In addition to the MAKO line, the Miami plant will also produce a new skiff model, which is a small saltwater personal watercraft.

“Although boat sales are down significantly, because the Miami plant is a quality facility, it only makes sense for us to continue utilizing this location for the MAKO and skiff production,” stated Sr. Vice President of Operations Terry Shook.

The City of Miami is encouraged that the plant will remain open especially with the way the economy has affected the entire country, especially in the area of recreational items such as motor homes, boats and motorcycles.

“Our goal is that as the economy turns around and the boat business picks up we would increase our staffing levels in the Miami area,” stated Mr. Shook.

Miami Hotel sales are UP…Again reports CVB Director

Amanda Davis Director Miami Convention Visitors Bureau — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:50:57 +0000

Attached are the most current hotel tax reports from the Miami CVB. You will see that for the calendar year, they hit their goal of $150,000 in hotel tax, ending with $181,000. On the fiscal year report, they are 40% ahead for the 2012/2013 year.

Amanda Davis, CVB Director says “We are very busy with travel shows and marketing to bus groups. I just returned from ABA (American Bus Association) Sales Conference/Marketplace. We have some awesome leads for new groups. It is very exciting for Miami.

We are busy at shows handing out visitor guides. Our last show of the season is in St. Louis in a few weeks and we will have handed out almost 12,000 Miami Visitor Guides.

I am working to bring in Todd from the State Tourism Department for a Lunch & Learn session to bring all Miami partners up to speed on what the State Tourism Dept is doing. I will keep everyone updated on that exact date & location. Todd handles the Group Travel Market and works directly with groups. He sells Oklahoma more than anyone in the state. This will also kick off a FAM tour in Miami with approximately 8-10 companies looking for Route 66 trips & new ideas. This will open up new customers for us.

If you have questions regarding the attached reports, please contact me. Thank you to everyone that is a part of our Visit Miami Tourism Team. The tornado did give us a boost for about 30-45 days, but even without those numbers, we were set for a record year and it happened. Hotels, please take the time to thank your staff for their hard work and let them know how important they are to making tourism work for Miami. We appreciate all of you.

Reminder: Our next CVB meeting will be on Tuesday, Feb 7th at 10 a.m. at city hall in the council chambers. Please join us if you can.

Welcome Back Weekend Delayed and Rescheduled for April 7, 2012

Lora Jackson — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:12:03 +0000

The Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce wants everyone to join in Welcome Back Weekend 2012. With a lake wide celebration is set for April 7, 2012. Cooperative efforts were completed last week to relocate the celebration date by 1 month to April. Lake wide events will be happening all across the lake. Please update your calendar of events to reflect the 2012 celebration of Welcome Back Weekend April 7, 2012.

For more information please contact the Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce phone 918-782-3214 or emailgrandlakechamber@gmail.com Updates will also be available on our web site www.grandlakechamber.org or like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/grandlakechamber.

Delaware County Court Report from the Grand Lake Business Journal

Candy Woodruff — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:03:30 +0000

Felonies

Dempsey, John Garland – Discharge of a pollutant in violation of permit conditions and limits

Dempsey, Otis Jr. – Discharge of a pollutant in violation of permit conditions and limits

Dempsey, Otis Earl – Discharge of a pollutant in violation of permit conditions and limits

Newton, Stacey Jane – Reckless distribution of ephedrine/pseudoephedrine

Misdemeanors

Cox, Misty Dawn – Causing, aiding, abetting or encouraging minor to be deprived

Rodriguez, Angela Dawn – Causing, aiding, abetting or encouraging minor to be deprived

Runabout, Sylvia Renee – Causing, aiding, abetting or encouraging minor to be deprived

Handle, Billy E. – Public intoxication

King, Robby Duane – Driving under the influence, alcohol

Noisewater, Tyler – Driving under the influence, alcohol

Teague, Pamela Marie – Public intoxication

Meyers, Gary Lee – Driving while suspended/cancelled/revoked

Blevins, Austin David – Protective Order violation

Soto, Najib – Operating a motor vehicle without a valid license

Civil Suits

BOKF v. Matthew Elmore, et al. – Foreclosure and money judgment

JP Morgan Chase Bank v. Abraham Rodriguez, et al. – Foreclosure and money judgment

Freeman Health Systems v. Jimmy A. Easter – Money judgment under $10,000

Vanderbilt Mortgage & Finance v. Larry D. Gullett – Replevin and money judgment

Progressive Northern Insurance v. Hurricane Express, Inc. – Money judgment under $10,000

AT&T Advertising LP v. Kelly Kerr, et al. – Money judgment under $10,000

Portfolio Recovery Associates v. Patrick Carroll – Money judgment under $10,000

Portfolio Recovery Associates v. Marty Compton – Money judgment under $10,000

Ronald W. Stoll v. Eli Easky – Quiet title

Mary E. Raley-Bradley v. David Golzar and Anthony D. Davis – Money judgment over $10,000

Wells Fargo Bank NA v. Larry W. Thomas, et al. – Foreclosure and money judgment

Midland Funding LLC v. Patricia Dillinger – Money judgment under $10,000

Midland Funding LLC v. Donald Taylor – Money judgment under $10,000

Equable Ascent Financial LLC v. Theresa L. Jacobs – Money judgment under $10,000

Portfolio Recovery Associates v. Phil G. Williams – Money judgment under $10,000

The Corner Stone Bank v. Randy Murry and Anita Murry – Foreclosure and money judgment

Mathew A. Brainerd and Kathryn B. Brainerd v. Polo Club LLC, Bank of Grove, Lake Locations LLC, Floyd Johnston, and FJ Construction – Money judgment over $10,0000

LVNV Funding LLC v. Louise Metcalf – Money judgment under $10,000

Divorce

Jacob Scott Harrington v. Mary Jo Harrington

Kevin Hopping v. Samantha Hopping

Kenneth Stoney Birkes v. Monica Lynn Birkes

James E. Keith Jr. v. Linda S. Keith

Paternity/Child Support

Stephanie R. Jacobs v. James A. Williams

Alisa Charbonneau v. Claud Earl Phillips

Child Support

Jamie Lee Fritz v. Marcus C. Smith

Kevin Smith v. Brittney Ann Smith

Susan B. Foreman v. Jeffrey Lee King

Nicole Peltier v. Larry Miller

Protective Order

Ashley Small v. Shane Small

Shane Small v. Tammy Falbo

Aeron Elizabeth Campbell v. Billy Jack Crawford Sr.

Rick William Ward v. Galen Lee Tacker

Mary Edith Robinson v. Justin Merle Hampton

Heather Conduff v. Shane Small

Brendan Armstrong v. Shane Small

Shawna Bearpaw v. Shane Small

Marriage License

Jamie Doyle Matthews and Cleo Marie Mitchell

Bryan Keith Chesney and Tonya Marie Cummings

Jerry Ray Strain and Joell Ann McConnell

Small Claims

Noble Finance v. Sonny Kingfisher – Money judgment over $1,500

Noble Finance v. Charles Seth Jackson – Money judgment under $1,500

Noble Finance v. Lois Robles – Money judgment under $1,500

Noble Finance v. Daniel Arlin Vaughn – Money judgment under $1,500

Noble Finance v. Jimmy Lee Dry – Money judgment under $1,500

Noble Finance v. Jamie Friend – Money judgment under $1,500

Noble Finance v. Randy Ligon – Money judgment under $1,500

Noble Finance v. Karen Keller – Money judgment under $1,500

Noble Finance v. Jerolyn Forman – Money judgment under $1,500

Noble Finance v. Jose Vasquez – Money judgment under $1,500

Savannah Park Apartments v. Donna Baker – Entry and Detainer under $1,500

Savannah Park Apartments v. Jerry Krieger – Entry and Detainer under $1,500

Tony Thompson v. Larry T. Lantz – Change of venue

Glen E. Osborn v. Roy Brown and Brown’s Auto Repair – Money judgment over $1,500

Traffic

Young, Pete R. – Failure to pay all taxes due state

DuBois, Angelica Michelle – Failure to carry security verification form

Springer, Donald E. – Failure to wear safety belt

Probate

Richardson, Bryan James – Petition for Probate of Will

White, Thomas William – Petition for Probate of Will

Leap, Ruth E. – Petition for Probate of Will

Ministerial Credential

Wall, Benjamin James

Sam & Laura…….. Brings Romance to Playmaker Stage

Suzanne Boles — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:36 +0000

“Sam and Laura,” by Hannibal native, Ron Powers, is based on a true romantic incident in the life of young Sam Clemens, (Mark Twain) an encounter that forever influenced his dream-life and his literature. It opens February 4 at The Playmaker Theatre, 121 W.3rd Street in Grove, OK and runs Fridays, Saturdays and Tuesdays at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm through Feb 19.

The production is sponsored by Arvest Bank. “We are excited to help produce this imaginative play, in conjunction with the Oklahoma Arts Council,” says Steve Duff, Arvest Bank President. “Playmaker productions just keep getting better and better. We are proud to support our Award-winning theatre.”

The story is seen through the eyes of Laura Wright (newcomer Lorri Bacon) and told to a young would-be reporter, C.O. Byrd (Spencer Pogue), in a fancy speakeasy in 1925. The story unveils through a series of historically based flashbacks , from Sam Clemens’ first meeting with Laura on a steamboat dock in New Orleans in 1858 through his letters to her and dreams of her, his platonic sweetheart. Sam Clemens is played by Cyrus Crane and the young Laura by Raven Feather.

Other characters “hold the key to sustaining the play’s critical pace and vitality and to establishing the necessary robustness and color of the period,” says Mr. Powers. These roles are played by Jaxson Oakley as Sam’s brother, Henry Clemens; Karon Wheat as young Laura’s mother, and a landlady, Mrs. Ralston; McKaylee Steen as a young nurse, then doubling as Sam’s wife, Olivia Clemens ; and Kai Sarwinski as a Dallas schoolboy. Newcomers Hoyit Bacon and Randall Hendricks join Bob Brogdon in multiple roles. Mr. Brogdon plays steamboat Pilot, William Brown, Nevada Newspaperman Joe Goodman, and a dream-like Hawaiian. Mr. Bacon is a Waiter in the speakeasy, Captain Zeb Leavenworth of the John J. Roe, and Impresario Thomas Maguire. Mr. Hendricks is a steamboat officer, a Major in the Union Army, and Laura’s husband, Charles T. Dake. The play is directed by Suzanne Boles.

With lots of lighting, sound and quick costume changes, the crew for “Sam & Laura’ is very important. Backstage will be Linda DuBois, Cayla Hamby, Jaxson Oakley, and Sunny Uttley. Sound recordings were made by Rick DuBois and fiddle music is used with permission of Jana Jae. Pam Leptich will be on top of the sound cues. The lighting design by the director is facilitated by Keith Klickman, with Vicki King operating lights for performances. The set construction and decoration crew includes Bruce DuBois, Linda DuBois, Greg Fletcher, Vicki King, and Chick and Karon Wheat. Costumes are designed by Marge Chowning and constructed with the aid of Carole Browning, Gina Casey, Marcy Hogan, and Dodi Manley. Ron Young has coached the dances of Sam and young Laura, and Pam Leptich choreographed a clog dance for Sam.

Reservations can be made online at www. gcplaymakers.com, or by calling 918-786-8950, or by emailing 1groveplaymakers@sbcglobal.net. Adult tickets are $15, students, (elementary through 12th grade) $8. Group rates are available as are Pay What You Can tickets. The suggested minimum maturity level for the production is elementary school students.

GLBJs Delaware County Court Report January 21 to January 27

Doug Drown — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:57:32 +0000