Commission approves trimmed down ODOT Eight-year Plan; projects delayed, removed

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Projects to reconstruct the I-40 interchange at Douglas Blvd. and widen I-40 to the I-240 junction, pictured here, were delayed from Federal Fiscal Year 2020 to 2025.

Progress made on the state’s transportation system, especially bridges, after decades of deferred infrastructure improvements is expected to slow considerably due to reductions in available state funding since 2010. The Oklahoma Transportation Commission voted on Oct. 2 to approve the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s rebalanced Eight-year Construction Work Plan which includes the agency’s planned highway and bridge projects for Federal Fiscal Years 2018-2025.

Because the fiscally constrained plan must be balanced with anticipated state and federal funding, ODOT was forced to delay projects and even take the unprecedented action of removing projects from the plan due to $840 million in cumulative state funding reductions in the last seven years. The Asset Preservation Plan for State Fiscal Years 2018-2021 was also presented as a companion to the Eight-year Plan, as in each year.

“It was very challenging and frustrating to rebalance the Eight-year Plan while keeping our commitment on structurally deficient bridges and trying to address pavement conditions and urban highway congestion,” Executive Director Mike Patterson said. “The cumulative state funding reductions since 2010 have produced a snowball effect where projects have been pushed back later and later and now they’re being pushed out of the plan, which changes our strategy and moves us in the wrong direction.”

Overall, 40 construction projects totaling more than $204 million were removed from the updated Eight-year Plan and about 42 percent of all programmed projects are being delayed at least one year, including 65 projects that were originally scheduled to go to bid this year. Additionally, several projects have been significantly reduced in scope in order to stretch funding as far as possible.

The FFY 2018-2025 Eight-year Plan includes:

  • $6.3 billion in federal and state transportation funding
  • 1,448 total projects (nearly 170 fewer than the previous plan)
  • 764 highway bridge replacements or major rehabilitations (60 fewer than the previous plan)
  • Only 15 bridges were added, compared to 44 in the previous plan
  • 696 miles of added shoulders or other improvements to two-lane highways (55 fewer miles)
  • Nearly 150 miles of interstate pavement improvements
  • Nearly $370 million in projects to address urban highway congestion

Examples of previously-scheduled projects that have been removed from the new plan include work as part of realignment of US-70 around Madill and $32 million replacement of the US-60 bridges over the Neosho and Spring rivers in Ottawa County. Delayed rural projects include reconstruction and widening of US-270 near Mutual in Woodward County, which was delayed from FFY 2018 to 2019. In Oklahoma’s urban areas, reconstruction of US-75 along the east leg of the Inner Dispersal Loop in downtown Tulsa and I-40 interchange reconstruction and widening at Douglas Blvd. in Midwest City were delayed two years and five years, respectively.

Planned realignment of US-70 was around Madill, pictured here, was removed from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s Federal Fiscal Year 2018-2025 Eight-year Construction Work Plan.

Project delays ultimately cost Oklahoma taxpayers in increased maintenance necessary to preserve highways and bridges and higher construction costs, which are up 67 percent nationally since 2003. In addition to direct financial costs, Oklahomans also will spend more time stuck in traffic congestion and face rougher roads.

While the plan’s top priority remains replacing or rehabilitating Oklahoma’s existing structurally deficient highway bridges by the end of the decade, it falls short on other major needs including improving pavement conditions, adding shoulders to two-lane highways and addressing growing urban highway congestion. Even as the state nears its decade-old goal to address all remaining structurally deficient highway bridges by 2020, ODOT estimates that 90 bridges will still have to be replaced or rehabilitated each year just to keep up with the aging infrastructure system. Only 15 bridges were added to this Eight-year Plan.

The Asset Preservation Plan contains preventative maintenance projects designed to extend the life of transportation infrastructure. The more than $473 million plan has nearly 400 projects addressing 147 bridges and more than 1,200 miles of pavement. The plan also features 44 projects to improve highways to Americans with Disabilities Act standards with curb ramps, traffic signal push buttons for pedestrians, crosswalks and sidewalks.

Since being first implemented in its current format in 2003, ODOT’s Eight-year Plan has focused on addressing the state’s greatest transportation needs in a transparent, accountable and businesslike manner without political influence. These infrastructure improvements have been linked directly to economic growth. The project selection process is very rigorous, as transportation commissioners work with ODOT’s field division engineers and staff to identify the most critical highway and bridge projects and create a balanced statewide plan with anticipated federal and state funding. Each year, the plan is updated to reflect project completions, adjustments in projected revenue and changes in construction costs. As the previous fiscal year comes off of the plan, another year is added based on forecasting of available funding. Funding comes from state income tax allocation and state motor fuel tax appropriation, as well as the federal Highway Trust Fund.   

A full list and map of highway projects in ODOT’s Eight-year Construction Work Plan and Asset Preservation Plan can be viewed at www.odot.org under Programs and Projects.

This Week in Sand Springs (9/25 - 10/1/17)

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Monday

  • 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs City Council Meeting.
  • 7:00 p.m. (Immediately following City Council) Sand Springs Municipal Authority Meeting.

Tuesday 

  • 7:30 a.m. Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce presents: Breakfast with County Commissioner Karen Keith.
    • Crescent Cafe
      3417 South 113th West Avenue
  • 5:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Skiatook (H).
    • Sandite Sports Complex
      508 West 55th Street
  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball vs. Broken Arrow (A).
    • Oneta Ridge Middle School
      6800 East Quincy Place
      Broken Arrow, OK 74014

Thursday

  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Bartlesville (H).
    • Ed Dubie Field House
      500 North Adams Road
  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball vs. Claremore (A).
    • Claremore High School
      201 East Stuart Roosa
      Claremore, OK 74017

Friday

  • 7:00 p.m. Sandite Football vs Yukon (A).
    • Miller Stadium
      1777 South Yukon Parkway
      Yukon, OK 73099

Saturday

  • Last day that Sand Springs splash pads are open.
  • 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Yellow House Market and Boutique Grand Opening
    • 1-year celebration and Grand Opening of new location
      122 North Main Street
    • Food drinks, door prizes, and more!

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Senator Mike Schulz releases Senate GOP budget plan

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz on Monday released the Senate Republicans' plan to address the $215 million hole in the Fiscal Year 2018 state budget.

“This plan not only addresses the immediate need of $215 million for critical health care agencies that was struck down in court, but it also provides recurring  revenue streams to help us address the long-term stability of the budget and prevent further cuts to core government services,” said Schulz, R-Altus.

“Oklahoma Senate Republicans have proven our willingness to address the state's long-term budget problems by passing a similar revenue package during the regular session. The elements of this plan for special session were fully vetted by the Senate during the regular session, and all received the necessary votes to pass constitutional muster. I’m confident Senate Republicans, if given the chance, again will put Oklahoma’s interests first and will be able to pass this responsible revenue plan that ensures education, public safety, transportation and other core services avoid further cuts.”

The Senate plan is as follows:

  • $1.50 per-pack increase in the cigarette tax, which generates $128.9 million in Fiscal Year 2018 and leaves $122.4 million for FY’18 appropriation;
  • a six-cent increase in the motor fuels tax, which generates $71 million in FY’18 and leaves $67.45 million for FY’18 appropriation; and
  • the elimination of the wind manufacturer sales tax exemption, which generates $10.97 million in FY’18 and leaves $9.87 million for FY’18 appropriation.

Because FY’18 collections are for less than a full fiscal year, the Senate plan also calls for a drawdown of $15.2 million from the Rainy Day Fund to entirely plug the hole in the FY’18 budget.

The governor’s call for special session included other issues like a teacher pay raise and finding more efficiency in government spending. Schulz said while the immediate need is addressing the FY’18 budget hole, Senate Republicans were open to considering those issues during the special session.

“Senate Republicans have said all along we must first address the short-term budget issues before acting on a teacher pay raise plan. Once we take care of the budget, Senate Republicans would consider a teacher pay plan that includes a permanent funding source,” Schulz said. “Additionally, Senate Republicans will keep working on making government more efficient and effective. We’ll keep pouring over agency spending and look at options like consolidation to improve the quality and delivery of services. There’s no doubt agencies can be more efficient in spending taxpayer dollars, and Senate Republicans will keep working on behalf of Oklahomans to make sure that happens.” 

OPINION | Does protesting the protesters make you a crybaby too?

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The following is the opinion of an individual. It does not reflect the opinions of the company, the Editorial board, or the company owners. Opinion pieces from differing viewpoints are welcome, so long as they are written respectfully.

"I don't personally believe that black people are persecuted in America. I don't believe that there is still systemic racism in America. I have seen no evidence of it. I could be wrong. But the fact that there's a large amount of my fellow countrymen who feel persecuted, denigrated, and unfairly treated is concerning to me. It should be concerning to you. If you call yourself an American, you should care about all Americans. You should care about unity, understanding, and constructive discourse.

Rioting, looting, vandalism; these are all still present in our society. So when someone chooses to make a silent, peaceful protest that doesn't harm anyone in any way, we should applaud that.

I attend sporting events every week. Usually 2-3 a week. I see young people and adults, athletes and fans, casually standing during the anthem, not paying attention, looking at their phones, whispering to their neighbors, etc. I was raised to stand at attention, hand over heart, eyes on the flag. When the music starts you drop everything, get your hands out of your pockets, and take off your hat. I'm more annoyed by someone pretending to be patriotic but not actually paying attention than by someone kneeling, being quiet, and respecting those around them.

Many of the NFL athletes who kneel during the anthem have made statements that their actions are in no way intended to be disrespectful to the men and women who fought for our country. They simply want to bring attention to something that concerns them, and something that should concern all of us.

Our country has a problem that needs to be fixed. Maybe we have a problem with systemic racism. I don't know. But I'm 100% confident that we have a major problem with communication. People are too hostile. Both sides of the fence. Conservative, Liberal, Moderate, Christian, Atheist, Black, White: I have friends and family of all labels. The one thing that I consistently see in all of them is an inability to separate emotions from logic and listen to opposing viewpoints.

I've had friends who portrayed the stereotypical snowflake liberal, who think 50% of the country and everyone who voted for Trump is a disgusting racist. I've had friends who portray the stereotype of a hypocritical christian bigot. I've seen church employees talk about cleansing the world of Muslims who are unwilling to convert.

I also know a lot of loving and accepting people, both Christian and otherwise, who try to be compassionate to everyone.

There was a time when the radicals were a slim minority fringe group. The silent majority was middle of the road. Maybe it's the prevalence of social media. Maybe it's manipulation by the mainstream media. Maybe it's politicians, Hollywood, the NFL, whatever. Or maybe it's all of us. No politician, actor, or news reporter can force me to hate. They cannot force me to discriminate, stereotype, or make inflammatory statements. 

It's time for the American people to take responsibility for the condition of our country. Our economy is changing, our culture is diversifying, our values differ wildly. We can't keep pretending that our way is the only way, my way or the highway. We can't keep expecting people to settle for the status quo when they're not the ones benefiting from it.

The fact is, both sides are patriots. One side believes themselves to be defending their country from disrespect. One side wants to improve their country and see it move forward and succeed. There's no reason to be so bitter towards each other. The fact is, you can love your country and still see its flaws. America has done horrible things. Japanese internment camps, native American genocide, slavery, Red Scare trials, Salem witch hunts. America has also done incredible things. We defeated a world power to gain our independence and stand up to tyranny. We defeated the Nazis, we fought a war to end slavery, we fought a culture war to end segregation. 

There are people who actually hate America and want to see it fall. People who are actively plotting against us. Instead of condemning people who want to make America better, why not condemn people who actually want to see America fall?

Abortion, Confederate heritage, economics, nationalism, religion, sexuality. The number of controversial topics grows every year. People need to understand that it's human nature to feel threatened by the unknown. To be opposed to change and difference of opinion. But what separates humans from animals is our ability to use reason, to empathize with our neighbors, and to work together to make this country better for everyone, not just a few. 

The next time you see something that offends you, breathe. Relax. Don't waste your time being offended. It doesn't change anything. Take the opportunity to learn about someone else's viewpoints. You don't have to agree with them. You're not going to catch a disease. Stop freaking out on people, calling them racist, bigot, idiot, libtard. We used to spank our kids for calling people names. Nowadays it's grown adults treating each other like children, lashing out at people in anger with no goal of understanding them. Choose to be an adult today."

State Party leaders comment on upcoming Special Legislative Session

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin issued an executive order last week calling for a special session of the Oklahoma Legislature for lawmakers to address the shortfall in the current fiscal year budget as well as develop long-term solutions to government inefficiencies and fund a pay increase for public school teachers. The legislature will convene Monday, September 25th. 

Oklahoma Senate Prop Tempore Mike Schulz issued the following statement last week.

"All along, I've encouraged lawmakers to put Oklahoma's interests ahead of their own political interests. I'm encouraged by the ongoing work of the Senate and House toward reaching a budget agreement. I'm also encouraged by the public comments of the House Minority Leader who indicated ample members of his caucus would support a cigarette tax bill. I hope he is serious and that he can deliver. If given the chance, I'm confident the Senate can pass a cigarette tax bill. This is the clearest option available to address the $215 million budget hole. It's an idea that's been thoroughly vetted and one that could be considered quickly during the special session to help shore up funding for three important health care agencies. Additionally, the cigarette tax would improve health outcomes by reducing smoking rates and stopping young Oklahomans from ever lighting up - two things that will save money in the long run. The Senate continues to prepare for the special session and is ready to get to work to solve these problems."

Falling today issued the following statement on the upcoming session:

“This special session is an opportunity for lawmakers to solve lingering, critical structural problems in our state budget. I am hopeful lawmakers will consider thoughtful, realistic solutions in a timely manner. Many ideas have been fully vetted over the past couple of legislative sessions, so it really should be a matter of taking care of unfinished business.

“Certainly, the most pressing need is to address the immediate budget shortfall created by the loss of the $215 million cigarette fee revenue. The cigarette tax alone will not fill this year’s hole because it would be implemented much later in the fiscal year than originally proposed. We will need to identify other revenue sources to make up the difference. If we do not, additional cuts to core government services will occur.

“Additional cuts to agencies will further harm state services. I will veto a proposal that calls for cuts to state agencies. Also, sending the cigarette tax to a vote of the people is not an option. The earliest the issue could be decided by voters is June, the last month of the current fiscal year. It doesn’t fix the budget hole because it would not generate any revenue for this fiscal year.

“I hope lawmakers do provide a long-term solution to the state’s continuing budget shortfalls. It is apparent that rapid changes in our economy have created unsustainable and unpredictable revenue collection patterns. We need to seek long-term sustainability and stability as opposed to unpredictability and volatility. Our legislators must work to make more recurring revenue available, stop balancing our budget with one-time funds and come up with a teacher pay raise.  Because of the use of one-time funds to balance this year’s budget, we are anticipating a $500 million shortfall next year. The limited focus and attention of a special session can allow us to address these long-term structural issues.

“My staff and I have been talking for many weeks with legislative leaders from both parties, and I will continue to work with them until an agreement is reached. Our challenges in front of us are difficult, but I am hopeful that, with great resolve and statesmanship, we will succeed.”

The Oklahoma Senate Democratic caucus issued the following statement through Senator John Sparks.

“The Senate Democrats have spent the last several weeks meeting with those involved in the upcoming special session of the legislature as well as those affected by the decisions made in this special session.

“Members of our caucus have held meetings with constituents concerned about potential cuts to core services or regressive taxes which will burden them disproportionately, we have engaged in negotiations with the Governor and her staff, Senate Republicans and House Democrats, and we have held a caucus meeting where we heard from the heads of the healthcare agencies facing the possibility of running out of money before the end of the year and being forced to cut services to some of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable people.

“After all these meetings, we are more sure than ever that this special session of the legislature needs to be swift and certain with real plans for recurring revenue for our state. Now more than ever, we know that the numbers don’t lie. We cannot simply show up on Monday, decide that finding hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue is ‘too hard,’ waste hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money on a special session with no plan and no direction, and settle on across the board cuts that affect millions of hard working Oklahomans and their families.

“Now more than ever, we are certain that this is the time for a plan of action, actual compromise, true accountability and real results. This is the time for leadership and a long-term plan for our state and its people.

“We owe it to our constituents to focus on a long-term budget solution which protects the most basic, core government functions and services without balancing the budget on the backs of the poor and the vulnerable. This is what our constituents demand of us and what they deserve from each and every one of us, with no exceptions and no excuses.”

This Week in Sand Springs (9/18 - 9/24/17)

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Tuesday 

  • 5:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Stillwater (A).
    • Couch Park
      800 East 12th Avenue
      Stillwater, OK 74074
  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball vs. Bixby (A).
    • Whitey Ford Sports Complex
      601 South Riverview Drive
      Bixby, OK 74008
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum Trust Authority meeting.

Wednesday

  • 4:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Broken Arrow (H).
    • Sandite Sports Complex
      508 West 55th Street
  • 4:00 p.m. Sand Springs Development Authority Meeting.

Thursday

Friday

  • 9:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball at Stillwater Tournament.
    • Stillwater High School Field House
      1224 North Husband Street
      Stillwater, OK 74075
  • 12:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball at UCO/OCU Tournament.
    • Oklahoma Christian University
      2501 East Memorial Road
      Edmond, OK 73013
    • University of Central Oklahom
      820 University Drive
      Edmond, OK 73034
  • 7:00 p.m. Sandite Football vs Sapulpa (A).
    • George F. Collins Stadium
      1201 East Lincoln
      Sapulpa, OK 74066

Saturday

  • 7:00 a.m. Sandite Bass Fishing at Tenkiller Lake
    • Tenkiller Lake - Chicken Creek
      West Chicken Creek Road
      Cookson, Oklahoma 74427
  • 9:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball at Stillwater Tournament.
    • Stillwater High School Field House
      1224 North Husband Street
      Stillwater, OK 74075
  • 10:00 a.m. Sandite Cross Country at 32nd Annual Holland Hall Invitational.
    • Holland Hall High School
      5666 East 81st Street
      Tulsa, OK 74137
  • 2:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball at UCO/OCU Tournament.
    • Oklahoma Christian University
      2501 East Memorial Road
      Edmond, OK 73013
    • University of Central Oklahom
      820 University Drive
      Edmond, OK 73034

Sunday

  • 7:00 a.m. Sandite Bass Fishing at Lake Tenkiller.
    • Lake Tenkiller - Chicken Creek
      West Chicken Creek Road
      Cookson, Oklahoma 74427

Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

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  • $5 fee for for-profit events.

Former Jenks City Councilman Brian O'Hara wins Republican Primary for Senate District 37

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Brian O'Hara speaks at a Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce candidate forum. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

The Republican Party of District 37 nominated their choice for State Senator Tuesday in a crowded primary election with seven candidates. Former Jenks City Councilman Brian O'Hara won the special election with 41.86% of the vote. He will take on Democratic nominee Allison Ikley-Freeman in a November 14 general election.

O'Hara has worked as the Deputy District Director for Congressman Jim Bridenstine in Oklahoma's First District for the past four years. In the past he has served as a Jenks City Councilman and an Oklahoma Aquarium Board Member.

O'Hara was endorsed by Congressman Bridenstine, who called O'Hara "a friend, a conservative, and a man of integrity." 

Ikley-Freeman ran unopposed in the Democratic Party and will be a heavy underdog in the general election. In the 2016 election, Republican Dan Newberry handily defeated Democrat Lloyd Snow by more than 15% of the vote in a three-way election. 

Second among Republican candidates was Sand Springs City Councilman Phil Nollan with 32.13% of the vote, followed by Sand Springs Municipal Judge R. Jay McAtee with 11.12%. Nicole Nixon received 6.75%, Rick Hardesty received 5.21%, Sand Springs City Councilman Brian Jackson received 2.33%, and Grady Grant received 0.6%.

Case Community Park unveiled with all-day Riverfest celebration

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The Rogues Five reunited in their home town to headline the Riverfest celebration. 

Click here to view Riverfest photo gallery.

Riverfest appeared to go off without a hitch Saturday in Sand Springs as the community gathered together for an all-day festival celebrating one of the largest park projects in town history. Following a $6.2 million renovation, the former River City Park was officially rededicated as Case Community Park in honor of Mike and Pat Case who donated $2 million to the project. 

Fifteen hours worth of festivities provided a little something for everyone this weekend. The party kicked off at sunrise with the launching of three hot air balloons. The balloons returned later that evening and touched down on the Great Lawn, providing spectators with a light show of burning helium.

From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. the nearly two acre Great Lawn was a great parking lot for 119 entries in a car, truck, and motorcycle show. Two vehicles driven by Sand Springs native and World Champion racer Bennie Osborn were also on display. 

Representatives from the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball organization unveiled the new Thunder Cares three-on-three half court to much fanfare. Kids were able to shoot hoops with the team mascot, Rumble the Bison. Big Blast Inflatables hosted a kids' zone, and the Rotary Super Splash Pad was also open for business with a brand new playground. 

The Sand Springs Pokemon Go! club hid nearly a hundred Pokemon-themed painted rocks throughout the park for a scavenger hunt they hope will become an annual tradition. A chalk-art contest was also held, attracting a few dozen competitors.

There was plenty of food and drink available. Food vendors lined River City Park Road, including Short Bus Sandwiches, Rib Crib, El Jarocha Mexican Street Tacos, Purple People Feeder, Kona Ice, Harper's Hut Shaved Ice, Kingdom Concessions, and more. Monster Energy gave out free samples of their new soda, and Blue Bell Ice Cream passed out free vanilla cups to everyone.

The Charles Page High School Gold Pride Marching Band kicked off a ceremony to dedicate the park, followed by a mini performance of the Oklahoma! musical play. City Councilwoman Patty Dixon footed the bill for the production and starred in the performance alongside Travis Dixon, Mat Govich, Scott McQuade, Josh Westbrook, Shelby Eicher, and Ethan Eicher among others.

Local band The Rogues Five performed after the Oklahoma! production and covered classic hits from the 60s and 70s. The band is comprised of I.J. Ganem, Randy Ess, Philip Wilson, Bard Coats, and Jamie Oldaker. The band attained regional prominence during their high school days in the 1960s when they opened for The Doors. Ganem, Ess, and Oldaker have continued in the music industry ever since. Ganem and Ess's sons also performed with the band. Morgan Ganem is considered the sixth Rogue and closed out the night as a solo performer. Ess described his son, Dylan, as a Rogue-in-training. 

Morgan Ganem performed a long set of electronic dance music, including both original music and remixes of modern and classic hits. The end of his set coincided with a massive fireworks show performed by Imperial Fireworks, the company that puts on shows for the Tulsa Drillers. The younger Ganem was a hit with the kids and after playing a remix of Justin Bieber's "Despacito," the stage was overflowing with children showing off their wildest dance moves for the rest of the show. 

City of Sand Springs commissions mural for abandoned Monarch Cement silo

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Final concept for a mural designed by Josh Butts Creative Services. (Courtesy photo).

The City of Sand Springs recently commissioned a mural to be painted on an abandoned silo formerly owned by the Monarch Cement Company. City Council authorized $49,500 to go towards supplies, designs, and the painting of the silo mural and another mural at a currently undisclosed location.

The silo property is currently owned by Ray and Emile Tucker and is located along Highway 51 just west of the Avery Drive intersection. The land also houses the Riverview RV Park.

The money for the project was taken from the Economic Development Capital Improvement Fund. The City contracted with Josh Butts Creative Services, a Tulsa-based artist. Butt's design was approved by both City officials and the Tuckers before painting began.

The Tuckers agreed to the placement of the design and to use their best efforts to maintain the design in a good condition for a minimum of five years. At the conclusion of the five-year period, the property owners will have the right to remove, replace, or retain the design at their discretion. The City is also authorized to install a parking area if it should be deemed necessary. 

After conducting his own research on the City of Sand Springs, Butts concluded that "it is impossible to separate the character of Sand Springs from the character of its founder, Charles Page...Charles Page believed in his own destiny - that the world can be yours if you exhibit vision and a strength of will."

"In effect, in style and in intent - this mural communicates the same sense of vision and will. It depicts Charles Page opening the curtain to a bright and vibrant future. By creating this mural, the City of Sand Springs is claiming its own manifest destiny," says Butts.

The project was originally expected to take six weeks to complete and is already under way. Butts says that it's coming along nicely and moving very quickly.

This Week in Sand Springs (9/11 - 9/17/17)

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Monday

  • Patriot Day

Tuesday 

  • 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Republican Primary Special Election for Senate District 37.
  • 10:30 a.m. Build A Reader Storytime/Stay and Play.
  • 5:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs Ponca City (H).
    • Sandite Sports Complex
      508 West 55th Street
  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball vs Owasso (H).
    • Ed Dubie Field House
      500 North Adams Road

Thursday

  • 10:30 a.m. My New Friends + Stay and Play
  • 5:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Broken Arrow (A).
    • Broken Arrow Softball Complex
      2200 North 23rd Street
      Broken Arrow, OK
  • 5:30 p.m. Sand Springs Airport Advisory Board Meeting.
  • 7:00 p.m. Pop with a Cop
    • Share a soda with Sand Springs Police officers and City officials. Get to know your town's leaders, ask questions, and learn about the upcoming General Obligation Bond proposals. Coloring books and stickers will be provided for children while adults will be given handouts about the bond vote. Free gun locks will also be available. 
    • Clyde Boyd Middle School
      305 West 35th Street

Friday

  • 7:00 p.m. Free screening of Guardians of the Galaxy 2 
    • Case Community Center
      1050 West Wekiwa Road
  • 7:00 p.m. Sandite Football vs Putnam City West (A).
    • Putnam City Stadium
      5300 North West 50th Street
      Oklahoma City, OK 73122

Saturday

  • 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 17th Annual Keystone Fire Department Car Show & Vendor Fair
    • Keystone State Park
      1926 State Highway 151
  • 10:00 a.m. Sand Springs BMX Track Work Day
    • Painting finish line poles, general clean up, and other routine maintenance projects.
    • 2600 South River City Park Road
  • Sand Springs Rotary Downhill Derby postponed till March 31st, 2018.

Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.
  • $5 fee for for-profit events.

Oklahoma ACT participation increases to 100% with average score of 19.4

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OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 7, 2017) – Oklahoma increased its ACT participation by 29 percent in one year – the largest gain of ACT-tested graduates in the country. Oklahoma joins the collection of states identified by ACT as having 100 percent of 2017 graduating seniors taking the national college entrance exam. Of those states, Oklahoma tied for 10th place for the top average composite score. Accompanying the dramatic influx of test-takers, Oklahoma’s average ACT score dropped only one point, from 20.4 to 19.4.

In 2017, participation grew to 42,405 students from 32,854 in 2016. This change reflects efforts of a statewide 2016 pilot program in which the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) gave all high school juniors an opportunity to take the exam free of charge. The graduating class of 2017 was the first to participate in the voluntary program.

“By opening up the college entrance exam to all students, including those who otherwise might not have had access to the ACT, we are not only providing them an on-ramp to postsecondary education, we are gaining valuable insight into the skills gap we must overcome for our young people to be competitive nationally,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister said.

Achieving a benchmark score in an ACT subject area indicates a student has a 50 percent chance of obtaining a B or higher or a 75 percent chance of earning a C or higher in a corresponding course in college. The four ACT benchmark areas are English, reading, mathematics and science. Subject-area benchmark scores range from 18 to 23.

The 2017 data reveals that 42 percent of Oklahoma graduates did not meet any of the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks, while 16 percent met all four.

“This is the first time we have had a complete picture that can predict graduates’ readiness to compete in the global marketplace. Before now, our state ACT scores did not measure the needs of the ‘hidden’ student – be it a low-income student who could not afford a college entrance exam or a rural student who could not reach a testing site. Now we can pinpoint which students need help to bolster their skills before graduation,” Hofmeister said.

Hofmeister said the more comprehensive Oklahoma Academic Standards in mathematics and English language arts, which were implemented last school year, will help boost student achievement. More complex assessments measuring those new standards were first given to students last spring, and results are expected later this fall.

The state’s new standards and assessments are part of OSDE’s strengthened efforts to ensure students are nationally competitive and able to achieve academic excellence, one of four overarching pillars in the state’s eight-year strategic plan. The strategic plan is a central element of the consolidated state plan OSDE will submit next week to the U.S. Department of Education, as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA.

In addition, one of the goals of the state plan is to reduce the need for college remediation in math and English language arts by 50 percent. Currently, 38 percent of all first-year college students in Oklahoma require remedial courses before earning college credit, costing Oklahoma families an estimated $22.2 million each year.

“We must prepare students for the next step once they graduate from high school. We are confident those efforts will be reflected in higher numbers of college and Career Tech enrollments and in reduced college remediation numbers,” Hofmeister said.

Oklahoma’s average composite ACT score of 19.4 was identical to Arkansas, which also had 100 percent participation. Colorado and Missouri were higher-scoring regional states with 100 percent participation.

Nationwide, the average composite ACT score increased slightly, from 20.8 to 21, while the number of test-takers dropped by about 60,000 students.

In Oklahoma, nearly half (47 percent) of the test-takers expressed an interest in science, technology, engineering and math careers.

This Week in Sand Springs (9/4 - 9/10/17)

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Monday

Tuesday 

Wednesday

  • 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The Silo Center Open House
  • 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sand Springs Pokemon Go Rock Painting Party
    • Sand Springs Triangle Park
      4 East Broadway
    • Help paint Pokemon-themed rocks for an upcoming scavenger hunt at Riverfest.
    • Bring your own paint/rocks if you have them. Some materials will be available to share.
    • Come and go as you please!

Thursday

  • 5:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Stillwater (H).
    • Sandite Softball Complex
      405 West 55th Street.
  • 5:30 p.m. Anderson School District Board of Education Meeting.

Friday

  • Lady Sandite Softball at Bixby Tournament (A).
    • Bentley Park
      8505 East 148th Street
      Bixby, OK 74008
  • 8:00 a.m. Rock Fire Department Annual Auction & Garage Sale.
    • 11313 West 48th Street North
  • 7:00 p.m. Sandite Football vs Choctaw (H).
    • Memorial Stadium
      500 North Adams Road.

Saturday

  • Sunrise - 10:00 p.m. Riverfest
  • 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Chipper Days
  • 8:00 a.m. Rock Fire Department Annual Auction & Garage Sale.
    • 11313 West 48th Street North.
  • 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Open Hike Day
    • Keystone Ancient Forest
      160 Ancient Forest Drive
  • Lady Sandite Softball at Bixby Tournament (A).
    • Bentley Park
      8505 East 148th Street
      Bixby, OK 74008

Sunday

  • 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Community Picnic & Ice Cream Social
    • Case Community Park
      2500 South River City Park Road West

Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.
  • $5 fee for for-profit events.

Additional Oklahoma Assistance Headed for Gulf Coast States

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) today announced that an Oklahoma shelter operations team is preparing to deploy to Shreveport, Louisiana, to manage two shelters for evacuees who have been displaced by Tropical Storm Harvey.

Fallin offered assistance to Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards. His emergency management officials contacted OEM requesting the shelter operation mission as widespread, historic rainfall continues to impact the Gulf Coast. The shelters are planned to open later this week and will accommodate 3,500 to 5,000 people.

Approximately 125 Oklahoma personnel will manage the shelter operations, including staff from OEM; Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry; Oklahoma Forestry Services Division; Oklahoma Highway Patrol; Oklahoma National Guard; Oklahoma State Health Department; and numerous local emergency management departments.

In addition to the shelter deployment to Louisiana, six more swift water rescue teams deployed to Texas today to support the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) with water rescues as the state continues to respond to devastating flooding. Teams responding today are Bartlesville Fire Department Swift Water Team; Cherokee County Swift Water Team; Cherokee Nation Swift Water Team; Craig County Swift Water Team; Guymon Fire Swift Water Team; Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation; and Wagoner County Swift Water Team. 

Including teams that deployed Monday, there are now 20 water rescue teams from Oklahoma responding in Texas.

The Oklahoma National Guard is responding to another request from the Texas Military Department to send personnel and equipment to support medical evacuations from southeast Texas.

“Oklahomans know how to respond because we've experienced these kind of tragedies, though not on this scale,” said Fallin. “Our soldiers and first responders are trained and ready to provide assistance to those impacted by Tropical Storm Harvey. I ask Oklahomans to keep them and the victims of this powerful storm in their thoughts and prayers.”

OEM Director Albert Ashwood said, “Oklahoma has been the recipient of support from neighboring states in the past, and we will do whatever we can now to return the favor and help the Gulf Coast.”

To support the continuing deployments to Texas and Louisiana, Fallin declared a state of emergency for Oklahoma so that state, county and local governments can adequately respond to the mutual aid requests and needs of the Gulf Coast states. Under the executive order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions.

Oklahoma officials also remind the public that the most effective way to support disaster survivors in their recovery is through cash donations to trusted, reputable voluntary agencies and faith-based organizations, which offer the most flexibility to address urgently developing needs. With cash in hand, these organizations can obtain needed resources nearer to the disaster location. This inflow of cash also pumps money back into the local economy and helps local businesses recover faster.

This Week in Sand Springs (8/28 - 9/3/17)

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Monday

  • 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs City Council meeting.
  • 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs Municipal Authority meeting.
    • Immediately following Sand Springs City Council meeting.
    • Sand Springs Municipal Building, Room 203
      100 East Broadway
    • Click here to view agenda.

Tuesday 

  • 7:30 a.m. Breakfast with County Commissioner Karen Keith, presented by Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce.
    • Crescent Cafe
      3417 South 113th West Avenue
    • Eat breakfast with Tulsa County Commissioner for District 2 and award-winning journalist Karen Keith.
  • 5:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Jenks (H).
    • Sandite Softball Complex
      405 West 55th Street.
  • 5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Elementary & Middle School Cross Country Sign-Ups.
    • Revolution Running & Fitness program for children from Kindergarten through 8th grade. View poster with more information below.
  • 6:00 p.m. Walnut Ridge Home Owners Association Meeting.
    • Pratt Library
      3219 South 113th West Avenue
  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball vs Bishop Kelley (H).
    • Ed Dubie Field House
      500 North Adams Road

Wednesday

  • 5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sand Springs Pokemon Go Rock Painting Party
    • Sand Springs Triangle Park
      4 East Broadway
    • Help paint Pokemon-themed rocks for an upcoming scavenger hunt at Riverfest.
    • Bring your own paint/rocks if you have them. Some materials will be available to share.
    • Come and go as you please!

Thursday

  • 5:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Sapulpa (A).
    • Sapulpa Softball Field
      631 North Brown
      Sapulpa, OK 74066
  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball vs. Coweta (H).
    • Ed Dubie Field House
      500 North Adams Road.

Friday

  • 7:00 p.m. Sandite Football vs Pulaski Academy (H).
    • Memorial Stadium
      500 North Adams Road.
  • 8:00 p.m. Red Shook Labor Day Memorial Rodeo
    • Sand Springs Rodeo Arena - Case Community Park
      2500 South River City Park Road
       

Saturday

  • Sand Springs City-Wide Yard Sale.
  • 8:00 p.m. Red Shook Labor Day Memorial Rodeo
    • Sand Springs Rodeo Arena - Case Community Park
      2500 South River City Park Road

Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.
  • $5 fee for for-profit events.

State Superintendent announces student contest to design new license plate

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OKLAHOMA CITY – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister recently announced a student art contest to design a new specialty license plate benefiting education. Proceeds from the purchase of the specialty plates will be used to bolster teacher recruitment efforts in Oklahoma. 

In the License to Educate contest, students in Pre-K through 12th grade may submit original artwork, with the winning design ultimately selected by Oklahomans in an online vote.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) will accept education-related artwork for the plate through Sept. 22. Students may submit entries digitally through the OSDE website or by mail. Entry forms are available on the OSDE website.

The agency will narrow down submissions based on creativity, aesthetic appeal and relevance to public education in Oklahoma. Finalists’ submissions will be posted online Oct. 9, and the public will be able to vote for their favorite through Oct. 20.

Hofmeister kicked off License to Educate at a Tuesday news conference at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. 

“It seems only fitting that our schoolkids be the ones to design the specialty plate that benefits the very education system in which they are learning. We are excited to see their submissions and are confident the judges will have a difficult choice selecting the finalists,” Hofmeister said.

“The arts are vital to a well-rounded education, and there is a proven correlation between art and academic achievement. A child who spends even a few hours a week on art projects is exercising creativity and self-expression, building critical thinking and problem-solving skills and fine-tuning motor skills.”

The Oklahoma License to Educate license plate was created through legislation authored earlier this year by state Sen. Stephanie Bice and Rep. Ryan Martinez. The license plate will cost $35 and be available for pre-order shortly after Nov. 1.

For more information, visit the License to Educate web page.

This Week in Sand Springs (8/21 - 8/27/17)

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Monday

  • 4:00 p.m. Sand Springs Planning Commission meeting.
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Board of Adjustment meeting CANCELED.

Tuesday 

  • First day of class for Sand Springs Public Schools.
  • 5:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Putnam City North (H).
    • Sandite Softball Complex
      405 West 55th Street.
  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball vs Jenks (A).
    • Frank Herald Fieldhouse
      311 East B Street
      Jenks, OK 74037

Thursday

  • 5:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Sapulpa (H).
    • Sandite Softball Complex
      405 West 55th Street.
  • 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Open House and Meet the Teachers.
    • Central Ninth Grade Center
      14 West 4th Street
  • 6:00 p.m. Sandite Football scrimmage vs Claremore (H).
    • Memorial Stadium
      500 North Adams Road.
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Community Theater Fall Audition Prep Workshop.
    • Kids from 3rd through 8th Grade are invited to a two-hour course on auditioning for school plays, community theaters, etc. For more information visit this link.
    • First Christian Church
      501 North Main Street.

Friday

  • 9:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball at Broken Arrow Tournament.
    • Oneta Ridge Middle School
      6800 East Quincy Place
      Broken Arrow, OK 74014
  • 12:30 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball at Stillwater Festival.
    • Couch Park
      800 East 12th Avenue
      Stillwater, OK 74074
  • 6:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. Sacrifice: A Women's Prayer Gathering

Saturday

  • 10:00 a.m. Free Rodeo Clown Clinic
    • Case Community Park - Round Up Club Rodeo Arena
      2500 South River City Park Road
  • 10:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball at Broken Arrow Tournament.
    • Oneta Ridge Middle School
      6800 East Quincy Place
      Broken Arrow, OK 74014
  • 5:00 p.m. Sand Springs Ducks Unlimited Diner
  • 5:00 p.m. Dylan Whitney Band live at Blues Challenge 2017 
    • Sand Springs graduate Dylan Whitney will be performing at the annual fundraiser for the Blues Society of Tulsa non-profit organization. The winning act will earn a trip to the International Blues Competition. Kids 12 and under are free. Concert begins at 6:00 p.m., Whitney is expected to take the stage at 8:00 p.m.
    • Cain's Ballroom
      423 North Main Street
      Tulsa, OK 74103
  • 8:00 p.m. Hannah Isabella Rose live at the Coffee House on Cherry Street.
    • Sand Springs's own Hannah Rose will be performing a free acoustic session.
    • 1502 East 15th Street
      Tulsa, OK 74120

Sunday

  • 2:00 p.m. Sand Springs Round Up Club Play Day
    • Case Community Park
      2500 South River City Park Road

Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.
  • $5 fee for for-profit events.

Gov. Fallin calls for special legislative session to adjust State appropriations

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today said the Legislature must return in special session to deal with the $215 million shortfall caused by a proposed smoking cessation fee being struck down.

“No money can be spent from any state fund unless the Legislature specifically appropriates it,” said Fallin. "Let's be clear. The director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) does not have the authority to transfer monies to the affected agencies from different sources without legislation directing him to do so.”

Article 5, Section 55 of the Oklahoma Constitution states that no money shall be paid out of the state treasury, except through an appropriation by law. 

Fallin said state law (Title 62, Section 34.55) allows the director of OMES to borrow money from treasury funds to satisfy monthly allocations of appropriations made from the General Revenue Fund, but the appropriation has to be made by the Legislature.

The three agencies that received the bulk of the money from the proposed cessation fee are the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS), and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA).

DMHSAS would have received $75 million (about 23 percent of its total appropriation), OHCA would have received $70 million (about 7 percent of its total appropriation), and DHS would have received $69 million (about 10 percent of its total appropriation).

Without legislative intervention, DMHSAS said it would run out of state appropriations in November. OHCA said it would run out of state funds in January and DHS said it would out of state funds in May.

The funding shortfall is the result of the Oklahoma Supreme Court last week striking down a smoking cessation fee approved this past legislative session.

Fallin said she and her staff have been discussing options with legislative leaders of both parties.

“A special session is the best option,” the governor said. “Failure to meet in special session would mean $215 million would be cut mostly from these three state agencies. These agencies and the people they serve cannot sustain the kind of cuts that will occur if we do not find a solution.”

This Week in Sand Springs (8/14 - 8/20/17)

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Monday

  • 9:30 a.m. Tulsa County Board of County Commissioners meeting
  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Volleyball vs. Union (A)
    • Union Intermediate High School
      7616 South Garnett Road
      Broken Arrow, OK 74012

Tuesday 

  • 1:30 p.m. Tulsa County Board of Adjustment meeting
  • 5:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Ponca City (A).
    • Ponca City High School
      927 North 5th Street
      Ponca City, OK 74601
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum Trust Authority meeting

Wednesday

  • 4:00 p.m. Sand Springs Development Authority meeting - CANCELED 

Thursday

  • 8:30 a.m. Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority meeting
    • ExpoSERVE Culinary Training Center
      3902 East 15th Street
      Tulsa, Oklahoma 74112
  • 10:00 a.m. 2003 Sales Tax Overview Committee (Vision 2025) meeting
  • 5:30 p.m. Meet the Sandites
    • Church That Matters Tailgate Party benefiting Quarterback Club begins at 5;30. Meet the Sandites program begins at 7:00.
    • Memorial Stadium
      500 North Adams Road

Friday

  • Times TBA: Lady Sandites at Rogers State University High School Softball Festival
    • Diamond Sports Complex
      2901 West Blue Starr Drive
      Claremore, OK 74017
  • 8:30 a.m. Hillspring Church Kids Outdoor Zone Lake Day and Water Baptisms
    • 8801 West 41st Street South
  • 9:00 a.m. Lady Sandites at Union Varsity Volleyball Tournament
    • UMAC
      6836 South Mingo Road
      Tulsa, OK 74133
  • 11:30 a.m. Sand Springs Rotary Club Classroom Teacher Supplies Collection Drive
  • 5:00 p.m. Sandite Football at Jenks Trojan Preview
    • 205 East B Street
      Jenks, OK 74037

Saturday

  • Times TBA: Lady Sandites at Rogers State University High School Softball Festival
    • Diamond Sports Complex
      2901 West Blue Starr Drive
      Claremore, OK 74017
  • 8:30 a.m. Hillspring Church Kids Outdoor Zone Lake Day and Water Baptisms
    • 8801 West 41st Street South
  • 10:00 a.m. Lady Sandites at Union Varsity Volleyball Tournament
    • UMAC
      6836 South Mingo Road
      Tulsa, OK 74133
  • 5:00 p.m. Sand Springs Sertoma Club Murder Mystery Diner
    • Case Community Center
      1050 West Wekiwa Road
    • $35 per ticket, advanced purchases only. Deadline to order tickets is August 14.

Sunday

Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.
  • $5 fee for for-profit events.

State sales tax exemptions surpass $6 billion annually in Oklahoma

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State Sen. Roger Thompson is calling his just-concluded study on Oklahoma’s tax code a success. The second of two meetings, featuring in-depth presentations on state taxes, exemptions, credits and spending, concluded Wednesday with eighteen members of the Senate attending the final hearing. Thompson, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Finance, organized the hearings.

“You can’t reform what you don’t understand—that’s why these meetings were so important,” said Thompson, R-Okemah. “It’s an extremely complex issue, but ultimately it affects every single person in Oklahoma. These hearings were comprehensive, and included research gathered over the past two decades. We didn’t need to reinvent the wheel—but now it’s time to get that wheel rolling.”

Thompson noted that Oklahoma’s current sales tax exemptions are in excess of $6 billion a year. Various tax credits cost the state more than $250 million. But he said the amount of credits claimed, though not taken represent a potential liability of several hundred million dollars more.

Thompson said the next step will be an interim study on reforming Oklahoma’s tax code.

“We must be able to provide adequate resources for our most fundamental services, but instead of raising taxes, we need to broaden the tax base—doing that will provide the resources we need and we could even lower the overall tax rate,” Thompson said.

As part of his work on several national committees examining taxes and revenue, Thompson said a major issue for states like Oklahoma is the failure to adapt to significant economic shifts and other changes over the decades.

“In the early 1950’s, 67 percent of goods sold were taxed.  Today it’s just 32 percent—less than half. Yet here in Oklahoma, our population has grown by half a million people,” Thompson said.  “Modernizing our tax code and broadening the tax base will enable us to stabilize our budget and better fund our schools, health and mental health, public safety, and better address other critical needs.”

Senate candidates discuss education and budget concerns at community forum

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Left to right: R.Jay McAtee, Phil Nollan, Brian O'Hara.

Five of the seven Republican candidates for Senate District 37 spoke at a community forum event hosted by the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce Monday afternoon. Held at the Tulsa Technology Center campus in Sand Springs, the event offered each candidates a five minute platform, followed by a question and answer session.

The recurring trend of the conversation was heavily education and State budget focused. 

"What I'm hearing is, we need to get our schools better funding," said Rick Hardesty, 56. "We need to get more money into our education system. To me that makes sense as a small business owner in needing to have a viable workforce and things like that...The reason I started running, the main reason, was I sat and watched...and they have practically closed every school over there and it kind of got me angry."

Nicole Nixon, 31, added "three of my community schools were consolidated." She blamed Tulsa Public Schools for the closures, alleging failure to properly utilize their funding.

For Sand Springs Municipal Judge R. Jay McAtee, 60, the primary issue was the State budget. "The legislature needs to take the budget and make it their number one item on day one, February 8-9, 2018 and they need to not attend to any other business until that budget is addressed...We can't pay our teachers until we figure out how to do the budget."

Nicole Nixon (left), Rick Hardesty (right).

Two Sand Springs City Councilmen are in the race, though one declined the invitation to speak. Ward 6 Councilman Brian Jackson, 34, who previously ran in the regular election last November, issued a statement.

"My campaign for Senate District 37 is a silent protest against the blatant disregard of the people’s voice through the elected official, who quit one year into his term. Too much time and too much money-to the amount of a half million dollars-have been wasted when we went through this political process a year ago. We are tired of the political nonsense we are bombarded with during elections. When will enough be enough? I will not raise one more dime, post one more sign, or campaign on any platform. Those that want to donate to my campaign, I ask you to find a local public school teacher and give that money to his/her classroom for supplies, as public education is still my number one priority. The choice of Senator for District 37 should be left to the people on voting day, not political games and influence.”

Ward One Councilman Phil Nollan, 59, spoke of his personal qualifications, his ties to Sand Springs, and his experience of working behind the scenes with his wife, House Representative Jadine Nollan. Jadine Nollan is in her seventh year at the Legislature, and previously served on the Sand Springs Board of Education for eleven years. 

"I'm a nationally-certified project manager. I think during my process of my early years I learned how to manage projects and programs, I learned how to lead teams...learned how to deliver things as promised - on time and under budget...My recent employment with EMC, I had to work with Fortune 100 customers...What I found in working with those companies is, they had big demands like I know this job has. Like I know the job that my wife has to do. Meeting those demands is not going to be easy, but you've got to keep your word. You've got to keep your promises, and you have to do the best you can do to make it happen."

Following their speeches, the candidates each responded to three questions from the audience. The first question regarded school vouchers, which allow parents to receive a tax refund to send their students to private schools. 

Hardesty declined to answer the question, citing a lack of knowledge on the subject.

Nixon expressed support for school vouchers in an ideal world, but said that our society and government isn't to the point yet that they would work. "We need to make sure that no children slip through cracks, ever. We need to find a good system."

Brian O'Hara, 56, touched heavily on vouchers during his opening remarks, and referred back to his earlier comments. "We're struggling, the schools are struggling...You make a choice if you want home school or private school and I respect that choice. I encourage that choice if that's what's best for your student...But that doesn't mean that tax payer money has to follow that student."

Nollan pointed out that proponents of vouchers often cite "school choice" as a major concern. "We already have school choice now...When we raised our kids in Sand Springs Public Schools, we could transfer our kids to a different school if we wanted to. We could ask for certain teachers for our kids to go through. If we didn't feel like public school was doing its job, we could home school our kids...You can send your kids to private school. If you don't live in the district, you can move into the district. In a sense, we really do have school choice now...Sending funding with the kid through a voucher system is not the solution."

"Lawyer answer, no," joked McAtee. "We need to fund our teachers, we need to fund our classrooms, we need to make it where we don't have to go out as a church, buy the supplies for all the teachers. We need to concentrate the money where it needs to be."

SEE RELATED: Word of Life church paints, cleans up Limestone Elementary

The second question asked "Will you increase the tax on oil and gas?"

"Yes, absolutely," said McAtee. "I don't want to put the tax burden on the citizens of Oklahoma until we have looked at every other alternative."

"It's an incentive tax, what's in place now," said Nollan. "The national average is 9.5%, in Oklahoma we average 3.2%. In Texas it's 8.3%. The research says that we probably need to take another look."

"Millions of dollars goes into drilling a well, which they may not get a dime out of if that well is dry," said O'Hara. "I've talked to a couple of companies, not the big guys, the guys that are just starting up. Their concern is that they can go elsewhere and drill...My position is, I don't support a gross production tax at this point. Only because the information I've received indicates that there would be a loss of wells if that were the case."

Nixon stated she would have liked to have seen the percentage increased to 4.5% during the last session, and that her biggest focus would be on getting Oklahoma away from a dependence on oil revenue. 

"It's really not raising a tax, it's taking away a tax incentive," said Hardesty. "The oil companies are well diversified. When they say 'if you take away our tax incentive we're going to cut back on drilling' that's a load of bull. That's how they make their money, they're not going to cut back. I have people in my family that own oil companies, and I have a lot of people in my family that work for oil companies. But that doesn't mean I want to sit and give the oil companies special treatment."

The final question asked for solutions to the ongoing budgetary problems.

"Take away the tax incentives that aren't working," said Hardesty. He also discussed consolidating State agencies and commissions. 

"Definitely want to look at incentives. I think that's a great start," agreed Nixon. "I think audits, very necessary. Anybody who's getting our tax dollars should be held accountable."

"I've told you where I think we need to start, and that means at the very beginning," said O'Hara. "The first month and a half, two months, if it takes the whole session we should be working on the budget. We don't need to throw bum legislation out."

"We need to do more on capping our incentives. Maybe some of the incentives stay, but we need to cap them," said Nollan. 

"We need to make Oklahoma a 21st-century state," concluded McAtee. "We have agencies that were created 150 years ago still in existence."

Grady Grant, 62, is also running for the Republican nomination, but did not participate in the event. Democrat Allison Ikley-Freeman, 26, filed unopposed and will take on the winner of the Republican nomination in November.

The Republican primary will be held September 12th. The voter-registration deadline is August 18, and the deadline to request an absentee ballot is September 6th.

Click on the candidates' images below to read their full statements.

Rick Hardesty.

R.Jay McAtee.

Nicole Nixon.

Phil Nollan.

Brian O'Hara.