Open Door Policy - June 2, 2009
***Editor’s Note: Joe Dorman is the Oklahoma House District 65 Representative and ‘The Lawton Town Crier’ appreciates Mr. Dorman’s many contributions to our site, most notably his “Open Door Policy,” and his guest appearances on the “Lawton Town Crier podcast.” His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the Lawton Town Crier, or other contributors.***
The session has finally concluded and the legislators are back in their districts waiting to see which bills Governor Henry will sign and which will be vetoed. Oklahoma has a system similar to the federal government, but with some modification. Any bill passed by the legislature prior to the final five days must be acted upon by the governor, or it will automatically become law through pocket passage. Bills passed in the final five days switch to a system of pocket veto, which allows the governor fifteen days to act upon them or they will automatically be vetoed at the end of that period.Just a thought…
***Editor’s Note: Garrett Jackson is the Editor and Chief Contributor to The Lawton Town Crier. His views reflect the official views of the Lawton Town Crier. You may contact Mr. Jackson via his email address at garrett@lawtontowncrier.com***
Garrett Jackson (L)
Greetings my fellow Lawtonians,
It is the start of a new week, and with the budget sessions behind us we are getting ready for an adventurous summer and fall. Over the past few weeks, have been very educational for me in particular about how money is being spent by the City. Of the many observations of our City Government that I could comment on, I would like to comment on some issues regarding the workings of the Lawton City Council.
Over the past couple of months, it seems that our city council, is divided. What is most troubling is the suggestion that our City Council is discussing behind close doors what is going to happen on the open council floor. On Sunday, May 24th, 2009, the Lawton Constitution editorial pointed out some facts about our city council and the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act.
The Lawton Constitution correctly asserts that it would be wise for our city council to be educated on the Oklahoma Open Meetings and Open Records Act. It is an important law that keeps our government and those who serve in it honest. Further the Oklahoma Open Meetings and Open Records Act helps to spur educated debate among the Citizens of our community.
The appearance or even the suggestion of collaboration among some of the City Council is scary. Though, it may be within the letter of the law, it is certainly not in good keeping with the intent of the law. The appearance of impropriety wither or not is true, is sure to damage the reputation of the elected body as a whole, and place those members at risk of a lawsuit or jail time should allegations be proven true. While it is lawful for our elected officials to discuss among themselves some aspects of pending ordinances, an abundance of caution must and should be observed.
I would encourage each and every city councilman to review the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act and spend some of the $5000 a year they make on purchasing a copy of the Open Meetings/Open Records Book published by the Oklahoma Press Service, Inc. The Cost is $15 plus tax and shipping. This is a valuable tool for understanding how the law affects you. You can visit the link to buy your own copy http://www.okpress.com/open-meetings-open-records
One last point I would like to make. The City Charter was also mentioned in the Editorial from the Lawton Constitution. I would like to point out that our Mayor has some power within the City of Lawton. The one that seems to always be left off any list is the Veto Power. The Mayor alone has the power stop any ordinance and force the council to override the veto, which takes more than a simple majority. So please do not think of the mayor a simple figurehead, for he is not.
Every Day Should Be ‘Memorial Day’
***Editor’s Note: Corey Thompson is an educator from North Carolina, and editor of The Thirsty Quill. He offers views from the conservative standpoint on many issues. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the Lawton Town Crier or other contributors. We thank Mr. Thompson for his contributions to the Lawton Town Crier. You may visit his blog at http://www.thirstyquill.com or you may contact Mr. Thompson via his email address at corey@thirstyquill.com***
Corey Thompson (R)
By: Corey Thompson, “The Thirsty Quill”
Last week I had a teachable moment in my classroom that stood head and shoulders above all the rest. A “teachable moment,” by definition, is an opportunity to teach or impart some level of wisdom outside of the standard curriculum, prescribed text, or traditional course of study. Most educators agree that these brief moments are far more important than anything we can teach in preparation for a standardized test, as they typically have the potential to leave a lasting impact that will be remembered much longer than traditional “dates and facts.”
After giving a quick review for an upcoming test, a student commented to another about how “unfair” it was that “we have to come to school on Memorial Day this year.” Due to several “inclement weather” days back in January and February, the Memorial Day holiday was removed from the “days off” list in order to accommodate the state’s requirement for a 180-day school year.
Overhearing the conversation, I smiled and quietly walked back to my desk, listening intently to their banter and their bickering about how Memorial Day was such a “big deal” to them personally. I thought it appropriate, at that moment, to give way to my nosy curiosity and inquire about the significance about Memorial Day in their personal lives.
“What do you normally do to celebrate Memorial Day?” I asked.
One of the students, a senior, responded rather quickly, “I usually sleep in, head to the pool for a couple of hours, and then go hang out at the mall with my friends.”
“That’s nice,” I replied.
“I usually just hang out around my house and play video games,” answered the other.
I decided to take my shot. “Hey, do you guys know why we celebrate Memorial Day?” I asked in a serious, but non-condescending, tone.
Their answers deflated me.
One stated that he “really didn’t know,” while the other said something along the lines of “to pay tribute to our grandparents and deceased ancestors.”
Enter the “teachable moment.”
I spent the final few minutes before the bell explaining the significance of Memorial Day to a group of teenagers who seemed very eager to learn more about their stolen “day off.”
They asked questions, and I had the distinct pleasure of answering them. As I spoke, a few seemed to remember having been taught the meaning of Memorial Day by their parents or teachers at some point in the past, but admitted that over time, the significance had eroded away into nothing more than a day for sleeping in, barbeques, and lazy afternoons by the pool. I wonder how many adults would admit the same?
I’m no fool (despite what some of you may believe). I don’t expect the average American teenager to devote his or her entire Memorial Day to attending military dress parades and reenactments of Revolutionary War battles that they care little about. To be honest, I don’t necessarily expect most adults to do so either.
However, I do expect all of us, young and old alike, to at least understand the significance of the day, and to pause (even briefly), and reflect upon what this day represents. In spite of the opportunity to sleep in, indulge in a cold beer and a few hotdogs, and to let the sun cook our winterized skin to its first shades of pink for the season, let us never forget what it’s truly all about.
In America, we’ve done a damn good job in minimizing important things to little more than annual one-day vigils. We’ve allowed the term “holiday” to excuse us from paying honor and tribute (where they are due) the other 364 days a year, and we feel as though we’ve done “the right thing” when we salute a flag or thank a veteran on a lone Monday in late-May.
We actually believe that doing so once in May, a second time in July, and perhaps even a third time in November, affords us the opportunity to feel “patriotic.” Truth be told, those days should serve as mile-markers along the way, not just red, white, and blue exits lining the roadside of our lives.
My students taught me something last week. You see, the “teachable moment” wasn’t necessarily just for them. I discovered that I had allowed these students to sit under my guidance for a full year, and that I had merely assumed that they, as seniors, were about to enter “the real world” with a full grasp and appreciation of what days like today truly represent. I assumed that they had been taught, either at home or in a previous classroom, that Memorial Day was about a whole heck of a lot more than burgers, beer, and sunburns.
They had no idea…and neither did I.
I didn’t realize that my teaching, with all of the complexities of lesson plans, lectures, and tests, had left out some of the most basic of American principles that cannot be overlooked…and must be celebrated and cherished all year long.
Just as we owe our veterans the full measure of our gratitude, we also owe each generation that walks behind us the knowledge and understanding of the significance of days like today. Not doing so would be just as irresponsible as forgetting the brave souls who keep us safe, even on the days and nights that we so often forget to say “thanks.”
"It's Worth So Much More Than A Once-A-Year Salute. Take The Time To Remember And To Say 'Thanks,' Even On Days Not Like Today."
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