Marina Owners, GRDA Board are Big Campaign Contributors

"Follow the Money" was the watchword during the Watergate investigation in the 1970's and it hasn't changed much today.

Records show that three Grand Lake marina owners were large campaign contributors to Kevin Easley's 2002 State Senate campaign, and two current members of the GRDA Board of Directors made contributions to the campaign of Mary Easley, Kevin Easley's mother, in her 2000 House campaign and are making large contributions this year to Peter J. Regan's campaign for Lt. Governor.

Five current GRDA board members are making large contributions this year to Governor Brad Henry's campaign as well.

Kevin Easley's campaign for State Senate in 2002 lists three marina owners on Grand Lake, each giving $5,000: J. M. Mullen, Ugly Johns Custom Boats; Terry G. Frost, Businessman (Cherokee Yacht Club); and Joe Harwood, Arrowhead Yacht Club. Frost also serves on the GRDA Board of Directors. His term ends in August and Governor Henry will appoint a new board member to replace him.

Current GRDA Board Members Mike Cantrell of Ada and David J. Chernicky of Tulsa gave $1,000 each to Mary Easley's campaign in 2000 for a House seat; and a J. Chenicky (probably a spelling error) gave $2,000 to her campaign in 2002. Both board members have given $5,000 each to Regan's campaign this year and Chernicky alone has given a total of $82,500 to various candidates for 2006 elections, $57,000 of which was to Democrats.

Chernicky and Frost were appointed to the GRDA Board of Directors by Governor Henry; Cantrell by the President Pro Tem of the state Senate.

The campaign statistics are courtesy of Follow the Money, the Institute on Money in State Politics. (www.followthemoney.org)

Kevin Easley's Senate contributions in 2002 were made up largely of oil and gas industries, lawyers and lobbyists, electric utilities, mining, business associations, and miscellaneous Transport, according to the website. Individuals making contributions, in addition to the three marina owners on Grand Lake, were Robert I. Hartley of Vinita; Clay E. Hartley of Vinita, Joseph L. L. Parker of Tulsa; Skeith Andrews, Edmond, Michael O. Thompson, Oklahoma City, Richard D. Bogert, Oklahoma City, Harold H. Holden, Ardmore, and Tony Dark, Broken Arrow. Make note of these names as most of them show up again in 2006 as large contributors to Governor Brad Henry's campaign.

Frost and Harwood both contributed to the House campaign of Doug Cox in 2004, Frost donating $5,000 and Harwood donating $2,500. Frost lists his address in all of his donations listed on the web site as Pierre, S.D. Notable contributors to Doug Cox for 2006, running unopposed, were Terry Frost, $500, and Kevin Easley, $100. Cox's total campaign donations are currently $74,000 for 2006.

According to the web site, five current GRDA board members contributed to Brad Henry's run for Governor in 2002: Mike Cantrell, $5,000; James Frasier, $5,000; David Chernicky, $7,500 in three donations; Brent LaGere, $3500, and Janet Frost, wife of Terry Frost, $4,000.

On the list for Henry's 2006 contributors are David J Chernicky, $5,000; and four other names who were contributors to Easley's 2002 Senate campaign: Tony Dark, $5,000; Andrew Skeith, $5,000; Robert I. Hartley, $6,000; and Michael O Thompson, $1,500.

Also on Henry's donation list this year are Joe Harwood, $5,000 and John Mullen, $4,000.

So who will replace Terry Frost in August as GRDA board of director's member? Based on campaign contributions, if that is any factor, it will be Robert I. Hartley of Vinita, whose occupation is listed as "coal mining." He is President of Phoenix Coal Mining Co. and Phoenix Coal Sales, Inc.

GMSA Board Struggles Over Consultant Issue

Members of the Grove Municipal Services Authority, three of which also serve on the City Council and who voted to terminate City Manager Bill Galletly effective Oct. 10, find themselves in a quandary, facing supervision of a $7.5 million Highway 59 utility relocation and other associated public works.

"We have committed $7.5 million in taxpayer dollars for these projects to start this Fall and through Council actions, Galletly will no longer be here and we will lose these two years worth of knowledge," Terry Ryan said. "We need a guardian of this project who is protective of the community and the taxpayer, to see it is completed on time and on budget," he added. Once ODOT gives the go ahead for utility relocation, the city will have 300 calendar days to finish it or face substantial fines of up to $25,000 a day. Ryan is one of the five councilors who voted to terminate Galletly.

GMSA Board Chairman Pete Churchwell said "we will have no one with the city who can bird dog this project" while Mayor Carolyn Nuckolls said "this is a much bigger project than most people know and we need to put away personal feelings and do what's best for Grove." The agenda item in question was a one-year contract for Galletly to serve as consultant to GMSA on the project management. Councilman Larry Parham estimated the total value of the contract at $120,000 including salary, health benefits, taxes, car allowance, and contribution to the City Managers retirement system.

"I would rather see Galletly stay on as City Manager and not have to pay two people," Parham said, although after the meeting he said he would not vote to do so. Although the GMSA board clearly has the three votes to hire Galletly, they voted to table the issue on a motion by Craig Criger which passed 5-0. Ryan said he had been threatened with a lawsuit if he voted for the measure to hire Galletly. So the GMSA board and Council have a major decision ahead, whether to hire Galletly as consultant, someone else as consultant who does not have the knowledge of the several previous years work, keep Galletly on as City Manager for another year, or tell him to go away effective Oct. 10 and pay him for the rest of his contract. It was also pointed out that a new city manager may not be in place before ODOT gives the "go" on the project. Deadline for these applications is Aug. 31.

Insiders point out that hiring Galletly as GMSA consultant was all part of "the package" when he was terminated by City Council. It is clear that some members of the community want Galletly gone and out of town on Oct. 10, but it is unclear how the supervision of the $7.5 million project will be handled. And it has also been crystal clear that Galletly is the only person in city government that knows the details of these projects. A decision based on business, rather than emotion, is called for. Dragging out the decision is also unfair to Galletly, who needs to make plans for himself and ailing wife.

GMSA board members also:
--requested several property owners who want extensions of water or sewer lines to their properties to meet with Galletly to work out solutions.
--tabled action to deny a tort claim from Pete Crow regarding water damage to the interior of one of his empty buildings on Third Street which he says was caused by a water line leak. The claim is to be resubmitted and refiled with the insurance company.
--approved authorization to bid out for utility supplies for 2006-2007 inventory.
--awarded Mid America Company a bid for removal of the Water Plant Residuals not to exceed $550,000 gallons at .0275 per gallon.
--approved a lengthy bid list of items for supplies and materials for the Highway 59 project utilities relocations which Galletly said would be "dozens and dozens" of semi tractor truckloads coming in which would be stored and inventoried. Total amount was $1,641,000. Costs for water and sewer line relocations will be refunded by ODOT at a rate of 72%, with six per cent on gas, he said. The motion to approve passed 5-0.
--acknowledged approvals from DEQ regarding construction of the Grade School Stand Pipe, and construction of water and sewer lines for the new Walgreens store.

Council Exec Session Longer Than Regular Meeting

After almost 90 minutes in Executive Session, the Grove City Council agreed Tuesday night to provide a two percent per year cost of living increase to the City Manager, as they had previously awarded the City Treasurer position, but took no action on pending lawsuits by Earl Shero and Dale Metcalf against the city. It was clear they also discussed a potential issue with the Highway 59 utility relocations (see GMSA story).

In other action, council members disagreed as to whether or not a bike path should have been added to 18th street as part of the new construction. City Manager Bill Galletly said the cost, $48,000, was covered in the original bid and came from construction savings and Council had previously indicated they wanted the path. It had been deleted from the original construction contract. Councilman Larry Parham said Council should have had the option of voting to restore it and Councilman Gary Bishop echoed "I would want to be notified as a courtesy." Councilman Dave Helms said "would you feel better if the people in wheelchairs called you?" referring to Parham. Galletly said the new road would open within a week.

Council also:
--turned down a request 5-0 to waive the fee schedule for the Grove Civic Center for a Church of God conference in October, with Parham saying "it is time to stop giving away the civic center." Last year only $14,500 in revenue was achieved, with expenses running more than $115,000 plus debt service.
--Set a meeting date of Aug. 7 for a joint workshop session with the Grove Planning & Zoning Board on changes in ordinances on off street parking and storage of trailers, boats and motor homes.
--Awarded a contract of $75,000 to Garver Engineering for design of the three-lane extension of Shundi Road from 9th street to 3rd street, on a vote of 5-0, with Parham stating "this should be delayed until the next city manager comes in." Audience members pointed out that the current two-lane road is dangerous and it "would be ludicrous not to finish the project with all that is going on out there."
--Galletly congratulated members of the Grove Police, EMS, Fire and others from Monkey Island, Bernice and Hickory Grove for their efforts in evacuating the Grove Nursing Center Tuesday after a power failure severely affected the 80 residents.
--Galletly also praised the work of volunteers, city staff, the casino and Patricia Island Golf Course for a great job in hosting some 60 city managers from around the state at this year's Summer Retreat. "The city managers and their families were very pleased with the way our staff handled it and they were shown what a great community we have."

Solid Waste Inquiry Hits Solid Rock

The Grove Observer had received a tip that someone needed to look into the county's half-cent Solid Waste tax, how much money comes in, and where it is spent. No mistake about it, this is a lot of money, $1.3 million according to the county treasurer's office.

And so we went looking for numbers. We inquired at the county clerk's office of Carol Fortner and were told to see the County Treasurer's office, which then sent us back to the County Clerk's office. No mileage was paid.

So we started over. The treasurer's office then provided us with handwritten numbers showing a total of $1,384,038.78 collected for the last fiscal year which ended June 30, 2006. We then went to Carol Fortner, who huddled with Bruce Poindexter, County Commissioner, and provided us with a summary showing a budget for Solid Waste Cash Fund of $2,174,326.07. Total spent was $1,738,887.48 according to the report. It was clear that a CPA would be required to figure out the difference in numbers and we asked to see where the money was spent.

This resulted in the printing of a 99 page report, but according to Fortner, Poindexter said The Observer would have to pay 25 cents a page for it. The Open Records Act says government can charge no more than 25 cents a page, but it doesn't say anything about mandatory charges, and most other area reporters are not charged. Being a non-profit news source, we didn't have $25 on us so we didn't get the report.

Then a very strange thing happened. Four days later there appeared in the Grove Sun Daily a lengthy story on the history of the Solid Waste Department, all 37 column inches of it. It was what PR biz people refer to as a "puff piece." In all of the 37 column inches there were no figures cited, just the "vision" history and what a great program it is and how the county commissioners dating back to 1985 started the program and how the current commissioners today have a "growing vision for Solid Waste."

So who really wrote the story? According to sources, it was written by Fran Bullard, a secretary in the Solid Waste Department who reports to Larry Burris, General Manager of the department. And, it was written as a result of The Grove Observer's inquiry into revenue and costs for the department, the source says. It is nice that Solid Waste employees have time to issue press releases.

Maybe Reporter Fran can write another story, this one regarding revenue and costs, on a department that gets twice the money as the Sheriff's office. The taxpayers have a right to know, even in an election year.

The Canine Corner...by Missy MacTavish

Sad to say, you can't see my photo this week but trust me, I am a dog. I have been on vacation the past several weeks due to stress and itchy feet so I have been unable to provide my usual column.
The reason my picture is not here is that our wireless connection at Green Country Internet is not working. Their billing service is working, as we get a bill for $49 each month for no service. Our neighbor down the street gets service, but pays only $30 since Wavelynx is giving Green Country competition from the radio on the Vista Towers on Monkey Island.
Makes sense to me: Pay $49 for no service, or $30 for good service. It's the American Way.
I am going to start my own internet service, called Dog Do. It will be for dogs only, however, and you won't be able to translate the barking sounds into words. You will be treated politely, if you call, and given help if you need it, and not overcharged for not having service. What an idea.
In the meantime, Bark On! and be nice to your pet…Miss Missy

Observations...

Carnival Cruise Lines is installing wi-fi on all of its ship's public areas, which means you can sit on deck in your swim trunks with a laptop or Blackberry and access the Internet. Imagine doing that in the middle of the ocean. Can Grand Lake be far behind?...Three fire trucks responded to a grass fire at Patricia Island Tuesday. Cause of the fire, according to the Grove Fire Department, was "a controlled burn that got out of control" with golf course workers burning old brush and tree limbs. Pumper trucks had to be used since there are no fire hydrants nearby…Zebra Mussels have been found in Ketchum Cove on Grand Lake, says GRDA's Dr. Darrell Townsend. It is believed they are coming from fishermen's boats which have been in other infested lakes...DA Candidate Eddie Wyant has raised more than $100,000 for his campaign which ends next Tuesday, according to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission web site. Large contributors to his campaign include Terry Frost, Joe Harwood, and John Mullen, $1,000 each; Ed Townsend $5,000; Karl Blade $5,000; Pat Dwyer $2000; Scott Gallagher, $1,500; Art Couch, $1,000...Some 13-14 resumes have been received at City Hall for the position of City Manager. Deadline for application is Aug. 31...

Letters to the Editor...

Dear Editor:

The insanity continues. Since moving to the Grand Lake area six years ago, I have watched (with amusement) the antics of the Grove City Council and City Manager along with the GRDA's "mis"management of the lake.

My amusement has broken out to downright laughter after reading in this publication that the GRDA has chosen the "Lake Bum" to help improve their image. It certainly makes sense to me. I know that if I had an organization such as the GRDA, one which desperately needed an improved image, I would certainly hire an outspoken proponent for alcoholism to represent me. After all, when viewed through the veil of a drunken stupor, things don't look so bad. So, let's all join the "Bum" on the poop deck and hoist a tall drink to the GRDA for another comedic effort at management of the lake.

Thinking along the same lines, perhaps the Grove City Council might want to check the Lake Bum's availability for City Manager. I mean, if you are going to be presenting a comedy routine on a regular basis, why not have a city manager that could lead the city with a Foster Brooks (no relation to this writer) attitude? Not only would I attend each and every council meeting, I would pay good money to watch it.

Thanks to the GRDA for another great laugh!

Morris Brooks
Grove, Ok

A Matter of Faith...

By Carol Round

FORGIVENESS IS A CHOICE

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14 (NIV)

As legend goes, a now-famous feud began with a dispute over the ownership of a hog. The feud escalated and lives were lost on both sides.

The battle between the Hatfields and McCoys continued for 12 years until they agreed to disagree. But it wasn’t until June 14, 2003, that descendants of both sides signed a truce though the conflict had ended a century earlier.

Lewis B. Smedes, author and professor, once said: “If we wait too long to forgive, our rage settles in and claims squatter’s rights to our souls.”

Four months before the last of my Dad’s three brothers succumbed to cancer, I wanted my father to reconcile with him. A family dispute five years earlier had left my Dad bitter and he had refused to talk to my Uncle Joe ever since.

But my uncle was dying. I knew Dad would regret it if he did not make peace with the past. Before my uncle’s death, he and my father spent many hours together talking about their childhood among other things. They never mentioned the rift but my father was grateful for the nudge I gave him to move toward forgiveness.

Numerous scientific studies tout the benefits to our health when we forgive those who have wronged us. Chronic anger and stress are almost unavoidable consequences of an unwillingness to forgive—and both are toxic to our physical and emotional health.

Just before Christmas last year, I was led to purchase a book for a friend who was bitter about his wife’s betrayal and their subsequent divorce. Although they had been divorced for almost three years, he could not forgive her.

As I browsed through the various books at a Christian bookstore, I asked the owner for suggestions, explaining the reasons for my search. I wanted to find a book for my friend that would help him to begin the journey to freedom and eventual healing.

When the saleswoman made the following statement, I asked her to write it down: “When I forgave, I set a prisoner free. Then I realized the prisoner was me.”

Before I mailed the book to my friend, I wrote those words along with the following scripture from Matthew 6:14 on the inside cover: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Author Catherine Ponder once said, “When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.”

We, as followers of Christ, are a forgiven people but the Bible also makes it clear that we are to be forgiving people. Forgiving someone who has wronged us is not easy but it is the only way we can be free to be the person that God intends us to be.

Whom do you need to forgive? Forgiveness is a choice and a gift we give to ourselves.


Carol Round is a former Jay High School teacher who now resides in Claremore, OK. She may be reached at carolaround@yahoo.com.

This Week's Restaurant Review...

By Sam Smithers
This week the decision was made to go by boat to one of Grand Lake's seaside restaurants, which has been in business for a long time, located in West Bay. I seated myself beside one of the outdoor fans on the deck in an effort to keep cool, and ordered the barbecue sandwich.
It comes with a choice of sides, but I asked the waitperson if I could have French fries instead of potato salad and she said no problem. The barbecue brisket was tough and had some fat in it that should have been trimmed off and the fries were the usual frozen/fried kind.
The check arrived and the French fries were $2.25 extra; when I questioned this with the waitperson, to check with the longtime manager, she came back and said "it says on the menu that substitutions are extra so that's how come you got charged." So for just over $12.00 you get sandwich, fries and tea. No relief there. Then she brought my change from a $20 bill, and it was 70 cents short. Maybe you get charged for asking questions.
Onward and upwards to the next seaside restaurant.