City Council Holds Special Session

Members of the Grove City Council gathered at the unusual hour of 8 a.m. Thursday to hear updates from City Manager Bill Galletly on a variety of projects currently underway in the city, including the bad news that ODOT has delayed the start of construction on the Highway 59 widening project until 2008.

Randall White, ODOT District Engineer, had told Grove Rotary members Wednesday that the project would not begin until 2008; it had previously been predicted to have been finished by Spring 2008. "It keeps slipping," Galletly told Council. The utility relocations were to have been finished by Oct. 2006, but now it is Oct 2007. "We have only three years to spend the project money for utility relocations under IRS arbitrage law," Galletly said. Bids for the utility relocation project will be opened Sept. 14 and the city will have 300 days to complete the project once begun.

Council heard of plans to call for a city election in April to determine if funding can be obtained for a new Aquatic Park, and voter approval of the sale of the Grove Civic Center. These items would be placed on the ballot with the city council election in April, when three seats come up. The Aquatic center item will be on next Tuesday's Council Agenda. The Aquatic center concept will be developed prior to the election so voters can be informed on the details.

Bids on the trash collection service for Grove will be opened Sept. 15, Galletly said, and it appears the city will go to once a week collection instead of the current twice a week plan.

Galletly said some downtown merchants are divided on when the Downtown Revitalization work should start, which would eliminate parking on the entire north side of Third Street for a block. "There isn't any ideal time for this, if we don't start soon we will be into the wet winter months. We will take all steps to minimize the inconvenience to both merchants and shoppers," he said.

Galletly brought the Council up to date on such projects as the Cherokee Street relocation of power poles, getting a bid from Verizon's construction company to take down the current cell tower near the Grade School, improvements at 13th and Main intersection providing for three lanes on 13th, new 4-way stop signs at 18th and Sumac, and others.

Another important item to be on Council's plate Tuesday is the selection of another Airport Board trustee to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Max Schuermann.
Also, the matter of the new cemetery site selection will come up.

Editorial...Grove's Gas Prices

Why Gasoline Prices Vary

Last week the price of gasoline in Grove was $2.85 at nearly all of Grove's stations. This week, it varies from $2.65 to $2.72. In Tulsa, by midweek, the pump price had dropped to $2.59 and still dropping. We wondered why, so we spoke with a Grove gasoline wholesaler on how the system works.

Wayne Gould, marketing manager of Arkansas Valley Petroleum east of Grove, explained that his company distributes all brands of gasoline except for Shell, at this time. Gasoline prices are determined by a variety of circumstances, before the product ever reaches the retail service station.

First are the New York Energy Traders who bid on oil futures, frequently upset by such things as potential hurricanes, wars, terrorist threats, oil company shutdowns, Alaska pipeline closings, and more. Next in line are the oil company refineries which take the crude oil and convert it into several grades of gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil products, and more.
The refineries in Ponca City and Houston, for example, then ship the product via pipeline to Terminals; the nearest terminal facilities to Grove are in Coffeyville, Ks. and Tulsa.

This is where the price starts to affect your pocketbook. Wholesalers, such as Arkansas Valley Petroleum, order the retail gasoline stations' supplies from the terminals, shipped in 8,000 gallon tanker trucks. Arkansas Valley keeps a small supply on hand in its own tanks to service farmers and other customers. It makes one cent a gallon for handling the product. The price it pays the Terminal varies every hour of the day and they keep checking constantly for the lowest prices. Wednesday the wholesale price in Tulsa was $2.31.

So you take the wholesale price and add a penny for the wholesaler profit, plus 35.4 cents per gallon for Federal and State taxes, plus freight of 3-5 cents a gallon to deliver to the retailer, plus 1-2 cents freight surcharge for the additional cost of fuel for the truck, plus 5-7 cents a gallon profit for the retailer. This gets you to about $2.76 per gallon retail.

Then there is the issue of Allocation. The various Terminals limit shipments from particular terminals, based on their supplies. Obviously, the tighter the supply, the higher the cost. If a refinery shuts down, then the supply pipelined to the Terminal obviously is cut. Gould says they try to buy from a variety of Terminals to get the best prices.

The retail station markup is driven by competition, says Gould, and the incentive is to keep the volume up. "Without volume, a station will go out of business." Unless of course, they offer full services such as lube, oil change, and tire sales, which explains why one Grove station nearly always has the highest prices for gasoline. Conversely, a station which sells groceries and other merchandise can cut the cost per gallon a few cents since it can be made up elsewhere in the store. The low volume, gas-only station is in trouble these days.

So why are gas prices in Bartlesville or Tulsa always lower than Grove? Bartlesville is close to Coffeyville, Ks. where a Terminal is located, cutting freight costs; Tulsa is also a source for major pipelines, refineries, and Terminals; Bartlesville is equidistant from Ponca City and Tulsa, offering competition. So if freight is 5-7 cents a gallon less, stations can afford to sell the end product at 5-7 cents a gallon less.

Prices at Grove gas stations should usually vary up to five cents a gallon, provided the owners don't get together and decide over coffee each morning to keep them all the same, which is considered illegal price fixing and anti-trust activity. Stations also have the option to sell below cost, to maintain their volume and stay in business, at least on a temporary basis.

And customers have the option of filling up elsewhere.

Grove motorists should pay attention to the local pump prices and consider going out of town whenever all of the local prices are the same, and 15-20 cents higher than elsewhere.

Boating Accident Still Offers Questions

It was about 1:30 a.m. July 30, on a dark night in the main lake between Drowning Creek and Duck Creek when two boats converged on each other, speed unknown, in what would become a violent collision. Neither driver could see the other due to a third boat in the vicinity, according to GRDA reports.

In a 1985 Formula 272LS, heading out of Drowning Creek to the North, were Jason L. Bandy, 35, of Tulsa, the driver; and passengers Murray McGarvey, 35, of Brunswick, Ga; Justin B. Doolin, 34, of Manford, and Tracie A. LaGere, 35, Oklahoma City. Doolin was listed as the boat owner, which was kept in a private dock in Grays Hollow. Bandy was later evacuated by air ambulance to St. John's Hospital in Tulsa, according to the GRDA accident report.

In a 2000 Sea Ray 280 headed towards Drowning Creek was John Special, 53, of Stillwater. GRDA reports do not identify any passengers in the boat.
GRDA accident reports show that the boat driven by Special hit the Formula in the starboard side towards the rear, knocking McGarvey out of the boat. The state medical examiner has reported the cause of death as "multiple chop injuries" and the manner of his death as accidental.

A third boat, driven by Ken Chambers, with two passengers aboard, Lance Miller and Dee O'Neal, all of Edmond, witnessed the accident, according to GRDA reports.

McGarvey's body did not float to the surface until Aug. 14 when it was observed by GRDA helicopter pilot Bob Billingsley. Sources say it was minus a head and one leg. Also involved in the investigation were the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Delaware County District Attorney's office.

According to news reports, GRDA Board Member David Chernicky is a close friend of Special's. They reportedly live a mile from each other on Duck Creek.
According to John Special's corporate website, Special Energy Corporation, he, Chris McCutchen, and Chernicky created a new company, New Dominion LLC in July 1998. That relationship ended in April 2002, according to the web site.
According to news reports, Chernicky says that Special sustained severe lacerations in the crash, left the scene, flew his private plane to Stillwater and got 37 stitches to his face. He says that Sunday afternoon Special returned to Grand Lake and reported the accident to GRDA. Both Special and Chernicky keep their boats on Duck Creek. After the accident, GRDA searched for the missing boat (Special's) for a couple of days.

Still, questions prevail. Why would an injured person requiring 37 stitches fly himself to Stillwater instead of getting treatment at Grove hospital? And what was he doing all by himself in a boat at 1:30 a.m.? Were both boats lighted? How fast were they going? Why isn't the Lake Patrol answering details?

Special has a long list of traffic violations, and even an arrest by the GRDA Lake Patrol in August 2005 for "operating a vessel in a manner not reasonable and proper." The arresting officer was Lake Patrolman Carlson, the same officer that investigated this year's boat collision. Special pled guilty in September, 2005, to that offense, according to Oklahoma District Court Records.

According to the Oklahoma State Courts Network web site, Special was arrested on 10 different occasions from November 1994 to September 2005 for traffic violations in Payne County. And according to the Oklahoma District Court Records web site, he had additional arrests for speeding in Oklahoma, Lincoln, Pawnee, and Cleveland counties from June 1999 to August 2000. In one case in January 1999, he was arrested for speeding 90 mph in a 75 mph zone in Lincoln County, according to District Court Records.

According to the GRDA accident report, neither driver could see the other, "both driver's view of each other blocked by vessel "A" (the witness boat) and had alcohol," says the report.

The GRDA lake patrol is referring all questions regarding the incident to the GRDA Legal Department, which itself is offering no answers other than what is contained in the accident report.

Additional answers to the many questions surrounding this incident will have to wait. One source said the lake patrol office has been filled with attorneys lately.

Eighth Annual Fiddle Camp Set for Labor Day Weekend

The Eighth Annual Jana Jae Fiddle Camp and Music Festival will bring musicians and entertainment to the Grand Lake area over the Labor Day Weekend.

Friday and Saturday evening events are free to the public, held at Snider’s Camp, located just south of Grove on the beautiful banks of Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. Great food and great entertainment highlight the evenings, beginning at 6:30 p.m. All acoustic musicians are welcome, several outstanding groups will perform, and dinner is $5 a plate, with delicious barbeque on Friday night and a fish fry on Saturday night. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the camaraderie, entertainment and exciting jam sessions.

The Amateur Fiddle Contest highlights the evening on Saturday and is always great fun for all. For those not enrolled in the Fiddle Camp, registration for this contest is $5 with cash awards going to the top three winners in each of the six divisions, Open, Senior, Adult, Junior, Jr. Jr. and Pee Wee. To register for the contest or the Fiddle Camp, call 918-786-8896, 800-526-2523. or register online at www.grandlakefestivals.com

Daytime fiddle workshops will be held at the Grove Civic Center on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All ages and levels of ability are welcome. Approximately 20 outstanding fiddle coaches will demonstrate and teach various music styles including Celtic, contest, old-time, bluegrass and swing. In addition, Russ Weeks will conduct a mandolin workshop Saturday at 12:30 and Dennis Neff will conduct a “Fiddlin’ with a Computer” workshop Saturday at 12:30, with demonstrations on how to use the computer musically to vary tempo, instrumentation, add additional instruments, record CD’s for practice sessions plus other helpful techniques. There will be other very interesting and entertaining sessions as the participants learn to play in jams, put on a successful performances, compete in contests, handle stage fright, play harmony for twin or triple fiddles and much more. All participants will take part in the Fiddle Camp finale on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. The public is welcome at any time. Admission is free to all events.

This Festival is made possible by volunteers of Grand Lake Festivals, Inc., many local and area sponsors, the area media, with the assistance of the Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. This special event makes the work of learning become fun as the participants share their talents with each other and the spectators. Held at the Grove Civic Center Sat. and Sun., Sept. 2 and 3, and at Snider’s Camp Fri. and Sat. evenings, Sept 1 and 2.
Call 918-786-8896 for information or visit our website at www.grandlakefestivals.com

Schedule of Events —
Jana Jae Fiddle Camp & Music Fest
September 1, 2, & 3 2006
Special entertainment at various times throughout the weekend.
Bring your lawn chairs to Snider’s Camp, audience seating provided at the Civic Center.

FRIDAY, Sept 1 – at Snider’s Camp – Free Admission
6:30 p.m. Barbecue Dinner ($5 a plate)
Kick-off Party & Special Entertainment
Jam with old & new friends--enjoy!

SATURDAY, Sept. 2 - at Grove Civic Center
9:00 a.m. Registration
10:00-4:00 p.m. Group sessions
with Master demonstrations
and Group performances
12:30 Mandolin Workshop with Russ Weeks
“Fiddlin’ with a Computer” Workshop with Dennis Neff

SATURDAY, Sept 2 – at Snider’s Camp – Free Admission
6:30 p.m. Fish Fry Dinner - $5
Special Entertainment
8:00 p.m. AMATEUR FIDDLE CONTEST
10:00 p.m. Jamming

SUNDAY, Sept. 3 – at Grove Civic Center
10:00-4:00 p.m. Group sessions
with Master demonstrations
and Group Performances
3:30 p.m. Farewell Jam

Letters to the Editor...

To The Editor:

High speed internet access for rural America has been and continues to be an elusive animal. In rural areas, it is impossible to obtain affordable high speed access. The key word here is "affordable". Cable and satellite companies do provide this service but their costs are in the clouds. In some areas, residents do have access to phone company DSL lines. The DSL lines cost a little more than regular dial-up but their price range (usually less than $30/month) is affordable. The problem with DSL is that the phone companies are not willing to install these lines in rural areas due to a low return on investment.

In many towns across America, the problem of trying to obtain high speed internet access has been solved through a community effort. The answer was to install a wireless system wherein the entire community benefited. These systems are operated on a non-profit basis making internet access very affordable for everyone in the community.

When I first learned that Grove was considering installing a wireless system for the benefit of the community, I was thrilled to say the least. After suffering with low speed service for so long, the thought of being able to have high speed access at an affordable price was wonderful. However, my excitement was short lived. The proposed system would have provided this service for around $25/month according to the city manager. Of course this meant the city council would have to make some decisions and step up to the plate in order to get the ball rolling. As usual, they needed to "think about it". Well, apparently these mental giants have once again decided to pass the buck and do nothing and as usual, the community suffers.

At this time, Precision Communications has taken advantage of the councils inability to act, and seized on the opportunity to make a buck (or $40.00 depending on where you live) by installing their version of a wireless network. Unfortunately, this system will remain un-affordable for a great many of the citizens of our community, including me. What a shame, or should I say "Shame on you, city council" for failing once again to serve the citizens of our community.

Morris Brooks
Grove, OK.

Taste of Grand Includes Variety of Cuisine

As the date quickly approaches for Taste of Grand, an impressive number of restaurants continue to pledge their support by participating in the areas largest and best food and wine tasting event. In its fourth year, Taste of Grand has grown to include over 14 restaurants and caterers from all over Grand Lake.

The spectacular event will take place on September 9 at 6:00 p.m. at the INTEGRIS Medical Plaza located at 900 E. 13th St. in Grove.
The $75 dollar ticket price is a bargain considering the long list of participating restaurants and caterers including the following: Armando’s Mexican Restaurant, Augusto's Green Sauce, Candy Kitchen & Java Daves, Charlie’s Chicken & BBQ, Cowskin Prairie, El Vallarta, Golden House, IGGH Food Services, Juan Montez, La Casita De Hoovers, Paparazzi's, Raggedy's, Royal Bay, Shebang's, Stovalls Classic Catering. Sweet Sensations is catering the pre-party for event sponsors and Timbered-Inn Catering is providing margaritas.
Les Goodman with Les’s Liquor and Wine has been working for months to coordinate an impressive presentation of wines and beer for Taste of Grand guests to sample. Kristi Middleton is the Chairperson of Taste of Grand and can’t say enough about Les. “There are two things that make our event a wonderful evening for our guests, great food and fabulous wine. We discovered during our early years of planning this event we needed someone with expertise and contacts in the wine business to pull this event off. Everyone in our area knows Les and turns to him for advice on wine and spirits. What we didn’t know is that professionals in the wine and spirit industry ALSO turn to Les for advice. We want to offer our guests an exquisite experience. Les’s Liquor stocks over 400 bottles of wine and we knew know one was more qualified than Les to advise us on fine wine. Each year we’ve held this event, our guests have raved about the selection of wines. We owe it all to Les Goodman. I know this year will be another stellar presentation of wine, beer and spirits.”
Taste of Grand is sponsored by the following: Major Event Sponsor: Bank of Grove, Event Booster: Grand River Abstract, Band Sponsor: Grand Savings Bank, Event Supporters: AEP Public Service Company, Charlie Wallace - Merrill Lynch, Dr. Chouteau - Family Care Specialist, Good Shepherd Hospice, Grove Dental Associates, Professional Properties/Shundi Professional Center, Sodexo. Wine and Spirit Coordinator: Les Goodman - Les’s Liquor.

Tickets are available at all local banks for $75 each. For more information about the event or sponsorship please contact Kristi Middleton at 787-3855.

A Matter of Faith...

By Carol Round

Pay attention and grow wise, for I am giving you good guidance. Don't turn away from my teaching. Proverbs 4:1-2 NLT

When I taught school, I learned many valuable lessons.

I may not have realized it at the time, but I was a student as well as a teacher.
College may give you the tools you need to teach but only through experience can you learn wisdom.

When I recall my first few years of teaching, I am amazed that I survived 30 years. The first class of teenagers I taught was determined to run me off. Thank goodness, they didn’t succeed—but they sure gave it their best try.

Thinking back on those early years of teaching makes me realize how unprepared I was to handle the responsibility entrusted to me. Facing a classroom full of 16 to 18-year-olds when I was not much older—I was 21—can be intimidating.

College classes require you to regurgitate information to get your teaching certificate. On-the-job experience is what makes or breaks you as a teacher.

I stood bravely in front of a classroom of young people who were required by law to be present. Some were there to learn. Others were not.

I instructed. I lectured. I challenged. I prodded. I tested. I even stooped to begging to get those who didn’t care to work harder, just so they could pass my class. I tried everything I knew to get those who would rather be anywhere but sitting in a school desk to take responsibility for their education.

With each new school year, I grew and my students benefited. I wanted to do better. I expected the same from my students.

In 1975, my journalism students had access to eight manual typewriters. The following year, we were excited to acquire six electric ones. Then, sometime in the early 80s, computers were introduced in our school system. We had one computer in our journalism class—and we hadn’t heard of the Internet yet.

My students still gathered facts for their stories with face-to-face interviews and good old-fashioned library research. No surfing the net for information or interviews via email.

I left the classroom in 1992 to become a library media specialist. I had new things to learn. I had the certification, but I needed hands-on experience so I could teach the skills required for students to be successful.

When the Internet became a daily part of library research at our school, I found myself once again in student mode. How could I teach what I didn’t know?

Our spiritual life is the same. We have the information available to us through the Bible and other resources. As a student, we must read and study the scripture. Then, we have to put it into practice by sharing with others what we’ve learned.

I started a 34-week evening Bible study class at my church recently. We won’t finish the course until next spring but we will have covered the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Wisdom takes time. God is your teacher.

Are you paying attention? You will have a final test.


Carol Round is a former Jay High School journalism teacher who now resides in Claremore. Readers can contact her at carolaround@yahoo.com.

Ethanol Blended Gas Could Ruin Your Boat Engine

Boating magazines these days are talking about the pitfalls of using gasoline containing ethanol, which could wreck havoc on boat engines and fuel systems. The fuel, called E-10, is ok for cars because most autos are run continuously. The problem for boats is when winterization occurs in the Fall and most people fill up their tanks. Fortunately, use of this product by Grand Lake marinas has not occurred as yet, sources say.

Brian Stengel, Service Manager at Arrowhead on Grand Lake, says E-10 is not a problem as long as it is used continuously, but it should not be stored in fuel tanks over the winter months as it will cause damage to the gas tank, fuel filters, fuel lines, etc. The problem is that Ethanol absorbs water, which when combined with fuel causes phase separation…a top layer of low-octane gas and a bottom layer of water-saturated ethanol. Water contaminated fuel can cause your engine to run badly or not at all, when you start up in the Spring.

MercCruiser says the fuel can be used, but accompanies the OK with caveats. Boat owners should always check with the lake marinas prior to filling up the tank and verify if the fuel contains ethanol or not. According to Neil Sweeney with Retail Fuels Marketing in Tulsa, ethanol is not currently being used in Oklahoma and especially not at marinas for boats due to the problems associated with it. However, it will be sold at highway service stations early next year, he says. Some stations in Texas area already using it. So if you are one of those who trailer your boat and fill up at highway stations, be careful.

Observations...

City Manager Bill Galletly drew huge laughter when speaking to the Grove Rotary Club at Wednesday's meeting. "As most of you know, I am the current city manager," he said. "I am also the former city manager."...The Observer hopes that the next appointment to the Grove Airport Trust Authority Board will be someone who regularly uses the airport as a pilot, knows about aviation matters, and is not part of either side of previous disputes over land title...
Every boating accident involving a fatality recently has involved late night activites and alcohol.
Hopefully this Labor Day weekend people can go to bed early and stay off the lake after midnight. Frankly anyone out driving a boat in the middle of the night is just asking for trouble...
People are just now getting used to making postings on The Observer and it is great to see this finally happening, as witnessed by postings in the past three weeks. Keep it up!

8th Annual Cotner Memorial Tournament Set

Grove General Hospital Foundation Board and Lion's Club member Dean Mills displays his "Dog" attire at the Foundation's golf tournament. The Lion's Club donates the hot dogs/links every year.

The 8th annual Cotner Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, September 9, 9:00 a.m. at the Patricia Island Golf Course. Cost per player is only $85.00 which includes cart, green fees, free beverages, courtesy of Miller Lite and Wheatley Vending, free hot dogs, courtesy of Dean Mills and the Grove Lions Club and a pork loin lunch, courtesy of First National Bank and served by Harry Wallace Worley and Ray Hall.

All proceeds from the tournament go to the Quality Improvement Grant fund.

All employees of INTEGRIS Grove General Hospital can apply annually for grants that would increase the quality of patient care at INTEGRIS Grove, but not duplicate efforts being done within the hospital. The Foundation provides for items and equipment normally unavailable in a timely manner through other sources and does not support the annual operating expenses of previously running programs.
To date, over $70,000.00 has been given back to INTEGRIS Grove for various educational programs and medical equipment.
For more information, please contact Debbie Totty at 918-787-3464.

Nautical Flea Market Scheduled for September 16-17

Members of the Grand Lake Sail & Power Squadron will hold a Nautical Flea Market Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16-17 at the Pelican Landing. Hours are 8 -5 p.m. Saturday and 10-4 p.m. Sunday. Some 15 vendors/marinas are currently committed plus others donating items to sell. Food and drinks will be available at the site.

Bill Skea, member, said "we want individuals to come to this event to buy a boat or marine equipment, as well as life jackets, beach wear, knick knacks, etc. These items will be priced for end of the season sales. In addition we are encouraging individuals to buy space to sell their personal boat or jet ski (or other nautical equipment). The cost is $30 for a 12' x 12' space or $50 for a 12' x 24' space.

Current vendor's committed include:

Harbors View Marina/Marine Max
Kings Marine
Southwinds Marina
Indian Hills Marina
TeraMiranda Marina
Honey Creek Landing
Basey's Bluebell Designs
Gene's Marine & Salvage
Elk River Marina
ABC Concessions
Cherokee Wood Boat Repair
Grand Outdoors