Council Has Quick, Routine Meeting

The Grove City Council meeting this week was quick and routine, with councilors approving a new appointee to the Grove Industrial Development Authority Board, dissolving the Blue Ribbon Committee which assisted council on the new aquatic park and civic center project, and approval of closing 18th Street from Broadway to Main for REC Day Sept. 15.

Don Nelson of Grove was appointed by council to GIDA; he spent 35 years with SBC and eight years with the Oklahoma Tax Commission. There were a total of four persons that applied for the open position, which fills the spot left by the resignation of Terry Ryan last month.

At the request of the Blue Ribbon Committee, it was dissolved with the thanks of the council, having completed its work on a new swimming pool and new community center to replace the old Civic Center on Main Street. The committee recommended the building of a "no-frills" pool costing about $3 million; and purchasing the Cornerstone Church with additions, and selling the old Civic Center.
(see related story..."After the Blue Ribbon Committee.")

Council also approved Grand Gateway's proposal to relocate the Pelivan Transit Dispatch Center to the Grove Senior Citizen's Center at 145 East O'Daniel Parkway.

Councilman Terry Ryan brought up the fact that former police chief Ivan Devitt's severance check did not come before Council, similar to the moving expenses being paid by the city for the new Planning & Zoning Director, an issue which was questionned by Council at one of its meetings noting the authority of the city manager, at that time Bill Galletly, to write checks without council approval.
Ryan said it was unfair to complain about one check, and not another, depending on who the city manager was at the time.

Grove Hospital Trust OK's $1 Million Request

Members of the Grove Healthcare Trust Authority approved a resolution to support the building campaign of a new $56 million hospital, by committing $1 million from the city, payable over a five-year period at $200,000 per year. The measure will now go to the Grove City Council for action.
The first payment would be made by Dec. 31, 2007, with the final payment Dec. 31, 2011. "In-kind" donations by the city such as utility services would be deducted from the $1 million cash donated by the city.
Greg Martin, Integris Grove Hospital President, told members of the trust authority the hospital would like to have a total of $5 million in local committments by December or January. He said that the total committed to date is "more than halfway there."
The new hospital will be state of the art, replacing the current 43-year-old facility, with all-private patient rooms and amenities, more surgical facilities, additional physicians, and a new emergency department with additional treatment rooms.
Integris Grove currently employs approximately 350 people with an economic imnpact for the city of more than $12 million annually; more than $1.8 million each year is returned to the community in the form of charity care, would would amount to more than $9 million over the five years of city contributions.
HKS Architects, headquartered in Dallas, is designing the new facility. Among its clients are the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tx; the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston; Seattle Childrens Hospital; George Washington University Hospital; the AA Center in Dallas, Los Ventanos in Los Cabos; J.C. Penny Headquarters in Frisco, Tx; and The Beacon Development in San Francisco.
The firm has offices in 12 cities including Oklahoma City.
The new building will face 18th Street in Grove. A request to hospital officials for a photo of the renderings was refused.

After the Blue Ribbon Committee...What's Next?

(Editors Note: We sat down with Councilman Larry Parham for a three-hour interview this week, to learn one councilman's reaction to the Blue Ribbon Committee's report on a new swimming pool and new community center, and what will be done. Here is some of what we learned)

--On building a new swimming pool: "I want one; I hope we can get it built next year, and at a cost of $1-1.5 million, not $3 million as reported by the Committee. I would like to see it built out East near the Rotary Park and other park facilities. It will be a simple no-frills pool, one that can be expanded as time goes on. We need a new pool; the old pool in the State Park is something that is outdated. I would think the city could find the funds now to build it."

--On selling the current Civic Center: "I will not support a vote on selling the Civic Center at this time because we don't yet know the true cost of replacing it. The devil is in the details." Parham says the numbers presented in the Committee report are seriously underestimated and the true cost of doing what the Committee recommends would damage the city, to a tune of a $17.1 million deficit... He is opposed to buying the Cornerstone Church and instead suggested a different route if the money is available: Sell only the parking lot at the existing Center, update and overhaul the current Center, buy land north of the Center for expansion with an auditorium and small meeting rooms, and enlarge the parking area to the north. The old parking lot could be sold to a developer for construction of a small strip center and new restaurants.

--If an ad valorum tax is passed to build a $10 million community center, it would cost homeowners $170 per $100,000 real valuation every year for 20 years, and he opposes that. There has to be another way, he said "but if the citizens want it that is what we will do."

--He said new city manager Bruce Johnson is working on a new Five-Year Plan that will outline the city's needs in order of importance, which Parham said could include expansion of the wastewater treatment plant and water treatment plant, new community center, new swimming pool, road and street resurfacing, water meter replacement program, and more. "We have to get our priorities straight," he said.

Parham said he appreciated the hard work the Committee put into its study and recommendations but some of the numbers were incorrect. But first, he said "we need to stop giving away rentals for the Civic Center. We need some cash flow to at least pay some of the operating costs."

He said the Committee errored in its estimate of cost to build a 50,000 square foot tip up concrete facility adjacent to the Cornerstone Church…"they left out costs for electricity, plumbing, security and other details," he said. He said the true cost of purchasing the church would work out to $2,085,000 instead of $1,835, 000. "We can't get loans for 40 years, which the Committee said; the maximum is 20 years on a new pool; the widening of 18th Street from Broadway to Main was not included, which would cost $500,000.
The church additions cannot be built for $30 per square foot, which is what the Committee estimated, he said, and the total cost to finance the church purchase and additions would come to $5,834,000 instead of $5,584,000 with the net purchase price of the church being $2,805,000 instead of $1.835, 000.

Parham has spent days analyzing the numbers and has pages of figures to prove them.

He says we would have an annual payment of $462,000 at 5% interest over 20 years, for the church purchase and additions, instead of $359,713 at 5% over 30 years, with a total of principal and interest of $9,240,436 over 20 years. "Do we really want to spend that much money?" he asks.
He also disputes that income from the new community center would cover utilities, housekeeping and minor maintenance repairs, calling that "a stretch."

"My number one issue with the Committee's report is the Committee's estimates on cannibalization of other retailers, estimated by the Committee at 65%. It should be 90%, meaning only 10% new business from the stores in the old Center area. "The math does not work," Parham said.

On the pool portion of the Committee's report, he said the shortage to the city budget in paying for a new pool could be as much as $669,588 instead of $94,241, since the pool cannot be financed for 40 years. Actual principal and interest at 20 years would be $237,576 instead of $152,704 and we would have a loss on the new pool as well.

Parham says ultimately the flaws in the figures make it impossible to proceed at this time with the Committee recommendations, although he says he definitely wants a new pool and new community meeting facilities.

The city has now spent more than $100,000 in outside consultant studies on the civic center and swimming pool issues, plus the 10 months work by the Blue Ribbon Committee.

Guide for Selecting a County Commissioner

The County Commissioner election for District 2 is next Tuesday (Democratic Primary) and seven candidates are running. Do you know who would make the best commissioner? The following guide may be helpful:
What kind of background do I need to run for county commissioner?

County commissioners in Oklahoma come from a variety of backgrounds. Teachers, farmers, ranchers, and business people have all been elected county commissioners. No particular job experience or education is known to be the best preparation for success as commissioner. Familiarity with some aspects of road construction, budgeting, personnel management, communications, and the law can be useful. But no one expects a commissioner to be expert in every facet of the job.
Once elected, county commissioners and other newly elected county officers are requested, prior to taking office in January, to attend two-day orientation training program conducted by the Association of County Commissioners in order to become familiar with the job. In addition, the legal aspects of hiring and firing will be discussed during this orientation program.
What are the duties and responsibilities of a county commissioner?
County commissioners exercise the administrative powers given to them by the Oklahoma Statutes and the Oklahoma Constitution. County Commissioners:
• The governing body of the courthouse
• Exercise direct control over the county highway system
• Audit the accounts of all officers handling county money
• Make general financial plans for the county including the county budget
• Audit and approve claims against the county
• Issue calls for bond elections and other special elections
• Organize and direct "911" services
• Approve the county payroll
• Approve bids for major purchases or construction projects
• Develop personnel policies for the county
• Responsible for appointments to various county boards and positions
• Supervise affairs in small communities
• Organize solid waste management districts
• Selling or purchasing public land or buildings for the county
• Responsible for improving efficiency of county government.
What is the make-up of county government?
There are 77 counties in the State of Oklahoma. Counties and county government are created by the Constitution of Oklahoma. Counties are a subdivision of state government. The powers it exercises are primarily delegated by the State as a quasi municipal corporation.
All the county officials are elected to staggered four year terms except for the Election Board Secretary who is appointed by the local state senator. Counties are made up of the following elected officials:
District 1, 2, and 3 County Commissioners
County Assessor - Have the duty and responsibility to determine the true worth of real and personal property for the purpose of taxation.
County Clerk - Functions as the custodian of records for the county, acts as registrar of deeds, and acts as the county’s purchasing agent.
County Court Clerk - Maintains all proceedings of the Court of Record in the county.
County Treasurer - Acts as the tax collector and banker for the county.
County Sheriff - Preserves the peace and protects life and property and suppress’ all unlawful disturbances.
What are some of the big problems facing county government today?
Mandates
A new county commissioner taking office may discover that many decisions affecting his or her term have already been made. State and federal law mandates many of the activities of county government. Often, local government mandates are passed without funding by state and federal lawmakers. Some examples of unfunded mandates are those setting requirements for waste management, treatment of prisoners, providing disabled citizens with easy access to government buildings, drug and alcohol testing for commercial drivers license holders, environmental requirements for road and bridge projects, and training for various personnel.
So, before promising to eliminate this program or that program, make sure it is not legally mandated by the federal or state government.
General Fund Revenue Sources
Paying the bill for mandates is just part of a bigger challenge that commissioners face-raising the revenue to pay for all the services that county government performs. Citizens these days expect government to deliver more and better services to meet the needs of growing and changing populations, but they aren’t enthusiastic about paying the bill. Increasing taxes in any way is never popular.
Counties in Oklahoma are looking at ways to spread the tax burden by expanding their sources or revenue or finding new ones to keep up with increasing demands. Oklahoma law limits the county general fund from receiving more than 10 mills of the counties ad valorem dollars. The general fund is used to pay the administrative expenses of county government and is the primary source of funding for the courthouse offices and the sheriffs office. This limitation requires commissioners to find ways to conduct county business more efficiently and to eliminate any waste so that tax dollars are spent wisely. However, many counties in Oklahoma must find other tax bases such as county-wide sales taxes to adequately fund courthouse operating expenses.
County Road Revenue Sources
County commissioners receive road funds primarily from the state and federal fuel taxes, motor vehicle excise taxes and gross production taxes. County commissioners are responsible for 86,820 miles of road and 15,000 bridges that are 20 feet or longer. Local and federal funds replace 100 bridges that are 20 feet or longer per year in Oklahoma. Road funds are divided up among all 77 counties based on a formula which considers the number of bridges in each county, population, road miles and terrain. County road funds have not grown with inflation since the "oil bust" in the 1980’s. With the rising cost of construction equipment and materials, county road funds must be planned, prioritized and stretched in order to adequately maintain county roads and bridges.
Liability
Being held personally responsible for official actions is a matter of great concern to anyone seeking public office. Sometimes, county officials have had to learn the hard way-being sued, for instance-that they may be held accountable personally for injuries resulting from enforcing county policies or customs (for example wrongful termination) when they are carried out in good faith! The good news is that when proper procedures are followed, the likelihood of public officials successfully defending such liability suits is excellent.
A good approach to minimize this problem is to learn the basic procedures for reducing or eliminating the possibility of successful suits against the county or its officials. The Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma (ACCO) provide opportunities to attend workshops on the subject. Written materials are available, too. Legal advice from the District Attorney, ACCO staff, and attorneys representing the ACCO insurance programs plays a key role.
How will I spend my day if I’m elected to be a county commissioner?
Some people say that being a county commissioner is a 24-hour-a-day job, not because you need to work at it for 24 hours each day, but because you are "on call" at all hours. Some parts of the job are more time-consuming than others.
Talking with constituents is a big part of the job. They may call you at home hoping to influence you in an upcoming bridge or road project, collar you at the local hardware store or at a local restaurant to complain about potholes in their road, or expect you to help them solve a drainage problem in front of their house on a Sunday afternoon. You will soon learn that on controversial issues you seldom hear from supporters but are certain to hear from opponents. As an elected representative you have to make a decision that is in the best interests of the entire county.
To be effective and make good decisions, a commissioner needs information. Gathering information requires time. Regardless of what sources you choose, you can be sure that gathering reliable information will take a good chunk of your time.
Attending meetings will take time, too. Your schedule will have to allow time for regular board meetings, work sessions, executive sessions, special meetings, budget meetings and public hearings. Also, as an elected official, you will be expected at many unofficial gatherings-from pancake breakfasts to fish fries.
Your life will be much easier if you are communicating with other county officials. Making the effort to know other county officials and their operations is worth the time. These relationships will help you get things done and provide knowledgeable leadership. You have to approve the budget for all these offices, and knowledge of their functions and responsibilities will help you in your decision making.
Communicating with and educating your constituents will be a high priority. Time will be spent on working through the local newspaper, public hearings or gatherings, maybe even a newsletter to make sure the public knows what you are doing and why. For example, often the public doesn’t understand state and federal road and bridge programs and funding formulas, and part of your job will be to explain what these programs mean.
How much time does it take to be a county commissioner?
This is a question that many people new to the office wish they had asked before they ran. For most commissioners other than the chairman of the board, a majority of the time is spent in the road districts. The chairman of the board spends more time working at the courthouse solving administrative duties than the other two commissioners and must rely more on their county road foreman to carry out supervisory duties in the road district.
The number of hours per day or week varies widely, depending on a county’s size and demand for services. One thing is certain. Those first six months in office will be a period of adjustment-getting acquainted, learning purchasing laws, road fund accounts, general fund budgeting, as well as day-to-day road maintenance, and learning how to juggle all the new activity in the context of family and job demands.
Why would anyone want to be a county commissioner?
Of the different levels of government, local government has the most immediate affect on people’s lives because it is so close to where they live. Also, citizens are apt to participate more directly in local government because their elected officials are so readily accessible. Being a county commissioner provides an opportunity to deal with people’s most immediate problems, which are often the ones that affect everyone. And sometimes just providing individual constituent service, such as regularly grading their road, can be rewarding. A commissioner who does a good job provides a true public service and is a leader in the community.
Sometimes people run for office for all the wrong reasons. For example, they have one personal gripe that they want to do something about. Or they are out to make county personnel changes based on personal dissatisfaction rather than on professional evaluation of employee performance. They don’t seem to be very interested in the "public good." After getting elected, they may be disappointed to find that getting what they want is not as easy as they thought. Budget constraints, federal and state laws, or the priorities of other commissioners and of citizens may stand in their way. Once in office, though, they may realize that their own personal agendas are not so important compared to the rewards of knowing they can help improve life for the citizens of their community.
Is a government really like a business?
You may think of government as being similar to a business. A private business has the objectives of operating efficiently and providing consumers with goods or services they demand. In the same way, a government seeks to operate efficiently and provides citizens with the services they want. But government is different from business in certain fundamental ways. Government is designed to serve the people-all the people, rich and poor. While private business also serves the public, its main goal is to make a profit.
In the private sector, if a product line is not popular you can discontinue it and add a line that is. In government, the products are mostly service-such as running the courts, maintaining roads and bridges, and operating the county jail and cannot be dropped just because they may be unpopular. Although government can be improved to perform more efficiently in many ways, it probably can never be as cost-effective as well-run private business.
How can I find out more about county government and the Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma?
If you want to know more about being a county commissioner or county government, please Contact the Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma, 429 N.E. 50th, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. Phone: 405-524-3200; FAX: 405-524-3700.
(information courtesy the Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma)

Huge Water Leak Found in City

A huge water leak---24 million gallons a year estimated by utility workers---was discovered at the end of Evans Drive near Buffalo Shores North, enough water to feed 400 new homes. And Wednesday night another five leaks were found south of Honey Creek Bridge, no estimate yet on how much water is involved.
City Manager Bruce Johnson and two GMSA employees went to the scene at 1 a.m., shut off the city water supply, and the leak stopped, flowing the water into Grand Lake's Honey Creek at the Melody Point Cove, Councilman Larry Parham said.
An earlier leak found downtown during utility construction measured 1.6 million gallons a year, which was repaired. Total water loss for the city had been estimated at 44%, which is now down to 38%. Councilman Larry Parham noted that if the leaks get down to 22% the city will not need to upgrade its water processing plant and could save millions of dollars. The city treats 800 million gallons a year, he said.

Precision Wi-Fi Continues to Expand

Two new towers offering wi-fi broadband internet service to parts of Grove will be activated by the end of August by Precision Wi-Fi of Grove. One is just west of Quail Road and will serve Wildwood and Camilla Estates and eventually Patricia Island; the other is at Governor's Retreat and will serve the Woodward Hollow area.

The new towers will be added to the 6 already in existence. Additional new towers will be going on the Vista Towers on Monkey Island, and the Blue Bluff Water Tower, which will make a total of 10 towers for the area.

We will have 85% coverage of Grove and surrounding lake area," Brent Malone of Precision Wi-Fi said. When the Grove area is completed the company plans to move into the Jay area, he said. Precision Wi-Fi currently has more than 300 customers since beginning service less than a year ago.

Observations...

This is the week for golfers, with the PGA of America holding its big event in Tulsa at Southern Hills. This is the cream of the crop of all golfers, who play a different game than most of us. The average golfer has no idea the work required for a club professional to get his Class A PGA Card--two years of school studying accounting, marketing, merchandising, member relations, and passing the dreaded two consecutive rounds of 79 or better; the next level up is the PGA tour professional, 156 of them who are the best in the world and spend years qualifying to play on tour.
So watch it on TV or in person in the heat in Tulsa, either way it is going to be a real treat...Harry Halterman has resigned from the Airport Trust Authority Board and a replacement is needed, apply to City Hall by Aug. 14...This week's rumors: GMSA and the city will sell the natural gas portion to a private company in the gas business, and Mark Morris will be named Police Chief...the Monkey Island Fire Department is so loaded with tax money it has purchased trucks for the Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief to drive back and forth to work in...Congressman Dan Boren has recommended a public meeting with GRDA, FERC, the Corps of Engineers and the City of Miami over flooding issues caused by operation at the Pensacola Dam. Seems to us that the last flood, biggest in many years, was caused by Mother Nature and too much rain in Kansas. When Grand Lake stood at elevation 749 for several weeks the flood ceased to exist, even in the park area near Hwy 125 bridge. A system of levees should be given study instead of constantly blaming GRDA over a lake level...Grove has a new newspaper, The Grand Lake Leader, published by Tim Langley, former General Manager for four years at the Grove Sun Daily. The paper is on newstands at area stores this week, free, and will feature loads of color photos, feature stories, and the news covering all of Grand Lake...We've been having frequent power failures from REC lately, two or three a day, which require rebooting the computer, resetting the clocks on the microwave and other digital clocks, rebooting DirecTV, etc. and we are tired of it. So we placed a call to REC in beautiful Downtown Vinita to find out what the problem might be. The answer: "Cain't say." Now there's a nice retort from this investor owned utility. We asked if it was a squirrel, a snake? "Cain't say." We hope someone at REC can read this and find out why all the power surges are occurring in our neighborhood...

Grove Second Saturday Event This Weekend

Shiver Me Timbers!

Pirates are invading downtown Grove!
You will want a camera in your hand and a parrot perched on your
shoulder as you attend this next Grove Second Saturday event, August
11 at 6 p.m. The Ladies of the Salty Kiss
( www.theladiesofthesaltykiss.com), a comedy troupe of Legalized
Pirates will add to the fun and festivities of the downtown Grove
event. The crew of pyratical performers is comprised of actresses
portraying characters from the Renaissance era. Their interactive
play, improvisation, and wild antics are sure to bring lots of smiles
and laughter.

In addition to the fine restaurants, art galleries, and shops there
will be plenty going on along the street. The smell of fried Taters
and Onions will fill the air outside Gourmet's kitchen store while
live polka plays over at Magnolias. Hungry bellies will find beer and
brats compliments of IBC bank and you can stop by 27 West to paint
the giant two while photographer Elayne Bryant takes a free portrait
of your favorite little one. If you are up for a little adventure,
stop in the Grand Lake Sports center. They have talking birds and a
large-mouth bass tank which holds some of the finest fish caught on
Grand Lake. And if you need some bait, Sam Williams, the Grand
fishing guru, can tell you and sell you whether you need it live,
dead or fake. Speaking of live bait, the book worms will have fun
too. You can reel in the latest inspirational books at Fishers of Men
while listening to Mary T sing the gospel. Or, if you would prefer a
New York Time's best-seller, Tucker's has you covered. You say you
would like to do a little singing of your own, or would just like to
listen to someone else try? You can join in on the Karoke fun with
Dink West and Lisa Frieden.

Whatever you do, don't miss the art galleries, The Brush and Palette
Club's main show is titled "Around the Lake" and features an array of
local artists. Brown Design Group offers the largest selection of
fine art and artists in town, and two doors down is northeast
Oklahoma's contemporary modern art gallery: Blazon Studio, which is
currently featuring large sculptural works by Aaron Hauck and Larry
Cole as well as the wildly engaging paintings of local artist Gerry
Goodpasture. Less than one block west of Blazon Studio you will
experience the work of another local artist, Rebecca Sherman, over at
Floral Expressions. While there, you might as well sip a latté and
enjoy a Krispy Kreme donut at the attached Java Dave's. Java Dave's
is the place where many folks congregate as the night comes to a
close and sweet tooths find themselves looking for a bedtime snack.

You can learn more by logging on at http://www.GroveSecondSaturdays.com.

Sex Abuse Case Still Under DHS Review

A Delaware County mother said this week she is "very disappointed" in the Oklahoma Department of Human Services investigation into the allegations that a 13-year-old boy sexually abused her four year old daughter at a Jay preschool facility.
The incidents were reported June 28. The Jay police department has completed its investigation and has turned over all its work to the Delaware County District Attorney's office.
The allegations center on inappropriate touching of the little girl's private parts, at least on three occasions.
The little girl came home from preschool on June 28 complaining that she was "sore." Her mother immediately took her to the Delaware County County Children's Special Advocacy Network; police were called; the little girl was taken to a Jay physician for examination. The child was removed from the daycare center and placed in another center in Jay. DHS was notified and the continuing investigation centers on interviews with other children in the daycare center, which has been open since 2001 and usually has around 40 children in its care.
"DESCAN was fantastic," the mother said, "they handled everything so well, even comforting my daughter."
According to the child's mother, the 13-year-old is no longer present if the center is open. The child's mother is concerned that teachers at the center knew of the incidents and failed to report them, instead sending the 13-year-old to "time out."
The alleged incidents took place twice in a playhouse on the grounds, and once on a cot inside the center, the mother said.
The mother said her husband, the girl's stepfather, no longer bathes the child or helps her get dressed; the little girl's behavior towards men has changed, and she won't sleep without the lights on.
The little girl had been attending the daycare center since she was just a few months old.
Nick Lelecas, assistant district attorney who is handling the case, said that because the 13-year-old is a juvenile, no comment would be made regarding the case at this time.

A Matter of Faith...

By Carol Round
Just Because You Go to Church

“For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God’s building.”
1Corinthinians 3:9 (NIV)

“I’m a Christian but I don’t go to church.”

That statement, made during a conversation I overheard between two women recently, grabbed my attention for two reasons: the tone of the speaker’s voice and my life experiences with religion.

Almost six years ago, when I was lost, I came to know the Lord personally as my savior. Growing up, I attended church faithfully but drifted away in my early 20s. I returned to my roots after my sons were born because I wanted them to have the same foundation of faith. However, over the next two decades, my church attendance was sporadic. My excuse? I met so many hypocrites sitting beside me in the pews that I convinced myself I didn’t need to be there. I thought I was above all of that.

I was self-righteous in my thoughts. I even made the same statement as the woman in the overheard conversation. “I’m a Christian but I don’t go to church.”

I like a statement made by one of my favorite television ministers: “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than going to McDonald’s makes you a French fry.”
We justify our lack of church attendance by condemning the behavior of those who do. While church attendance is not a requirement to have a relationship with the Lord, I believe that it is a necessity for our spiritual growth. Fellowship with other believers helps us along that path.
Attending church is also an act of obedience to God. In Hebrews, the writer tells us “not to forsake meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.”
Why do some people shun church? Is it because we put on our Sunday morning faces at religious services and then live the rest of the week as if we have left God behind in the building where we worshipped. If we save our best behavior for the Sabbath, what does that say about us as Christians?

I like how my pastor defines church: “A church is not a hotel for saints. It’s a hospital for sinners.”

We all face temptation—even those who attend worship services each week. Being part of an organized fellowship encourages us in our walk with the Lord. When one of us stumbles and falls, we have our church community to help lift us up.

When I first started writing this column, I approached numerous Oklahoma newspaper editors about carrying it weekly. I received a variety of similar responses. However, I still recall one editor’s reply almost two years later.

“I really like what you have to say, but don’t you think you’re preaching to the choir?”

“Sometimes, even the choir needs a reminder,” I replied.

Attending church is an expression of our love for God. The preaching and teaching of His word increases our faith and builds us up spiritually.

A church is more than four walls. Are you a part of it?
A collection of Carol Round’s most popular faith-based columns is now available in book form. For more information, readers can reach her at carolaround@yahoo.com.

MIFD Looking for Crafters

The Monkey Island Fire Department Women's Auxiliary is looking for
crafters for its second annual craft fair scheduled for Saturday,
October 6, 2007 at the Monkey Island Fire Station. A ten foot square
booth will rent for $25.00. In addition, baked goods made by the
ladies of the Island will be featured. The proceeds from this year's
fund raising are being used to subsidize the purchase of weather
radios for Island residents. For more information, please call
Colleen Mason at 918-257-5615.

History of Cherokees Told to Rotary

Members of the Grove Rotary Club heard this week from Dr. Julie Coates, professor at the University of California at Davis, who also spends much of her time in Tahlequah.
She explained how the Cherokee Council came to be, going back to a 300-year-old treaty with Great Britain, and how the Cherokee Nation became sovereign.