Headlines
Blindsided: Burrage, Jones react to Henry’s agency consolidation plan
February 3, 2010 — Local lawmakers Rep. Tad Jones and Sen. Sean Burrage said they were “shocked” at Gov. Henry’s proposal to consolidate the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Dog Iron Ranch and J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum into the Oklahoma Historical Society.
“Obviously, Sen. Burrage and I are strongly opposed to the Governor’s plan to consolidate the (Will Rogers) Memorial and (J.M. Davis Arms & Historical) gun museum into the Oklahoma Historical Society,” said Rep. Tad Jones (R). “Although we’ve yet to speak with him personally about our opposition to this, we’ve already made our feelings known to the speaker and corporation chairman.”
Neither Jones or Burrage were consulted about the Governor’s proposal before the announcement. Both were “blindsided,” said Jones, who is the House floor leader.
“Normally, the Governor consults with local lawmakers where cuts or consolidations are proposed before he announces major changes within their districts, but Sean and I knew nothing about the Governor’s plans, with respect to wanting to consolidate Claremore’s museums and the Birthplace Ranch,” he said. “Truthfully, I’m not sure how consolidating them into the Oklahoma Historical Society would save money — possibly in some administrative costs — but this is a plan that’s been tried before, under Gov. Keating’s tenure, and it failed then.”
The Oklahoma Historical Society was founded in 1893 by members of the Oklahoma Territory Press Association, and over the years, has developed numerous collections and programs.
Currently, the OHS has more than 30 museums and historic sites statewide, among them: the Cherokee Strip Museum in Perry, the Museum of the Western Prairie in Altus, the Pioneer Woman Museum in Ponca City, the Pawnee Bill Ranch in Pawnee, Sequoyah’s Cabin in Sallisaw, the T.B. Ferguson Home in Watonga, the Jim Thorpe Home in Yale, the Tom Mix Museum in Dewey, and more.
“Claremore’s museums and the Birthplace Ranch have long been targets at the Capitol,” Jones said. “Legislators don’t understand the unique relationship between the Memorial and the Rogers family or why the gun museum is a state-funded agency — this is something that Sean and I are always having to explain to them.”
As the state budget enters negotiations, Jones said he and Burrage will voice their opinions in the House and Senate that consolidation of the Claremore museums and the Birthplace Ranch is “non-negotiable.”
“We are not convinced this (consolidation) would save the state a single dollar and we’re not convinced that the Oklahoma Historical Society is even interested in consolidating the gun museum and the memorial,” he said. “We would encourage people opposed to this idea to contact the Governor’s office and let him know how they feel.”
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NEW DORMS: RSU going more traditional
In just a year, Rogers State University will double the number of students sleeping, eating and studying on its campus. That’s twice the students walking to class in the morning. Twice the students calling RSU home.
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DEQ: Public drinking water in Oologah is safe
Public drinking water in the Oologah area is not contaminated by heavy metals from the local Public Service Company of Oklahoma power plant according to officials at PSO and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
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County will not use carryover for new hires
Rogers County Commissioners oppose spending money carried over from last year’s budget — in spite of county officers who say they need money now.
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Rogers County men arrested on burglary charges
Sheriff’s officers are hoping the recent arrest of two Rogers County men will halt a recent bout of burglaries.
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Crews zero in on courthouse design, cost
Rogers County’s new courthouse has been nudged over and stretched to take advantage of the closing of Missouri Street, according to schematics unveiled Monday.
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Sheriff: ‘Extraordinary’ need for new deputies
The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office may lose the ability to provide even basic services if it can’t hire more deputies this year, Sheriff Scott Walton told commissioners Monday.
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Symphony League hosts membership drive
The Claremore Symphony League will host a wine and cheese reception to launch the membership drive for 2010 - 2011. The reception, to be held at the Will Rogers Memorial on September the 23rd from 5:30 to 7:30, will feature wine tasting and the presentation of the Honorary Chairman of this season’s Symphony League Ball.
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Felony charges filed against former Chelsea chief of police
Formal charges were filed Thursday in Rogers County against a former Chelsea police chief.
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Report hits Oologah power plant for river pollution
Waste improperly handled by the AEP/PSO power plant in Oologah may be contaminating the Verdigris River, according to a report released this week.
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Groups support bicycle safety overhauls
Bicycling groups across the state said they support a new legislative package designed to protect riders and motorists. However, many cyclists are calling for the state to do more to educate residents and enforce existing laws and practices.
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