Claremore Daily Progress

Top Stories

February 3, 2010

Blindsided: Burrage, Jones react to Henry’s agency consolidation plan

By Tom Fink

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.”

Text Only
Top Stories
  • BARGASweb.jpg NAIA WORLD SERIES: RSU upsets No. 1 LSU-Shreveport

    The ninth-seeded Rogers State baseball team choreographed its second straight come-from-behind victory at the Avista-NAIA World Series with a 2-1 upset over top ranked and top seeded LSU-Shreveport on Saturday evening at Harris Field on the campus of Lewis-Clark State.
    The Diamond Cats snapped the Pilots 16-game winning streak and handed them just their fifth loss of the season. It’s the first time in program history the Cats have topped the No.1 team in the country.

    May 27, 2012 1 Photo

  • commissioners-02web.jpg Rogers County candidates face off

    Rogers County candidates faced tough questions Thursday during a debate at Rogers State University.

    May 27, 2012 2 Photos

  • KidsCamp-iconweb.jpg Send a Kid to Camp fundraiser kicks off

    Forty Rogers County children will have the opportunity to attend the Heart O’Hills Salvation Army Camp in Tahlequah — if generous Progress readers can raise the needed funds.

    May 26, 2012 1 Photo

  • SpecOlympic-family01web.jpg Copelands get state Special Olympics honor

    Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer presented the 2012 family of the year award to the Copeland family at the opening ceremonies of the Oklahoma Special Olympic Games May 9 in Stillwater.

    May 26, 2012 1 Photo

  • Memorial Day event to mark bridge collapse

    The Oklahoma Department of Transportation says a Memorial Day event will mark the 10-year anniversary of the collapse of the Interstate 40 bridge into the Arkansas River near Webbers Falls.

    May 26, 2012

  • Eagle Academic All-Stater

    Sequoyah High School senior Cadence Wong was named as part of Oklahoma’s Academic All State Class of 2012.

    May 25, 2012

  • TSCRA Rangers deliver reward money to sheriff’s department

    Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton recently received reward money from agents with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, which will soon be distributed to tipsters in a case involving the bow and arrow deaths of several livestock.

    May 25, 2012

  • GRDA is bringing power into the future

    The Claremore Chamber of Commerce hosted Dan Sullivan as the guest speaker during the monthly luncheon Thursday at Rogers State University Centennial Center.

    May 25, 2012

  • FEC postpones Mullin advisory opinion ruling

    The Federal Election Commission requested an extension today to review 2nd District Congressional Candidate Markwayne Mullin’s request for an exception to federal electioneering laws.

     

    May 24, 2012

  • Special session looms as House rejects $6.8B budget

    The Oklahoma House failed Thursday to pass a $6.8 billion general appropriations bill to fund state government, setting up the possibility of lawmakers returning for a special session.

    May 24, 2012