The Snyder News

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It's a work in progress, so layout and details may change as we go along.

Snyder School Board has varied agenda Monday night 
 

Snyder School Board met Monday evening for their regular meeting with members Mike Roberts, Butch Spurlin, Jana Moeller, Jerry Geiger, Brian Wilhite, Perch Flinn, and James Schneider present.

Minutes of the August 3 regular meeting were approved.
 

As board members looked over the encumbrance register Superintendent Robert Trammell told them the school system now has 17 Smartboards with one in each home room and one in every high school classroom except one.
 

Trammell also offered details of other expenditures including a new milk cooler at the primary building to replace the old 1965 model, funds spent from the ag project money to build a 30 x 30 barn for washing and shearing animals, and payment to the Junior Class for custodian duties. The junior class is cleaning up after all ball games this year as a fundraiser instead of operating the concession stand at the football games.
 

Encumbrances and Change Orders were approved as presented, along with the Treasurer's Report and monthly Activity Custodian Report for August and September.
 

Mandy Higginbotham addressed the board as a concerned parent regarding healthier meals for school lunches. She noted a recent school menu containing a number of fast-food type items such as tacos, subs, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwich, pizza burgers, and steak fingers with too many carbohydrate laden side dishes. She said out of a week's menu there was only one item that was not pre-made and wondered why the cooks cannot prepare more food in the cafeteria at a cheaper price than the prepackaged items.
 

Mrs. Higginbotham pointed out how processed foods have been found to impair memory and too many high glucose, high carbohydrate foods cause energy spikes and make children hyper or lethargic throughout the day. She cited the Healthy Schools program menus as giving students more energy and helping to lessen behavior problems and violence in the classroom.
 

Trammell invited Mrs. Higginbotham to bring her information and meet with him and Cafeteria Director Rena Gibbons to discuss changes that might be implemented.
 

High School Principal Mark Batt made a presentation on the Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) to replace Coke as provider of drinks in the school machines and at the concession stands. He said Coke has quit giving any incentives to keep their products and PBG guaranteed $1000 plus $500 for scholarship funds or to be spent on the students plus a good-sized rebate on drinks sold. Money made from the machines is used as needed for student activities, meals, trips, etc. The board approved changing to PBG to provide drinks.
 

The substitute teacher list and substitute cafeteria list for FY2010 was approved, with Trammell mentioning that the number of substitutes, especially for the cafeteria, is getting thin. Substitute teacher pay was increased to $60.00 for certified and $52.00 for non-certified to reflect the recent minimum wage increase.
 

Fund raising activities for the cheerleaders, student council and junior and sophomore classes were approved.
 

Also approved was acceptance of Lone Wolf School's appropriation of $9667 into Snyder Public School's Alternative Education budget. Lone Wolf alternative ed students attend Snyder's alternative program, with their grades being sent to Lone Wolf and they graduate from Lone Wolf. There are currently three students from Lone Wolf attending.
 

Resignation of Robert Johnston from driving his morning bus route was approved. Johnston's resignation letter cited more family time needed. He will continue his other duties as High School custodian and his afternoon bus route.
 

In other business the board approved:

• Adoption of school calendar of 1080 hours of instruction in accordance with HB 1864. The 175 day format will continue to be followed, but the 1080 hours will grant some leeway if bad weather days or time out for playoff games or such are needed
• 2009-2010 class schedule
• Depositing interest in Co-op Fund into the General Fund
• Sanction of student support groups and booster clubs, including Band Aids, FFA Mother's Club, GAB (Girl's Athletic Boosters), Homerun Club, Quarterback Club, Take Down Club, and Tip In Club
• Amendment of House Bill 1647, allowing the "exception" to the nepotism law concerning school board members. This will allow second degree relations of board members to serve as substitute teachers or temporary support personnel

At 8:23 the board voted to convene in executive session to discuss the employment of a teacher's assistant for special education and a morning bus driver.
 
Following the board's return to open session at 8:45 they voted to employ Staci West as special ed teacher's assistant and Elizabeth Parker as morning bus driver.
Snyder Public School's Policies & Procedures Manual revisions by the Oklahoma State School Board Association were approved. Changes include several wording corrections and changes in the law since adoption.
 
One change will be for Snyder Public Schools to be recognized as tobacco free "24/7." No tobacco use is permitted in any buildings or on any grounds of the school including ball fields, ag barns, or other school property.
 
In the superintendent's report, Trammell presented accreditation status for the 2009-2010 school year as: "Accreditation with no Deficiencies" and "No Sites on the School Improvement List." He informed board members of upcoming school board workshops and reported on meeting with ODOT concerning cross walks.
 
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Rainy day doesn't dampen shoppers' spirit

Garage sale planners were crying foul Friday afternoon as the rain began, but many continued preparations. The rain came again just about starting time Saturday morning and kept up all day, from occasional downpours to mostly drizzle. Over three inches was being reported by the end of the day.

A little rain didn't stop the die-hard garage-salers who stopped by the library to pick up sale lists and shop for books. We had ladies from Duncan, a school librarian from Lone Wolf, along with people from Altus, Lawton, Frederick, Cooperton, Cache, Indiahoma and Tipton.

Friends of the Library plan to continue their book sale on October 3, during the Southern Kiowa Fall Festival in Snyder.

Some who were having garage sales plan to have them again next weekend, September 19. If you call me (569-4235), I'll make up another list and have it available at the library that morning.

Thanks to the newspapers and radio stations who helped promote our sale day, and especially to those hardy souls who braved the rain to shop with us.

Ready, Set, Sell!

Snyder Community-Wide Garage Sale
FSPL Book Sale Saturday, Sept. 12

Is everyone ready for the big sale day? As much as the rain is needed, we're hoping it will hold off at least in the morning so our sale can go on.

Books at the library will be sold by the box or one-at-a-time - we have lots to choose from. Sale starts @ 8 a.m. Come early for the best selection!

We have 13 garage sales listed:

• 600 East 9th St.
• 801 10th St.
  
• 313 7th St.
• 1220 A St.
• 410 16th St.
• 1106 H ST.
• 307 8th St.
• 1218 E St. (Old Coy Michaels' car lot)
• 1001 H St.
• Fed Housing 28 A
• 200 12th St.
• Tava Batt - 2 mi east on 62B
• Carol's Sign Shop N Hwy 183, Mt Park

Be sure and keep an eye out for others that did not get on the list.

If we're completely rained out, we may reschedule for next Saturday, so check back here to see.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Snyder Community-Wide Garage Sale

The Snyder Community-Wide Garage Sale, sponsored by Snyder Friends of the Public Library, will be next Saturday, September 12, not Sept. 5, as reported in the Kiowa County Democrat.

The annual garage sale day is promoted by the Friends group in conjunction with their book sale at the library. The book sale will get underway at 8 a.m. on the 12th. A large number of books of every genre will be for sale by the box full. When books are donated to the library, many are duplicates of books already on the shelves, so they are saved for the sale.

Lists of garage sale locations will be available at the library the morning of the sale.

Anyone planning a sale may contact Dee Richardson @ 569-4235 or deearichardson@gmail.com to have their location listed.

Council hires police chief, gives raises

The August Snyder City Council meeting was held Monday night at the community building with all council members present except Clay Oxley.

Under public participation several citizens had comments:

• Carol Middick reported she had recently visited the school and learned enrollment is up, possibly due to BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure). She suggests the city should consider ways to capitalize on an increase in local population.
• Teresa Mills asked about the method of inmate worker transportation, having heard complaints about the inmates riding in the bed of the city pickup. Mayor Gary Anderson said regulations allow them to ride there as long as they are sitting down inside the bed and the weather is clear.
• Patti Mountford spoke of problems at the swimming pool such as cleanliness and life guards not following regulations. She stated she is willing to work all winter to help prepare the pool for next summer.
• Connie Tubbs said the police department should help the community, not hurt it. He had a problem with interim police chief Johnny McBee not allowing him to drive a vehicle home for a friend who had been arrested.

Fairlawn Cemetery Association requested assistance to pay for mowing for the rest of the year. The city usually budgets $2000 to go toward the mowing each year, but it was overlooked in this year's budget. City attorney Shane McLaury reminded the council of a fund to help with cemetery expenses. City clerk Lori Glassco said fifty cents from each water bill is earmarked for the cemetery fund. The council voted to give the association $2,000 and to check into how much is in this fund.

The council also agreed to increase the wages for cemetery sexton, Chylene Killian, from $50 per month to $75.

There was no report from Jackie Graves, city CPA, due to the 2007-08 audit not being finished yet by Crawford & Associates. Graves is checking to see if they can be penalized for the delay. The council plans to investigate finding a new CPA to replace Crawford.

No bids were received on the library roof. It will be advertised again, and flyers will be sent to area roofing companies with bid specs.

In an operations briefing for the police department McBee reported less problems with speeders and traffic violations. He reminds everyone to be aware of the school zones, where there will be little tolerance for speeding. He said the state encourages local police departments to be vigilant in the school zones.

The police department is working on creating a Safe Haven program in town, with businesses and homes agreeing to be a place where children can go if they need help. They also are planning a Child ID program at a later date.

Animal Control officer Jerry Taylor said he has been working to eliminate skunks around town, having had five animals test positive for rabies at the beginning of the summer.

He's also working to get the stray dogs under control. The department has obtained a net for small dogs and a trap for the larger ones.

I was on the agenda and had already briefed the council on my dog problems. I told them that the strays are still loose in my neighborhood. I asked if they had any method to capture a vicious or attacking animal, and was told that the only recourse they have is to shoot them.

The mayor said he has studied the animal regulations for the city which include requiring rabies vaccination and a city tag. He said they will be enforcing these rules and will be picking up all strays. The animal control facility is being repaired and will be used to hold dogs for 72 hours before they are taken to Altus.

Taylor had presented a list of needs for the facility which included an outbuilding to store food and tools, a larger fence, and a water mister. Councilmember Teresa Mills stated she feels the pound should provide shade, shelter, food and water - basics only - and the rest is not needed. Mayor Anderson said he would consider her suggestions when working on the facility.

Minutes and treasurer's report of the July meeting were approved, and payroll, first of the month purchase orders, and warrants and claims were encumbered.

Following a lengthy executive session the council voted to hire Johnny McBee as police chief at $14.50/hour with a 43 hour work week. Terry Taylor will be assistant chief with a salary of $11.25/hr. and a 43 hour week. Both positions are pending further background checks.

Animal control officer Jerry Taylor was granted a 25 cent per hour raise, to $8.25/hr; water works operator Robbie Christon's pay was raised to $9.25/hr and Lori Glassco will receive $11.25/hr. Votes on all but Glassco were unanimous, with Mills voting "no" on her raise. Action on Sherry Krause was tabled.

Glassco submitted her letter of resignation to be read at next month's meeting, along with a draft of a job description for her post. She and her husband will be leaving after the first of the year for Alaska, where he will be stationed.

Public Works Authority
The council reconvened as the Snyder Public Works Authority with Mayor Anderson reporting that five or six weeks ago the only working pump on the main lift station failed. A loaner was obtained from Weatherford until a new pump could be purchased and installed. Following installation of the new pump the company repaired two old pumps, giving the city two operating and two for backup, at a cost of around $10,000.

You may have noticed you did not receive a water bill for the past month. A computer hardware malfunction prevented the July bills from being printed. Water customers may call city hall or go by to find out what their bill was and pay it. Unpaid bills will be added to next month, but no late payment penalties will be charged. Additional software modules are being considered to further streamline the accounting process.

The PWA approved July minutes and treasurer's report; encumbered payroll, first of the month purchase orders, warrants and claims; and tabled a rate increase for Rural Water District #4 before adjourning.

Dog mauled by strays

Sad news this a.m. My dad called to tell me our dog, Mater, has been beaten up and probably has a broken leg. There's been a stray female dog hanging around outside our fence for the past few weeks. She came in heat and a pack of male dogs showed up, causing my dog to get out and get hurt.

I had contacted City Hall numerous times to try to get her away from my fence. Before we left town, the female had gotten in my yard, so I called and the dog catcher, Jerry Taylor, came to get her. He couldn't catch her and she hid under the porch. He said he would come back later with help, but he never showed. Later that evening, she just jumped my fence and left.

I was afraid of this very thing happening. None of my dogs had ever shown any interest in getting out before, but females in heat cause problems. That's why I tried to get her gone before I left town last Thursday.

Now here I am out of state and my parents and brother-in-law are having to deal with the mess. My mom said it's been awful all weekend with the dogs hanging around and ours being stirred up.

I spent over $1500 to build a fence (not to mention Harley's labor) so that my dogs would stay where they belong. Mater is a sweet teddy bear of a dog that never hurts a thing. Now he's laying at the vets possibly near death because someone else couldn't keep their dog penned up.

I'm wondering what we're paying a dog catcher to do. And who we call when the dog catcher can't catch the dog?

City sets budget at $1,391,266

I went to the City of Snyder budget meeting Monday night, but I was about 10 minutes late (had an unexpected visitor at home) and they were already finished.

The council voted to adopt the $1,391,266 budget as proposed. I wonder what my granddad, who was mayor when I was born, would have said if you'd told him Snyder would one day have a budget over a million dollars?

The budget includes:
City Hall - $140,400
Animal Control - $11,120
Fire Department - $24,750
Street & Alley - $69,810
Park - $14,070
Police Department - $132,518
Swimming Pool - $37,650
Water & Sanitation - $899,948
Sewer Enterprise - $61,000

The meeting was held at the community building to accommodate public and citizen participation and comments before the vote. Sadly, the only ones present besides the council were Carol Middick from the Kiowa County Democrat and OT Brooks. One could say that Snyder citizens have so much faith in their council that they see no need to oversee it, but I'm afraid general apathy is more the cause. I find it very sad that people do not attend the council meetings. It's our city, our government and our responsibility to pay attention to what's going on.

People need to stop believing that the town will just always be here, providing a place for them to live while they spend their time shopping and eating and playing out of town. You are leaving the town in the hands of a few, expecting water to come out of your faucets and streets to be maintained and your trash to be hauled away, with no input whatsoever. Oh, wait, some do put in their "two cents" - in complaints to each other when they meet at the post office, or at church or school functions.

The new mayor and council appreciate hearing from citizens. You don't have to have a complaint to attend meetings. Being there to support the council is just as important.

We have a very good example of what happens when no one pays attention. Let's see what we can become with some support and participation and constructive criticism! Snyder is at a crossroads. It can continue to stagnate, or move forward. It's up to you.

This and that

Debbie Stoll asked me to help spread the word about Youth Days:

Youth Days at Southside Baptist Church will continue each Wednesday, 2-5 p.m., through the end of July. Youth Days are for children who have completed Kindergarten and above. The Mountain Park First Baptist Church van will pick up children from the primary school in Mountain Park at 1:30. It will stop at Snyder Housing Authority at 1:40 and at the Snyder City Park (at the west gate) at 1:50. Another van will pick children up at the Snyder Elementary School at 1:45. At Youth Days, participants will engage in recreation, Bible Study, crafts, music, snacks, missions, and Bible skills.


Library re-arranging continues

Still working on getting the books re-shelved at the library. It's a long drawn out process, but I think the end result will be worthwhile. I hate having to put the older books in storage, but we just don't have room for all of them on the shelves.

I keep discovering books I want to read. ~sigh~ So many books, so little time!

I have to give a big "thank you" to Shirley Holder, Pam and Kelsey Ford and Ruthe Kendall for helping last Friday. They made a daunting task much easier. We're working again this Friday, and hopefully will have the mess cleared away by the end of the day.

Snyder council learns about water issues, has varied agenda Monday night

The Snyder City Council and 10+ interested citizens heard an informative talk from Randy Archer, manager of the Mountain Park Master Conservancy District, at Monday night's regular council meeting.

Mountain Park Master Conservancy District manages the water in Tom Steed Reservoir, which supplies water to Snyder and Mountain Park. Water from the lake is also used by Altus, Frederick, and the Comanche County Rural Water District. Archer reported 89.42% of the allocated water is used, leaving only about 11% surplus. He urged the city council to be very cautious with their water and to consider all the repercussions of transferring any more water from the local basin.

Two bids received for the surplus Chevy fire truck were from Charles Moore for $250.00 and Mike Horn - $326.50. The council voted to accept Horn's high bid.

Mayor Gary Anderson reported the library roof is in dire need of repair and a motion was made to solicit bids for the roof with all members voting yes.
The issue of rain water drainage was mentioned again. Anderson said there are several problem areas, including 2nd & F and 1st & D streets which DEQ has requested be addressed. He hopes to be able to study the drainage problems before the next meeting.

In public participation Jim Moore commended the new mayor and council members for taking an interest in the town, and mentioned the need for street repairs. Sam Hargrove suggested bug lites in the alleys to control the mosquitoes, and Maxine Hargrove asked about the hole in their alley where the trash truck had gotten stuck. Mayor Anderson replied that he has it on his work list, but it takes time to get to everything.

Following a half hour executive session the council voted to give a 50 cent raise to animal control officer Jerry Taylor and 75 cents to water superintendent Mark Shelton, with an additional 75 cents following his licensing. Coy Morrow was confirmed as a full-time water department employee and the council agreed to create a fifth position in the water department.

Police Chief Joe Janz reported no problems in his department, with Officer McBee and the reserves about to graduate from certification training.
Fire Chief Bill Graves voiced concern about abandoned property being a fire and health hazard with overgrown grass and weeds creating rodent and mosquito infestations and causing property values to decrease. Mayor Anderson replied that the council was looking into requirements for abatement.

Carol Middick stated that a skunk is living in the old Alamo theater and kids have kicked in the door and been going in and out. Animal Control Officer Taylor promised to check it out.

The May 18 minutes and treasurer's report and encumbrances for first of the month purchase orders, warrants and claims were approved.

Mayor Anderson asked that the council meet next Monday, June 22, for a budget planning session prior to a special meeting on June 29 to finalize the budget for the coming year. It was suggested that the planning session should also be a special meeting to satisfy the state's open meeting act. Anderson said he would find out if it was legal to have the planning session and let the council members know by middle of the week.

The council meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. and Snyder Public Works Authority meeting was called to order.

SPWA rates were discussed with the mayor stating that the city's trash cost had increased approximately 4% after the first of the year and the previous council had agreed to absorb the cost. He suggested reducing the base water usage from 2000 gallons/month to 1500 and implementing a 5% increase to be charged for amounts over the base in order to offset that increase and prevent the rates having to be increased more the next time the cost goes up. It was voted to table the increase until after the budget meetings.

Jerry Taylor's suggestion to charge for use of the roll-off boxes to offset some of the cost was met with disapproval. Patti Mountford stated she has to haul her trash to the roll-offs because there has been no dumpster near her house since the new highway was built. Anderson offered to see if anything can be done to replace her dumpster.

After being open over the weekend, the municipal swimming pool still has some issues with algae which came from the water jets and clouded the water. Pool manager Cheryl Rhodes stated the chemical tests were ok and they are shocking the water to try to remove the algae. Although it poses no health risks, the murky water is hard to see through, so the pool will not open until it clears up.

Mountford commented on the lack of maintenance on the pool and all areas of the city, especially the neglect of the previous administration to start earlier getting the pool ready for the 2009 season. She also praised the work the inmates did in helping with the repairs. Anderson stated he already has a maintenance list started for next winter.

Middick suggested that the city needs to vote a bond to finance city maintenance and repairs, with Mountford replying that she felt Snyder would never go for a bond which would raise property taxes.
Mayor Anderson clarified that Snyder does not get revenue from ad valorem (property) taxes, that repayment of a bond would have to come from an increase in charges for services (water, sewer, trash) or a sales tax increase.

The mayor thanked the citizens for attending and the meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m. Council members in attendance were Bob Sproat, Teresa Mills and Clay Oxley. Spud Kirk was absent.

Audit Released

Too tired to write much, but I wanted to share the link for the Special Audit Report finally released by the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector. There is some interesting information here which will answer some questions regarding actions of the ambulance board in the past months.

New team takes office

Last night the new Snyder City Council was sworn in just before their first council meeting. New mayor Gary Anderson and council members Bob Sproat and Teresa Mills joined incumbent Clay Oxley and the only councilman who was not up for election, Spud Kirk.

Following call to order and roll call, Mayor Anderson called for public participation.

Jimmy Jones, Joyce Jones and Dee Richardson, from the Snyder Public Library board, spoke in this forum since their request to be on the agenda had been denied by the previous mayor. The group spoke to the council regarding leaks in the library ceiling and water coming in from the north wall and standing in floor. A list of these and other needed repairs was presented to the council.

The council agreed the repairs need to be taken care of and promised to give the matter their attention.

Amy Hill announced her request to be on the agenda regarding the police force had also been denied by former mayor Buster Spurlin, and she asked to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

After determining there was no other public participation, the council voted to convene in executive session at 7:15, with items of discussion listed as:

a. Police Department
b. Swimming Pool Working Manager - review submitted applications and possibly hire
c. Swimming Pool Lifeguard - review submitted applications and possibly hire
d. Terry Taylor - police officer
e. Full-time Water/Sewer Operator ("In-Town" Worker) Vacancy

An hour and twenty minutes later the council returned to open session with city attorney Shane McLaury reading the minutes of the executive session.
No action was taken on the police department.

The council voted to hire Cheryl Rhodes as swimming pool manager at a salary of $8.00 per hour with an increase to $8.50 after she gets her lifeguard license. They agreed to allow Mayor Anderson and Ms. Rhodes to hire the lifeguard.

Police officer Terry Taylor's salary was raised to $10.75 as previously agreed upon his completion of CLEET.
The council agreed to advertise to fill the position of full-time water/sewer operator.

Police chief Joe Janz presented an operations briefing on his department, reporting no current problems. He stated that some officers need to attend required continuing education classes, emphasizing that the classes are usually only one day and often are at no cost.

The police department currently has four full-time officers including the chief, and four reserve officers.

Fire chief Bill Graves reported he had contacted the grant writer and applied to FEMA for a grant with 5% matching funds. The grant writer only gets paid if the grant is received, and her fee will come from grant money.
Graves said two new emergency sirens have been installed, one behind the Farmers Co-op and one behind the old Phillips 66. They are activated by a radio located in City Hall.

Graves also reported he had surveyed the flooding around the city following last week's heavy rains which totaled over five inches. Lack of drainage for the two creeks coming through the city is responsible for much of the flooding according to Graves. With water from the drains along main street (Highway 183) flowing into the creek it fills much faster than before the highway was rebuilt. Mayor Anderson asked Graves to show him the problem areas.

In regard to a Ford fire truck erroneously advertised for bids as surplus property, the council agreed to reject all bids received and re-advertise for bids on the correct truck, a 1968 Chevrolet. Oklahoma Municipal League was contacted on the legality of rejecting the bids and confirmed it is legal.

Letters will be sent to the bidders explaining the situation and inviting them to bid on the Chevrolet.

The fire department continues to seek the location of cellars and basements in the city. Citizens may report the location of their storm shelters to city hall. A list will be kept by the fire department to aid in locating anyone trapped following a storm.

New business included a report that DEQ will be performing an exercise this week at the water plant to determine emergency readiness, and McLaury stated he has prepared a model ordinance regarding tattoo parlors and licensing fees in the city as requested by the previous council. The ordinance will be placed on next month's agenda.

After some discussion on approval of the minutes of the previous meeting and treasurer's report, the council voted to authenticate the items, due to Spud Kirk being the only council member present at the last meeting. Payroll and first of month purchase orders were encumbered until the next scheduled meeting and warrants and claims were presented.

The council adjourned and Snyder Public Works Authority convened.
A request has been made for the city to install a sewer line and lift station to the old car dealership south of town. A water/fire restoration business is considering purchasing the property if they can get these items. The matter was tabled pending receipt of more information on estimated cost.

SPWA minutes and treasurer's report were authenticated and the rest of the agenda items were approved. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Coming events and other info

I'm going to try to keep a local "Coming Events" section here on my blog page, so if anyone has an organization or club meeting or other event, please let me know. If there is a website with more info for any events or meetings, be sure and include that and I can link it.

Also, if you have a website pertaining to local people, places, or things, email me and I'll include it on my links list. (I do reserve the right to determine which sites are included - inappropriate links will not be accepted.)

The internet seems to be becoming the best way to keep informed, so I'm trying to make a place where Snyder and Mountain Park people can keep up with what's happening and where. The more info people send me, the better. Please bear with me, tho, I'm flying by the seat of my pants here and it's all trial and error. If I mess up, do tell me and I'll do my best to fix it. If I'm doing good, please share my blog with others.

Mom's thoughts on graduation

A multitude of thoughts flash through the mind of this mother on the day after her youngest child's graduation from high school. Of the milestones our children have passed up to this point, this one looms above as the major icon of "growing up."

We marveled at the first words, cheered the first steps, and wept as we left them for their first day of school. All the accomplishments during those 13 or so years come together in one evening as we see our babies don the cap and gown and walk across the stage to receive that all-important piece of paper that signifies they have "graduated."

Dictionary.com offers this definition of "graduation":
1. An act of graduating; the state of being graduated.
2. The ceremony of conferring degrees of diplomas, as at a college or school.
3. Arrangement in degrees, levels, or ranks.

Also a synonym for graduation is "commencement":
1. An act or instance of commencing; beginning
2. The ceremony of conferring degrees or granting diplomas at the end of the academic year.
3. The day on which this ceremony takes place.

Arrangements in degrees, levels, or ranks suggests one graduation may be the first of many, thus "commencement," an instance of beginning. The high school graduation is but the beginning of our child's life as an adult, even though we might prefer to continue thinking of them as our babies.

Knowing as we do the many struggles and joys ahead it is hard to think of letting them venture into the big wide world. When we've been right there for every accomplishment and defeat, how will they ever get along without us?

For those of you who are 'first-timers' to have a child graduate, I can tell you that you will survive. I don't think it really gets any easier with each one, but it is different. Some new grads will be leaving for the summer, while some will remain home until college begins in the fall, and some will immediately embark on life on their own, moving away or down the street. Whichever they choose, they are changed after receiving that diploma. Even if they are still under your roof, there is a sense of their independence that was not present before as they are more in control of their decisions and pursuits. They have taken the first major step to being their own individuals.

It was a shock to my system after my oldest daughter graduated, loading her possessions into her car to travel to Colorado to work for the summer. Lu went straight from there to college at NWOSU, three hours from home, and spent no more than a week or two under our roof until after her college graduation.

Luckily I had the other two to distract me and keep me busy, but the tears flowed as I cleaned out her room so her sister could move into it, leaving her room for Rusty.

When Jenny graduated it was somewhat different as she was not ready to leave home for good, going no father than Cameron in Lawton for college. It was still traumatic in ways as she transitioned into adulthood in such close proximity. After turning over her bedroom to her brother, she wound up back living with us, taking back her original room, but very much grown up and in charge of her own life.

Now here's Rusty, gathering up his things and getting ready to head off to Colorado to work, saying he does not plan to be moving back in. As much as I enjoy quiet time, the thought of not having one or the other of the kids popping in and out is sobering. Also sobering is the thought that all my children are now adults.

Although Jen is still here part of the time, I have a feeling that may not last much longer. After 33 years we will have an "empty nest." It's quite jarring to have that thought hitting home. I am comforted with knowing what a close family we are and that we will be together as often as possible. The wonderful cell phone and internet will keep us connected and there are lots of family holidays.

Two coming events loom in my mind. Watching Rusty drive off next week will surely be a tear-jerker of great proportions. Then next fall when school starts here and I don't have to be aware of the schedule or who is teaching what, after having a child in the Snyder school system since 1981, reality will sink in.

That said, I am so very proud of Rusty for all he has accomplished, and the individual he has always been. And I am going to enjoy seeing just where life takes him from here.


Lu, Rusty & Jenny and the beautiful bouquet Rusty gave me before graduation.

Election Results

Snyder voters elected a new mayor and two new council members in yesterday's city election.

Gary Anderson received the nod for mayor with 151 votes to incumbent Buster Spurlin's 86 votes and 56 for Allen Ford.

Bob Sproat replaces Sammie Gettens in the Ward I council position. Sproat received 153 votes and Gettens had 137.

The Ward IV seat will be occupied by Teresa Mills, who received 142 votes to Wayne Bates, 97, and Frank Tucker, 57.

Clayton Oxley retains his seat in Ward II with 134 votes. Joe Powell received 100 votes for the position and Skye Perry, 57.

Snyder Fire Department

Yesterday afternoon the fire whistle blew several times in an unusual sequence. I thought it sounded different, and knew everyone would be wondering, so I called city hall to find out what was going on, then sent out an email to my local list telling them that they had installed new sirens and were testing them.

It's so hard to get any kind of information out in Snyder without a local TV or radio station. (I know, we do have a somewhat local radio station, but I don't think many people listen to the radio unless there's a ball game on.) Anyway, I did have a comment from someone at the awards assembly last night thanking me, and I received this email from the fire chief this morning, so maybe the internet is the best way to communicate these days.

Dear Dee,

I am Bill Graves the Snyder Fire Chief.Someone forwarded your email to me.Just thought I would send you an email to clarify the new storm sirens.These sirens are operated by radio.There is a new base radio in city hall and one in the fire station.The new sirens are located on the south part of town near the old Phillips 66 gas station and the second is located at the coop on the north end of town. the new base radios can activate the sirens for storm or fires.In the future we hope to get hand-held radios so that fireman out storm spotting can sound the sirens without having to go to city hall or the fire station. The old sirens are still hooked up to the switch in city hall.They can not be activated by radio and will only be used in case we need to amplify the new sirens. All sirens working together should give people much needed warning in case of tornadoes.In the future we would like to get away from using the sirens for fire calls.Just to alleviate any confusions.That will mean getting better hand-held radios that can page fireman also.
I would like to add that these new sirens were acquired through a grant that former city clerk Faye Dwyer and former councilman Allen Ford worked on for four years before their departure from city hall.It has taken a while to receive the grant but it finally came through.The sirens cost the city nothing.After all these years it is nice to have better sirens that also have battery back up.So if we loose power,we still have sirens.May we not need to use them in the near future.But if needed we can warn citizens of dnagers before it is too late.

Bill Graves
Fire Chief
Snyder Fire Department

I appreciate getting a response from someone in the know, with the correct information.

I had known there were supposed to be new sirens obtained from a grant, but never knew what had become of them. I'm glad they're finally being put to use.

I'd like to use this space to disseminate local information when I have it. Please let me know your thoughts on this method, and feel free to share my blog with others on your list.

Snyder City Council - Okla. Legislature - Sheesh!

Goodness gracious, just when you think it can't get any crazier!
The city council of Snyder put up the wrong fire truck for bids!!! The fire dept. had stripped equipment from and abandoned a 1968 Chevy and the council was to put it up as surplus property for bids. Instead, they declared a 1963 C700 Ford truck which was still being used as surplus property and the bids were to be opened at last Monday's council meeting. On top of that, the legal notice for the bids did not contain the disclaimer about the right to reject bids, so legally the bid should have to be accepted!
The newspaper reported "The opening of bids was tabled until City Attorney Shane McLaury could search for a possible solution."
I'm just shaking my head. Now if this is not an indication that the whole city government needs an overhaul, I don't know what is!
If that is not enough, in the same story, same meeting, under public participation, the paper stated "Mike Adler, Water Superintendent, 'I just wanted you to know I quit.'" No details or letter of resignation. I'm going to have to investigate to see what happened to cause the city's most valuable employee to give it up. When you have a dedicated worker like Mike,who has stuck with the city through a lot of craziness, you need to work to keep him.
Add to all that citizen complaints about harassment by the police dept. and the fact that in our little town of under 1500 population the police dept. shows eight employees drawing a total of over $8800 in the month of March. Other city hall employees drew $6500 and the water plant and public works payroll for the same pay period was a little over $7200.
Now to me that balance indicates that we require more police protection than we do people running the city's business and keeping our streets, water and sewer in order. Have we had a recent crime wave I'm unaware of? I know we still have potholes in the streets, issues at the water plant, and various other physical problems in town.
On one hand we have a group trying to form a chamber of commerce to bring in shoppers and business and industry and on the other we have reports that out-of-town people avoid driving through our town because of fear of getting a traffic fine. I haven't noticed a bunch of out-of-control speeding wreckless drivers around Snyder, have you?
People, we need to get our priorities straight here! There's an election coming up - everyone needs to pay close attention and exercise their votes!

I also have to share my opinion of the Oklahoma legislature this session. What a joke! Hardly any bills with impact have been addressed, but we have been made a laughing stock by several such as the stem cell research bill, with the Republicans wanting to make it a crime for a scientist to perform any form of embryonic stem cell research even tho the bill would do nothing to stop an abortion or save a single life, but does threaten life-saving research and unjustly criminalizes scientists who perform important work.
Scientists believe such research could yield new treatments or cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, blindness, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, spinal cord injuries and a variety of other ailments.
The research utilizes unused embryonic stem cells, or blastocysts, originally created to assist couples in their effort to have children. Because in vitro fertilization procedures often create multiple blastocysts for a single couple, many are unused and ultimately destroyed and discarded. HB 1326 criminalizes and punishes a scientist who, with the couple’s consent, elects to conduct stem cell research with an unused blastocyst before it is destroyed.
State business and research leaders also warned that by criminalizing legitimate scientific study, HB 1326 would have a chilling effect on Oklahoma’s research community, particularly on the scientists who perform the life-saving research. HB 1326 would also discourage research-based industries from continuing to locate in Oklahoma, dealing a major blow to long-running efforts to make the state a beacon of bioscience and high-technology research.
Thank goodness for Gov. Brad Henry's decision to stand up against all the Republican claptrap and veto the bill.
Gov. Henry's statement

Then the do-gooders had to turn around and try to pull another stupid stunt by voting a down a resolution that made the Flaming Lip’s “Do You Realize?” the state’s official rock song. In a statewide Internet vote held late last year, that song was the choice of 51 percent of more than 21,000 votes cast.
The song was selected to be on a list of songs by Oklahoma artists and the people voted. The time to object would have been before that list was released. Luckily the legislature's approval is not needed and Gov. Brad Henry will sign an executive order Tuesday, April 28, naming the Flaming Lips song, “Do You Realize??,” as the official rock song of Oklahoma.
For more info read this story on The Lost Ogle

I just finished the daily Cryptoquip in the newspaper. I never do one of them without thinking of my grandmother. I have to credit her with my initial love of words and reading and writing.
My grandmother lived in Okmulgee, Oklahoma when I was in grade school, and was probably the first person I wrote a letter to. (I know, proper grammar would be "to whom I wrote a letter," but that just sounds uppity.)
She also introduced me to cryptograms/cryptoquips, which are substitution ciphers in which one letter stands for another. By recognizing common letter patterns in words and trial and error the puzzle is solved. I came to love solving cryptograms and used to go through whole books of them at a time.
My grandmother and my mother encouraged me to read by their example, both being avid readers. My mother spent hours reading to me, first nursery rhymes from my (now lost) Mother Goose book, then classics such as Tom Sawyer, Heidi, and Little Women, and mysteries (which came to be my favorite genre) including the Happy Hollisters and Bobbsey Twins.
My grandmother took me to the huge (at least in my eyes) library in Okmulgee where I was amazed by the selection of books. At the time our Snyder library was in its early years with only four or five total shelving units occupying a corner of a room at City Hall, shared with the nightwatchman's desk. The children's section of the Okmulgee library was larger than that!
I spent a week or two every summer with my grandmother, and one of my clearest memories is the summer I discovered the Raggedy Ann and Andy books at the library and read all they had. Books were often birthday and Christmas presents from my grandmother.
I'm here to tell you that when you read or hear what a great gift reading to a child is, it is very true. I cannot imagine a world without books!

Of Super Bowls, ice storms and Girl Scout Cookies...

Saturday I had the pleasure of participating in free enterprise in action when Courtney Ford delivered my Girl Scout cookies. Her neighbors, Bruce and Nathan Glassco, were helping as they took advantage of the nice weather to make their deliveries.
I have many memories, mostly fond, of Girl Scout cookies. I recall knocking on doors over 40 years ago. I'm not sure how I managed, as shy as I was, but I seemed to sell my share of cookies. Then I took my turn driving my daughters around town as they participated in the annual sale. I also put in time a few years as "Cookie Chairman." The cookies have increased in price through the years and some varieties have come and gone, but they still taste great and the lessons learned are still as valuable.
Specific memories include a vivid memory of standing on the porch of Lee Richardson's house when I was selling cookies. Then there was the year I was cookie chairman and I had tonsillitis. I made the presentation to the troops while barely able to talk, then drove Lu around to sell her cookies while burning up with fever.

Tonight was Super Bowl night. I always look forward to the commercials. This year they were not as cutting edge as in years past. Several were cute, like the GE wind energy one where a little boy captures a jarful of wind and brings it to his grandfather to help blow out the birthday candles. Budweiser, as usual, had several good ones this year featuring the clydesdales. I especially enjoyed the one with the clydesdale going after his girlfriend at the circus, and the clydesdale playing fetch. I also liked the Pepsi refresh anthem, and the promotion of the new film "Up." I do believe the slow economy took its toll on the quality and quantity of the ads.
The halftime show was nothing spectacular. I think the halftime shows have regressed. We used to look forward to something special in the way of a light show, or something, instead of old rock stars performing with mediocre audio.
I was disappointed with the officiating of the game, and the outcome was not what I had hoped. When we were in Scotsdale, Arizona, recently the local newspaper was hyped up about the local team's chances to be in the bowl game, so I was rooting for the Cardinals.
It's interesting how the Super Bowl has become such an American icon, so popular it draws the biggest stars, highest advertising revenue and an interview with the president. I'm not a big follower of professional football, but there's something about the Super Bowl that draws me.

Last week the whole family was iced in for two days. That's the first time in years that everyone had had to stay home due to the weather. At least the power stayed on and everyone had their computers and movies and phones, so we survived.

A new week's beginning and hopefully things will be back to normal with everybody where they're supposed to be and no surprises for awhile. It's time for me to tackle the dreaded chore of getting my tax info gathered, so don't expect to hear from me until I surface from that. I hate it enough without having to listen to the nonstop TV ads and news shows peppering me with reminders. I hope to get it all behind me so I won't have to feel the pressure every time I turn around. Wish me luck!

Random thoughts

I was shopping at Wal-Mart today and they had the store's monitors tuned to the Inauguration ceremonies. I noticed a black man holding a little girl and watching as Obama took the oath of office. That would have made a great picture. I thought it was neat, anyway.

Now, on to other topics.
This blogging is quite interesting. I had not gotten involved in reading them much before, but since I've been researching what else is out there, I've learned a lot. Like the whole internet in general, there is such a massive variety of blogs about anything under the sun. I keep getting bogged down reading instead of writing!

I spent my afternoon being frustrated and aggravated because I couldn't get packing slips for my Snap-on orders that came in yesterday and today. The past 3 or 4 months it's been hit and miss with them getting a picklist in the boxes. You can't exactly check in the shipment or put it on the truck without that list. I can call in and they will email one, but that is a joke, too. I've done that several times and gotten them in several different formats. The only way that gives you anything like a legible printout is a PDF, but I've only gotten it that way once or twice. Otherwise they send it in some kind of text format that is a big mess to decipher. I guess it's better than nothing, but just barely! I don't know what they pay those people working in the warehouse, but I think it's probably too much! Sometimes I think they go out of their way to just toss things in the boxes - some packages come in looking like they've been stomped on! And, while I'm ranting about their shipping, they waste more packaging! There will be one or two little tools in a big ol' box stuffed with paper. What a waste!

OK, that's enough soapbox for one night. Maybe I'll have something more interesting to report next time.

Inauguration Day - A Day of Firsts and Lasts

Tuesday is the third presidential inauguration of the 21^st century. It is the inauguration of the 44^th president of the United States. It is a day of firsts...and lasts.

On Tuesday, January 20^th, 2008, Barack Obama will become the first black president of a country once known as “the melting pot.” Considered the highest achievement in our country, Tuesday will be the last time for that particular first. Coming on the day after Martin Luther King day makes the feat seem all the more poignant.

King's speech, “I have a dream...” has been quoted time and again. This line: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character," is the one I hope and pray is being realized.

I have to admit, I did not support Obama for president. Not because of skin color, race, or sex, but because my dream was to see Hillary Clinton in the office. I was most concerned about Obama's youth and lack of experience, but mainly I just like Hillary and was very disappointed that she did not win. Having said that, I have had time since the election to put my concerns aside to support the leader of our nation. Obama's actions so far have given me hope and some faith in him that I have not had in the president the past eight years.

Our nation needs change. It needs the breath of fresh air that a younger, new family in the white house will provide. Unlike my feelings following the last inauguration, I am looking forward to learning what lies ahead.

I do feel that for positive things to happen we as a nation need to put the “firsts” behind us and allow the new president to settle in to the job of running our country. I hope that we can learn to once again be a cohesive group, working for what's best for the nation as a whole. Yes, we should honor our heritage, but we must embrace being “Americans” first and foremost if our country is going to continue to stand as “one nation, undivided.”

My dream is that as Americans we will be able to recognize our citizens and leaders for what they stand for, for their ability to do their jobs, whether they are black, white, green or purple, male or female, short or tall.