Let's talk about the streets

[tnajk]

We're new to Oklahoma and to Guthrie (Actually in South Logan County between Edmond and Guthrie but my children attend Guthrie Schools)

Can anyone tell me WHY Logan County doesn't care for thier streets?? It drives me nuts when they put patch over patch over patch.

We were warned by all of our friends and family to not move into Logan County because of this very reason. Of course, the streets were our last concern at the time, moving from another State we just wanted to find that perfect house! Now all I hear is "I told you so".

So where exactly is our tax money being spent??

[jman253]

I also live in south Logan County. I can tell you that for years noone has cared for our roads. However, with the influx of people and a fairly new *Controversial* commissioner. There have been a lot of road miles actually re-paved or brought up from gravel to paved blacktop roads. I live in SW Logan county and am in Deer Creek school district. The commissioner down here has re paved or upgraded I think it has been 23 road miles in 4 and a half years. So if you live south you are either in Mark Sharptons area or Kevin Leachs area (good luck getting anything done with him). If you call Sharpton and tell him your concerns he will be up front and let you know his plans for the next 4 to 5 yrs for your area (If you live in his area). Good Luck and Logan County is really a wonderful place to live despite the roads.He will also give you the breakdown of your tax dollars if you ask. Trust me about 65% goes to schools.

[Marko]

Believe it or not the roads are in pretty good shape right now! All we can do is hope with all the new people moving into the southern part things will get better?

S.L.C. also
(South Logan County )

[tnajk]

So if you live south you are either in Mark Sharptons area or Kevin Leachs area (good luck getting anything done with him).

Hmmm... okay so how do I go about finding this information out?

[Okiekatt]

Good Lord Jman, Sharpton must be a greater "spooner" in bed.

tnak, feel free to contact whoever is your county commissioner, call the main office at the court house at 282-2124 and they can help you determine who your commissioner is. If Leach is your commissioner, he is a heck of a likable guy and will listen and help in anyway he can. Just like Sharpton would, but be prepared, if you talk to Sharpton, you're likely to get a campaign speech over the phone too. (That's for you JMAN LOL)

[Marko]

Leach is likeable and doesn't do much.

Sharpton not liked by quite a few, does quite a bit.

Thus is politics...

[Karried]

In Edmond we have a Pothole hotline to call .. does Guthrie or South Logan have one?

That might be a temporary solution.

[Okiekatt]

Yes and if Sharpton could have all his wishes come true the Hospital would close and there would be no new Jail and THEN he would be able to do more for roads in southern county. He is rarely for the betterment of the county, just for the betterment of what makes him look better.

But please, don't take my word for it, I am a LONG time Sharpton decenter, I don't like the guy, his motives or his politics. I am completely upfront on my remarks.

[jman253]

You are upfront on your remarks Katt but as usual you are talking out the side of your mouth or should I say out your ARSE. You usually dont know the whole story before you speak. Just as Marko stated he is not liked by many (Guthrieites) but liked by most in south county (I think we proved that in the last election). He ws not against the jail he just wasnt out campaigning for it. I mean he campaigned on no new taxes (most true Republicans do) to help him get in office. How could he get elected one month by stating I will fight to keep the taxes low in Logan County and then the next month be voting to increase taxes for the jail (DUH) Then you would talk about him then as well for not keeping his promise of no new taxes. He cant win for losing. He told me once "If they liked me they wouldnt have anyone to hate" I thought that was so true. Because if you ever get anyone by themselves ie.... Sheriff, DA, Clerk etc.... They will tell you I like Mark, he is just to controversial for Guthrie.......He doesnt do what the good Ole Boys from G-town have always done and just went along (Like Leach). Thats why they all talk to him and get along with him. Trust me I have been there most of that is because in typical Kevin Leach fashion he just throws himself on you. It damn sure isnt for him getting stuff done.

[Okiekatt]

My point about being "upfront" is that YOU J, are not. You are biased but yet you never state that do you?

If Shartpon was for the Jail, which you claim, then why did he vote for a resolution to say he was against the the vote at the time? I'm not talking out the side of my mouth, I have a good memory unlike you. Nice avoiding the Hospital issue, can't defend that one can you? His sole agenda is to get the tax away from the hospital and get it sold, which would be the end of the Hospital. There is NO WAY you can sit here and tell me HE is not doing that. Also real nice way to treat the Hospital that is opening an Clinic in south logan county. Real Nice.

Maybe the people you talk to tell you what you want to hear because I hear from people at those same offices you mentioned tell me their hatred of the guy. Look J, I'm sorry you can't see through him, you have your reasons to like him, but it comes down to more than I live in Guthrie so I hate him, I base my like or dislike on the facts, SHOW me one vote he has voted on that helped the county as a whole and NOT just his pocket. Speaking of his pockets, I hope he paid his taxes this year, hate for him to give me something else to talk about , like abusing his power and attempting to get out of tickets. Has he called the grand jury to look into his speeding ticket he got this month?????

[jman253]

HEHEHEHE you crack me up. The hospital if you talk to several leaders want the same thing they just wont openly come out and say it. I can think of 4 elected officials right now that would love to see it sold. Not go away just be sold to a private corporation. I think they finally realized that south county is where the money is and they saw dollar signs.Trust me Katt they arent going to just say hey I think we will open a clinic down south to help those people out. NO they are going to get there pocket books lined. I have talked to several of the admin at the hospital and they are doing some good things with the updates etc... at the hospital. But most will tell you they are doing things they really dont need to do every year but they have to show that they really need the tax so they basically are doing things they dont need to do just so they dont lose the tax. What do they call thet FLEECING OF TAXPAYERS MONEY. Hmmmmmm I am surprised you cant see it. As far as Sharpton and tickets I dont have a clue. I know I have had a few so why is that an issue? Hmm it shoudnt be. I can also think of a few legislatures, city police, deputies etc....that have received tickets for speeding and not wearing their seatbelts(no Im not talking about Murphey). So that shouldnt be an issue. As far as lining his pockets...Have you seen where he lives. It isnt like he is lining his pockets for much. Come down south and drive around and if you feel a hankerin stop and talk to some of the southerners and ask them about him. I m sure not everyone likes him but not everyone likes me nor you. I believe he was neutral in the jail I never said he was for the jail. He realized we had a need for the jail and knew it would pass so why try to disrupt the inevitable. Ok the Western project that he and Montey both voted for. Their you go. It lost out by 1 place I think the state took 8 and Western came in 9th for need. Anyways, we can argue for hours on our political views but it is like spinning wheels. What shocks me is that you say you are a Republican. Geeeez such a disgrace.

[Marko]

What shocks me is that you say you are a Republican.

On several points, here and on GNL.

Katt, you are a "The sky is falling, the sky is falling" liberal in disguise aren't you?

[Okiekatt]

Calling me an Liberal is fighting words. I am one the few conservatives still on Bush's side. Figuring out the next republican nominee, now that should be fun.

I am not for new taxes, cutting taxes fuels the economy.

Jman, since your not from "around these parts" let me give you a little history lesson on the hospital. It was sold in the early 1990 to a private company and was near bankruptcy by 1991. The county fathers and voters, at the time, voted to save the only Medical facility that several surrounding towns depend on, by giving them the one cent sales tax. The last few years they have been in the black and with the improvements and added facilities, they may be able to say, we no longer need it, but until that day comes, I want them to have a HUGE rainy day fund before the tax is stopped. When a hospital has to write off 1.2 million a year in non payments, going down hill can happen fast.

If the south is where all the growth is, like you constantly bring up, then why is it wrong for the hospital to put a clinic down there, so that they can make money and eventually give the tax back, isn't that what you want? But no, their just trying to "line their pockets". You want the public school system to build a school down south, but if the hospital builds a clinic they are EVIL and WRONG. I thought you wanted development down there? Then you bash those that do come. Make up your mind.

And don't start on the Sharpton ticket thing, you know full well what I'm talking about, you and I can get a ticket and we PAY for it, he gets a ticket and he's being attacked and wants an investigation because troopers are picking on him. Wahhhhh, Little Whine with that Cheese?

And if he was "neutral" then why bring up a resolution encouraging voters to vote it down? I have those county minutes of that meeting if you want them. When you are going to realise he tells you what you want to hear, and sometimes that's not the truth.

I go back to this, and I know you don't want to hear it, but I have a problem with someone who doesn't pay his own taxes to BE IN CHARGE OF MINE! We all make mistakes, no one is perfect, but if you were charged and found guilty of a domestic, you can no longer carry a gun Right? Well I think if you are found guilty of not paying your taxes, you should not be able to hold a job where you control tax payers money.

That doesn't sound SOOOOO crazy to me.....

What is crazy is an 08' campaign ( you know what I'm referring too) Everyone is talking and most have positive things to say, but they all agree he can't be beat, not until he steps down. I just don't want you to waste your money, you need to bide a bit more time. 08' is a big voting year, everyone will come out for the pres election, and you may have the south but he has all the towns. Murphey won because is was the only thing on the ballot and Guthrie failed to show up, that won't happen for you in 08', he'll have the numbers. I've developed a good friendship with a campaign specialist, she's great and she could help, but she said Rep against a Demo in that election, the incubant will surely win, barring some scandal.

[jman253]

Trust me Katt I have been around "These parts" for about 15yrs so I am well aware of some of the happenings and "Good Ole Boy" things going on. As usual, you are putting words in my mouth- I never said that the new clinic in south county was wrong. I am just saying they arent doing it as a good deed out of the kindness of their hearts. It is to make a profit. DUH. You were the one saying that I should be happy they are coming down to south county to help us out. As far as the school-I could care less if Guthrie schools built down south. It makes sense but the Guthrie leaders will never let that happen they are to stubborn. I didnt buy a house in Guthrie school district for a reason. Thats why I bought in Deer Creek school district. You are very strong in your words BASHING them I never bashed anyone....... I just said they are coming down here to make a profit not to just help us out. I am sure they will do well and probably carry the Guthrie clinic financially. I realize that a lot of what some people say are ~HALF TRUTHS~ KATT. I have seen a lot from you lately. It is not that you are lying but that you are only telling your half of the side of the story. Well there ya have the half truth. Referencing Sharpton and the resolution, I have never seen it nor heard of it. Not saying it isnt there, but I would like to read it. I have seen several people that have made poor decisions in the past.... but then learned and became excellent in the area they were once deficient. So as far as holding him accountable for his taxes -He should be just as the rest of us are. As far as him being over our monies and taxes well there are checks and balances and auditors that come in and check that stuff for us. To my knowledge he has received good audit reports in the past 5 yrs. So he must being doing OK. I think you are wrong on the 08 situation. I think he can be beat. If it were just Guthrie- then probably not. The rest are pretty unhappy with responses, attitudes, no professionalism, no- investigative ends. The people who rely on that office (100% rural population) are unhappy with those things. They dont see the jail like Guthrie citizens do because it is in their face everyday that they drive by it. I know a lot of folks who are unhappy from all across the county. I wished he would change a lot of stuff. A lot of the changes needed wouldnt even take money just some structuring and firing of a few people and replacing them with more competent individuals. I can almost guarantee I would have the support of MOST officers and Deputies in the county along with MOST firemen. Plus, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. He has everything to lose and nothing to gain. But I will say that a few weeks ago we talked and I told him I was probably not going to in 08'. Trust me he looked like a weight was lifted off his shoulders. He is a good person, I just think I could run it a lot more proficient. You are right 08 will be a huge voting year. Go pull up your stats for Logan County. It is primarily a Republican county. When the state overall votes for Democrats Logan County votes for Republicans. HISTORY DICTATES look it up. Trust me I have 2- campaign analysts from OKC that I have spoke with in great detail and they think (statistically he can be beat). All it would take to win an election in Logan County is carry the south precincts and Crescent precincts and you could take an election. You realistically wont see me in 2008 but .............You never know what will happen. Worse that could happen would be that I lost and my name got more recognized for 2012. RIGHT??????????

[jman253]

Liberal------Well I didnt necessarily say that but since you brought it up. HEHEHEHEHHE

[Moondog]

I grew up in Guthrie and I think the main problem with all the roads being in such poor shape (in town and out in the county) is simply that there' s not enough tax dollars to go around to maintain them. And alot of the people who live in Guthrie don't shop there, or they try to avoid shopping there. It's such a quick and easy drive to Edmond and North OKC, where, honestly, there's much more to choose from. Plus you got the people who live in southern Logan County who probably never drop a dime in the county because they're so close to Edmond. And the sales tax is lower in Edmond and OKC.

Add that to the fact that there's a lot of things you just can't buy in Guthrie or anywhere else in the county. It didn't used to be that way. Back when I was a kid we had JCPenney's and Otasco and all kinds of stores downtown where you could get pretty much anything. But not anymore.

And since so many people (like some of my family members) go to Edmond for pretty much everything, the money that could go to the town's and the county's coffers go out the door and wind up in Edmond. I'm sure alot of money from Guthrie and the county has built and paid for many of Edmond's and the City's roads, bridges, etc. If there was some way that Guthrie could build up its retail base, maybe more money would stay home and those roads would get better. Maybe the new Wal Mart Supercenter and the Walgreens will help a little.

Just my two cents....

[tnajk]

Thanks Moondog, that does make sense. I guess we're guilty of that ourselves!

You know what would be good for Guthrie/Logan County? The proposed shopping mall/convention off Covell and I-35...if the City of Edmond can't get thier act together to provide what is being asked of them and the deal falls through, they should move it North just 5-10 miles into Logan County. The revenue the County would bring in would be great and it's really not that much further away for anyone in OKC.

Hmmmm (What? I dream big!)

[Marko]

The two previous post were very good.

Here is some more news:

Mary Murphey
Logan County Commissioner Mark Sharpton announced today that District 1 has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Rural Economic Action Program (REAP) for paving one-half mile of Academy Road from 19th Street south. The award marks the fifth year District 1 has obtained REAP funds for paving roads.



Sharpton explained that REAP funding is significant due to the fact that District 1 is the least funded county commission district in Logan County. "Because we receive less road money each month than any other district, we work to bring in outside money for significant improvements.

"As a result, in the last four and one-half years, through REAP and other entities, we have acquired or received approval for $3,938,857.76. This additional funding has allowed us to pave roadways and make other safety improvements. When our current projects are completed, roads paved in District 1 since 2003 will total 30.625 miles.

"We would not have been successful in achieving this funding without the efforts of District 1 staff," Sharpton said. "I believe the residents of Logan County District 1 have been well served by their dedication."

[Okiekatt]

You want talk to about HALF TRUTHS, that whole article above in Marko's post is a bunch of twisted half truths that Sharpton is putting out there.

AGGGGGG it kills me, I just can't take it, if you want to believe in Sharpton FINE, cosy up to the bar and drink the freaking Kool aide, I'm done argueing with you when you call me a liar (well a half truth teller, same thing).

Yes it would "get" your name out there, but at what cost? You have to decide how important your word is.

[Marko]

It is a simple matter of those who do, and those who don't.

Sharpton gets things done, most Logan County officials don't!

[jman253]

Katt, I dont see how you say that the article is half truths. Drive around and verify the miles he has re paved or upgrade. Also, every bit of the monies is verifiable through the state. But wait let me guess it is all a conspiracy and its all lies. Give me a break.

[CuatrodeMayo]

There is new asphault from Waterloo to Seward.

[jman253]

Yes there is . Joe Hall got that approved by the state for some sort of grant. Sharpton actually did the project under his commission and had to actually go in and get the state to re-approve more money so it could get completed. Joe Hall way underestimated the cost. Neither here nor there...IT GOT DONE. So did Western from Waterloo to Simpson: Council from Waterloo to Simmons: Charter Oak from Western to Penn: Kelly from Waterloo to Simmons there are lots more in Dist 2 as well parts of Pine, parts of Charter Oak, the list goes on and on. There is about 27-20 road miles that have been paved in southern Logan County just in Dist 1 in the past 4.5 -5 yrs.

[Okiekatt]

Joe Hall knew alot more about roads and bidding than Sharpton, it's that Sharpton handles a budget like he handles his taxes, poorly. Dang that was low huh? Oh well, I'm in a mood.

What's wrong with the article? Do you know exactly how Sharpton's district gets all the grants and the other two get very little approved. They all apply just the same but who governs the state board who approves the grants? Hummmmmm who is that person?

Sure Sharpton gets things done, at higher cost, illegally, and does not give two cents if the rest of the county gets crap. He routinely votes down items that would benefit everyone, THAT is my biggest problem with him. His title is Logan County Commissioner, not JUST South County Commission, to hell with the rest.

J, I wouldn't tether myself too tightly to the Sharpton Band Wagon, never know when that indictment might drop right on his head.

[jman253]

Sorry it took me so long to reply Okie Katt. But I will agree Joe Hall knows more about the physical portion of building the roads. Bidding I will beg to differ. If you actually go and sit down and look at how he has handled his budget he actually does a good job. The only thing that was brought up after the last audit was the district 1 flyer that he sent to all Dist 1 citizens. Scott Meacham told him he couldnt use the funds to send the flyer. The sheriff got hit with no nos as well as 65-70% of the elected officials after the last audit. I will in a round about way agree with you on the way he gets grants. He has become pro-active and attends the meetings etc... and gets voted in on some of the boards by doing that, that does nothing but assists the county as a whole. Our other 2 commissioners apparently have no interest in attending nor becoming members of these very important groups. It is sad to me that a certain district (dist 2) has a piece of very expensive equipment and refuses to allow another district (Dist 1) the rights to use that piece of equipment therefore they have to outsource for using a piece of equipment that the county has already paid for. You say at a higher cost, illegally????? I have never heard of him doing anything illegally and if you could prove that I would think that OSBI would be investigating, so I would definitely be a lil quieter when you slander someone on something such as that without any proof (legitimate proof not Guthrieite rumor mill). You talk about him not caring about what the other areas of the county get etc.... How soon people forget. Do you not remember what Joe Hall did and what Arkie Crews did after Joe got beat. Yeh thats right we forgot about that. The road monies getting transferred out of Dist 1 to fund other districts. Dist 1 is the largest populated district by far in this county. They re-arranged the monies to where dist 3 our least populated dist got the majority of the money. They also moved large pieces of machinery out of Dist 1 and distributed the rest to Dist 2 and Dist 3. There was a formal complaint filed and after a few months our wonderful DA Rob Hudson advised the other commissioners they had best get the equipment back to where it belongs before charges were filed. So naturally they gave the equipment back. But the money was not technically dispersed illegally but by a slide of hand tactic of road miles not populated miles. That is a big argument and is in legislation to be changed. But it was funded off of pop miles for years as an agreement between them until Joe Hall got beat and Sharpton was coming in. Well Sharpton has overcame that and even without the road money he should be getting has improved the roads more than any other commissioner in this counties history. So good bad or indifferent he is a man who gets things done LEGALLY.