The Norman Transcript
NORMAN — Sen. Sparks receives service award
State Sen. John Sparks, D-Norman, was recently honored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education when he was presented with the Distinguished Service Award.
The presentation took place at the Dick Bell Courtroom of Andrew M. Coats Hall at the OU College of Law.
Hosting the ceremony was one of the last duties of Dean Andy Coats and one of the first duties of Dean Joe Harroz who is new dean of the law school.
University of Oklahoma President David Boren said, “I applaud the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in selecting Sparks to receive this prestigious award. I appreciate the strong support John Sparks has given to higher education and the University during his service in the State Senate.”
Chancellor Glen Johnson presented the Distinguished Service Award, citing Sparks’ hard work at the legislature on behalf of institutions of higher learning.
“Sen. John Sparks is very deserving of the Distinguished Service Award. During his service in the Senate, he has worked tirelessly on behalf of the students of Oklahoma. He has been a strong advocate for higher education by supporting the endowed chairs bond issues in 2008 and 2010, protecting our institutions from major funding cuts and opposing concealed weapons on campuses,” Johnson said. “Our state system of higher education is very grateful for his service.”
Sparks expressed his gratitude to the Regents and Johnson, as well as those who attended the ceremony.
“I am grateful and humbled to receive this distinguished award, and I will continue to work on behalf of higher education in the future,” Sparks said.
Labor Day picnic planned at park
The Cleveland County Democratic Party’s annual Labor Day picnic will begin at 5 p.m. Monday at Andrews Park.
Organizers plan lots of barbecue, homemade dishes, dessert and a vegetarian choice. Suggested donations are $10 per individual or $25 per family.
Democratic candidates expected to attend include Jari Askins (governor), Kenneth Corn (lieutenant governor), Jim Priest (attorney general), Stephen Covert (state treasurer), Lloyd Fields (labor commissioner), Susan Paddack (state school superintendent), Kim Holland (insurance commissioner), John Sparks (state senator), Wallace Collins (state representative), Amy Corley (state representative), Emily Virgin (state representative), Chris Odneal (state representative) and Jim Robertson (county commissioner).
Third legislator signs no gift list
State Rep. Charles Key, R-Oklahoma City, has authorized Oklahoma’s Common Cause to post his name as the third public official on its “No Gifts List” in Oklahoma. State Rep. Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie) was the first to sign on and State Sen. Andrew Rice (D-Oklahoma City), Minority Leader-Elect, was the second legislator.
This list, located on Oklahoma Common Cause’s website at www.commoncause.org/OK/NoGifts, provides a way for public officials to end constituent perceptions that they engage in an inappropriate game of quid pro quo with lobbyists for special interests.
By putting their name on the list, officials and candidates pledge that they will not accept anything of value from a lobbyist or another person trying to influence their actions.
Oklahoma’s Common Cause appreciates Murphy stepping forward to inaugurate the list and with addition of Rice, the list now has bipartisan support.
The list will not list parties because the point of the list is to facilitate transparency and fairness among those who make the laws and uses the citizen’s tax dollar, not for partisan advantage.
If other state public officials or candidates, who are challenging them, want to put their names on the “No Gifts List,” they may contact Lynn Howell, Chair of Oklahoma’s Common Cause, at thowell@dayedwards.com at 239-2121 or John Wood, board member, woody_74075@yahoo. com at 372-6178.
Schumacher fundraiser planned
A meet and greet/fundraiser for Tracy Schumacher, a candidate for District Judge in Cleveland, McClain and Garvin counties will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the home of Stephen Teel, 490 Elm.
Martin, Balkman on lunch agenda
State Rep. Scott Martin, R-Norman, will review the past legislative session and provide a preview of the 2011 session, including legislation that he plans to introduce at the Cleveland County Republican Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Kendall’s Restaurant in Noble. Cost is $12 which includes lunch, tax and tip.
Additionally, former state Rep. Thad Balkman, will discuss all 11 state questions on the November ballot. Guests are asked to RSVP with Bobby Cleveland 517-5990
Additionally, U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, the GOP nominee for governor, will be at the Cleveland County Fair, Friday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Congresswoman Fallin will be available to answer questions. She will be at the Cleveland County Republican Party booth.
Newt Gingrich to be in Frisco
Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich will be the guest speaker at the 2010 Star Executive Summit 11 a.m. Sept. 30 at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Frisco, Texas.
Proceeds from the event will help raise a portion of the $1.4 million committed to children’s charities in north Texas. Former Norman residents Kim and Rick Boyle are involved with the charity and the executive summit.
More information is available at www.starchildrens.com.
Forum planned on proposed city ordinance
The League of Women Voters, Norman and the Sierra Club — Red Earth Group will hold a forum and panel discussion on the proposed Norman Greenbelt ordinance 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Norman City Hall multi-purpose room, 200 W. Gray.
Panelists include Lyntha Wesner, chair of the Norman Greenbelt Commission, and Patrick Copeland of the city’s Planning and Community Development office. The event is open to the public.
Tribal runoff election results announced
Chickasaw Nation Election Secretary Rita Loder has announced the results of the 2010 tribal runoff election Aug. 31.
Panola District Seat 1 incumbent Beth Alexander of Achille, defeated Beryl F. Sears of Hendrix. Alexander received 464 votes while Sears received 342 votes.
Incumbent legislators Mary Jo Green, Linda Briggs and Timothy K. Colbert were all reelected in the July 27 primary election.
Incumbent Supreme Court Justice Mark Holmes Colbert also won reelection in the primary.
Elected officials who will take the oath of office 11 a.m. Oct. 1 include Beth Alexander, Panola District Seat 1; Mary Jo Green, Pontotoc District, Seat 1; Linda Briggs, Pickens District, Seat 3; Timothy K. Colbert, Tishomingo District Seat 2; and Mark Holmes Colbert, Supreme Court, Seat 1.
For more information, call Loder at (888) 661-0137.
Wallace Collins featured speaker at Dems’ meeting
State Rep. Wallace Collins, House District 45, will be the featured speaker at the Cleveland County Democratic Party’s Tyner Cornbread and Beans luncheon Friday at the Olive Garden in Norman.
Rep. Collins has lived in House District 45 all his life and has raised his family in the district.
He is running for his fifth term in the Oklahoma Legislature.
He serves as Assistant Minority Whip and upon re-election, he will become Vice Chair of the Democratic House Caucus.
He has been a long-time advocate for public education having had three generations of his family serving the community in various educational capacities.
His grandmother taught in a one room school in Cleveland County, his mother was a teacher and principal and is now in the OU College of Education Hall of Fame, and two daughters-in-law are teachers.
Lunch begins 11:15 a.m. with the speaker beginning about noon. Guest will order from the Olive Garden lunch menu. The meeting is open to the public.
— Transcript Staff
