Grand Field Letter 02

LOCAL & REGION

GRANDFIELD: Threats sent to superintendent WEDNESDAY,APRIL 15, 2009

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“These people all talk about tolerance, but it seems they’re not very tolerant.” Whittington said his office followed established emergency protocol in dealing with the powdery substance — contacting the state health department and the Oklahoma Department of Homeland Security.

It was the U.S. Postal Inspection Service that ultimately found the powder to be non-threatening, Whittington said. “We immediately began treating this incident as a biohazard threat,” Whittington said. “The majority of these types of incidents are hoaxes ... but you have to treat every incident as the real McCoy until it is proven otherwise.”

Amanda McMurrey, public information officer for the Fort Worth division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, said her office is following up on the investigation. “We take this very seriously,” McMurrey said. “People who send this type of hoax communication, especially with a powder, can face up to five years in jail.” Turlington said the incident

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proved more of an annoyance than anything. “Who in the hell would try and disrupt a whole program over an opinion when they don’t even know the whole circumstances?” he said. He said he was also frustrated that emergency responders could not get to Grandfield and identify the substance sooner. “Why should a school have

to wait three-and-a-half hours to get a response,” he said. “What if it had been anthrax in the air or something?” But Whittington said the incident gave his department — as well as state homeland security officials — an idea of what does and doesn’t work when responding to bio-hazard incidents. He said he will meet with homeland security officials in

Elgin Elementary and E-911

Youngsters learn how to make emergency calls

BY SCOTT RAINS

STAFF WRITER [email protected]

ELGIN — Kindergarten students at Elgin Elementary have been learning to be unafraid under fearful conditions when calling 911 in an emergency. Elgin Police Officer Cindy Tracy was joined by county dispatchers Sarah Chapman and Jessice Daoang Tuesday afternoon to share information with Janie Smith’s 17 kindergartners. The children focused on Tracy’s every word as she spoke about handling emergency situations and calling for help. “What number do you dial in an emergency?” Tracy asked. “911!” was the excited response of the children. “And now I’m going to introduce you to who you’ll be calling,” Tracy said before presenting Chapman and Daoang. Each student sat with a dispatcher and made a faux emergency call to get a real

CITY:

Revocation policy debated

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has a fourth option: Increasing penalties for those who sell alcohol to minors. He suggested a $10,000 fine, a proposal vetoed by Jensen because the city’s penalties are set by state law.

Disagreement Not everyone agreed the council should be removed from the process. Ward 4 Councilman Jay Burk said removing the council from the appeal process removes council powers, adding the council should at least “look over our own ordinances.” One retail representative also asked the council to remain part of the appeal process, saying without the council, there would be less avenues for a retailer faced with revocation or suspension of a license. But, Shanklin said those who lose their licenses always have the option of appealing to district court. Jensen, noting his office has two similiar cases pending, said he would prefer the issues go through a court of law.

Tattoo parlors In other business during the five-hour long meeting, council members directed Jensen’s staff to rewrite city code to repeal a provision that prohibits tattoo parlors within 1,000 feet of a school, church or playground, and approved a contract with Horn Sanitation, which will set up two recycling centers so the city will have an active recycling program. The tattoo parlor action came after the council returned from executive session, where they discussed a lawsuit posed by Mike Evans, who wants to open a tattoo parlor near North Sheridan Road and Cache Road, but has been refused permission because of a nearby church. An Oklahoma County district judge has ruled illegal the state law upon which Lawton’s law is based.

Recycling centers Horn Sanitation’s bid means the firm will set up two recycling centers within fenced enclosures and maintain the site, with its payment to be the revenue it generates by selling recyclable materials.

BY ZEKE CAMPFIELD

ON THE AGENDA / Lawton City Council Summit Village for right of way on Southwest 52nd Street. Q A temporary construction permits for improvements at the Fort Sill Apache Casino project. Q Installation of traffic control measures at Parkview Boulevard at Cherry; Laird Boulevard; East Gore Boulevard, Interstate 44 to Flower Mound Road; Cherry at Northwest 16th Street. Q Denying requests for traffic control measures on Kingsbriar Drive at Fieldcrest Drive; Northwest Bell Avenue at Northwest 15th Street. Q Installation/removal of street lights. Q A contract amendment with Jacobs Consultancy for additional planning services for Lawton’s Sustainable Growth Study and Plan. Q Extending health and dental third party administrator contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Oklahoma City. Q Awarding non-exclusive recycling center operation to Horn Sanitation, Lawton. Q Awarding GPS system to Midwest A&E Supply. Q Extending employee assistance program contract with Deer Oaks EAP Services, San Antonio, Texas. Q Awarding rear load refuse collection body to J&R Equipment, Oklahoma City. Q Extending mowing and litter contract with Teen Challenge of Oklahoma, Cache. Q Extending nuisance abatement contract with Charlie’s Backhoe & Demolition, Sterling.

Elderly man reports threats, extortion by granddaughter BY MALINDA RUST

STAFF WRITER [email protected]

For most of us, memories of riding around with grandpa involve trips to the ice cream store or bait shop, but for one Lawton woman, Tuesday’s ride was filled with domestic violence and a borderline robbery. According to a police report, officers were called just before 2 p.m. to respond to a situation at City National Bank, located near Southwest 6th Street and D Avenue. The 86year-old victim told the teller he needed help because his granddaughter, who was waiting in the parked car outside, demanded he withdraw mon-

Frederick store closing STAFF WRITER [email protected]

understanding of what it would be like and to help assuage fears. “It is very rewarding to get to practice with the kids,” Chapman said. “We get kid callers all the time.” Tracy has offered the program as part of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week for the last five years; the last three with support from county dispatch. Another kindergarten class will have a presentation on Thursday. “It puts a face with the voice on the line,” Tracy said. Each year, the second week of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicaSCOTT RAINS/STAFF tors. The official name of the Elgin kindergartner Caleb Lanz receives a coloring book, pencil and zipper pull following a successful 911 week when originally intro- call with Comanche County dispatcher, Jessica Daoang. duced in Congress in 1991 was National Public Safety and International Public Safe- Caleb Lanz. Under his intense a picture of a car wreck. “I Telecommunicators Week. In ty Telecommunicator’s Week. gaze, Daoang talked him had one of these with my pa the intervening years, it has The students received col- through his call. last Friday,” Adams said. somehow become known by oring books, pencils and zip“Very good, Caleb. Help is “We had to call 911 and poseveral other names, includ- per pulls following successful on the way,” Daoang said. lice officers. I’m not so ing National Public-Safety calls with the dispatcher. Korbin Adams showed his scared now if I have to call Telecommunications Week “My dad got shot,” said coloring book. He pointed to for help,” he said.

The City Council considered the following items at Tuesday’s meeting: CITY TRANSIT TRUST Approved: Q Resolution authorizing the filing of a grant for assistance with Federal Transit Administration. Q Establishing advertising fees for 35-foot transit bus. Q Text and graphics for proposed rear bus wraps and one street-side wrap submitted for IBC Bank. Q Text and graphics for proposed bus wrap submitted for Midas. CONSENT AGENDA Approved: Q Damage claims forDaniel Pinkney, $1,721.73; Carl and Rita Eubanks, $263.76; Barbara Stewart, $1,172.50; Harold Byrd, $1,168. Q Denial of damage claim for Christopher Tanequodle, $109.45. Q Application and acceptance of the 2009 Department of Justice Edward Byrne Assistance Grant. Q Application and acceptance of the 2009 Community Oriented Policing Grant. Q A permanent and temporary easements from Harvey and Dorothy Jenkins, and Gary and Ann Tubbs, for Numu Creek bridge replacement project. Q Permanent easement from Guy and Betty Dodd, for additional right of way for Northwest 67th Street project. Q A warranty deed from

Frederick on Thursday to discuss how these types of emergencies can be better handled in rural areas of the state. “There was a hole that got identified because of this,” Whittington said. “All the planning and everything has been geared toward the large metropolitan areas, but that has been identified thanks to this incident, and things will be handled.”

ey for her or she was going to “harm him.” A police report said the two went to collect $40 from the suspect’s brother for an unknown reason, but he didn’t hand over the cash. Then, the man’s granddaughter “began to call (him) names and slapped him in the chest,” the report said. She told him to go to the bank and get the $40— needed for an unknown reason. That’s when he went to the bank and asked for help. Police arrived and talked with both parties, however, the granddaughter was not arrested. Officials at the Department of Human Services were notified, though.

Q Appointments to boards and commissions. Q Payroll for March 23-April 5. NEW BUSINESS Approved: Q Declaring 905 SW 12th and 1207 New York as condemned. Q An ordinance closing 5 feet of utility easement at 316 and 318 Boatsman Avenue. Q Consider an ordinance amending nuisance and health codes, to incorporate state law provisions that prohibit the use of lighted tobacco in certain public places; with an emergency clause. Q Consider an ordinance amending code, allowing vehicles to partially park on yards abutting roadways under certain conditions. Q Consider an ordinance clarifying restaurants and other businesses that derive more than 50 percent of their sales from sources other than alcohol are not mixed beverage establishments. 29. Discuss and take action about extending a contract with Giuseppe’s Landscaping & Lawn Care, to complete tree pruning in Elmer Thomas Park. (No action) 30. Discuss the authority of the mayor, City Council and city manager, as established by City Charter. (No action taken) 31. Receive an update on 2nd Street Enhancement Project and Tax Increment Financing District. 32. Discuss Fiscal Year 20092010 budget; take appropriate action. (No action taken) 33. Discuss billboard at 2010 W.

Lee; take appropriate action. (No action) Q Consider a lease agreement with Duit Construction Company for city property along the Northwest 67th Street reconstruction project and along Rogers Lane, for use as temporary concrete batch/construction site. Q Consider appointing a proxy for final decision authority to accept or reject bids from public auction of a 1998 scrapper and a 1994 scraper.

Tabled: Q Declaring

411 SE Larrance and 911 SW C as condemed. No Action: Q Discuss and take appropriate action concerning amending the process for an appeal of a municipal judge order to revoke or suspend a retail dealer’s low point beer license. EXECUTIVE SESSION 36. Advised city attorney to rescind code requirement banning tattoo parlors within 1,000 feet of a church, school or playground. 37. Discuss the lawsuit Jamal Lipford vs. City of Lawton; take appropriate action in open session. (No action) 38. Discuss negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement between the city and police union; take appropriate action in open session. (No action taken) — Kim McConnell/staff

Sell unwanted items. Call Classified 357-9545.

FREDERICK — The rumor is true: one of two grocery stores in Tillman County will close its doors before the week is out. Greg Clinkenbeard, owner of the Delbert’s Supermarket chain, said Thursday will be the last day for employees and customers of his Frederick grocery store. “It’s just a business decision,” Clinkenbeard said of the closure. The store opened in Frederick in November 2004 and has about 16 employees, Clinkenbeard said. His other stores — in Comanche, Rush Springs, Hobart and Waurika — will remain open, he said. A spokesperson for Homeland Stores — which owns the remaining grocery store in Frederick, United Supermarkets — confirmed on Tuesday that it will purchase the closed store with the intentions of reopening it. Clinkenbeard said he could not discuss details of the business transaction.

Altus man to succeed Burns Hargis BY ZEKE CAMPFIELD STAFF WRITER [email protected]

ALTUS — Ken Fergeson, chairman and CEO of the National Bank of Commerce in Altus, has been selected to chair the board of directors at Creative Oklahoma Inc. Fergeson will succeed V. Burns Hargis, president of Oklahoma State University, as chairman of the non-profit organization’s FERGESON 4 4 - m e m b e r board — which is composed of business, education and cultural leaders from across Oklahoma. A former chairman of the American Bankers Association, Fergeson is active with the Oklahoma Bankers Association, Oklahoma State Chamber, the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, Oklahoma Heritage Association and the ONE Awards of the Oklahoma Center for Non-profits. Creative Oklahoma Inc. is a nonprofit organization established to launch the Oklahoma Creativity Project, a statewide initiative supporting, promoting and enhancing creativity and innovation in the areas of commerce, education and culture. The organization led the 2008 effort to designate Oklahoma as the first state to be distinguished as a “creativity district” by the World Creativity Forum.

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