From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Wednesday, July 3,1996
Area Communities Plan Celebrations
Conference Center Negotiations Begin
Study of Five City Buildings Set For Commission Review Monday
First Lutheran Church Plans Picnic Thursday
Lung Camp for Children With Asthma Available
Robert G. Swopes
Marsha R. Wingrave
Jerry Ray Mitchell
Oscar L. Hodgson
Joe D. Dobbs
Lance Lee Morrill
Hunter Ed Class
Big Bass a Winner
LOCAL
Area Communities Plan Celebrations
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Local residents can celebrate the Fourth of July with their neighbor communities.
Blackwell, Tonkawa and Newkirk will host fireworks displays at dusk.
The best decorated bike contest will be held in Blackwell at 10:30 a.m.
at the Service Center on North Main Street. After the contest, participants
can ride down Main Street in the Fourth of July parade.
Everyone is welcome to join the parade, according to a Chamber of Commerce
official. Participants need to show up by 10:45 a.m. at the CO-OP on North
Main Street.
The VFW booth will serve hot dogs and soft drinks on the Kay County Fairgrounds.
White Stone will provide live entertainment from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Games for the children will also be held at the fairgrounds beginning at
1 p.m. Activities include turtle races, a three-legged race, sack races,
egg races and an egg toss. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.
Families can also attend the American Legion AAA game at Morgan Field. Fireworks
will be displayed at dusk. The Blackwell Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring
the event.
Festivities in Tonkawa begin at 4:30 p.m. at Blinn Park. A Mr. Muscle and
Miss Tiny Tot pageant are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Food concessions will
be available.
The Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce is hosting a fireworks display at dusk.
The Newkirk Chamber of Commerce will host Fourth of July activities at the
Newkirk Country Club. Children's games will begin at 5 p.m.
An assortment of "fair food" will be sold, according to an official
from the fireworks committee. At dusk, families can enjoy a fireworks display.
Marland City Councilman Terry Guthrie said the town is planning an area-wide
fireworks display Friday evening in Calvin Case Park in Marland.
Preceding the fireworks display, a barbecue is planned with everyone welcome
- just bring a covered dish and your own lawn chair, and join in the fun,
Guthrie invited.
He said a Pendleton blanket and a ladies Indian shawl are on the "giveaway"
list as part of the day's entertainment. City councilmen are requesting
no alcohol, please.
Guthrie said the town served more than 250 people with barbecue last July
4, and hope to repeat the good crowd again this year.
Christmas in July will be held in Kaw City Saturday at Pioneer Beach at
Kaw Lake. Families can enjoy the greased pole, dunk tank, moonwalk, canoe
racing and sand castle building.
A lighted boat flotilla will begin after dark, followed by a fireworks display.
The celebration is sponsored by the Kaw City Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, contact the Kaw City Chamber at (405) 269-2276. All
events are open to the public.
Conference Center Negotiations Begin
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
In a special called Tuesday meeting, the Marland Estate Commission voted
to enter preliminary negotiations with Monumental Enterprises Inc., for
the purpose of leasing the Conference Center.
Presiding over the Commission meeting was incoming chairman Larry Stephenson,
who was the original charter chairman in 1976.
The presentation on behalf of the ad hoc Facilities Use Committee was Carl
Renfro, retiring Estate chairman, and a member of the ad hoc group. Early
this year the Marland Estate Commission had voted to privatize the Conference
Center.
Renfro gave a summary of the ad hoc committee's activities including advertising
for a lessee. Last week the committee heard presentations from two possible
renters.
The Facilities Use Committee, chaired by Gary Horton, with members Cheryl
Fletcher, Larry Hughes, Renfro, Barry Bickle, Phyllis Worley and T.L. Walker,
Estate coordinator, recommended that negotiations be entered into with Monumental
Enterprises.
With a quorum of eight members, the Marland Estate Commission voted to accepted
the Facilities Use Committees' recommendation.
Renfro said Monumental Enterprises is owned by former Ponca Citians David
and Sarah Myers. Myers is a retired Conocoan. Their son would also be active
in operating the conference center.
Apparently further negotiations will be worked out by City Attorney Kevin
Murphy and the Myers' attorney. The final document will come back to the
Marland Estate Commission for approval and then to the City Commission for
final action.
The target date for turning over operation of the conference center to private
enterprise is Sept. 1. The Conference Center includes lodging rooms, meeting
rooms, and a large banquet hall.
Apple Cart Catering provides the food service on a contract basis and its
contract would be negotiated through Monumental Enterprises according to
recommendation.
An orientation for new members was announced for 10 a.m. to noon July 10
at the Conference Center.
Study of Five City Buildings Set For Commission Review Monday
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
The Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee will present its study of five city buildings
to the Ponca City Board of Commissioners on Monday.
Mayor Marilyn Andrews appointed 36 citizens to a committee to study the
needs of certain Ponca City buildings. The committee was to make an independent
review and submit its determination to the Board of Commissioners.
Linda Brown, co-chair of the committee, said two days were set aside to
tour the Civic Center, Fire Station, Public Safety Center, Cultural Center
and Hutchins Memorial.
Carl Cline and Brad Brunko, facilitators for Conoco, offered their services
to lead the committee to a conclusion.
Each building was analyzed with committee members communicating options
in an open forum. A facility was then scored to establish the preferred
alternative.
One score was awarded based on each member's personal feeling of an option.
A second score was given to access the risk associated with an option.
The alternative with the lowest composite score will be recommended to the
commissioners.
The study revealed that preferred options should include the renovation,
restoration and expansion of City Hall. The Public Safety Center should
be renovated and brought up to codes. Additionally, 911 and Civil Defense
should be moved, according to the study.
Preferred options for the Hutchins Memorial include fixing just what needs
to be fixed for a ten year period. According to scores, the Cultural Center
should be sold.
Constructing a new building, leasing office space elsewhere and purchasing
the Commercial Federal Building were other possibilities discussed for City
Hall.
The committee talked about renovating the Public Safety Center, adding another
floor, abandoning the building as well as leasing or purchasing the Commercial
Federal Building.
With regard to the Hutchins Memorial, members suggested the building be
demolished, abandoned, put up for sale or renovated.
Leasing, band-aiding or bringing the building up to code and compliance
were alternatives discussed for the Cultural Center.
If the Cultural Center is sold, the committee hopes the new owner will be
required to maintain the historical value, if legally possible.
"The City of Ponca City cannot be in the business of owning buildings,"
Brown noted. "We kept in mind what was essential for the city to provide,"
she said.
"If economic times were not a factor, we would have kept it all,"
confirmed Brown.
Members devoted more than 60 hours to the study. "Decisions were not
unanimous, but everyone took an active part and understand why we're going
with the current recommendations," said the co-chair.
The commissioners will decide whether or not to adopt the recommendations
from the Blue Ribbon Committee. If the board gives approval for the city
to fund the project, it will go before a vote of the people.
First Lutheran Church Plans Picnic Thursday
On Thursday, at 5 p.m., members and friends of First Lutheran Church are
invited to join in fun, fellowship and celebration of this country's independence.
Those attending are asked to bring a picnic for their own family along with
drinks, blankets and/or lawn chairs and meet at the "picnic area"
of First Lutheran (the grassy area east of the new Lutheran School.)
The neighborhood folks at Fourth and Liberty may even hear First Lutheran's
old church bell ring once more as it calls the picnickers to gather at the
flag pole for the singing of patriotic songs, devotions, and prayer.
A competition of "water balloon" volleyball will follow the ceremony
at the flag pole - a game guaranteed to be as much fun to watch as it is
to play.
Spectators will be served ice cold watermelon as they "cheer"
for their favorites. At 8 p.m. the gathering is invited to join in a carpool
to Newkirk to watch the fireworks display.
Lung Camp for Children With Asthma Available
Although kids with asthma can't always breath easy, this summer their parents
can. The American Lung Association of Oklahoma is inviting kids 7-15 years
of age to attend the annual Asthma Camp at Wagoner, July 13-20.
The camp which has been held annually for about 20 years, offers campers
a fun mix of adventure and asthma education. The medically trained staff
teach children with asthma to recognize the signs and symptoms when an asthma
episode is coming on and to predict most episodes with peak flow meters.
Campers will also learn how to use an inhaler correctly and how to control
shortness of breath.
"Asthma Camp was designed to teach kids with asthma to recognize their
triggers and control an episode before it starts. They also learn to have
a lot of fun despite having asthma," said Lisa Rodgers, Asthma Camp
program director.
The 8-day adventure will also include canoeing, hiking, archery, horseback
riding, arts, and crafts. Children from around the state with varying degrees
of asthma are welcome to attend the camp.
To ensure safety, a professional medical staff is on duty 24 hours-a-day
throughout the week. The cost is $200 and scholarships are available.
For more information call the American Lung Association at (918)-747-3441
or 1-800-647-5864.
LITTLE NEWS
Joe and Chyrl Gillespie ann-ounce the birth of a daughter, Kaylee Praise,
May 28, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds
and 3 ounces, and was 201¦4 inches long. Kaylee has a sister, Meracle
June.
Maternal grandparents are Norris and Rose White of Ponca City. Paternal
grandparents are Bill and Peggy Berry of Afton. Great-grandmother is Leota
Berry of Derby, Kan.
NEWS BRIEFS
Pool Closed - Community Pool will be closed July 4.
Office Closed - Birthchoice will be closed on July 4 for Independence Day.
Child Nutrition Closed - The Summer Child Nutrition program at Garfield
and Lincoln Elementary Schools will be closed Thursday and Friday for the
Independence Day holiday. Regular hours will resume on Monday.
Early Closing Time - Wentz Camp and Pool areas will be closed early Thursday.
Terry Connelly, director of the facility, said the camp and pool would be
closed at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Fire - Three juveniles playing with pop bottle rockets started a grass fire
3-1/2 miles east on Lake Road at 9:35 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Ponca
City Fire Department. Firefighters extinguished the fire.
Accident - A Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident at South
Waverly Street and West South Avenue at 8:16 a.m. Tuesday.
Vandalism - A woman in the 600 block of South Fifth Street contacted the
Ponca City Police Department at 10:23 a.m. Tuesday to report that her car
was vandalized. A report was taken by an officer.
Burglary - The Ponca City Police Department was notified at 10:55 a.m. Tuesday
that a vehicle was burglarized at North Ninth Street and East Cleveland
Avenue. An officer took a report of a stolen mobile phone.
Collision - A Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident in
the 1400 block of North Union Street at 11:24 a.m. Tuesday.
Accident - A non-injury accident was reported at North First Street and
Highland Avenue at 12:08 p.m. Tuesday. A Ponca City police officer took
a report.
Fireworks - A Ponca City police officer contacted the parents of juveniles
who were shooting fireworks in the 800 block of North Elm Street at 1:01
p.m. Tuesday.
Shoplifting - A 54-year-old woman was arrested by a Ponca City police officer
at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, at 1:22 p.m. Tuesday for petit larceny.
Burglary - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a burglary at a
business in the 2100 block of North Union Street at 4:08 p.m. Tuesday.
Fire - Marland Fire Department handled a fire 8-1/2 miles south of U.S.
60 on U.S. 177 at 4:16 p.m. Tuesday.
Suspects Held - A Ponca City police officer arrested an 18-year-old man
and a 46-year-old woman at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, at 4:28
p.m. for petit larceny. A report was taken.
Arrested - A 71-year-old man was taken into custody from the Ponca City
Police Department at 4:43 p.m. Tuesday for revocation of bond.
Subject Held - A Ponca City police officer arrested an 18-year-old woman
at South Waverly Street and West South Avenue at 9:38 p.m. Tuesday on two
city warrants for failure to appear.
Arrested - A 45-year-old woman was taken into custody at North Fourteenth
Street and East Highland Avenue by a Ponca City police officer at 9:54 p.m.
Tuesday for driving under suspension and driving under the influence.
Arrested - A 30-year-old woman was arrested by a Ponca City police officer
at North Sunset Street and West Highland Avenue at 12:54 a.m. Wednesday
for driving under the influence and transporting an open container.
Subject Held - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 27-year-old man in
the 900 block of South Eighth Street at 1:52 a.m. Wednesday for driving
under the influence and driving under restrictions.
DEATHS
Robert G. Swopes
Robert G. "Bob" Swopes, longtime Ponca City area resident, died
Monday, July 1, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 82.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Grace Memorial Chapel with
the Rev. Douglas Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the Newkirk (Okla.)
Cemetery.
Robert G. "Bob" Swopes was born Oct. 21, 1913, in House, N.M.,
the son of Jesse O. and Mollie L. (McGuire) Swopes. He moved with his family
to Missouri in 1919 and to Oklahoma in 1920. He grew up and attended schools
in the area, living in Kay and Osage Counties most of his life except for
a two year period when he made his home in Maple City, Kan.
On May 14, 1936, he was married to Doris N. Sierman in Newkirk, and they
were engaged in farming and ranching in the Shidler and Kaw City areas.
Swopes was also a contract worker for Phillips Petroleum at Webb City in
1940s and 1950s. Doris Swopes preceded him in death in October 1969.
He was married to Reba Pennington in Ponca City on Jan. 21, 1977. Swopes
enjoyed fishing, bowling, gardening, working with horses, and especially
spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Reba, of the home; two sons, Clarence of Ponca
City and Bobby J. of Shidler; one daughter, LaVonne Holcomb, of Houston,
Texas; two step-daughters, Linda J. Nichols of Denver, Colo., and Pamela
J. Smith of Ponca City; two brothers, Jess of Roseburg, Ore. and James Leo
of Ponca City; three sisters Dollie Day of Pawnee, Hazel Cates of Chandler
and Dixie Sorenson of Choctaw; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his first wife and his parents he was preceded in death by
one son, Fred; and one sister, Margaret Rockwood.
Casket bearers will be David Stieber, Gary Sheffield, Darrell Boxley, Roy
Shafer, Keith Hambleton and Vern Irwin. Honorary bearers will be Carl Roady,
Dan Godbehere, and Sonny Cannon.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Swopes' name to Oklahoma Medical
Research Foundation, Cancer Research, 825 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City,
OK 73104.
Marsha R. Wingrave
KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. - Marsha R. Wingrave, former Ponca City resident, died
Monday, July 1, 1996, at her home in Kennett Township, Pa. She was 47.
Mass of Christian Burial is set for 11 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick's Church
in Kennett Square. Burial will be in Liberal, Kan., under the direction
of Kuzo and Gofus Funeral Home of Kennett Square, Pa.
Marsha R. (Rowland) Wingrave was born in Liberal, Kan., the daughter of
Harper K. and Marcellus Rowland. She graduated from the University of Texas
in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in science and education.
She was married to James A. Wingrave and in addition to living in the Ponca
City area for about eight years, the couple most recently made their home
in Kennett Square. Mrs. Wingrave was a homemaker, and a member of the St.
Patrick's Church of Kennett Square, where she taught CCD classes. She also
served as chairman of the Kennett Area Park Authority; was active on the
Kennett 4th of July Celebration committee; served as state and local Republican
Committeewoman; and as an officer of the Kennett High School Booster Club.
Survivors include her husband, James A. Wingrave of Kennett Square; two
sons, J. Michael and Chadwick A., both of the home; her mother, Helen M.
Rowland of Liberal, Kan.; one brother, Dennis Rowland of Garden City, Kan.;
two sisters, Constance Paynter of Colby, Kan. and Rebecca Williams of Plymouth,
Minn.; and numerous other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death
by her father.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Wingrave's name to The Anson
B. Nixon Park, c/o Marsha R. Wingrave Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1121, Kenneth
Square, PA 19348.
Jerry Ray Mitchell
NEWKIRK - Jerry Ray Mitchell, longtime Newkirk resident, died Monday, July
1, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. He was 55.
The funeral was to be held at 2 p.m. today at the Newkirk First Christian
Church with Mr. Mitchell's son-in-law, Wren Robinson, officiating. Burial
was to follow in the Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl
Funeral Service.
Jerry Ray Mitchell was born Sept. 9, 1941, near Ponca City the son of Virgil
L. and Hope Esther (Case) Mitchell. He attended a rural grade school, then
moved with his family to Newkirk during his freshman year and attended Newkirk
High School. After completing his education he was employed at Bender Elevator.
On Aug. 8, 1959, he was married to Sylvia June Goff in Arkansas City, Kan.,
and the couple established their home in the Newkirk area. Mitchell was
employed by the City of Ponca City, City of Newkirk, McWilliams Insurance
Agency, and Houser Hardware for several years. In 1978, he established Mitchell
Plumbing, Heating and Air. Mitchell was a member of the Newkirk First Christian
Church, a former member of the Newkirk Range Riders and past president of
the Newkirk Jaycees. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and spending time
with his family - especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Sylvia, of the home; one son, Jerry Douglas
of Westminster, Colo.; two daughters, Jill Lynne Robinson of Arkansas City
and Mary Jane Ames of Hutchinson, Kan.; his mother, Esther Mitchell of Ponca
City; two brothers, Donald of Skiatook and Bill of Ponca City; and four
grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Mitchell's name to the American
Diabetes Association, c/o Eastman National Bank, P.O. Box 468, Newkirk,
OK 74647.
Oscar L. Hodgson
Oscar L. Hodgson, lifelong Ponca City area resident, died Sunday, June 30,
1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 93.
The funeral was to be held at 2 p.m. today in the Trout Funeral Home Chapel.
Burial was to be in the Ponca City IOOF Cemetery.
Oscar L. Hodgson was born March 11, 1903, in Ponca City, the son of Arthur
and Myrtle (Gardner) Hodgson. A farmer all of his life, Hodgson kept the
family farm after his father's death in 1922, and farmed there until his
retirement in 1975. He later moved into Ponca City. He was a member of the
Ponca City First Christian Church. He enjoyed watching and feeding wild
birds every day.
He is survived by one brother, Leo of Wichita, Kan.; three sisters, Ila
Summers of Wichita, Kan., Irene Van Dorsten of Lake Charles, La., and Gladys
Bahn of Ponca City; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in
death by his parents and one brother, Wayne.
Joe D. Dobbs
Joe D. Dobbs, longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday, July 1, 1996 in
Ponca City. He was 89.
A private family graveside service was to be held today, at Resthaven Memorial
Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Joe D. Dobbs was born Feb. 8, 1907, in Tuttle, the son of Abraham Lincoln
and Mary (Goad) Dobbs. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from
1942-43. After his honorable discharge he moved to the Ponca City area.
He was married to Julia Randolph on July 3, 1943, in Newkirk.
Survivors include two brothers, Richard L. and Claude Irvin, both of Ponca
City; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife
in October 1983; his parents; and nine brothers and sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Dobbs name to Larry Jones Feed
the Children, P.O. Box 36, Oklahoma City, OK 73101.
Lance Lee Morrill
BLACKWELL - Lance Lee Morrill, lifelong Blackwell resident, died in Mercy
Health Center in Oklahoma City, Monday, July 1, 1996. He was 61.
The funeral was to be held at 2:30 p.m. today in the Blackwell First United
Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Ryser officiating. Burial was to
be in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery.
Lance Lee Morrill was born Jan. 15, 1935, in Blackwell, the son of Willard
H. and Helen E. (Brown) Morrill. He grew up in Blackwell and graduated from
Blackwell High School in 1953. After graduation he began employment with
Blackwell Zinc Co., then later for Weaver Well Service. He also farmed.
On Dec. 17, 1954, he was married to Sallie Jo Ebright in Blackwell, where
they established their home. For a period of time Morrill farmed in the
summer and worked in the oil fields in the winter. On Oct. 20, 1970, he
began full-time employment with Shebester-Bechtel Inc., where he held the
position of assistant manager at the time of his death. He continued farming
until 1995. Morrill was as member of the Blackwell First United Methodist
Church.
Survivors include his wife, Sallie Jo Morrill of Blackwell; one daughter,
Jami Lohmeyer of Tulsa; one son, Mike of Blackwell; his parents, Tom and
Helen Hall of Blackwell; three brothers, Jerry Morrill of Tonkawa, Howard
Hall of Midwest City and Dick Hall of Tulsa; Thurston Blakely of Plano,
Texas; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in
death by his father; two sons, Lance Richard and Marty Wayne.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Morrill's name to the First United
Methodist Church or Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, c/o Roberts Funeral
Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.
City of Marland Plans Fourth Activities July 5
MARLAND - The City of Marland is planning a repeat of their successful Fourth
of July party this year, according to Marland City Councilman Terry Guthrie,
but has scheduled the event for Friday, July 5.
Councilman Guthrie said the town is planning an areawide fireworks display
in the evening of July 5, meeting in Calvin Case Park in Marland.
Preceding the fireworks display, a barbecue is planned with everyone welcome
- just bring a covered dish and your own lawn chair, and join in the fun,
Guthrie invited.
He said a Pendleton blanket and a Ladies Indian shawl are on the "giveaway"
list as part of the day's entertainment. City Councilmen are requesting
no alcohol, please.
Councilman Guthrie said the town served over 250 people with barbecue last
July 4, and hope to repeat the good crowd again this year. "Y'all come"
is the invitation.
'Filegate Serious Abuse Of Power' Nickles Says
EDITOR's NOTE: During Sen. Don Nickles visit here Tuesday he discussed a
number of subjects. This article is a follow-up on some of the topics.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
Oklahoma's senior U.S. Senator and Ponca City's native son, Republican Don
Nickles said here Tuesday that Sen. Bob Dole did the right thing by resigning
as Senate Majority Leader to campaign full time for the United States presidency.
Nickles said that 1996 is a pivotal year. He said the presidential election
will be close but that it is winnable.
He talked about his duties as the assistant majority leader and that it
was a lot of work with numerous meetings. "We've had many joint leadership
meetings in the last two weeks. It seems my days in Washington just revolve
around never ending meetings, but we are trying to make progress, trying
to move on with a lot of issues, trying to get our schedules through to
get our work done as soon as possible."
Responding to a question from former state legislator Bill O'Connor, in
regard as to how the media in Washington, D.C. feels toward the Republicans
now as compared to four years ago, with the commentators and reporters now
saying 'maybe these guys aren't all that bad?'"
Nickles answered, "I don't see it (change) much. Somebody did a poll
of the reporters covering Washington and 91 percent voted for Clinton, four
percent voted for Bush and the balance for Perot or didn't vote. That really
shocked me, I thought it might be two to one. I hoped it would be more of
a swing toward more equal treatment in the media.
"The scandals and stuff that are going on and the reporting of those,
are kind of interesting to watch. If you had a Republican president involved
with taking hundreds of FBI files all on Democrats from previous administrations,
the previous Congress controlled by the Democrats, and the media would be
coming unglued. This Filegate is a very serious abuse of power, an unbelievable
use of power."
Nickles went on to recite a litany of the wrong doings of the president
and Mrs. Clinton, regarding Whitewater, campaign contributions and others.
He noted a poll on television said 60 some percent said they didn't trust
the president. "That bothers me. Character is important. It is vitally
important," Nickles said.
Bill McCann asked Nickles, "How much influence do you think Pat Buchanan
is going to have on the platform in November?" Nickles said, "Pat
Buchanan is a friend of mine. I've done 'Crossfire' many times with Pat
on the same side of the issue. I told him I look forward to him going back
to 'Crossfire' during the campaign. I think a lot of the things he stands
for will have strong support.
"I don't know how prominent a role he is going to have at the convention.
Lot of that really depends on whether he is part of the team - does he really
want to elect Bob Dole? That's important. We need to be pulling all Republicans
together."
Nickles said he expected abortion to be an important issue, but it is not
the only issue. "We're a big party and we have people with different
views on a multitude of different issues. Hopefully we will not have big
battles in San Diego, that won't do anything but help President Clinton."
Foreign Policy
Commenting on foreign policy, Nickles said, "I'm very concerned about
what I would call a precipitous decline in U.S. leadership world wide that
has happened in the last three years. We had a real decline throughout post
Vietnam and through the Carter administration we were at a low. Ronald Reagan
and George Bush really reversed that.
"During their 12 years we went from the Iran hostage situation into
the victory in the Persian Gulf War. We went through a real menace with
the Soviet Union spreading communism infiltration into central American
countries to where we started having elections throughout the world.
"We saw the collapse of the Berlin wall and we saw eastern European
Countries holding elections. Really the collapse of the communist empire
and this happened because of real leadership of Ronald Reagan and George
Bush.
"In the Persian Gulf War, Bush and James Baker put together forces
where we had allies and possible advisories contributing money and forces
to repel the aggression of Saddam Hussein. It was a phenomenal achievement
and militarily very successful.
"Unquestionably the United States was the leader in the free world
that put it together. That was as recently as 1992. Since then this administration
has had a disaster in foreign policy."
He talked about Clinton's deployment of troops to various parts of the world
that he feels is inappropriate. Asked under what circumstances he felt were
needed to send troops elsewhere, Nickles said, "This should be done
when it was in our national interest to do so." Responding was to "is
oil in our national interest?"
Nickles said, "I wouldn't say oil. I would say it is in our interest
that to make sure you don't have Saddam Hussein in military aggression to
take over the Persian Gulf. The free world would be at a real loss if that
happened not just because of the oil but strategically the oil and the influence
it would have over those countries that would be a disaster, not just for
the United States, which imports over 50 percent of its oil, but really
for the rest of the world. You could have militant powers holding world
economics hostage."
Hometown Issues
Commenting on Ponca City in a news conference, Nickles said, "It is
nice to see economic development have some success in Ponca City, with new
industries growing all the time. It is a great community and its always
great to be home."
About the Standing Bear project "The Standing Bear Memorial dedication
coming up in October will be a real tribute to not only Oklahoma Indians
but American Indians and it will add to our tourism attractions. It will
add to our tourism, coupled with the Pioneer Woman, the Marland Mansion
and Kaw Lake, plus pay tribute to our Indian heritage that we have in Oklahoma.
The name Oklahoma means land of the red man. I think it is a proper tribute
and one we plan to participate in."
SPORTS
Hunter Ed Class
Area hunters can get a jump on the season by getting their Hunter Education
certificate during the summer.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Ponca City VFW
Auxiliary will hold a Hunter Education Course July 15-16 at the VFW, located
on East Prospect Street near Lake Ponca.
The classes will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Students must attend
both sessions and pass a written exam with a score of 70 percent or better.
The course is free of charge and all material is provided.
Oklahoma requires that all hunter born on or after Jan. 1, 1972, must successfully
complete a Hunter Education course before they can purchase a hunting license
of deer tag.
For older hunters, Colorado and Kansas also requires certification for hunters
born on or after Jan. 1, 1949 in Colorado and Jan. 1, 1957 in Kansas.
Students will need to bring a lunch on both days or one may be purchased
through the VFW Auxiliary.
For information, contact Game Warden Tracy Daniel (765-1921)
Big Bass a Winner
Dan Brown caught the Big Bass in the Ponca City Buddy Bass Club Tournament
on Kaw Lake Sunday and that cast gave he and partner Scott Burries the tournament
title.
That catch allowed Brown and Burries to tie Dale Conner and Mark Sanders
for first place in the June tournament. Both teams had 12.76 pounds of fish.
Brown and Burries had four fish, Conner and Sanders three.
Brown's Big Bass weighted 5.97 pounds, edging out the biggest catch of 5.12
pounds by Conner and Sanders. That was enough to break the first-place tie.
David Armbrust and Allen Ware were third in the tournament Sunday with four
bass weighing 10.69 pounds. Steve and Tom Owens had three fish weighing
9.60 pounds for fourth place.
Conner and Sanders moved within three points of the year-to-date leaders,
Dale Brown and Jamie Flegler. Brown and Flegler had 209 points, Conner and
Sanders 206.
Steve and Tom Owens were third with 203 points while Dean Gratis and Mike
Lewis had 199, Brown and Burries 198 and Don and Mike Owens 194 in the very
tight club standings.
Greg and Mike Ward tied Phil and Paul Richardson for seventh place with
189 points. Larry Platt and Mark Reeves had 183 points while Jim Jones and
Delmar Hutchison round out the Top 10 with 181 points.
The Buddy Bass Club will meet July 18 at 7 p.m. in the Crown and Rose Pub
. The next tournament is July 28 on Birch Lake.
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