Council decisions & vicious backlash

As you probably know by now, Edmond Mayor Darrell Davis was reelected to his second term over challenger Brian Shellem. Candidates for Ward 1 and 2 open city council seats, Tom Robins and Barry Moore each won over their opponents in closely contested races. Incumbent Edmond Public School Board member, Jamie Underwood, was re-elected to her fifth term.

Ray Hibbard

Davis survived a tough term as mayor of our community through the pandemic and the unpopular decisions that had to be made. All of our council members and city staff were in uncharted waters just like the rest of the country. We can all hope we will not face these challenges again, at least in the near future.

Government organizations and many businesses had pandemic emergency plans, but you can bet they have all been rewritten after the last three years. We learned much and unfortunately it helped divide many of our residents. Let us pray for healing and understanding. We believe the folks elected two weeks ago will all do well and have the best interests of Edmond at heart. We will not always agree with them, but we certainly do appreciate their service.

We would be remiss if we did not thank the two council members that decided not to run for their seats again. Both David Chapman and Josh Moore also were in office for so many of the tough decisions made about the pandemic. We find some of the treatment they received by citizens disgusting and totally unnecessary. Yet, these two gentlemen endured and continued to govern to the best of their ability. We thank them for the time they served and hope they enjoy some much-needed time with their families.

It would seem the vicious cycle of our elected officials making decisions on projects on the citizens behalf and then having a referendum petition filed to put the project up for a vote of the people is in full swing.

Recent mayoral candidate Brian Shellem filed three referendum petitions with the Edmond City Clerk’s office last week. If enough signatures are gained with the petition, it could create ballot questions regarding three projects here in Edmond. The supporters of the referendums have until May 12th to gather over 3,000 signatures from registered Edmond voters to get them on a ballot.

The partnership and project of joining with the YMCA and the Metropolitan Library system to build new facilities at I-35 and 15th is top on the referendum list. The city will pay the $37 million for the project up front but the YMCA will pay back $11.8 million over time for their part of the building. The land has already been purchased, $4.1 million, and design along with engineering, 3.1 million, is underway.

The other two referendums include projects slated for downtown Edmond. They are a new city hall and municipal court and a new parking garage to service those buildings including some room for free public parking. The group is asking that Edmond shift those monies to improvement of streets and traffic issues. Economic developers will

Check out what’s

tell you that traffic is a good thing in that it beats an economically depressed community with no traffic. There must be a middle ground somewhere there.

It is hard to argue against the people’s right to vote but I question how much this will affect development in our community. Will we get new shops and services if developers think every project is going to have to go to a vote of the people? After all, it is why we elect council members, to make decisions for the betterment of the city.

Affordable Internet Improves Lives

If you have not yet heard, the digital divide is real and all too prevalent in Oklahoma. It presents an even bigger challenge in our state due to the fact that about 90% of our school districts are partially or entirely rural, and that’s where broadband infrastructure can be inadequate.

But there’s hope. Good corporate citizens like Cox Communications are offering affordable internet programs and building new areas outside of its existing footprint to help bridge this divide.

ACP, Affordable Connectivity Program, is a U.S. government program offered by Cox that helps low-income households through discounted internet service and equipment. Specifically, it reduces internet bills by up to $30 per month, or $75 for households on tribal lands, and provides a onetime $100 discount off a connected device. The company has also launched an initiative to identify expansion opportunities and committed hundreds of millions of dollars to provide best-in-class broadband service to unserved and underserved areas beyond its current footprint, including in rural Oklahoma.

These efforts seem to be working. According to a recent report from Cox, conducted by a thirdparty research firm, customers enrolled in the ACP and/or who use Cox's Connect2Compete (C2C) service, are experiencing significant positive impacts to their careers, their children's education and to the continuing education of the adults in their household.

Key findings from the report, which surveyed more than 2,000 customers, found:

• 70 percent credit home internet for finding a new job or a better job

• Half said they got a promotion or an increase in pay

• 90 percent said they are now doing homework at home

• Half said they are now able to apply to college and apply for financial aid

• Half said they have gotten certified in a specific skill or trade

• One third reported they are a first-generation college graduate in their family because of home internet

• 90 percent of households say Cox internet access has had a positive impact on their children's education

“Internet access at home is a critically important service to earn a quality education and to meet one’s professional goals,” said Mark Greatex, president of Cox Communications. “This research shows how our customers’ lives are bettered by having an affordable internet connection at home. We are fully committed to our digital equity efforts and empowering more people to get connected and thrive in today’s world.”

Reducing the digital divide is crucial to America’s future. Malcolm Mitchell, author, child literacy and digital literacy advocate, former New England Patriots football player and founder of Share the Magic Foundation can attest to the importance internet connectivity has on learning.

“ACP expands the world to so many children in underserved, rural Oklahoma communities that lacked the broadband access needed to hear story time online or virtually use various apps alongside their classmates,” said Mitchell, who has partnered with Cox to spread awareness of Cox’s Connect2Compete program. “We need to close the digital divide by giving children and their families the same resources and opportunities, through affordable broadband access.”

Like so many other things, the pandemic shined a spotlight on this decade’s old issue – the gap between those with modern technology and those without. It is time to close the gap.

(Ray Hibbard may be reached by e-mail at ray@edmondpaper.com)

“Four Seasons” in real life is located in front of the Center for Transformative Learning on the University of Central Oklahoma campus, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper.

Please e-mail contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing.

Commissioned as a partnership between UCO, the City of Edmond and the Edmond Visual Arts Commission, “Four Seasons” was created by sculptor Kevin Box of New Mexico and was dedicated on the campus on March 24, 2011.

Kevin is a member of the National Sculptor’s Guild. His Box Studio LLC is a strong supporter of the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle concept, using recycled metal as part of the casting process for his sculptures. All of his work is 100 percent recyclable.

For more information on Edmond public art, please visit http://visitedmondok.com/public-art.php.

Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com

Engineering school marks grand opening of new Makerspace

The University of Central Oklahoma School of Engineering celebrated the official grand opening of its newly renovated makerspace on Central’s campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception, April 6.

The makerspace will enhance existing engineering courses, provide a launchpad for new curriculum development in advanced manufacturing and help engineering students gain relevant skills for the workforce. It also provides students with a well-designed space to accommodate research and design needs.

“We wanted a space where engineers, software developers, graphic designers, marketers and others could create innovative products using computational design and advanced manufacturing,” said Evan Lemley, Ph.D., director of the School of Engineering at Central.

“It is exciting and motivating to continue to do the work to make this space more than just a place for equipment, but a community of makers."

The makerspace received funding from the Oklahoma legislature and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) to address critical workforce needs.

"This is an amazing addition to the already outstanding UCO School of Engineering," said Connie Reilly, chairperson for the Board of Regents with the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO).

"UCO was a good steward of this funding, and the state of Oklahoma is going to reap those benefits. This university is going to provide more well-trained graduates into the career of engineering."

Additional funding was received through a grant from Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners, to support the new makerspace. The grant will fund the Boeing Reverse Engineering and Rapid Prototyping Lab.

"Today, we are celebrating the future of engineering innovation in the metropolitan area. A lab like this is crucial to the education and growth of our future engineers here in Oklahoma," said Bailey Perkins Wright, community investor at Boeing.

Central’s makerspace will provide a range of opportunities including hands-on experience, equitable access to students of diverse backgrounds and a tailored setting that offers students to train for specific workplace environments.

(Editor’s Note: The following arrest reports are provided by the Edmond Police Department. Guilt or innocence is determined in a court of law. Also, CDS is controlled dangerous substance; APC is Actual Physical Control; DUI is driving under the influence.)

March 30

Delvin Devantae Tillman, 27 of Spencer, Okla. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Grant Kaelan McKee, 22 of Edmond. Operating (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Richard James Latner, 38 of Edmond. (Misdemeanor value) receiving stolen property. And a misdemeanor warrant.

Taya Gwendolyn Pixley, 22 homeless. Misdemeanor warrant.

Meagan Nicole Gray, 33 of Bethany, Okla. Possess CDS.

Levi Saxson Durgin, 43 of Edmond. Obstruction of police officer and a felony warrant.

D’Ante Javay Goree, 32 of Oklahoma City. Public intoxication.

Royalynn Charlean Hockwalt, 27 of Edmond. Petty larceny and failure to appear.

Breeamma Skye Chalepah, 21 of Oklahoma City. (Possession of a stolen vehicle) Unauthorized use of a vehicle or implementation of husbandry. (Misdemeanor) personal injury accident while under the influence.

Brayden Shawn Davis, 20 of Edmond. No proof of insurance, driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

March 31

Meredith Elaine Lewis, 41 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Letron Dante Deloch, 37 homeless. Misdemeanor warrant and (misdemeanor) domestic abuse assault.

Tasin Sobhn, 25 of Edmond. False representation to an officer, littering public places and public intoxication.

Daisha Lashai James, 24 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.

Calvin Maurice Owens, 43 of Edmond. Seven counts of failure to appear.

Shianne Shay Queen, 27 of Norman. (Misdemeanor value) Obtaining by false pretenses, trick or deception, obstruction of a police officer, larceny from building, possess drug paraphernalia, two counts of possession of CDS, conspiracy and unlawful use of radio capable of receiving police frequency.

Kevin Samon Belvin, 31 of Noman, Two counts of assault and/or battery with deadly weapon, elude police officer endanger others (felony), possess drug paraphernalia, two counts of possess CDS, conspiracy and unlawful use of radio capable of receiving police frequency.

Jennifer Joy Todd, 44 homeless Trespassing after being warned.

Brian Matthew Belsheim, 44 of Oklahoma City. Felony warrant and two misdemeanor warrants.

April 1

Reagan Lynn Widener, 28 of Edmond. Possession of marijuana, changing lanes unsafely, driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

Frankie Jean Chambers 59 of Jones. Public intoxication.

Abigail Rae Bruner, 23 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

Christopher Michael Jones, 48 of Oklahoma City. Resisting arrest and a felony DUI/APC.

Alejandro Villa, 45 homeless. (Misdemeanor) possession of another’s debit card, obstruction of a police officer and driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked.

Charles Derek Hodges, 32 homeless. Breaking and entering and resisting arrest.

Kennisha Lene Louise Johnson, 35 of Oklahoma City Driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked, child endangerment and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.

Jamie Ryan Hulbutta, 48 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level or .15 or more and driving with a license canceled, suspended or revoked.

Patrick Du Pont Wood, 44 of Edmond. Non-assault resisting officer and public intoxication.

Michael William Bailey, 40 of Edmond. Possess drug paraphernalia and possess firearm after conviction of a felony.

Yan-Amont Billy Darianssen, 48 homeless. Possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication.

Landon Paul Jackson, 29 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more,

April 2

Chelsea Renae McPheeters, 27 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Brandon Tyler Gage, 36 homeless. Public intoxication.

Mirko Hilarion Guarderas-Seminario, 47 of Oklahoma City. Operating motor vehicle with defective/improper equipment, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.

William Austin Holman, 32 of Edmond. Operating a motor vehicle with defective equipment, misdemeanor warrant, possess CDS and operating (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Delton Jarrod Rogers, 36 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

April Lanette Williams, 38 of Oklahoma City. Possess CDS, and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level or .08 or more.

Neil MacPhee Garvey III, 37 of Edmond. Public intoxication.

Roger Desmond Colden Steckel, 64 of Oklahoma City. Expired tag – over three months, no proof of insurance, driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked and two counts of failure to appear.

Michelle Suzanne Mahsetky, 41 of Oklahoma City. Possession of CDS and petty larceny.

April 3

Michael Jason Fuentes, 39 of Oklahoma City. Transport open container of intoxicating beverage or beer and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Yinghui Xu, 28 of Oklahoma City. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Nancy Ellen Bachman, 46 of Edmond, Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

April 4

Sean Matthew Holmes, 35 of Oklahoma City. Possession of marijuana, felony warrant and two counts of failure to appear.

Zoerina Raechel Swain, 19 of Edmond. Improper lane usage and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.

April 5

Tester Test, 39 of Edmond. No tag or improper tag and driving while privilege is canceled, susSee Police, Page 7