10 29 voters guide by Shawnee News-Star

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Voter’s Guide A Special Publication of the Shawnee News-Star

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY

Voters to decide Sunday alcohol question Dennis agreed. “We've had several chain restaurants run from this community because we don't allow alcohol sales on Sunday,” she said, saying now this issue will be up to a vote of the people. And while many of the restaurants that may serve alcohol on Sundays are located in Shawnee, this is a countywide issue. Finley said a vote of approval can mean significant economic development and growth for Shawnee and Pottawatomie County. “We all know that business and sales tax allow the City of Shawnee and other towns in Pottawatomie County to provide services such as police, fire, and utility services,” he said. “These services are the lifeblood of the community. Any decline in economic growth causes the cities to look to the citizens to supplement the money shortfall in their budgets; or cut services.” Dennis, who has said they're not trying to promote drinking of alcohol, said those dining out can already order beer on Sundays, so this election is more about the eco-

ard Finley, who just recently took office, is in favor of allowing Sunday alcohol sales to better compete with Cleveland and Oklahoma counties. “Today, Pottawatomie County restaurants do not have the ability to sell wine or liquor on Sunday,” he said. “ While only a short 25-minute drive allows this service, Shawnee is hampered with its inability to attract other quality restaurants because of this law. Community leaders have been told this repeatedly; and it impacts our ability to attract not only patrons, but additional restaurants. A yes vote will slant the odds just a little more in our favor.” Other community leaders agree. When calling the election, County Commissioner Eddie Stackhouse said this is an issue of economic development and attracting bigger franchises to open here. Lifting the restriction of Sunday alcohol sales also may discourage area residents from driving west to Oklahoma County and spending tax dollars there on Sundays, he said. Commissioner Melissa

By Kim Morava kimberly.morava@news-star. com Twitter: @Kim_NewsStar

A proposition on the Nov. 8 ballot asks voters to decide whether to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages by the drink on Sundays in Pottawatomie County. Current laws in Pottawatomie County prohibit the sale of anything other than low-point beer at Shawnee and county restaurants on Sundays, while such restrictions are not in place in nearby Cleveland or Oklahoma counties. As the law is now, a person dining out in Pottawatomie County on a Monday can order an alcoholic drink, such as a margarita or even a glass of wine, but ordering those same drinks on a Sunday is not allowed by law. Pottawatomie County commissioners, citing the pros for economic development possibilities and tax revenue, approved a resolution over the summer to place this issue on the November ballot after the Shawnee city commission requested it. Shawnee Mayor Rich-

S A M P L E OFFICIAL BALLOT SPECIAL ELECTION November 08, 2016 POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA

B A L L O T PRECINCT 630001-CQ63 POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY

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TO VOTE:

FILL IN THE BOX NEXT TO YOUR CHOICE(S) LIKE THIS:

PROPOSITION Shall a proposition approving the sale of alcoholic beverages by the individual drink for on-premises consumption on Sunday, be approved by the people.

SAMPLE

Sunday alcohol issue in Pottawatomie County narrowly failed by less than one percent, with 7,063, or 50.7 percent, voting against it. As a result, Pottawatomie County on-premise institutions continued to serve only beer on Sundays. And while this Sunday proposition only impacts voters in Pottawatomie County, voters in all 77 counties statewide will decide an unrelated alcohol issue in State Question 792.

That state question, if passed, would allow liquor stores statewide to sell cold beer or chilled wine and also would allow grocery and convenience stories to sell cold, highpoint beer and wine. Currently, only 3.2 percent beer can be sold in grocery or convenience stores and liquor stores cannot currently sell anything that is refrigerated. More about this can be found in the State Questions section of this voter guide.

alcohol On The

Ballot

State Question

792

LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 370 This measure repeals Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and restructures the laws governing alcoholic beverages through a new Article 28A and other laws the Legislature will create if the measure passes. The new Article 28A provides that with exceptions, a person or company can have an ownership interest in only one area of the alcoholic beverage business-manufacturing, wholesaling, or retailing. Some restrictions apply to the sales of manufacturers, brewers, winemakers, and wholesalers. Subject to limitations, the Legislature may authorize direct shipments to consumers of wine. Retail locations like grocery stores may sell wine and beer. Liquor stores may sell products other than alcoholic beverages in limited amounts. The Legislature must create licenses for retail locations, liquor stores, and

places serving alcoholic beverages and may create other licenses. Certain licensees must meet residency requirements. Felons cannot be licensees. The Legislature must designate days and hours when alcoholic beverages may be sold and may impose taxes on sales. Municipalities may levy an occupation tax. If authorized, a state lodge may sell individual alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption but no other state involvement in the alcoholic beverage business is allowed. With one exception, the measure will take effect October 1, 2018. FOR THE PROPOSAL – YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL – NO

summary

FOR THE PROPOSITION - YES AGAINST THE PROPOSITION - NO

nomic impact. She said several different entities, from the county fire departments to senior citizens, the OSU Extension, highways and more, all benefit from a portion of the county's one-cent sales tax. “The more economic development grows, the more sales tax we get. The more sales tax we get, everybody benefits,” she said. This isn't the first time the Sunday alcohol issue has been put on the ballot. In November 2014, the

SUMMARY: If the proposal is approved, it would repeal Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and replace it with Article 28A, which restructures the laws governing alcohol. If approved, the measure will go into effect on October 1, 2018. Currently, under Oklahoma law, liquor stores can sell full-strength, unrefrigerated beer but cannot sell cold beer or chilled wine. Liquor stores can sell wine and spirits but no other items. Grocery and convenience stores can sell cold low-point beer (3.2 percent alcohol by weight) but

not spirits, wine, or high-point beer. State Question 792 would change the current alcohol laws to allow grocery, convenience, and drug stores to sell cold, high-point beer (up to 8.99 percent alcohol by volume) and wine (up to 15 percent alcohol by volume). Liquor stores would be allowed to sell cold beer and any item that also may be purchased in a grocery store or convenience store—except motor fuel—in limited amounts. Liquor or spirits will still only be available for purchase from licensed retail liquor stores.

Information provided by Oklahoma Press Association

Nick is a father, attorney, small business owner, and active member of the community. Nick and his sister, Sarah Oliver, were raised in Shawnee by their parents, Tom and Mary Atwood. He is proud to be raising his two children, Kaitlyn and Carson, in the community that has given him so much. Nick believes that the current budget crisis and lack of leadership & solutions at the State Capitol is unacceptable. Having worked for Governor Brad Henry at the Capitol,

Nick knows how, from day one, to help lead our state out of this crisis.

VOTEFORATWOOD.COM @VoteForAtwood (405) 689-0990 | VoteForAtwood@gmail.com Authorized and Paid for by Nick Atwood for House District 26 2016 Richard Finley, Treasurer, P.O Box 755, Shawnee, OK 74802

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S A M P L E OFFICIAL BALLOT GENERAL ELECTION November 08, 2016 POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA

S A M P L E

PRECINCT

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OFFICIAL BALLOT GENERAL ELECTION November 08, 2016 POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA

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JAMES LANKFORD REPUBLICAN

ROBERT T. MURPHY LIBERTARIAN

MIKE WORKMAN DEMOCRAT

INDEPENDENT

LIBERTARIAN

INDEPENDENT

SEAN BRADDY FOR UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 05

LIBERTARIAN

FOR ELECTORS [ERIN ADAMS [MIKEL DILLON [JOEL BRITT DIXON [REX L LAWHORN [EPHRIAM ZACHARY KNIGHT [CRAIG A. DAWKINS [MARK C. DeSHAZO

FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT HILLARY CLINTON TIM KAINE

LIBERTARIAN

STRAIGHT PARTY VOTING (Vote for One)

LIBERTARIAN

INDEPENDENT

Shall DOUGLAS L. COMBS of the OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT be retained in office?

DEMOCRATIC

YES

COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS DISTRICT 1

ELECTORS FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT (Vote for One)

FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP MICHAEL R. PENCE

Shall CLANCY SMITH of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS be retained in office?

YES

ERIC HALL

Shall ROBERT L. HUDSON of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS be retained in office?

DEMOCRAT

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 27 (Vote for One)

JOSH COCKROFT REPUBLICAN

JOHN KARLIN DEMOCRAT

YES NO JUDGES OF THE OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS

COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS DISTRICT 3 - OFFICE 1 Shall TOM THORNBRUGH of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS be retained in office?

FOR COUNTY SHERIFF

YES

(Vote for One)

MIKE BOOTH REPUBLICAN

MARTY SWINNEY DEMOCRAT

NO COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS DISTRICT 3 - OFFICE 2 Shall JOHN F. FISCHER of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS be retained in office?

YES

DEMOCRAT

FOR ELECTORS [MARQ LEWIS [BILL JOHN BAKER [MARK HAMMONS [BETTY McELDERRY [W. A. DREW EDMONDSON [JEANNIE McDANIEL [RHONDA WALTERS

COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS DISTRICT 4 - OFFICE 2 Shall LARRY JOPLIN of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS be retained in office?

YES NO

SAMPLE

REPUBLICAN

FOR UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 05 STEVE RUSSELL REPUBLICAN

FOR ELECTORS [MARQ LEWIS [BILL JOHN BAKER [MARK HAMMONS [BETTY McELDERRY [W. A. DREW EDMONDSON [JEANNIE McDANIEL [RHONDA WALTERS

NO SUPREME COURT DISTRICT 8 Shall DOUGLAS L. COMBS of the OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT be retained in office?

YES NO

Shall CLANCY SMITH of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS be retained in office?

YES

FOR COUNTY SHERIFF

DEMOCRAT

YES

COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS DISTRICT 1

DEMOCRAT

FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT GARY JOHNSON BILL WELD

FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT HILLARY CLINTON TIM KAINE

Shall JAMES R. WINCHESTER of the OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT be retained in office?

AL McAFFREY

LIBERTARIAN

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 26

FOR ELECTORS [ERIN ADAMS [MIKEL DILLON [JOEL BRITT DIXON [REX L LAWHORN [EPHRIAM ZACHARY KNIGHT [CRAIG A. DAWKINS [MARK C. DeSHAZO

SUPREME COURT DISTRICT 5

ZACHARY KNIGHT

FOR ELECTORS [DAVID OLDHAM [TERESA LYN TURNER [MARK THOMAS [BOBBY CLEVELAND [LAUREE ELIZABETH MARSHALL [CHARLES W POTTS [GEORGE W. WILAND, JR.

LIBERTARIAN

JUSTICES OF THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT

JUDGES OF THE OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

REPUBLICAN

NO COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS DISTRICT 2

SEAN BRADDY

(Vote for One)

AL McAFFREY

GREG McCORTNEY

MARK T. BEARD

SUPREME COURT DISTRICT 8

JUDGES OF THE OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

(Vote for One)

DEMOCRAT

INDEPENDENT

ZACHARY KNIGHT

FOR STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 13

MIKE WORKMAN

REPUBLICAN

SAMPLE

FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT GARY JOHNSON BILL WELD

ROBERT T. MURPHY

REPUBLICAN

FOR ELECTORS [DAVID OLDHAM [TERESA LYN TURNER [MARK THOMAS [BOBBY CLEVELAND [LAUREE ELIZABETH MARSHALL [CHARLES W POTTS [GEORGE W. WILAND, JR.

REPUBLICAN

YES

REPUBLICAN

DEMOCRAT

JAMES LANKFORD

Shall JAMES R. WINCHESTER of the OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT be retained in office?

STEVE RUSSELL LIBERTARIAN

(Vote for One)

SUPREME COURT DISTRICT 5

(Vote for One)

FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP MICHAEL R. PENCE

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FOR UNITED STATES SENATOR

JUSTICES OF THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT

MARK T. BEARD

REPUBLICAN

(Vote for One)

PRECINCT

(Vote for One)

DELL KERBS REPUBLICAN

NICK ATWOOD DEMOCRAT

(Vote for One)

MIKE BOOTH REPUBLICAN

MARTY SWINNEY DEMOCRAT

NO COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS DISTRICT 2 Shall ROBERT L. HUDSON of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS be retained in office?

SAMPLE

(Vote for One)

ELECTORS FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

B A L L O T

FILL IN THE BOX NEXT TO YOUR CHOICE(S) LIKE THIS:

FOR UNITED STATES SENATOR

DEMOCRATIC

BLACK BLACK

TO VOTE:

FILL IN THE BOX NEXT TO YOUR CHOICE(S) LIKE THIS:

(Vote for One)

YELLOW YELLOW

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B A L L O T

TO VOTE:

STRAIGHT PARTY VOTING

MAGENTA MAGENTA

YES NO JUDGES OF THE OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS

COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS DISTRICT 3 - OFFICE 1 Shall TOM THORNBRUGH of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS be retained in office?

YES NO COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS DISTRICT 3 - OFFICE 2 Shall JOHN F. FISCHER of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS be retained in office?

YES NO COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS DISTRICT 4 - OFFICE 2 Shall LARRY JOPLIN of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS be retained in office?

YES NO

Half of likely US voters say they are concerned about violence on Election Day As a tense, divided country barrels toward Election Day, Americans say they are worried about the possibility of violence flaring up after the country votes for a new president next month. By Mark Berman Washington Post

As a tense, divided country barrels toward Election Day, Americans say they are worried about the possibility of violence flaring up after the country votes for a new president next month. Half of likely voters say they are at least somewhat concerned about violence either on Election Day or after, according to a USA Today/Suffolk University poll conducted this month. One in five likely voters say they are very concerned, about the same number who said they were not terribly confident that the United States would "have a peaceful transfer of power after the election." The poll's results come as Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has repeatedly assailed the integrity of

the country's election systems, remarks he made while facing a drop in the polls (which he also says are rigged against him). Trump's unsubstantiated comments - along with his calls for supporters to go "to certain areas" and watch for suspicious activity - have prompted alarm among government officials and elected leaders, who are preparing for the possibility of unrest and violence on Election Day. According to the USA Today/Suffolk poll, which found Trump trailing Democrat Hillary Clinton by nine points, two out of three Trump supporters said they thought the election's results would be manipulated rather than be accurate. Trump supporters were also more likely to say that if he lost, it would be due to corruption and therefore the outcome would not be legiti-

mate. As authorities warily get ready for the bitter campaign to give way to (most) voters casting ballots, some election officials have been raising concerns about the presence of guns in polling places amid such fraught emotions. Election officers in Virginia say they are worried about conflicts at voting locations due to Trump's comments, and some had considered oneday bans on weapons on private property, though a state lawmaker pushed back against that. Cameron Sasnett, the registrar for Fairfax County, Virginia, told The Post that while the issue of possible violence was "on the radar" of his office, "we have full faith and trust that [gun owners] will control those weapons in a manner that is consistent with state law."

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Lawyers: Shawn Spencer, Terry West, Brad West and Gregg Luther

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S A M P L E OFFICIAL BALLOT GENERAL ELECTION November 08, 2016 POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA

S A M P L E 630024-REG

OFFICIAL BALLOT GENERAL ELECTION November 08, 2016 POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA

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TO VOTE:

FILL IN THE BOX NEXT TO YOUR CHOICE(S) LIKE THIS:

FOR UNITED STATES SENATOR (Vote for One)

JAMES LANKFORD REPUBLICAN

ROBERT T. MURPHY LIBERTARIAN

REPUBLICAN LIBERTARIAN DEMOCRATIC

DEMOCRAT

MARK T. BEARD INDEPENDENT

SEAN BRADDY INDEPENDENT

FOR UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 05 (Vote for One)

ELECTORS FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT (Vote for One)

FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP MICHAEL R. PENCE

STEVE RUSSELL REPUBLICAN

YES NO SUPREME COURT DISTRICT 8 Shall DOUGLAS L. COMBS of the OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT be retained in office?

YES NO

ZACHARY KNIGHT

JUDGES OF THE OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

AL McAFFREY

COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS DISTRICT 1

LIBERTARIAN DEMOCRAT

FOR THE PROPOSAL YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL - NO STATE QUESTION NO. 777 LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 368

Shall CLANCY SMITH of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS be retained in office?

YES

REPUBLICAN

SAMPLE

Shall JAMES R. WINCHESTER of the OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT be retained in office?

FOR ELECTORS [DAVID OLDHAM [TERESA LYN TURNER [MARK THOMAS [BOBBY CLEVELAND [LAUREE ELIZABETH MARSHALL [CHARLES W POTTS [GEORGE W. WILAND, JR.

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 28

FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT GARY JOHNSON BILL WELD

FOR COUNTY SHERIFF

(Vote for One)

TOM NEWELL REPUBLICAN

MARILYN RAINWATER DEMOCRAT

(Vote for One)

MIKE BOOTH

LIBERTARIAN

REPUBLICAN

FOR ELECTORS [ERIN ADAMS [MIKEL DILLON [JOEL BRITT DIXON [REX L LAWHORN [EPHRIAM ZACHARY KNIGHT [CRAIG A. DAWKINS [MARK C. DeSHAZO

MARTY SWINNEY DEMOCRAT

NO COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS DISTRICT 2 Shall ROBERT L. HUDSON of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS be retained in office?

YES NO JUDGES OF THE OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS

COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS DISTRICT 3 - OFFICE 1 Shall TOM THORNBRUGH of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS be retained in office?

YES NO

FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT HILLARY CLINTON TIM KAINE

SAMPLE

(Vote for One)

This measure adds a new section to the Oklahoma Constitution, Section 9A of Article 2. The new Section deals with the death penalty. The Section establishes State constitutional mandates relating to the death penalty and methods of execution. Under these constitutional requirements: • The Legislature is expressly empowered to designate any method of execution not prohibited by the United States Constitution. • Death sentences shall not be reduced because a method of execution is ruled to be invalid. • When an execution method is declared invalid, the death penalty imposed shall remain in force until it can be carried out using any valid execution method, and • The imposition of a death penalty under Oklahoma law-as distinguished from a method of execution-shall not be deemed to be or constitute the infliction of cruel or unusual punishment under Oklahoma's Constitution, nor to contravene any provision of the Oklahoma Constitution.

SUPREME COURT DISTRICT 5

SAMPLE

STRAIGHT PARTY VOTING

MIKE WORKMAN

STATE QUESTION NO. 776 LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 367

JUSTICES OF THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT

This measure adds Section 38 to Article II of the Oklahoma Constitution. The new Section creates state constitutional rights. It creates the following guaranteed rights to engage in farming and ranching: • The right to make use of agricultural technology, • The right to make use of livestock procedures, and • The right to make use of ranching practices. These constitutional rights receive extra protection under this measure that not all constitutional rights receive. This extra protection is a limit on lawmakers' ability to interfere with the exercise of these rights. Under this extra protection, no law can interfere with these rights, unless the law is justified by a compelling state interest-a clearly identified state interest of the highest order. Additionally, the law must be necessary to serve that compelling state interest. The measure-and the protections identified above-do not apply to and do not impact state laws related to: • Trespass, • Eminent domain, • Dominance of mineral interests, • Easements, • Right of way or other property rights, and • Any state statutes and political subdivision ordinances enacted before December 31, 2014.

COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS DISTRICT 3 - OFFICE 2

FOR THE PROPOSAL YES

Shall JOHN F. FISCHER of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS be retained in office?

AGAINST THE PROPOSAL - NO

YES

DEMOCRAT

FOR ELECTORS [MARQ LEWIS [BILL JOHN BAKER [MARK HAMMONS [BETTY McELDERRY [W. A. DREW EDMONDSON [JEANNIE McDANIEL [RHONDA WALTERS

BLACK BLACK

Saturday, October 29, 2016 ••3C DAYHERE, MONTHHERE DATEHERE, YearHere 3

B A L L O T PRECINCT

YELLOW YELLOW

COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS DISTRICT 4 - OFFICE 2 Shall LARRY JOPLIN of the OKLAHOMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS be retained in office?

YES NO

B A L L O T PRECINCT

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STATE QUESTION NO. 779 INITIATIVE PETITION NO. 403

STATE QUESTION NO. 781 INITIATIVE PETITION NO. 405

This measure adds a new Article to the Oklahoma Constitution. The article creates a limited purpose fund to increase funding for public education. It increases State sales and use taxes by one cent per dollar to provide revenue for the fund. The revenue to be used for public education shall be allocated: 69.50% for common school districts, 19.25% for the institutions under the authority of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, 3.25% for the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, and 8% for the State Department of Education. It requires teacher salary increases funded by this measure raise teacher salaries by at least $5,000 over the salaries paid in the year prior to adoption of this measure. It requires an annual audit of school districts' use of monies. It prohibits school districts' use of these funds for increasing superintendents' salaries or adding superintendent positions. It requires that monies from the fund not supplant or replace other educational funding. If the Oklahoma Board of Equalization determines funding has been replaced, the Legislature may not make any appropriations until the amount of replaced funding is returned to the fund. The article takes effect on July 1 after its passage.

This measure creates the County Community Safety Investment Fund, only if voters approve State Question 780, the Oklahoma Smart Justice Reform Act. This measure would create a fund, consisting of any calculated savings or averted costs that accrued to the State from the implementation of the Oklahoma Smart Justice Reform Act in reclassifying certain property crimes and drug possession as misdemeanors. The measure requires the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to use either actual data or its best estimate to determine how much money was saved on a yearly basis. The amount determined to be saved must be deposited into the Fund and distributed to counties in proportion to their population to provide community rehabilitative programs, such as mental health and substance abuse services. This measure will not become effective if State Question 780, the Oklahoma Smart Justice Reform Act, is not approved by the people. The measure will become effective on July 1 immediately following its passage.

FOR THE PROPOSAL YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL - NO STATE QUESTION NO. 780 INITIATIVE PETITION NO. 404 This measure amends existing Oklahoma laws and would change the classification of certain drug possession and property crimes from felony to misdemeanor. It would make possession of a limited quantity of drugs a misdemeanor. The amendment also changes the classification of certain drug possession crimes which are currently considered felonies and cases where the defendant has a prior drug possession conviction. The proposed amendment would reclassify these drug possession cases as misdemeanors. The amendment would increase the threshold dollar amount used for determining whether certain property crimes are considered a felony or misdemeanor. Currently, the threshold is $500. The amendment would increase the amount to $1000. Property crimes covered by this change include; false declaration of a pawn ticket, embezzlement, larceny, grand larceny, theft, receiving or concealing stolen property, taking domesticated fish or game, fraud, forgery, counterfeiting, or issuing bogus checks. This measure would become effective July 1, 2017.

FOR THE PROPOSAL YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL - NO

FOR THE PROPOSAL YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL - NO STATE QUESTION NO. 790 LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 369 This measure would remove Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution, which prohibits the government from using public money or property for the direct or indirect benefit of any religion or religious institution. Article 2, Section 5 has been interpreted by the Oklahoma courts as requiring the removal of a Ten Commandments monument from the grounds of the State Capitol. If this measure repealing Article 2, Section 5 is passed, the government would still be required to comply with the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution, which is a similar constitutional provision that prevents the government from endorsing a religion or becoming overly involved with religion.

SAMPLE

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MAGENTA MAGENTA

FOR THE PROPOSAL YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL - NO STATE QUESTION NO. 792 LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 370 This measure repeals Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and restructures the laws governing alcoholic beverages through a new Article 28A and other laws the Legislature will create if the measure passes. The new Article 28A provides that with exceptions, a person or company can have an ownership interest in only one area of the alcoholic beverage business-manufacturing, wholesaling, or retailing. Some restrictions apply to the sales of manufacturers, brewers, winemakers, and wholesalers. Subject to limitations, the Legislature may authorize direct shipments to consumers of wine. Retail locations like grocery stores may sell wine and beer. Liquor stores may sell products other than alcoholic beverages in limited amounts. The Legislature must create licenses for retail locations, liquor stores, and places serving alcoholic beverages and may create other licenses. Certain licensees must meet residency requirements. Felons cannot be licensees. The Legislature must designate days and hours when alcoholic beverages may be sold and may impose taxes on sales. Municipalities may levy an occupation tax. If authorized, a state lodge may sell individual alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption but no other state involvement in the alcoholic beverage business is allowed. With one exception, the measure will take effect October 1, 2018.

FOR THE PROPOSAL YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL - NO

CONCERNED from 2B

In Colorado, a state that has seen some of the country's deadliest mass shootings, election officials say they are training poll workers how to respond to such violence if it erupts that day. Pennsylvania has noted that vot-

ers legally allowed to carry guns cannot be stopped from bringing them into polling places, though they say local officials should contact the police if someone appears to be trying to intimidate other voters. Some schools with poll-

ing locations have also decided to cancel classes, and a few of these have said they did so to protect the safety of their students. Earlier this year, authorities in Fairfax County opted to keep students home during the presidential primary in Virginia, in

part because officials said they were worried about Trump voters being angry over a state GOP pledge that was later dropped. Corey Stewart, the Trump campaign's former state co-chairman, called that suggestion a "ridiculous" effort to "impugn the rep-

utation of Trump supporters and of Trump himself." With the election less than two weeks away, there is also other uncertainty surrounding the voting process - including how, exactly, many people will be able to vote. A

number of battleground states are still fighting over voting laws, and questions remain about whether voters have been adequately informed about the changing and complex rules they may have to follow to cast their ballots.

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4 • DAYHERE, MONTHHERE DATEHERE, YearHere 4C • Saturday, October 29, 2016

On The

Ballot

Death penalty State Question

LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 367 This measure adds a new section to the Oklahoma Constitution, Section 9A of Article 2. The new Section deals with the death penalty. The Section establishes State constitutional mandates relating to the death penalty and methods of execution. Under these constitutional requirements: • The Legislature is expressly empowered to designate any method of execution not prohibited by the United States Constitution. • Death sentences shall not be reduced because a method of execution is ruled to be invalid.

776

clared invalid, the death penalty imposed shall remain in force until it can be carried out using any valid execution method, and • The imposition of a death penalty under Oklahoma law-—as distinguished from a method of execution—shall not be deemed to be or constitute the inﬂiction of cruel or unusual punishment under Oklahoma’s Constitution, nor to contravene any provision of the Oklahoma Constitution.

FOR THE PROPOSAL – YES • When an execution method is de- AGAINST THE PROPOSAL – NO

summary

SUMMARY: State Question 776 does two things: it addresses the method of execution for an inmate on death row, and it states that the death penalty shall not be deemed cruel and unusual punishment. If the proposal is approved, a new section would be added to the Oklahoma Constitution that allows the state to continue to impose the death penalty, even if a specific method of execution becomes unavailable. Death sentences would remain in effect until they can be carried out by any method not prohibited by the US Constitution. If approved, the constitutional amendment would apply to the state constitution but not the federal constitution or courts applying federal law. The Oklahoma death penalty law, enacted in 1976, has been consistently applied by Oklahoma elected officials: the state executed 191 men and three women between 1915 and 2014 at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary (82 by electrocution, one by hanging, and 111 by lethal injection). Statutes specifical-

ly allow gas inhalation, electrocution, and ﬁring squad as backups to the primary form of execution by lethal injection. In October 2015, Oklahoma suspended executions for a review of lethal injection protocols. One of the drugs most commonly used for lethal injection is sodium thiopental, which is no longer manufactured in the United States. In 2011, the European Commission imposed restrictions on the export of certain drugs used for lethal injections in the United States.

On The

Ballot

State Question

LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 368 This measure adds Section 38 to Article II of the Oklahoma Constitution. The new Section creates state constitutional rights. It creates the following guaranteed rights to engage in farming and ranching: • The right to make use of agricultural technology, • The right to make use of livestock procedures, and • The right to make use of ranching practices. These constitutional rights receive extra protection under this measure that not all constitutional rights receive. This extra protection is a limit on lawmakers’ ability to interfere with the exercise of these rights. Under this extra protection, no law can interfere with these rights, unless the law is justiﬁed by a compelling state

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SUMMARY: If the proposal is approved, the measure would prevent lawmakers from passing legislation to regulate agriculture unless there is a compelling state interest. The proposal would forbid the state of Oklahoma from regulating the use of agricultural technology, livestock procedures, and ranching practices. The standard of “compelling state interest” is a key component to the question because it sets a very high standard for a law to be judged.

As a result, many states no longer have the drugs used to carry out lethal injection. Oklahoma has turned to other drugs as a substitute for sodium thiopental. However, recent instances of executions around the country in which alternative drugs were used may have produced adverse outcomes. The death penalty is legal in thirty-one states, and illegal in nineteen.

Similar proposals have been presented

Deadline to request absentee ballots is Nov. 2 person at the County Election Board office or may send their applications by mail, fax, or e-mail. Voters also may apply for absentee ballots for the following reasons: Registered voters who are physically incapacitated and voters who care for physically incapacitated persons who cannot be left unattended may apply for absentee ballots only by mail, fax, e-mail, or via an agent who is at least 16 years of age and who is not employed by or related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person whose name appears on the ballot. Registered voters who are confined to nursing

.com 405-273-1235

homes in the county may apply by mail, by fax, by e-mail, or via an agent who is at least 16 years of age and who is not employed by or related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person whose name appears on the ballot. Military personnel, residents of Pottawatomie County living overseas, and the spouses and dependents of each group may apply only by mail, by fax, or by e-mail. For more information and instructions, military and overseas voters may visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website: www.fvap.gov/oklahoma. For more information

We Bu y and Se ll Pecans !

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right to farm

If passed, the proposal would apply to any democratically elected body that can trace its creation to the state legislature, including county and city governments, but not school boards. Federal laws would not be impacted; current state laws about farming and ranching would be grandfathered in, and would not be repealed by this amendment. Grandfathered laws could be amended or repealed in the future.

NOV. 8 ELECTIONS

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Information provided by Oklahoma Press Association

Voters in Pottawatomie County have until Nov. 2 to apply for absentee ballots to be mailed to them for the November 8th General Election, the Special County Question, Special City of Shawnee Question, & Special Town of Pink Election, County Election Board Secretary Jeannie Stover said. Applications for absentee ballots must be in the hands of the County Election Board no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, to be processed. Any registered voter eligible to vote in the election may vote by absentee ballot without stating a reason, Jeannie said. Absentee voters may apply in

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interest—a clearly identiﬁed state interest of the highest order. Additionally, the law must be necessary to serve that compelling state interest. The measure—and the protections identiﬁed above—do not apply to and do not impact state laws related to: • Trespass, • Eminent domain, • Dominance of mineral interests, • Easements, • Right of way or other property rights, and • Any state statutes and political subdivision ordinances enacted before December 31, 2014. FOR THE PROPOSAL – YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL – NO

to voters in other states, ﬁrst in North Dakota. A similar amendment passed in Missouri in 2014; another amendment was considered in Nebraska earlier this year but was not approved by legislators for a vote of the people. Oklahoma’s State Question 777 is inspired in part by opponents of Proposition 2 in California. Proposition 2 required certain farm animals to be able to lie down, stand up, fully extend limbs, and turn around freely. SQ 777 is unique in that it added the “compelling state interest” clause. Oklahoma’s top agricultural products in revenue are cattle, hogs, poultry, wheat, and dairy. Agriculture is the state’s fourteenth highest economic sector, accounting for less than 2 percent of GDP, (higher than agriculture’s national rate). For decades, as technology and yields have advanced, the number of agricultural jobs and farms has declined. Nine in ten Oklahoma crop and animal operations are owned by private citizens, many of whom contract with larger corporations.

Information provided by Oklahoma Press Association

on absentee voting, contact the County Election Board at 14101 Acme Rd., Shawnee, OK 74804. The telephone number is 405-

273-8376. The County Election Board’s fax number is 405-275-3240. For additional election-related information,

visit: www.elections. ok.gov. SEB012014/3

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY

FARM BUREAU DEFENDING OKLAHOMA’S FAMILY FARMS

WHAT WILL SQ 777 DO?

PROTECT ALL OKLAHOMA FARMERS SQ 777, Oklahoma's Right To Farm Amendment, will create permanent protections for all of Oklahoma's farmers and ranchers; including small, local, and organic farms. That is why Oklahoma's leading agriculture advocates support SQ 777.

GUARANTEE ACCESS TO GREAT FOOD 1 in 4 Oklahomans struggle with food insecurity, and all families have to deal with rising food costs. SQ 777 will allow Oklahoma’s family farmers to do what they do best: Grow greattasting, nutritious food that families can afford. If you appreciate having a wide variety of wonderful meat, dairy, and produce at your local supermarket; then tell your friends and family to vote YES on SQ 777!

Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

41502 Benson Park Road Shawnee, OK 74801

351310 E. 970 Rd. Sparks, OK 918-866-2529 www.sparksvineyard.com

PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY SQ 777, Oklahoma’s Right To Farm Amendment, will ensure that our farmers and ranchers have access to the latest tools, techniques, and technologies; allowing them to grow more abundant and nutritious food, while using less land and fewer natural resources.

SAVE JOBS From truckers, to restaurants, to grocers and countless others; Oklahoma’s family farmers support hundreds of thousands of jobs. SQ 777, Oklahoma’s Right To Farm Amendment, will help keep these jobs (and the families that depend on them) safe and secure.

OKLAHOMA'S FARMERS SUPPORT STATE QUESTION 777 3$Ζ' )25 %< 2./$+20$ )$50(56 &$5( 64

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nual audit of school districts’ use of monies. It prohibits school districts’ use of these funds for increasing superintendents’ salaries or adding superintendent positions. It requires that monies from the fund not supplant or replace other educational funding. If the Oklahoma Board of Equalization determines funding has been replaced, the Legislature may not make any appropriations until the amount of replaced funding is returned to the fund. The article takes effect on July 1 after its passage. FOR THE PROPOSAL – YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL – NO

On The

Ballot

State Question

INITIATIVE PETITION NO. 404 This measure amends existing Oklahoma laws and would change the classiﬁcation of certain drug possession and property crimes from felony to misdemeanor. It would make possession of a limited quantity of drugs a misdemeanor. The amendment also changes the classiﬁcation of certain drug possession crimes which are currently considered felonies and cases where the defendant has a prior drug possession conviction. The proposed amendment would reclassify these drug possession cases as misdemeanors. The amendment would increase the threshold dollar amount used for determining whether certain property crimes are considered a

> 86.33 percent of common education funding would be used to provide teachers with a minimum $5,000 raise and otherwise address or prevent teacher and certiﬁed instruction staff shortages.

SUMMARY: If the measure is approved, State Question 780 would reclassify certain offenses, such as simple drug possession and property crimes, as misdemeanors rather than felonies. The reclassiﬁcation of the drug possession offense is intended to be applied to persons who use the drugs, not to those who are selling or manufacturing the drugs. The measure also would change the dollar amount threshold for property crimes charged as felonies from $500 to $1,000.

> 13.67 percent of common education funding would be used to adopt or expand, but not maintain, programs, opportunities or reforms for improving reading in early grades, improving high school graduation rates, and increasing college and career readiness.

The goal of this measure is to reduce the size of the state’s prison population and to reduce the amount of state funds being spent on prisons. SQ 780 proposes to change Oklahoma statutes, not the constitution.

al Education Association, Oklahoma ranks 49th in the nation in teacher pay.

An increase of the sales and use tax by one cent on the dollar would provide revenue for the fund. School districts that beneﬁt from the fund would be subject to an annual audit. Funds generated by the tax cannot be used to replace other state funding of common, higher, career and technology, and early childhood education.

• 69.5 percent to common education

Oklahoma’s average compensation for teachers, including salary and beneﬁts, is $44,921. According to the Nation-

A section within the new article to the state constitution establishes that monies collected would be distributed as follows:

• 19.25 percent to higher education • 3.25 percent to career and technology education • 8 percent to early childhood education

According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice in 2014, Oklahoma had the second highest incarceration rate in the nation at 700 inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents. Oklahoma also had

Information provided by Oklahoma Press Association

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felony or misdemeanor. Currently, the threshold is $500. The amendment would increase the amount to $1000. Property crimes covered by this change include; false declaration of a pawn ticket, embezzlement, larceny, grand larceny, theft, receiving or concealing stolen property, taking domesticated ﬁsh or game, fraud, forgery, counterfeiting, or issuing bogus checks. This measure would become effective July 1, 2017. FOR THE PROPOSAL – YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL – NO

the highest incarceration rate for women that year. The total correctional population of a state includes people incarcerated and on probation or parole. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections indicated in August 2016 that the prison system was at 104 percent of its capacity with 27,097 inmates being held. Drug offenders comprise 26.3 percent of inmates. Another 23.3 percent of inmates are imprisoned for other nonviolent crimes. According to the Oklahoma DOC 2015 annual report, the Oklahoma prison population has increased by 22.6 percent since 2006. In ﬁscal year 2016, the Oklahoma legislature appropriated $485 million to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. If the measure is approved, the changes proposed would not be retroactive. Sentences for current inmates would not change.

Information provided by Oklahoma Press Association

EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT - VOTE! CONSERVATIVE VALUES EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

100% Pro-Life Rating by Oklahomans for Life Endorsed by the National Rifle Association – A Rating Endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business Endorsed by The State Chamber of Oklahoma

Dell

Dell Kerbs is a proven Community Leader who will be a great Representative for all of us!

VOTE NOV. 8 Paid for by VoteDell Kerbs 2016 1212 Windsor Place Shawnee, OK 74804

REPUBLICAN

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SUMMARY: If this proposal is approved, Article 8-C would be added to the Oklahoma Constitution creating a limited purpose fund—the Education Improvement Fund.

The provisions of the new article require a minimum $5,000 salary increase for teachers over the salaries paid in the year prior to adoption. The funds generated would not be used to increase the salaries of school superintendents or to add superintendent positions.

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education funding sales tax On The Ballot State Question INITIATIVE PETITION NO. 403

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(405) 609-0308 DellKerbsHouse26@gmail.com

votedell.com

LOCAL BUSINESSMAN. COMMUNITY LEADER. MAN OF FAITH. CONSERVATIVE. REPUBLICAN DELL KERBS. A native Oklahoman, Dell and his family own and operate Coney Island, a small restaurant in downtown Shawnee. Dell has focused on more than building his own business. He’s also worked to build up the local economy as a member of the Downtown Task Force, the Downtown Merchant Group, and Shawnee’s Planning Commission. Dell is also a member of the Emergency Operation Center, working to keep our neighbors safe. Dell is president of Safe Events for Families (SEFF), which provides entertainment and festivals for the community, including Redbud City ”Night on the Bricks” in April, Shawnee Trail Days in June, Boo on Bell in October, the Christmas Parade in December, and a monthly block party downtown. Dell is a lifelong registered Republican. He and his wife Linda have two daughters, Kensington and Kerrigan. They are active members of Life Church in Shawnee.

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religion & the state On The

Ballot

State Question

LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 369 This measure would remove Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution, which prohibits the government from using public money or property for the direct or indirect beneﬁt of any religion or religious institution. Article 2, Section 5 has been interpreted by the Oklahoma courts as requiring the removal of a Ten Commandments monument from the grounds of the State Capitol. If this measure repealing Article 2, Section 5 is passed, the government would

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SUMMARY: State Question 790 addresses public funding and property use regarding the separation of church and state. It is a proposal to repeal a section of the state’s constitution. If the measure is approved, Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution would be repealed. By removing this section, public expenditure or property use for religious purposes would not be explicitly prohibited. Under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, “congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Under the Oklahoma Constitution’s Article 2, Section 5, state money or property cannot be used directly or indirectly to support a church, sect, denomination, or system of religion.

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still be required to comply with the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution, which is a similar constitutional provision that prevents the government from endorsing a religion or becoming overly involved with religion. FOR THE PROPOSAL – YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL – NO

This state question is a response to recent controversy over display of the Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Oklahoma State Capitol. In 2009, the Ten Commandments Monument Display Act was passed by the state legislature and, three years later, a privately donated Ten Commandments monument was erected on the grounds of the State Capitol. Lawsuits followed, and by June 2015, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the monument’s placement on state property was unconstitutional, ordering that it be removed. The basis for the court’s decision was Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma State Constitution. In October 2015, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin called on the legislature to repeal that section of the state constitution in order to allow the monument at the State Capitol.

Information provided by Oklahoma Press Association

Early voting Begins Nov. 3 New Oklahoma law changes ‘early’ voting to the prior Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; affects November 8th General Election, the Special County Question, Special City of Shawnee Question, & Special Town of Pink Election. A new state law which took effect on November 1, 2013, changes the dates and times voters have come to expect for early voting in Oklahoma. Now, early voting begins on Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and continues on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Pottawatomie County Election Board Secretary Jeannie Stover explained today. Of special note, early voting is no longer conducted on Monday.

These changes have occurred due to the approval of SB 869, which was signed into law in May, 2013. As a result, Thursday, November 3rd is the first day for in-person absentee, aka “early” voting, in the November 8th General Election, the Special County Question, Special City of Shawnee Question, & Special Town of Pink Election, Stover said. The new law also adjusts the hours for Saturday in-person absentee voting. Saturday voting now takes place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Stover explained that during federal and state elections such as this one, voter turnout is often heavier and providing early voting on Saturday gives voters an additional opportunity to vote before election day. More information about

Did you know? Wyoming was not only the first state to grant women the right to vote, but it also was the first state to elect a female governor, electing Nellie Tayloe Ross to that post in 1924. Ross was elected after being nominated for governor in a special election following the sudden death of her husband, William Ross, who died from complications of an appendectomy less than two years into his term. Wyoming granted full voting rights to women in 1869, 21 years before it was even granted statehood. The year 1869 proved to be a groundbreaking year with regard to voting rights, as it was in February of 1869 that Congress proposed an amendment that would ban voting restrictions on the basis of race, color or previous servitude. That amendment would not be ratified for nearly 12 months, but it would still precede the 19th Amendment, which granted American women the right to vote, by half a century. Among those credited with fighting hard for women's suffrage in the United States areElizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott and Susan B. Anthony, none of whom would ultimately live long enough to see the 19th Amendment

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absentee voting in Oklahoma, as well as other election-related information, is available at www. elections.ok.gov.

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criminal rehabilitation On The

Ballot

State Question

INITIATIVE PETITION NO. 405 This measure creates the County Community Safety Investment Fund, only if voters approve State Question 780, the Oklahoma Smart Justice Reform Act. This measure would create a fund, consisting of any calculated savings or averted costs that accrued to the State from the implementation of the Oklahoma Smart Justice Reform Act in reclassifying certain property crimes and drug possession as misdemeanors. The measure requires the Ofﬁce of Management and Enterprise Services to use either actual data or its best estimate to determine how much money was saved on a yearly basis. The amount determined to be saved

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SUMMARY: The implementation of State Question 781 is contingent on the passage of State Question 780. If SQ 781 is approved by voters, but SQ 780 is not, none of the changes described in SQ 781 will be enacted. If both measures are approved, SQ 781 would create the County Community Safety Investment Fund. That fund would hold any cost savings achieved by reducing numbers of people incarcerated—a decrease resulting from reclassifying certain property crimes and drug possession as misdemeanors. The new Investment Fund would be a revolving fund not subject to ﬁscal year limitations. Any savings or averted costs would be calculated by the Ofﬁce of Management and Enterprise Services. If savings are determined, the legislature would be required to appropriate that amount from the gen-

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must be deposited into the Fund and distributed to counties in proportion to their population to provide community rehabilitative programs, such as mental health and substance abuse services. This measure will not become effective if State Question 780, the Oklahoma Smart Justice Reform Act, is not approved by the people. The measure will become effective on July 1 immediately following its passage. FOR THE PROPOSAL – YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL – NO

eral fund to the County Community Safety Investment Fund. The money must be used for county rehabilitative programs, including those that address mental health and substance abuse, or provide job training or education. The money would be distributed to Oklahoma counties in proportion to their population. The Ofﬁce of Management and Enterprise Services will use actual data or make its best estimate when calculating cost savings per year. Its calculation would be ﬁnal and would not be adjusted because of subsequent changes in underlying data. The intent of SQ 781 is to focus on root causes of criminal behavior such as addiction and mental health problems, as opposed to placing more people charged with lower-level offenses behind bars.

Information provided by Oklahoma Press Association

VOTE NO on increasing Shawnee’s hotel motel occupancy surcharge

Shawnee’s hotel motel guests currently pay more tax on a hotel room than our neighboring communities. This increase will impact hundreds of hotel/motel employees who live and work in Shawnee due to visitors NOT staying in Shawnee because of higher taxes.

• Current tax to hotel guests in Shawnee (13.995%) while Moore (13.7%) Norman (13.75%) Midwest City (13.35%) and Oklahoma City (13.875%) are lower. • If the proposal to increase this tax passes, Shawnee guests will pay 16.495% putting us even higher than major destinations of Dallas (15%) Little Rock (15%) and Kansas City (16%). Furthermore, if SQ 799 passes, the increase in Shawnee will be 17.495%. • Shawnee will not be able to continue to be the “Best Choice” on I-40. This is not about an anti-improvement message about event space and museum enhancements in Shawnee... it isn’t the best solution... spending marketing dollars on bricks and mortar projects that were neglected. Nellie Tayloe Ross FROM WIKIPEDIA

Paid for by Champion Hotels of Oklahoma

VOTE NO ON INCREASING SHAWNEE’S HOTEL MOTEL OCCUPANCY SURCHARGE

2533 N. Harrison (405) 273-5050 www.fredstire.net

16 W. Highland (405) 273-8500 24 Hour Road Service Available

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S A M P L E OFFICIAL BALLOT SPECIAL ELECTION November 08, 2016 POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA

B A L L O T PRECINCT 630001-SHAW CITY OF SHAWNEE

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TO VOTE:

FILL IN THE BOX NEXT TO YOUR CHOICE(S) LIKE THIS:

PROPOSITION Shall Ordinance No. 2583NS, adopted on the 18th day of July, 2016, be approved, which amends the present hotel-motel occupancy surcharge as follows: From: Five percent (5%) upon the gross receipts from occupancy of hotel and motel rooms in the City of Shawnee, Oklahoma, or one dollar ($1.00) per rental day upon the occupied hotel and motel rooms in the City of Shawnee, Oklahoma, whichever is greater.

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Note: An in-depth look at how officials feel about a proposed hotel/motel tax increase that voters will decide on Nov. 8 –– particularly what effect it could have on the area, if passed. By Vicky O. Misa Vicky.misa@news-star.com Twitter: @Vicky_NewsStar

Over many months, Shawnee City Commissioners discussed at length the issue of whether to raise the hotel/motel tax for tourists –– in July they decided to take the proposal to voters in the Nov. 8 election. The Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center –– the city's biggest tourist draw –– which board members said is agreeably costly, but worthwhile –– could benefit from added revenue if the tax was higher. Besides that, other revitalization efforts could also use a hand up –– and not just downtown. Another challenge commissioners have faced is how much to raise the tax –– yet still be competitive –– and then how to divvy up the new funds. The current tax stands at 5 percent. City Manager Justin Erickson, in looking at neighboring rates, said he tried to come up with a number that was competitive, yet would remain a bit below some others in the area. Due to his research, he settled on 7.5 percent. Estimates indicate a 1-percent increase could generally bring in $100,000 per year, Erickson said. In the end, the board made a resolution in July calling for an election –– Nov. 8 –– for residents to decide whether to amend the present hotel/motel surcharge ordinance –– raising it to 7.5 percent of gross receipts or $1 per rental day, whichever is greater. If passed, the amendment will become effective April 1, 2017. Commissioners were divided 4-2 on whether to approve the proposal: Then-Mayor Wes Mainord, Commissioners Ron Gillham Sr., James Harrod and then-Commissioner Keith Hall supported the measure, while Commissioners Lesa Shaw and Micheal Dykstra voted against it –– the Ward 1 seat was still vacant at the time. Shaw said she was concerned about how the increase might affect business for area hotel owners. “It is my hope, that as we, the City Commissioners, consider our next steps, we each keep in mind both the needs of the Expo and what challenges a higher hotel tax will mean to local hotels –– as both generate revenue for the city,” she said. Erickson said he had spoken to some hotel owners and reported they did have some concerns. Ward 6 City Commissioner Micheal Dykstra, taking a similar stance, said, “I think the hotel/ motel tax may be too much of an increase at one time.” Though he's not against an increase, he believes

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NOV. 8 BALLOT MEASURE

Shawnee voters to decide hotel/motel tax increase

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To: Seven and one-half percent (7.5%) upon the gross receipts from occupancy of hotel and motel rooms in the City of Shawnee, Oklahoma, or one dollar ($1.00) per rental day upon the occupied hotel and motel rooms in the City of Shawnee, Oklahoma, whichever is greater.

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And fixes an effective date of the ordinance as the 1st day of April, 2017.

FOR THE PROPOSITION - YES

the city may lose its competitive edge if rates are too close to the surrounding areas. “I think it is foolish to increase the tax the full amount,” he said. “If our city's rooms are not competing with the large resort in McLoud, people will not stay in town.” It's a delicate balancing act –– one attempt to boost revenue holds the potential to stifle another. “Don't we want to keep our rooms full, in order to collect as much tax as we can?” he said. “If our hotels can't compete, we've got a problem.” Even though it doesn't affect the citizens of Shawnee directly, he said, it may have a long term indirect negative effect. “Let's just hope the Expo Center stays booked as much as they say it will,” he said. Shawnee Economic Development Foundation (SEDF) Executive Director Tim Burg supports the increase. He said he believes it will allow the city to have more funds –– which are derived from outside sources –– to apply toward areas that the city should consider regarding attracting more visitors –– including business travelers. “There is no doubt the major events taking place in this community help place visitors in our hotels/motels, but we also have an opportunity to attract more business-related functions or meetings,” Burg said. “With the large number of major manufacturers in the area, there is always someone visiting those facilities –– which is an opportunity we should be capitalizing on.” Burg said increasing those types of visits or events –– tied to the increase in the hotel/motel tax –– would be beneficial in increasing the revenues which could then be directed toward improving the convention and events spaces, or marketing some of the under-utilized city facilities like the airport or the Municipal Auditorium. “My thoughts are there is always room for more visitors –– whether it be for a well-known tourism event, a graduation or sporting event at one of the universities, or something that is related to the business traveler and the large employers,” he said. “Our community has a lot to offer any of those different quests and we could be doing more marketing, facility improvements and outreach if we just had a little bit more funding.” The hotel/motel tax increase proposal will be on the Nov. 8 ballot for Shawnee voters to decide. You can reach Vicky O. Misa at (405) 214-3962.

Did you know?

AGAINST THE PROPOSITION - NO

The City of Shawnee has about 1,000 hotel rooms. The Grand Hotel and Casino Resort has 300 rooms, which are included in the city’s total –– but the hotel is operated by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, so the hotel/ motel tax is not collected.

November 8th

VOTE Re-Elect Mike Booth Your Sheriff

Mike Booth has fought the war on crime in many places around the world working with some of the best Law Enforcement organizations in the United States. Now Mike continues that fight in Pottawatomie County as your Sheriff. Mike was voted Sheriff of the Year by his peers at the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association and was recently the President of the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association. Sheriff Booth was elected November 2008 and comes to the office after working as a Criminal Investigator for the District Attorney’s office. A position he started ten years ago. Prior to that, starting in 1986, he worked at the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office. Some of the positions that Mike held during his twelve year career with the sheriff’s office include Detective/Captain, D.A.R.E. officer, Training officer, Field deputy and Field Reserve Deputy. Following the September 11th attack on America, Mike was immediately recalled to active duty where he served with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in Naples, Italy. He worked with other agents in counter-terrorism, dignitary protection and investigations. As of August 1, 2002, Mike retired from the U.S. Navy Reserves after having served his country for approximately twenty-two years. Mike Booth joined the U.S. Navy in 1974 and served aboard the U.S.S. Hull, the most heavily armed Destroyer in the world, until 1979. His ship was sent to the waters off the coast of Vietnam and spent a considerable amount of time patrolling the coastline of the Korean peninsula during tense times between North and South Korea. Mike served as an Operations Supervisor for the “Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit.” During that time, Booth’s team worked with agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs agency and Border Patrol conducting operations against international drug smugglers from the Mexican border to Puerto Rico. That service resulted in some of the largest organized drug busts during that time. Booth is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and has earned numerous awards, medals, ribbons and accommodations while serving our country. Mike Booth is a native Oklahoman and a graduate of McLoud High School. He was the first state welding contest winner as a student at Gordon Cooper Vocational Technical School. He and his wife Karen have six children and eight grandchildren. Mike enjoys scuba diving, boating and fishing with his family.

Debbie Haugh makes a bed at the Hampton Inn, at 4851 N. Kickapoo in Shawnee. ADAM EWING STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Paid for by ReElect Mike Booth Your Sheriff

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Vote NO on 792 Here’s Why a “NO” Vote on 792 is important. 1. Minors will be exposed to wine & beer that is up to 5 times stronger than 3.2 beer. Strong wine & beer will be sold in over 4000 locations. 16 year old employees will be stocking alcohol & un-licensed 18 year old teenagers will be selling these products. Putting stronger alcohol in thousands more locations, handled and sold by teenagers, “greatly increases” sales to minors, underage drinking, drunk driving & other misuse of alcohol. 2. The penalty for selling to a minor is reduced to a misdemeanor in 792. Today, selling to a minor is a felony. It should remain a felony! 3. M.A.D.D. hates 792 because of all the reasons above. If passed, 792 will cost more lives and damage more families. 4. 792 revamps the wholesale system from an open, competive system to a defacto monopoly. Currently, Oklahoma has 7 wholesalers who can sell any alcohol available in the U.S. to any retail liquor package store. Passage of 792 allows wholesalers to be the exclusive, sole supplier of a particular product or family of products. Understand that once a wholesaler buys the rights to a product, no other wholesaler can sell that same product, eliminating all competition. With no competition a wholesaler charges whatever they want with no fear of being undersold by anyone. When wholesale cost rise Oklahomans will suffer an immediate rise in retail cost. Example; A bottle of Jack Daniel’s or Crown Royal could go from $45 now to $55 or even $60 if 792 passes. 5. Up to 50% of all existing retail liquor package stores will go out of business costing Oklahoma employees and owners of these stores their jobs, and cost Oklahoma tax dollars. Vote NO on 792! It is being sold to you, as a lie, by large “out of state” national corporations. At a time when Oklahomans are facing a $1 billion budget shortfall, Oklahoman’s will be sending hundreds of millions in revenue out of state to WalMart, Target, & Costco. Vote No on 792 and send a message to our legislators that Oklahoman’s want to improve and update our liquor laws with a better law in the next legislative session... A law that does not endanger our families & sends Millions of Oklahoma tax dollars out of our state.

Thank you for voting NO on 792! Paid for by Link Cowen - Citizens Against 792.