Poteau Daily News
Content
PAGE 4 ... THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012
POTEAU DAILY NEWS
Editorial Round-up
Tulsa World, Sept. 5, 2012. Education subpar for teen moms, moms-to-be in Oklahoma Despite one of the nation's highest rates of teenage pregnancy - a chronic problem in Oklahoma - the state .1).as not developed appropriate measures for ensuring [teen moms and mothers-to-be get a good public education. That is among findings in a state-by-state survey by he National Women's Law Center into how states [handle such issues. t Federal law requires that states ensure these girls can continue their education, but the center found that often 'is not occurring. Pregnant and parenting girls are barred from some activities and even kicked out of school, according to the report. The center also found that some schools -refuse to grant absences for childbirth and sometimes .don't allow the teens to make up work missed due to ;their pregnancies. Home-bound services also are often ;not available. Attitudes toward pregnant girls and new mothers also are troubling and sometimes lead girls onto less !rigorous academic paths or into alternative programs. !Harassment by other students also is a problem. f -- Oklahoma, as usual, scored poorly in the report, !l-receiving a score of 0.5 out of a possible 10 on the center's evaluation of state programs for pregnant and parenting students. I Given the state's high rate of teen pregnancy - fifth ,. pn the U.S., according to recent data - one might have assumed the issue would have been addressed. r Even better would be comprehensive health education programs in our public schools, which would help reduce teen pregnancy rates. Oklahoma is one of only two states that don't have such programs in the schools. And it shows. "Of all the things that are useful in life, and imporant to address our poverty rate in Oklahoma, is undertanding relationships and our health," said Jan Figart, ssociate director of the Community Service Council. 'How is it 48 other states ha! ve figured out this is rimportant and we haven't?" It's not just teens who are affected by this issue. As [Figart noted: "All of us pay in social penalties, tax penalties and pay with having incredible poverty in our state. As a result, we will have poverty for generations to come." [ Unless something changes, we will continue to pay.
[
Opinions
Busy days at the club
It has been getting really hectic the past month at the club. The first month of school is always busy, but all four of our sites are bustling with the smiling faces of many kids. We also have been busy promoting and preparing for our first annual "Beat the Heat" Battle of the Bands competition. Whenever you put on the first event of any kind, no matter how much planning and effort go into it, you are inevitably nervous and apprehensive about how it is going to come off. What eases my mind is how hard all of our staff is working to make sure it is successful, and the support we have been given by some of our local businesses and individuals. Look for our booth at the Health Fair this weekend. We will have advance event tickets on sale for $3.00, as opposed to $5.00 the day of the event. In the past few weeks, we have highlighted some of the acts scheduled to perform at the Music Fest. Another band scheduled to perform is "Fallen Sky". From childhood, the men of "Fallen Sky" knew they were destined to entertain the world with music. Zack By Clay Roper Foster ( drummer/ Headhunters". lead vocals) has Please come out to see "Fallen been playing in bands since his Sky" along with the other great early teen years, trying to find someone as serious as he was about start- bands previewed in the previous ing a career in the industry. In weeks on Sept. 22 at the October 2009 he found that in long Runestone. We still have a few spots availtime friend Donnie Grigsby (bass). able for last minute entries. We will A couple of months later childhood friend Malcolm Ridenour (lead gui- stop taking entries on Friday of this tar/vocals) found out about the proj- week. For more information about ect and wanted in. Putting out small the event, call the BGCLC office at songs and exploring through differ- (918) 647-7136, Lastly, I am writing this on the ent genres in the hunt for a distinct 11th commemoration of 9/11. It just sound, there were several players that attempted to fill the fourth spot feels wrong to say anniversary of 9/11. Our thoughts and prayers conin this "band of brothers". tinue to be with the many families Eventually, Isaac Boardmen (rhythm guitar) would fill out the affected by this tragedy. I would also like to thank and band's lineup. Taking the fight head pray for the members of the military on and refusing to take no for an answer, they have played with sev- at home and abroad for protecting eral well-known bands such as the people and ideals of our great "P.O.D" and "The Kentucky nation.
Boys and Girls Club Happenings
Please! Preach. Practice. Convince your kids not to text and drive
Children are back in of an automobile. Recognizing this, AT&T school in communities large and small all across recently announced an "It Oklahoma. It's an exciting, Can Wait" pledge day set for and often hectic, time of year. Sept. 19 to bring awareness Parents are shuttling kids to to this important public safeband concerts and ball games, ty issue. The initiative comes and running errands in complete with its own webbetween. Like their parents, site, full of survey results and students are rushing about statistics that should make it too; rushing to class, to prac- easy for parents to talk to their kids about the dangers tice, to a part-time job. We gett busier and busier, of texting and driying.There and multttaskin#1seems to be is also a .place on that site 'wheie drivers of ali'dges can the 'only' wal-5/ teriet it done. While society may cel- pledge not to text behind the ebrate those among us who wheel.The company's efforts seem to effortlessly address are based on some startling multiple tasks simultaneous- statistics. Research by the Virginia ly, there's at least one place where a single-minded focus Tech Transportation Institute is not only best but a must, found that drivers who text and that's behind the wheel are 23 times more likely to
Guest Commentary
By Drew Edmondson
be in an accident or nearaccident. The National Safety Council says more than 100,000 crashes a year involve drivers who are texting. Those statistics alone should be enough to vince you to put your pl he away while drivihtliutVtat if I told you, mom and dad, that you are being watched? According to a national teen driver survey commissioned by AT&T,77 percent of teens have seen their parents text and drive. We tell our kids not to do it, but many parents don't listen to their own advice. It's the "do as I say and not as I do" method of parenting. Maybe, instead, we should practice what we preach. In that same AT&T survey, 62 percent of teens said reminders from their parents not to text and drive would be effective in getting them to stop the dangerous practice. If actions truly speak louder than words, how many kids would refrain from texting and driving if mom and dad resisted the urge too? So, keep preaching, but start practicing too. Join with your kids in taking AT&T's pledge by logging on to www.itcanwait.com . Talk about the statistics. Commit yourself to never text and drive. Remember, your kids are watching. Edmondson, a former Oklahoma attorney general, practices law at the law firm of GableGotwals.
Norman Transcript, Sept. 7, 2012. Degree push working The push to award more degrees at Oklahoma colieges and universities is apparently paying off. State [Regents learned this past week that more than 1,900 additional graduates crossed the states in 2011-2012 han the previous academic year. The state system of public colleges and universities ad earlier set a goal of 1,700 additional graduates each ear for the next four years. Chancellor Glen Johnson is seeking at least 20,400 additional degrees and cerificates to be awarded in the next 12 years. That's a push initiated by the Regents and then encouraged by Gov. Mary Fallin. The governor sees an increase in college graduates as a job magnet. Employers want to come to a state where there are more graduates. The first few years of the initiative will be the easiest s schools engage students who lack only a few hours. t will be tougher down the road. Numerous factors go into whether a student finishes degree. Finances seem to be the biggest reason holdng students back. Some schools, including OU, have tried to encourage students to take a minimum of 15 hours per semester in order to finish on time. The chancellor, according to a published report, wants state lawmakers to consider pairing some funding incentives with graduation rates as some states have done.
Poteau
Reader's Forum
Dear Editor, The family of Jenny Waldrep would like to thank the mayor and city officials for being so kind and helpful to Jenny about saving the tree at the library site. And they would like to extend a big thank you to the contractor for this help in saving the tree also. Everyone has been awesome with support for a 9 year old small town girl.
.0.1
"
Letters the • ctitor 8
E
Editorial Cartoon
SORRY, MITT... WE'RE GOIN G
AM N EWS
SERVING LEFL-ORE COUNTY
"LeFlore County's Newspaper Since 1895"
The Poteau Daily News (USPS 440-200) Is published daily by Horizon Oklahoma Publishing Company Inc., Poteau, OK 74953. Periodical privileges paid at Poteau, OK. POSTMASTER: Send change of addresses to Poteau Daily News, P.O. Box 1237, Poteau, OK 74953. The Poteau Daily News publishes Tuesday through Saturday, except Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Robert Shearon Publisher Ext. 25
[email protected]
Regina Smith Managing Editor Ext. 17
[email protected]
To NEED A REAL ANSWER!
Susan Brown ClassIfieds/Legais Manager Ext. 11
[email protected]
Melissa Adkins Circulation Director Ext. 27
circulation @poteaudailynews.com
Cheryl Thornburg Business Manager Ext. 12 [email protected]
Peggy Persons Advertising Administrative Asst. Ext. 29 addirector.pdnagmail.com
For Breaking News Atter Hours: Text or call the Editor at 479-926-0722 To Contact Us: Mall: P.O. Box 1237, Poteau, OK 74953 Location: 804 N. Broadway, Poteau Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday — Friday Telephone: 918-647-3188 • Fax: 918-647-8198 Website: www.poteaudallynews You can expect delivery of your paper by 6 a.m. Please call by 10 a.m. for prompt replacement delivery. if your paper Is damaged or missing .... 918-647-3188, Ext. 27 Home Delivery Subscribers — If your carrier misses you: Donna Skelton 918-658-0675 Jack Langdell 918-385-2395 Judy Meeks 918-649-7797 To report a broken vending machine 918-647-3188, Ext. 27 To Subscribe: Phone 918-647-3188 1 month $8.50 3 months $22 6 months $39 1 year $72 — Out-of-County, Out-of-State — $11 for 1 mo.; $32 for 3 mos.; $63 for 6 mos.; $126 for 1 year MEMBER:
;Piaffgas
yap...n.1,, • ICRVINO LE 1, 1 OPE COUNTY
POTEAU DAILY NEWS
Editorial Round-up
Tulsa World, Sept. 5, 2012. Education subpar for teen moms, moms-to-be in Oklahoma Despite one of the nation's highest rates of teenage pregnancy - a chronic problem in Oklahoma - the state .1).as not developed appropriate measures for ensuring [teen moms and mothers-to-be get a good public education. That is among findings in a state-by-state survey by he National Women's Law Center into how states [handle such issues. t Federal law requires that states ensure these girls can continue their education, but the center found that often 'is not occurring. Pregnant and parenting girls are barred from some activities and even kicked out of school, according to the report. The center also found that some schools -refuse to grant absences for childbirth and sometimes .don't allow the teens to make up work missed due to ;their pregnancies. Home-bound services also are often ;not available. Attitudes toward pregnant girls and new mothers also are troubling and sometimes lead girls onto less !rigorous academic paths or into alternative programs. !Harassment by other students also is a problem. f -- Oklahoma, as usual, scored poorly in the report, !l-receiving a score of 0.5 out of a possible 10 on the center's evaluation of state programs for pregnant and parenting students. I Given the state's high rate of teen pregnancy - fifth ,. pn the U.S., according to recent data - one might have assumed the issue would have been addressed. r Even better would be comprehensive health education programs in our public schools, which would help reduce teen pregnancy rates. Oklahoma is one of only two states that don't have such programs in the schools. And it shows. "Of all the things that are useful in life, and imporant to address our poverty rate in Oklahoma, is undertanding relationships and our health," said Jan Figart, ssociate director of the Community Service Council. 'How is it 48 other states ha! ve figured out this is rimportant and we haven't?" It's not just teens who are affected by this issue. As [Figart noted: "All of us pay in social penalties, tax penalties and pay with having incredible poverty in our state. As a result, we will have poverty for generations to come." [ Unless something changes, we will continue to pay.
[
Opinions
Busy days at the club
It has been getting really hectic the past month at the club. The first month of school is always busy, but all four of our sites are bustling with the smiling faces of many kids. We also have been busy promoting and preparing for our first annual "Beat the Heat" Battle of the Bands competition. Whenever you put on the first event of any kind, no matter how much planning and effort go into it, you are inevitably nervous and apprehensive about how it is going to come off. What eases my mind is how hard all of our staff is working to make sure it is successful, and the support we have been given by some of our local businesses and individuals. Look for our booth at the Health Fair this weekend. We will have advance event tickets on sale for $3.00, as opposed to $5.00 the day of the event. In the past few weeks, we have highlighted some of the acts scheduled to perform at the Music Fest. Another band scheduled to perform is "Fallen Sky". From childhood, the men of "Fallen Sky" knew they were destined to entertain the world with music. Zack By Clay Roper Foster ( drummer/ Headhunters". lead vocals) has Please come out to see "Fallen been playing in bands since his Sky" along with the other great early teen years, trying to find someone as serious as he was about start- bands previewed in the previous ing a career in the industry. In weeks on Sept. 22 at the October 2009 he found that in long Runestone. We still have a few spots availtime friend Donnie Grigsby (bass). able for last minute entries. We will A couple of months later childhood friend Malcolm Ridenour (lead gui- stop taking entries on Friday of this tar/vocals) found out about the proj- week. For more information about ect and wanted in. Putting out small the event, call the BGCLC office at songs and exploring through differ- (918) 647-7136, Lastly, I am writing this on the ent genres in the hunt for a distinct 11th commemoration of 9/11. It just sound, there were several players that attempted to fill the fourth spot feels wrong to say anniversary of 9/11. Our thoughts and prayers conin this "band of brothers". tinue to be with the many families Eventually, Isaac Boardmen (rhythm guitar) would fill out the affected by this tragedy. I would also like to thank and band's lineup. Taking the fight head pray for the members of the military on and refusing to take no for an answer, they have played with sev- at home and abroad for protecting eral well-known bands such as the people and ideals of our great "P.O.D" and "The Kentucky nation.
Boys and Girls Club Happenings
Please! Preach. Practice. Convince your kids not to text and drive
Children are back in of an automobile. Recognizing this, AT&T school in communities large and small all across recently announced an "It Oklahoma. It's an exciting, Can Wait" pledge day set for and often hectic, time of year. Sept. 19 to bring awareness Parents are shuttling kids to to this important public safeband concerts and ball games, ty issue. The initiative comes and running errands in complete with its own webbetween. Like their parents, site, full of survey results and students are rushing about statistics that should make it too; rushing to class, to prac- easy for parents to talk to their kids about the dangers tice, to a part-time job. We gett busier and busier, of texting and driying.There and multttaskin#1seems to be is also a .place on that site 'wheie drivers of ali'dges can the 'only' wal-5/ teriet it done. While society may cel- pledge not to text behind the ebrate those among us who wheel.The company's efforts seem to effortlessly address are based on some startling multiple tasks simultaneous- statistics. Research by the Virginia ly, there's at least one place where a single-minded focus Tech Transportation Institute is not only best but a must, found that drivers who text and that's behind the wheel are 23 times more likely to
Guest Commentary
By Drew Edmondson
be in an accident or nearaccident. The National Safety Council says more than 100,000 crashes a year involve drivers who are texting. Those statistics alone should be enough to vince you to put your pl he away while drivihtliutVtat if I told you, mom and dad, that you are being watched? According to a national teen driver survey commissioned by AT&T,77 percent of teens have seen their parents text and drive. We tell our kids not to do it, but many parents don't listen to their own advice. It's the "do as I say and not as I do" method of parenting. Maybe, instead, we should practice what we preach. In that same AT&T survey, 62 percent of teens said reminders from their parents not to text and drive would be effective in getting them to stop the dangerous practice. If actions truly speak louder than words, how many kids would refrain from texting and driving if mom and dad resisted the urge too? So, keep preaching, but start practicing too. Join with your kids in taking AT&T's pledge by logging on to www.itcanwait.com . Talk about the statistics. Commit yourself to never text and drive. Remember, your kids are watching. Edmondson, a former Oklahoma attorney general, practices law at the law firm of GableGotwals.
Norman Transcript, Sept. 7, 2012. Degree push working The push to award more degrees at Oklahoma colieges and universities is apparently paying off. State [Regents learned this past week that more than 1,900 additional graduates crossed the states in 2011-2012 han the previous academic year. The state system of public colleges and universities ad earlier set a goal of 1,700 additional graduates each ear for the next four years. Chancellor Glen Johnson is seeking at least 20,400 additional degrees and cerificates to be awarded in the next 12 years. That's a push initiated by the Regents and then encouraged by Gov. Mary Fallin. The governor sees an increase in college graduates as a job magnet. Employers want to come to a state where there are more graduates. The first few years of the initiative will be the easiest s schools engage students who lack only a few hours. t will be tougher down the road. Numerous factors go into whether a student finishes degree. Finances seem to be the biggest reason holdng students back. Some schools, including OU, have tried to encourage students to take a minimum of 15 hours per semester in order to finish on time. The chancellor, according to a published report, wants state lawmakers to consider pairing some funding incentives with graduation rates as some states have done.
Poteau
Reader's Forum
Dear Editor, The family of Jenny Waldrep would like to thank the mayor and city officials for being so kind and helpful to Jenny about saving the tree at the library site. And they would like to extend a big thank you to the contractor for this help in saving the tree also. Everyone has been awesome with support for a 9 year old small town girl.
.0.1
"
Letters the • ctitor 8
E
Editorial Cartoon
SORRY, MITT... WE'RE GOIN G
AM N EWS
SERVING LEFL-ORE COUNTY
"LeFlore County's Newspaper Since 1895"
The Poteau Daily News (USPS 440-200) Is published daily by Horizon Oklahoma Publishing Company Inc., Poteau, OK 74953. Periodical privileges paid at Poteau, OK. POSTMASTER: Send change of addresses to Poteau Daily News, P.O. Box 1237, Poteau, OK 74953. The Poteau Daily News publishes Tuesday through Saturday, except Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Robert Shearon Publisher Ext. 25
[email protected]
Regina Smith Managing Editor Ext. 17
[email protected]
To NEED A REAL ANSWER!
Susan Brown ClassIfieds/Legais Manager Ext. 11
[email protected]
Melissa Adkins Circulation Director Ext. 27
circulation @poteaudailynews.com
Cheryl Thornburg Business Manager Ext. 12 [email protected]
Peggy Persons Advertising Administrative Asst. Ext. 29 addirector.pdnagmail.com
For Breaking News Atter Hours: Text or call the Editor at 479-926-0722 To Contact Us: Mall: P.O. Box 1237, Poteau, OK 74953 Location: 804 N. Broadway, Poteau Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday — Friday Telephone: 918-647-3188 • Fax: 918-647-8198 Website: www.poteaudallynews You can expect delivery of your paper by 6 a.m. Please call by 10 a.m. for prompt replacement delivery. if your paper Is damaged or missing .... 918-647-3188, Ext. 27 Home Delivery Subscribers — If your carrier misses you: Donna Skelton 918-658-0675 Jack Langdell 918-385-2395 Judy Meeks 918-649-7797 To report a broken vending machine 918-647-3188, Ext. 27 To Subscribe: Phone 918-647-3188 1 month $8.50 3 months $22 6 months $39 1 year $72 — Out-of-County, Out-of-State — $11 for 1 mo.; $32 for 3 mos.; $63 for 6 mos.; $126 for 1 year MEMBER:
;Piaffgas
yap...n.1,, • ICRVINO LE 1, 1 OPE COUNTY
