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ARCHIVED EDITORIALS AND LETTERS

March 13, 2012    Ferencich Holds Flood Insurance Hostage  by Sara Liberty   
   FEMA has new flood plain maps for the Blanchard Area, in addition to other areas.  In order for Insurance Agents to write and maintain flood insurance policies in the City of Blanchard, the City Council must approve these new documents by the first week of April............more    

March 13, 2012    The Real Power Grab    by Sara Liberty
   Some people around town seem to think that Mayor Frank Broyles is "power hungry" with regard to the City Council.......more

March 10, 2012     Writ of Mandamus, Court Proceedings March 9, 2012   (SEE CORRECTION)  by Sara Liberty
   Former Interim City Manager, Businessman, and Citizen of Blanchard, Leon Lacy, filed a Writ of Mandamus in behalf of himself and in behalf of the citizens of the City of Blanchard.        more

February 24, 2012    Crude Oil 101:  What Influences Gasoline Prices?    by Sara Liberty

February 24, 2012    Letter to the Host:  Attack on Disabled Veterans in Blanchard  by Gail Broyles
   This website recently forwarded an email to my husband that they received from a person trying to impersonate one of their contributors.  That, in itself, is a serious issue, but what they submitted was a sick form of bigotry and outright hatred for our disabled veterans.  Coming after my husband was accused of "stalking off" the council, because his disability makes him walk stiff-kneed, makes me think this is another personal attack on him and uses his disabilities to try to discredit him and demean him.
   How sick are the people who attack those who have honorably served our country, and how very desperate they are to get their way!   While reading it, one could have flashbacks to the Vietnam era soldiers who were spat upon and called names. 
   This person called these disabled American veterans, in Blanchard, people who "don’t work or pay property taxes and live off the government’s tit."  Then said they "live and mooch off hardworking taxpayer’s grit," and "hang out at the VFW and city hall" and "use ‘I can’t work’ as a big stall (their words)."   They also said these disabled American veterans were "a bunch of leeches", and people should "let them know at the next election that they are cheaters", and "tell them they can earn a wage as Walmart greeters."
   The vitriolic attack on the disabled veterans was sickening.  I realized that when my husband took office there would be those who would not agree with him, but to attack him because he is a disabled veteran to try to discredit him is beyond anything I could ever imagine!   
   My husband spent 22 years in the U.S. Army and retired, all the time paying taxes and making sacrifices so this sick person could enjoy the freedoms they enjoy.  He is still paying taxes.  He is a disabled veteran from things that happened to him and things he was exposed to while on active duty.   His brother worked for 30 years, paying taxes, and retired.  He served in Vietnam and is a disabled veteran from the Agent Orange he was exposed to there.  Both of these brothers and the other disabled American veterans this sick person spoke so disrespectfully and degradingly about have not been "given" anything.  They made sacrifices and have earned everything they receive.  
   We already have those who have supported taking away our Constitutional Rights.  Now they are  attacking our disabled veterans.  How much lower can these people sink!  
     If they are planning on running in the next election, let them know we do not and will not tolerate these types of people.    

February 22, 2012    Beware of Wolves in Sheep's Clothing   by Sara Liberty
   Charles Caleb Colton said, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
   It has come to my attention that there is a wolf in sheep's clothing trying to imitate me by name in an email to the www.CityofBlanchard.com website and potentially other places.  They are using a Google Email address, sarahliberty73010@gmail.com, under the name of "Sarah Liberty", which is not me.  (Feel free to email them and let them know that you are not fooled.)  I would guess that this imitation is some type of flattery of me on his/her part.  And maybe I should feel flattered, but they do not appear to be anything like me in any way, so I do not feel flattered. 
   The wolf tended to trash our honorable Veterans and they tended to trash people with medical and physical disabilities.  These are not stands that I would ever take. 
   I thoroughly believe that we all should be thankful to our Veterans, the men and women who are willing to give their lives so that we can live in a country of freedom and liberty.  We should remove our hats and salute our flag when it passes, and we should shake the hand of every Veteran we meet.  America is the greatest country in the world.  Anyone who would trash our country and our Veterans should be tarred and feathered and sent out of town on a rail.
   So, do NOT be fooled by this wolf in sheep's clothing.  They probably voted for Obama as well.  Overall, this liberal  who pretended to be me is only showing that my editorials are hitting home and like the Liberals across this land, they want to attack people as they have no leg to stand on in an intelligent debate of facts.  Maybe they should go crawl under a rock or go back to their tent at one of the "Occupy" sites and try to imitate a pot-smoking, liberal, communist.  They would probably fit in much better than trying to imitate a true Conservative.


February 18, 2012     
Does Mr. Fenercich Think We Are That Stupid?
   First off, thank you for posting a video of the council meeting.  Since I was unable to attend, it allowed me to see first hand what occurred.   There are several things I would like to ask and say.
   What did Mr. Fenercich mean by "motions from the floor"  being made for someone to be nominated (alluding to the people in the audience)?   I have never heard that citizens sitting in the audience could make motions.      Does he really think we are stupid?
   Mr. Fenercich was so childish when he made the statement about if the mayor would come back, then Mr. Fenercich would tell the name when he made the nomination.  Did he think that no one would see through this and not realize that it would have been voted on and a done deal if the mayor had come back?      Does he really think we are stupid?   
   What did Mr. Fenercich mean when he gave the reason for not giving a name on the agenda that someone in there could volunteer, but then evaded the question of one of the people when they asked could someone there volunteer that night?  There was not going to be any other consideration other than his and he knew this.        Does he really think we are stupid?
   Why is Mr. Fenercich in such a hurry to appoint someone now, when he refused three times to have an election?      Does he really think we are stupid? 
   Mr. Fenercich says, "if we had had an election like we were supposed to … I don’t know why it didn’t come about," …  Really?  He doesn’t remember that he and Mr. Bob Hagan, and later Mrs. Harris, would not call an election and that is the reason the election won‘t be until June?      Does he really think we are  stupid … or forgetful?
   Why does Mr. Fenercich say it is so imperative now, but  wasn’t "imperative" then when they refused to call an election?  We could be having an election in March if not for them.      Does he really think we are  stupid? 
   Is it just imperative now because Mr. Fenercich wants another person on the council whom he can count on to vote like he wants?  Does he think we don’t know he wants to rule the city again?      Does he really think we are  stupid?
   With two people being able to make a decision, as Mr. Fenercich insists, does that mean it could be considered collusion if they talk on the phone (Mrs. Harris said they do) about any city business?  In my opinion and watching the video, doesn’t it seem like they might have already decided what they were going to do when they hurriedly made a motion and seconded it to move up the agenda item?      Does he really think we are stupid?
   When they decided to move up the agenda item instead of first taking care of city business, didn’t they realize that they were the reason city business was not done?  Did he really think that we wouldn’t be able to figure it out that it was because of him and Mrs. Harris?        Does Mr. Fenercich think we are stupid?   
   The reason for Mr. Fenercich’s refusal  to give the name of the person he wants on the council is so clear.  Does he really think he is fooling anyone with his so "fake" concern about city business?  Does he think we couldn’t figure it out that he didn’t care to take care of it before his little childish attempt to get his way to appoint his person? 
   I’ll say it again, DOES HE REALLY THINK WE ARE STUPID?

Sign me,
Smart Enough to Recognize A Phony
  
February 15, 2012    The Quorum Standoff  by Sara Liberty


February 9, 2012                               
Shovel that Manure Somewhere Else       
   I feel the woman’s letter to the editor in the last newspaper was a load of "horse manure" and inaccuracies.  
   First of all, unless the accusations of voting fraud are proven, the term to use is ALLEGED.      
   Second, her own plea in court of "no contest" to the charges seems to me to prove the "VALIDITY" of those charges.  Also, just because records are "expunged" (not ex-sponged) does not mean a person was innocent -- it just means that was part of their plea agreement, after a probation period and you do not commit another offense during that time. 
   Third, does calling herself an honest, law abiding citizen sound inaccurate when she apparently admitted to breaking the law?  Does supporting and applauding people who are breaking the law sound like an honest, law abiding citizen?  Not calling an election (required by law) is breaking the law and not providing the maps to the election boards in 2009 and again before last year’s election (required by law) was breaking the law.  Does  it sound like she picks and chooses what LAWS she wants to abide by?      
   Fourth, with what appears to me to be bitter accusations in the letter, especially against whoever she calls "the MOB backers," in my opinion sounds like she is still very upset about losing the election.
   Fifth, just about everyone I know agrees with her about thanking God everyday that she did not win the election!
   Sixth, if there are really 50+ people on her list, there is only ONE candidate that it MIGHT have affected … Jon Owens.  However, if the other candidate had won, he would have been challenged as being ineligible.  As everyone knows, Jon Owens is no longer on the council.  
   One point I would like to make is that there is no way for any of us to know for whom these  alleged 50+ people voted.  They may have all voted for those who lost the election.  It is a secret ballot.
   How do we know this wasn’t part of a big conspiracy by persons who wanted to discredit the election so these people could stay in office, especially since the last city council failed to perform THEIR MANDATORY DUTY to provide the Election Boards with a revised map??  Add to that the fact that two city councilman refuse to call an election for Ward 1, and then these two city councilman appointed a person they wanted for Ward 2, instead of calling an election for that position.  It seems to me that they don’t care what the people of Blanchard want and these two councilmen wanted people on the council who would vote their way!!!!  (I want it investigated to see if these two councilmen knew all along about the maps not being sent to the Election Boards which, in my opinion, would put all their actions in a whole different light.)  And now, two indictments have just been handed down against former city manager Bill Edwards and former police chief Tom Linn for trying to bribe Jon Owens to give up his council seat!!!!  I am hoping that there will be an investigation into the questionable actions of the former city government, because when you add these things together something sure stinks about ALL of this!
   Seventh, by refusing to call the election, the Ward 1 people have been denied representation.  By refusing to call the election, all the citizens of Blanchard have had their rights denied and completely taken away.  ILLEGAL!!!  DISGRACEFUL!!!  And this woman and her friends  SUPPORT this???  In my opinion, when she remarks how they have "sacrificed themselves," this person insults every soldier who has served, fought or died for the very rights she has SUPPORTED the city councilmen in TAKING AWAY from us all!  And they are proud of this fact???  I don’t know about anyone else, but this really makes me sick.   And I will repeat, I agree and thank God everyday she did not win the election!
   Both the McClain County and State Election Boards have said they would have put all kinds of safeguards to make sure the people in the area in question would know they were ineligible to vote. There was NO REASON TO TAKE AWAY OUR RIGHTS AND THERE WAS NO REASON NOT TO CALL AN ELECTION, except to delay it.  
   Lastly, it seems to me that the only outright fraud that has been committed has been against the citizens of Blanchard … these people used what are to me BOGUS REASONS for not calling an election and for denying us our Constitutional Rights.  Voter fraud is serious, but it is not a reason to deny us our RIGHTS when there are safeguards against it!!!!   
Signed
Go Shovel that Manure Somewhere Else

P.S.  Please withhold my name because I do not want to become a "target," especially if they are giving back the gun!

February 3, 2012    Not a Good Beginning for New City Manager by Waite N. See

January 23, 2012   Voter Fraud or Negligence of Duty?  by Sara Liberty

January 21, 2012                           
News and Views on the National Debt & Other Issues      by Sara Liberty
   Obama is requesting adding $1.2 Trillion more to the National Debt....see the following bits and pieces....more

January 18, 2012                                                      
Letter to the Host  Councilman Blowing Smoke?
  Mr. Hagan appears to be trying to blow smoke to cover what he is actually doing. Twice now he and Mr. Ferencich have refused to call an election for Ward 1 which has been vacant since June of 2011.  Mayor Broyles brought two very qualified women to appoint to that seat within the 60 day time limit -- one was threatened with her job and the other received an anonymous letter and withdrew from consideration. (Threats, Intimidation, Conspiracy??)  At that time, Mr. Hagan and Mr. Ferencich were adamant that the people had the right to vote for the person they wanted.  Oklahoma law mandates that the council SHALL call the election after sixty days if the seat has not been filled.  The city attorney informed the council of the law.  Mayor Broyles tried to call an election, but these two council members have refused twice.  (Conspiracy??)  This is in violation of the LAW.  In the meantime, Ward 2 seat became vacant.  However, Mr. Hagan and Mr. Ferencich  apparently don’t think we the citizens had the right to vote for who we wanted this time because they appointed someone they chose.  (Conspiracy??)  Doesn't it seem like these two think the people of Blanchard aren't very smart?  Don’t the accusations of voting fraud now seem to be an attempt to distract and divert people's attention away from the hypocrisy?
  These two council members are denying and taking away Blanchard citizens' RIGHTS according to the LAW of Oklahoma and our Constitutional rights.  (Conspiracy??)  We have the right to be represented in our government by someone we have elected.  It certainly seems like we are not being represented now.  There is no law that allows for them to withhold an election for alleged voting irregularities that might have occurred last year. There are measures that can be taken to prevent voting fraud in the area that is in question.  If every election is postponed because of alleged voting irregularities, we would never have an election on any level -- city, state or national.  What a horrible precedent that will be set!  Doesn’t this sound like blowing smoke, diverting attention, hoping no one will notice that we the citizens have just lost one of our basic rights in our very own town?  This is a disgrace!
   Also, Mr. Hagan forgot to mention that the paperwork for the supposed de-annexation had not been completely processed through the state offices at the time of the election last year -- it had been delayed for two years and may not have even been completed as of this time!  Some people were unaware because they were never asked if they wanted to be de-annexed, others were not sure what area was de-annexed, and some people were given ballots and told they were allowed to vote because they were on the voters' registry -- NO  conspiracy.  Is Mr. Hagan also including the Election Board and the state offices in his alleged conspiracy theory?  Does knowingly breaking the law sound more like a conspiracy, especially when they appointed someone they wanted on the council and they omitted putting the name of the person on the agenda so we wouldn’t know what they were up to, which also seems to have broken another law?  Does this omission sound like a conspiracy to keep us in the dark?  Doesn’t it make you want to find out how many other laws have been broken during their time in office?  Maybe that is something that needs to be investigated too.  
   Mr. Hagan has repeatedly and seemingly proudly called himself Bob "the terrorist" Hagan in columns he wrote in the local newspaper.  In one, he also said "another year, and I'm not sure we will have a city left."  Doesn’t it seem like those words, along with his other attempts to scare the citizens of Blanchard, now take on a more serious overtone when you consider his denying our citizens their rights by refusing to call an election?  
   I hope the FBI and Homeland Security do investigate, especially since I feel anyone who takes away our basic rights should be considered a real terrorist and a real threat to our country.

Sign me,
Choking on All the Smoke They’re Blowing

January 17, 2012                           
The Iran Threat  by Sara Liberty
   IRAN NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT:  Over recent years there has been a lot of news related to the nuclear program in Iran.  Israel, the US, and the rest of the free world have been concerned that Iran is seeking to create nuclear weapons while Iran states it is only for producing nuclear power.  When Iran expelled the UN's IAEA inspection teams, limited economic sanctions were placed on Iran by the UN.  ....more

Why Socialism Does Not Work
(author unknown)
   An economics professor made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had recently failed an entire class.  That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.
   The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan".  All grades will be averaged and everyone will receive the same grade so no one will fail and no one will receive an A.  By substituting grades for dollars, he gave them something closer to home and more readily understood by all.
   After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B.  The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.  As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little..
   The second test average was a D!  No one was happy.  When the third test rolled around, the average was an F. As the tests proceeded, the scores never increased as bickering, blaming and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings, and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else. To their great surprise, ALL FAILED.  The professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great; but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.  It could not be any simpler than that.
   There are five things that are important to learn from this experiment:
   1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of theirs. 
   2. What one person receives without working, another person must work for without receiving.
   3. The government cannot give someone something that the government has not first taken away from someone else.
   4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.
   5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, who is left to support everyone and what will become of our country?

Keeping up with Our Neighbors
   There are two phrases that come to mind when we hear about how our government  spends your tax money:  "keeping up with the joneses" and "living beyond their means."  This is what has gotten our cities, states and our federal government into the historic debt position we are in today.  To borrow another old phrase, our government cannot keep  "robbing Peter to pay Paul."
   Some members of our council voted to hire a city manager and pay him what "the joneses" pay their city manager, even though our city does not have the same income.  They voted to give him a car and phone allowance of $500 a month!  With that amount, the city could actually buy a car and pay for a cell phone, then at least the city would have something tangible to show for this outrageous amount.  Some members of our council also seem to be trying to keep up with what the federal government gives to Congress by offering free medical, dental, and vision care to the city manager’s entire family.  It should not matter what other cities pay or provide for their city managers because our city does not have that kind of money to compete.  Of course, spending that much money does not worry those members of the city council who voted for this because it is not their money they are spending -- it is your tax money!    
   In Blanchard, it has been very evident with the last council and some members of the current one that they have been trying to keep up with our neighbor, Newcastle, which has an income three times that of Blanchard‘s.  Blanchard‘s income has not grown to match the way the council keeps increasing their spending.  We do not have the same number of businesses.  Continuing to compare our city to and to compete against Newcastle could very soon put our city in a severe financial bind.   Cities are having to file for bankruptcy because of the economy, so this is a very real concern.  Our council should be concentrating on the priorities of the infrastructure of our town -- those which are required to keep our city running and those which are our city‘s responsibilities to its citizens.  The budget that is submitted each year is based on a "predicted" income, or a simple way to say it is a "wish and a prayer" income.  The economy affects what we make, and what we earn is not a guaranteed income.  Also, we cannot depend on the federal or state government to keep helping us out if there is another disaster, as the federal government is trying to reduce spending by cutting programs.   Because the economy has not recovered and is actually predicted to get worse, our city cannot afford to have continued wasteful and irresponsible spending by city council members who are only concerned about keeping up appearances of being as well off as our neighbors. 

Commentary:
   Did anyone find it ludicrous to see the ad commending Jon Owens for his integrity and courage to do the right thing? From the minute Mr. Owens got elected, he has made it known that he wanted his job back at the Blanchard Police Department. In my opinion, he has mislead the citizens who voted for him. Where’s the integrity? How many people did he tell that he was going to fire Leon Lacy because Mr. Lacy would not give him his job back?  Mr. Lacy told Mr. Owens that it would be a conflict of interest to give him a job because Mr. Owens has a claim against the city.  Mayor Broyles told Mr. Owens the same thing and that the law says he cannot serve on the council and be employed by the city.  Oklahoma Statute Title 11, Paragraph 8-106. ".....A member of the governing body shall not receive compensation for service in any municipal office or position other than his elected office."  

Commentary:
   The definition of integrity is moral soundness. Respect for the law is integrity. The definition of blackmail is extorting something by threats or exerting pressure on someone through threats. Refusing to give in to blackmail and standing up for the law are acts of courage and doing the right thing!