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love-edstedt
Grassroots
USA
5 Posts |
 Posted - June 19 2007 : 13:49:56
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Simank Makes It Official
Oklahoma City Councilwoman Files for County Commissioner
For Release Monday, June 18, 2007
Contact: Ann Simank
405-203-3969
OKLAHOMA CITY – “I want to make sure the business of Oklahoma County government is open, accountable and conducted with complete honesty,” Oklahoma City Councilwoman Ann Simank said Monday as she filed her candidacy for District 1 County Commissioner.
Simank, a Democrat, delivered that same message in phone calls to thousands citizens of Oklahoma County on Monday.
“With Jim Roth on the commission, we were assured of integrity,” Simank said. “Now that Jim has been appointed to higher office, I want to continue his record of honest, open government.”
Simank said she is also determined to improve roads and bridges. “The District 1 Commissioner is responsible for maintaining more than 240 miles of roads and 56 bridges,” Simank said. “That’s a responsibility I take very seriously and I believe my years on the Oklahoma City Council have given me the experience to meet it.”
Simank was elected Ward 6 Councilwoman in 1995. She chairs the Social Services Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee, Legislative Committee and Neighborhood Conservation Committee.
Simank has severed as a member of the Association of Central Oklahoma governments and the Oklahoma Municipal League Legislative Committee. She is past chair of the National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee and an Advisory Board Member for the National League of Cities.
She holds a Masters Degree from the University of Oklahoma and has two grown children who live in Oklahoma City. Simank and her husband, Gary, are members of Wesley United Methodist Church. |
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Calvin Rees
Administrator
USA
18203 Posts |
Posted - June 19 2007 : 14:07:23
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Ann, do you believe in Home Rule?
Ann, who is your Campaign Consultant?
And Ann, will you be at the event this Saturday?
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Calvin Rees
http://www.queensboro.com/ref/CBMBQEBBQU |
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mccurtaincountyyellowdog
Outspoken Leader
USA
15921 Posts |
Posted - June 19 2007 : 15:12:45
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quote:
Simank has severed as a member of the Association of Central Oklahoma governments and the Oklahoma Municipal League Legislative Committee.
She better be careful about that. |
Jane Luttrell
“Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals.” ~ Oscar Wilde
"You are who you pander to" ~~ Juliet Lapidos, Slate Magazine, discussing Bush and Palin
"And remember the corporation is, by nature, sociopathic because no human in it is ever responsible."~~somebody named MacKenna commenting on Matt Taibbi's portion of The Smirking Chimp
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Edited by - mccurtaincountyyellowdog on June 19 2007 15:14:07 |
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Calvin Rees
Administrator
USA
18203 Posts |
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Chris Heldenbrand
Leader
USA
4508 Posts |
Posted - June 19 2007 : 15:51:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Calvin Rees
I sure would hate to be severed.
You mean again, don't you?  |
Chris Heldenbrand
Show up, stand up, speak up, sign up...
Democracy For America - Oklahoma City
http://www.dfalink.com/okc |
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greenlynndemocrat
Leader
USA
1163 Posts |
Posted - June 19 2007 : 15:53:37
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| Ann will be our Friday Luncheon Speaker on July 13th. |
Owner and Publisher of "The Green Flame" greenlynn.blogspot.com |
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love-edstedt
Grassroots
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - June 21 2007 : 11:08:05
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In response to Calvin's questions-
1. Ann recognizes a need for changes to the state constitution which would allow large counties, such as Oklahoma and Tulsa, to acheive efficiencies and greater effectiveness of municiple and county government. Ann has supported Jim Roth in his efforts to achieve these ends and will continuing working towards that goal as County Commissioner.
2. Ann's campaign manager is Warren Palmer and her media consultant is Don Hoover.
3. Ann is unable to attend the Saturday shindig since she will be returning from Portland, OR where she's been attending the National League of Cities Advisory Council meeting. But... she'll definitely be sending two staffers with smiles and literature!
Thanks for your interest Calvin- anymore questions, just let us know. |
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Bert Smith
Activist
203 Posts |
Posted - June 21 2007 : 11:18:28
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| I assume the time to file ended yesterday. Does anyone have a list of all the candidates? |
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Calvin Rees
Administrator
USA
18203 Posts |
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love-edstedt
Grassroots
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - June 21 2007 : 13:06:03
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Democrats running are:
Ann Simank
Willa Johnson
Debbie Blackburn
Bart Bates
Fannie Bates
Republicans are:
Forrest Claunch
Jack Hoag |
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Earl Cofer
Outspoken Leader
USA
10286 Posts |
Posted - June 21 2007 : 14:10:39
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| Debbie Blackburn seems like a very nice lady, all of them probably are nice people, even old Forrest Claunch. Although I don't know Jack Hoag, I will bet my money on Forrest in the Repug primary. Sure hope whoever gets the Democratic nomination beats his old Puritan butt. |
If my feet would fit a railroad track, I guess I'd been a train. -Billy Joe Shaver |
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CelticRaven
Outspoken Leader
USA
5006 Posts |
Posted - June 24 2007 : 23:19:20
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Can equal rights in OK county survive without Jim Roth?
by Richard Ogden
HNOKC.com
June 20, 2007
Six file for Roth's office
Jim Roth created a great legacy. He was the first openly gay elected official in Oklahoma of course. But he delivered the goods as well for the gay and lesbian community. One of Roth’s great legacies is that he passed, in a hard fought battle, equal employment rights for gays and lesbians employed by Oklahoma County, one of the states largest employers. Most gays and lesbians don’t know there is no state or federal laws which protect their jobs. Roth changed all that - at least in Oklahoma County - and set an example for other employers that it could be done.
Will these hard fought equal rights which Roth delivered for the community survive?
It very much depends on who succeeds him. County Commissioner Brent Rinehart fought against equal rights when Roth first proposed it and subsequently tried to repeal the act. Rinehart most certainly will try again. Right now, Roth has appointed a temporary commissioner who believes as he does, in retaining the equal employment rights. But, Rinehart will surely attempt to repeal these rights when the new permanent commissioner takes office. Six have filed this week to fill Roth’s shoes. And, I have looked at their past behavior to predict their future behavior on this critical issue to the community.
Former District 88 State Rep. Debbie Blackburn, (D), twice voted against the gay and lesbian community on key issues when in office. Blackburn’s District 88 seat was perhaps the safest of all seats. The first openly gay member of the State House, Al McAffrey, succeeded Blackburn when she left office as a result of term limits. Unfortunately, Blackburn did not have the political courage or the personal beliefs to vote against the mean spirited and anti-family, anti-gay law banning recognition of gay adoptions in Oklahoma.
Blackburn also voted to place a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on the ballot. Many gay and lesbian organizations fought hard -and in some cases spent their entire budgets - fighting the amendment. The amendment passed and has not been overturned by the courts.
Unbelievably, Blackburn now is courting the gay and lesbian vote. Blackburn could not muster the courage when she was holding the seat Al McAffrey now holds. How could she have the courage if she were to represent half of Oklahoma County, with a much more conservative electorate than the very liberal District 88?
Willa Johnson, (D), Ward 7 Councilmember, has long been a supporter of equal rights for all people including gays and lesbians. She fought for an inclusive Human Rights Commission and was uncompromising. Johnson has been a longtime friend of the gay and lesbian community, but her political viability is in question. Johnson ran two unsuccessful races for State Senate in the past two years.
Ward 6 City Councilmember Ann Simank, (D), in 1995 was the first candidate to openly court, accept and proudly embrace gay and lesbian support and money. The majority of her funds for the '95 campaign came from the gay and lesbian community. The political times were not easy then. She was accused of being a lesbian and a list of her gay supporters were published in The Oklahoman. Simank’s election was the impetus of the formation of the Cimarron movement. Because she proved a politician could accept lesbian and gay support and money openly, The Cimarron Alliance Group was created by her supporters. Simank won many times again. Her courage in 1995 helped to propel much of the existing gay and lesbian causes we know of today. Simank fought against Mayor Kirk Humphries’ ban on the Cimarron Pride banners. She fought for and passed Oklahoma City’s inclusion as an “Open and Inclusive” city, as part of her work with the National League of Cities. Most recently, Simank proudly serves as the Honorary Co-Chair of Cimarron Alliance Foundation’s “Stop Hate in the Hallways” anti gay bullying initiative. She openly courts LGBT support, and has affirmatively stated she will fight “tooth and nail” against any attempt to repeal the employment protections Roth passed in Oklahoma County.
Simank announced her intention May 23 to run for Roth’s seat. She has already generated much support and campaign funds. Former Gov. David Walters will be hosting a major fund raiser for Simank in July. On Monday, Simank placed a call to every voter in District 1 with a personal recorded message. The Simank campaign has launched a billboard campaign. Simank seems very confident and seems to be far ahead in her campaign efforts.
Former District 101 State Rep. Forrest Claunch,(R), is a known opponent of gay and lesbian rights. Claunch, like Blackburn, voted to ban recognition of gay adoptions in Oklahoma, and voted to place the anti gay marriage amendment on the ballot. However, most people believe the democratic nomination is the real political battle as the District 1 County Commissioners’ seat is typically and historically filled by a Democrat.
Former Capitol lobbyist Bart Bates,(D),is a political unknown and likely to be a non-threat.
Former Jones Mayor Bill Hoag, (R), is unlikely to win as District 1 is traditionally a Democratic stronghold.
Everyone in this race will be claiming they can best preserve Roth’s legacy of integrity, honesty, transparency and accountability in county government. I think the best way to judge the candidates on these issues is on their past actions and not their new found words. From the perspective of preserving equality for the hundreds of gay and lesbian employees in Oklahoma County, this race comes down to two candidates - Ann Simank and Willa Johnson. Both are dear friends. Both have supported the rights of gays and lesbians. Simank is the winner between the two. She does not see holding office as a job. Simank is a mental health executive and needs not the money or the frustrations. She believes holding office is a public service, the return of something given to her. Simank is also far ahead in fund raising and organization. She is the right person on the issues important to all of us, and has a history of voting in support of the gay and lesbian community. Simank’s actions speak louder than any words, and her political machine is in place making her the viable and winning candidate to truly preserve the hard fought legacy of Jim Roth.
Blackburn and Claunch each will undoubtedly be preaching accountability as a virtue, but it is unlikely either really wants to practice what they preach. Each will ask for your forgiveness and then your vote. Why should you support them when they fought to ban recognition of gay adoptions, gay marriage and civil unions? Don’t support someone who failed to support you. Now, that is accountability. Accountability, a difficult virtue for Blackburn and Claunch in an election year when asking for the gay and lesbian vote.
Ward 6 City Councilmember Ann Simank has fought and voted for fairness and equal rights for all citizens.
Former District 88 State Rep. Debbie Blackburn twice voted against gays and lesbians on key issues despite representing the district which later elected Al McAffrey.
Former State Rep. Forrest Claunch, (R), District 101, and wife Mary. Claunch filed to run for Roth's seat.
Former Jones Mayor Bill Hoag, (R), filed to run for Roth's seat.
Ward 7 City Councilmember Willa Johnson, Democrat. A friend of the LGBT community. But, is she viable after two unsuccessful races for the State Senate within the last two years?
Oklahoma Co. Comm. Brent Rinehart, Republican, made it a top priority to dismantle equal right protections for gays.
Richard Ogden is a local attorney and community leader.
Copyright © 2003 - 2007 HNOKC.COM
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Laurie Gibson
"I'm finding myself extremely thankful that the public library system already exists. Imagine trying to get that one past congress." ~ Amanda Elend.
"Wearing a flag pin doesn’t make you a patriot any more than wearing a cross makes you a good [i.e., compassionate] Christian." ~ Carol V. Hamilton
"People place their hand on the Bible and swear to uphold the Constitution; they don't put their hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible" ~ James Raskin, a constitutional law professor from American University
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." ~ Susan B. Anthony |
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mccurtaincountyyellowdog
Outspoken Leader
USA
15921 Posts |
Posted - June 25 2007 : 19:48:34
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Cute how they managed to cut the top of Debbie's head off but managed to get all of the other pictures right. What a childish exhibit.
Debbie will not dismantle Jim Roth's work in any form or fashion. She is a strong civil/human rights advocate. She had to vote on these issues while the rest of the candidates did not. Wonder why the city does not have a non-discrimination policy like the County?
Gee, just think, had Keith written any such article, Richard Ogden would have screamed to high heaven that he was overstepping himself. Murphy, however, would have reminded Keith of the 24-hour rule, so it probably would have never seen the light of day. |
Jane Luttrell
“Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals.” ~ Oscar Wilde
"You are who you pander to" ~~ Juliet Lapidos, Slate Magazine, discussing Bush and Palin
"And remember the corporation is, by nature, sociopathic because no human in it is ever responsible."~~somebody named MacKenna commenting on Matt Taibbi's portion of The Smirking Chimp
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Calvin Rees
Administrator
USA
18203 Posts |
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mccurtaincountyyellowdog
Outspoken Leader
USA
15921 Posts |
Posted - June 26 2007 : 10:33:51
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I'm certainly not saying it was any vote of any person running for this office.
I just think the timing and the way things were phrased in the article were cheap and tawdry.
I'm tired of Democrats attacking each other and the Republicans winning. |
Jane Luttrell
“Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals.” ~ Oscar Wilde
"You are who you pander to" ~~ Juliet Lapidos, Slate Magazine, discussing Bush and Palin
"And remember the corporation is, by nature, sociopathic because no human in it is ever responsible."~~somebody named MacKenna commenting on Matt Taibbi's portion of The Smirking Chimp
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Edited by - mccurtaincountyyellowdog on June 26 2007 10:34:23 |
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Calvin Rees
Administrator
USA
18203 Posts |
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mccurtaincountyyellowdog
Outspoken Leader
USA
15921 Posts |
Posted - June 26 2007 : 10:40:41
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Calvin, did I in any way refer to your posts?
No, I was discussing the article written by Richard Ogden and in hardline news. |
Jane Luttrell
“Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals.” ~ Oscar Wilde
"You are who you pander to" ~~ Juliet Lapidos, Slate Magazine, discussing Bush and Palin
"And remember the corporation is, by nature, sociopathic because no human in it is ever responsible."~~somebody named MacKenna commenting on Matt Taibbi's portion of The Smirking Chimp
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Calvin Rees
Administrator
USA
18203 Posts |
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mccurtaincountyyellowdog
Outspoken Leader
USA
15921 Posts |
Posted - June 26 2007 : 12:03:26
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| No, of course not, you're the Grand High Pooba. |
Jane Luttrell
“Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals.” ~ Oscar Wilde
"You are who you pander to" ~~ Juliet Lapidos, Slate Magazine, discussing Bush and Palin
"And remember the corporation is, by nature, sociopathic because no human in it is ever responsible."~~somebody named MacKenna commenting on Matt Taibbi's portion of The Smirking Chimp
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