Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony (R) Seeks Re-Election. Commission is Overloaded w/Work

Bob Anthony (R-OK) is seeking re-election as Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner in 2012.  Another republican Brooks Mitchell is running against him. Both of these candidates will compete in the primaries on June 26, 2012.   There are no democrats running for this state office.

Anthony says he’s has business experience & is a military veteran (Airforce & Air Defense Artillery).  He explains that the Oklahoma Corporation Commission regulates big monopoly public utilities such as electric & gas, railroad crossing & cotton gins.  He responded in this interview that the commission however does not regulate rural water districts due to state legislation.  When I suggested that the Oklahoma legislatures place rural water districts under the corporation commission’s jurisdiction, he indicated that the commission already has a lot on their plate.

This interview was done at Oklahoma GOP state convention on May 12, 2012 at Embassy Suites in Norman, Oklahoma.  At this state GOP Convention I did not see his opponent Brooks Mitchell.  Therefore I was unable to meet with Mitchell.

Related articles

• Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony off to early fundraising lead for re-election (newsok.com)
• Three file for Oklahoma Corporation Commission races (newsok.com)
• Administrator seeks to be corporation commissioner (muskogeephoenix.com)
• Brooks Mitchell enters race for Oklahoma Corp. Comm. seat (newsok.com)
• June 26 Oklahoma State Primary Full Election Votes Results (koco.com)

Could (R-OK) Larry Boggs be the Salvation to Rural Oklahoma? Urban Oklahoma Senators vs. Rural Oklahoma

At Oklahoma GOP event, republicans introduced to GOP Larry Boggs who’s running for Oklahoma State Senate seat 7th district.  Democrat State Senator Richard Lerblance is bowing out of forthcoming election, so Oklahoma republicans in the 7th district appear to be backing GOP Larry Boggs to win that seat.  BTW, there’s rumor that District 7 has been remapped to include parts of  Hughes County.

Sometimes Oklahoma rural folks feel alienated & ignored by the urban state senators.  It’s like Oklahoma urban senators give better treatment & a willing ear to the concerns of the folks who live in Oklahoma City, but forsake the rural folks who are all but forgotten, and have to accept the left-overs or nothing at all.  The fix to this social disparagement is the root of Larry Boggs’ platform.

This GOP event was held in McAlester, OK on January 31, 2012 at Angels Diner (conference meeting room).  Larry Boggs was introduced to the republican crowd by Oklahoma GOP State Senator Josh Brecheen.

Election of Rural Water District’s Chairman Disputed. Minutes Not Approved at Annual Meeting

At a January 26, 2012 annual meeting of Hughes County Rural Water District #2 in Stuart Oklahoma, the minutes of 2011 annual meeting that was read by Secretary/Treasurer Janet Frederick were disputed by water customer (member).   After this dispute, membership voted not to approve those minutes until the board of directors  produced the handwritten minutes for the membership to review.    The member disputed the legality of the election of the water district’s chairman – Jim Wilson in reference to term of office.   Secretary of the rural water district read minutes of 2011 annual meeting that mentioned that Jim Wilson was re-elected at a 2011 annual meeting.

Another member – Ronda Talley, at the January 26, 2012 meeting  made motion to not approve the 2011 annual meeting minutes. The motion overwhelming carried to not approve those minutes.

Prior to this January 2012 annual meeting, most of the board of directors told the membership that they did not know when their term of office expired.  Many water customers in this water district had been questioning the legality of the term of office and elections of the district’s board of directors that the board claims to had occurred at an alleged prior meeting.

Rural Water District 2 Cut off Water 2 Livestock?

At a chaotic Rural Water District # 2 meeting, a resident said that the water operator told him that he was advised that anyone with livestock to shut their water meter off.  Another resident told board members that it would be cold day in hell before they shut water off to his livestock.  Rural Water district manager, Vivian Moody replied “.. what’s more important?  people’s lives or their livestock?

Part of the problem is that residents mostly in Stuart, Oklahoma are not getting any water or water that comes out to a trickle.  Some of them wanted to know that if they are not getting water, if they have to pay the water bill.  Board member replied yes.  Residents complained that when they turn on water, air pressure causes the meter to register & that they are getting charged for it.

Also at this meeting, it was revealed that Rural Water District 2 (RWD #2) has only 2 guys working in the field.  RWD # 2 chairman acknowledged that the money spent on chemicals is going down the drain.

Another resident complained that it took RWD #2 six months to fix water leak.

Vivian Moody started complaining about Oklahoma DEQ because it was inspecting her Water District which she felt had deprived her of putting the maintenance guys to work.

This Rural Water District meeting was held at the Senior Citizens Center in Stuart, Oklahoma on July 18, 2011.  Approximately 60 people attended.

McAlester News:
“Stuart Under Boil Order”
http://mcalesternews.com/local/x202403489/Breaking-News-Stuart-under-boil-order

NewsOK news article:
Water woes plague Hughes County residents
http://newsok.com/water-woes-plague-hughes-county-residents/article/3586653?custom_click=rss

McAlester News Capital:
“Stuart residents told to stop watering livestock”
http://mcalesternews.com/local/x967738301/Stuart-residents-told-to-stop-watering-livestock

McAlester News Capital:
Stuart Oklahoma water district has history of violations
http://mcalesternews.com/local/x1241069150/Stuart-s-water-has-history-of-violations

NewsOK
Water Wells in Store for Rural Oklahoma
http://newsok.com/water-wells-in-store-for-rural-hughes-county/article/3587520

McAlester News Capital:
Stuart water downgraded; board ouster
http://mcalesternews.com/archive/x1926597510/Stuart-water-downgraded-board-ouster-planned

McAlester News Capital:
State cites Hughes Co. water district – Donations pour in for Stuart area residents 
http://mcalesternews.com/local/x1443109611/State-cites-Hughes-Co-water-district