The City Sentinel

FEMA, Federal Partners Continue to Support Response to Severe Storms in Oklahoma Survivors are Encouraged to Register for Assistance

Staff Report — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:25:19 +0000

May 22, 2013
HQ-13-052
Contact: FEMA News Desk
202-646-3272
News Release

WASHINGTON — The Administration, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remains in close contact with emergency officials and continues to coordinate federal support to state, tribal and local officials in Oklahoma through FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center in Washington, D.C. and Regional Response Coordination Center in Denton, Texas. At the President’s direction, FEMA continues to provide resources to support response and recovery efforts.

On Monday, May 20, 2013, the President declared a major disaster for the State of Oklahoma, supporting state, local and tribal emergency work in affected areas. Federal disaster aid also is available to affected individuals in Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie counties.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in these affected areas are encouraged to apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Survivors who use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT seven days a week.

Today, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano traveled to Moore, Oklahoma to meet with Governor Mary Fallin, state and local officials and ensure that first responders are receiving the assistance they need in on-going response and recovery efforts to the severe weather that impacted the region. At the direction of the President, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate is on the ground in Oklahoma to ensure all Federal resources are supporting our state, local, and tribal partners in life saving and safety operations including search and rescue.

“Our priority is to get disaster assistance to the survivors of this storm,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Residents and business owners who sustained losses are encouraged to register for federal assistance.”

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSATs) are on the ground to help federal, state, local, and tribal partners gather detailed information on the affected communities during the critical first hours, days and weeks. DSATs address immediate and emerging needs of disaster survivors including: on-site registration, applicant status checks, on-the-spot needs assessments, and access to partners offering survivor services. All teams wear FEMA photo identification badges in plain sight. As of 7 a.m., more than 1,000 Oklahomans have registered for assistance.

Disaster Recovery Centers also continue to be established in the affected areas where survivors can register for assistance and receive information about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs.

In coordination with the state, FEMA has more than 400 people on the ground in support of response and recovery efforts, including a liaison officer, three national Urban Search and Rescue teams, a national Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) and a regional IMAT to Oklahoma to coordinate with state and local officials in support of recovery operations. Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) assets also are in Oklahoma to provide self-sustaining telecommunications, logistics and operations support elements. Additional teams are en route.

Rapidly removing disaster related debris enables a community to recover more rapidly. Yesterday, FEMA implemented a pilot program for debris removal that offers communities financial incentives for the timely removal of debris and a time limited financial incentive for having a pre-incident debris management plan.

The Red Cross Safe and Well secure website provides a way for people to find information on survivors affected by the storms. To register, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell. Open Red Cross shelters can also be found on www.redcross.org/find-help/shelter.

The state of Oklahoma in coordination with the United Way of Central Oklahoma, has established the OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund Donations. Those who wish to provide assistance to support disaster relief efforts can donate online at www.unitedwayokc.org or find additional information on the voluntary agencies playing a vital role in disaster recovery by visiting: National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD).

Individuals with a Blackberry, Android or Apple device can download the FEMA app to access safety tips, shelter locations, and more.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema; Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema..

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Reed and Laurel, in tribute to Jon and Don: They’re still crazy, after all these years.

Patrick B. McGuigan — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:29:23 +0000

From left, Jonathan Beck Reed and Don Jordan portray a couple of cowpokes from the bustling (fictitious) town of Tuna, Texas. For the 42nd time in five decades, the two longtime friends are collaborating in a theatrical production. This one comes to the Freede Little Theatre at the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City, May 31-June 16. For information or tickets, telephone 405-297-2264 or 848-3761, or visit www.cityrep.com

by Patrick B. McGuigan
Associate Publisher

Two icons of the Oklahoma City theater scene will mark a notable benchmark in the next few weeks. For the 42nd time in theatrical careers spanning five decades each, Jonathan Beck Reed and Donald L. Jordan are working together.

Their collaborations began in the late 1970s in “My Three Angels” while both were students at Oklahoma City University. The following spring both were cast in “Winnie-the-Pooh.” Jordan played the title character, while Reed was the classic curmudgeon, Eyore.

Jordan explains, “This was the first of many performances echoing real life – in which I am the cuddly and loveable teddy bear, while Jon is the ornery old guy everyone else is trying to cheer up.”

As if to make the point, Reed remembered immediately that another early play in which they both appeared was Archibald MacLeish’s “J.B.”, the modern retelling of the story of the Old Testament prophet: “I played the devil, while Don was God.”

After graduation, they followed separate tracks but wound up working together frequently. Don went to the Dallas Theatre Center, then to local Lyric productions, while Jon from 1983-1995 had a New York City address. Broadway became his base for a variety of roles, including a couple of turns as the title character in Edmond Rostand’s “Cyranno de Bergerac.”

Like many long-time friends – or, for that matter, an old married couple – the pair of performers often finish each other’s sentences, or quickly point out something the other has forgotten.

Reed told The City Sentinel his favorite roles of all time included Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof,” multiple parts in “Little Me,” the lead in “Music Man,” last year’s “The Normal Heart,” and more than one time as Professor Higgins in “My Fair Lady.”

Don reflected on his favorite parts, listing the “Tuna” roles, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” “The Brighton Beach Memoirs,” and parts in “Cotton Patch Gospel.” The latter is a blue grass musical version of the Gospel of Matthew, and the last work Harry Chapin composed before his death. He told The City Sentinel, “I’m the son of a minister. In some ways, I guess the seed didn’t fall too far from the tree.”

Each fellow took more time to think things over, when asked to list their personal favorite among the other’s acting ventures.

After a bit, Reed said, “I think one of Don’s best roles was in ‘My Three Angels,’ when we met back in college. I was absolutely delighted to meet him and work with him, and we’ve been friends ever since.” He also said Jordan was effective as “The KATT” – a radio mascot who performed at Oklahoma City 89ers baseball games, “back in the day.”

Don said Jon’s best part over the years has been his interpretations of Tevye, “both for his technical virtuousity and on the merits of the interpretation.” That sparked Reed to comment that he loves the Tevye role so much, throwing himself into the part each time, because the character is so different from his own personality.

Naturally, the pair of professional actors – both members of the Actors Equity Association, nationally celebrating its 100th anniversary this year – have had their share of on-stage screwups or technical challenges across the years. There was the time Jordan, dressed as Pooh Bear, was in at the wheel, driving the entire cast, including Reed as Eyore, to an elementary school performance of “Eyore’s Birthday,” a sequel story in the “Pooh” series. Don – remember, dressed as the bear – fell asleep at the wheel. The vehicle began to leave the road – but happily, no one was the worse for wear before Jordan woke up.

Reed once was responsible for pulling Jordan into an unexpected part in the traveling troupe for “42nd Street,” after a performer, furious with a director, quit the show just days before opening night. Jordan got the part and did fine.

A mutual favored memory was in a play when they worked with … a live rooster on stage. The creature was a fine performer, Jordan insists, but alas, his part required him to be prepared (offstage) for a fine feast, which the performers consumed in front of the audience.

Things took an interesting turn, requiring multiple ad libs, when the actual rooster, ensconsed just off-stage in its case, began to crow repeatedly, as if it were the break of dawn – rather than early in the second act after his on-stage demise.

Inevitably, both have become not only proficient on-stage, but also knowledgable players in the business side of theater. Jordan runs CityRep (The City Reperatory Theatre), and Reed plays many formal and informal roles in live performance ventures.

Much like journalists in the age of “convergence” (a time wherein scribes and reporters have become photographers, page designers and videographers, among other things), Jordan said his career has made him “a jack of all trades, and perhaps master of none” – what was long ago deemed “integration of ability” among actors.

On the same issue, Reed reflected he learned early, as a child performer for the old Mummers group, “to really act, not just be cheesy. Learn the script and learn your lines, be focused on telling a story to the audience.” Reed said he learned the business through observation, beginning with that childhood work between the ages of 8 and 13.

As for “Greater Tuna” – an acclaimed comedy in which the two men will play all the roles, both male and female – Jordan says, “This play is considered a comedy elsewhere, but in Texas and Oklahoma we all understand that it’s really more like a documentary.” Jordan has spent his life in the neighboring states – Sooner and Lone Star. He is a proud “Texihoman” who ardently advocates for each, “save for one Saturday each fall, when I am scrupulously neutral.”

Reed loves the “Tuna” plays, among other reasons, for the audience: “Each time we perform it, there are always a large number of people who tell me they never, ever go to the theater, except for the ‘Tuna’ plays.” Then, after a recent performance, Reed recalls, “Tuna” co-author Jaston Williams told him, “I am amazed at how relevant it is, and how much fun, after all these years.”

This Jordan-Reed, or Reed-Jordan, joint effort will be a lively and entertaining moment in Oklahoma City theatre history – not to mention quite a bit of fun. The story is an uproarious, sometimes ribald, and ultimately affectionate send-up of life in small town Texas, or maybe that’s western Texihoma.

“Greater Tuna,” by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, runs May 31-June 16 at the Freede Little Theatre, Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City, May 31-June 16. For information or tickets, telephone 405-297-2264 or 848-3761, or visit www.cityrep.com.

Yep, the boys are back in town. They never really left, for which we are grateful.

State officials grapple with future of insurance premium support program for Oklahoma’s working poor

Patrick B. McGuigan — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:24:48 +0000

Governor Mary Fallin

By Patrick B. McGuigan
Associate Editor

Oklahoma leaders remain cautiously optimistic about preserving a popular insurance premium support program, designed and implemented in 2004 with bipartisan support, which benefits the working poor.

On May 9, Leavitt Partners, a consultant to Oklahoma’s Health Care Authority (HCA), encouraged state officials to extend Insure Oklahoma, despite the Obama Administration’s decision to spike the program’s Medicaid revenue stream.

Cindy Mann, director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at the U.S. Department of Human Services, based in Baltimore, Maryland, delivered the death sentence to the Oklahoma program — created in 2004 by a popular vote, and fashioned by a bipartisan consensus – in a May 7 letter.

Referencing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Mann wrote, “The new law will mean that an extension of the Insure Oklahoma program without any changes is not possible.”

In her letter, Mann contended the federal government is “committed to working with you on approaches that work for Oklahoma.” However, she continued, the SoonerCare section 1115 demonstration (No 11-@-00048/6) includes enrollment caps which “will not be approved.”

Mann suggested the program, which has provided access to the insurance market for thousands of low-income working Oklahomans could be revised to include “products available in the individual and small business insurance market.” She wrote the federal agency “would welcome working with you … consistent with our guidance.”

Despite the agency’s refusal, Mann wrote, “should the state decide to phase out the Insure Oklahoma program at the end of 2013, a phase out plan as provided for in paragraph 9 of your approved Special Terms and Conditions is due … by July 1, 2013.”

In a blunt reply to the letter from Mann, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said on May 8:
“This is the latest bad news in the ongoing train wreck that is the Affordable Care Act. It is outrageous that President Obama is actively dismantling the successful health care programs established by states in order to force citizens onto Obamacare health insurance plans.

“The president promised the American people, ‘if you like you’re health insurance, you can keep it.’ He has not kept his word. Thirty thousand Oklahomans participating in Insure Oklahoma – and many more Americans across the country – are being forced off their health insurance plans.

“The president also promised the nation’s governors his administration would grant states the flexibility to pursue state-based solutions rather than one-size-fits-all policies. Again, that has proven to be untrue, as Oklahoma and other states are now finding their programs and waivers under assault by the Obama Administration.”

In a presentation to HCA last Thursday, Leavitt’s Michael Deily recommended several possible steps to increase health insurance access for low income Oklahomans. In some scenarios, the state could revise Insure Oklahoma to meet requirements of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

After Leavitt’s “power point” presentation, Nico Gomez, chief executive officer at HCA, said he was interested in the recommendation to preserve Insure Oklahoma: “We have a state innovative program called Insure Oklahoma that we’ve had since 2004 and we’d like to figure out a way to keep that operation because it’s doing exactly what the Affordable Care Act is attempting to do but in a more responsible way.”

However, other analysts caution against any form of “ObamaCare” implementation. Some have suggested the state decouple Insure Oklahoma from federal Medicaid funding, instead using exclusively resources from the Tobacco Settlement fund to preserve the acclaimed program that provides insurance premium assistance to many of the Sooner State’s the working poor.

In response to question from The City Sentinel, Gov. Fallin’s spokesman explained a comment on low income health care she made in a speech to the spring task force of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

Alex Weintz, communications director for the chief executive, said she would be reviewing the Leavitt Partners recommendations, but “She has not proposed using Medicaid dollars to purchase private insurance, although she is aware that others have.”

www.CapitolBeatOK.com

Heather Meldrum Named the 2013-2014 Oklahoma City Public School Teacher of the Year

Staff Report — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:20:08 +0000

Heather Meldrum, a fifth grade teacher at Stanley F. Hupfeld Academy at Western Village, reacts in surprise after being named the 2013-14 Oklahoma City Public School Teacher of the Year. Meldrum is the first charter school teacher ever to win the honor. Other finalists for the honor were Michael Spellis (Taft Middle, first runner-up), Sherry Dew (Webster Middle), Susan Bumgarner (Wilson), Suzanne Carter (Telstar), Adelita Dixon-Hernandez (Capitol Hill High), Mary Johnson (Rancho Village), Lisa Ummel-Ingram (Wheeler) and Kristin Whitmore (Sequoyah). The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools organizes the annual competition. Photo provided.

Staff report

Heather Meldrum, a fifth grade teacher at Stanley F. Hupfeld Academy at Western Village, reacts in surprise after being named the 2013-14 Oklahoma City Public School Teacher of the Year. Meldrum is the first charter school teacher ever to win the honor. Other finalists for the honor were Michael Spellis (Taft Middle, first runner-up), Sherry Dew (Webster Middle), Susan Bumgarner (Wilson), Suzanne Carter (Telstar), Adelita Dixon-Hernandez (Capitol Hill High), Mary Johnson (Rancho Village), Lisa Ummel-Ingram (Wheeler) and Kristin Whitmore (Sequoyah). The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools organizes the annual competition. Photo provided.

“Invisible Eve” exhibit goes behind bars in Oklahoma to reveal women all but forgotten

Darla Shelden — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:18:07 +0000

The opening reception of Invisible Eve exhibit will be held on Thursday, May 30, from 5 – 8 p.m., at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, in Oklahoma City.

By Darla Shelden
Contributing Writer

The state of Oklahoma incarcerates more women per capita than any other state in the nation. The majority of them are imprisoned for non-violent or drug-related offenses.

In the book, Invisible Eve, award-winning photographer and writer Yousef Khanfar goes behind prison walls to capture the essence of women who he believes are “cast away and forgotten.”

The opening reception of Invisible Eve will be held on Thursday, May 30, from 5 – 8 p.m., in the Tulsa World Gallery at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, 1400 Classen Dr., in Oklahoma City.

For more than three and a half years, Khanfar photographed women incarcerated in Oklahoma for nonviolent crimes.

The Invisible Eve exhibit features black and white portraits of these women, which will be displayed alongside their personal messages.

“After I took the portrait of each female, I asked them to write words of wisdom to the next generation,” said Khanfar. “Their messages are insightful, some powerful and some painful.”

The George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF), the book’s sponsor, supports a number of programs focused on reducing the rate of female incarceration and improving Oklahoma’s criminal justice system.

“In the book you will see an aunt and niece in the same facility,” said Khanfar. “They both cried when I took their photos. You will also see that some of them have life sentences, for non-violent crimes.”

After investigating the impact on children and families, GKFF has identified the problem as a significant area of concern related to its mission of breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

“We are not advocating crime should go without punishment,” said Khanfar. “We are advocating they need rehabilitation and a lesser degree of punishment for women.”

While working on the project, Khanfar understood he might not be able to help the women inside prison, but he believed their voices might help women on the outside.

“I was impressed by their love to save young souls on the outside, rather than loving to be saved from the inside,” Khanfar added. “All they want is somebody to give them a voice, so they can be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

“Their desire, as much as mine, is that people find wisdom within their messages, where the fault of one being might be the salvation of another.”
Of Palestinian origin, Khanfar was born and raised in Kuwait, where he grew up exposed to images of war and violence. Photography has become his voice to express his feelings about that experience.

In 2003, RotoVision, a British design and photography publication named Khanfar one of the world’s top photographers. His book, In Search of Peace, was named the 2007 Independent Publisher’s Outstanding Book of the Year.
Also in 2007, he was selected by Mont Blanc and UNICEF as Artist of the Year to work with the United Nations in their effort to promote literacy around the world.

Khanfar’s art has been collected and exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide. His work is included in the permanent collection of the International Photography Hall of Fame.

“As an artist, I can show people where to look, but I can not tell them what to see,” said Khanfar. “It seems all the dreadful things about the prison system are coming to the surface.

“I just want to take everybody back to basics and remind them that women are still the center of the family, nation and civilization.”
This exhibit was made possible by the Dr. Ranivah Ramadan Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes higher education and research in the health sciences.

“My great hope is, as a nation and people, that we can stand proud one day and say, we are number one in respecting women and lead the world,” Khanfar said.

The public is invited to the opening reception, which will include an artist talk and book signing.

Admission is free for members and $5 for non-members. Space is limited. RSVP to Marissa Boswell at 405-523-3231 or mb@oklahomaheritage.com.

To learn more about the Invisible Eve project, visit www.invisibleeve.com.

Rub-A-Dub Race for Rescues event brings awareness to local rescue organizations and shelters 37 participating rescue groups and organizations

Darla Shelden — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:30:08 +0000

Homeward Bound Pug Rescue will have pets available to adoption at the Rub-A-Dub Race for Rescues event on Saturday, May 25, at Stars and Stripes Park at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City. Photo by Darla Shelden.

By Darla Shelden
Contributing Writer

Oklahoma City’s first annual Rub-A-Dub Race for Rescues event will be held on Saturday, May 25, at Lake Hefner Stars and Stripes Park. Registration for the 5K Run begins at 8 a.m. with the race starting at 9:30 a.m. The daylong fundraiser will conclude at 4 p.m.

Rub-A-Dub Race for Rescues is an annual event to raise funds for and bring awareness to local animal shelters and pure breed rescues while promoting health and wellness for people and their pets.

Trisha Clark, Event Chair and owner of A-1 Emporium said, “Our goal is to bring awareness to the wonderful pets that rescue organizations have available for adoption and to continue to help these groups save lives.”

The inaugural Rub-A-Dub Race for Rescues event will host a sanctioned 5K Run for 2 and 4-legged racers. The event also includes a 1 mile Family Fun Run/Walk, a Dog Wash, a Celebrity Dunk Tank, a Kid’s Bike Contest & Parade for children ages 5 – 12, and a chance to win $500 in the Rub-A-Dub Duck Drop.

“The Kid’s Bike Parade is completely free for kids in kindergarten through 6th grade,” said Clark. “There will be ribbons for the best decorated bikes and everyone who enters will get free ice cream from Roxy’s Ice Cream Social. The first 60 who register will also get a free cherry limeade from Sonic.”

All proceeds from the Celebrity Dunk Tank will go directly to the Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma. Featured celebrities include meteorologists Danielle Dozier with KOCO, Jeff George from KOKH Fox 25, and Troy Christensen with KFOR.

Participating rescues spay/neuter, vaccinate and take care of any medical problems of each surrendered pet, which can be an expensive undertaking.

All funds raised will be evenly distributed among the rescues present at the event.

Homeward Bound Pug Rescue will be there with available pets for adoption along with 37 other rescue groups.

Gail Tucker, Executive Director of Homeward Bound Pug Rescue said “There is a misconception that rescues only have old, sick and disabled animals and this is the furthest thing from the truth.

“People think that the only way they can get a pure breed dog is to buy from a pet breeder,” said Tucker. “There are many pure breed dogs turned into local shelters every day. These dogs then go to rescues (when space is available) in the hope that they can find forever homes.”

Sponsors include: A1 Pet Emporium, Farmer Insurance, KSBI Dog Talk with Pat Becker, Gentle Care Animals Hospital, Full Circle Obedience School, Hudiburg Suburu, COOP Ale Works of OKC, Barefoot Designs, Merrick Whole Health, Metro Family, Elite Trophies, Oklahoma Gazette, Paint Your Art Out and Oklahoma Senior Journal.

Additional sponsors are Conventions & More, Roxy’s Ice Cream Social, Fit Body Boot Camp, Oklahoma Sports & Fitness, The City Sentinel, Hertz, The Gayly, Veterinary Home Health Care, and Camp Bow Wow in Tulsa, Best Feet Forward, Poop 911, Orthopedic Associates, Taste of the Wild, and Eskridge Lexus.

“We will be selling Rubber Duckies that look like dogs for $5 each or 5 for $20,” said Clark. “Each duck has a number. At 2 p.m. the OKC Fire Department will climb out on their ladder and drop the ducks.
“The ducks that land in the ‘duck pond’ will win the $500 prize. It’s that simple. You do not have to be present to win – but it would sure be fun if you were.”

Local food vendors at the event include Taste of Soul Egg Rolls, Wild Al’s Food Truck, Papa Dio’s Restaurant, Roxy’s Ice Cream Social and Big Truck Tacos. The Earlywine Band will provide live entertainment.

“Please consider joining us as a sponsor or vendor,” said Clark. “In addition to helping our local rescues, your business will be recognized as a charitable, community minded partner.”

The public is encouraged to come out, bring their dog, and take advantage of all the family friendly activities scheduled to help support local rescue organizations.

For registration fees, a list of participating rescues, event timeline and more information visit www.rubbadubrescue.com.

President Declares Disaster for Oklahoma

Staff Report — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:20:32 +0000

News Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Oklahoma to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and tornadoes beginning May 18, 2013, and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie counties.

Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Sandy Coachman has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Coachman said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

Follow FEMA online at blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Federal meddling and intra-tribal fights impede western Oklahoma economy

Patrick B. McGuigan — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:17:12 +0000

By Patrick B. McGuigan

This is a review and analysis of a story about power – Federal power, Tribal power, State power and the power of economic interests, including lawyers, to impact all of the above, and more.

In western Oklahoma, tension and drama seem perpetually to surround the governance of the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes. The events of 2013 are maintaining that baneful tradition.

Local operatives of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) have gummed up the operations of the common government of the Two Tribes, preventing the administration of Governor Janice Prairie-Chief Boswell from operating independently.

According to the federal government – as in the Interior Department in Washington, D.C., ostensibly the managing unit over BIA — Janice Prairie-Chief Boswell was legitimately elected as the governor of the C&A Tribes in January 2010. Her victory ousted a scandal-tainted incumbent, Darrell Flyingman.

At the time the Tribes’ Supreme Court, led by OCU law professor Dennis Arrow, had been called into question by three BIA P.L. 93-638 federal funding reports in 2007, 2008, and again later in 2010. (These reports are generated in compliance with the Nixon-era self-determination act, which allows tribes to contract with the federal government to manage disbursement of federal funds.) These federal reports questioned whether or not the tribal court had been legitimately appointed.

Immediately following the report in 2010, then-new Gov. Boswell appointed a new tribal High Court, led by Chief Judge Dan Webber, a respected attorney. (Mr. Webber practices in Blaine County, has represented several Tribal members over the years and is the father of the former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.)

The opposing faction in the Tribes’ legislature tried to stop the Webber appointment. It became nonetheless effective because there was no formal objection within the thirty day prescribed period in the Tribes’ 2006 Constitution. Ironically, the so-called default appointment was the same way the previous governor, Flyingman, had named a lower court judge in 2008.

The legitimacy of Mr. Webber’s court was then questioned by the competing court, which immediately thereafter recognized an impeachment proceeding against Gov. Boswell by a minority faction of the Tribes legislature.

That faction was loyal to the Tribes’ former Gov. Flyingman and then-new Lt. Gov. Leslie Harjo. Harjo had turned against her boss Gov. Boswell, by chairing a meeting for Boswell’s impeachment.

This resulted in the BIA local and regional offices — who had long tilted toward the Flyingman Administration of the past – to effectively question the elected leadership of the Tribes for purposes of crucial federally funded P.L. 93-638 programs.
Eventually, Interior Department appeals ensued. The Agency, on an interim basis, recognized Boswell as governor for the execution of tribal P.L. 93-638 programs. This action, however, didn’t end the dispute.

Since appeals began, lower levels of the BIA bureaucracy have continually sowed confusion by sending some of the Tribes’ funds from federally lands and mineral rights — held in trust for the benefit of the C&A peoples — to the Harjo faction. This action apparently took place to create a legal situation of confusion, where higher administrators for BIA might have to, as a practical matter, accept Harjo and the anti-Boswell impeachment effort as de facto legitimate, thus avoiding or confusing impending Cobell-style litigation (i.e. for having sent tribal funds to the wrong person or persons).

Betty Tippiconnic, Agency Superintendent, took no blame for the matter because she was in Washington D.C. The local office’s number two person, Scott McCorkle, initially stated that Ms. Tippiconnic had told him to send the funds to the wrong person (Harjo) – but reversed course, revising the story and calling it a clerical error.

Sure enough, Cobell-styled litigation then ensued. Boswell’s Attorney General, Charlie Morris, filed suit in federal court for the return of funds locked up in a bank in Ada, Oklahoma. Millions in the Tribes’ trust funds remain effectively frozen because of the matter (At that point, it was about $2 million, but the amount has grown.)

Meanwhile the Harjo faction has continued to fight the issue, with the help of the Tribes’ bank in Clinton Oklahoma, First National Bank. The bank was able to get another $6.4 million, consisting of largely of P.L. 93-638 program funds, locked up in a Custer County court while the dispute over C&A leadership is on appeal.

This confusion and overreach continues, even though the BIA has long since recognized Boswell as — at least on an interim basis until appeals are over — proper signatory for the funds.

The bank’s law firm, Crowe & Dunlevy, and counsel Scott Meacham, asked the state court to make a decision on who the funds should be sent to — and then asked the court to appropriate funds for legal fees for the bank’s lawyers.

As for that bank, it is led by Barry Sewell, who is now facing serious charges involving a drunk driving arrrest and was recently charged with bribery in connection thereto.

In that Custer County case regarding the funds, the bank has asked the court to let it release the funds to the Tribes’ treasury at Concho. Good.
However, denial of funds to the Harjo faction resulted in an appeal to the state Supreme Court. That case now sits awaiting decision.
The C&A Tribes employ 1,600 people – 1,300 of whom are tribal members – but presently cannot access most of the funds to pay bills.

Payroll is effected, and that means the regional and state economy is hurting. Payroll represents 75 percent of the C&A Tribes’ total yearly budget. The valid government of the C&As has had to reduce employees to 32 hours a week and lay off others while millions in federal trust and program funds are essentially frozen in the court.

Is all this delay and maneuvering part of an effort to influence the next tribal election, returning the discredited Flyingman faction to power?
Typical BIA leadership appeals do not get resolved prior to pending elections. The problem with this one is it has spawned two tribal Supreme Courts and two Election Commissions which figure to hold their own elections unless the BIA rules before the next scheduled election this fall.

The Harjo faction “attorney general,” Jeremy Oliver of Pauls Valley, faces felony allegations of sexual mishavior. Harjo herself allegedly assaulted a Boswell adviser. As mentioned above, the head of the bank that has tied up the Tribes’ funds faces drunk driving and bribery allegations.

Meanwhile the local BIA offices in Concho and Anadarko – packed by supporters of with former Governor Flyingman and disputed Lt. Gov. Harjo — say they don’t recognize that anyone is in charge of the tribes’ government, even though Washington D.C. says Boswell is the recognized governor, pending appeal, on an interim basis.

All this drama and tension unfolds against the backdrop of a tribal government that has grown from 60 federally funded jobs just 20 years ago to become west central Oklahoma’s leading employer. With those 1,600 jobs, and a payroll that is 75% of its overall budget, the C&As are now “players” in the regional and state economy.

For Oklahoma and the region it makes sense, at the least, to let that impacat continue and even finds ways to enhance it.

As for the BIA’s role in gumming up tribal administration, and the role of bankers in blocking legitimate access to tribal resources these are the equivalent of conpiracy in practical effect, if not in legal effect.

How’s that for paternalism? This is a matter that should raise the concern of everyone interested in state-tribal relations, the growing economic clout of the Oklahoma’s Tribes in general and the C&As in particular, and just plain good government.

There is no magic wand to cure federal BIA dysfunction, which is historic and ongoing. But a few intermediate steps could help – starting with the state Courts restoring access to bank funds for the recognized leadership of the Cheyenne & Arapaho peoples.

NOTE: McGuigan is associate publisher of The City Sentinel , where this analysis first appeared online. He is also the editor of CapitolBeatOK. McGuigan writes frequently on water policy, state-tribal relations and the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. This spring, his coverage of the Tribes won first place in the Diversity Reporting category from the Society of Professional Journalists, Oklahoma pro chapter.

The Moise Brutus story: Triple-amputee’s experience supports Medicaid reform ideals

Patrick B. McGuigan — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:33:25 +0000

by Patrick B. McGuigan
Associate Publisher

OKLAHOMA CITY – Moise Brutus, now a college student in Florida, lost both legs and part of his left arm in a 2010 motorcycle accident. He endured months of frustration when his recovery was supervised by what he deems Old Medicaid.

Brutus, the subject of a five-minute video posted online, recalled that traditional Medicaid “kept giving me bad prosthetics, and those kept breaking.”

When his case was transferred to WellCare, part of the Medicaid Cure pilot program in Florida, things changed for the better.
His care administrator, Catherine Martinez, transformed his therapy and health regimen. “They got the prosthetic right in the first place,” he said.
He believes his change in fortune was driven by the difference between a “one-size-fits-none” mindset, and the dynamic, competitive approach available in Florida’s Medicaid Cure.

Pivotal to Medicaid Cure — Brutus and other proponents contend — is that patients (consumers) can choose among competing managed care businesses.
Last week, even as Oklahoma got a major slap-down from President Barack Obama’s health care regulators stream policymakers began to look at dynamic market-oriented reforms taking hold in at least three states, including Florida — changes that have secured federal waivers from Medicaid administrators.

In each of those states, market forces are being used to improve medical care for Medicaid recipients, at lower costs to taxpayers, advocates say.
Florida’s Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA), with the help of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), organized a May 8 seminar for Oklahoma legislators to highlight reforms in the Sunshine State, and in Louisiana and Kansas.

Star of the state Capitol seminar was Brutus, the triple-amputee who, as he related his story, encouraged legislators to create an Oklahoma version of what is called a new Medicaid model.

“The government helped me get on my feet, yes,” Brutus told lawmakers in the Sooner State. “To me, the object is to move away from, to get off, government dependency.”

He continued, “There are others like me who can’t better themselves within the systems where there is no flexibility. I think the idea is to get people to a point of caring for themselves.”

He told the Oklahomans he is now at that point.

Concerning defenders of standard or Old Medicaid, Brutus asserted, “from my point of view it hasn’t worked, and it’s not going to work. So, it’s time to try something new. I’m going to school, then I’m going to get a job, then I’m going to pay taxes.

“I’m already giving back with involvement in bicycle races to support this cause. I see myself, in five years, having the horizon open to me. Whatever happens in my life will be good. Who knew this could turn out so well for me?”

FGA arranged Brutus’ visit to Oklahoma. The group has described traditional Medicaid structures as embodying a top-down “pay and chase” structure (i.e. pay claims, chase fraud) without the discipline of market competitiveness among providers.

Tarren Bragdon, FGA’s president, said the Florida pilot program, which began in 2005 under former Gov. Jeb Bush, incorporates choice, customized benefits, incentives for health rather than the convenience of providers, and accountability for all actors in the system – including plans, providers and patients.

Spending in those Medicaid Cure counties runs nearly $700 per person less than in the state’s traditional Medicaid programs, Bragdon reports. Florida officials estimate $118 million in system-wide savings have already been achieved, and projects that more than $900 million a year could be saved when the reform model is expanded statewide.

Last week’s presentation included, via telephone, Maddie McAndrew, administrator of Louisiana’s Bayou Health program patterned on the Florida reforms.
McAndrew said the early transition away from traditional Medicaid, which began just over a year ago, “was chaos, but now it’s working. Our emphasis has included risk adjustments for each recipient.” She said the program is succeeding, as it did in the Florida program, because administrators have listened “to the stakeholders — the patients, the providers.

The managed-care programs from Florida, Louisiana and Kansas, focused on Medicaid-eligible populations, are the basis for House Bill 1552 in the Oklahoma Legislature.

Insurance programs within the envisioned Oklahoma system would include long-term care, allowing some distinctions between urban and rural care systems. While the legislation will not advance in this legislative session, it remains a “live round” and could provide a vehicle for changes to Oklahoma’s system in 2014.

Among the two dozen legislators who met with Brutus and leaders of FBA were state Sen. AJ Griffin, R-Guthrie, a co-sponsor of H.B. 1552.
“There are others like me who can’t better themselves within the systems where there is no flexibility,” Brutus told lawmakers. “I think the idea is to get people to a point of caring for themselves.”

He told the Oklahomans he is now at that point.

Concerning defenders of standard or Old Medicaid, Brutus asserted, “from my point of view it hasn’t worked, and it’s not going to work. So, it’s time to try something new. I’m going to school, then I’m going to get a job, then I’m going to pay taxes.

“I’m already giving back with involvement in bicycle races to support this cause. I see myself, in five years, having the horizon open to me. Whatever happens in my life will be good. Who knew this could turn out so well for me?”

www.CapitolBeatOK.com

OKC Pride Week honors LGBT couples and families and longtime equality activist Bob Lemon

Darla Shelden — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:15:04 +0000

The 2013 OKC Pride Week, themed “The New Normal,” will host a series of events this month including the 26th Annual Pride Parade. Photo by Darla Shelden.

By Darla Shelden
Contributing Writer

The 2013 OKC Pride Week, themed “The New Normal,” will host a series of events this month culminating in the Great Plains Rodeo on Memorial Weekend.
Festivities kick off on Friday, May 17 with the Pride Block Party, from 7 – 11 p.m.

The event features live performances, a DJ, food vendors and biergartens on “The Strip” at 39th & N. Penn.

That evening, The Boom, at 2218 N.W. 39 St., will host an all you can eat Crawfish Broil & Beer Bust for $20 in advance, $25 at the door, from 7-10 p.m. All proceeds benefit OKC Pride.

New this year, on Saturday, May 18, OKC Pride will open the 2013 Festival with the Love is Love marriage equality rally at the Myriad Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

“Take a stand with us,” said Jeremy Crites, OKC Pride President. “Show Oklahoma that your love is as worthy as any other and deserves the same rights and recognition – and that love is love.”

The event will honor Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) couples as they gather with friends to demonstrate their support for legalizing love and gay marriage.

Matt Harney, OKC Pride Board member and Education Committee Chair said, “Not only is this a special day for the couples involved, but we hope to show elected officials and the public that the commitment of same-sex couples is no less valuable and loving than that of opposite-sex couples.

“While 11 states (and counting) have legalized marriage equality, Oklahoma still bans it,” Harney said. “We see the recent unanimous vote in the Oklahoma House supporting the Defense of Marriage Act as a shameful act of bigotry. This makes the efforts of OKC Pride all the more crucial.”

Following guest speakers and recognition of Oklahoma’s LGBT couples, the Love is Love event will culminate in a mass commitment ceremony for those who wish to publicly proclaim their relationship.

Event organizers say, “All couples are welcome. Gay, Straight, Poly. Come one, come all.”

Registration options range from $10 – $50 per couple. All registered couples will be entered into a drawing for a romantic getaway.

Performance artist Sonja Martinez said, “I think we are lucky to have a President with the brave conviction to mention gay rights in the inaugural address. Obama said: ‘Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law, for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.’

“Things are changing and it is an exciting time. I was not sure I would see this in my lifetime.”

On Saturday the OKC Pride Festival will be held at downtown’s historic Film Row from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. The daylong event will feature artists, vendors, social organizations and food booths as well as a children’s area sponsored by local churches.

On Sunday, join over 30,000 attendees in the 26th annual OKC Pride Parade, which steps off at 4 p.m. It will take the traditional route starting at Memorial Park at 36th and Classen Boulevard, heading west on 39th Street.

This year’s Pride Parade Grand Marshall is longtime Oklahoma City gay rights activist Bob Lemon.

Born in Shattuck, Oklahoma, in 1929, Lemon describes his late wife Mary Lou and himself as unabashed liberal Democrats, who believe all people are entitled to both equal protections under the law and universal respect as children of God, particularly regarding sexual orientation.

Lemon says, “I am totally convinced that there is nothing wrong with homosexual people. They’re not broken and they don’t need fixing. But what does need fixing is the attitude of a lot of straight people with respect to gays. I pray to God the day will come when people will respect all of God’s children, not just some of them, but all of them.”

The Parade Party takes place on 39th Street from 12 – 8 p.m., featuring food, vendors, live entertainment and a children’s area with crafts and games next to Expressions Community Center.

S&B Burger Joint will be donating 10 percent of their Tuesday, May 14 sales to the S&B Burger “Pay It Forward Benefit” for OKC Pride.
In addition, on Friday, May 17, from 5 – 7 p.m., Cimarron Alliance Equality Center, 5613 N. May Ave., will host the PrideTini Complimentary Happy Hour with refreshments and guided facility tours.

On Saturday, May 17, from 9 – 11 a.m., the Equality Center will provide a free breakfast before heading downtown to the Pride festival.
Also on Saturday, from 6 – 9 p.m., The Herland Pride Picnic, at 2312 N.W. 39 St., will feature hamburgers, hotdogs and entertainment. Tickets are $7. Call 405-521-9696.

On Sunday, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., the Equality Center gift shop will be open for last minute needs before the Pride Parade such as rainbow flags, bracelets and stickers. To learn more, call (405) 495-9300.

Lastly, the 28th Annual Great Plains Rodeo, hosted by the Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association, takes place May 24 -26 at Oklahoma State Fair Park, Barn 7.

“President Obama’s endorsement of marriage equality is up there with JFK’s 1960′s demand for the end of racial discrimination,” said Joshua Sauer, Cimarron Alliance board member and former OKC Pride president. “Since Obama’s affirmation, public support for marriage equality has grown even more.
“That said, it will take years before Oklahoma’s legislature catches up with the rest of the nation. During this time, as Oklahomans and supporters of diversity, we must carry the torch for equality. We can do this through events like OKC Pride’s Love is Love event and Cimarron Alliance’s Equality Run in June.”

For more information about OKC Pride call (405) 466-LGBT (5428).