March 4, 2023 Issue, Page 2 of 8

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2- The Elk City News News March 4, 2023 WOEFCC ucts that are free to come get. McArthur knows that they are She has put an Amazon here and need help. The day Round Continued from page 1. wish list on the WOFCC Face- shelter can only be used for book page. The first day she daytime help. She continues to Town had it up, all of the items had hope that one day she will be to stay,” she added. been purchased, so she con- able to find a place where the The day shelter is a place to tinues to add items to the list. homeless can stay overnight. rest or just to hang out and If someone wanted to help March 12 get in from the weather. Or support the day shelter, he/ Although it has not happened if they are waiting on case she should go to that Ama- yet, Liberty McArthur is de- Spring Forward Time management services or food, zon wish list and purchase an termined and seems confident they can go in and wait there. item, She will also take cash that it will happen. For now, McArthur said that they have donations. she would like the word to be always kept some snack foods Although the homeless may spread about the day shelter March 17 there, as well as hygiene prod- not be visible around town, to help our local homeless. St. Patrick's Day Oklahoma Considers Tightening Petition March 22 Requirements for State Questions Beginning of Ramadan 177,958 valid signatures. collectors at an average cost of By Keaton Ross | Okla- “[ just think they're trying $8.27 per required signature. homa Watch to make the bar so hard that Andy Moore, chief execu- it’s nearly impossible to do it.” tive officer of the nonpartisan April Since 2016, Oklahoma voters have made sweeping said England, who runs Strat- civic engagement organiza- egy 77, a public relations and tion Let's Fix This and former April Fool's Day changes without the Legisla- consulting firm that caters to Pictured are the co-directors Ashley Arganbright and ture’s input. campaign manager for an Josh Barnett. Staff photo by Sheryl Ponce. Using state questions, they campaigns and advocacy ef- unsuccessful initiative effort have voted to reclassify some forts. “But for them, are they to establish an independent changing the process for how redistricting commission in that I get to pull from. That’s April2 felonies to misdemeanors, le- galize medical marijuana and they get to put things on the ballot through a referendum? Oklahoma, said the initiative petition process has historical- RCCT made it easier for me,” Bar- extend health insurance to an nett noted. Palm Sunday estimated 300,000 poor Okla- To me, it just smacks of we ly acted as a check of power on Continued from page 1. don't trust you, voters.” the Legislature. In some cases, ‘The hardest part of the play homans. Daniels contends the lawmakers themselves have so far is that there is always a On March 7, voters — not changes are necessary to as- who live in the top floor of time constraint when work- state lawmakers — will decide organized initiative petition a Brownstone apartment in April 5 whether to legalize recreation- sure voters that the state's efforts when unable to settle New York City. The couple ing in community theatre. al marijuana for adults 21 and verification process is as se- an issue with members across Arganbright pointed out that Passover older. cure as possible. During a Feb. the aisle. begin their married life with because it is all volunteer, ev- 7 committee hearing, she said Moore said Senate Bill 518 an optimistic Corie and an Several bills sponsored by GOP lawmakers would restrict there is not necessarily a flaw would put grassroots groups anxious, grounded Paul set- eryone has his/her own job, or school to work around. the state’s initiative petition with the state’s current verifi- at a disadvantage. While most tling into their new life. The “All have to try and balance April7 process. Most would ultimate- cation process but cited con- recent state question efforts story centers around how ly require voter approval. cerns about some signatures have relied on in-state contri- the couple navigates be- their lives with the rehears- Good Friday Sen. Julie Daniels’ proposal being falsified. She also called butions, a handful were pro- ing newlyweds with oppo- als, but it can be challenging. to make petition drives more Oklahoma's initiative petition pelled by out-of-state donors, site personalities. Corie at- It makes you be more innova- costly and easier to disqualify process relatively liberal com- according to an Oklahoma tempts to set up her mother, tive. The best has simply been would not go before voters if it pared to other states. Watch analysis of campaign Mrs. Ethel Banks, played by the cast and working with Josh Daniels ran unopposed to contributions published last April9 clears the Legislature because represent District 29 in 2020 Christy Russell-Dobbs_ with (Barnett). It has been a joy, it does not modify the state year. Mr. Velasco played by Brandt and everyone is so wonderful constitution. Republicans and is eligible for reelection in “You don’t want it to be because they want it to be suc- Easter pushed it through the Senate 2024, Among the legislation only the super well-funded Arganbright, who is an eccen- Judiciary Committee on an she has authored this season groups that can do initiative tric neighbor, on a date. The cessful,” Arganbright said. 8-3 party-line vote, making it is a measure highlighting that petitions,” Moore said. “That's telephone repairman is being “IT was able to see ‘The eligible for consideration on abortions are legal to preserve why it’s in the constitution for played by Jim Brown, while Drowsy Chaperone’ in Clinton May 27 the Senate floor. the mother’s life in a medi- the people of Oklahoma to do. the delivery woman is Rylee and saw that there is so much Senate Bill 518 gives those cal emergency, and in cases of But they're making it so we Yeager. time invested and sacrificed, G&S Promotions Gun seeking to challenge a petition rape, sexual assault, or incest can't” ‘The Broadway production but they don’t have to. On top twice as much time to pro- of a minor that’s been report- Efforts to restrict the ini- of Simon’s play opened in of that, the support that you Show, Elk City Convention test — from 10 to 20 business ed to law enforcement. Her bill tiative petition process are not 1963 at the Biltmore Theatre, days. It makes applying more banning gender-affirming care unique to Oklahoma. Fearing get within this show is great, Center. costly by adding a $750 admin- for minors passed the Senate. that abortion rights support- and the original cast included but it is also outside of this “It behooves us to make Robert Redford and Elizabeth theatre with real life stuff. You istrative fee. It also raises the ers will rally to place measures bar on signature verification, sure this system is as reliable on the ballot, Republican law- Ashley. It was later made into don’t really get that anywhere from three to four data points as possible for the citizens,” makers in Ohio, Florida and a film in 1967 and starred else,” Barnett added. May 28 matching against voter regis- Daniels said of her petition Missouri have passed reso- Redford and Jane Fonda. ‘This show is different from tration data. legislation. “Tightening up the lutions asking voters to ap- “I think ‘Barefoot in the the original version because G&S Promotions Gun Initiative petition organiz- process at the front ends yields prove new signature collection Park’ is really a show that the characters seem to be more ers and voting rights advo- a better product when you go requirements or increase the talks about true life. | mean, to the polls.” likeable, according to Argan- Show, Elk City Convention cates fear the bill would have Initiative petition organiz- threshold for initiatives to it is a funny show, but it’s bright. Being on the directing a chilling effect on initiative pass. a real show because you're side of the play, both Argan- petition efforts, particularly ers point to safeguards during Center. But the outcome of a recent signature collection as helpful state question in Arkansas talking about relationships. bright and Barnett can see those without the money and manpower necessary to fend in preventing fraud. Under raises questions about voters’ You're talking about relation the whole picture, compared off prolonged legal challenges. criminal penalty, circulators appetite for stricter initiative ships between mother and to one part when they are on Amber England, who ran are required to sign an affidavit petition requirements, Nearly daughter, husband and wife. stage. Do you have an event or the successful Medicaid ex- before a notary public swear- 60% of voters in the Republi- It also tells the story of your pansion campaign that voters ing that they witnessed each can-controlled state decided repair people that come in “Acting and directing are something else you would approved in June 2020, said signature. Some campaigns against Arkansas Issue 2, a and have to see some of your like comparing apples and or- she’s concerned there would be hire auditors to evaluate the legislatively-referred life as it happens. We don’t anges. They are two completely initia- like to share with the com- greater scrutiny over honest performance of circulators as tive that proposed raising the think about those people,” different aspects, and they are the director Arganbright said. both capable of giving you joy mistakes, such as a voter writ- they collect signatures. Oklahoma also has one of threshold for proposed consti- ‘This is Barnett’s first time and great stress,” she conclud- munity in the Round Town ing their nickname instead of a the tightest signature collec- tutional amendments and citi- legal name on a petition form. tion deadline requirements in zen initiative petitions from to direct a production. He ed. Calendar? That could compel organiz- With rehearsals underway ers to collect an even greater the nation among states that a simple majority to a three- helped with “My Fair Lady,” excess of signatures, England allow voter-led initiatives, re- fifths supermajority, last No- but with this play he is more and the cast perfecting their Email the information vember. characters, the show will be said. ducing the likelihood that a involved on the directing side voter will mistakenly sign a Moore said that vote could ready for the audience at the For instance, the Medicaid of the show. for the event to elkci- signal to Oklahoma lawmakers expansion campaign submit- petition more than once. Ini- that clamping down on initia- “It has definitely been a end of March. The season pass- ted more than 300,000 signa- tiative groups are required to ‘learn how to swim’ experi- es are on sale now. Go to rect. [email protected] tive petitions is not worth- tures to meet a requirement of collect the necessary number ence, which has been great, org or see a board member to of signatures within 90 days while. of the protest period expiring “They [voters] openly see it though. There's a ton of ex- get tickets early for every show as an attack to the petition the perience here (Arganbright) early. “ElkCituNews or the state Supreme Court confirming the constitutional- government,” Moore said. ity of the measure. Proposed Five initiative petition ef- constitutional amendments forts are active within the Sec- Club president, NHS secretary (USPS # 173-020) must receive signatures equal to at least 15% of votes cast in retary of State's office, includ- ing two questions that have a NHS and Book Club president, and 580-225-3000 the most recent gubernatorial signature collection deadline he is involved in several extra~ of March 3 at 5:00 p.m. Unlike Continued from page 1. curricular activities. This past Is published twice weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC election, Initiated state stat- 109 W. Broadway, City, OK 73644-4736 utes require 8% and veto refer- some states, Oklahoma does “We are very proud of Ma- fall, Friesen put his passion for Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 endums 5% to make the ballot. not set a deadline for counting son for receiving this presti- politics into action to organize Just nine voter-initiated and verifying signatures. POSTMASTEI Send address changes to PO Box 964, ty. OK 73648 Since 2021, the Secretary gious honor. He has worked Elk City High School's first petitions have made it to the ballot in Oklahoma since of State's office has outsourced diligently throughout his student-led voter registration 2010, with voters approving signature verification to West- time here at ECHS to achieve drive, registering 43 peers to SUBSCRIPTIONS dosh Umholtz....Publisher five and rejecting three of the ern Petition Systems LLC, a high levels of academic suc- vote. This fall, Mason plans to Deliverd by mail: Sheryl Ponce....Staff Writer measures. Early voting begins company owned by SoonerPoll cess and leadership, and we founder Bill Shapard. Unusual attend the University of Okla- $75/yearly Thursday on State Question are excited to see what the $650/six months Neva Pyatt...Advertising Director 820, which proposes legaliz~ delays in verifying signatures homa to study Political Science future holds for him,” said No refunds on subscriptions. Zadie Eakins...Advertising Director ing recreational marijuana for for State Question 820 last Elk City High School princi- and Letters before pursuing a D’Ann Brasuell..Production Manager adults 21 and older. summer caused the initiative career in law. to miss the November general pal Jamie McClure. [email protected] Nahka King...CSRDelivery Since 2016, seven out of At Elk City High School, For more information elkcitynewsadvertsing®@gmail.com eight initiative petition groups election ballot and led some about the NHS, visit www.nhs. ECNclassifieds@ gmail.com have used at least some cam- observers to question the fair- Friesen has served as Political paign funds to hire signature ness of the new process. Science Club president, KEY us (http://www.nhs.us/)