2A-THE PERKINS JOURNAL, Thursday, March 15, 2001
\1
This week's guest columnist:
Dan Johnson
President, Perkins Chamber of
Commerce
Celebrate Change
In the first scene of the western movie "Chisum", an exchange
between actors John Wayne and Ben Johnson reminds me of what
must be going through the minds of many folks in and around
Perkins. Ben Johnson's character opines on the various signs of
"progress" in their area of Lincoln County, New Mexico Terri-
tory. He sums up his thoughts with the phrase, "Too many
changes," to which Wayne's character John Chisum responds,
"Well, things usually change for the better."
Yes, we have seen a lot of changes over the past few years. But
like John Chisum, I think they are changes for the better. I don't
think anyone would trade back our asphalt streets for dirt, nor our
private telephone lines for Lois Taylor's switchboard. (And per-
sonally, I like cab tractors a lot better than open-tops. Thank good-
ness for change!)
Property owners who take real pride in the appearance of their
buildings; individuals from diverse backgrounds who come and
work together to further the common goal of promoting Perkins;
school kids who say with an emphatic smile "I'm from Perkins";
these are the kinds of changes we've seen. These are changes for
the better."
The opinions expressed by guest columnists are not necessarily
those of this newspaper, management and staff.
• Ill
Pohcy
Statement
The Perkins Journal will accept letters to the editor
regarding political elections up until the issue which is
published just prior to said election.
Under this policy, letters will be acceptedregarding
the April 3 municipal election for the March 22 issue,
but not the March 29 issue.
7[,e dse tion deck--
In my youth, I regarded the universe as
an open book, printed in the language
of physical equations, whereas now it
appears to me as a text written in
invisible ink, of which in our rare
moments of grace we are able to
decipher a small fragment.
Arthur Koestler, 1905-1983
(USPS #42.8040)
The Perkins Journal is published every Thursday and entered as
periodical postage paid at Perkins, OK 74059-0040 by Pomegranate,
Inc., P.O. Box 40, 111 E. Stumbo, Perkins, OK 74059-0040.
Phone or FAX 405/547.2411
e-mail: theperkinsjournal @ provalue.net
Cindy and Keith Sheets-Publishers
Rick Lomenick-Assistant Editor
Becky Brake-Staff Writer/Editor
The publishers are soley responsible 'for content and any errors will
be promptly corrected when brought to the attention of the
publishers.
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Okay, all of you people who have helpfully pointed out that I
neglected to continue a couple of stories from last week's front
page can cease and desist now.
I had all of the pages but four finished and safely saved early
last Wednesday morning. Then, at about 2 a.m., my software pro-
gram crashed and took those four pages with it.
You guessed it - the continuation of the city council and school
board stories were on one of those pages.
By the time I rebuilt those four pages from scratch, it was after
4 a.m. and my brain connections weren't quite connecting so I left
a few imporfant things out. (The answers to last week's crossword
puzzle are included this week, too.)
At least I know that you are reading the paper...
-A-
We have also had quite a few comments about our new
"Perkins...Home of..." box on the front page, too.
It's not any kind of a contest, just our way of recognizing people
who do a lot for our town, but who rarely get their name in the
paper.
We have a lot of wonderfully giving people in this town, so if
you aren't acquainted with the person whose name is in that box,
please ask around and find out who they are.
We have had an increase in articles and photos that have been
sent via e-mail. I hope this is a trend that continues.
If you do send an article to us in this way, please save it as
"Word for Macs" or "Rich Text." Our Macs don't like PC's much
and sometimes refuse to read or even open files saved in other
formats. If you have questions, please call us or e-mail us at:
theperkinsjournal @provalue.net
"A-
I have to pat my niece, Carol, on the back for just a minute.
The kids and I went, to Hutchinson, Kansas last weekend for
the Kansas State High School Basketball Tournament. We caught
the final game, which Cami and her team participated in.
Her team, the Southwestern Heights Mustangs (rfiy alma mater
too), was 25-0 going into this game, I believe. A large crowd from
back home was there to support the girls, and nearly two whole
rows of the stadium was occupied by my family, who were there
to cheer on Cami and the team.
It was a great game, a real nail-biter all the way to the last few
seconds. The Mustangs didn't win, but they played great. Cami
was high scorer for the tournament, and was noted as best player,
too, I believe. She did great.
That's not all, though. Her younger sister, Taly, who is a fresh-
man, also made the varsity squad and played in the tournament as
well. I was very proud of her - it n ust have been hard for a fresh-
man to play in such a pressure-filled setting.
They are both great girls, and I was happy to have been able to
attend the game.
A weekly column by Rick Lomenick
Journal Assistant Editor
We've all heard the clich6 that "Practice makes perfect." I'm not
sure if I exactly fit into that category, but the past two weekends
have helped me to become better.
I joined a group of fellow basketball referees from this area in
officiating a couple of huge tournaments. One was at Oklahoma
State University and the other at the Garfield County Fairgrounds
in Enid. For the record, I called 25 games, which had modified
rules and court sizes.
In addition to making a few extra dollars, it gave me an opportu-
nity to work on my mechanics plus work with some more experi-
enced for additional O.J.T. (on-the-job training). It was great!
It also enabled me to get better acquainted with these colleagues
who wear the striped shirts. For example, we were in Enid last
weekend. The tournament was played on six courts, which were
about two-thirds regulation size. Because the courts were close
together, there were times I got to watch others work. They, in
turn, observed my techniques and offered some good constructive
criticism that I was able to apply in subsequent games. That sure
helped my confidence level.
Plus, we had our opportunities to talk and get to know the human
side of each other. I feel I've gained several more friends. And
with that, I'll probably be quick to defend them when sarcastic and
derogatory remarks are made about them next season. It is almost
like talking about a family member.
After working these two tournaments, I'm even gladder that I too
am a part of this sort of f[aternity. You ought to be a part of it too.
+ , , , * *
Next week's edition of The Journal is one you won't want to
miss. We'll publish the answers to questions sent to the three mayor
candidates.
Each candidate was sent a questionnaire with detailed questions
about issues pertaining to Perkins. There were guidelines set to
make this endeavor as fair as possible. Many of the questions spe-
cifically pinpoint issues residents have been talking about. This
should be a great tool is helping voters decide who they think should
serve as mayor.
Some of you probably have a pretty good idea who you are going
to vote for now. But we encourage you to reserve your right to
change your mind after reading the responses. We all have our
personal opinions about those running. But we should strongly take
into consideration their platforms. And don't hesitate to ask them
your own questions either.
Make sure you have the information you want before casting your
ballot on April 3.
II
Publication deadline
Please note that deadlines for display and
classified advertising, and articles
is 6 p.m. each Monday.
Please fax, e-mail, or drop your items by the office
by that time for publication in that week's issue.
For more information, call 405-547-2411.
WV~
., :+i i:iii+ -: ............
Iii
TO
We welcome letters to the editor. All letters must
telephone number for verification of the writer
number won't be published). Please keep
The editor reserves the right to reject any letter that]
libelous or in bad taste.
Letter to Editor:
We are about to witness the execution of Timothy
This act is a tragedy. The tragedy is not as to
should or should not die. The tragedy is that the
constitutional and yet it will occur.
Federal Judge Richard Matsch violated Article
Amendment of the Constitution of the United
the trial in Colorado with a jury other than from the
trict of Oklahoma. The trial was illegal and,
meaningless.
It should be remembered that a federal
power to amend the Constitution, Judge Matsch
the Constitution.
The pity is that no media outrage was
the procedure should follow the
It is a sad day when one individual is allowed
document and no one cares.
Sincerely,
Richard G. Murray
To The Editor,
I have holes in my clothes and holes in the walls
old house,..but I give what I have to my fellow
too have holes in their clothes, why?., because
My family shops at the Salvation Army
I give what I have to support my community,
The ceiling in my bathroom has fallin in from
will probably never get fixed...but ! give to my
have food, why?..because I care. I work two
too. I am working hard to reach my dream, but
dreams to help others, to give to the
erations of my family grew up in,
this community do not respond,..why?
I plan many small events in hopes of getting
munity involved in helping good justifiable causes.
respond., why? Why is it that when a person Is
they have to others, the response is
back and don't get involved themselves. Wh,
tunities are so great to be a worth
people and organizations in need, no one is
that the people who really sincerely care are
their efforts, and get the title.."sucker". Why is it a [
of people in this community don't support
them personally...why? Why is it that members
can only get support from
ties, when the entire purpose is for an individual in
munity? Why is it that local churches refuse to
members in fear of embarrassment? Aren't
tians supposed to be there and reach out to
their church and/or faith? Isn't that what,
were built upon? People say they
ing sausage and cookies that they like, but there
people and organizations in this community
people don't care to hear about. Everyone talks
bringing this community together, to help support
organizations, etc., yet, the one's talking the
reach out..why?
There are still yet a small few that sincerely care i
ously try to help people
others just judge others..why? If you were the
were the one needing your fellow neighbor
expect them to be there for you? Would you?
Just always remember this, there is nothing worse!
crite. What goes
Yours should be too. Why isn't it? ..why?.
Name withheld by request
To the Editor:
I have arrived to the conclusion that U.S.
similation policy are seriously flawed and in need
used to be of this mind, but after moving
time in South Texas, and looking at the big picture, I
an activist in the movement to reduce U.S, immi
Consider this: each year the U.S.A. takes
legal immigrants. The majority of the million
sen simply on the basis of being relatives of
country (that's called nepotism in other walks
legal immigrants, there are illegal immigrants and
(children born to illegal immigrants who are
granted automatic citizenship). The U.S.A. takes
grants than any other country in the world.
The truth is there are just too many"
try to assimilate them properly and the present
number of problems. It depresses wages for
cans (including many minorities) and widens the gap
and poor. It leads to school overcrowding, an
sured and an increase in welfare payments. And
leading to the balkanization of the U.S.A. bocaus¢
grants are not assimilating-many don't really
Americans and even if they
their home country citizenship.
r tdical Hispanic movement seeking to secede
Now you don't hear much about this in the
fact, they try to censor the truth, and anybody who
migration policy is insulted or ignored. Big
labor) and ethnic activists (seeking political power)
high immigration levels, regardless
nary Americans. And both the Republican and
il
See Letters - page 3B
