experienced unplanned finan-
U.S. Suburban Press Inc.
st an off-the-record plat and
hat should have never
Edmond Sunbeen
- 02/07/2018
for City Planning considera-
reliminary plats" were unnec-
he HOA met with the develop-
n the lines of communication,
pment ideals more suitable to
eas were completely ignored.
n out-of-town firm, Planning
o what has been suggested,
vite PDG and has not in any
DG was hired and paid by the
lopment plan for them. We
any kind with PDG. In the
heir engineers and attorney for
plats." PDG said it was starting
start with a clean slate.
as it turns out, rightfully so.
meowners attended a PDG-
eeting, the HOA sent written
in, was to open meaningful dia-
h the Coffee Creek community
ion and the information they
y. We asked PDG to work with
finally comply with their prom-
ty. We asked PDG to give us
garding our community, so we
n matters with which we are so
this was directed to attaining
mmunications. PDG partially
rded it to an attorney for further
y that represents the develop-
e were asking was beyond the
rs' attorney said, "No."
the homeowners were pre-
h clearly took PDG aback.
tough questions, as well as to
ply provides a potential devel-
have, and do not now have, any
ral discussions with the com-
ctly and dramatically affects our
evelopment concept can or will
ven allow it to be built as drawn.
pt will be economically feasible
ng implemented. Finally, PDG
s will ever actually "redevelop"
ht hard to protect and preserve
alues, our homes, and our way
elf, and we will continue to do
may only be a trojan horse. We
allenges head on. For example,
he developers apply for rezon-
gnatures we will need on peti-
encouragement that we have
ond is overwhelming. We can-
st support and your continued
Tonya Coffman, president
e Creek Homeowners Association
Copyright (c)2018 Edmond Sun, Edition 02/07/2018
February 8, 2018 9:54 am (GMT +6:00)
currently quitting tobacco, former
users wanting to stay tobacco-free,
and even those who want to sup-
Child well-being should
be legislature’s focus
T
he Oklahoma Legislature will
convene for the 2018 regular
session on Monday, Feb. 5.
Also on that day, Governor Mary
Fallin will deliver her final State of
the State address. Speaking on
behalf of the Oklahoma Institute for
Child Advocacy (OICA), I hope
Governor Fallin makes child well-
being a priority in
her speech and in
her policy agenda.
OICA has identi-
fied five priority
areas we hope she
and our lawmakers
focus on. They
include: economic
opportunity for
Oklahomans’ foster
Joe care, adoption and
Dorman child welfare, crimi-
nal justice reform,
For the race equity issues,
Children and early childhood
development.
As the session
develops, I plan on
writing frequently about these issues
and relevant legislation. One of the
bills that has drawn our attention
early on is Senate Bill 1517, dealing
with trauma informed care.
Oklahoma ranks first in the nation
for multiple Adverse Childhood
Experiences (ACEs) impacting chil-
dren. ACEs include traumatic events
like suffering from physical or sexual
abuse; neglect; witnessing domestic
violence; witnessing drug abuse; or
having a parent in prison. Multiple
studies (including Kaiser
Permanente’s 1998 Adverse
Childhood Experience Study) have
proven that these events or circum-
stances have adverse effects on an
individual’s ability to function and his
or her mental, physical, social, emo-
tional, or spiritual well-being into
adulthood.
OICA has worked with the Potts
lic about the negative effects and
impact of tobacco. Together, we can
achieve a healthier Oklahoma.
Family Foundation and other part-
ners to increase awareness among
legislators about the proven social
impact of ACEs. An interim study was
held at our request by the House of
Representatives this past summer
that looked at the impact of traumatic
experiences and how they can be
addressed. Senator A.J. Griffin lis-
tened to those conversations and has
since filed SB 1517. This legislation
will create a task force on trauma-
informed care to study and make
data-driven policy recommendations
that are results-oriented. OICA
applauds Sen. Griffin for her focus on
this important issue.
Another piece of legislation we are
monitoring closely at this time is
House Bill 3146, which reinstates the
refundability of the Earned Income
Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is a tax
cut for low income working families
that may also supply some families
with a refund beyond what they owe
in income taxes. Oklahoma removed
the refundable portion of the EITC, a
move that was rightly criticized as an
attempt to balance the budget on the
backs of the poor. Rep. Jason
Dunnington of Oklahoma City has
filed HB 3146 to restore that provision
within the EITC and deliver low-
income families some much-needed
relief. OICA strongly supports this
proposal.
These are just two of the bills filed
this year. A total of 706 Senate bills
and 1,226 House bills have been filed,
along with 1,996 House and Senate
measures carried over from last year
(which also includes measures vetoed
which could be overridden). As you
can imagine, legislators have a full
four months ahead of them.
As we await the State of State, now
is the time to start contacting your
own legislators and ask them to make
2018 the “Year of the Child” and
remember kids as they are crafting
legislation and casting their votes.
We welcomePage : A04
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Edmond Sun will publish
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Members of The Edmond
Sun’s Editorial Board are
Sun General Manager Lance
Moler, Sun Editor Mark
Codner and community
members Keith Weber, Lydia
Lee and Mark Nash.
TODAY’S VERSE
A SELECTION
‘By this we know
that we love the
children of God, when
we love God and
observe His
commandments.’
1 John 5:2
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