Here's hoping your Sunday is going right and I want to say I'm right as rain. The primary election is over and I'm very glad. Sheriff Sooter was re-elected by a wide margin and the former mayor went home defeated. Craig county also retained their incumbent County Clerk and incumbent County Commissioner.
I read a letter to the editor in the newspaper yesterday that accused me and some others of writing smut. I wrote the truth from where I see it. My theory is if you can't take the heat, then remove yourself from the kitchen.
On to more interesting things. I went to the council meeting last Tuesday evening and there were only two interesting issues. One was the hearing in Oklahoma City on July 12th about the Railroad crossing. This is a full hearing before the Corporation Commission about whether the Delaware crossing will be re-opened. Because of the former city administrator, mayor and city council, there were two railroad crossings closed, side by side in Vinita. They want to blame the Chamber of Commerce, but the city officials had the final say when they voted in council. Skip Briley, the only original councilor left, accepted his blame and apologized for voting the wrong way. Kudos to Skip. This issue has divided the town, literally and emotionally.
The folks that live near the closed crossings are upset because they only have one street to enter and exit the community right now. One is closed for repairs at the moment, but will be opened soon.
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They feel that have been discriminated against and I kind of see their point, but yet I don't. I live on the West side of the closing and it does make it inconvenient to get to the other side of town, so everyone has been affected.
I believe the original goal was to have a sign like this, but it will never happen because there are crossings on each end of the closed ones and the whistle will still blow.
This is the railroad at the heart of the controversy. They have very deep pockets and are connected politically.
The city is only asking for one crossing to be re-opened, but the railroad is fighting it all the way.
The next interesting issue at the council meeting was the possibility of a water splash pad. The city is applying for a matching grant, so if the city receives it, then one of the parks will have a wonderful new recreation for kiddies in 2013.
This is just a random photo of a splash pad and in no way
reflects what Vinita's will look like, but it gives an idea
of the fun to be had on a splash pad.
Here's another example, but in no way related to the one Vinita
is trying to attain.
I think it's a wonderful idea and perfect for the smaller children that are too short for the city pool depth.
And that's about all the news going on around Vinita, sooooo..............................
Until Later,
Okie Girl @ Home
Vinita City Council needs to do the right thing and see to it that the two crossings be re-opening. Delaware Street and the historic At tuck Ave. Both closures have created a eye sore for the East side community. The argument that the re-openings be considered as new openings is simply a smoke screen to keep them from being opened. Union Pacific should be ashamed of themselves for taking advantage of the city's ignorance and their lack of knowledge of the corridor project.There is no reason for those crossings to be closed and certainly no reason why the East side community to take the blame. The closures have exposed a negative view of the city's relationship with it's citizens.
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