Bridge to be Named after Deputy LeMay

By Rep. Rick West

The House last week amended Senate Bill 1966 to name a bridge in LeFlore County the “Deputy Sheriff Thomas ‘Walker’ LeMay Memorial Bridge.”

LeMay was killed April 19 during an ambush while conducting a wellness check near Wister. The bridge that will be named after him is on U.S. Highway 59 crossing over the Poteau River north of Heavener. This gesture is intended to bring some comfort to those who knew and loved Deputy LeMay.

Wister Police Chief William “Andy” Thompson was wounded in the gunfire that day. Last I heard, he’s home recuperating. I wish him a speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, the governor has signed Senate Bill 2118 into law. This will help county sheriffs by allowing them to use surplus funds from unspent commissary accounts for jail operations, inmate care or other jail-related expenditures.

House Joint Resolution 1024  will send to a vote of the people a state question asking whether to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to make changes to the structure and terms of the members serving on the state’s Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC).

The JNC was established in 1967 by an amendment to the state Constitution. The commission is charged with nominating the three most qualified candidates for appointment by the governor to fill vacancies on the Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals and the Court of Civil Appeals, as well as district and associate district judgeships when vacancies occur outside the normal election process. Members serve without compensation.

It’s important we have judges that administer justice based on existing law and not try to legislate or reinterpret law from the bench. The JNC came about after a period of scandals in the 1960s, but the commission itself has not been trouble free. It’s hoped these changes will improve the nominating process.

If approved, the question would establish that six members would be appointed by the governor, with at least one from each of the state’s five congressional districts. Each would serve a six-year term. Three members are to be at large serving two-year terms. One is to be selected by not less than eight members of the JNC and one each by the president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House.

If approved by voters, the change would remove restrictions allowing the three at-large members to either be an attorney or have a familial relationship with an attorney. It would remove the prohibition on political appointments, allowing all to be from one political party. It also would allow those appointed by House and Senate leaders to succeed themselves beyond their initial two-year terms, but none could serve more than 12 years.

Senate Bill 843 has been sent to the governor. This would amend state law that prohibits individuals from serving on a school board if they are related to another board member or school employee. Current law provides an exception for schools with an average daily membership of 400 or fewer students. This would raise that to 550. Rural schools have a hard time getting teachers. In rural communities it’s hard to get teachers and school board members. This will help us keep both.

On another note, I had lunch with Lucia Waldroop from Talihina on 4-H Day at the Capitol. She is homeschooled by her parents and just a top-notch young woman. It was great to visit with her to hear her perspective and tell her a little bit about how the state government functions.

I also want to thank Phillip Jones, the pastor of Big Creek Baptist Church in Heavener, who came up to deliver the Tuesday devotion that is open to House members and Capitol staff. He gave a really great message. I appreciate him taking the time to do this, and I appreciate the church providing lunch for everyone that attended.

Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV.

As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.

 

 

Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.