McAlester Watercooler

PERHAPS the sentiments contained in the following pages, are not yet sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favor; a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defence of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.
Thomas Paine - Introduction to Common Sense
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Opinion 10248

Opinion submitted by Sterling on 2010-02-01 19:10:54    (reads 2459)
What's the deal with the prison rodeo being cancelled at McAlester?  How come there
hasn't been anything about this in the McAlester paper?  This is a big money maker
isn't it?
Comment submitted by I care about doing right on 2010-02-02 01:24:57
Maybe the chamber could request some Obama stimulus money to pay the guards
salaries.  His stimulus is being spent on many, more trivail, projects and at least
the rodeo would stimulate the local economy.
Comment submitted by Sparrow on 2010-02-03 09:15:57
You think maybe the stock is glad too?  Heard lots of rumors over the years about
what went on behind the scenes to kick up a performance - after 69 years, they
finally were going to have a vet on the scene?  Did the previous injured animals
just get shot on the spot?
Comment submitted by Pete on 2010-02-03 09:32:32
The prison rodeo helped a FEW but did more damage than good, hurt animals, convicts,
taxpayers. Like everything else that started with supposedly good intentions,
turned into a money pot. Did not help the town, the day of cowboys and Indians is
gone, the Indians won.
Comment submitted by happy2bfree on 2010-02-04 09:26:48
There has always been a vet on site at the arena for the injured animals.  You may
disagree with the rodeo, as far as animals being injured, but even if you stop the
Prison Rodeo - there will always be rodeos somewhere.  No complains about the all
the little rodeo that go on around this county or state.  But the only reasons the
rodeo was cancelled was due to the lack of funds - if the state can't afford to pay
the employees and are cutting jobs, then putting on the rodeo seems a little less
important.  Even though the furloughs have been cancelled for now, doesn't mean all
is well, there is still alot of financial issues still needing to be solved.
Comment submitted by Sparrow on 2010-02-04 12:01:52
The story said they would have a vet THIS YEAR.  Incorrect?  I am very glad the
furloughs were cancelled.  That is an issue which puzzles me greatly though,
apparently people in Oklahoma want to put everyone in prison.  "Throw them in
prison and throw away the key" is what I hear all the time.......but no one wants
to PAY FOR RUNNING ALL THE PRISONS.  That approach doesn't make much sense when
there isn't any money.  We don't want the offenders out on the streets, but we
don't want taxes raised enough to pay for the guards?
Comment submitted by happy2bfree on 2010-02-04 12:32:39
Don't know why the article stated it that way - but there has always been a vet on
site.  The video that was mentioned is several years old and had nothing ot do with
the canceling of the rodeo.  It is all about the budget.
Comment submitted by okieboy on 2010-02-04 15:13:44
14....Better count again.
Comment submitted by martin on 2010-02-04 20:24:10
No shock that the rodeo was cancelled. Rumors are that between 450-800 DOC workers
will lose their jobs come July 1. If there's no money for salaries, there's no
money to host a rodeo that was at best, break even once all the overtime salaries
were paid.
Comment submitted by martin on 2010-02-10 18:30:23
What part of NO don't these people who want a rodeo this year not get? There is no
money so another 400 people statewide who work for DOC will lose their jobs. But we
should have a rodeo? Get real. Will you host a fundraiser to help the DOC workers
who lose their jobs to pay their mortgages? Probably not. Get over it. Focusing
time and attention on a rodeo, for Pete's sake, when people will lose their jobs,
is a slap in the face!
Comment submitted by Popeye on 2010-02-10 19:30:45
Martin, look at it like this.  No one is serious about really getting the rodeo
back.  They are all just playing a game called "We really do care" (yuk, yuk) but
which is actually politicking.  Harrison is running for DA, so he'll use the DOC to
help his campaign.  Priddle is perpetually campaigning, so he'll be the big
cheerleader.  The Chamber people literally do NOT HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO, so they
will hold meetings and invite the press to try and convince us they are actually
needed.  Ever hear of a "dog & pony show"?
Comment submitted by countdown on 2010-02-10 21:50:54
More like a monkey and a football.
Comment submitted by Proudokie on 2010-02-11 09:03:05
Why don't they put there time into an event worth going to see, like PBR, PRCA
Rodeo. The prison rodeo has been going down for a long time. When we went the
prisoners that were watching the rodeo were setting up in the cage making out
and groping one another. The seats are so hard you can't sit very long and it
almost always rain. Why not focus on having an event out at Lightening C where
at least it is indoors. I feel for the ODC guards. Most of the tickets are given
away (City Workers used to get free tickests I don't know if they still do, ODC
employees gets free tickets.) Harrision does not care about the rodeo he is only
looking for a way to get votes.
Comment submitted by GaBoy on 2010-02-11 10:20:24

I am curious about the money for ticket sales. Who does it go to ODC or Chamber of Commerce? Handling of prisoners and guards on duty are obviously paid for out of the ODC budget. I believe there are at least two entities selling refreshments and T shirts. One is a local Civic organization and the other is the ODC canteen or welfare fund.

 So who gets the ticket sales income and who pays for the animals, etc.

 I am not so sure that it brings in that much money to the City. Having attended for several years, I feel that most of the people are from within Pittsburg county and do not use the local restaurants or motels as a rule.

 Does the Chamber of Commerce get the ticket sales income? Maybe that is why they are so interested in keeping it going. I am looking for answers, can anyone shed light on this?

Comment submitted by Brother on 2010-02-11 12:33:34
Ask Billy McMahan.  He's run the entire operation for years and knows where all the
bodies are buried (figuratively speaking).
Comment submitted by Proudokie on 2010-02-11 13:29:24
Comment submitted by Chass on 2010-02-11 15:27:08
I was just told the Chamber and the prison split the ticket sales... 50/50
Comment submitted by martin on 2010-02-11 19:39:01
DOC workers have to PAY for their tickets...they are not given them free.
Comment submitted by Pete on 2010-02-11 22:23:07
I think the SERTOMA men's club does concessions for the rodeo and then gives the
money to the Chamber. Don't really understand that but from what I've seen, the
Chamber does not do much for this town except TAKE money. Their location is
terrible, even the locals can't find it. I would rather see the money for
concessions go to the CITY, not the Chamber.
Comment submitted by Proudokie on 2010-02-12 09:25:16
Comment submitted by Proudokie on 2010-02-12 09:29:23
We got tickets for free from a guard that is still at DOC and and was giving tickets
away to who ever wanted them. He said that the guards got free tickets that is how
we got to go. I will not pay to go to that rodeo it is not worth it.So sorry if you
did not get free tickets. When our famiy worked with the city we could get 5 free
tickets per worker.
Comment submitted by happy2bfree on 2010-02-12 13:33:21
All DOC employees (including the Warden and Deputy Wardens) purchase their tickets,
they can give them away once they purchased the tickets - it's their choice what to
do with the tickets.
Comment submitted by mommyme on 2010-02-12 16:36:54
I can, my spouse works for DOC. The event is actually a very good relationship
between DOC and teh Chamber. The Chamber pays for the DOCs overtime and all of the
stock contract and any other expenses incurred. The DOC receives discounted tickets
and no tickets are given away free to anyone. Tax money does not pay for expenses
this event incurs. If any tickets are given away a sponsor has already paid for
these tickets for this purpose. This event does nothing but bring entertainme
Comment submitted by mommyme on 2010-02-12 16:40:12
I can, my spouse works for DOC. The event is actually a very good relationship
between DOC and teh Chamber. The Chamber pays for the DOCs overtime and all of
the stock contract and any other expenses incurred. The DOC receives discounted
tickets and no tickets are given away free to anyone. Tax money does not pay for
expenses this event incurs. If any tickets are given away a sponsor has already
paid for these tickets for this purpose. This event does nothing but bring
entertainment and visitors to our town who spend money here. And for those who
asked, there has always been a vet at the event. If there is money after all
bills and DOC overtime are paid then yes, the Chamber does profit that small
amount, since it is their event, and they do all of the ticket sales and prep.
Lastly for the person who says the Chamber has nothing to do, you should check
out their website and look at their calendar, I use it for reference. They are
doing a lot to with the new staff.
Comment submitted by okieboy on 2010-02-13 06:32:30
Marineone, you said a mouthful when you said there's a better chance that a guard
will be stabbed in the back by the Administration rather than an Inmate......The
O.S.P. is a Politically Corrupt Workplace
Comment submitted by Bryan on 2010-02-13 09:46:17
I've heard a lot of guards say the same thing;you have to worry more about the ones
on the "take" than the convicts. Ironic so many who are not in prison have done
more than the ones serving time. At least the prisoners have a code of ethics not
heard of by the ones sending them there and the ones m ... 
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Comment submitted by mcalesterjoe on 2010-02-13 10:52:29
It's funny you mention the Chamber's location. I tried to help an out of town guest
find the Chamber a couple of years ago. Even with a map, we could not find the
entrance. I still don't know how to get there.
Comment submitted by Brother on 2010-02-13 12:20:16
A BUSINESS organization representing BUSINESSES in McAlester is in a house in a
residential neighborhood.  Only in McAlester, right?  I live here and I know where
the Puterbaugh House and Gardens are - but I couldn't tell you how to get to the
Chamber either.  Entrance off Adams or off 5th?  Always  ... 
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Comment submitted by Pete on 2010-02-13 18:08:51
My guess is he did not want to mess with it so figured he would ignore Alene
Puterbaugh's will and "give" it to the Chamber since he had other things to occupy
his time as a State Supreme Court judge. Who in McAlester would challenge him? No
one, there are people here who know what he did was wrong, ... 
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Comment submitted by Brother on 2010-02-13 20:12:13
Holy Shit.  A will was ignored?
Comment submitted by Bryan on 2010-02-14 22:43:42
I heard there were only a few copies of the will, Taylor had a meeting with all the
women's groups who used the house, asked the reporter there, woman who is deceased,
Theresa was her 1st name, NOT to take notes. No proof, a few do know what was in
the will but they are not talking, too much at stak ... 
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Comment submitted by mommyme on 2010-02-15 16:47:37
Go to the post office on Washington and 4th and go up one block to adams and 5th and
see the huge sign on the corner in front of the house that says Chamber of
Commerce. How hard could it possibly to miss a home with a parking lot???
Comment submitted by Susan on 2010-02-15 18:23:51
Tell the people who work at the post office, most of them have no clue where the
Chamber is located.
Comment submitted by Popeye on 2010-02-15 18:44:16
Why is there even a damn business with a parking lot and a big sign in a residential
neighborhood anyway?  Never mind answering that, already know.  McAlester thinks if
it paves everything over with concrete that it's making progress.  Ever see those
beautiful gardens in the spring with all the azal ... 
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Comment submitted by Proudokie on 2010-02-16 08:52:34
Comment submitted by Proudokie on 2010-02-16 08:54:56
Can anyone tell me what exactly the chamber does? I know that business pay $250 a
year to be a member. What do they do with that money? Some say they promote
McAlester. Why do we need them and the Meds? Hope someone can give me an answer.
Comment submitted by mommyme on 2010-02-17 08:53:37
Well, you do know that Mrs. Puterbaugh had her own gardening staff to keep it all up
right. I don't want to put forth the $ or the time to keep it up do you? Somebody
has to and if no one steps up then so be it. There are a hundred old homes and
properties in this town that could be beautiful if the ... 
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Comment submitted by mommyme on 2010-02-17 09:09:08
I am a member of the COC and they have new staff and new board and are really
working hard and implementing a lot of things for our businesses now. Our COC is
not an economic development agency in the sense of bring businesses in. They are
designed to help our businesses that already exist. They hav ... 
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Comment submitted by Pete on 2010-02-18 20:20:16
Another example of spreading the "wealth", the contract to do all the landscaping
and decorating went to Jim Miller's grandson. See, lots of jobs, but they go to the
ones who already HAVE the money! Judge Taylor knows how it is done in McAlester, he
likes to make sure the Good Old Boys stay in busin ... 
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Comment submitted by gmf on 2010-02-19 08:36:53
Im ready to call "Jim Miller's grandson"   BECAUSE  as I drive around town I notice
that the properties with his signs look good.  I have called others in the past and
"been burned" by "half-assed" work because that's all I could get to show up.
Comment submitted by Pete on 2010-02-20 08:21:40
Yes, you should do that, help McAlester grow and prosper.
Comment submitted by Chass on 2010-02-20 10:16:22
Hmm out of all the people i have contactged to come help me and mow and such. A
gentleman by the name of Lewis was the only dependable one. He mows.. hauls off..
trims trees... and does a good job for reasonable pay. I got his name and phone
number from the employment agency.

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