Senator Joe Newhouse
Senate District 25
WE NEED STRONG LEADERSHIP
I am excited for the upcoming legislative year 2021 because of the many opportunities we as conservatives can take advantage of if we have the guts to be bold. Our citizens are calling for a compass and 4-stroke engine in what feels like a rudderless rowboat.
Let’s put 2021 in the history books as a year that Oklahomans took control of waffling circumstances and showed the other 49 states how to emerge stronger and more resilient despite troubling times. Here are some of the major muscle movements I will be focusing on in the coming legislative year:
1.Promoting school choice options to allow for “open transfers” among our public school students. This would allow students the potential to leave faltering school districts for neighboring ones which had room for extra enrollment. A child’s zip code should not be the determining factor in their educational journey.
2. Modernizing our teacher retirement system to join the 21st century by signing up incoming new teachers to a Defined Contribution plan instead of the antiquated Defined Benefit plan. This would enable those not seeking a long-term career in teaching to at least leave with some type of retirement benefits. This would also remove the incentive for ineffective teachers to linger around just to trigger the milestone necessary for pension-for-life type benefits.
Senator Nathan Dahm
Senate District 33
This past year of 2020 has been unusual to say the least. Many people see it as one of the worst years of their lives.
It should serve as a reminder for all of us that we live in a fallen world in desperate need of saving. Thankfully there is a loving God who sent his son Jesus the Messiah as Savior for all!
My hope is that this year helped people turn their focus from the temporal to the eternal. Yes, there has been great suffering this year, but in Christ Jesus there is eternal joy!
As we celebrate the Christmas season and the birth of Christ upon this earth, and as we prepare to begin a New Year, let us keep our focus on the Savior as we run the race set before us.
Rep. Tom Gann
Oklahoma House District 8
Last summer, the Administrative Rules Committee held an interim study designed to educate and inform attendees of Oklahoma’s rule making process, state law governing the process, and best practice reforms that have been implemented by other states from around the country.
Process experts in the Secretary of State’s office provided updates of the improvements to the computer system of record that is under development. The use of updated technology on the rules process will fundamentally improve transparency on how the legislature will process the approval and disapproval of rules.
Any reforms considered will have to be taken in light of the technology implemented by the Secretary of State of the Administrative Rules process. The “go live” date for new technology is scheduled for the spring of 2021. We also heard from outside experts with the Mercatus Center of George Mason University and the Pacific Legal Foundation from Washington D.C.
One best practice presented was creating a Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). The other reforms suggested were legislative changes to deal with ambiguity of proposed rules.
I look forward to the 58th legislature to provide more transparency and making Oklahoma a business friendly state.
Paid for by Tom Gann for State Representative 2020, Box 662, Inola, OK 74036
John A. Wright, AAS
Tulsa County Assessor
Hindsight is 20/20. Looking back on 2020, the year was full of unanticipated challenges.
The year will forever be marked with crisis, innovation and problem solving. In one of my meetings the discussion of the word “test” came up. One way to view it is to measure the capability of a thing, such as in 10-pound test fishing line. Last year helped each of us measure our capabilities, adaptability and creative problem solving, along with our patience.
Many times, as individuals we are not aware of the depth of our own capabilities without something arising to challenge us or make a demand on our ingenuity. The challenges, though unwelcome at the time, reveal new insights, the use of new tools and a heightened appreciation and value of many of our relationships. The illustrated symbol for an idea that solves a problem is a light bulb going off and, of course, light helps us to see. Perhaps the vision thought of and associated with the phrase “2020” was wrapped up in “seeing” how to resolve and address issues and solve problems.
Don Newberry
Tulsa County Court Clerk
2020 is a year that many may be happy to see in our rearview mirrors. It is said that no growth happens without pain. As I reflect on this last year and look to the future I cannot help but appreciate how much we have grown, how much better we are prepared to face the opportunities of a new year. We have looked deeper into ourselves, defined what we believe, what our purposes are, what we want we do with this gift of life. From the pandemic to the election, from tissue paper shortage to mask mandates, we have survived and will continue to fight to uphold our beliefs and stay true to our convictions. I am both honored, humbled, and thankful to serve my community during this time. Thank you, people of Tulsa County!
The Court Clerk’s office has adapted to the pandemic, and we have continued and will continue to offer the services expected by our community. This year we are excited to open an extension office in the Rose District in Broken Arrow. Marriage licenses will be offered initially, followed by passport applications shortly thereafter. It is our hope that we will be able to expand our services there to include other options as well.
We are planning a new jury waiting room on the second floor of the courthouse with renovation beginning in January. This project has been undertaken to offer better facilities and a safe environment to meet the needs of our citizens serving as jurors. To those who are able to serve, thank you!
As we move forward, let us not forget what is behind lest we repeat the mistakes of the past:
“We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we will always be free.” – Ronald Regan
Steven A. Kunzweiler
Tulsa County District Attorney
I doubt that you keep a running tab on what annual essays people write for the Tulsa Beacon. As a reminder, last year I wrote about George Bailey’s plea to God from the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” . . . “I want to live.”
That was my wish for you and for everyone – to live the life God intended for all of us in 2020.
Today, I hear many people saying, “Good riddance 2020” and I guess that makes sense. Who wouldn’t want to put that year in the rearview mirror?
Well, I’m here to tell you that last year was a year worth living. For all of its ugliness, 2020 made many of us take a hard look at ourselves and our relationships with our family.
Many of us realized that our spouse and our children are more important than Sports Center and Netflix. Many of us discovered neighbors we simply used to ignore. We learned that every day is a gift, and that every small thing has a purpose. I do not think that God wants suffering. I do believe that God wants us to reorder our priorities.
For 2021 – build on the foundations provided by 2020.
Bob Jack
Chairman Tulsa County Republican Party
2020 is a year that we will never forget, nor should we as nation. It was a year in which our nation was stretch politically, socially, and medically but remained resolute.
Our vocabulary was dominated with words and phrases such as COVID-19, masks, social distancing, BLM, Progressive Left, and Back the Blue. We washed our hands more than ever in 2020 and always were on the lookout for toilet paper, Lysol spray, and hand sanitizer.
Oklahoma Republicans should be pleased with the progress made in 2020. Increased voter registration, the majority in the legislature gained seats and once again 77 counties turned red for President Donald Trump. In November, the citizens of Oklahoma turned out in large numbers, a sign they were passionate about choosing the right leaders.
However, it was a difficult year for many. Job loss, schools shut down, 14-days in quarantine, loss of income, increase in homelessness and mental issues. However, with all that, we once again saw generous Okies helping Okies! As we close out the year, the light at the end of tunnel is getting brighter and we should thank God for seeing Oklahoma through a year never to be forgotten.
Happy New Year from the Tulsa County Republican Party.
Sr. Pastor Steve Whitaker
John 3:16 Mission
What a challenging and contentious year we just came through.
On top of a terrible pandemic, we experienced a divisive election season too often characterized by vitriol. During this time, many tried to drag me into political discussions. Make no mistake, I am a man of strong political opinions. But, for me, there is no place for such vitriol or divisiveness in the ministry of John 3:16 Mission.
No homeless person who comes to the Mission for help ever talks to me about politics. All they want to know is, “Can I eat here?” “Can I get a warm, safe bed here?”
That’s why we focus on reconciliation – the heart of the Gospel and of this ministry. Christ came into the world to reconcile it – through His loving sacrifice — to God. And when a homeless man, woman or child comes to John 3:16 Mission, it is our job to make sure this is a place of reconciliation.
So, no matter a person’s political persuasion, he or she is welcome at John 3:16 Mission. The Gospel, after all, is for everyone! May the new year bring you peace, prosperity, good health and a spirit of true reconciliation!
Pastor Bruce DeLay
Heartland Church, Liberty Center, Patriot Pastors
This is exactly the kind of moment when God moves. If not for an act of God, The Republic is lost. If election crimes go unpunished, we cannot trust public officials or the integrity of future elections. If Biden/Harris are fraudulently installed on January 20, it will be the end of our Republic: the land that I love. We would become Post-Republic, therefore Post-Political regarding the Federal Government. Votes won’t matter, although the media would keep up the phony facade. America would seem normal for a period of time while the last nails are hammered into the coffin of Christian America, as President Trumps’ policies are undone.
And YET: God’s Ways are higher. To the surprise of short-sighted pundits, Jesus Christ will ride in on a donkey once again. Whether Trump remains or not, isn’t the primary issue. MAGA is a rapidly growing populist Movement, bigger than Trump. People are repenting of forsaking our God and our Christian Heritage. The fake Media is now exposed. We are recognizing and rejecting both Marxist and Maoist forms of Communism. A powerful third Great Awakening is at hand.
Yes, America will continue to polarize. The middle of the country will see some solid citizens moving in from the blue States. But do not fear, most people from blue States are not your enemy.
Our Heartland Church, Liberty Center, and Patriot Pastor efforts will continue with strength in 2021. We will link with additional City and State-wide efforts this coming year.
Bruce DeLay, Liberty Center Tulsa
Forrest Cowan
Executive Director, Mend Medical Clinic/PRC
Save the Date! April 22nd, Thursday, is our Annual Banquet!
These are challenging times. However, in the midst of this pandemic, God’s people shine like a beacon of light during a dark storm. That is exactly what God is doing through Mend Medical Clinic. As a local non-denominational Christian ministry,
We are so honored to serve the moms and babies of the Tulsa metro!
In 2020, 98 babies’ lives were saved and 17 young parents came to Christ. Please consider joining us as prayer partners, clinic volunteers, and donors.
When life is uncertain and resources are scarce an unplanned pregnancy is a matter of life and death. So our ministry is absolutely “essential” for the saving of lives and for the provision of material resources to those in desperate need.
Mend Medical Services
6216 S. Lewis Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74136
Ofc 918.745.6000 Cell 918.857.0477
Travis Jones
CEO, Career Development Partners
As I write this, 2020 is quickly coming to an end and history will be written for another year. Politics in the USA continues to be troubling and divisive. This is a strong reminder of the importance for Believers in Christ to lift up our leaders in prayer. We are told in Proverbs 21:1 to ask God to work in the heart of the King and He will direct them in the right path. This is true for all in authority, not only for those in politics, but in life. Prayer works in changing the heart. The Word of God says that He will give us a new heart if we confess our sins and turn from our wicked ways. Prayer changes things.
Career Development Partners believes that “People are worth the investment.” We help companies grow their employee’s performance by helping them select and develop the right people through our total talent management process. This past year we have seen a greater interest in coaching and development. Our career transition assistance programs continue to support companies that have to release employees for economic or performance reasons. Our clients know that each person they send to us, after going through our program will bring greater value to their community and next employer because of their investment.
We are very thankful for our clients, our participants in transition and friends for the privilege of working together and look forward a great 2021.
Rich Gradel
Broken Arrow Attorney, CPA
The past year has been unlike any other during my lifetime. China sneezed and the world caught a terrible cold in the most brutally selfish act by any nation in my memory. While struggling desperately to contain the virus, a single death from an altercation with an errant police officer led to the most social unrest in the U.S. in over fifty years. It revealed a breadth and depth of anger that took me by surprise.
This presents an enormous challenge for America, but especially for the Body of Christ. In every challenge, there is great opportunity. There is a powerful hunger, often misguided, sometimes disingenuous, for social justice and a dangerously naïve thirst for a perfect utopian society.
Here is where Jesus’ Church enters the conversation. What sincere, misguided radicals seek, the world cannot give them. Only with God, in Christ, is ethnic harmony possible, and it will never be perfect on this side of eternity. Godless utopianism unleashed monsters like Hitler, Stalin and Mao. Today, radical left and white supremacy groups offer that same poison.
But, the Gospel is still the power of God unto salvation and He is still the answer to every sincere heart’s cry.
—Rich Gradel
Ronda Vuillemont-Smith
Founder, President Tulsa 9.12 Project
What an exciting, nerve wracking, chaotic, frustrating, unpredictable year 2020 has been. I can not say I will miss it. Of course, it makes me a little skittish as to what 2021 will bring. Only time will tell.
With all the uncertainty and chaos in the world, we must rise to the occasion of saving our great country. We can not allow bullies to take control of our government and restrict our freedoms ordained by God.
We live in historical times and at this point in time where good battles evil, it is up to you and me to stand in defiance of those who want to see America fail. This is the moment where we live to the standards of the Free men and women who have paved the way. Our forefathers laid it all on the line for freedom, pledging their lives, fortunes and sacred honor – can we do no less?
The United States was born of a rebellious spirit and yet we have allowed our Freedom and Liberty to be replaced with forced obedience and fear. Today’s “Counterculture” is Patriotism and true love of country. We must embrace the spirit of patriotism that shouts to the world, “we will not bow, nor will we cower or kneel to the leaders of freedoms demise.”
We are Americans! We will fight. We will disobey. We will NEVER give up! The world is counting on us.
“We, too, born to freedom, and believing in freedom, are willing to fight to maintain freedom. We, and all others who believe as deeply as we do, would rather die on our feet than live on our knees.” ~ Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945)
Ken Sellers
OK-SAFE
Regardless of how the Presidential Election ends, it will be one of the most consequential acts in America’s history.
There is no doubt that the election fraud was vast in scope and determinative.
The GOP RINO’s will ultimately drive the final outcome. They will forever be known as Cowards and Traitors or Statesmen and Preservers of our Constitutional Republic.