Handling ‘connecting dots’

Sometimes my role of “connecting dots” comes full circle. For some time, I have been dealing with complaints about the ability of trucks and trailers to access service roads in various places along U.S. 69 in McAlester. As we inquire about these, it always returns to who has jurisdiction — the city or the state via the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). We had an area this week that was corrected by ODOT along with a local business that stepped up and assisted. We’ll always take our wins anywhere we can find them.

Another win I hope to claim at a future date will be opening some type of emergency room operation in Wilburton. I met with officials of the Choctaw Nation who are taking an interest in such a project along with the Latimer County Commissioners. Hopefully, we will be able to connect some of these dots. Latimer County Hospital has been closed many years, and it’s time we get some type of emergency services in Wilburton.

At the State Capitol, the House and Senate are talking about coming back into special session at the end of September to continue appropriating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to projects the public has suggested and the Legislature has agreed on. We’re looking heavily at projects that involve rural water and broadband infrastructure as well as healthcare. I’ll have more details as the session approaches.

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve you. It is a true pleasure. If there is ever anything I can do for you, I can be reached by telephone at (405) 5577381 or by e-mail at jim. grego@okhouse.gov.