YOUR VIEWS

More input needed

Although EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt reportedly claimed his agency “looks forward to hearing from all interested stakeholders” regarding the Clean Power Plan, the lone hearing has been scheduled in Charleston, West Virginia, a city in which the majority of “interested stakeholders” are dependent of the fossil fuel industry for their livelihood. What about the rest of us? Are coal industry executives and the small number of workers they employ the only stakeholders here? Contrary to what Pruitt and the Trump administration would lead us to believe, solar and wind power (not coal) are two of the fastest-growing industries in the country. Oklahoma is particularly wellsituated to capitalize on any increase in solar and wind energy.

In addition to adding good jobs to our local economy by supporting a shift toward these renewable energy sources, the Clean Power Plan would protect ordinary Americans from the harmful pollution caused by burning fossil fuels. Here in Oklahoma, pollution from burning coal has led to mercury contamination of dozens of our lakes and waterways. Pruitt needs to hear about how all Americans, including Oklahomans, feel about the Clean Power Plan, not only those who profit directly from burning fossil fuels.

Jennifer Saltzstein, Norman

More to come?

Two of your recently published political cartoons ridicule Special Counsel Robert Mueller for unearthing very trivial items (first a “mouse,” next a “teddy bear”). Those cartoons are off-target. A “pack of rats” has been uncovered and some are certain to eventually be squealing. Be sure to stay tuned.

Frank Silovsky, Oklahoma City

Financial oversight

As a retired fiscal officer with experience in state agencies and public schools, I have to wonder where the state Department of Health’s chief fiscal officer was during the current mismanagement. It is the CFO who must ensure that the chief executive officer lives within an approved budget. If the CEO insists on overspending or engaging in some other questionable financial transactions, the CFO must have the courage to intervene. That may lead to conflict with an uncooperative CEO, but my experience is that a competent governing board will appreciate a CFO who ensures the organization lives within its means and operates within the law.

Raymond Johnson, Ada

Am I the only one?

Surely I am not the only person getting emails, phone calls and faxes that are not solicited in any way by me? The “Do Not Call” list does absolutely no good. Daily I am bombarded with calls, with a computer and/or a live person on the other line, informing me I have won a lottery, selling me a warranty, buying a timeshare I do not own, wanting a date, asking about my health, or saying I have a past due loan. Placing these calls on a “block” does no good. My blocked email addresses are approaching 2,000 in number, and this blocking does no good either.

I believe that all of the brilliant wireheads and geeks who spend their time creating new and unwanted software and silly ideas should instead come up with a solution to get rid of these unwanted solicitations.

Gene McElvaney, Bethany

Clean house

The Legislature: Fire them all! Let’s have a special election to replace them, no incumbents allowed to run.

Tommy Belk, Shawnee