YOUR VIEWS
A generous man
Congratulations on the special edition featuring the most desirable workplaces in the state. I was particularly interested in the article on Express Employment Professionals, as I was privileged to work there temporarily. I was there during the holiday season and witnessed the generosity of the employees, stimulated by Bob Funk, when two
Salvation
Army trucks pulled up to load gifts for underprivileged children; the trucks were filled to capacity.
If a mission statement were to be written for Funk, it would simply read: “provide opportunity to people to improve their lives.” He has worked for years to increase the benefits for Express employees, and today, that package is one of the most generous known. A great place to work. Because of his belief in ag youth projects, Funk is a proud supporter of the Oklahoma Youth Expo. His interest in scholarship opportunities was a prime objective of this program, and his building of the leadership program attracts the brightest ag youth in the state.
All the above are well known and publicized, but there have been many who have benefited from Funk’s spirit of giving — all without notice or aplomb. I believe, as many others do, that Bob Funk is truly God’s servant — to Express employees, young people and families in need.
Celeste Rule Nelson, Oklahoma City
Notable difference
Regarding “OSU delays raises” (News, Dec. 18): Here we go again. Article after article laments the woes of underfunding for Oklahoma State among others. This time there is a glaring difference that deserves further comment. OSU’s senior vice president of administration and finance, Joe Weaver, reported postponement of promised January raises to staff and faculty. He states lower enrollment, due to the early graduation of fourth- and fifth-year seniors, is to blame for the loss of tuition revenue.
Shame on those graduates. In addition to a 3.2 percent tuition and fee increase this year, Weaver states the plan is to request an additional $37.8 million from the Legislature for the salary increases.
Let’s compare the OSU situation to that of OU reported in another recent article. OU President James Gallogly said “tuition isn’t increasing, the faculty is getting its first salary increase in five years, and $31 million in efficiencies have been squeezed from the university’s operation.” This is the result of hiring an exceptional, experienced business executive to manage the University of Oklahoma. By applying sound business management principles to the out-ofcontrol spending at OU, Gallogly has been able to steer the university back on course while obtaining salary increases and avoiding cost increases to students and taxpayers.
Donald Newsom, Oklahoma City
Where’s the proof?
Frank Barry (Your Views, Dec. 21) accused our president of being a criminal. He left one thing out of his letter — proof. Just because one’s emotions tell them something is true doesn’t mean it is. Does he not think that Robert Mueller, after spending two years and over $12 million of taxpayer money, would announce if he had anything criminal? Mueller has been going over President Trump’s life with a fine-tooth comb looking for criminal activity and so far, nothing.
Barry also recommends removing this administration. Is he talking about a coup or impeachment? Neither has a snowball’s chance of being successful. I recommend finding a good counselor. It’s going to be a long six years for him. The good news for him is we got through Obama, he will get through Trump. You can’t press criminal charges on someone because you don’t like his tweets.