Saying goodbye to LeRoy Billy
I had some really sad news recently. My good friend LeRoy Billy, owner of KPRV Radio in Poteau, passed away Feb. 21. I attended his funeral a week ago Saturday.
LeRoy was gracious enough to let me be on the radio with him each Thursday morning every week of the legislative session during my time in the House. My favorite part of these weekly recordings was the conversations we would have before we ever got on the air. It seemed like between the two of us, we could solve just about all the world’s problems.
It was through these visits that LeRoy and I became good friends. LeRoy was a godly man who served 49 years as the Pastor of Trinity Baptist in Poteau. He was just a really great guy. LeRoy had been sick for some time, so we hadn’t been on the radio together for quite a while. I’ve had many people in our district stop me and tell me they miss hearing me and LeRoy talk about issues that affect our area. I’m going to miss these conversations as well.
In other news, I had a visit from LeFlore County Sheriff Rodney Derryberry this week at the Capitol. He came up to support House Bill 3644, which passed the State Powers Committee. This is a request bill from the sheriff. It would require that prior to a raid or a warrantless arrest of an Oklahoman by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement or the IRS, any special agent shall be required to make contact with the sheriff of the county in which the raid would be executed.
Sheriff Derryberry also stayed to support House Bill 4063, which passed the Appropriations & Budget Committee. This bill would create the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office Salary Assistance Grant Program to provide financial assistance to sheriff’s offices in all counties. Grant awards can range from $250,000 to $500,000 based on county population and square milage.
The measure stipulates that award proceeds must be used to provide a minimum annual salary of $75,000 to county sheriffs, $45,000 to deputy sheriffs, and $40,000 to jailers. If the minimum salaries have been met, proceeds can be used to increase annual salaries, hire additional deputies or staff, or purchase vehicles, firearms, equipment.
Also several weeks ago I was visited at the Capitol by LeFlore County Commissioner Jamie Oliver, First Deputy to the County Assessor Sadie Doucette, County Assessor Deana Morrison, and County Court Clerk Mindy White. They came up to talk about more funding for our roads as well as about legislation that would protect the work they do for LeFlore County residents.
Last week, I and a group of other lawmakers from our area met with Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton and Councilmen Jess Henry and Eddie Bohanan. We heard their concerns and were able to share some of the work we’re doing in the Legislature to foster a good working relationship with our tribal nations.
I’m always glad to get visitors from home and to try to assist with needs in our district.
As always, if I can help you with anything, feel free to call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@ okhouse.gov. and safety