2 Hurt in Scaffolding Collapse at Cleveland County Jail Site

It look like it's not a good day for Cleveland County Sheriff Joe Lester , First this Joe Lester Deputies Release Wrong Inmate and now this...


Authorities say two workers were injured when scaffolding collapsed at the site of the new Cleveland County jail in Norman.

Deputy Fire Chief Jim Bailey said Tuesday firefighters found the men when they were called to the scene in north Norman about 12:30 p.m.

Bailey says the 15- to 18-foot high structure was set up inside the building, and had been holding concrete blocks when the blocks came down on the men.

Bailey says one of the workers was taken to Norman Regional Hospital after he complained of back pain. The other worker was transported with multiple contusions, abrasions and a possible leg fracture.

The men's names weren't immediately released.

Joe Lester Deputies Release Wrong Inmate

Cleveland County Sheriff Joe Lester said deputies are on the lookout for an inmate who escaped after posing as his cellmate.

Police are looking for Rowdy Offield after authorities said he changes his appearance to mimic the look of his cellmate who was scheduled to be released on Monday.

Detectives said they've learned that several inmates in the detention center conspired with Offield to help him trick jailers that he was the inamte whose bond had been posted.



Police said Offield was last seen around 8:30 p.m. Monday night walking North from the detention center.

“This is very serious and we are utilizing all of our resources to locate Offield”, said Lester Tuesday morning. “We are currently using the U.S. marshals office, the District Attorney’s Street Crimes Task Force and local law enforcement to assist us in this search. We have also began an in-house investigation to determine how to stop this from ever happening in the future.”

Deputies said Offield should be considered dangerous.

Offield was last seen wearing black and white tennis shoes, black pants, a black T-shirt and a white thermal shirt.

Offield was charged June 29 in Cleveland County with robbery with a weapon. Court documents indicate he is accused of showing a gun to rob a clerk at the Walmart in east Norman.

Offield had been transferred from a penitentiary in Fulton, Mo., to face the Cleveland County charge.

Anyone who may come in contact with Offield, or who may have information regarding his location is urged to call the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office at 405-321-8600 and ask for a detective.

This drop in to my email box...

This drop in to my email...

One thing I have heard from people on the street concerning the jail vote, is fear of the threat of the fines and resulting ad valorem taxes to pay for them if we don't act now.

This is a tried and true tactic, but I did some research as a result of The Transcript 10-22 article about the jail inspector.

I asked several questions of the Department of Health today about the jail issue. They handle cases of overcrowding and non-compliance with the Cleveland County Detention Center.

If a jail is found to be out of compliance because of overcrowding, the jail receives an Administrative Compliance Order, which is a directive advising the jail of the non-compliance and giving them 30 days to come into compliance.

It is not uncommon for jails to receive such an order several times a year and to come into compliance in the applicable time frame such that the jail is not subject to any civil monetary penalty. If the jail does not come into compliance within the prescribed time frame, the jail can be fined up to $10,000 per day of noncompliance. Generally, the actual penalty imposed is $500/day.

With regards to CCDC specifically, he advised that for years the Department of Health had allowed CCDC to set their capacity. CCDC set their capacity based on the number of fixed beds in the facility (177).

When [this attorney] took over, the Department of Health went to the jail and measured the square footage of the cells and came up with a more favorable number. Since that time, the jail has not had any overcrowding issues. He said the Department of Health has no open cases against CCDC, and even if overcrowding became an issue, they would likely be flexible with the jail because there is a plan for a long-term solution in place.

For that reason, the Department of Health supports the project, even though overcrowding is not a current problem.

Interestingly, he also said he knows the County actually has the means to build a new jail now. The passage of the sales tax just makes it easier for them and shortens their timeframe somewhat.

There are of course many other issues involved with this vote but they are all blindsided with the scare tactic. There has been very little in the way of public forums and discussion on this 20 year proposal.

I spoke with Freddie Walden yesterday and he expressed that most of the NBA (Norman Business Association) was against the current proposal as well.

I am glad to listen to the will of the people but I think they need some information to decide. The people should make an informed decision without the proverbial gun to their head, there is time to come back with a better offering.

There is no emergency, which would preclude the Commissioners from coming back with another better vote proposal

The sales tax revenue estimates are too conservative but 5.1 million X 10 years still equals 51 million not the $39 million need and they still asked for 20 years Anthony said it would be closer to 7 million a year

The cost of the jail could be reduced and
we could go pay go

1) Stimulus proposals for counties and
municipalities building green to help pay for it

2) Millions saved by county doing the dirt work

3) Build what we need now and add on as we need more

4) Operational cost savings over current jail

5) They paid 8.5 million for the remodel
of the county courthouse from cash

6) 8% ad valorem tax base growth just last year

7) Liddell Lawsuit will add to ad valorem base
(Starts in 2009)

8) If needed, bonds are more specific in language

Tom Kovach

Open Letter to Joe Lester from The Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy Blogsite

Hat Tip to my friend AxXiom and Proud Member Of The Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy

This lady speaks truth.

AxXiom


Found on;

Proud Member of The Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy Blogsite

Monday, August 25, 2008

Open Letter to Joe Lester

Dear Joe Lester,

I am writing to tell you I will not be voting for you. I will be recommending to any Cleveland County voter I encounter that they do not, either. Please let me explain why.

Early in the primary race, I met you and heard you speak at the Frontier Country Republican Women's meeting. During your speech, you mentioned that your most recent "law enforcement" experience was that of 12 years of involvement in Campus Security at the University of Oklahoma.

Being the only female at the meeting having attended college within the last decade, that piece of information was deeply troubling to me. As a recent college graduate, I know first-hand that the term "Campus Security" is an oxymoron. As omniscient as campus security officers are about parking violations, never once in either of the campuses I attended was a campus security officer personally involved in protecting a student, though students' cars were broken into, students were held up on campus, and there was even a girl randomly and brutally attacked in her dorm, which Security didn't respond to for hours.

This is why I am a strong advocate of Students' Right to Carry. Aside from the fact it is clearly a Constitutional right, without it, students like me - unarmed female college students - are what's known as "prey" on college campuses. Even at OU, unless she is lucky enough to be assaulted while already using a callbox, a female student's chances of walking away from an encounter unscathed are basically nil. So, I'm sorry, but no one who has ever been involved in "Campus Security" has any business being anywhere near real-life law enforcement.

Secondly, you made a point of emphasizing that you were being supported and endorsed by David Boren. That's right - that David Boren. Oklahoma's most liberal Governor in the last 30 years, maybe more. Now, I realize you have no control over who donates to your campaign or makes a statement of support. And I also realize that you have a good personal relationship with David Boren through OU. But the fact that you would stand in the middle of a room of Conservative Republicans and proudly state that he is behind you concerns me. This gives me cause to doubt your own stated Conservative principles.

Both of these reasons are why I did not vote for you in the primaries. And honestly, that would have been enough to turn me away at the run-off vote. But, you've made the decision even easier with your recent campaign behavior.

Back several years ago, Mark Hamm was involved in a car accident. He was cited at fault, and received a ticket. His insurance company was supposed to pay off the ticket prior to the date he was to appear in court. The insurance company did not act in time, but did not notify Hamm of their lapse. Therefore, he was not aware he still needed to appear in court. Years later, someone noticed the ticket hadn't been paid and issued a warrant. Once notified, Hamm paid the ticket.

But is that how you represent the story, Joe? No, it isn't. I know, because I have gotten your mailer regarding it. And just the other night, I received a phone call from a supposedly "bipartisan" polling place trying to retell your distorted version of this story, implying that Mark Hamm had been issued a warrant for a deliberate, recent conflict with the law. This is false.

As a candidate running against another Republican, negative campaigning is unacceptable. Ronald Reagan told us to never speak evil against another Republican. After the particularly nasty primary races that I and many other Cleveland County Republicans were involved in that involved similar gross smear attempts, mailers and phone calls of this nature leave a particularly bad taste in my mouth and in the mouths of many other voters.

Joe, as a Christian who emphasizes his missions background, openly engaging in smear campaigning by deliberately misrepresenting another Christian's background to other Christian voters is not only damaging to the Republican party but to the Body of Christ. I realize now, after the primary races, that not all Christians take that seriously. But I do. And many others do. And you should.

Now, I realize that I'm not a very important person, and my opinion doesn't matter any more than any other person's opinion. But I am a voter. And I will not be voting for you tomorrow.

Posted by PM at 9:59 AM
Labels: oklahoma, politics, republican, sheriff

http://jaciscully.blogspot.com/2008/08/open-letter-to-joe-lester.html

Lester campaign ad includes unauthorized use of uniform

A mailed advertisement for Joe Lester, a Cleveland County sheriff candidate, included an unauthorized use of uniform and job title by Norman Police Chief Phil Cotten.


City Of Norman
Police Department
Press Release



Date: Wed, August 06, 2008
By: Captain Leonard Judy

Clarification Issued Regarding Political Endorsement

An advertisement from the Joe Lester for Sheriff Campaign was mailed recently to a large number of homes in Cleveland County. That advertisement included endorsements from several individuals, including Phil Cotten.

While the statement of endorsement was issued and authorized by Phil Cotten as a citizen, the use of a photo of him in the Norman Police uniform and listing his title as the Norman Police Chief was not authorized.

Mr. Lester's campaign was advised of the situation and has acknowledged the oversight.

Cleveland County filing

Candidates for sheriff include:
Mark Hamm, 41, R-Moore;
Roy D. Magerkurth, 71, R-Moore;
Rick Adkins, 30, D-Lexington;
Joe Lester, 64, R-Norman;
Lynn Statton, 48, R-Oklahoma City;
Kelly Owings, 46, D-Lexington
Timothy Carson, 47, R-Moore.




District 2 Cleveland County Commissioner
District 2, George Skinner, 72, R-Norman
Earl Cox, 47, R-Noble
Charles Wright, 44, R-Newalla

Cleveland County Clerk:
Kerri Hudson, 42, R-Norman;
Tammy Howard, 41, R-Norman.

Cleveland County Court Clerk:
Rhonda Hall, 46, D-Moore

Cleveland County filing for Monday and Tuesday

Candidates for the seven-way race for sheriff include:
Mark Hamm, 41, R-Moore;
Roy D. Magerkurth, 71, R-Moore;
Rick Adkins, 30, D-Lexington;
Joe Lester, 64, R-Norman;
Lynn Statton, 48, R-Oklahoma City;
Kelly Owings, 46, D-Lexington
Timothy Carson, 47, R-Moore.

District 2 Cleveland County Commissioner
George Skinner drew two opponents: Earl Cox, 47, of Noble and Charles Wright, 44, of Newalla.

Cleveland County Clerk:
Kerri Hudson, 42, R-Norman;
Tammy Howard, 41, R-Norman.

Cleveland County Court Clerk:
Rhonda Hall, 46, D-Moore

Cleveland County filing for Monday

Cleveland County Sheriff:
Mark Hamm, 41, R-Moore;
Roy D. Magerkurth, 71, R-Moore;
Rick Adkins, 30, D-Lexington;
Joe Lester, 64, R-Norman;
Lynn Statton, 48, R-Oklahoma City;
Kelly Owings, 46, D-Lexington;
Timothy Carson, 47, R-Moore

Cleveland County Commissioner:
District 2 -- George Skinner, 72, R-Norman.

Cleveland County Clerk:
Kerri Hudson, 42, R-Norman;
Tammy Howard, 41, R-Norman.

Cleveland County Court Clerk:
Rhonda Hall, 46, D-Moore

Cleveland County Çommissioners pick new sheriff

Former Norman Police Chief Don Holyfield will be sworn in as Cleveland County’s interim sheriff May 1, County Commissioner Chairman George Skinner said today.

Holyfield replaces Sheriff DeWayne Beggs, who is retiring at the end of April. The vote was 2-1 with Commissioner Rod Cleveland supporting another applicant.

Skinner said commissioners interviewed many qualified candidates. But with the budget season approaching and the planning and construction of a new jail, he wanted someone who would not be interested in running for sheriff in the fall.

“Mr. Holyfield has agreed to devote his full time and attention to the position,” Skinner said. “To that end Mr. Holyfield has pledged to serve out the remainder of Sheriff Beggs’ term and not to be a candidate for the office in the fall. He agrees with us that it is not possible to concentrate completely upon the many important issues the department is facing right now and at the same time be a candidate campaigning for the position.”

Cleveland voted no on Holyfield’s appointment.

“After going through the interview process and interviewing everyone, Rhett Burnett presented the most clear and concise goals and possibilities for the sheriff’s department,” Cleveland said.

Cleveland County Sheriff candidate interviews start today

Cleveland County Commissioners will call a special meeting and go into executive session 8 a.m. today to begin interviewing candidates for county sheriff behind closed doors.

Eleven men have applied for the post that will be vacated by DeWayne Beggs on May 1.

The successful candidate will serve out the remainder of Beggs' four-year term which ends in January 2009. If the candidate chooses to seek election to the post, he would be required to file for office and run in the July 29 primary election and Nov. 4 general election.

Commissioners will meet again 8 a.m. Tuesday to continue the interviews. They may make a decision 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The 11 men who have applied for the position are:

Roy D. Magerkurth, Norman, a former sheriff's department employee.

Lloyd D. Blaine, Norman, a current employee with the sheriff's department.

David Williams, Norman, a former undersheriff.

Jim D. Filipski, Norman, the current undersheriff of McClain County.

Christopher Manning, Norman.

Rhett B. Burnett, Norman, who previously ran for the sheriff's post.

Joe Lester, Norman, the former public safety director for the University of Oklahoma.

Neil Vickers, Norman, the former deputy chief of police for the city of Norman.

Eddie Thomason, Harrah, current undersheriff of Cleveland County.

Mark S. Hamm, Moore.


Don Holyfield, Norman.

Sheriff candidate interviews planned

Cleveland County Commissioners plan to hold special meetings later this week in order to interview candidates for County Sheriff behind closed doors.

Eleven men have applied for the post that will be vacated by DeWayne Beggs on May 1. County officials said the interviews will be conducted in executive sessions.

The successful candidate will serve out the remainder of Beggs' four-year term which ends in January of 2009. If the candidate chooses to seek election to the post, he would be required to file for office and run in the July 29 Primary Election and Nov. 4 General Election.

At least 11 seeking sheriff's post

At least 11 seeking sheriff's post

At least 11 men -- almost all of them from Norman -- have applied to replace Cleveland County sheriff DeWayne Beggs, who recently resigned and will leave office at the end of April.

As of 3:30 p.m. Thursday, all 11 men had submitted resumes to the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners. The application deadline closed at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Assistant District Attorney Dave Batton -- who serves as the county commissioners' attorney -- confirmed the applicants and said each meets the statutory requirements to be appointed to the sheriff's post.

Batton said the eleven include:

Roy D. Magerkurth, Norman, a former sheriff's department employee.

Lloyd D. Blaine, Norman, a current employee with the sheriff's department.

David Williams, Norman, a former undersheriff.

Jim D. Filipski, Norman, the current undersheriff of McClain County.

Christopher Manning, Norman.

Rhett B. Burnett, Norman, who previously ran for the sheriff's post.

Joe Lester, Norman, the former public safety director for the University of Oklahoma.

Neil Vickers, Norman, the former deputy chief of police for the city of Norman.

Eddie Thomason, Harrah, current undersheriff of Cleveland County.

Mark S. Hamm, Moore.

Don Holyfield, Norman.

While all of the men meet the statutory requirements to be appointed to the position, at least one of the applicants, undersheriff Eddie Thomason, would not meet the requirements to be elected to the office.

"There's a gray area in the law on appointments," Batton said. "And Mr. Thomason meets those requirements. But it looks like he might not be able to run for the office because he lives in Harrah and not in Cleveland County."

State law requires a person seeking the office of sheriff to be a "registered voter in the county at least six months prior to the first day of the filing period for the election."

Because Thomason lives in Harrah he wouldn't qualify to run for election to the post, Batton said.

And though state law doesn't require any applicant -- or person running for the office of sheriff -- to have law enforcement experience, Batton said all the applicants were certified by the Council for Law Enforcement Education (CLEET).

Batton said he is compiling a notebook with all the applicants' resumes. That information would be given to Cleveland County commissioners to review. Once the commissioners decide who they want to interview, county officials will interview those chosen and pick a successor to Beggs.

An announcement is expected by the end of the month.

M. Scott Carter 366-3545 scarter@normantranscript.com