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OPINION: Residents deserve transparency, truth from Commissioner HelmCLAREMORE, Sep 11, 2012 (Claremore Daily Progress - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." -- John 8:32 Most politicians know they work in a glass house, where everyone is watching and seeing their every move. In a perfect world, Rogers County residents would be able to see what their elected representatives are doing at all times, especially when it involves their hard-earned tax money. Residents need to know the truth about how District 2 Commissioner Mike Helm has been conducting business. When it comes to the possible future re-routing of Hwy. 20 away from Claremore and how $14 million of FEMA disaster funds were used, Rogers County residents have more questions than answers for Helm. Helm has been working on repaving several streets near Owasso. A plan, which Helm and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation are working on, would re-route Hwy. 20 from 86th Street North across the Verdigris River and eventually connecting with Route 266 and I-44 near the Port of Catoosa. In some references, the new route would be considered a loop. One that would have Hwy. 20 directing traffic away from Claremore. If Hwy. 20 were no longer one of the main highways coming into Claremore, it could be devastating to the county's economy. Less traffic into the county's largest city would mean less people to generate tax revenues for county services. ODOT has placed the project in their 8-year plan, and is already doing environmental studies for the Hwy. 20 loop and extension of 193rd Street. If those projects were to get a passing grade on the environmental tests, the reality of a Hwy. 20 Loop is closer than you might think. How can such a major project that impacts the majority of residents stay secret Why hasn't it be discussed Why has commissioner Helm been working in a way that looks like there is something to hide Newly re-elected Helm has been a busy boy when it comes to road work. Many streets in District 2, especially those that are within the Owasso fence line were repaved just before election time. It seemed like a campaign ploy. What funds were used to pave these roads In documents, both e-mails and correspondence, obtained by the Claremore Daily Progress through an Open Records request, Helm has been using FEMA funds to pave some of the roads in his district. The FEMA funds were received, as a result of the 2008 rain storm that caused Keetonville Road to buckle. However, the Progress discovered EW 330 Road, which is in the Oologah/Talala area of District, 15 minutes from Keetonville Road, was repaved twice using FEMA funds. Robin Anderson, Helm's FEMA records coordinator, told the Progress it does not pay for the same project twice. FEMA guidelines prohibit funds from being used to place a double chip seal on roads. EW 330 received double chip seal using FEMA funds. How can funds from a 2008 disaster along Keetonville Road, $14 million worth, be used for work else where in District 2 Why is commissioner Helm taking federal funds designated for the repair of Keetonville Road and using it for anything but the fixing of the road Helm denied he had double-dipped on the FEMA funds, but his own e-mails and records show otherwise. He also said Rogers County would not have to pay FEMA back the funds used for the EW 330 Road repaving. How can residents accept such behavior It is uncertain at this point whether any formal action will be taken by FEMA against Rogers County, but inappropriate use of its funds might result in repayment of those funds. Does Rogers County have a spare $14 million at its disposal to return to FEMA This is not a paperwork error. It took forethought and planning to take FEMA money and use it for another purpose. Residents deserve elected representation that is truthful about their actions. By not being upfront with residents about a plan to re-route Hwy. 20 and using FEMA funds for purposes other than they were intended, commissioner Helm needs to be held accountable. Randy Cowling is editor of the Claremore Daily Progress. ___ (c)2012 the Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Okla.) Visit the Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Okla.) at claremoreprogress.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |