Rhonda Eastman

The Smelter: I am from Rural Eastern Oklahoma. My grandparents on both sides were farmers and ranchers. I can relate to the people in the rural communities that have concerns how large industrial developments, particularly in the rural areas will impact their lives, and their livelihoods. The Smelter at this time does not fall under the regulatory authority of the Corporation Commission. Use of Public Utilities may bring parts of it under the scope of OCC authority, or if future Government decides that OCC should have some oversite that could grow, as it stands there is a limited role by OCC. That being said, from a personal standpoint, I am wholeheartedly against the Smelter. I have supported the people of Inola in their fight against the smelter since the beginning. Politicians often look at sparsely populated areas and instead of seeing the value that those communities bring with cattle ranches, farms, and their small-town way of life, they see open lands that need industrial development. Even when the people that call that area home do not want it. The town I live in has 1 stop light; it's been the same nearly my whole life. While I also believe we need jobs, the jobs have to FIT into the existing community, not to the expense of it. And that is what the people of Inola feel would happen if this Smelter is allowed to proceed. This is a perfect example of Exploitation, and its wrong. The rural communities are often ignored when it comes to policy decisions. There is a vast difference between life in the rural area's vs the urban cities. Good policy will balance the needs of both.

Why should you vote? Because people before you fought for your right to. Because Steady drops in a bucket will eventually fill it up, but a Rainstorm of many drops at once will fill it quickly. Change happens when we stop being spectators to the decisions that impact our lives and start participating in the choices. But don't just vote, vote with purpose, vote with knowledge. Make a list of the things that you feel are wrong or impact your life, whether its utility rates higher than peoples rent, or tax money that EVERYONE pays being diverted from public education fund to private school vouchers. Cuts to social safety nets that many elderly and disabled rely on. Make your list, then figure out which candidates on either side aligns with what you need from your government, then VOTE WITH PURPOSE. If every registered voter were to vote and vote with KNOWLEDGE & PURPOSE, we will be the rainstorm of change.

Balance the needs of Oklahoma residents with the interests of industries regulated by the Corporation Commission.

• Apply Commission authority without treating either side as the sole constituency.

Personally opposes the proposed Inola smelter because of its effects on the surrounding rural community; Eastman says the matter is outside the Oklahoma Corporation Commission's jurisdiction.

Judge industrial development by whether jobs and facilities fit the existing community rather than displacing its way of life.

• Balance rural and urban needs in policy decisions.

Use regulation and enforcement to protect people, natural resources, and the environment from exploitation and abuse.

• Apply rules consistently to compliant and noncompliant companies.