Donald
G. Ray, Conservative Democrat
I am Donald G. Ray, seeking the
position of State Representative for District 1, and vying for the Democratic
nomination, which will be determined in the November 8, 2011 primary election.
I believe that to have a great
district, we must have five things: strong schools, safe neighborhoods,
affordable housing, adequate health care, and economic development that
provides jobs with good wages. This can only be possible when elected officials
are responsive and listen to the needs of the people. Throughout my life I have
had experience working with labor, business leaders, and those at the state
government levels. I have been excited
about meeting and listening to many of you at various events around the
county!
A native McCurtain Countian, I
came from a blue collar family. My
father, Ambrose, was a pipeliner and my mother, Grace, worked as a cafeteria
cook for Idabel Schools, and a store clerk ending her career at Butler’s
Grocery. I am familiar with hard work, having done so since the age of ten. My
father passed away when I was 14 years old. I worked hard mowing yards, delivering
newspapers, working at service stations, sacking groceries, and as a clerk. I
graduated from Idabel’s Gray High in 1964. As a young man, I helped build
Broken Bow Dam. I am a USAF Vietnam Veteran, serving from 1966-1970 as a crew
chief working on B-52’s. I graduated Southeastern Oklahoma State University in
1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and a Master of
Education Degree in 1983. My wife, Mary
Ann, and I make our home in the Redland Community. Together, we have four
children and eight grandchildren.
I am a retired superintendent of
Haworth Schools having worked at the school for 35 years. I taught 6 years, was
elementary principal 13 years, and was superintendent for 16 years. In my last
year, I served as superintendent for both Haworth and Tom School—one of the few
superintendents in Oklahoma to have ever served two districts at one time. I believed that, whenever possible, purchases
of products and services by the districts should be made within the county. Our
budgets were large—in the three-million-dollar range. During the years of state
budget cuts, area schools were challenged to meet needs and have carry-over to
maintain operations for the beginning of the next school year. Yet during my
tenure students had what they needed; when other schools were letting teachers
go, we never lost one as a reduction in force.
A quality education is the most
important goal our young people can pursue to better themselves personally and
financially. More control should lie with the local school and its patrons. I
oppose unfunded mandates because they place additional financial burdens on
already stretched budgets. A recent example is that, several years ago, schools
were mandated to pay school-employee insurance for all employees. This year,
the State School Superintendent reduced their payment of monies to the schools
from 12 months to 10 months; therefore leaving the schools with a large
shortfall in funding. The reasoning was that school teachers work for 10 months
a year. That is true, but they take that money and pay it to them over 12
months. This means that schools are being shorted 2 months payments. I will not support any law that places
unfunded mandates on our schools. I am also opposed to school vouchers in
Oklahoma. Oklahoma Public Schools are underfunded as it is and vouchers would,
in effect, cut that funding more. It is my understanding that the governor and
speaker of the house have stated they will correct the unfunded mandates. I
support them in doing so.
I am concerned about the county’s
economy. I will work for the prosperity of business in conjunction with the
payment of wages on which people can support their families. Many of our
children have had to leave the county to earn a living wage. Two of my own were
forced to move and raise their families out of state due to job shortages. I
strongly feel our children and grandchildren should have the opportunity to
raise their children in this beautiful county.
Tourism has brought millions to
our county, which has allowed our businesses to hire and increased our ability
to buy goods. I will work to improve the facilities at Pine Creek, Broken Bow
Lake and Beavers Bend as well as vote to block any measure which try to impede
the business owners and their employees.
Adequate accessibility to our
area through the highway system is important. Opportunities have been lost to
other cities due to a lack of four-lanes. I am pleased with the four-lane
highway extension on US 70. Having lost friends in traffic accidents on the
curves of US 259, south of Idabel, I have a personal interest in the plans
being studied to remove them. Improved
roadways are essential to our industrial and economic growth.
Protecting water resources is
crucial to our budding tourism and potential industry. Recently a court case
was dismissed by Tarrant County, TX. They had attempted to buy water from the
city of Hugo out of Hugo Lake without consent from the Oklahoma Water Resource
Board (OWRB). The Choctaw and Chickasaw nations have filed a lawsuit against
the OWRB, Oklahoma City and others to prevent the sale of water from Lake
Sardis. I am particularly interested in keeping the county’s water for our use.
I am not for supplying large cities with water, either in or out of our state,
to our detriment. I run a small cattle
operation and am familiar with the problems that ranchers have been faced with
during the drought. It has shined a very
bright light on the need to preserve the water resources of McCurtain County
for our use and that of our industry such as the Valliant IP plant and the
Idabel Water System.
I am opposed to placing concerns
for global warming and being ‘green’
over the prosperity and security of our state and nation. I believe we should explore and produce
fossil fuels. Energy independence is a matter of national security—we must not
be at the mercy of other nations over oil.
I am concerned about adequate
health care and I serve as a board member for the county’s Kiamichi Medical
Clinics. I am also a member of the McCurtain County and Oklahoma Retired
Educator’s Association, Goodwater Masonic Lodge, and Redland Cemetery
Committee. In the past, I served as an active member of the Oklahoma State
School Board Association, Idabel Jaycees, in charge of the Jaycee Rodeo Parade
for several years, Treasurer of Southeast Chamber of Commerce, assisted with
the Haworth Christmas Parade, and served as officer in Haworth’s Lions Club and
Jaycees.
I am a senior citizen. Although
it is a federal issue, I am 100 percent for continued support of those on
Social Security. Some are calling it entitlement, but I do not. Seniors paid
into the system for years. With the original presentation to the American people,
many of our parents and grandparents understood wrongly that the using of the
words ‘Trust Fund’ meant that the money would be set aside for that purpose
alone and not touched. However, in
actuality, the fund has always been available to those wishing to spend it
otherwise. Over the years, Congress has failed us by over-spending those funds
in other areas and leaving coffers empty. Contracts which force us to pay into
Social Security should be honored by providing payment when eligible. In
addition to finding other ways to assist our seniors, I support Senior Citizen
Centers continued funding.
I am supportive of protecting our borders and
the passing of laws which enforce current immigration laws. I oppose the
federal government suing states for protecting their citizens which is one of
the primary purposes of state government. Laws should be passed by the branches
of government which are closest to the people. I support limited government in
our personal lives and less top down control.
As a Christian with biblical
moral values, I believe that our values and our approach to society has never
been more in jeopardy. I support traditional marriage, pro-life, the Ten
Commandments, the right to bear arms, and no government limits on our religious
freedom and speech. You see, I believe that each election is not about parties
nor simply about issues nor labels, but about principles. I am wholeheartedly
committed to protecting the constitution and I will apply the core,
conservative principles that I believe in to every piece of legislation.
And most importantly, I will
listen. That is a representative’s job. I don’t know your business problems
like you do. I don’t know how hard it is for you to pay your bills and feed
your family like you do. This race is not about me or my opponents. It is about
YOU and making YOUR voice heard! I am a conservative Democrat with conservative
views on both state and national issues. If you are a conservative and would
like a voice at the state level, I would appreciate your vote.
Contact Information:
Phone: 580-245-1885
Email: dray8122@yahoo.com
Website: http://donald-g-ray.blogspot.com
Phone: 580-245-1885
Email: dray8122@yahoo.com
Website: http://donald-g-ray.blogspot.com
