Donald Ray Makes His Formal Statement

(published in McCurtain Gazette, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011)

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