Sunday, January 13, 2013
HEAL FROM A13
The school district also has tightened institutional controls and adopted, among other items, a whistleblower policy. Allen, Galen Driskill and Suzette Blankenship are the lone remaining school board members from February 2010. Susan Ridenour and Mike Mullins round out the panel. “I think we’re a tighterknit group,” Allen said. “And we’ve used that experience to kind of enlighten our new ones. “We’ve gone through hard times and we’re still there. We want to be there.” For righting a listing ship, Thomas praised the work of Kem Keithly, interim superintendent from November 2010 to July 2011, saying his financial acumen set the stage for the district’s recovery. He also said the passage of last year’s bond question shows progress. “That’s what it amounts to — the trust factor,” said Thomas, a former Oologah superintendent who became Skiatook’s top administrator in the summer of ’11. “Are we doing what we say we are doing?” “I was familiar enough with the community and the district ... I knew there were a lot more positives than negatives. They had some tough things that they were going through. But I knew enough people in the area and I knew it was a good town and a good school district with good people.” Enos, 60, and Johnson, 57, remain entangled in litigation, with a federal sentencing date looming next month. In October, both pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge accusing them of fil-
BALL FROM A13
remarks from all of the state’s living former speakers of the Oklahoma House, including Rex Privett, who founded the ball, Free said. Privett served as House speaker from 1967 until 1973. Ross rose to fame in the 1960s as a founding member and lead singer of The Supremes. The Motown group had numerous hit singles, including “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love” and “Stop in the Name of Love.” After going solo, Ross continued her success, with hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” She is currently on tour and will perform at the WinStar Casino in Thackerville on Feb. 2 and at the Hardrock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on Feb. 5. Shannon said that he wanted the entertainment to be
ing false federal income tax returns and accepting and soliciting bribes in connection with the Skiatook Public Schools case. Their sentencing in U.S. District Court is set for Feb. 7. In Tulsa County District Court, Enos pleaded guilty in May to state charges of offering bribes totaling $10,000 to Johnson while he was the district’s superintendent. Enos was sentenced to 10 years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $420,606. Johnson pleaded guilty to four counts of accepting cash bribes and in June was sentenced to 15 years’ probation. He was ordered to pay $236,591 in restitution. Thus far, Enos has reimbursed the school district $78,607 and Johnson $29,000, said Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris, who maintains that probation for the defendants benefits the school more. “Having these guys out there busting their butt and repaying that money to the students who they stole it from, I still think that was better justice,” the prosecutor said. “I’d rather have this kind of sentence hanging over their heads and them out there making payments every month. Hopefully, we’ll get everything paid and those kids will be made whole.” Enos is making restitution of about $3,000 monthly, Johnson $1,200, Harris said. If they fail to make successive payments, prosecutors can file an application to revoke their probation and place them in prison, the district attorney said. “So far, they are paying like clockwork,” Harris said. Rhett Morgan 918-581-8395 rhett.morgan@tulsaworld.com
significant and something that people will remember. “It is really about the optimism that exists in the state of Oklahoma and this lady is a legend in the music world,” Shannon said. “I think it will be representative of a great start to the legislative session.” Those who attend the event go to several events a year, but the ball represents the one event focused on the legislative session, Shannon said. “There has been so much success in Oklahoma, so much prosperity,” Shannon said. “We wanted an event that would reflect that. I think this is a great way to do it. Again, it is about the charity we will be donating to but it is also about looking forward to the future for the state of Oklahoma and there is a lot of optimism out there and a lot of opportunity.” Barbara Hoberock 405-528-2465 barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com
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EAGLES FROM A13
Ann Robinson takes a peek through one of the spotting scopes on the east side of the Arkansas River to view eagles on the opposite side of the river. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
said bald eagles eat fish but also will devour many other creatures including other birds, such as American coots and ducks. “Their first choice is what’s easiest,” Humphrey said. Sunday’s schedule for Bald Eagle Days will follow the same format as Saturday. The seminars about eagles and other birdrelated topics will occur from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Jenks. Those sessions will be preceded by a gathering at Helmerich Park, 7301 S. Riverside Parkway from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., during which people will look across the Arkansas River at nesting bald eagles. On Saturday, Bill Weisrock, a selfdescribed amateur photographer, was attempting to get a good shot of one the birds. Meanwhile, Gary Weaver said he showed up on the wickedly cold morning hoping to get a good look at an eagle for the first time. Humphrey said part of that appeal is due to the size of bald eagles. He said their wingspans can measure six feet or longer, meaning that they create quite a scene as they swoop through the air. Kennington suggested their predatory nature may have something to do with their popularity, although he said that the screeching sound one hears in some film footage is actually dubbed in from other types of birds with more impressive voices. Eagles occupy a sacred role in some cultures and are known to practice monogamy. Humphrey said the two that Helmerich Park visitors were viewing on Saturday morning from afar have been together at least seven years. David Harper 918-581-8359 david.harper@tulsaworld.com