Saturday, June 28, 2014
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Costumed capers abound at upcoming SoonerCon
U.S. falls to Germany, still moving forward Sports
Page A12
With You Since the Land Run of 1889 Norman, Oklahoma
Friday, June 27, 2014
Fallin seeks puppy name — Page A5
Prescription roundup set — Page A3
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Lawsuit filed against DA By Jessica Bruha Transcript Staff Writer
Mashburn accused of aiming to ‘mislead the press and public’
Batton identified Alexander in ney’s office,” the document states. Former Assistant District AttorA former assistant district attorThe lawsuit alleges Mashburn ney recently filed a federal lawsuit ney David Batton filed alleges in the lawsuit as Mashburn’s political against Cleveland County District the lawsuit that he was terminated advisor who was hired as a public and Alexander “devised a scheme Attorney Greg Mashburn and in an effort to take perceived polit- relations officer, but “was never in to mislead the press and political advisor Chad Alexander. ical heat off of Mashburn. He was the office or had any work duties public to avoid any adverse publicThe lawsuit comes two years after an employee with the DA’s office or provided any public relations • See SUIT Page A3 work relating to the district attorfor five years. the employee’s termination.
Social runners Drinkers have a running problem By Katherine Parker
Crowds flee Ukraine
Transcript Staff Writer
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Shiites push for al-Maliki oust — Page A6
blithesome (adj) blithe•some [BLAHYTH-suhm] 1. lighthearted; merry;
A l w a y s
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With hearts still pounding and sweat trickling down their backs, this group of tired runners didn’t reach for water bottles but a cold round of beers — these socializers have a running problem. Every Thursday, a new group of 20-30 runners take off at 7 p.m. from OK Runner in Brookhaven Village, 3720 W Robinson. With the lure of a free cold drink at the end of the road, Norman runners are excited to be part of a new social group of runners. Before their third run of the month, runners once again stretched and chatted while waiting to hit the pavement. Organized by Gus Thompson, OK Runner coowner, participants can run three, four, five or six miles. Thompson said the runs are out and back through the Brookhaven neighborhood. “If someone wants to run three miles at the one and a half mile
House pushes pipeline Domestic production reasons cited By Joy Hampton Senior Staff Writer
A need for more domestic production is the line being touted to support three energy-related bills passed by the U.S. House of Representatives this week. With gasoline prices leaping due to recent unrest in Iraq, House members passed legislation that would encourage the XL Keystone Pipeline, the export of liquefied natural gas, and domestic production and exploration. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, said in a statement released Thursday that House Resolution 3301, the Norman American Energy Infrastructure Act, will “streamline the l f
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Saturday, June 28, 2014
SHOULD OUR HOA TAKE ON THE MAINTENANCE OF WINDOWS? Written by Richard Thompson
Question: Some of our members would like the HOA to take on maintenance of windows, entry doors and garage doors. Is this advisable? Answer: It is common for replacement responsibility for these components to fall on the owner. The HOA can and should dictate the standard for window and
door style to maintain a consistent look and insist that replacements only be done by licensed, bonded and insured contractors. In rainy climates, keeping buildings weather tight can be a real challenge. If windows or doors leak, resulting dryrot, structural damage and mold can be very expensive to repair. Owners are seldom prepared to deal with this level of maintenance. To properly secure building envelope integrity, it may make sense for the HOA to assume this responsibility. Question: Our board struggles with understanding how far the HOA should intrude in unit owner remodeling projects. We have assumed that the owners’ contractors are getting proper permits to do the work. Should we verify this before giving the Green Light? Answer: There are many examples of owners and their contractors who have unwittingly compromised bearing walls or extended utilities in an illegal manner. Any time there is major structural work, utility renovation or demolition going on, a permit is required and the owner or contractor is responsible for getting them. If the proposed remodel includes utility or structural work, the plans and permits should be reviewed by the HOA’s architect or structural engineer to ensure the work is in compliance with code and accepted construction practices. The owner should pay the reasonable cost and no work should take place until the architect or engineer approves the plans. Question: We have a resident with a car that leaks a lot of oil. She has been given several notices to fix the leaking and ignores them. The board is considering banning the car from the HOA. Too extreme? Answer: Cars leak oil from time to time. But if the leaking is considerable and the owner refuses to fix it, banning the vehicle is reasonable. However, charging the owner for cleanup costs may be enough to make the point and get her to get it fixed. Try the latter tactic first. Question: As board president, can I abstain from voting on a particular issue? There are several residents that could be offended by my vote. Answer: The president is entitled to vote but doesn’t need to unless there is a tie. If there is a tie, you’ll need to vote to break the tie unless you have a conflict of interest. The reason should be stated and recorded in the meeting minutes should the vote be questioned later on.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
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Sooners slip by LSU for sweep Sports
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Are we too used to violence?
Father John Dear will talk about nonviolent people in a world of violence and war
See the world in photos — Page A2
The lecture is set for 7 p.m. By Jessica Bruha Transcript Staff April 4 at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History with the United Church of Norman- seminar following from 9 a.m. to UCC is hosting a public lecture noon April 5 at United Ministry and seminar by Father John Center, 1017 Elm Ave. Dear said he will be talking Dear, author of 30 books, longtime activist and movement orga- about the world of violence and war and people of nonviolence nizer.
and peace. “The world has become a world of total violence,� he said. “We’re really addicted to violence and now it’s normal.� Dear will also talk about joining the global grassroots movement of peace and nonviolence to work for
an end to war, poverty, nuclear weapons and environmental destruction. People can be activists and not be violent, he said, adding that he will be talking about leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. and ultimately Jesus, who is “the 0 & PEACE Page A3
RISING COST
18 missing in mudslide — Page A7
philately
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1. the collecting of stamps and other postal matter as a hobby or an investment. 2. the study of postage stamps, revenue stamps, stamped envelopes, postmarks, postal cards, covers and similar material relating to postal or fiscal history.
In this May 31, 2013, file photo, a man stands on top of his car on a flooded S. May Ave near SW 25th Street in Oklahoma City as severe thunderstorm moved through the area.
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AP Photo
Example: She had meant to examine the stamps more carefully herself, but philately bores her to distraction and
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