Last week The “OPEA Express” rolled into towns across the southwestern part of Oklahoma.
“We had a fantastic reception Tuesday in Lawton and Duncan,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley. “We made an early visit to the State Health Department in Lawton, and followed that with a visit to the OJA office. They are nearly 100 percent membership, and told us they believe in OPEA’s mission and want to help move state employees forward.”
A pizza lunch was held later at the Jim Taliaferro Mental Health Center, where OPEA Membership Representatives Brandon Watkins and Reba Turner-Robinson, along with Director of Communications Mark Beutler greeted employees.
“Folks at Taliaferro were very receptive,” said Robinson. “Long-time OPEA member Hank Swearingen set up the luncheon, and we had several people join on-the-spot. A number of people had questions for us, like why the Governor refuses to tap the Rainy Day Fund when state employees have not had a raise in years. We told them it takes people to make noise, and the more members OPEA has, the louder our voice will be.”
A Town Hall meeting was held in Lawton Tuesday evening, with State Representative Ann Coody and Senator Don Barrington fielding questions from the audience.
“There is strength in numbers,” Barrington said. “OPEA has great representation at the Capitol, and it’s nice to have intelligent people who are willing to work through the process of important issues.”
The “OPEA Express” continued blitzing southwestern Oklahoma, with stops in Altus, Clinton, Elk City, Weatherford, Frederick, Manitou, Cordell, Hobart, Granite, Sayre, Chickasha, Anadarko, El Reno and Yukon.
Read more about the “OPEA Express” tour in the Lawton Constitution by clicking here.
