Published: January 11, 2008 12:03 am         

Leaders need to step up to Enid Day at state Capitol

The voices of many often are often stronger than the voice of just one.

That’s a good reason to get involved in the next Enid Day at the state Capitol, which is being hosted by the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce.

This is the third year that Enid leaders have made a concerted effort to get a group together to go to the state capitol to talk to legislators about the needs of Enid and of northwest Oklahoma.

The first year, the group lobbied for support to build a new business incubator. That funding came through, and that project is currently under construction at the Autry Technology Center campus.

Last year, the group traveled to Oklahoma City again to remind legislators about the business incubator, to thank them for support of the new Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center and to encourage more appointments of northwest Oklahoma residents to boards and advisory committees.

This year, their focus is on continued funding for highway and road improvements, primarily continuing the four-laning of U.S. Highway 412 from Enid all the way to Woodward.

The more people who are involved in going to the State Capitol to talk to the legislators, the more legislators are informed about northwest and rural Oklahoma needs. It’s just a fact that face time gets results, and that is what is being accomplished when 20 or more leaders and representatives take their case to the Capitol.

This year’s event will be a breakfast on Feb. 19. The chamber is seeking sponsorships for the breakfast and also people to attend and represent Enid. We encourage local leaders to try to make time in their day to attend this meeting and represent Enid and northwest Oklahoma.