Published: October 31, 2009 10:19 pm         

ODOT wastes money on social networking Web site

THUMBS DOWN

Twitter, of course, is a social networking Web site that allows users to contact one another through 140-character messages called Tweets.

Setting up a Twitter page is supposed to be easy and self-explanatory. So why did Oklahoma Department of Transportation spend $7,500 to pay someone to build the agency’s Twitter page, particularly in light of the ongoing state budget shortfall?

We can understand the agency wanting to communicate via Twitter, but any 14-year-old can set up an account. Why not hire one? They would undoubtedly work cheaper than $7,500. The Texas Department of Transportation, incidentally, didn’t spend a dime on setting up its own Twitter page.

Thumbs down to ODOT and its grievous waste of taxpayer dollars.



THUMBS UP

Fraud, identity theft, scams and schemes to bilk people out of their hard-earned money are rampant these days, it seems.

Security National Bank is working to form an Enid chapter of Metro Area Fraud Investigators Association. The group, which has existing chapters in Oklahoma City, Lawton, Tulsa, Durant and Muskogee involves representatives from law enforcement, banking, business and other groups meeting and comparing notes on fraud, identity theft and other white collar crimes.

Thumbs up to SNB for spearheading this worthwhile effort locally.



THUMBS UPS

The wonders of the universe are there to behold for people in the Enid area thanks to the opening of Northern Oklahoma College Enid’s new planetarium.

More than 100 local residents enjoyed the recent opening of the new facility, the culmination of a project that began in May 2008. The 40-foot dome can display constellations and other objects in the night sky for educational purposes or for American Indian ceremonies.

Thumbs up to the new planetarium, dubbed “a big city planetarium,” by NOC Enid professor of astronomy and earth science, Fritz Ozell.



THUMBS UP

Oct. 24, several groups of local residents got together to make a mark on our community.

One group fixed up a needy family’s home, another worked on the Woodring Wall of Honor park, another painted bathrooms at Enid High, another fixed up a home and yet another conducted a free health fair.

The projects were part of Make A Difference Day, an annual day community service sponsored and encouraged by USA Weekend Magazine.

Thumbs up to everyone who worked for the benefit of others on the nation’s largest day of community service.