A Bubble Off Plumb

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Just when you thought

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Oklahoma weather couldn’t do anything we haven’t seen, it decides to throw a little rain/snow/winter mix and the kitchen sink at us before the end of summer. Like it hasn’t been weird enough this year!

There won’t be any snow or mix here, but my friends in the Panhandle are battening down the hatch over there. But there will be a chilled front that is likely to finish off gardens and push everyone to go ahead with the winter crops.

Meanwhile over on the ‘normal’ side of life, the high school and middle school has returned to inperson classes, if the parents and students choose to do so. If not, they can remain in virtual school. And the election is getting closer every day – like the TV ads would let you forget! That means registered voters may request an absentee ballot to be mailed to them online or by calling the elections office in their county. This will take one thing off your plate and eliminate worries about exposure to Covid-19, bad weather or general unpleasantness.

Absentee voting is perfectly safe as far as making your vote count. Don’t want to trust the mail service? Drop the packet back to the elections office by hand. I have voted absentee for a lot of years just because as a journalist that day is pretty hectic. As far as I know, there was never a problem. Sometimes my guy won, sometimes not, same as when I voted in person. Just consider it is all I am saying.

Lastly, please fill out your U.S. Census if you haven’t already. The count closes on Sept. 30. It means your district could get an additional representative in government. It could mean more money federally and from the state for roads, bridges and schools. Numbers mean a lot in grant applications and a poor showing in the census count reflects poorly in those applications.

It can be done online and is a quick process. Or speak to the census taker when he/she comes to your door. They wear masks, observe social distancing and virus prevention protocols. It’s simple and important. Won’t you do your part to help out your district? Complete the census.

Connie Burcham can be reached at Editor@WatongaRepublican.com