I have to say there were some surprises in the August 25 runoff, at least for me. I am still shocked that the Oklahoma Attorney General isn’t the Republican nominee for governor. I’m not saying he was the better choice, or my choice. I’m just saying I am shocked.
I am lukewarm when it comes to the sitting president, and I hope that his endorsement isn’t what pushed Mike Mazzei over the top and onto the November ballot. I hope Oklahoma voters actually did their own thinking and voted on the issues and by their convictions.
Now I am going to ask them – at least our readers – to do the same thing again.
One issue is weighing heavily on me, that of the proposed smelter slated for construction in Rogers County. The aluminum facility is sited along the Verdigris River, near Tulsa, and is a joint venture between a United Arab Emirates company and a U.S. based firm. It could create 4,000 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs after completion.
It could also emit hydrogen fluoride that could be damaging to hay production – Inola bills itself as the Hay Capital – and livestock production in the region. It is unclear whether there is potential for industrial pollution on the rivers in the area.
The smelter is supported by the president, Gov. Kevin Stitt and others who want to bring the largest new smelter construction in 50 years online in the name of national security. Candidate Mazzei also came out in support of the project, while his November challenger, Cyndi Munson, has opposed it from the get-go.
For the time being, there is a moratorium on the project while local and state officials do more research.
Yes, the jobs would be great. The tax income would be excellent. But how does a largely foreign owned project advance national security? Is the risk to the environment worth the payoff in dollars and cents? If it is such a good idea, why not build it in the UAE somewhere?
This is where you, our readers and voters, come into the picture. Do you agree with the project? Disagree? Need to do more reading and research?
Awesome. But what can you do if you decide, as a voter, that you don’t support this project?
Did you know that even if you are registered as a voter in one party, you can cross party lines and vote for the other guy/girl in the general election?
Yes, as a Democrat (there are a few around) you can vote for a Republican, and as a registered Republican, you can vote for a Democratic nominee.
I can guarantee there are a lot of dyed-in-the red wool Republicans at Inola who will be doing just that come November 3.
It’s something to consider.