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May 7, 2008

Anderson, Terrill at odds over calls

By Robert Barron Staff Writer

A practical joke by Enid state Sen. Patrick Anderson raised the ire of a state representative Wednesday.

State Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, author of legislation to make English the official language of Oklahoma, sent an angry e-mail to media outlets across the state Wednesday accusing Anderson of “cowardice” for not responding to his constituents. Terrill was angry about automatic phone calls to Anderson’s office that were forwarded to his office.

Anderson said Terrill flooded his district with so-called “robo calls,” an automatic system that dials residents with recorded messages. Anderson said his office at the state Capitol was flooded with calls from places as far away as Washington, D.C.

Anderson said his office phone system was overloaded and couldn’t be used, so as a practical joke he forwarded the calls to Terrill’s office.

Terrill’s e-mail accused Anderson of avoiding his constituents’ calls.

The angry e-mail said: “This is the most unbelievably cowardly act by an elected official that I have ever seen. Apparently, Senator Anderson is receiving so many calls from his constituents urging him to support an Official English law that he is now trying to avoid them by forwarding calls to me. Senator Anderson is turning his back on his constituents. The voters of Senate District 19 deserve better.

“It’s inconceivable that any public official would treat his own constituents this way unless Senator Anderson is truly working with the Senate Democratic leadership to block or kill consideration of Official English in the state Senate this week.”

Anderson said he was surprised at Terrill’s message.

“I disagree with Mr. Terrill’s comment. I believe I have always been very receptive to my constituents’ concerns and will continue to be,” he said.

Anderson said he planned to support Terrill’s legislation, but said he does not appreciate Terrill’s “presumptions or accusations.”

“He has now called off the robo-calls, and I quit forwarding my calls to his office. I assume everything has been resolved,” Anderson said.

Attempts to contact Terrill were unsuccessful. An automatic voice mail informed callers he was busy.

A parliamentary move by Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, blocked a Senate vote on the legislation Wednesday. It will go to a House-Senate conference committee, where Republicans said it likely will die.

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