The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Opinion

Related Photos

  • Northern Oklahoma Resource Center of Enid. (Staff File Photo by BILLY HEFTON)

    NORCE_3_BH.jpg

Discussion

March 17, 2013

NORCE fight is far from finished

Enid News & Eagle

We were disappointed to see Rep. Mike Jackson’s bill to keep Northern Oklahoma Resource Center of Enid open did not receive a hearing in the House.

However, we are heartened to hear Jackson, R-Enid, say the fight to keep NORCE and Southern Oklahoma Resource Center in Pauls Valley open is far from over.

The since-abolished Oklahoma Commission for Human Services voted in November to close NORCE and SORC and move their clients into community-based group homes. The facilities care for developmentally disabled state residents.

Jackson’s bill failed for a few reasons. One was a numbers game. It got caught up in a late rush to get bills out of their house of origin. Second, there was, Jackson said, some hesitancy in the Senate over the bill. And, finally, there was opposition to the bill from Gov. Mary Fallin’s office.

Fallin wants NORCE and SORC closed, and was able to appoint a majority of the members of the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services before the vote was taken to close the facilities.

Jackson plans to keep up the fight to reverse the closure order. And, he has a good reason to continue.

The plan to close both facilities is short-sighted. Right now, no one believes there are enough community-based group homes to house all the clients from NORCE and SORC. Closing them would leave the state without any safety net for these vulnerable people.

We know Sen. Patrick Anderson and Rep. John Enns, both Enid Republicans, will get involved, too. We hope enough other lawmakers — and the governor — come around and realize the move to close both NORCE and SORC was a bad idea.

It’s time to right a wrong.

Text Only
Opinion
Featured Ads
AP Video
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
NDN Video
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble Robert Pattinson Moves Out RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air Oklahoma tornado survivor: "Everything is gone" Khloe Lashes Out at Kim Kardashian's Critics Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song Justin Bieber Gets Booed RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards Celebs Celebrate the Rise of the Side Butt Grizzly bear gets up close and personal with camera Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
Seasonal Content
House Ads