THUMBS UP

To touch the life of a child is to touch the future.

Lisa Jobes, a 21-year veteran of the Enid Police Department, has been touching the future for 16 years in her capacity with the department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

In some years, Jobes said, she reached as many as 1,200 students. In 1999 she was named the state’s DARE Officer of the Year.

Lisa Jobes retired recently, ending a distinguished career in law enforcement.

Thumbs up Lisa, and best of luck.





THUMBS UP

Anothr lady with many years of service to Enid students was honored recently.

Willa Jo Fowler, 32-year board member at Enid Public Schools, received the 2007 Distinguished Service award from the Oklahoma State School Board Association during the group’s 17th annual conference and exposition.

Fowler, who began her career as an English teacher at Longfellow Junior High School, was honored for her work that helped both students in Enid, and across the state.

Thumbs up to a dedicated supporter of our children.



THUMBS UP

This sems to be ladies’ week in this space. A local civic club recently named the first woman president in its history.

Mary Stallings was chosen as president of Enid Rotary Club, the first woman to ever serve in that capacity.

Stallings, who has been a member of Rotary the past four years, downplays the fact she is the first woman president, preferring instead to focus on Rotary and its mission.

Thumbs up, Mary, and good luck.



THUMBS UP

Our men and women in uniform are our heroes, giving a great deal of time and effort to defend our nation.

When their time in the military ends, however, veterans, like everyone else, need a job.

Helping veterans get jobs is the task of Jack Wagner, veterans service representative for Enid Workforce Oklahoma.

Wagner was recognized recently by Bill Edwards, director of Oklahoma Employment Security Commission Veterans’ Services, because of the number of veterans who found jobs in July.

The Enid Workforce Oklahoma office also was named one of the top veteran placement offices in the state for placing 100 veterans during the past year.

Linda Turner, work force specialist at the Enid office, also was recognized.

Thumbs up to Jack, Linda and everybody else at Enid Workforce Oklahoma. In helping our heroes, you are heroes yourselves.



THUMBS DOWN

Lst week the other well-chewed shoe dropped when Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick entered a guilty plea to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges.

Vick, who will be sentenced Dec. 10, admitted to bankrolling gambling on dogfighting and helping kill some dogs who did not perform well.

Not only is dogfighting a brutal sport, but the dogs that didn’t perform well were killed in a most inhumane manner.

Vick could spend between a year and 18 months in prison and has been suspended indefinitely by the National Football League.

Thumbs down to Michael Vick for his involvement in a cruel, and illegal, undertaking.