Initiated by Edmondson and Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna, a panel including Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman Sheila Bair explored the federal regulatory scheme and its impact on community banks. Edmondson and McKenna moderated the panel which included Tippens, president and CEO of Yukon's Bank of Commerce, and Chris Cole, senior vice president and senior regulatory counsel for the Independent Community Bankers of America.
"As Washington continues to grapple with new regulations brought about by the economic meltdown, AG McKenna and I thought it prudent to take a look at how regulations and enforcement impact community banks," Edmondson said. "As the backbone of our nation's financial structure, community banks are a vital source of credit, especially in smaller communities."
Edmondson invited Tippens to join the panel to provide a first-hand view of the financial and regulatory issues discussed.
"I am honored to share my thoughts on how community bankers help our communities," said Tippens. "I think the A.G.'s are on target and asking the right questions concerning how regulation of small business might impede the recovery of our economy. It's sometimes hard to understand what drives a country as diverse as ours, but community banks have always been the backbone in keeping jobs, schools and communities thriving. I hope I helped the group understand the effects of regulation that is intended to help the consumer but sometimes hurts them."
"This panel was a learning opportunity for attorneys general, but also an unique opportunity to discuss important issues with the head of a powerful federal agency," Edmondson said. "As the federal government looks at changing how banks do business, it should not ignore the fact that the major players on Wall Street and mortgage brokers, not community banks, were at the root of the financial crisis."
Texas yesterday asked the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma to allow that state to file a brief in support of Tarrant's position. Claiming Oklahoma water law is unconstitutional, Tarrant is seeking to force the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to allow the Texas water district access to waters within Oklahoma's borders. The Texas brief asserts Oklahoma is "enforcing certain Oklahoma water laws in a manner that discriminates against the State of Texas's (sic) citizens and political subdivisions."
Edmondson, who has been fighting Tarrant's water grab, said his office has informed the Texas attorney general that Oklahoma opposes their brief. Edmondson said Oklahoma will ask the court to block the Texas brief.
"Our state is blessed with an abundant supply of clean water and we must protect this precious resource from outside groups who want what we have," Edmondson said. "The OWRB is working toward completion of a comprehensive water plan to determine what our state's needs will be for many decades into the future. Until this plan is in place, we will work to keep the wolves from the door."
Edmondson said Texas is not a party to this lawsuit and should not be allowed to interfere.
"I know and respect Attorney General Abbott," Edmondson said, "but I disagree with his legal assessment that the State of Texas should have a voice in this matter."
The attorney general is fighting a similar federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma in which the City of Hugo wants to sell Oklahoma water to the City of Irving, Texas.
"Meeting new people and hearing their ideas for Oklahoma is the best part of any political campaign," Mrs. Edmondson said. "Some of the best ideas start with a simple handshake. There is no substitute for that. I am pleased to return to Ardmore and grateful to my friend, Deborah Tipps, for hosting me in her home. The opportunity to hear the concerns and ideas of Oklahoma women is exciting. As a working wife, mother and now grandmother, I know the perspective that women have to offer is unique."
Those interested in attending the event can call (580) 226-8024 for information. Tipps has space available for 25 guests.
While in Ardmore, Mrs. Edmondson will also visit Ardmore's Domestic Violence Services Center and the local Veterans Center.
"As Attorney General, Drew has made the fight against domestic violence a top priority," Mrs. Edmondson said. "Providing adequate services to survivors and justice for perpetrators will continue to be priorities when he is Governor."
Mrs. Edmondson's stop in Ardmore is part of the "Linda on the Road" tour. The tour combines traditional politics with new technology; in addition to making traditional campaign stops, Mrs. Edmondson is blogging about each campaign stop, including her stop in Ardmore, on her Internet blog, which can be found at www.edmondson2010.com.
"The possibilities afforded by today's technology are endless. By blogging about my time on the road, I can share our vision for Oklahoma with a much bigger audience. Drew and I can also receive new ideas for Oklahoma's future from more people than ever before."
Raised on a wheat farm near Fargo, Oklahoma, Linda Larason married Drew Edmondson in 1967. They have two children, Mary Edmondson Ross and Robert Edmondson. They also have a son-in-law, Mike Ross, daughter-in-law, Andrea Hamor Edmondson, and twin grandchildren, Catherine and Andrew Ross, who were born just over one year ago.
Linda Edmondson has worked in social services since 1973. She has a master's degree in social work from the University of Oklahoma.
"Linda and I have supported each other through thick and thin for more than 42 years now," Drew Edmondson said. "Her dedication, not just to our family but to our state, is invaluable. She is going to be a remarkable First Lady."
"Consumer Protection Day at the Capitol is a chance for consumers to visit face to face with law enforcement agencies and consumer advocacy organizations," Edmondson said. "The event is also an opportunity to raise awareness of important financial and criminal justice issues that impact Oklahomans."
Joining Edmondson's office and AARP Oklahoma were representatives from the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, Tulsa Police Department, The Village Police Department, US Postal Inspection Service, US Postal Service, Federal Trade Commission, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Oklahoma Insurance Department, US Secret Service, Oklahoma City Police Department, Social Security Administration, Duncan Police Department and Oklahoma Commission on Consumer Credit.
"In these tough economic times it is even more important to protect consumers from fraud and scams," said Marjorie Lyons, AARP Oklahoma State President. "By empowering individuals with knowledge and information, we aim to create an educated and savvy consumer who can spot a scam when they are being targeted."
The event again this year featured free document shredding courtesy of Shred-It, a document destruction company. In past years, Oklahomans have shredded about 25 tons of personal and financial documents at the event.
Shredding is the surest way to prevent personal and financial information from falling into the hands of an identity thief, the attorney general said. Items that should not be carelessly discarded include pre-approved credit card offers, financial statements, tax information, cancelled checks, expired credit cards and similar documents.
Charity fraud prevention was also highlighted in the wake of the Haiti earthquake, and the attorney general provided several tip on spotting bogus charities.
• Beware of appeals that are long on emotion but short on fact.
• Do not be fooled by charities with names that sound similar to a legitimate charity.
• Ask for written information before giving.
• Do not be pressured into giving.
Edmondson also today announced Teresa Tisdell as the winner of the 2010 Brad Edwards Consumer Champion Award.
An occupational therapist, Tisdell established the non-profit NeuroResources Outreach Services to serve individuals with disabilities who lack heath insurance. Tisdell also set up a free therapy clinic for individuals with spinal cord injury and started an equipment sharing program for donated wheelchairs.
The award is named for former KFOR journalist Brad Edwards who represented consumers through his In Your Corner television segment for 25 years before a sudden illness brought his advocacy to an early end.
The event, set for Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the state capitol, will feature free document shredding services. Consumer and law enforcement groups from across the state will join attorney general and AARP staff to provide in-person answers to consumer questions and as well as information about various types of consumer fraud.
Document destruction company Shred-It will provide free document shredding for consumers on the capitol's south side.
"We always look forward to Consumer Protection Day at the Capitol," Edmondson said. "It is an opportunity for us to interact directly with Oklahomans who have questions about potential scams and help them learn about ways to protect themselves from fraud. The event brings together a knowledgeable group of organizations from all areas of protection and prevention for the benefit of Oklahoma consumers."
"We are proud to be sponsoring Consumer Protection Day with Attorney General Edmondson again this year," said AARP Oklahoma State President Marjorie Lyons. "By empowering individuals with knowledge and information, we aim to create an educated and savvy consumer who can spot a scam when they are being targeted."
This is the event's sixth year, and the fifth year that Shred-It has participated. In previous years, consumers have shredded about 25 tons of personal and financial documents.
"Shred-It is happy to be teaming up with the attorney general's pro-active campaign against identity theft," said Tommy Cunningham, Shred-It senior sales representative. "Consumer Protection Day exists to heighten the awareness of the general public on ways to reduce their chances of becoming a victim of identity theft and keep thieves from accessing personal and confidential information."
Other groups participating in Consumer Protection Day at the Capitol are: Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, Tulsa Police Department, The Village Police Department, US Postal Inspection Service, US Postal Service, Federal Trade Commission, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Oklahoma Insurance Department, US Secret Service, Oklahoma City Police Department, Social Security Administration, Duncan Police Department and Oklahoma Commission of Consumer Credit.
Randy Leroy Madewell of Danbury, Texas, was charged today in Oklahoma County District Court with four felony counts of home repair fraud after an investigation by Edmondson's Consumer Protection Unit. Madewell operated in Oklahoma as Oklahoma Building and Remodeling.
The state alleges Madewell accepted a total of more than $24,000 from four separate homeowners for home repair and roofing work but never started the projects. Project sites were in Midwest City, Edmond and two in Oklahoma City.
Edmondson's Consumer Protection Unit has statewide jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute violations of the state's Consumer Protection Act. Anyone with information regarding suspected fraud or scams can contact the attorney general's consumer protection hotline at (405) 521-2029.
