Oklahoma

State Contractor Verifying Petitions for Recreational Marijuana Initiative – Oklahoma Watch

Published

2 years ago

August 8, 2022

State Contractor Verifying Petitions for Recreational Marijuana Initiative – Oklahoma Watch

Oklahoma is paying an organization related to a political polling agency $300,000 per yr to confirm signatures for statewide poll initiatives, main some to query the equity of the method by which Oklahomans can vote immediately on state points.

Western Petition Techniques LLC is now accountable for verifying signatures for State Query 820, which might legalize leisure marijuana for grownup customers 21 and older. The corporate was based by Invoice Shapard, whose Shapard Analysis LLC runs Sooner Ballot.

Organizers for an adult-use hashish state query, Sure on 820, turned in 118 containers of signatures on July 5 to the secretary of state’s workplace. That represented greater than 164,000 signatures, many greater than the 94,911 wanted for a statewide initiative election.

Michelle Tilley, marketing campaign director for Sure on 820, stated the group has had observers watching the verification at Shapard’s workplaces in Oklahoma Metropolis.

“Our crew is watching the depend identical to we’d if state staff had been doing the depend as an alternative of a vendor,” Tilley stated. “And identical to in that case, there might be an opportunity for us to lift any points after the depend is finished. Within the meantime, we thank everybody concerned within the essential work of creating certain the voices of on a regular basis Oklahomans are heard by the initiative course of.”

The group is the primary to undergo the brand new signature verification course of. Lawmakers in 2020 gave the secretary of state’s workplace the authority to modernize the method by which the signatures of registered voters who signed petitions are verified. Beforehand, the workplace employed and skilled non permanent staff to confirm them manually with voter registration information. Home Invoice 3826 was one of many few items of coverage laws accredited in a session shortened by the outset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

The invoice allowed the secretary of state to buy software program to confirm signatures with a number of knowledge factors within the state’s voter registration file. Few lawmakers on the time thought that might enable an out of doors vendor to be concerned within the course of. The software program buy was exempt from the state’s bidding necessities underneath the Central Buying Act.

Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del Metropolis, stated he was shocked to see the verification course of undergo a vendor. Debate on the Home ground centered on the know-how wants of the secretary of state’s workplace and a want to modernize and velocity up the counting course of. He referred to as it “completely outrageous” that an important authorities perform has been outsourced.

“I don’t recall something within the laws we checked out that might have allowed this to be outsourced to a 3rd get together,” Fugate stated. “The intent from my perspective was to permit the secretary of state’s workplace to do that in a greater trend themselves, to not ship this out to some good outdated boy. What are we going to do subsequent, have them tabulate all our election outcomes?”

Secretary of State Brian Bingman, a former GOP chief within the Senate, accredited the state’s contract with Western Petition Techniques in January 2021. Among the many necessities, it requires the corporate to create and supply petition paperwork that may be scanned and to arrange coaching to petition-gathering organizations. The corporate should even have a warehouse or workplace facility in Oklahoma Metropolis to securely home returned petitions.

Shapard referred inquiries to the secretary of state’s workplace. Jeffrey Cartmell, an lawyer and counselor to the secretary of state, stated the seller is offering the software program however the secretary of state’s workplace nonetheless hires the folks doing the verification. Western Petition Techniques was picked over an organization from Arizona, with the choice primarily based on price and safety.

The contract, which was obtained underneath the Open Data Act, was not too long ago renewed for fiscal yr 2023, which began July 1. The flat annual charge of $300,000 applies irrespective of what number of initiative petitions are filed for verification every year.

“The price contains all of the assets required (apart from staffing) and a safe system that isn’t linked to the web to hold out and full a statewide petition verification undertaking,” Cartmell stated in a written assertion.

Amber England, who ran the profitable initiative petition for Medicaid enlargement that voters accredited in June 2020, stated the initiative petition has at all times been fraught with politics. That’s as a result of the governor appoints the secretary of state and has the ultimate say on when a state query will seem on the poll. However outsourcing signature verification to a vendor that additionally has a polling operation injects one other layer of partisan politics, she stated.

“I feel that it was extremely essential for the framers of the Oklahoma Structure to make sure that voters had the facility to take one thing on to the poll and round these folks in energy,” stated England, who owns Technique 77, a public affairs and political consulting firm. “This course of simply injects extra limitations and extra politics right into a course of that’s already extraordinarily tough.”

Nothing within the secretary of state’s contract with Western Petition Techniques would preclude Shapard’s polling operation from asking questions associated to state questions that could be up for signature verification, Cartmell stated. However it could possibly be amended in a later contract if that turned a problem.

England stated the initiative petition course of has a number of alternatives for opponents to problem or stall the efforts. However it has no statutory deadlines for the secretary of state to depend signatures.

As of Sunday, the trouble to confirm signatures for SQ 820 has taken 33 days. That’s greater than the time wanted to confirm signatures for all however one of many final seven citizen-led state questions that made it onto the poll since 2016. On common, it took about three weeks to confirm signatures for these different state questions. The Legislature may also go resolutions for points to return earlier than voters in a statewide referendum.

Some GOP lawmakers, upset with profitable initiative petitions to develop Medicaid, approve medical marijuana and reclassify some drug-related felonies to misdemeanors, proposed adjustments to the initiative petition course of. Amongst them had been proposals to require a majority in two-thirds of counties to approve state questions for them to take impact and prison background checks for petition circulators. Not one of the proposed adjustments had been profitable within the legislative session this yr.

Final month, Legal professional Normal John O’Connor’s workplace rewrote the wording of SQ 820, saying it initially didn’t embrace a fiscal affect assertion and noting a dozen different deficiencies. The lawyer common’s workplace filed the brand new language on July 26. If it survives any challenges, that would be the wording that seems on the poll if sufficient signatures are verified.

“We had been pleasantly shocked the lawyer common revised the poll title so shortly,” stated Tilley with the Sure on 820 marketing campaign. “We had been happy the method labored the way in which it ought to in that occasion. Now we have no plans to contest it.”

Paul Monies has been a reporter with Oklahoma Watch since 2017 and covers state companies and public well being. Contact him at (571) 319-3289 or pmonies@oklahomawatch.org. Observe him on Twitter @pmonies.

Reporter Keaton Ross contributed to this report.

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by Paul Monies, Oklahoma Watch
August 8, 2022

<h1>State Contractor Verifying Petitions for Leisure Marijuana Initiative</h1> by Paul Monies, Oklahoma Watch August 8, 2022 Oklahoma is paying an organization related to a political polling agency $300,000 per yr to confirm signatures for statewide poll initiatives, main some to query the equity of the method by which Oklahomans can vote immediately on state points.  <a href=”https://www.westernpetition.com/”>Western Petition Techniques LLC</a> is now accountable for verifying signatures for State Query 820, which might legalize leisure marijuana for grownup customers 21 and older. The corporate was based by Invoice Shapard, whose Shapard Analysis LLC runs <a href=”https://www.soonerpoll.com/”>Sooner Ballot</a>.  Organizers for an adult-use hashish state query, <a href=”https://yeson820.com/”>Sure on 820</a>, turned in 118 containers of signatures on July 5 to the secretary of state’s workplace. That represented greater than 164,000 signatures, many greater than the 94,911 wanted for a statewide initiative election.  Michelle Tilley, marketing campaign director for Sure on 820, stated the group has had observers watching the verification at Shapard’s workplaces in Oklahoma Metropolis.  “Our crew is watching the depend identical to we’d if state staff had been doing the depend as an alternative of a vendor,” Tilley stated. “And identical to in that case, there might be an opportunity for us to lift any points after the depend is finished. Within the meantime, we thank everybody concerned within the essential work of creating certain the voices of on a regular basis Oklahomans are heard by the initiative course of.”  The group is the primary to undergo the brand new signature verification course of. Lawmakers in 2020 gave the secretary of state’s workplace the authority to modernize the method by which the signatures of registered voters who signed petitions are verified. Beforehand, the workplace employed and skilled non permanent staff to confirm them manually with voter registration information. <a href=”http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Invoice=HB3826&Session=2000″>Home Invoice 3826</a> was one of many few items of coverage laws accredited in a session shortened by the outset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.  The invoice allowed the secretary of state to buy software program to confirm signatures with a number of knowledge factors within the state’s voter registration file. Few lawmakers on the time thought that might enable an out of doors vendor to be concerned within the course of. The software program buy was exempt from the state’s bidding necessities underneath the <a href=”https://oklahoma.gov/omes/companies/buying/reference-guide/oklahoma-central-purchasing-act.html”>Central Buying Act</a>.  Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del Metropolis, stated he was shocked to see the verification course of undergo a vendor. Debate on the Home ground centered on the know-how wants of the secretary of state’s workplace and a want to modernize and velocity up the counting course of. He referred to as it “completely outrageous” that an important authorities perform has been outsourced.   “I don’t recall something within the laws we checked out that might have allowed this to be outsourced to a 3rd get together,” Fugate stated. “The intent from my perspective was to permit the secretary of state’s workplace to do that in a greater trend themselves, to not ship this out to some good outdated boy. What are we going to do subsequent, have them tabulate all our election outcomes?”   Secretary of State Brian Bingman, a former GOP chief within the Senate, accredited the state’s <a href=”https://www.documentcloud.org/paperwork/22127062-1909-shapard-research-western-petition-systems-po-01272021-including-fully-executed-contract”>contract</a> with Western Petition Techniques in January 2021. Among the many necessities, it requires the corporate to create and supply petition paperwork that may be scanned and to arrange coaching to petition-gathering organizations. The corporate should even have a warehouse or workplace facility in Oklahoma Metropolis to securely home returned petitions.  Shapard referred inquiries to the secretary of state’s workplace. Jeffrey Cartmell, an lawyer and counselor to the secretary of state, stated the seller is offering the software program however the secretary of state’s workplace nonetheless hires the folks doing the verification. Western Petition Techniques was picked over an organization from Arizona, with the choice primarily based on price and safety.  The contract, which was obtained underneath the Open Data Act, was not too long ago renewed for fiscal yr 2023, which began July 1. The flat annual charge of $300,000 applies irrespective of what number of initiative petitions are filed for verification every year.   “The price contains all of the assets required (apart from staffing) and a safe system that isn’t linked to the web to hold out and full a statewide petition verification undertaking,” Cartmell stated in a written assertion.  Amber England, who ran the profitable initiative petition for <a href=”https://www.sos.okay.gov/paperwork/questions/802.pdf”>Medicaid enlargement</a> that voters accredited in June 2020, stated the initiative petition has at all times been fraught with politics. That’s as a result of the governor appoints the secretary of state and has the ultimate say on when a state query will seem on the poll. However outsourcing signature verification to a vendor that additionally has a polling operation injects one other layer of partisan politics, she stated.  “I feel that it was extremely essential for the framers of the Oklahoma Structure to make sure that voters had the facility to take one thing on to the poll and round these folks in energy,” stated England, who owns <a href=”https://www.strategy77.com/about-strategy77″>Technique 77</a>, a public affairs and political consulting firm. “This course of simply injects extra limitations and extra politics right into a course of that’s already extraordinarily tough.”  Nothing within the secretary of state’s contract with Western Petition Techniques would preclude Shapard’s polling operation from asking questions associated to state questions that could be up for signature verification, Cartmell stated. However it could possibly be amended in a later contract if that turned a problem.  England stated the initiative petition course of has a number of alternatives for opponents to problem or stall the efforts. However it has no statutory deadlines for the secretary of state to depend signatures.  As of Sunday, the trouble to confirm signatures for SQ 820 has taken 33 days. That’s greater than the time wanted to confirm signatures for all however one of many final seven citizen-led state questions that made it onto the poll since 2016. On common, it took about three weeks to confirm signatures for these different state questions. The Legislature may also go resolutions for points to return earlier than voters in a statewide referendum. Some GOP lawmakers, upset with profitable initiative petitions to develop Medicaid, approve medical marijuana and reclassify some drug-related felonies to misdemeanors, <a href=”https://oklahomawatch.org/2022/02/28/claiming-out-of-state-influences-oklahoma-looks-to-clamp-down-on-state-question-laws/”>proposed adjustments to the initiative petition</a> course of. Amongst them had been proposals to require a majority in two-thirds of counties to approve state questions for them to take impact and prison background checks for petition circulators. Not one of the proposed adjustments had been profitable within the legislative session this yr.  Final month, Legal professional Normal John O’Connor’s workplace rewrote the wording of <a href=”https://www.sos.okay.gov/paperwork/questions/820.pdf”>SQ 820</a>, saying it initially didn’t embrace a fiscal affect assertion and noting a dozen different deficiencies. The lawyer common’s workplace filed the brand new language on July 26. If it survives any challenges, that would be the wording that seems on the poll if sufficient signatures are verified.  “We had been pleasantly shocked the lawyer common revised the poll title so shortly,” stated Tilley with the Sure on 820 marketing campaign. “We had been happy the method labored the way in which it ought to in that occasion. Now we have no plans to contest it.” This <a goal=”_blank” href=”https://oklahomawatch.org/2022/08/08/state-contractor-verifying-petitions-for-recreational-marijuana-initiative/”>article</a> first appeared on <a goal=”_blank” href=”https://oklahomawatch.org”>Oklahoma Watch</a> and is republished right here underneath a Artistic Commons license.<img src=”https://i0.wp.com/oklahomawatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/okwatch-icon.png?match=150percent2C150&ssl=1″ fashion=”width:1em;peak:1em;margin-left:10px;”><img id=”republication-tracker-tool-source” src=”https://oklahomawatch.org/?republication-pixel=true&submit=700674&ga=UA-41441228-1″ fashion=”width:1px;peak:1px;”>

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Oklahoma

Heard scores 18, Oklahoma State women continue hot start with 64-57 win over No. 17 West Virginia

Published

6 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Heard scores 18, Oklahoma State women continue hot start with 64-57 win over No. 17 West Virginia

Associated Press

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Stailee Heard scored 18 points and Oklahoma State made the clutch plays down the stretch to upset No. 17 West Virginia 64-57 on Saturday.

The Cowgirls were sitting on a 6-57 lead when they missed a 3-pointer put Heard snagged the rebound and scored on a putback. As the Mountaineers attacked the basket on the other end, Tenin Magassa came up with a big block.

When West Virginia missed its last three shots in the final 30 seconds of the game Alexia Smith grabbed teh rebounds and she contributed the final points from the foul line with 11.4 seconds left.

Anna Gret Asi added 12 points and Micah Gray 11 for the Cowgirls (14-2, 4-1 Big 12 Conference), who are off to their best start since going 17-1 in 2013-14. Smith had 12 rebounds and Magass had five blocks.

Kylee Blacksten scored 16 points to lead West Virginia (13-3, 3-2) but only had three after the first quarter. JJ Quinerly added 10, nine below her average.

Oklahoma State was averaging more than 85 points a game but won two games in a row scoring 64. The Cowgirls held Cincinnati to 48 points and West Virginia to 27 below their league-leading average of 84.

Heard’s three-point play three minutes into the fourth quarter had the Cowgirls up 58-47 but West Virginia scored the next seven to get with 58-55 with 2:54 to play as Oklahoma State was missing seven-straight shots.

Blacksten started and ended a 12-0 run with 3-pointers that gave the Mountaineers a 17-7 lead but Gray and Asi hit consecutive 3s and the Cowgirls got within 24-23 at the end of the first quarter.

The two teams combined to make 17 of 29 shots with Blacksten scoring 13 points.

The teams cooled off the the second quarter, combining tor 7-of-23 shooting and 10 turnovers but West Virginia upped the lead to 38-33 at halftime.

Oklahoma State scored the first seven points of the third quarter and outscored the Mountaineers 17-7 to take a 50-45 lead into the fourth quarter. The Cowgirls made just 2 of 15 shots and had six turnovers as only two players score. Six different players scored for OSU, which went 7 of 10.

Oklahoma State plays at Houston on Tuesday. Colorado is at West Virginia on Wednesday.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

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Oklahoma

Which NFL playoff teams have players with Oklahoma ties? We break it down

Published

15 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Which NFL playoff teams have players with Oklahoma ties? We break it down

The NFL Playoffs are upon us, and every team that made the postseason has at least one player with connections to our state. Some played Oklahoma high school football. Others spent all or some of their college years here at OU, Oklahoma State or elsewhere.

Here’s a look at the NFL players with a chance at a Super Bowl LIX ring:

Los Angeles Chargers

Tony Jefferson, S, OU: Came out of retirement this season after spending a year as a scout for the Ravens. Spent time on the practice squad, but played in five of the Chargers last six regular season games.

Houston Texans

Joe Mixon, RB, OU: After spending his first seven seasons in Cincinnati, Mixon had a Pro Bowl season in Houston, rushing for over 1,000 yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Jaylen Warren, RB, OSU: Took a small step back behind Najee Harris, rushing for a career-low 511 yards. But Warren was sidelined for a couple of games with a back injury and has been strong of late.

Devin Harper, LB, OSU: Has been on Pittsburgh’s practice squad all season after being waived by Cincinnati.

Baltimore Ravens

Mark Andrews, TE, OU: Arguably the best tight end in football. Has a career-high 11 touchdown catches this season after escaping injury in August when he was involved in a major car accident.

Justice Hill, RB, Tulsa Booker T. Washington HS/OSU: Back-up to standout Derrick Henry. Hill missed the last two games of the regular season after suffering a concussion.

Charlie Kolar, TE, Norman North HS: The third leg of the Ravens’ talented tight end group, pairing with Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Kolar, who went to Iowa State, has a career-high nine catches and 131 receiving yards.

Tylan Wallace, WR, OSU: Having a career year in his fourth season with the Ravens, catching a career-high 11 passes for 193 yards. Scored his first NFL receiving touchdown in Week 10 against the Bengals.

Denver Broncos

Nik Bonitto, LB, OU: A first-time Pro Bowler who has been mentioned in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. Has 13.5 sacks, the first Bronco with double-digit sacks since Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.

Marvin Mims, WR, OU: Another Pro Bowler. Speedy wideout is second on the team with 503 receiving yards and six touchdown catches. Also returns punts and kicks.

Ben Powers, OL, OU: Started every game for the Broncos at left guard. Third consecutive season he has logged over 1,000 snaps, the first in Baltimore, the last two in Denver.

Delarrin Turner-Yell, S, OU: On the reserve/physically unable to perform list. Has not played a snap for the Broncos this season.

Tanner McCalister, DB, OSU: On the practice squad. Spent his final college season (2022) at Ohio State after four years in Stillwater.

Buffalo Bills

Jordan Phillips, DT, OU: Has played in five games since being released by Dallas in November and signed the very next day by Buffalo. Played for the Bills in two previous stints.

Green Bay Packers

Josh Jacobs, RB, Tulsa McLain HS: Rushed for a team-high 1,329 yards in his first season with the Packers. The Alabama product has a career-high 15 rushing touchdowns, too.

Alex Hale, K, OSU: Has spent his entire rookie season on the Packers’ practice squad.

Marquis Hayes, OL, OU: On the practice squad. Second-year pro has yet to make his NFL debut.

Philadelphia Eagles

Grant Calcaterra, TE, OU: Started a career-high 13 games, logging career bests in catches (24) and receiving yards (298). After medically retiring and leaving OU following the 2019 season, finished his college career at SMU.

Jalen Hurts, QB, OU: In the MVP hunt before Philly sidekick Saquon Barkley stole everyone’s spotlight. Hurts missed the Eagles’ last two regular season games after suffering a concussion.

Lane Johnson, OL, OU: Earned his fifth invitation to the Pro Bowl this season. May well add another All-Pro honor. Made 14 starts at right tackle.

Washington Commanders

Tyler Ott, LS, Jenks HS: Tenth-year pro who played collegiately at Harvard is in his first season with Washington. Named a Pro Bowl alternate.

Chris Paul, OL, Tulsa: Guard has played in six games this season as a reserve.

Tress Way, P, Tulsa Union HS/OU: Making only his second playoff appearance in 11 seasons in Washington. The team captain and fan favorite set the franchise record for career punting yards earlier this season.

Austin Seibert, K, OU: Has been on injured reserve since missing a field goal and two extra points against Dallas. Made all his PATs and 27 of 29 field goals before that. Missed the two games prior with a hip injury.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield, QB, OU: Having his best pro season, throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. Pro Football Focus passing grade of 82.4 ranks just behind Josh Allen, ahead of Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes.

Sterling Shepard, WR, Heritage Hall HS/OU: Resurrected his career in Tampa Bay. After eight seasons with the Giants, the last two of which were rough, Shepard has 32 catches for 334 yards and one touchdown.

Minnesota Vikings

Brian Asamoah, LB, OU: Reserve has played in 14 games this season, his third in Minnesota.

Jalen Redmond, DL, Midwest City HS/OU: One of the best comeback stories this season. Spent last season out of the NFL, then played in the UFL, hooked on with the Vikings’ practice squad but elevated and played in seven of the past eight games, starting two.

Walter Rouse, OL, OU: Made his NFL debut in Week 13 against the Cardinals but has not played otherwise.

Los Angeles Rams

Neville Gallimore, NT, OU: Has played in 14 games and made four starts in his first season with Rams. Spent the first four seasons of his NFL career in Dallas.

Drake Stoops, WR, OU: Undrafted free agent has spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad.

A.J. Green, CB, OSU: Has been on the practice squad all season after spending the previous four seasons in Cleveland.

Kansas City Chiefs

Marquise Brown, WR, OU: Missed the first 14 games of the season due to a shoulder injury. Had nine catches in the two games he played since returning.

Creed Humphrey, OL, Shawnee HS/OU: Continues to build his case as the best center in the NFL. Stalwart and leader of KC’s offensive line. Has made 67 consecutive starts.

Wanya Morris, OL, OU: Second-year pro has made 11 starts this season. Bounced between left tackle and right tackle, the position at which he seems more natural.

Samaje Perine, RB, OU: Reserve power back has played in all of Kansas City’s games this season. Often used in short-yardage situations.

James Winchester, LS, Washington HS/OU: No current long snapper has been more consistent longer. One of only six current players on the Kansas City roster to be part of the franchise’s three most recent Super Bowl titles.

McKade Mettauer, OL, OU: Undrafted free agent signed by Kansas City, then placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury during a preseason game.

Detroit Lions

Malcolm Rodriguez, LB, Wagoner HS/OSU: On injured reserve since Week 13 when he suffered a season-ending knee injury against Chicago. Prior to that, he’d played in 10 games, starting six, with 43 tackles and two sacks.

Did we forget someone? If you know of another player with ties to the state of Oklahoma in the NFL Playoffs, email Jenni Carlson at jcarlson@oklahoman.com.

Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at 405-475-4125 or jcarlson@oklahoman.com. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

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OKLAHOMA STANDARD: Neighbors help clear driveways and streets after snowstorm

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

OKLAHOMA STANDARD: Neighbors help clear driveways and streets after snowstorm

TULSA, Okla — Ryder Tackett is a lifelong resident of Tulsa, and he’s happy to enjoy a little snow—but he also doesn’t mind clearing it up for drivers.

“I don’t want my parents slipping out onto the road,” he said.

He told 2News Oklahoma’s Isabel Flores about how he plows his driveway to make sure his parents stay safe after every snowfall.

This year, he said he’d ask his neighbors if they’d like their driveways plowed, too.

FLORES: “Have you seen anyone or have you yourself gone to other houses?”
TACKETT: “Uh no, I think I’m gonna do that actually. I just started.”
FLORES: “Oh wow! So you’re gonna go around?”
TACKETT: “Yeah, I think so, yeah.”

PJ Turner was also outside salting and plowing driveways.

He’s the Land Service Manager with Rancho Flores, a company that specializes in all kinds of yard work.

After all the fallen snow, Turner said it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation.

“We need a community of people, it takes a herd,” he said. “I think the more we help each other out, the better it is for our community. Plus, we can get out here in this fresh air.”