Aragon to address county Republicans

Major General Rita Aragon will address the Republican Luncheon Club meeting 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Coach's restaurant.?

Aragon is a former Oklahoma public school teacher, a member of the Choctaw tribe, and is the first female commander of the Oklahoma Air National Guard. She and was the first female base commander in Oklahoma, as well as being the first female general in Oklahoma.?

She also serves as director of the University of Oklahoma's Advanced Program that delivers master's and Ph.D. programs around the world at 31 different sites to predominantly military members.

The public is invited to hear her speak. The $12 admission price includes lunch. For details, call Jim Helm at 229-4807.

Collins speaks at mental health legislative panel

The Oklahoma Mental Health Consumer Council sponsored its 17th annual Legislative Leadership Panel recently. Partially funded by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the panel hosted several state officers including Lt. Gov. Jari Askins; State Treasurer Scott Meacham; Sen. Connie Johnson, D-Oklahoma City; Rep. Wallace Collins, D-Norman; Rep. Al Lindley, D-Oklahoma City; and Rep. Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City.?

The panelists were chosen for their interest in, and dedication to, mental health issues.

Collins, who was named Outstanding Legislator by the National Association for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), told the crowd that "there is still a social stigma?associated?with a mental illness, but we all need to continue to discuss the issue and educate society."? He went on to say mental health funding was cut by 3 percent this past session, even though the needs are always expanding.?

"Mental health has never received the funding it needs, and in the long run, Oklahoma pays more because of it. It costs the state more money through lost productivity, costs of incarceration, not to mention the societal loss because of potential that is not fulfilled," Collins said.?

Collins promised to again next year, author a bill seeking to increase pay for state employees. He is also conducting a study into the conditions at Griffin Memorial Hospital.

OCU law dchool to host debate

Oklahoma City University's School of Law will host a candidates' forum between Corporation Commission candidates Jim Roth and Dana Murphy 5 p.m. Oct. 16 in the Homsley Family Moot Courtroom at the school's Sarkeys Law Center.