Edmond Sun - 08/15/2018 Copy Reduced to 79% from original to fit letter page Page : B04

B4 | NEWS THE EDMOND SUN WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018

Edmondson only candidate to

walk the walk on transparency
Opponents refuse to “My opponents certainly Open Government tasked requirements of
have the right to keep this with ensuring compliance Oklahoma’s openness laws.
provide information secret, but in with Oklahoma’s sunshine “The other candidates
doing so, they have forfeited laws. talk about how they sup-
voters with financial their right to talk about A recipient of Freedom of port transparency in gov-
transparency,” Edmondson Information Oklahoma’s ernment but, apparently,
disclosures said. “This was an opportu- Marian Opala First it’s all just talk,” he said.
nity to demonstrate a Amendment Award, “Voters deserve leadership,
OKLAHOMA CITY — change between them- Edmondson has long been not empty words. Whether
Drew Edmondson said that selves and Governor Fallin’s recognized as a champion or not to release this infor-
by refusing to release their administration, and they of open government. As mation was their decision.
financial information and failed.” attorney general, They have chosen secrecy,
information on any poten- For voters to make Edmondson frequently and the voters will judge
tial conflicts of interest, informed decisions, they forced government agen- accordingly.”
Republican gubernatorial must know more about the cies to be more transparent, A Navy veteran,
candidates Mick Cornett candidates than what they including issuing an opin- Edmondson taught speech
and Kevin Stitt have forfeit- learn from sound bites and ion that declared govern- and debate at Muskogee
ed their right to talk about 30-second ads, Edmondson ment email records were Central High School after
transparency on the cam- said. public documents available returning from service in
paign trail. “Open government has for inspection, filling a gap Vietnam. He is a graduate
Oklahoma Watch been relegated to the back in public access to electron- of Northeastern State
requested tax and financial burner for the last eight SUN FILE PHOTO ic communications. College and the University
information from statewide years and people want Drew Edmondson Edmondson also created of Tulsa School of Law. He
candidates and, according change,” Edmondson said. and taught a statewide, is a former Oklahoma
to the news outlet, “It’s important that voters Opening up this personal candidacy has been his multiyear series of educa- attorney general and
Edmondson was the only know that their governor financial information is the pledge to bring more trans- tional seminars designed to Muskogee County district
gubernatorial candidate to has no conflicts of interest best way to ensure no parency to Oklahoma gov- inform local, county and attorney.
provide the requested infor- and will always act in the potential problems exist.” ernment. To facilitate this, state officials, as well as the Learn more at www.drew-
mation. best interests of the state. A staple of Edmondson’s he will create an Office of general public, about the foroklahoma.com.

Thirst for a Cause celebrating a decade of service

OKLAHOMA CITY — 39 wineries will be in
Thirst for a Cause, an attendance, pouring more
annual event started in than 200 wines.
2009, will continue its 10th Additionally, many silent
year Wednesday, Aug. 15 auction items and rare
when more than 40 vint- bottles will be available for
ners from all over the bidding. Through these
world will join in along auction donations and the
with 10 local restauran- ticket sales, the event has
teurs. The event raises raised more than $200,000
funds to help with urgent for Oklahoma restaurant
medical needs and related and club employees.
expenses for members of The event expects about
Oklahoma’s hospitality 300 attendees, who will be
industry. able to sample food from
Nearly 100 percent of some of Oklahoma City’s
the money raised at this best local restaurants, as
event goes directly to the well as meet and interact
charity — not to cover with vintners from all over
costs, organizers said. The the wine world. These
event will take place at vintners, who represent
4040 N. Lincoln — the for- some of the best wines
mer location of the Jim available in the country,
Thorpe Museum. Tickets are coming all the way to
are $75 in advance & $89 Oklahoma to help raise
at the door. money for this cause.
Through the non-profit Wines will be available
Oklahoma Hospitality for pre-order from local
Foundation, the event wine retailers – Beau’s
gives back to the
Copyright hard-
(c)2018 Wine
Edmond Sun, Bin08/15/2018
Edition (Nichols Hills), MADDIE GREGORY | PHOTO PROVIDED
working employees
August of the
16, 2018 10:40 Broadway
am (GMT +5:00) Wine Merchants Michele Duckett enjoys herself at a previous year’s Thirst for a Cause. Powered by TECNAVIA
area’s independent restau- (Downtown), Edmond
rants and country clubs. Wine Shop (Edmond), The Oklahoma may be purchased online or by phone at 405-942- part include Boulevard