Oklahoma's District 36 race focuses on youth

By Robert Medley

Published: August 20, 2008

PAWHUSKA — Ideas about how to improve the quality of life for young people in House District 36 are a focus for candidates in this rural district.

Incumbent Rep. Scott N. BigHorse, D-Pawhuska, and Republican challenger Eddie Fields of Wynona said they would focus on schools and children in the district that covers Osage County and a portion of Tulsa County.

BigHorse, 52, is a juvenile detention consultant for the nonprofit Youth Services of Osage County. He said he is seeing a growing number of neglected and abused children in the county. Too many children are being placed in state custody, he said.

BigHorse thinks the state is overburdened because of problems in homes. Parenting classes should be offered to young parents, he said.

BigHorse also said he does not think funding for public schools is adequate.

"We need to stop the erosion of public education,” the incumbent said.

Fields, 41, said he supports public education, but he does not think money should be taken from other state programs to support schools.

"We can always use more money, but I can't see robbing Peter to pay Paul to fund education,” Fields said. "You are not gaining anything.”

Fields said attracting more industry and business to his district would help the schools by providing a larger tax base. "We need new business and job opportunities so rural communities can survive and grow,” Fields said.

The rancher previously held a seat on the Wynona School Board.

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