The Norman Transcript
By Tony Pennington

Speaker of the House Lance Cargill's brainstorming tour of Oklahoma made a stop in Norman Tuesday for an "idea raiser" in support of his 100 idea initiative.

Cargill introduced the bi-partisan grassroots program last January in recognition of the state's centennial and as an effort to engage Oklahoma residents to look towards the next 100 years. The initiative has made more than 10 appearances across the state to harvest the collective intelligence of ordinary people, from local business leaders to the folks at the barber shops. They are seeking information on technology, education, agriculture, economic development and other topics that affect the state.

The group will select the 100 best concepts from their idea raisers for a book to be published next year. One hundred ideas officials will then present the omnibus to the state legislature in time for the 2008 session.

"It's a statewide effort to get beyond the walls of the Capitol, and get into Oklahoma's communities," said Thad Balkman, executive director of 100 Ideas. "We're looking for solutions and ideas ... just ideas. We don't care about political affiliation. We're providing an opportunity for every Oklahoman to write a legislative agenda."

Representatives of the Norman Chamber of Commerce's weather committee had their opportunity Tuesday at the National Weather Center, 120 David L. Boren Blvd. More than 50 committee members and concerned residents were on hand in the David L. Boren auditorium to share their ideas on the weather industry.

Those in attendance were divided into small discussion groups of five and asked to produce two to three ideas to support the state's weather industry. Jodi Lewis, director of development and planning for the Oklahoma Community Institute, facilitated the meeting and presented the guidelines for the exercise.

"You need to identify the most critical issues facing the weather industry today," she said. "When writing bold ideas for Oklahoma's future, these fundamental principles should be kept in mind: First, the ideas should be relevant ... second, every idea should be about the future ... and third, no idea should unnecessarily expand the role of government."

After about 30 minutes the groups produced several ideas. Among those presented were: foster the development of an alert system utilizing wireless Internet technology; develop a policy to attract industry leaders and retain the best and brightest students; a center for live weather data; a statewide plan to attract private weather businesses; and increase climate and weather education in Oklahoma's schools.

University of Oklahoma meteorology professor Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier was instrumental in organizing the chamber's weather committee. He said he was pleased by the turnout and the ideas generated.

"I thought the ideas were OK," he said. "The main thing is people are thinking about the weather industry and weather based economic development. This is truly about all Oklahomans."

Diane Caribardi and Kenneth Bentley of the Heart of Oklahoma Chapter of the American Red Cross also participated in the program. Caribardi said she wasn't aware of the drive for Oklahoma ideas.

"I didn't know there was a 100 idea initiative," said Caribardi, director of financial development. "I thought it was really interesting."

Bentley, director of emergency services, said he was going to apply the concept at his office.

"I plan on taking this back to our volunteer committee for their input," he said.
And that is the purpose of this campaign across Oklahoma. Balkman said they plan on doing about 60 presentations before wrapping it up in October. At each stop, they want to engage residents to think about progress and how to make Oklahoma better. And it doesn't matter where those ideas come from.

"We are not seeking ideas about any particular industry," he said. "We want ideas about everything."