We are all too familiar here in Tulsa, Oklahoma with street and general construction around the city. It seems as soon as crews finish one section of a project they immediately move the cones and begin construction on the next section. Honestly, this is what we expect. These are our tax dollars at work! If you ask around, I’m sure you will hear, “There is too much construction in Tulsa, Oklahoma.” However, if you think about it doesn’t this mean our city is being reconstructed to support its ever-increasing growth?

Most of the roads here are decades old and getting them a face lift is not cheap. The road progression is a monetary figure that is way outside of any of our natural comprehension; but we can at least see the progress.

Highway 51 (Broken Arrow Expressway) is all sorts of cut-up heading into Downtown Tulsa. I’m not sure exactly what they’re doing but they’re doing something. I’m pretty sure its needed whatever it is. The water tends to collect pretty bad west bound around 21st and 15th street exits. At least its getting repaired and brought into better shape right? Been downtown lately? The construction process down there is going very well. Main street is fully finished and the Boston Avenue construction too!

Current Tulsa Metro Construction Projects:

• I-244 – Tulsa Co. – Bridge repair over Ark. River. Summer ‘08. Gibson & Assoc. $1.1 million.
• US-75 / SH-51 – Tulsa Co. – Bridge painting & repair on US-75 over Polecat Creek & on SH-51 over 21st St. S. Summer ‘08. Seminole Equipment (paint) & Gibson & Assoc. (repair). $1.2 million.
• US-75 – Tulsa Co. – Resurface southbound lanes from 56th St. N. to I-244. Fall ‘08. Becco Contr. $1.7 million.
• US-169 – Tulsa Co. – Cable barrier from 36th St. N. ext. no. to ½-mi. no. of 56th St. N. Summer ‘08. Action Safety. $600,000.
• US-75 – Tulsa Co. – Cable barrier from 81st St. S. ext. no. to I-244. Summer ‘08. Action Safety. $800,000.
• SH-20 – Tulsa Co. – Replace bridge 1/10-mi. west of US-169 at Black Jack Creek in Collinsville. Spring ‘08. Sherwood Const. $2.2 million. Local detour onto city streets
• SH-66 – Creek Co. – Surface & bridge work from SH-117 ext. east 1.5 mi. to SH-97. Widening to 4 lanes & bridge reconst. over Rock Creek & overflows. Summer ‘09. Becco Contr. $9 million. Detour westbound: SH-97 so. to SH-117, then west to SH-66. Detour eastbound: SH-117 east to SH-97, then no. to SH-66

If you add it up, there is a lot of money being spent on road repairs — which likely will be around for quite some time. Make the best of it, slow down, move over, and let the crews feel a little less anxious as to being hit by a speeding car or over-sized vehicle rubbing shoulders with them.

If you want to see more details including a map of the construction around the city as well as Oklahoma as a whole visit www.okladot.state.ok.us.

Are you aware of the economic stimulus payment? If not, don’t feel left out; most of us do not know what the phrase economic stimulus payment means. However, we are speaking about that wonderful rebate check that has been promised to start mailing sometime next month.

To be brief, but give you a little bit of background. There’s been quite a few questions circulating the internet and world about whether or not the US is in a recession. Let’s think about this situation from a different perspective for a few moments — shall we?

The economy is a tricky subject and recently has become another one of those golden anti-conversation elements while mingling with friends or associates. You are not supposed to talk about politics, religion, or previous significant others. But it seems as though the economy is now on that list too. Why? Its obvious our economy is in a recession. It is not just down, its way down! It is actually really crappy, but what can we say.

We are not economists, financial majors, or even financially minded people; by career. However, some of us are pretty knowledgeable with our money or any money for that matter. Our economy is in the hole, our national debt is through the roof, and investors are seeking returns from foreign stocks. Why is that? Because our economy is in a recession!

If Washington won’t tell you, we will!

What does this have to do with my check?

First, when you get our rebate check, you’re going to want to do something with it — right? What do you think you are going to do with it? We recommend you keep that money local. So, instead of jumping on the internet and buying those new jeans or shirts for the summer; think about other ways you can use it to advance yourself and our great state.

There are plenty of local businesses that are willing to give you a bit of a reward for using your check at their organization. For example, Reasor’s grocery locations will give you $325.00 for groceries if you give them $300.00 of your check. Not a bad deal if you ask us!

In reality, an extra twenty-five dollars for groceries, one of life’s necessities really is not a bad trade off. You are going to have to spend that money on food at some point any way. Don’t take $300.00 out of your payroll; just turn over the check from the stimulus.

If you are afraid of spending that money at a chain company in our great community — have no fear! It does not matter who you spend your money with as long as they are located in our community. The only draw back is instead of ordering those jeans from American Eagle’s online website; you might have to step into their Brick and Mortar store at a local mall. But, as long as that store is in our community — our community reaps the reward.

The goal is to keep the money local to help advance our economy. You are not a super hero, you can’t save the entire country from this extremely poor economic situation, but you can help our local economy and maybe relieve a little bit of suffering.

So, in short — don’t spend your money with just anyone, spend it with someone who can help our economy!

Naturally, irs.gov has much more information than we do. We just wanted to bring it up, because believe it or not — we can all make a difference together.