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October 23, 2009

Council tricking Halloween treaters?

Can the City Council change Halloween? No.

Can the city suggest parents take their children trick or treating two days early? Yes.

Those are two different distinctions. And frankly, citizens tend to forget that at times. Maybe council members do, too.

A couple of things are a bit sticky about this whole candy-gathering issue in Stillwater. First, the City Council talked about it at a meeting but didn’t take any formal action. Good thing, since the topic wasn’t on the agenda for a vote.

Then the next day the city issued a news release that said the City Council had moved trick or treating to Thursday. Not quite smelling right, either. How can the City Council move it without a vote?

Next official word: It was a city staff decision. OK, that doesn’t violate the Oklahoma Open Meeting Law at least.

But it does short-circuit parents’ and other citizens’ right to be aware of and involved in the city’s business directly involving the public.

Arguments we are hearing against the move are many, not the least of which is that Thursday is a school night. A little tricky for trick or treating and getting to bed on time for school the next day. Sure, Halloween falls on a week night usually and the little goblins manage to get a boatload of candy before bedtime. But when Halloween falls on a weekend it’s a treat.

Thanks to our City Council members for acknowledging safety issues with game day traffic and trick or treaters. But Halloween has been on Oct. 31 since I was a kid and that was a long, long time ago.

Surely, we knew it was coming when the OSU football game was scheduled. We can change game time for television but not for children’s safety?

So, what to do? We’re thinking it’s still the parents’ call - and that of the keepers of the candy. Welcoming trick or treaters Thursday? Turn the porch light on. Waiting until Saturday? Turn off the light Thursday and make sure it’s turned on Saturday evening.

And keep those little monsters in reflective clothing and out of traffic.

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