Lack Of English Proficiency At Fairs Is 'A Rising Safety Concern,' Official Says

The inability to speak English by the operators of rides at Oklahoma fairs, particularly the State Fair of Oklahoma that begins this week, is "a rising safety concern," an Oklahoma Department of Labor official says. Don Hankins, senior amusement ride inspector, told a Capitol hearing that about 50 percent of the ride operators at the State Fair don't speak English. He said that in the "Kiddie Land" section, the percentage sometimes reaches 90 percent. He added that the number of operators unable to speak English is lower at the Tulsa State Fair and at county fairs. His comments were among many offered by those attending, including Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau. The hearing was held to discuss illegal immigration and its economic impact in Oklahoma, and on taxpayers. Several speakers said hard statistics are not available because of federal and state restrictions on the ability of program administrators to compile that data. Speaker after speaker said data is not available because their agencies are prohibited from checking whether those receiving a benefit, service or medical treatment are citizens of the United States. Among those participating in the hearing were Pat Fennell, Latino Community Development Agency; Jimmy Curry, president of the Oklahoma AFL-CIO; Don Schooler, Labor Department general counsel; Olly Olivas, member of the American GI Forum; Adrian Privett of the Carpenters Union; Steve Antosh, Shawnee businessman; Shirley Cox, Catholic Charities; Steve Merrill, retired U. S. Border Patrol agent; Carol Helm of Immigration Reform for Oklahoma Now; and Ed Romo of LULAC.

Share |