Hugo agency buys out executive director Save Email Print
Posted: 12:45 PM May 15, 2008
 Last Updated: 12:45 PM May 15, 2008
 Reporter: KXII-TV Staff
Email Address: firstnews@kxii.com
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HUGO, Okla. -- The Little Dixie Community Action Agency is buying out their executive director, former Oklahoma state representative Randall Erwin, who is facing federal charges for kickbacks.

Federal authorities accuse him of earmarking money for businesses owned by Steve Phipps, and then taking an undisclosed amount of kickbacks from Phipps.

Because the Little Dixie Community Action Agency relies on federal grants, they have decided to buy out Erwin’s contract and find another executive director.
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Posted by: mandy Location: durant on May 21, 2008 at 12:05 PM
i am from hugo ive lived there all my life and to the person who says "do away with community services" you'd not make it a day in choctaw co. you must not know nothin about it either so until you educate yourself your lookin pretty pitiful.i think it is a great service of choctaw county and do you really know the history of little dixie? maybe you ought to do some research. then you may consider the things you say about it
Posted by: former Choctaw Co. resident Location: not there any more on May 17, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Uhhh, Jonathan.......we're talking Choctaw County here, a hotbed of corrupt politicians and good ol' boy politics. They've had a mayor who shot a man in cold blood and was let off by his buddy the judge; a former circus roustabout who was a street commissioner, and who knew nada about construction; an illiterate as water commissioner who couldn't even read a meter, much less his name on his desk; a county sherriff who killed in cold blood & got off- shall I go on? It's in the DNA there. It's a shame that such agencies as Little Dixie, who are trying to do good things, would be led by such men. And for what I just said, I can back up everything I said- ask around Hugo sometime. The folkd of that fine town deserve better.
Posted by: American Location: Durant on May 16, 2008 at 09:39 PM
An FBI ivestigation is really needed in all area Little Dixie agencys. Why the cover up/BUY OUT? An major internal investigation is needed within the Low income housing area. Fraud is fraud.
Posted by: Jonathan Location: Ardmore on May 16, 2008 at 03:48 PM
I turned on the news the other day and some guy who had just spent the last 20 years of his life behind prison bars was being released. Trouble was those 20 years it turns out was served for a crime he didn't commit, proven innoncent finally from the DNA test. They had found him guilty in every coffee shop, newspaper, TV, and even before 12 of his peers in a court of law with hard evidence. Twenty years and so many thought he was guilty. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? God forbid you ever find yourself in a serious legal battle, but if you do I hope if you are found guilty it is based on true evidence and not conjecture, speculation, and strong heresay. I wish that on no one.
Posted by: James Location: Tulsa on May 16, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Who needs these confounded Community Action Agencies anyway....all they do is help to provide shelters for the homeless, emergency services for needy families, educational opportunities for low-income youth, transportation for medicaid, elderly, and other silly so called services such as this....I say who needs them...let this people fend for themsleves...Confounded Community Action!!!
Posted by: CAP Fan Location: Choctaw Co. OK on May 16, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Maybe "dumbfounded" should do a bit of research and find out what Community Action Agencies (CAPS) really do for their areas. Little Dixie CAA administers Head Start/Early HeadStart, Rural Transit, numerous Housing programs, Volunteer and Mentoring, Tourism, and many other programs. These are closely monitored by the various federal, state, or other funding sources. There is a high level of accountability and responsibility required. No agency like Little Dixie, Big 5, or any of the other 18 CAP Agencies in Oklahoma can operate unless they meet the requirements and deliver the services to the people who need help the most. Let's hope "dumbfounded" continues to be one of the more fortunate citizens of Oklahoma and never needs the services or jobs that agencies like Little Dixie provide. Lastly, it's sad that these days, a person is presumed guilty until proven innocent, and that anyone connected to them is considered guilty by association.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: southern ok on May 15, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Little Dixie agency is not in Durant...if you read it says Hugo...that is Choctaw County. Big 5 is in the Bryan County area! Little Dixie helps support their headstarts, and helps people in building homes for low income families. Come on dumbfounded please read!
Posted by: MARK EPPLER Location: Madill Ok. on May 15, 2008 at 05:02 PM
I watched your story on railroad crossings and had mixed feelings about it. I live in Johnston county and cross the tracks in Madill daily. On numerous occasions I have stopped at the tracks with the crossing gaurds down but there's no train. When that happens drivers are tempted to drive around the gaurds. I think it should be a violation for the railroad to leave the arms down when there is no train crossing at that time. Maybe you could do a follow up story on the amount of time drivers sit at train tracks waiting for trains that may or may not be crossing.
Posted by: Anonymous on May 15, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Forget buying him out and put him in the pokey.
Posted by: dumbfounded Location: southeast OK on May 15, 2008 at 02:03 PM
So they're giving him more taxpayer dollars? How many of these Community Agencies are there anyway? I know of half dozen in Durant alone. Most of them with overlapping areas, cause of concern. Their only real purpose is to gather up tax dollars and dole them out to the politically connected. Heopefully, the next time Erwin takes any of my tax dollars, it will be his first meal in Leavenworth, but I won't hold my breath.
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