At the end of the OCPAC meeting held at the Oklahoma History Center on March 23, 2022, when guest speaker Michael Romero made his presentation, I witnessed a very disconcerting confrontation with members of the audience and the speaker.
During times of political campaigns, emotions and tensions can be high. It is the desire of OCPAC to provide a platform for ideas to be aired and information to be disseminated in a respectful and professional manner.
While I did not witness the full confrontation between members of our audience and our speaker, we certainly do not condone personal attacks or open disrespect among, between or with our membership and we expect professionalism from our speakers.
Following that incident, OCPAC received a letter from Mrs. Cathy Costello, which she also shared with the public, expressing her destress, dismay, and discomfort during her encounter with the guest speaker.
OCPAC has enjoyed a longstanding positive relationship with Cathy Costello and her late husband. We hope her hiatus from OCPAC will be short-lived and we may again enjoy her presence and amazing singing voice very soon.
To the extent that OCPAC can assume responsibility for the verbal altercation, we extend a genuine and sincere apology for the negative encounter she experienced, and others witnessed. It does not reflect the professionalism, dignity, and culture we wish to cultivate.
Furthermore, it was apparent that the heated encounter was regarding the ongoing disagreements of audit findings and requests for information from the Office of the Oklahoma Auditor and Inspector.
It is my desire that OCPAC have the courage to pursue the truth and get to the bottom of issues as it relates to conservative principles or allegations of public corruption. OCPAC has given significant latitude for the detractors of the Oklahoma Auditor and Inspector to allow them to make their case.
This topic has proven quite complex, and questions abound. It has become clear that our membership is divided on this issue.
The OCPAC Board and I wish to be responsive to our membership and desire to be fair and just in dealing with elected officials. To that end, I have called Cindy Byrd and extended an invitation to come speak at our membership at a future OCPAC meeting.
It is my great honor lead the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee.
Very respectfully,
