February 05, 2008 03:03 pm
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Smokers’ litter plagues the park
As somewhat frequent walkers of Central Park, we cannot help but notice the litter left by the remnants of cigarette smoking there, especially in the fountain/garden area at the corner of 22nd Street and Lexington Avenue. We probably all agree that Ashland and its community are richly blessed and enriched to have a beautiful facility such as our park.
While we acknowledge and commend the efforts and works of the cleanup personnel in the area, we wish that smokers would be more considerate in properly disposing of their debris. Please consider doing your heart, lungs and finances a big favor by undertaking earnest efforts to quit, or at least remember to use a nearby receptacle or bring a can or other form of portable ashtray.
The community and beauty of the park will appreciate your efforts.
Mark and Janis Greene Ashland
Baptists oppose expanded gambling
On behalf of the Kentucky Baptist Convention’s Committee on Public Affairs, I express our strong opposition to the effort to expand gambling by bringing casinos to our Commonwealth. We realize that the current state budget situation makes gambling expansion an attractive short-term fix to problems. However, we believe the benefits touted by the gambling industry are more imagined than real.
Gambling tends to hurt most those who can least afford it and serves as a tax increase that simply shifts money to the gambling industry that could be more usefully spent in other sectors of the economy. Expanded gambling does not create new money for the state; it only siphons it away from other parts of the economy.
Furthermore, the increased social costs of dealing with gambling addictions and squandered paychecks more than offset any benefits. Our government should be engaged in activities that strengthen society, not weaken it as gambling unquestionably does.
We also oppose General Assembly approval of a constitutional amendment to allow casinos that would have to be ratified or rejected by the people in November. Our legislators were elected specifically for the purpose of studying complicated issues and making decisions and should not seek to duck the issue. Passage of a constitutional amendment would usurp the democratic process by giving the gambling industry the opportunity to buy approval by pouring millions of dollars into media campaigns that cannot be matched by opponents.
Our Committee commends the many state legislators in both the House and the Senate who recognize the destructive impact that expanded gambling can have on our state and have taken public stands to oppose this proposal. We strongly encourage other legislators to take similarly courageous stands.
John Chowning, Chairman, Committee on Public Affairs, Kentucky Baptist Convention
Do not exclude seniors from rebate
In our enthusiasm to enact a much-needed economic stimulus package, let’s not leave out millions of those who need it most and who would give the economy an immediate shot in the arm.
Congress is now considering two versions of a plan to stimulate the economy, only one of which — the Senate’s — offers rebates to the approximately 20 million Americans who live primarily on Social Security. In Kentucky, 510,429 seniors would be affected. On behalf of its more than 491,000 members, AARP Kentucky wholeheartedly endorses the Senate’s Economic Stimulus Act of 2008.
Older Americans on fixed incomes are among the hardest hit by an economic downturn. They are also a group that spends 92 percent of their income. This pattern suggests that any rebates they receive will be spent entirely and quickly, providing an immediate boost to the economy.
An additional boost to the economy would come from the bill’s extension of unemployment insurance benefits, an essential benefit for workers age 50 and older who have a hard time finding new jobs. Many exhaust their unemployment benefits before they can find other work.
Let’s urge Senators Bunning and McConnell to vote in favor of this well-timed, much-needed measure. We cannot afford to leave out 20 million Americans. Our economy needs them to make the stimulus package work for all of us.
Phil Peters, state director, AARP Kentucky, Louisville
School counselors have great impact
This is National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counseling Association (ASCA). It focuses public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors and highlights the tremendous impact counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
School counselors are cited for being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students’ social/personal, educational and career development; and for working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves.
Professional school counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in guidance and counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.
More than 23,000 school counselors nationwide will be participating in the week’s festivities. Any parent or other community member with specific questions or concerns about school counseling programs should contact the individual counselor at his/her school. More general information can also be found on ASCA’s Web site: wwww.schoolcounselor.org.
Kevin G. Smith, counselor, Hatcher Elementary School, Ashland
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