Published: April 25, 2008 03:18 pm            

In Your View — 04/27/08

Nation needs good third party

We in the United States have to be some of the most hypocritical people on Earth. We complain about fuel prices, we complain about food prices, we complain about Iraq — for and against — and we even complain about those that complain, especially if we do not share the same opinion.

Yet we keep sending local, state and national politicians back to office time and time again. Fuel prices? We cannot drill for oil in this country. We cannot drill for oil in the Gulf of Mexico — China can, but we can’t — no refineries have been built in 10 years and yet both political parties refuse to do anything that might help the situation. We’ve embarked on an ethanol program, which has raised food prices. Ethanol takes almost as much energy to produce as we get from the fuel.

Coal-fired plants, even with clean technology, are a no-no. Speaking of nuclear energy in a favorable light will get you locked up. One senator in the Northeast nixed a wind farm because it might spoil his or her view. These same politicians hold televised hearings and then go back to doing nothing.

Yet come fall we’ll send the majority of them back to their jobs. No wonder they don't listen to “the people” anymore. They’ve nothing to worry about.

The country needs a good third party. The United States was founded on multiple political parties. Why do we now only have two to choose from and that sometimes isn’t much of a choice?

One person from Mexico said she waited years to become a U.S. citizen. She dreamed of the day when she could vote. She will finally vote in 2008.

“After all my trouble and time these are all the choices I got?”

Amen!

Gaylord Cooper, South Shore



Superintendent has made good changes

The Elliott County School District is not unlike other districts in Kentucky. While being in a rural area may hinder access to conveniences available in larger districts, our graduates have been successful in all walks of life.

As a 20-year teacher at Elliott County High School, I’ve seen numerous changes. Change for the sake of change is not always wise, but in recent years, some positive reforms have taken place. Much of the credit belongs to Superintendent John C. Williams.

Mr. Williams is a teacher’s superintendent who is very approachable and takes into consideration our ideas. He is a community’s superintendent who attempts to keep the public informed about the events taking place at school, as well as student success stories. He’s made the new Performing Arts Center available for various community events.

He is a parent’s superintendent who has addressed what, for many, is a major concern: Drugs. He’s worked with different agencies to conduct random drug tests as well as with a canine unit to perform drug searches. Has this eliminated the drug problem? Probably not, but at least he has not taken an out-of-sight, out-of-mind attitude.

Some contend that the searches and tests are pointless because we’re warned about them ahead of time. I’ve never known about a drug test or search until it was under way.

Finally, Mr. Williams is an athlete’s superintendent. Whether it is at Richmond watching the Lady Lions compete in the Class A tournament or at Rupp Arena watching the Lions play in the Sweet Sixteen, he can be found leading the cheers.

I have 10 years left at ECHS before retirement. I would be honored to continue working for Mr. Williams during that time.

Jerry Lewis, Sandy Hook



Hoping the thief regrets his actions

This letter is for an unknown thief.

Go ahead and look at yourself in the mirror. Tell yourself what a big brave person you are. When your family, friends and neighbors hear what you did, I bet they will be proud to tell everyone that they personally know you.

After all, it must have taken a lot of courage to go into a fenced-in yard at night and steal a hearing impaired 3-year-old girl’s Little Tikes playhouse.

I hope you realize that you just didn’t steal her house, but you also stole many hours of playing house with her dolls, stuffed animals and friends. I don’t know how many meals have been made in that house by her for her family — each one filled with love.

Are you are one of those people who get a cheap thrill out of making a little girl cry? I hope you develop a conscience and regret your actions.

Rosalie Wheeler, Ashland



Information sought on grandmother

My mother, Connie Sue Ramey, and her identical twin, Bonnie Lou Ramey, were born at the old Huntington Memorial Hospital in September 1953. It’s here that Gertrude Ramey received custody and gave them her name. They remained in her care in the Ramey Children’s Home until they were 19.

I’ve been searching for their parents — my grandparents — for years. The only proof of birth we have is the Bassinet Cards from the hospital, which read (Female) Bates I & II.

There are typed index cards found in Gertrude’s files which list the mother as Helen Juanita Bates. Nothing is printed about the father. We discovered Helen was married and already had two daughters. She divorced and took her maiden name, Chapman.

In 2001, I received an anonymous letter following the publication of my letter in the Huntington newspaper. The author knew my grandmother. The note said she lived with her mother and father in a house on Buffalo Creek Road in Lawrence County, Ohio, in late 1952. Lastly, it said they had “heard Helen Chapman was working in or owned a small grocery store in Oak Hill, Ohio.”

Since then, I’ve learned Helen owned Osborne’s Grocery until her death in October 1986. Apparently she married again, Dwight N. Fillinger, known as Dine.

If anyone has additional information on a Helen Juanita Bates, or the father of “the twins” this would be all new information.

My search has been long and hard. I’m 34 with three children of my own. I only wish to fill in a gap of my family history that has been missing for so long. It is also my greatest wish to present my mother and Aunt Bonnie with the best Mother’s Day present ever! I can be reached via e-mail at slopez918@comcast.net.

Summer Lopez , Katy, Tex.

        

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