Published: May 12, 2008 05:28 pm            

In Your View — 05/13/08

Proud to be one of Opal’s boys

There are some special people on this Earth. Opal Conley was one of those people who also was a special teacher, friend and surrogate parent to many of us.

I’m not a gifted enough writer to make those who didn’t know her understand what she meant to so many of us. I first met Opal as a freshman at the Ashland Community College in 1961. It took only one class for her to adopt me as “one of her boys” and I never lost nor wanted to lose the sobriquet of being “one of Opal’s boys.”

You can't imagine how a poor boy out of East Ashland, whose father had died when he was 16, felt about a college professor who took the time to make him feel special.

Perhaps that’s what she did best; she made you feel special at a time you needed to feel special. Never mind that she was the best teacher I ever had, never mind that she made me work harder at academics than I ever realized I could, never mind that her tests tried my soul and taxed my mental capacity.

That intelligent, articulate, graceful lady made everyone of her boys feel special.

At the funeral, all those of us who honored her with eulogies had difficulty getting out the words. As the words were said we realized that this was the final tribute to a giant. Yes, it was difficult to say the words. I cried unabashedly. I loved Opal Conley and it is hard to imagine a world without her in it.

In the end, I was still one of her boys, and it still made me proud to hear her say it. God puts few on Earth as special as that lady. What a privilege it was to have known her.

Rudy Dunnigan, Ashland



Dog walk will benefit shelter

My daughter and I recently began volunteering at the Boyd County Animal Control Center. Thanks to Paul Helton’s diligence, many improvements have been made. The adoptable pets are now listed on Petfinders.com, and he has created a “lost and found” link on the shelter’s Web site, enabling an owner to search for his/her lost pet. He is also looking for individuals to foster pets until they can be adopted.

He continues to ensure every adopted pet will be spayed or neutered, but needs our help in securing funds for the program.

With the help of Tanya Meadows and Terri Tamondi, Friends of Animals has been formed and will sponsor a Memorial Dog Walk on May 17 at the ABC Dog Park. Walkers are encouraged to secure sponsors (pledges) for the shelter. The walker with the largest amount of pledges will win a one-year membership donated by the YMCA.

For a donation, anyone who has lost a pet can secure a "Memorial Paw" with their pet's name to be displayed at the dog park. I challenge all to support our shelter. Information and forms can be downloaded at www.abcdogpark.com. Come join the fun!

Suzanne Harris, Ashland



Sinnette will work for region

I’m writing in support of Kevin P. Sinnette, candidate for state representative, 100th District. It’s abundantly clear that Kevin Sinnette is the most qualified. He is in favor of the local representatives voting as a block to ensure getting what we need in our area. This is called cooperation for the benefit of our community as a whole.

This form of cooperation has worked well in the past. Some examples are the detention center, industrial parkway and the new courthouse. The 100th District needs someone with the knowledge to draft, sponsor and interpret laws. That’s Kevin Sinnette.

Leslie Stevens, Ashland



Clinton not worthy to be president

I do hope that my neighbors in West Virginia think about the election when the go to vote Tuesday.

Hillary Clinton boasts about being on the armed forces committee, but voted to march on Iraq rather than solve the situation diplomatically without thinking about the loss of lives in a war. She never complained either then or now about sending our troops there ill-equipped and virtually unprepared, and the bad conditions at Walter Reed Hospital.

Bill Clinton is a draft dodger so they have no feelings against the war, and said nothing about this for six years until voting time.

Hillary has based her campaign on snide remarks and innuendo. I don’t think she’s any more worthy of the office of president than George W. Bush is.

Ed Peltz , Rush



Fallen police officers honored

National Peace Officers Memorial Day is observed annually on May 15. The week during which May 15 falls is designated as National Police Week.

Congress directed that on National Peace Officers Memorial Day, American flags on all government buildings be displayed at half-staff in memory of fallen police officers. The city of Ashland has adopted a resolution directing that flags be displayed throughout the central business district in memory of Ashland’s fallen officers.

Five members of the Ashland Police Department have been killed in the line of duty. They are Officers Charles C. “Doc” Leffler, Alonzo “Lon” Castle, James Lane, Charles Hatfield and Lieutenant Conrad Frank. Their names are engraved on the National Police Memorial in Washington, D.C. They are also engraved on the Kentucky Police Memorial in Richmond.

In 2007, 181 police officers were killed in the line of duty. This is the highest number of officers killed in the line of duty since 2001, when 240 officers were killed, 72 in the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City. In addition to those officers who make the ultimate sacrifice, thousands more are assaulted annually.

I encourage you to honor fallen police officers on May 15 by displaying the U.S. flag at half-staff on government buildings, throughout business districts, and in residential neighborhoods. By displaying the flag on Peace Officers Memorial Day, we not only honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, but also the men and women presently serving our communities through law enforcement.

Robert W. Ratliff, Chief of police, Ashland



Hillary Clinton should not quit

This is the first time in over 40 years of presidential campaigns that I have heard such a cacophony of voices in the media calling for one of the candidates to quit. The race is virtually tied, and voters from five states and Puerto Rico have yet to cast their votes. As a long time registered Democrat and party volunteer, I not only support Hillary Clinton, but I see her strength and fortitude as essential qualities for a successful president.

As a citizen and voter, I am insulted when I am forced to listen daily to journalists who are not only dismissing my candidate but are working tirelessly to control the outcome. Hillary is not a quitter and neither are at least 50 percent of the Democratic Party voters who believe she should be our next president.

Connie Beech, San Jose, Calif.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.