Published: June 02, 2009 04:32 pm      

In Your View — 06/03/09

Southerners were patriotic people

Mike James seems to be a nice guy, but one who needs to be more inclusive in his patriotism.

When he attacked the Confederate battleflag, his lack of understanding of the War for Southern Independence began to show. Confederate veterans were American veterans by today’s United States law and their descendents should have been allowed in Ironton’s Memorial Day parade in line with the Union soldiers. Southerners were patriotic people, their descendents bravely fought in all the wars this nation ever fought. Without them, we would be speaking Japanese or German now.

The Stars and Bars is the first Confederate flag, not the battleflag. Mr. James cannot back up his claim the flag was anything but an honorable flag that Southerners fought under.

Hate groups are wrong to begin with, but if they used the Confederate flag, they also use the U.S. flag to rally their people.

I hope that all Americans would put aside their bigotry and honor the symbols of both North and South. If not honor, then at least tolerate them.

I wonder if Mr. James knows the paper he writes for is based in a state that has it's star in the center of the Confederate battleflag? The Southern soldier fought a just cause, and the light of their accomplishments can never be dimmed by any revision of history.

We, the Sons of Confederate veterans, are proud and honored to stand for them today. We must accurately preserve for future generations the legacy they left behind.

Ron Huff, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Catlettsburg



Recycling center is the right approach

Recycling has been going on for hundreds of years.

About 20 years ago, curbside recycling started in earnest in many places throughout the U.S. Back then, it was a unique way to recycle. Today it is the gold standard.

This is not true in Ashland. After moving here years ago, we were suddenly trashing items we had been recycling for years. It felt like taking a giant step backward.

In 2007, I was grateful that the city finally had established six drop-off centers where one can take recyclables and drop them in a bin. A company is then paid to empty these overflowing bins. Then this company supposedly takes the contents to be separated and eventually sold.

At that same time two years ago, Ashland and Boyd County formed a committee to explore the feasibility of a regional center with the goals of improving our environment, care for the Earth, reduce trash and cost to landfill, eliminate payment to third parties to remove recyclables from bins, thus generating money to move towards curbside services, etc.

This committee worked diligently, visiting other regional plants in Maysville, Pikeville, Lexington, researching what would be best for our area. A significant grant to pay for startup costs was received a year ago. This grant will expire June 30 because of lack of use.

On May 7. the Ashland City Commission voted 4-1 not to partner with our own county to establish a recycling center.

We want the three commissioners and our mayor to know that we want recycling and want it run in a fiscally responsible manner. Show your support by attending the Ashland commission meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in the city building.

Carla Jaenicke, Ashland



She now counts 4 incredible parents

I’m a 29 year-old attorney in Maysville who will soon be relocating to the Ashland area. Although I’ve lived a relatively ordinary life, I recently experienced something truly extraordinary and want to share my joy.

I was placed up for adoption at birth and was adopted at five weeks by an amazing, stable and supportive family in Vanceburg. I’ve always known I was adopted. I began searching for my biological mother about five years ago after my parents gave me two letters that she had written.

I got my adoption records released from the state but was still unable to locate my birth mother. The records released to me were incomplete, incorrect and misleading. Despite those obstacles, I recently hit a stroke of luck and found my birth mother. Coincidentally, we reconnected on Mother's Day. Where did I finally find her? Facebook.

She’s thrilled that I found her, and we bear a strong physical resemblance. I have a half-brother and sister, with whom I have a startling amount in common. Her entire family is happy and welcoming.

She told me my biological father's name. I also found him, and he’s overwhelmed with joy. I am, it turns out, his only child.

My biolgoical mother and I met on May 17 at a small diner in Lexington. She lives in Louisville, but moved back there six months ago after almost 30 years in Pennsylvania.

My biological father lives in Frankfort. He and I met for the first time on Memorial Day. As this is written, I’m about to meet my maternal grandparents.

I’m acutely aware of how lucky I am. I know so many people who completely lack family; who have no support. I, on the other hand, have four incredible parents.

Crystal Dawn Love, Maysville