Published: June 15, 2009 04:33 pm      

In Your View — 06/16/09

Osborne is great asset for Boyd

I have been an elementary teacher in the Boyd County School System for 21 years. Four years ago our board of education hired Howard K. Osborne as superintendent. From the first week he was hired until the last day of school this year, he has been a very visible person in each school building.

The students look forward to his weekly visits when he sticks his head inside each classroom and says hello to the students and teacher. He is the most approachable superintendent teachers have had for years. He knows each employee by name and truly cares about our needs and concerns.

He is Boyd County public schools biggest cheerleader! Mr. Osborne has a true love for children as well as education.

During the four years he has been with us, test scores have raised and employee morale has soared. Howard K. Osborne is a great asset to the Boyd County public school system as well as our entire community!

Sheri Henry, teacher, Ponderosa Elementary, Catlettsburg



FDA regulation of tobacco praised

This is a truly historic occasion for the American Lung Association and for all Americans. Fully 45 years after the surgeon general first warned in 1964 that cigarettes are harmful to health, the U.S. Senate — by a vote of 79 to 17 — has passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. This bill grants the FDA regulatory power over the manufacture, sale and marketing of tobacco products. Although the House and Senate versions must be reconciled, we are optimistic that this legislation will quickly move to the president’s desk.

This victory for public health is the culmination of decades of tireless work by the entire America Lung Association family, our staff, volunteers and e-advocates, as well as our many partners, including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.

Passage of this bill heralds a welcome end to Big Tobacco’s unregulated grab for wealth and power at the expense of America’s health. All those who played a part in bringing this legislation to passage should feel proud about the years of pain, suffering and premature that will be saved because of their efforts.

Menisa Marshall, American Lung Association of Kentucky, Louisville



Proposal ignores problem gamblers

The issue video lottery terminals at race tracks now is before the Kentucky General Assembly. Many assume the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling (KYCPG) opposes this issue. In fact, KYCPG is neutral.

What KYCPG is concerned with is Kentucky taking responsible action to raise awareness, implement prevention and fund treatment of problem and pathological gambling. Such action is overdue.

Problem and pathological gambling in Kentucky already exists. Kentucky currently authorizes three types of gambling with total annual gross revenues of approximately $1.75 billion. Whether the General Assembly chooses to expand or ban gambling, thousands of citizens suffer right now because they cannot gamble merely for entertainment. They gamble from need and cause harm to themselves and others. To date, Kentucky provides no programs or resources to address this addiction, but the state does receive about $200 million annually from legal gambling activities.

Statistics show gambling addicts and near-addicts are always present. It is necessary for awareness, prevention and treatment programs to be in place to help problem gamblers. Just as prohibition did not stop alcoholism, gamblers will find a way to gamble.

Expanded gambling will increase the number of opportunities to gamble and likely the number of people gambling. There still will be 40,000 or so lifetime gambling addicts, but the number of individuals seeking help to address a gambling problem will increase.

Among its border states, only Virginia joins Kentucky in failing to address problem gambling.

The proposed legislation released June 9 by the governor's office is disappointing. To propose legislation that will increase gambling opportunities without recognizing the potential negative consequences is troubling. A responsible proposal must include funding for education and prevention of problem and pathological gambling and for treatment of pathological gamblers whose numbers are likely to increase with the expansion of gambling opportunities.

Michael R. Stone, Executive director, Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling, Frankfort