Published: September 09, 2009 04:12 pm      

In Your View — 09/10/09

Verity students deserve safety

The Patriot Lantern journalism class at Verity Middle School is confused by your recent editorial (Traffic woes, Sept. 8). On the one hand, you somewhat agree with us that our solution to the dangerous intersection at 29th and Kansas streets would accomplish our goal of making the intersection safer as it read: “Having the traffic signal operate 24 hours a day may make the intersection safer...” However, it further reads that a full-time red light would “needlessly slow the flow of traffic during” hours when school was not in session.

We believe the extra time that motorists would be inconvenienced is worth the life of a student. We also believe that motorists would agree with us on that point. After the story appeared, at least one resident near the intersection contacted us and agreed, saying drivers also tend to speed on the road and the traffic light would slow these drivers.

We want to be proactive and not reactive. We have been lucky in that there have not been any serious accidents at this intersection. Our city does not have to deal with the traffic jams of a large city, and we cannot believe a few seconds would be that much of a hindrance to anyone if it would keep our students and all citizens safer.

Our students deserve better safety!

Emily Bond and Steven Corbitt, Editors, The Patriot Lantern



It is all about being re-elected

This nation consisted primarily of farmers when the Constitution was written. It was envisioned the members of Congress would spend a few weeks a year in session, then return home. As a result, we have a significant problem.

Members of Congress now spend more of their efforts to get re-elected by directing favor to those who will re-elect them. Their retirement pay, medical plans and other perks are very generous and they certainly want to get re-elected. The legislative efforts also are strongly influenced by the money flowing in from interest groups. This money also helps them to get re-elected. They can direct wasteful spending to their local area and not be overly concerned about the nation as a whole. It’s all about being re-elected.

A few years ago consideration for term limits for Congress was gaining ground. Term limits may not solve the problem, but it may help. The problem is that it requires legislation passed by Congress, and, of course, members will not do this.

Evidently our only way to influence this problem is to vote against anyone running for re-election. This is not a good solution, but if you can think of a better way to solve this problem, please do not write a letter to your congressman.

Gordon Gussler, Ashland



America needs to return to God

In light of what is taking place in our nation, it would behoove us to return to the God of our fathers.

Consider the prayer of the crew that threw Jonah overboard. “We pray, 0 Lord, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood, for you, 0 Lord, have done as it pleases you.” It’s obvious that Jonah deserved the adversity that engulfed him. His disobedience affected many lives. The storm calmed when the crew, at Jonah’s request, threw him overboard.

Then Jonah did some serious repenting of his own. God delivered him from his calamity and he fulfilled his great commission to warn Nineveh to “Repent or perish ..” They did and a great city was saved.

Do all Americans deserve the judgment due a land that has allowed the abortion of over 65 million babies Wake up! We’re on the verge of losing our freedoms. The Christian church and we as Christians have failed, but not in vain. Jehovah God is a God of a “second chance.” If we confess our sins. God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Just as Jonah was on the brink of disaster, so are we. It is high time to repent and offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving in the midst of failures, trials and tribulations. There’s nothing too hard for the Lord and His ear is open to our cry.

Nineveh was a Gentile city and is one of the clearest demonstration of God’s love and mercy for all mankind. Like the prodigal son returning to his father’s house, we, his people, must humble ourselves, repent and return to our heavenly father. Then he will forgive our sin and heal our land.

Christine Williams, Ashland



Church day care can only benefit

Years ago St. Paul’s Lutheran Church offered our community an entire elementary school — kindergarten through sixth grade — where our son and daughter and many upstanding citizens of Ashland began their education. Traffic jams, declining property values or any other negatives were not an issue.

Now St. Paul’s wants to offer a pre-school. What’s the problem? As a close neighbor of the church, I can only see benefits. I feel honored that I live in a neighborhood where we can be trusted with an environment for small children. Would this not be a plus for property values?

Let’s not engage our judicial and court system, attorneys and municipal authorities on something that can only benefit our community in so many ways.

Suzanne Stavros, Ashland



Bipolar story helps erase the stigma

We thank Katie Brandenburg for the beautiful job she did on her portrayal of bipolar in a positive light (Sept. 9). It is always a plus when someone helps to chip away a piece from the stigma of mental disease.

No one should have to suffer in silence because they are afraid of being labeled. Because of this beautiful piece of writing, those of us with a mental health diagnosis are closer to being thought of as people whose health problems deserve the same attention as other health problems.

Jackie and Jamie Howard, Ashland



Free school supply is a library card

As students start the new school year, it's nice to know that one school supply is free: A library card.

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month, a time when libraries across the country remind parents, teachers, students and others that a library card is the most important school supply of all Why? Libraries such as Boyd County and others in the region offer students of all ages free access to tools they need to succeed in school, including books, computers, homework help, and Internet resources.

According to 2008 poll results from Harris Interactive, library card registration is at an all-time high, with 68 percent of Americans reporting library card ownership. The poll also found that 39 percent of card holders visit the library to borrow books; 12 percent take out CDs, videos or computer software; 10 percent use a computer to see what the library has available; 9 percent use reference materials; and 8 percent go to the library for Internet access,

The poll confirms what we in the library world already knew: Libraries have become family destinations, technology hubs, and cultural centers — basically the pillar of most of the communities they serve.

So, if you haven't been to Boyd County Public Library in a while (or ever), stop in this month

and get a new card. We have seven cool new designs from which to choose.

Amanda Gilmore, Community Relations coordinator, Boyd County Public Library