Published: September 14, 2009 03:45 pm      

In Your View — 09/15/09

Exclude abortion in health care reform

Congress will soon return to Washington and consider the lingering issue of health care reform. No matter what your position is on the broad issue of reform, it seems obvious that the bill should help protect the innocent and the helpless.

That will require language that forbids the government from covering abortions or paying for them.

Unfortunately several amendments that would accomplish this goal have been defeated, and President Obama has even deceptively said that when it comes to abortion funding, “nothing will change under reform.”

The truth is much different. Without specific language in the bill, a government panel could decide that federally approved benefit plans must cover abortion, and that our tax dollars must be used to provide them.

You don’t have to be pro-life, as I am, to be aghast at the thought that this bill would make abortions much easier to obtain and pay for them with our tax dollars.

Please contact your members of Congress and ask them to vote only for a health reform bill that would stop the abortion mandate.

Ella Nethercutt, Ashland



Moore taught many how to carve wood

Ralph Moore of Cannonsburg passed away this past week. The name is perhaps shared by hundreds, maybe even thousands in the English speaking world, but this particular Ralph Moore was a special man indeed.

The Ralph I knew was one of the caring and sharing type. They don’t pass this way often. To my knowledge and that of others who knew, loved and spoke about him, Ralph never met a stranger and loved to share his knowledge and abiding appreciation for three things: His faith in God, love of family and the practice of wood carving. He began a carvers club, which grew to serve literally hundreds of artisans in the Tri-State. Some came to teach, but most came to learn what may well become a dying art form.

There were little ones who would come just to watch and learn, or those who actually showed up with oxygen tanks in tow. Certainly, we watched many master carvers pass on through the years, leaving their lasting legacy of beauty and pride in craftsmanship.

During a single Poage’s Landing Days event, more than 5,000 people could tour the Ashland Area Art Gallery or the Jesse Stuart Foundation just to see his troupe of “whittlers” at work. Ralph referred to the pastime as “just whittlin’,” but it didn’t take long to see just how serious he was about spreading the word. For many of us who learned with him, we won’t forget the times he purchased at his own expense loads of wood product, which he left piled on his front porch for we novices to pilfer. I will always smile and be grateful, when I think of the Ashland Area Wood Carvers Club and Ralph Moore of Cannonsburg

Brenda Keathley, Catlettsburg



3 Meals on Wheels routes to begin

I thank those who have volunteered to drive Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital’s new Meals on Wheels routes serving South Ashland, Catlettsburg and Burnaugh. Now that we have drivers in place, we are prepared to accept new clients. Our new routes begin Monday, Sept. 21.

Meals on Wheels exists to provide for those who have food needs they cannot meet without the assistance of a delivered meal. We’re asking those in the South Ashland, Cattlettsburg or Burnaugh areas who are unable to prepare their own meals, who have no caregiver to provide meals, who can no longer drive or who are not eligible for other food delivery programs to contact us about becoming a Meals on Wheels client.

Food for the new routes in South Ashland, Catlettsburg and Burnaugh is prepared by Mary’s Kitchen and meals are available for $4. Clients meeting poverty level guidelines may receive assistance with meal costs.

To learn more about becoming a client or to volunteer, call (606) 833-3398 or toll-free at 1-877-827-7012.

Mary Ellen Conley, Senior Services Coordinator, Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital, Ashland



Grass is not mown in Shawnee Forest

Recently in Shawnee State Forest in southern Ohio, a bushhog already had mowed through some state-threatened small white snakeroot. It was headed toward the only known state-endangered silver plume grass in Ohio, which was just 100 yards from the snakeroot. The mower was clearing a utility right-of-way and had the right to mow.

However, an equipment operator was willing to look at the site and take the information to his supervisor. The forest manager was notified, and a decision was made to spare the silver plume grass.

Yes, the perennial grass probably would survive being mowed just as it was beginning to bloom, but its vigor would be diminished. And organisms totally dependent on the flowers or seeds of that particular species may not have survived the loss.

Every species has value, both to itself and to others. Recognizing the preserving the value of everything enriches the ecology of the forest and strengthens the web of life in Shawnee.

The plume-lie flower heads of the Silver Plume Grass are quite pretty. They has aesthetic value to humans

Barbara A. Lund, Save Our Shawnee Forest, Lynx, Ohio



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