Published: November 04, 2009 04:21 pm      

In Your View — 11/05/09

Tough times impact Russell tech center

It was my pleasure to participate in the KY Tech-Russell Area Technology Center’s annual fall steering committee meeting led by Principal Keith Parsons. I thank the businesses and school leaders who support career and technical education programs offered at the school.

We are working through some tough economic times affecting funding. The KY Tech-Russell ATC budget is set by the General Assembly and managed by the Office of Career and Technical Education. It is the leanest in the history of our KY Tech system of schools.

I appreciate Rep. Tanya Pullin, who took time from her busy schedule to attend the meeting and offer her support. We were able to briefly talk about how difficult it is to manage in tough economic times with limited state budget resources. She is also concerned about not being able to say yes to the many worthy and deserving needs that impact her district.

Representative Pullin and all of us understand the value of offering high-level technical skills to students and its economic impact on Greenup County, Kentucky and the nation.

The very sharp and highly skilled students taught at the KY Tech–Russell ATC represent the seeds of recovery for our nation.

Michael L. Kindred, Deputy Executive Director, Office of Career and Technical Education, Kentucky Tech System of Schools, Frankfort



Some facts about voting in 2010

Here’is some Information on voting for the 2010 election that some people may not know

You may change your political party affiliation at any time on or before Dec. 31 to remain eligible to vote in the following primary election. You simply need to fill out a new voter registration card and return it to your county clerk by the Dec. 31 deadline.

You may register at least 29 days before the election if you change your name or if you move.

The county clerk needs to have the latest information on you as soon as possible. Here are three ways for you to update your voter registration: When renewing or updating your driver’s license; by notifying the county clerk by writing or visiting their office; or by filling out a new voter registration card.

To register you must:

‰Be a U.S. citizen and a Kentucky resident for at least 28 days.

‰Be at least 18 years old by the date of the next general election (If you will be 18 by the November general election, you are eligible to vote in the prior May primary election).

‰Not be a convicted felon or, if convicted of a felony offense, you must have had your civil rights restored (Contact your local parole office to obtain an application for restoration of civil rights;

‰Not have been judged “mentally incompetent” in a court of law and have voting rights removed;

‰Not claim the right to vote anywhere outside Kentucky

Kentucky has closed party primary elections. You must register as a Democrat or Republican to vote in that party's May primary election. If you choose a different party registration other than Democrat or Republican, you cannot vote in their respective primaries, but may vote in nonpartisan city and judicial primaries.

Mary Vaccarella, Russellville



Consider adopting a shelter animal

As the Christmas shopping season approaches, I feel compelled to write. I own a wonderful dog and three amazing cats — none of which came from a pet store. All my dogs or cats came mostly from animal shelters or managed to find their way to my house and into my heart. Countless customers looking for the “perfect purebred” pet unfortunately purchase their dog or cat from a pet store.

Some of these pet store animals come from puppy mills which are like dog factories where the business owner is solely in it to make a profit. Minimal care is given to the breeding dogs and their offspring. They are sold and the pet store tries to tell the customers that these puppies do not come from puppy mills.

Please, give a shelter dog or cat a good home this holiday season. Shelters are full of good pets. When you adopt a young cat or dog, you often can get them spayed or neutered for a reduced price at a participating veterinary hospital, or they may have already been spayed or neutered.

If you’re thinking of giving a pet for Christmas, please make sure the recipient can care for the pet and can have this pet where they live. Make sure if you are going to adopt a pet that you can afford to give this pet the proper vaccinations and veterinary care for its lifetime.

I hope this letter will give you pause before considering buying a pet from a pet store. For more information, please go to the Humane Society of the United States Web site and look up puppy mills.

A good pet also can be bought from a responsible breeder. Your local veterinarian can give you some information about responsible cat and dog breeders.

Barb Calhoun, Raceland



Hatcher invites vets to program

Hatcher Elementary will be observing Veterans Day on Nov. 11 and invites all area veterans as we recognize them for their service to our country. The ceremony will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. at Hatcher Elementary.

We are hoping for a great turn out so we can impress on our student population how grateful we should be for our fellow Americans’ dedication and heroism. If you are able to attend and need directions to the school, call (606) 327-2732.

David Greene, principal, Hatcher Elementary School, Ashland