Common Sense

Dear Editor, Danville’s tax and spend commissioners now expect Danville taxpayers to subsidize recycling businesses. If garbage the commissioners select to be recycled is of value to business, they should be willing to reimburse taxpayers for the cost of collecting this garbage. If business pays more than the cost of collection, this profit can be used to reduce regular garbage pickup taxes. However, if business is not willing to pay for collection costs, common sense dictates that this so-called recyclable garbage be sent to a lower cost local dump.

Dear Editor, Is it common sense to pay more than $21,000 in penalties for late payroll tax payments? The city manager said the payroll clerk was on leave, and he would see to it someone else would be cross-trained. This has happened on four previous occasions. Is it common sense to go into debt almost $ 8 million on remodeling city hall at the beginning of the worst economic downturn in history? Is it common sense to demote the chief financial officer for bringing attention to irregularities in the 2007 audit that showed mishandling of finances disguising a cash flow shortage that might jeopardize financing for the city hall renovation and construction project?

KFC's campaign to honor its famous founder, “Colonel” Harland Sanders, celebrates an innovator who lived out his own success story. But the goateed entrepreneur, famous for his white suits, also offers a healthy serving of common sense to inform the current debate over government's spending habits. Here are a couple of pertinent anecdotes from Sanders along with some current day observations:  “The hard way builds solidly a foundation of confidence that cannot be swept away.” Politicians intensely resist taking “the hard way.” It is easier to bail out companies “too big to fail” than to hold those firms accountable for their own wasteful decisions.

I would like to encourage everyone in our community to vote for Paul Smiley for commissioner. I first met Paul when we served together as officers for our Boyle County Retired Teachers Association. As current president, Paul has brought energy, fresh ideas and an infectious enthusiasm that has energized and redefined our association. He is extremely well-informed about every aspect of our community and has involved our members in a variety of community projects and volunteer opportunities while setting the example with his own involvement in numerous community activities.

KFC's campaign to honor its famous founder, Colonel Harland Sanders, celebrates an innovator who lived out his own success story. But the goateed entrepreneur, famous for his white suits, also offers a healthy serving of common sense to inform the current debate over government's spending habits. Here are a couple of pertinent anecdotes from, Sanders along with some current day observations: -   “The hard way builds solidly a foundation of confidence that cannot be swept away.” Politicians intensely resist taking “the hard way.” It is easier to bail out companies “too big to fail” than to hold those firms accountable for their own wasteful decisions.

Dear Editor, When reading all the "letters to the editor" by our local college professors, one is left with a sick feeling. What is it about getting a higher education that turns common sense on its ear? Sadly enough, this is the product of today's higher education. Glad I'm just a high school graduate. Randall S. Russell Liberty

Thomas Paine published anonymously a pamphlet in January 1776 with his "common sense" arguments against the continuation of British rule over the American colonies. Conservative talk show host Glenn Beck has adopted the same title for his book about our "out of control government. " Gleaning my experiences of 69 odd springs, I might arrive at a sense of things as well. A lot has been said recently about a return to frugality from our profligate past. With the current unemployment rate of 9.5 percent nationally (as much as 15 percent in the "rust belt")

What has happened to the America I grew up in? When I was growing up if you got in trouble at school you were in a lot more trouble at home. If you got a spanking you would get one more if not two at home. Guess what? That behavior did not happen again. Nowadays your parents, as well as the teacher who gave you a little discipline would be arrested, they would lose their jobs and go to jail. In the meantime you would qualify as a ward of the state, be entitled to years of therapy and most likely end up on our welfare roles because of your poor and wayward upbringing and abuse.

Dear Editor, Jim Waters' column lamenting the "unsure" response of 27 percent of respondents to a Rassmussen poll as to whether capitalism is better than socialism reflects a very deep-seated problem in our society. As Mr. Waters stated, that is synonymous with the "undecided" voters and was a decisive factor in electing the current president. There's a reason that many are unsure about the subject, and it has nothing to do with the availability of information. Too many today have been brainwashed by the elite in the higher echelons of our educational system and have become incapable of forming an objective opinion based on fact rather than propaganda espoused by the educators in the classroom.

Dear Editor: I work for the nation's fourth largest truck-load carrier, Werner Enterprises, Inc., of Omaha, Neb. I am writing in regard to the blatant disrespect shown to us professional drivers. I have more miles under my belt in a tractor trailer than most people reading this letter do driving their family wagons. I am asking for all of the drivers in this commonwealth to please pay attention to these big, 80,000-pound vehicles that come through Danville. Please use common sense around these trucks.

What has happened to the America I grew up in? When I was growing up if you got in trouble at school you were in a lot more trouble at home. If you got a spanking you would get one more if not two at home. Guess what? That behavior did not happen again. Nowadays your parents, as well as the teacher who gave you a little discipline would be arrested, they would lose their jobs and go to jail. In the meantime you would qualify as a ward of the state, be entitled to years of therapy and most likely end up on our welfare roles because of your poor and wayward upbringing and abuse.

Beach a dedicated leader Dear editor, I am writing in support of Rick Beach's candidacy for city commissioner. Rick has been very active in his role as Winchester commissioner. He has accomplished great things for the citizens of our community, and I believe we are better off because of his efforts. Rick is the kind of person who does the right thing regardless of whether someone is there to witness it. As well, he has strong moral and ethical standards and a work ethic that never quits.

I would like to encourage everyone in our community to vote for Paul Smiley for commissioner. I first met Paul when we served together as officers for our Boyle County Retired Teachers Association. As current president, Paul has brought energy, fresh ideas and an infectious enthusiasm that has energized and redefined our association. He is extremely well-informed about every aspect of our community and has involved our members in a variety of community projects and volunteer opportunities while setting the example with his own involvement in numerous community activities.

Jonathan Shell will be an excellent representative for the people of Kentucky. He has a specific plan to make government more transparent and accountable to the people. His plans will decrease government waste and will create a more positive environment for job creation in the private sector.   Jonathan is also 100 percent pro-life. He will always defend the unborn. I understand that many people who run for office have plans and make promises. Jonathan is different from those people.

Paul Smiley will be an excellent Danville city commissioner due to his philosophy of voting independently. Unfortunately, there is an unfair rumor circulating in Danville that Paul will vote in a block with certain other commissioners if elected. We have talked to Paul, and we assure you this will NOT happen. Paul will listen to all information about any issue, then will vote what he feels is in the best interest of Danville.   For example, we currently have three commissioners who appear to vote together frequently.

Effective as of about 10 a.m. Friday, the use of fireworks is banned in Clark County until further notice - the latest response to the intense heat and dry conditions. Judge-Executive Henry Branham issued the executive order, signed and dated Friday, to include the use of fireworks in the previously issued burn ban for Clark County. The order was issued upon recommendation by Clark County Fire Chief Ralph Ladson, it states. “A ban has been issued for all of Clark County ... on the following: use of fireworks, any and all outdoor burning, including campfires, bonfires, warming fires and open pit cooking,” the order states.

Last Friday afternoon, the subject line “10 deals to mend broken resolutions” popped up in my Gmail inbox. As I clicked on the New Year's-themed Groupon temptation, one of the deals caught my eye with two words: hot pants. These magical pants, called Zaggora HotPants, boasted that they could make a person drop up to two dress sizes in two weeks. Naturally, as with any lady who unrealistically keeps that favorite pair of jeans from freshman year of college as motivation to work out and someday fit back into them, I immediately clicked on it. The description said the biker-like shorts have technology that “smooths thighs and other dimple-prone areas.” “It's like they're talking right to me,” I thought, as I looked up other reviews of the product.

The Constitution Square Arts Fest was nice. The music was great. The crafts were good, however I noticed they were heavy on jewelry and light on wood products from years past. The craft booths were scattered here and there, not lined up neatly in rows that you could walk and not miss anything. They looked a lot like the new Walmart layout - not good! One thing that really needs to be corrected is allowing people to bring dogs into a crowded, elbow-to-elbow people venue. When you are shopping the booths and food vendors, you should not have to worry about tripping over a dog or stepping in something.

Adam Edelen, Democratic candidate for state auditor of public accounts, spoke to the Clark County Democratic Women's Club picnic at Beech Springs Market Aug. 1. He spoke about growing up in Meade County, his service on the boards of the United Way and KET, his 10 years of experience in the private sector and his service in state government. The former chief of staff to the governor, Edelen also worked in Kentucky's Department of Homeland Security. He promised common sense, accountability and transparency in the office if elected.

KFC's campaign to honor its famous founder, Colonel Harland Sanders, celebrates an innovator who lived out his own success story. But the goateed entrepreneur, famous for his white suits, also offers a healthy serving of common sense to inform the current debate over government's spending habits. Here are a couple of pertinent anecdotes from, Sanders along with some current day observations: -   “The hard way builds solidly a foundation of confidence that cannot be swept away.” Politicians intensely resist taking “the hard way.” It is easier to bail out companies “too big to fail” than to hold those firms accountable for their own wasteful decisions.