Economics

Dear Editor, There is no disputing this country is hurting. Most of us are worried about paying bills, whether we will have a job next year, keeping a roof over our heads and what's going to take us through old age. That's why it makes no sense that anyone could support John McCain and his continued belief in "trickle down economics. " That theory brought us to the situation we are in today. We must stop subsidizing big corporations and give those benefits to the middle class.

The natural order of the universe evolved from the 'big bang.' The tendency for order to arise from chaos is known as the self organization principle. The self organization principle is what life science means by 'evolution.' Because we observe facts that are consistent with the principle of self organization, scientists conclude there is no need to introduce divine intervention to explain our biological origins. Since I believe, it is easy for me to see the hand of God in the self organization principle itself.

In 1992, Bill Clinton's campaign strategist James Carville coined the phrase "it's the economy - stupid" to refocus the presidential campaign away from foreign affairs and the Gulf War to the economy and the recession then under way. Carville argued that the economic recession had not been adequately addressed by then President George H.W. Bush. In the campaign of 2008, as former Yankee Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra would say, it's "dj vu all over again!" In college, I took a principles of economics course which used the economics textbook by Paul Samuelson.

Amy Orberson's second-grade class at Woodlawn Elementary School just finished up its Zoorific unit - an incredible economic agenda that pairs the simplest of things, such as zookeepers and their animals, with concepts like division of labor leading to independence. Orberson said she is amazed how the kids have caught on. This week, the class invited in some area professionals, most family members of the students, to explain how they make a living . Thursday, 26 kids energetically awaited the project's final step - making bracelets to sell within the second-grade for a profit.

Lincoln County students named to the Dean's List at the University of Kentucky for the Fall 2007 semester. Natasha Camenisch, senior, political science, Arts and Sciences; Stephanie Cutler, senior, biosystems and agricultural engineering, Engineering; Jenna Gover, junior, agricultural economics, Agriculture; Amanda Harris, sophomore, political science, Arts and Sciences; Joanna Howerton, junior, secondary education-mathematics education,...

Fifth-grade students at Strode Station Elementary School learned about economics this year by actual running a store at the school. Amy Handshoe, Jerry Sipes, Rita Smallwood and Alice Penniman, all teachers, collaborated to teach the economics unit by having the students establish and run a Christmas store. Using a $500 Schools to Careers grant to get the store started, the students created, produced and sold crafts and products in the store, raising around $1,200 for the school.

The Food for Thought series sponsored by the Centre College alumni office begins Tuesday in the Nichols dining room in Cowan Dining Commons. This year's Food for Thought series consists of three discussions led by Centre faculty and staff during lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nayef Samhat, associate professor of government and international relations, will speak on "Looking for Arab Democracy in all the Wrong Places," assessing the...

Dear Editor, In a Wednesday July 26 Letter To The Editor John Galt defended our nation's oil companies saying they were not to blame for the high price we pay for gasoline. And while economics and world events certainly do play a role in what we as consumers pay at the pump, Mr. Galt left out one key fact. For the past 25 plus years, the large petroleum conglomerates have been allowed to buy out their smaller competitors and close their refineries. Closed refineries translates to reduced supply.

Nov. 16, 1987 The second annual Theatre Gala will be at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in St. Joseph Catholic Church gymnasium, South Main Street. The event, “Christmas in Monte Carlo,”¿will feature an auction of donated items, including an overnight stay in Gratz Park Inn, a box for the Keeneland spring meet and clubhouse passes and dinner for 25. Proceeds will go toward renovation of the Leeds Theatre. The Blue Council No. 55, Daughters of America, celebrated the Council's 64th birthday recently with a Halloween potluck supper.

The young woman behind the Heart of Danville's 2008 market analysis is someone who already knew more than a little bit about the town she studied. Aubrey Collier, a University of Kentucky student who put together the market analysis as the main part of her job as an intern this summer at the Heart of Danville, is a native and lifelong resident. "I was born and raised in Danville," said Collier. "I am very familiar with our downtown but it was very interesting to get other people's perspectives of the downtown from the hundreds of responses to the survey that were used for the analysis.

The headline in Sunday's edition reads the “EDP again on city's agenda.” The City Commission will meet again on Tuesday and will pass a resolution in support of the EDP. I will not be voting in support of the resolution and wish to explain my vote to the people of Danville.  It is certainly unfortunate that a community of our quality has to endure such public humiliation. It is more unfortunate that it is only the mayor's comments that are being questioned. It suggests that nothing will be settled, unless of course the goal is only to silence dissent on the issues of transparency, performance and accountability by the Economic Development Partnership and the Boyle County Industrial Foundation.

STANFORD - Lincoln County's Economic Development Director Matt Belcher is stepping down from his position at the beginning of May to assume the duties of city manager for Winchester. Belcher, who worked as assistant city manager in Paris for three years before beginning his three-year stint in Lincoln, will be returning to familiar job duties. “It's kind of what I had been doing,” he said. “I've been in the local government realm ever since I got out of grad school.” Belcher submitted a formal letter of resignation to his board of directors on Tuesday.

STANFORD - Lincoln County's Economic Development Director Matt Belcher is stepping down from his position at the beginning of May to assume the duties of city manager for Winchester. Belcher, who worked as assistant city manager in Paris for three years before beginning his three-year stint here in Lincoln, will be returning to familiar job duties. "It's kind of what I had been doing," he said. "I've been in the local government realm ever since I got out of grad school. " Belcher submitted a formal letter of resignation to his board of directors on Tuesday.

The Danville-Boyle County Economic Development Partnership plans to follow the “spirit” of the Kentucky Open Meetings Act, though its chief executive officer still maintains that the EDP does not meet the definition of a public agency. “In light of our last meeting and some questions that came up … we have come to an agreement,” Boyle Industrial Foundation President John Albright said during Wednesday's EDP board meeting. Last month, Boyle Judge-Executive Harold McKinney respectfully walked out of a proposed closed session of the EDP board.

A headline in the Feb. 8 Advocate-Messenger reads, “Employment rate drops slightly.” It seems written to deceive those who don't read closely. It is a positive spin on “Unemployment rate rises slightly.” The article also puts a positive spin on a dreary present and foreseeable future for economic development in Danville. In the article, rising local unemployment rates are attributed to our area's employment census not being an “exact science.” We're told this less-than-exact science, which taxpayers are funding, should not be taken as an indication that economic development in the area has stalled.  Stalled?

Rising local employment rates, more industrial prospects and plenty of national attention over the past year have created a more promising economic forecast for Danville and Boyle County. Eighteen industrial businesses are employing about 9.4 percent more people than they were a year ago, according to a reporter's audit of quarterly reports compiled by the Boyle County Industrial Foundation and the Danville/Boyle County Economic Development Partnership. The employment outlook is also optimistic in other counties.

Nov. 16, 1987 The second annual Theatre Gala will be at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in St. Joseph Catholic Church gymnasium, South Main Street. The event, “Christmas in Monte Carlo,”¿will feature an auction of donated items, including an overnight stay in Gratz Park Inn, a box for the Keeneland spring meet and clubhouse passes and dinner for 25. Proceeds will go toward renovation of the Leeds Theatre. The Blue Council No. 55, Daughters of America, celebrated the Council's 64th birthday recently with a Halloween potluck supper.

LANCASTER - Thomas W. Thornberry will serve as a volunteer intern in the Garrard County Economic Development Office through December.  Thornberry will intern a minimum of 20 hours per week. He will assist with continued efforts to recruit businesses to Garrard County; update and improve the GrowingGarrard.com website; market Garrard County events and updates through social media; conduct business research; volunteer for projects and events in partnership with the Garrard County Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations; and help to represent the Garrard County Economic Development Office at meetings and events in Garrard County and throughout Central Kentucky.  “I'm looking forward to tapping into all the energy and enthusiasm circulating throughout this office and the entire Garrard County community,” Thornberry said.  Thornberry plans to graduate in December from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond with a master's degree in public administration.

The 2012 Clark County Fair was the showcase for more than 500 entries in the Home Economics division. Grand Champion in Home Economics went to Howard Phillips with his antique wringer washer. Reserve champion was awarded to Sharon Hampton for her counted cross-stitch. Other winners by category were: Baked goods Second place, zucchini bread, Rita Daniels. First place, yeast rolls, Marge Walker; second Rita Daniels. First place, buttermilk biscuits, Doug Hood; second, Brittany Conn; third, Rita Daniels.