Interests

Dear Editor, The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines integrity as a firm adherence to a code of especially moral values. Integrity is the term I would use to describe Harold McKinney. In the 30 years I have known him, Harold has demonstrated that adherence in every aspect of his work and personal life. When the citizens of Boyle County go to cast their votes for judge-executive, I would encourage them to choose Harold McKinney. Harold is a leader who follows though and will protect the interests of Boyle County citizens.

Henry supports Sammons Dear Editor, I have known Phil Sammons for more than six years. He has become a good friend to Heather and me. During this time, I have witnessed Phil's dedication to the people of Danville and Boyle County and know that he genuinely loves this community. Phil has worked hard as a magistrate amd has served your interests admirably on the state level as vice-president of the Kentucky Magistrates Association. He has pushed for your interests at the local level, and he has always been a friend to those in need.

Dear Editor, I have known Phil Sammons for more than six years. He has become a good friend to Heather and me. During this time, I have witnessed Phil's dedication to the people of Danville and Boyle County and know that he genuinely loves this community. Phil has worked hard as a magistrate amd has served your interests admirably on the state level as vice-president of the Kentucky Magistrates Association. He has pushed for your interests at the local level, and he has always been a friend to those in need.

A new school year is upon us, and it’s a great time to join 4-H, the nation’s largest youth organization. 4-H offers experiential learning to youth ages 9 to 18 with something for all interests from insects to space to sewing. There are topics for all youths. By participating in 4-H, young people develop many essential life skills including responsibility, leadership and self-esteem. You can get involved in 4-H several ways by participating in clubs or completing projects.

Dear Editor, Congressman Ben Chandler is to be congratulated on his vote for the cap-and-trade bill. While many politicians are voting straight party line to curry favor with their party or the special interests with deep pockets, Chandler voted his conscience. I found it both offensive and misleading when State Rep. Mike Harmon called the bill "massive special interest and pork" in a recent issue of The Advocate-Messenger. I certainly don't see anything of material value conveyed to those voting for this bill.

Dear Editor I have disagreed with Ben Chandler on a few issues, but I have never doubted that he genuinely cares for all Kentuckians and that he will work for their best interests. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about Andy Barr, the Republican candidate in the U.S. congressional race. My problem with Mr. Barr is not that he comes from a wealthy and privileged background. Some of our greatest leaders like Franklin Delano Roosevelt have come from a far more privileged background.

Dear Editor, I have known Jamey and his wife Rickie for about 20 years. I have seen them raise their three children emphasizing education and play. Jamey has been a volunteer coach and organized The Dazzling Dribblers. Jamey Gay has good family values. I have worked with Jamey at Centre College where I coached cross country for 12 years and where Jamey is the head athletic trainer. I have seen him work with the student athletes, coaches and faculty. Jamey Gay has a good work ethic.

After retiring as superintendent of the Lincoln County School District several years ago, Danny Godbey has decided to re-enter public life - in the political arena as a Republican candidate for county judge-executive. Godbey said the decision to file was a tough one, and was made in part at the urging of various community leaders - from both political parties. He added that prior to that, he had no desire to run for elected office and was content to take care of his own interests.

According to Jeff Miron, a member of Harvard's economics faculty, one of the most persistent myths about capitalism is being pro-capitalism means being pro-business. Miron explains how being pro-capitalism actually means being pro-consumer. If you sincerely believe in capitalism, you believe in the virtues of free and unregulated competition among providers of goods and services. As competition increases for the consumer's business, price falls and quality increases; the consumer suffers when big businesses or government prevent other businesses from competing.

Cincinnati cornerback Mike Edwards, a four-star prospect, says he continues to “just wait out and enjoy the recruiting process” while contemplating where he'll eventually play his college football. The 5-11, 175-pound cornerback from Winton Woods High School has offers from schools such as Nebraska, Illinois, Vanderbilt, Louisville, Missouri, West Virginia and Kentucky. He's considered the No. 17 prospect in Ohio by Scout.com and the top cornerback prospect. Kentucky already has five verbal commitments from Ohio players in the 2014 recruiting class and there was speculation that Edwards was set to commit also only to have his high school coach and parents nix him committing to any school so early.

Linebacker Chris Frey, like many other Ohio juniors, has a “definite interest” in playing football at Kentucky. “He is very interested in them,” said (Columbus) Upper Arlington High School coach Mike Golen. “They were just here the other day to see him. They talked then like they were right on the verge of offering him (a scholarship).” The 6-2, 215-pound Frey plays both linebacker and running back for Golen. “He excelled at running back, but Kentucky, and other schools, so him as a linebacker,” Golen said.

He has 17 scholarship offers and is ranked among the nation's top 30 tight ends by several national recruiting services, but Westerville (Ohio) South High School standout Darryl Long insists he has a “lot of interest” in Kentucky as he prepares to make his college choice Saturday. His list of offers includes Louisville, Missouri, North Carolina, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt, Illinois, Indiana, Boston College, Purdue and Duke. “I am still looking at all my options, but I like Kentucky,” said the 6-5, 217-pound Long.

Former Kentucky high school coach Maurice Dixon is glad to see that Kentucky is interested in Dante Sawyer, a defensive end he now coaches at North Gwinnett (Ga.) “Dante is upper echelon. He is a legit big-time player,” said Dixon, a former coach at Hazard who is now the defensive coordinator at North Gwinnett. “My talk to him is keep your mind open and see this Kentucky offer as an opportunity, and I think he is very interested in Kentucky. Being from Kentucky, I would love to see some of our kids get a chance to go to UK. “Kids down south have a lot of opportunities, and they just don't know about Kentucky unless they get a chance to go and see the facilities.

He's big enough to play cornerback and match up with speedy receivers, but he also could put on weight and play safety. That versatility is why so many colleges, including Kentucky and Louisville, are recruiting Lima, Ohio, standout Darius West. “He has 10 or 11 offers, but I think the thing that has happened with Darius is that he has garnered a lot of Big Ten interest and now is trying to get some SEC interest,” his coach, Jerry Cooper, said. Cooper says he has offers from Big Ten schools Illinois, Purdue and Penn State along with interest from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin.

He's a four-star quarterback who has impressed recruiting analysts and will be one of the leading contenders for Kentucky's Mr. Football honors next season. Yet Kentucky was not one of the 10 schools that had offered Conner's Drew Barker a scholarship until offensive coordinator Neal Brown changed that after watching Barker throw during a recent morning workout. “It's not like he has just surfaced as a top quarterback. Louisville offered him last spring. He has 10 other others.

Centre College's Winter Term, also known as CentreTerm, is full of surprises and learning opportunities, especially if you're a first-year student. One such first-year class, Snakes on a Plane, has been declared a rousing success ever since its introduction in 2010. The class, which takes its name from the 2006 movie starring Samuel L. Jackson, is a grab bag of biology, culture and the influence that snakes have had on society throughout history. Dr. Brian Storz, assistant professor of biology, leads the class.

In the 2012 presidential election, young voters were a mighty force keeping a Republican out of the White House. An analysis of the 2012 race by the Pew Research Center revealed that if the legal voting age were 30 in Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania and Virginia, then Romney would have won an Electoral College landslide. Instead, voters 18 to 29 years old in those states favored President Obama by more than 60 percent. A research study conducted by a freshman honors class at the University of Kentucky revealed that values were the key determinant for young voters and that they were turned off by newspaper headlines obsessed with conflict and horse-race factors, such as polls and fundraising totals.

SKYFALL (2012/A-/Directed by Sam Mendes/Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Judi Dench, Naomie Harris, Berenice Lim Marlohe, Ben Whishaw, Albert Finney, Rory Kinnear, Ola Rapace/Sony-MGM/Rated PG-13/Action/145 minutes): The psyche of James Bond is explored in this 23rd Bond film that marks the 50th anniversary of a middle-aged franchise and a perennially middle-aged Bond. While some things remain the same, this Bond is different.  He's feeling his age, and bears as many internal as external scars.  Presumed dead when an operation goes awry, Bond takes an unscheduled, unsanctioned vacation.

As the speculation about Kentucky's next football coach continues, it seems that Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Dykes' name keeps emerging more and more - and it should. Dykes, 43, has terrific offensive credentials. He coached tight ends, receivers and special teams in two stints under Hal Mumme at Kentucky and then was Mike Leach at Texas Tech and eventually was Leach's offensive coordinator. His next stop was Arizona where he was offensive coordinator three years under Bob Stoops and since 2010 he's been the head coach at Louisiana Tech as he took over when Derek Dooley left for Tennessee.