Kentucky Legislature

Dear Editor: Every four years Kentucky conducts an election to determine who will be its next governor. It never fails that every four years misguided opponents accuse the Republican candidate of planning to destroy the merit system for state employees. Please consider the following facts about this election: Fact No. 1 - The Kentucky merit system for state employees is statutory. It was adopted by the Kentucky legislature and can only be abolished by the Kentucky legislature.

Dear Editor, We need David Sparrow in Frankfort as Boyle County's representative in the Kentucky legislature. His years of service in the county make him uniquely aware of the needs throughout the county. As a former 4-H and agricultural agent, he knows about our rural areas and issues faced by our farmers. Having served on the Chamber of Commerce and the Community Development Council, he understands what issues cities face. David has pledged to give priority to such issues as early-childhood education, affordable health-care, attracting jobs, affordable housing and equal pay for equal work.

Dear Editor: It seemed like a pretty straight forward question: Is our representative to the Kentucky legislature for or against allowing future sales of beer by the case in our district, which has not obtained voter approval for such activity. I am aware that the current situation is lawful, but that is the result of legislative ineptitude, not the will of the voting public. However after reading two different accounts and a direct response from state Rep. Mike Harmon in this space, all I am currently sure of is that his friends are enjoying a monopolistic situation, and he is unsure if it is in his best interest to be for or against the current situation.

Dear Editor: I liked your recent opinion about votes of the Kentucky legislature being posted online. However, I think it would be even better if we knew beforehand what is coming up for a vote. After all, these people are called representatives for a reason and that is to represent our wishes, not theirs. But you're right about their supposed reluctance to do this, and they would probably have several "reasons" why that cannot be done. But the key to this is people have to get involved and keep our representatives' "feet to the fire," or they will not do it. I've let my representatives know that, and while certainly not to be taken as threatening, they can ignore me at their peril.

The National Federation of Independent Business/Kentucky, the state's largest small-business advocacy group, today presented its Guardian of Small Business award, to State Representative Bob Damron in recognition of his outstanding efforts to support small-business issues in the Kentucky Legislature. "Representative Damron has gone to bat for Kentucky's small businesses time after time," said Tom Underwood, state director of NFIB/Kentucky. "Particularly as we've worked to pass critical small-business legislation including relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax and the ICARE health care program, we have always been able to count on him for his unwavering support.

Confusion which caused two candidates for the position of constable to vacate their positions, was cleared up by the Jessamine County Fiscal Court in a special court meeting on July 10. Because the two men, James Lewis and Bobby Wombles, were not sworn in and bonded in the amount of time specified by state law after their elections, they were forced to vacate their positions. But, Fiscal Court learned that the Kentucky Legislature had approved an amendment to the law extending to 30-days -the time allowed for a person appointed to office to take the oath of office.

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved $78,750 at its monthly meeting in support of the Forage Improvement and Utilization Program in Jessamine County. The Jessamine County Conservation District submitted a proposal for cost-share assistance to the Jessamine County Agricultural Development Council and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. The purpose of the Forage Improvement and Utilization Program is to improve net farm income through improved forage quality, quantity, and efficient use, as well as encourage science-based forage management decisions in Jessamine County.

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved $50,000 at its monthly meeting in support of the Forage Improvement and Utilization Program in Lincoln County. The Lincoln County Farm Bureau submitted a proposal for cost-share assistance to the Lincoln County Agricultural Development Council and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. The purpose of the Forage Improvement and Utilization Program is to improve net farm income through improved forage quality, quantity, and efficient use, as well as, encourage science-based forage management decisions in Lincoln County.

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Ernie Fletcher, approved $28,000 at its monthly meeting in support of the Goat and Sheep Diversification cost-share program in Lincoln County. The Lincoln County Goat and Sheep Producer's Association submitted a proposal for cost-share assistance to the Lincoln County Agricultural Development Council and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. The Goat and Sheep Diversification Program provides cost-share assistance with individual producers in Lincoln County to improve net farm income by promoting animal health and encourage science-based solutions to herd management.

Storm coverage lacking Dear Editor: My sister lives in Winchester and called me this afternoon to say that a tornado was arriving there fast. She was very uneasy. We talked about an hour until the phone went dead. Not hearing from her for several hours, I logged onto your site to check for information about the damage and haven't found mention of the tornado. I would gladly take out a subscription to your newspaper just to access the current online information.

FRANKFORT - The 2012 special session came and went this past week, as both chambers were able to approve both a budget for Kentucky's transportation needs and legislation to combat so-called “pill mills” in the commonwealth. House Bill 2 was essentially the agreed upon version of the transportation budget bill in the regular session, House Bill 266. The $4.5 billion budget will pay for road construction projects in various phases, from planning and design to those that are ready to be built.

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President Dave Adkisson will close out the 2010 Danville-Boyle CountyChamber of Commerce presented by AT&T with a speaking engagement at noon, Nov. 18 at the Danville Country Club. Adkisson is president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the largest business organization in Kentucky. The Kentucky Chamber represents businesses large and small, from Paducah to Pikeville, and works to advocate a strong business climate in Kentucky. The organization’s slogan is “Uniting Business.

Last Saturday, more than 1,200 people sent a clear message to our local, state and federal governments. As throngs from all over Kentucky converged on the Fayette County Courthouse lawn for the Kentucky Tea Party, a new agenda has been set and it is one that our elected leaders need to quickly become familiar with or prepare to lose their jobs. This new agenda is freedom, and its spirit is being revived, city by city all across the nation. The gathering was called a "Tea Party" in honor of the protest in Boston Harbor in 1773.

Storm coverage lacking Dear Editor: My sister lives in Winchester and called me this afternoon to say that a tornado was arriving there fast. She was very uneasy. We talked about an hour until the phone went dead. Not hearing from her for several hours, I logged onto your site to check for information about the damage and haven't found mention of the tornado. I would gladly take out a subscription to your newspaper just to access the current online information.

Dear Editor, We need David Sparrow in Frankfort as Boyle County's representative in the Kentucky legislature. His years of service in the county make him uniquely aware of the needs throughout the county. As a former 4-H and agricultural agent, he knows about our rural areas and issues faced by our farmers. Having served on the Chamber of Commerce and the Community Development Council, he understands what issues cities face. David has pledged to give priority to such issues as early-childhood education, affordable health-care, attracting jobs, affordable housing and equal pay for equal work.

First Southern Bank opens in Wilmore First Southern National Bank opened a branch in Wilmore on Thursday, May 1. The bank is located at 201 E. Main St. in the old Kentucky Utilities building. The Wilmore branch offers a full range of banking products and services, from checking accounts to residential and commercial loans. The facility is equipped with an ATM, a drive thru lane, night deposit box, and safe deposit boxes. The lobby is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The drive thru is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and until 6 p.m. on Fridays.

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved $78,750 at its monthly meeting in support of the Forage Improvement and Utilization Program in Jessamine County. The Jessamine County Conservation District submitted a proposal for cost-share assistance to the Jessamine County Agricultural Development Council and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. The purpose of the Forage Improvement and Utilization Program is to improve net farm income through improved forage quality, quantity, and efficient use, as well as encourage science-based forage management decisions in Jessamine County.

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved $50,000 at its monthly meeting in support of the Forage Improvement and Utilization Program in Lincoln County. The Lincoln County Farm Bureau submitted a proposal for cost-share assistance to the Lincoln County Agricultural Development Council and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. The purpose of the Forage Improvement and Utilization Program is to improve net farm income through improved forage quality, quantity, and efficient use, as well as, encourage science-based forage management decisions in Lincoln County.

It's happened yet again. Another Jessamine County teen has died in a car accident on U.S. 68. I freely admit a visceral reaction to the news, since I have a 17-year-old daughter of my own. The combination of a perilous road and an inexperienced driver are deadly. Rain, sleet, and snow all enhance my prayer life when she is driving. But even on dry roads I worry. Christopher Stuart's accident underscores the supreme importance of the roadway improvements slated to begin soon, and highlights the need for the Kentucky legislature to facilitate speedy plans for an Interstate 75 connector.

Confusion which caused two candidates for the position of constable to vacate their positions, was cleared up by the Jessamine County Fiscal Court in a special court meeting on July 10. Because the two men, James Lewis and Bobby Wombles, were not sworn in and bonded in the amount of time specified by state law after their elections, they were forced to vacate their positions. But, Fiscal Court learned that the Kentucky Legislature had approved an amendment to the law extending to 30-days -the time allowed for a person appointed to office to take the oath of office.