Work Ethic

The Danville-Boyle County Economic Development Partnership has a new president and CEO as of this morning. Jody Lassiter, who holds a similar job in Logan County and whose experience includes serving on Gov. Paul Patton's cabinet, was selected by the EDP's search committee. The entire board gave that choice its blessing at a special meeting today. "I'm impressed with his resume and his passion for economic development in the state of Kentucky," said Greg Caudill, chairman of the EDP board.

Josh Harrellson wasn’t surprised when former teammates Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones and DeAndre Liggins declared for the NBA Draft last week. “They’re all very talented players,” he said Thursday during a stop of the “Jorts Tour” at Strode Station Elementary School in Winchester. “I think all deserve a chance to at least showcase what they’ve got. Maybe some teams will be interested in them, but who knows? I know they’re not hiring an agent, so they might come back.” Harrellson expects Knight to be one of the top picks in the draft and thinks Enes Kanter will be selected early in the first round.

Dear Editor, In mid-September, a member of our community celebrated her 100th birthday. Because of her fragile health, her family celebrated that birthday privately and quietly. However, our entire community can be proud of the accomplishments of this very special woman. Ms. Anna Grant lived in my neighborhood when my family moved there 58 years ago. I watched this remarkable woman rear nine children. In a time when it was not uncommon for youngsters to drop out of school, Ms. Grant ensured that each of her nine graduated from high school, and hung each of their senior pictures on the wall as they graduated.

Former Belmont and George Rogers Clark High School standout Andrew Preston was selected by the expansion East Kentucky Miners of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) in its college draft Tuesday night. Preston, a three-year starter and integral cog on Bruin NCAA Tournament teams in 2006 and 2007, developed into one of the most dependable post players of Belmont's NCAA era. Named to the 2007 Atlantic Sun All-Tournament team behind his 18 point-10 rebound performance in the championship game victory at ETSU, Preston is the program's NCAA era career leader in blocked shots (123)

The George Rogers Clark High School marching band went into Morehead Saturday and cleaned house. The Cardinals claimed a handful of awards at the Viking Classic at Rowan County High School, sweeping the 5A awards and taking home three overall awards. “The kids have been working very hard this year,” band director Chris Yoo said. “We've got a good group this year. They're understanding the discipline it takes to be successful. We have a group that is starting to understand the work ethic we need.” The Cardinals won first place in the 5A class, along with best color guard and best percussion in 5A. Clark also took home the Best Overall Music award, the Best Overall General Effect and Best Overall Color Guard in a competition that featured 12 bands.

So maybe East Jessamine basketball and softball player Emily Underwood isn’t LeBron James, but anyone who witnesses her talent on the court and field is  in for a show. Underwood is one of the most decorated players in East basketball history, scoring 1,090 career points, fourth best in school history; breaking the single-game scoring record as a senior with 36 points against Harrison County; averaging 20.2 points per game as a senior; being named to the all-12th Region team; being selected to play in the Kentucky vs. Ohio all-star game; and being named all-district and all-region as a senior.

Editor's note: This is the first of a four-part series that looks at the impact of retirement not only on baby boomers but also businesses, industries and schools. Amy Isola is a bank executive, but when she talks about a certain group of employees at work, you might think she's a gold prospector. That's because when Isola hires an older employee, she talks as if she has dipped her pan in a rushing stream and pulled out a nugget. She feels she's striking gold with workers in their golden years.

HARRODSBURG - Chris Horn strikes you at first as a serious and courteous man, but spend some time with him and you'll find a great - if not quirky - sense of humor. Growing up on a family farm gave him his work ethic, says the Democat who's challenging incumbent Ronnie Compton for Mercer County clerk. And while he says his wife thinks there are times when he might work too hard, there clearly are more important things than his job - his family. "I love to spend time with my family, with my children," he says.

Four Wayne County players scored in double figures as the Cardinals roll 80-50 over West Jessamine High last Friday. For the Colts (5-20), it was still a matter of retribution against the Cardinals (17-8). Last year, the Cardinals pounded the Colts, 70-12. "Coming out of the first half, was not so good," West senior Abby Baxter said. "And we just knew, maybe we weren't going to win it but we had to come and try to redeem ourselves. 70-12 to 80-50, that's definitely an improvement.

Soon, Class D inmates from the Jessamine County Detention Center will be hitting the roadways throughout the county in search of litter. Class D inmates are non-violent prisoners who perform many tasks at a great savings to the county taxpayers. "If you figured $6 to $8 an hour, it would be a bunch of money," County Judge Wm. Neal Cassity said, referring to the cost of contracting the project out. On March 29, the inmates will spend eight hours on various county roads picking up everything from soda cans to paper products and everything in between.