VIEWPOINTS A14 • BOONE COMMUNITY RECORDER • MAY 10, 2012
COMMUNITY
RECORDER
Editor: Nancy Daly, ndaly@nky.com, 578-1059
EDITORIALS | LETTERS | COLUMNS | CH@TROOM
CommunityPress.com
Parks beneficial to community Surveys in Northern Kentucky have long indicated to civic leaders that residents want more parks, trails and green space. The question has always been, “How do we pay?” However parks are already paying and they are paying big – in monetary, health and social benefits to our communities. It’s no secret that residential properties located near parks and green spaces can have higher market values. In a 2001 survey by the National Association of Realtors, 50 percent of respondents stated that they would be willing to pay at least 10 percent more for property located near a park or green space. Multiple other studies have shown increased market values to homes located near parks. And as parks increase in size, the impact on property values increases as well. These increased market values lead to more property taxes paid to counties and municipalities. Parks are also good for busi-
ness. Companies want to offer their employees careers in more livable communities. Plentiful parks are one reason that Gayle Hewlett-PackPille ard and Intel COMMUNITY located offices RECORDER GUEST COLUMNIST in Portland, Oregon. These progressive companies find it important to employ people who care as much for their health and quality of life as their paycheck. And parks attract visitors to our communities, who in turn spend money at hotels, shops and restaurants. Locally, Cincinnati with a population of 330,000 residents, reported 3.2 million park participation visits in 2009 to its Cincinnati Recreation Commission city parks; a substantial economic stimulus. This past March, OCIN (www.ocin.org) hosted a three-
day orienteering event at three different Boone County parks. More than 300 orienteers participated in the weekend event. Competitors from 25 different states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Sweden competed. OCIN literature on the event recommended local hotel accommodations, activities, and Kentucky tourism information. We cannot ignore the health benefits of parks, especially with a third of our population considered obese. Obesity causes increased risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, congestive heart failure, stroke, arthritis, diabetes and cancer. And it’s expensive. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, expenses from medical conditions related to obesity in 2002 totaled $117 billion. Approximately 300,000 premature deaths per year are attributed to obesity. Studies have shown that when people have access to parks and recreation, they are much more likely to exercise,
reducing obesity and its many associated costs. Exercise is paramount to reducing obesity, and parks provide convenient and much needed opportunities to do so. As our population grows, our need for parks will continue to grow. Boone County, one of the fastest growing counties in the state, is expected to see a 57 percent population increase in the next 20 years. It is no wonder that 64 percent of residents surveyed in 2006 stated that the county’s park facilities are not adequate to meet future needs. So if you don’t like parks, if you have that very simplistic and narrow-minded view that parks are too expensive; then take a field trip. Visit areas without parks – that don’t have that investment in their neighborhoods, their businesses, and the health of their communities. Odds are, you’ll see that not much else is there either.
Sparks of Boone County has been a tireless advocate. The journey of the RTI/Dyslexia Bill began three years ago when Boone County schools, Phyllis Sparks, and I presented testimony before the House and Senate Interim Education Committee. This session – three years and many presentations later – we are celebrating the passage of this bill that will make a tremendous difference in the lives of students throughout Kentucky. Thursday evening, May 10, at the Boone County Board of Education meeting, I will recognize our schools and the many accomplishments of teachers, parents, and individuals who help to inspire legislation and improve education not just in Boone County, but throughout Kentucky and the nation.
I’m running for U.S. Congress because Congress is bankrupting America. The federal government spends $3.8 trillion per year while only receiving revenue of $2.2 trillion. The federal debt is now approaching $16 trillion. I want the job to go and clean up this mess. The federal government’s budget for the following programs is $2.343 trillion - Social Security ($820 billion), welfare ($717 billion), Medicare ($523 billion) and Medicaid ($283 billion). If Tom these proWurtz grams are COMMUNITY not solved RECORDER GUEST COLUMNIST quickly, the great American experiment of self-rule is over. It’s time for a business mindset to solve political disasters. I’m optimistic in this mission because I’m convinced that at least 40 percent of the cost of these programs is littered with waste and fraud. That amounts to $937 billion. This fact has caused me to propose that the federal government must exit the management of these four programs over a 10-year period. It’s America’s only hope. The federal government does not solve problems, they only expand them. Our seniors need not be concerned as I believe once these programs are properly managed, the quality of these programs will improve. The Social Security Program is a perfect illustration why the federal government should have never managed retirement benefits. The Social Security Act of 1935 established a retirement age of 65. In 1935, life expectancy was 61.7 years. The formula was life expectancy plus 3.3 years. Today, life expectancy is 78.7 years. If the same formula was applied today, Social Security would kick in at age 82. This program was designed as a safety net if an American beat the life expectancy odds. All of us would have planned our lives differently if politicians had properly done their jobs. Instead, we are now slaves to a massive government bureaucracy. So what went wrong? Social Security was turned over to politicians to manage and securing votes became more important than fiscal responsibility. Social Security should have been developed in the free market and it would not be an issue today. America needs a leader who’s willing to fight the big battles today instead of delaying these issues for our children and grandchildren to deal with.
State Rep. Addia Wuchner, R-Burlington, is a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives.
Tom Wurtz, of Fort Mitchell, is a candidate for the Republican nomination for Congress.
Gayle Pille, a Burlington resident, is a frequent visitor to area parks.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR District clarifies field trip policy
In response to Claire Laporte’s concerns about the number of buses and students from Boone County Schools who have taken field trips to the Creation Museum, there have been two field trips in the last five years. Board of Education Policy states that “The school principal shall have the authority to give prior approval to school related curricular trips that fall into the following categories: In-county curricular, one instructional day trips using school bus or private automobile.” If we can address any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at 859-283-1003. Dawn M. Denham Schools/Community Relations Coordinator
Moore rises above the competition
When evaluating the long list of congressional candidates that appeared at Northern Kentucky University last Monday evening, I ask that my fellow citizens look
Pick up your trash
ABOUT LETTERS AND COLUMNS We welcome your comments on editorials, columns, stories or other topics important to you in the Recorder. Include your name, address and phone number(s) so we may verify your letter. Letters of 200 or fewer words and columns of 500 or fewer words have the best chance of being published. All submissions may be edited for length, accuracy and clarity. Deadline: Noon Monday E-mail: kynews@communitypress.com Fax: 859-283-7285 U.S. mail: See box below Letters, columns and articles submitted to the Recorder may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.
at their records and let the facts stand. I have seen Judge Moore’s record first hand and can attest to his impressive accomplishments. As judge-executive, Gary could have chosen to grow the office as Boone County expanded – gaining businesses and almost 50,000 peopl – but he chose the much more responsible path. Today, there are 25 less employees in the Boone County office than when Gary was first elected. From day one, his priority has been the effective use of taxpay-
er dollars – under this criterion he has succeeded. His faith and Kentucky common-sense values have guided decisions that have grown Boone County’s revenues while lowering taxes – imagine that. The debate once again proved that Gary is head and shoulders above his competitors. His results in Northern Kentucky are unparalleled in this field of candidates. Charlie Kenner Commissioner, Boone County Union
Members of Girl Scout Troop 42 spent three hours picking up trash along Florence Pike, Taylor Drive, Patrick Drive and Burgundy Hill Drive. We found pop cans, beer cans, liquor bottles, water bottles, fast food cups and containers, and plastic bags. We picked up more cigarette butts than anything else. Is it really necessary to throw nasty cigarette butts out the car window? The worst thing we found was a gross, dirty pair of men’s underpants. Boone County is a great place to live. We should all dispose of our trash properly. Doreen Butler Girl Scout Troop 42 Burlington
ELECTION LETTERS DEADLINE The deadline for primary election letters or guest columns is May 10. Send letters to ndaly@nky.com.
Congratulations, Boone County
Boone Countians should be so very proud of their school district and community members! My goodness; longtime school board member Ed Massey was just sworn in as president of the National School Boards Association, Kim Shearer was named 2012 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, Boone County School District is the 2012 recipient of the PEAK Award. Then there are the accomplishments of individuals who may not make headlines. Phyllis Sparks has been a tireless advocate working with us in the General Assembly to pass legislation that came to be known as the “RTI/ Dyslexia Bill.” Additionally, Boone County parents advocating for a special skills diploma saw its passage this year. Boone County parents Cindy Taylor, Terri Sparks and Robin Dixon in 2010 first called to my attention the difficulty some
students face when they graduate with only a certificate to show for their years of hard work in high school. Students Addia who may do Wuchner well in one area, yet are diagCOMMUNITY RECORDER GUEST nosed with COLUMNIST learning disparities, may be prevented from fulfilling all of the rigorous requirements for a Kentucky high school diploma. Last Monday, the governor signed into law legislation to provide that special needs students taking an alternative curriculum in high school may now receive diplomas for their efforts. As one young man stated, “I may not ever own a Jiffy Lube but I can work at a Jiffy Lube.” A mere high school certificate does
BOONE
COMMUNITY RECORDER
A publication of
not distinguish the skill sets and aptitude of this young man. Most employers require a GED or diploma; without a “Life Skills and Workforce Diploma,” many students would not have the opportunity to apply for skillbased employment and be selfsustaining. Last week, Boone County School District was the recipient of KSBA’s spring 2012 Public Education Achieves in Kentucky (PEAK) Award. Boone Schools was recognized for the success of the Boone County Schools’ Response to Intervention (RTI) program. The focus of this program is to keep students in regular instruction while addressing their reading, and now math, deficits with scientifically based instruction and interventions matched to students’ needs. The Boone RTI program is the basis of the legislation I have co-sponsored with Rep. Linda Belcher and for which Phyllis
Congress needs new ideas
228 Grandview Drive, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017 654 Highland Ave., Fort Thomas, KY 41075 phone: 283-0404 email: kynews@communitypress.com web site: www.nky.com
Boone Community Recorder Editor Nancy Daly ndaly@nky.com, 578-1059 Office hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday See page A2 for additional contact information.