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Boone Community Recorder

October 22, 2009

EDITORIALS

LETTERS

COLUMNS

CH@TROOM

Your Community Recorder newspaper serving Northern Kenton County

N K Y. c o m

Editor Nancy Daly | ndaly@nky.com | 578-1059

E-mail: kynews@communitypress.com

A17

RECORDER

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thanks to the vision of Judge Gary Moore

We are nearing the completion of the new road construction in North Hebron. This project started in 2000 when Judge Moore put together a task force to study the road systems in North Eastern Boone County. The results of that study were that North Bend Road (Ky. 237) had the highest priority for upgrading. Moore then went a step further when he secured initial financing for design. The project was placed on the State Improvement Plan and here we are today with another improvement to the quality of life in Boone County. It is also worth mention that the new road has two traffic circles that not only help traffic flow, but also make North Hebron a community of courteous drivers. Thanks also to ATS, the contractor that built the new road. I live at the end of the project and have driven through the whole construction zone every day. ATS has done an excellent job of keeping everyone safe and have always been friendly and accommodating while building a road with constant and sometimes heavy traffic. Finally, I have seen signs around the county that say “No More Moore.” I think with the kind of vision that Judge Moore has provided over the long haul and the track record for improving life in Boone County they should read “More More More Moore.” David Zimmer Conway Hills Drive North Hebron

Trash for Cash program is working

Five representatives from the Boone County High School freshman cheerleading squad spent an afternoon picking up litter on Cayton and Hopeful Church Roads in Florence. Most of these girls have participated in this event in prior years and anticipated an afternoon of picking up lots of trash. The girls changed into their work clothes immediately after school and set out to tackle the trash. Cigarette butts, plastic bottles, and fast food bags were the items found along

the roadway. Comparing this year to past years of participating in the Trash for Cash progam, the girls decided there wasn't as much trash as in prior years. The cheerleaders would like to take this opportunity to ask residents to help keep our county clean, remember there's only one place for litter ... in the trash can! Melba Baur Belmont Court Florence

One road at a time

The Boone County Cheerleaders cleaned over 3 miles of litter off of Bullitsville Road. The road was full of litter. The girls cleaned up many items which included cans, fast food wrappers and cigarettes. It was a true eye-opening experience how littering can ruin our community. It is great to make the younger generation aware of such a problem so they can have a positive effect on our future. Julie Warning Boone County High School Cheerleading Dapple Grey Drive Florence

Candy, not always sweet

On Oct. 6, the Boone County High School Varsity Cheerleaders participated in a litter cleanup. The girls cleaned more than 3 miles of trash off of Limaburg Road. The group consisted of six participants. It took them over two hours to walk the road and clean up litter. The most common item that was found was candy. The candy was from the Conner High School Homecoming Parade. The cheerleaders stated that they had never thought about the candy from a parade as being litter. The cheerleaders decided that they will make goodie bags next year for Boone County High Schools’ homecoming parades instead of throwing out candy like they did in the past. They also hope to spread the word to other high schools to do the same thing. It will be a great way to prevent litter. Jenny Robbins Boone County High School Cheerleading Representative Creekside Drive Florence

CHATROOM Last week’s question

Should the federal government’s incentive program for new home buyers be extended? Why or why not? “I think so. It could revitalize our economy by moving the inventory of unsold homes. It is a boost to the construction industry and will put more unemployed builders back to work. I have a friend who is a plasterer by trade and has only had four new homes to work on compared to the 25 or 30 he normally does in a year.” Duke “Before we start random programs to help ‘select’ persons buy a new home or stay in their home, we need to take a step back and look at what incentives would really start the economy moving. There are not enough people with jobs; therefore not

Next week’s question Should local governments consider consolidating services to save costs? If so, which services? Send your response to kynews@communitypress.com with “chatroom” in the subject line. enough homes can be purchased to make a substantial impact on the economy. Maybe we should look at keeping jobs in the U.S. and stop sending jobs to Mexico, Guatamala, Honduras, China, etc. ... keeping jobs here would spike the economy and we would not need to spend money to make money!” Florence “Yes! My son is in real estate and he needs to earn a living.” G.G.

NKY.com/community

PATRICIA A. SCHEYER/CONTRIBUTOR

Finger-licking good

The famous bean soup wasn’t quite what Eathan Wood, 11⁄2, of Florence and his brother Corey, 3, really wanted, but the hot dogs are finger licking good. The boys attended the annual Bean Bash at Turfway Park with their parents Oct. 10.

Greenways plan is troubling As past president of the League of Kentucky Property Owners, I was asked to appear before the Boone County Planning Commission Oct. 8 to express our concern relative to a study designed to implement trails and greenways throughout Boone County. Surprisingly, I found it provocative that opposition to the “Greenways Study” from the public was unanimous at the meeting. Our chief concern with the proposed plan was not the notion of mapping potential areas for future trails, but rather the cost of implementing such a plan and its ominous threat of eminent domain. In the next few paragraphs, I highlight some of my comments from the meeting: According to a recent article in the Boone County Recorder, the county plans to protect a greenbelt across privately owned property for walking trails. The policy as described in the article violates the rights of property owners. According to the article, JudgeExecutive Gary Moore said the county didn’t intend to buy the land, citing the overwhelming

defeat of the park tax. Rather, it would use “future zone changes” as its “tool.” In other words, the county will hold the owner’s property Brett hostage to Gaspard coerce a “gift” in Community lieu of a purRecorder chase. An owner’s guest application to columnist use her property should never depend upon a “gift” in return to the government. If a zone change is objectively proper it should be approved. If not, it should be denied. The process is governed by statutory criteria, not what the government gets out of the deal. The standard for zone changes should be whether the proposed use is appropriately suited for the neighborhood. Such a decision is both adjudicative and legislative nature. The outcome should never be swayed by a “gift.” The proposed “tool” of coercion

Horse industry at tipping point An open letter to Kentucky Senate President David Williams: I understand that you are a career politician, which can cut both ways. While I feel it is important to have people knowledgeable in the ways of government performing the tasks necessary to allow for the continuation and, at times, improvement of the services our fellow citizens need, I also know that in order to have a career in any field, one must do certain things needed to continue their chosen profession. I fear that in the course of appeasing your constituency and maintaining your position, you are sacrificing our commonwealth’s greatest heritage, the horse racing industry. Being on the opposite side of Kentucky, I suspect you are not all that aware of what we’re facing. I have lived within a few miles of Turfway Race Park in Florence for over 22 years and have witnessed

Michael A. Thornton Community Recorder guest columnist

the decline in both purses and races. I have seen Lawrenceburg, Ind., grow from a small river town into an entertainment destination with a vastly improved infrastructure ever since Indiana introduced casino gambling. Indiana Downs is now a “racino” and is able to offer larger purses, much like Pennsylvania, and with Ohio considering legislation to do the same, we will be faced with a devastating future. Already we’re seeing breeders, stables, veterinarians and other professionals in the horse industry leave for greener pastures; Turfway Race Park may close at the end of the 2010 season. There will soon come a tipping point past which there will be little available support for horse racing and Ken-

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COMMUNITY RECORDER

discriminates against those whose property has been targeted for “protection.” As Gary Moore acknowledged, the citizens do not favor paying additional taxes to purchase walking trails. But this does not justify taking the targeted properties without compensation. If the county wants the property it should buy it. Our freedoms are based upon private property rights. John Locke said the very reason free people form governments is to protect their property rights. On the other hand, there are no property rights under tyrannical governments. Karl Marx said the theory of Communism could be summed up in one phrase: Abolition of all private property. What form of government is Boone County promoting? We are not opposed to cooperative partnerships so long as it is truly voluntary. But true voluntary action would spring from a disinterested decision of the property owner, not threats or extortion. Brett Gaspard is a resident of Turfrider Court of Walton.

Boone Community Recorder Editor . .Nancy Daly ndaly@nky.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .578-1059

tucky will lose its heritage forever. The time to combat this loss is now! I understand that the existing gambling entities are resisting any such move in order to protect their interests, as they are now with Ohio, and that it is a tough battle, but it is a worthy cause with thousands of jobs, millions of dollars and generations of heritage at stake. I would ask your thoughts on this matter and how, in your position of leadership, you intend to address the looming collapse of what Kentucky is best known for around the world. Thank you for your time and consideration. While we await the 2010 Legislative Session, I would ask my fellow constituents and those in related industries to let you and their respective elected officials know their thoughts on this important matter. Michael A. Thornton is a resident of Tranquility Drive in Florence.

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