Let people vote on superintendent

In reading the June 16 Independent, I was amazed to learn that only two people had applied to fill the vacancy on the Boyd County Board of Education. Even more amazing is the fact that one applicant is a present board member’s brother and the other is past board member’s wife.

Did the board advertise the vacancy? No one that I have asked who has children in the Boyd County schools was aware of it. The Honeywell System could have been used to reach hundreds of Boyd County residents. Why wasn’t it?

According to the board’s policy on filling vacancies, the board may make nominations and any person may nominate himself/herself or another for the office.

The policy says, in part: “Any vacancy on the Board shall be filled by the Commissioner of Education within 90 days ... The member so chosen shall hold office ... until a successor is elected ...”

It now makes sense why there are only two people who have applied.

Since there are only four people now on the Boyd board and it seems there is a tie vote on whether Superintendent Osborne’s contract should be renewed, why don’t we have an election and let the people of Boyd County vote on renewing his contract?

If there’s no statute prohibiting family members from serving on the same school board, there should be. Now that people are aware that there is an opening, I'm sure more would apply and maybe there would be a better representation of Boyd County residents on the board.

I hope the residents of Boyd County and the parents of Boyd County students will stand up for what is right in this matter.

The board meets Monday. All who are able should attend. Let's show our support for Mr. Osborne.

Donna Stewart, Rush



Proposals threaten General Aviation

Each month, volunteer pilots from Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic fly patients needing specialized medical care to hospitals throughout Kentucky. Many of these patients are from rural areas and would otherwise be hard-pressed to receive the care they need.

These flights are part of General Aviation (GA), which includes all flying except the scheduled airlines and the military. Right now GA is being imperiled by misguided plans in Washington, D.C. If these proposals are enacted, the outlook could be grim for patients who use Angel Flight, as well as for millions of others who depend on General Aviation for services and jobs.

Among the proposals are new costs and regulations. Since Angel Flight pilots donate their time and planes and pay for their own fuel, these increased costs could ground them. The impact on patients who live in rural Kentucky could be devastating.

With an estimated 65 percent of General Aviation flights conducted for public service and business, many industries and services would be affected, including agriculture, emergency medical evacuation, law enforcement, aerial fire-fighting, package delivery and the Civil Air Patrol.

In addition, millions of jobs depend on GA, which pumps more than $150 billion into the U.S. economy.

Recently, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the world’s largest pilot organization, launched a grassroots campaign to educate policymakers, opinion leaders and the public about the vital role GA plays in our local communities and the nation’s economy. Actors Harrison Ford and Morgan Freeman, both avid pilots, are volunteering their services in support of the campaign.

The importance of GA and its impact on the citizens of Kentucky cannot be overstated.

Craig Fuller, president, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association



Democrats are not supporting military

The original funding bill for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as presented to this Congress was just that: A bill to support our combat forces. It has now been larded up by congressional Democrats to include $108 billion to the International Monetary Fund. This Fund underwrites loans to despotic countries such as Venezuela and Iran.

Additionally, the Democrats propose cutting $73 million for traumatic brain injury research and leaves our military with fewer resources to acquire vehicles designed specifically for our troops in Afghanistan. The bill now amounts to a 22 percent reduction from last year's funding levels, but amounts to an enormous 66 percent increase in foreign aid.

You have to wonder just where the Democrats’ priorities lie. Looking at this bill, it appears they’d rather support our enemies than our armed forces.

Hugh Davis, Worthington



Program offers jobs for youth

There is a great new program in our area called “Let's Go to Work.” It allows kids in Floyd County ages 16-24 to be mentored by local businesses to be taught a trade or to simply earn a paycheck during the summer.

Sometimes it is hard to find that summer job or to make that business connection with a local company. The “Let's Go to Work” program is empowering local youth to help themselves. The program has complete local training by the Big Sandy Area Community Action Program. It pays a little more than minimum wage and includes insurance and a stipend. It is completely monitored and greatly benefits the community.

I encourage all young adults in the Floyd County area to look into this program and start immediately. I personally have a crew of three, and we are streetscaping the entire downtown of Prestonsburg. When you see them in the area, give them a honk and let them know they are making a difference in their community.

For more information on the program, call Joyce Wilcox at (606) 886-2948 or visit www.letsgotowork.org.

Brent Graden, director, Economic Development, Prestonsburg