Rejected recycling plan was better

The article last week regarding curbside recycling caught my attention. I learned that the mayor and Ashland commissioners are proposing taxpayers bear the cost of recycling. What? There was an excellent option presented last year for recycling.

A little over a year ago, the city of Ashland and Boyd County agreed to explore starting a county-ran recycling program. Boyd County Judge Executive Bud Stevens and economic developer Nickie Smith shouldered the entire research, development and launch of the program. They were able to secure a grant from the state for over $100,000, locate a property and hire a director.

Mayor Tom Kelly and Ashland commissioners Kevin Gunderson, Larry Brown and Marty Gute decided against the program and to instead allow Rumpke to handle the city’s recycling. The county could not support the program without the city’s recyclables. They were never going to allow the county to control the city’s recycling program.

So what have our elected officials proposed as a better alternative? First, have Rumpke handle the city’s recycling. That has been a disaster. Have you driven by the drop off centers? Trash and materials litter the area making it very difficult for someone to start recycling. Evidently there are not enough bins allocated to the locations.

Their second alternative now is to offer curbside recycling at the taxpayers’ expense. Where is Rumpke on curbside recycling? I thought Rumpke was paying for recycling, according to their arguments for voting down a county-ran program.

Recycling is a great way to make our community cleaner, healthier and progressive. Say yes to recycling and begin by recycling out the ones who voted down the county-ran program last year.

David L. Sullender, Ashland



Parents: Watch out for child predators

I’m writing to to increase the public’s awareness about child predators. We all want to believe that these monsters do not live near us and that they are not someone we know, or that since this person has good parents and grandparents, he can’t posibly be a predator.

Predators can live in nice neighborhoods and drive nice cars. They can be well mannered and eager to help.

However, they do not always have good intentions. Take heed when something doesn’t feel right or look right. Your intuition is telling you that something isn’t right. Listen to it.

Don’t be afraid of offending someone if you are protecting a child. Say something to a trusted adult who can help you find out what is really going on.

I was in the unfortunate situation of unkowingly having a predator in my midst. Fortunately, my children’s “innocence” was not taken from them.

However, the actions of this person were a “textbook” example of a predator. I listened to my intuition and kept him away from my family, even though he would show up at public places where we were. While I am not 100 percent certain he is a predator, I am 100 percent confident that his behavior was questionable. He’s now facing charges.

Parents, let’s be proactive and keep our eyes open in our neighborhoods, at our schools, at school activites, at pools and at other public places. Don’t listen to the slick talker who will attempt to talk you out of what you see and hear. Be strong, be tough, be vigilant.

Teresa Stevens, Ashland



Referrals to CAReS create possiblities

The recent article about people who are approaching church members for money on Sundays and Wednesday evenings contained some excellent information. We at CAReS are very aware of the number of people in our community who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless.

The members and staffs of our churches are caring people who want to help others. CAReS receives support from area churches that we use to provide services to those in need. Last year we served 3,952 individuals and 952 households.

In addition to providing emergency help with utilities, shelter, medications, food and other needs, our case managers can work with individuals and families to help them find solutions to their problems through counseling or referrals to other helping agencies. Because all of our clients are entered into the state Homeless Management Information Service, we can verify their story and track the services they receive. This prevents duplication of services, or double-dipping.

Church members are eager to help and to share the good news of the Christian message. We hope by meeting the physical needs of our clients, they will be more open to finding answers for their spiritual needs.

We all have learned to be cautious when approached by a stranger demanding help when we are alone in a parking lot or other isolated area. It is true that a few dollars may help today, but the need will be there tomorrow. A referral to CAReS will open the possibilities of a long term solution.

We are grateful for the support of our area churches, organizations and individuals who make our mission a reality.

Trish Hall, Executive diretor, CAReS, Ashland



Bible teaches about beggars

Judging from the remarks made by “church people” as quoted in the March 9 story on pandhandling at church, I would like to suggest that they break open their Bibles. Open them to the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and review the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Then look at the Book of Acts. Acts will teach them what the church is and how they should respond to people like the “panhandlers.” My prayer is that may God bless them, one and all.

Jim Allen, Glasgow