ASHLAND — Demolish only as a last resort

  Many of our older downtown buildings have begun to fall into serious disrepair. It’s a problem that needs to be addressed if we ever hope to revitalize Ashland’s business district. With that in mind, I  urge our city leaders to only consider complete demolition as a last resort.

The old Nobil's Shoe Store building at 1525 Winchester Avenue might indeed be beyond saving. If so, it’s needs to be torn down. I’m intrigued by Commissioner Kevin Gunderson’s idea of making it a stage area. It could be a compliment to the Pendleton Center.  And I have no problem with spending our city’s grant money to do it.

With regard to the rest of “the stretch,”  however, we need to keep a few things in mind...

First, these buildings cannot be duplicated. Using the same materials and craftsmanship would be prohibitive at today’s costs. When they’re gone, folks, they’re gone.

Second, any chance of fully reviving the business district rests on the beams of these old buildings.  Visit any little city across America that has a vibrant downtown, and old restored structures are everywhere you look. 

Finally, and possibly most important, these buildings are our history and our heritage. They should provide a link to our “proud past” as we build toward our “bright future.”

It’s easy to label a building as an “eyesore” and tear it down. It’s much harder to determine correctly whether it would be better off as a vacant lot, or if it is worth more in the long run to save it.

With all of Ashland’s resources, we can surely put a plan into place to make sure our remaining old buildings will be an integral part of our downtown’s rebirth.  It’s going to take vision and leadership to do that, not just a bulldozer.

Rob Serey, Ashland



Pullin does not help her district

  Country music highway, $7.5 million dollar veterans cemetery, ampitheater at Greenbo State Resort Park, (sort of). Now let’s honor 100 year-old farms. 

I wonder when Rep. Tanya Pullin will finally do something that actually helps the people of her district. It seems like everything she does only costs the taxpayers more money. 

We get it, Ms. Pullin, we know she is trying to endear herself to the voters of her district by doing these feel-good projects, but they are insulting to me, when so much is needed, like getting water to the rest of Greenup  County, getting roads paved, or getting decent internet service like Ohio is doing. Having this infrastructure will help bring jobs to Greenup County and slow the brain drain from the district. They might as well just print a road map on the back of every diploma. Reading, writing, and Route 23 is still the rule. 

This latest one, honoring the 100 year-old farm, is really laughable. Ms. Pullin must have stayed up all night to think that one up. Voters will not be fooled by these acts that are meant only to promote herself and not really help anyone else.

As a service veteran, I would never want to be buried in an old strip mine. I despise what strip mining has done to eastern Kentucky and all of Appalachia, for that matter.  Seven and a half million dollars!  How many rural homes could have had broadband for that much. That would help the farmers much more than a speech and a certificate. 

In a way, though, it’s kind of appropriate.  After all, what else is an old strip mine good for after the coal is gone, the timber stripped, the hills leveled, and the land is dead?

Charles M. Whitt, South Shore



Joe Weis provides a great service

 This is a thank you to Joe Weis of Westwood for finding and reporting possibly salmonella tainted eggs at our local Walmart stores.  Mr. Weis no doubt spared many in our community a serious illness.

Salmonella makes individuals very ill and can result in death. It is extremely dangerous in the young and the elderly population. Consumers must to be alert when purchasing products that may be on recalled lists.

Mr. Weis’ discovery is proof, consumers should never have “false hope” all recalled items have been removed from store shelves or restaurants.  Thank you and good job, Mr. Weis. 

 Darla S. Reed, RN, Russell



Absentee voting steps are listed

My son is serving in the Army. He asked how to get an absentee vote to vote in November.

Researching the request made me think that other military families may need the information.  We all have a responsibility to vote. The general election is Nov 2.

This is the  web address: www. elect.ky.gov/registrationinfo/absenteeballot.htm

Those qualified to vote by mail-in absentee ballot include those who are (1) advanced in age, disabled or ill; (2) military personnel, their dependents, or overseas citizens; (3) a student who temporarily resides outside the county; (4)  a voter who temporarily resides outside of Kentucky and who maintains eligibility to vote in Kentucky, such as a vacationer; (5) incarcerated, but not yet convicted of a crime; or (6) employed outside of the county all hours the polling place is open.

Mail a written request for an absentee ballot to the Boyd County Clerk Debbie Jones, P.O. Box 523, 2800 Louisa Ave, Catlettsburg, Ky 41129-0523. The clerk’s office’s phone number is (606) 739-5116, its fax number is (606) 739-0430. The e-mail address is debbiea.jones@ky.gov

Every citizen should exercise the right to vote in an election.

Julie Robinette, Catlettsburg



Have library card and get discount

Save money on pizza, ice cream, pet supplies and even limo rides in September when you flash your Boyd County Public Library cards at local businesses. About 25 Boyd County businesses are offering discounts from Sept. 1-30 to anyone who shows their BCPL card. The library appreciates all our business partners as we work collectively to show the importance of having and using a library card, and to reward patrons who are already active library users.

For a complete listing of the business partners, pick up a bookmark at the Ashland, Catlettsburg or Summit branch, or visit www.thebookplace.org. Or, check out the library’s Facebook page — everything is listed there, too.

In these tough economic times, everyone needs a library card. Sure, you can get discounts in September, but you can also save money all year with your card. Now, more than ever, Americans depend on their libraries and librarians for financial information, computer and Internet access, free programs and entertainment, and, of course, books and movies. Parents may find it harder than ever to make sure their children have everything they need for school. Luckily, the most important school supply of all doesn’t cost a thing. It’s a library card.

So get your’s today. New card holders get a bag with library goodies and business discount coupons. And if you already have a BCPL card, then you can “Recruit for the Library Team” by bringing in a new card holder. Each time you do, we’ll enter you in a drawing for a cool sports prize pack, which includes tickets to the Oct. 30 Marshall-UTEP football game (donated by Community Trust Bank).

Amanda Gilmore, Community Relations Coordinator, Boyd County Public Library





Letters invited

Readers are invited to submit “In Your View” letters on public issues. Letters must not exceed 300 words and must include the name, address and telephone number of the author. “Words of Thanks” are limited to 150 words. The Independent does not guarantee a day of publication for letters but tries  to publish all letters in a timely manner. Questions regarding letters should be directed to opinion page editor John Cannon at jcannon@dailyindejcannon@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2649.