Questions remain about project

In early November, the city of Louisa was approached about sponsoring a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. At the time we were provided no information on location or project details. As residents of the city became aware of the project, many questions were left unanswered as to the location and specific project details.

The Louisa City Council did vote no on the recent proposal of support.

There are several reasons why the council voted against this project, and none of them have to do with not wanting a project that will better help residents of our community. The main concern with everyone is the location. There have been several rumors that the location will be a church building that is located in a residential neighborhood across the street from a pre-K through first grade elementary school.

Mr. Robinson and Mr. May were invited to discuss this project with concerned residents at a public meeting, However, they did not put in an appearance.

As the mayor of Louisa I know that we do have a drug problem and we need a program that will provide support for addictions of this nature, but at the same time, we have to consider our children and our residents who have homes and children near where this facility will be placed.

All that the city is asking for is that we have project details. What type of project this is? Where will the project be placed? Is this project going to be for Lawrence County residents only?

We just need to know what is going on. If you place yourself in the situation of every resident who owns their homes near the rumored location, and the type of things a project like this would bring to your neighborhood, it would raise concern.

Teddy Preston, Mayor of Louisa



Trying terrorists in U.S. is criticized

I’m a conservative. As such, there have not been many decisions of President Obama’s that I have agreed with in his relatively short time in office.

OK, make that none. But today, I am not writing as a conservative; I’m writing as an American. The Obama Administration’s plan to try the 9/11 conspirators in a U.S. court is a slap in the face to every veteran who has served this country.

Many of our servicemen and women have died defending the Constitution of the United States and protecting our freedom. These terrorists are not American citizens! Why should they be afforded the same constitutional privileges as an American citizen? It’s revolting.

I honestly believe that President Obama and his administration are using this trial in an effort to discredit the CIA and the Bush administration. These terrorists and their attorneys will be granted full discovery, meaning that they can see all the evidence-gathering that was done while investigating the attack. They can see how the evidence was gathered and who gathered it. This will not only compromise U.S. national security, it will put people’s lives in jeopardy.

One of the criticisms of President Bush was that he was out of touch. Perhaps President Obama is the one who is out of touch: Pushing a “health care reform bill” that over 70 percent of Americans don’t want; pushing a cap and trade bill that will further cripple our ability to compete in the global marketplace; and now these trials in New York.

The frightening part is, I think President Obama knows exactly what he’s doing. He is either the most out-of-touch president we have ever had, or the most anti-American.

Kris Langstaff , Grayson



Another nominee has tax problems

A recent congressional report says President Obama’s nominee for Undersecretary of the Treasury for International Affairs, Lael Brainard, was late in paying real estate taxes. There were also problems found with her deduction for running an office from her home.

Brainard is the fifth Obama nominee to have tax problems. So, once again, we see an Obama nominee (at Treasury, no less) flaunting tax laws.

This is the same Democrat crowd that wants to raise our taxes by hundreds of billions per year. In their minds, taxes are for the little people. Either that or it’s difficult for Obama to find honest people when his closest associates are leftist scofflaws and Marxists.

Hugh Davis, Worthington



Maybe Santa can control the odors

Last week’s report of air quality problems to the Energy and Environment Cabinet remains unanswered. This was reporting an invasion of hog odors that robbed us two evenings of the opportunity to sit in our own back yard.

This is reported frequently. The nauseating odors of industrial-scale hog operations are horrible. The 5,000-pig monstrosities are treated by the EEC as if they were a mom-and-pop pig sty with a couple of dozen pigs.

As we approach the seasons of thanksgiving and heightened religious celebrations I am reminded it is time for my letter to Santa. At first, my chagrin at the EEC unwillingness or inability to require that hog barn odors be actually controlled tempted me to ask Santa for a hog barn to be placed on each side of responsible EEC officials, that is one north, south, east and west adjacent to their homes. After a closer searching of my soul, I have decided I would not wish this on my worst enemy.

In its place, my letter to Santa will be the simple wish that hog barn odors no longer drive us from our own yard or other neighbors from their yards. I shall write this letter in full confidence that a letter to Santa will be as effective as a letter to the Energy and Environmental Cabinet asking that air quality actually be protected.

Gene Nettles

Hickman



School collecting items for pets

Oakview Elementary’s 11th annual Christmas Animal Shelter Collection Project is now under way.

Oakview students are collecting the following items for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens at the Boyd County Animal Control Center through December 18: Towels, sheets and blankets, shampoo and brushes, dry food, toys, rawhide chews and treats, and anything else the animals could use, whether new or old.

Donations may be dropped off at Oakview Elementary School, 3111 Blackburn Avenue, Ashland. For more iinformation, call the school at (606) 327-2733.

Leigh Baker, teacher, Oakview Elementary School, Ashland



Letters invited

The Independent invites readers 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’ must not exceed 150 words. No more than one letter per calendar month may be published from the same author. The Independent does not guarantee of day of publication for letters but makes an effort to publish all letters in a timely manner. Letters may be edited for length, spelling, grammar and accuracy. Letters that cannot be verified will not be published. Questions about letters shoud be directed to John Cannon, opinion page editor, at jcannon@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2649.