Letters to the editor

State fair booth was work of art

To the editor:

I wanted to take the time to thank Chris Witzke of Westport, The Ohio Valley Railroad Foundation, my fellow commissioners that serve with OC Tourism and all the volunteers who worked on thedesign and construction of our booth for the State Fair.

For those who did not make it to see Oldham County’s booth you missed a great presentation of Oldham Countyand Downtown La Grange. Mr. Witzke’s contribution of giving us a flawless wrap around graphic of the downtown businesses were complimented by the elevated train that ranaround the entire booth. The track and trestle frame put together by Bob Widman and The Ohio Valley Train Foundation was a work of art in itself and I am thankful to them for stepping up and making their huge contribution.

The team efforts won the attention of all who attended the Fair and resulted in us being rewarded “Best Booth”in thePride of the Counties. My thanks also goes to the volunteers who helped man our booth during the entire State Fair and to all of Oldham County who stopped by and offered their appreciation.

Shane Best, Oldham County Tourism Commissioner

La Grange Police Department hosts successful fishing derby

To the editor:

The La Grange Police Department hosted our third annual Kid’s Fishing Derby Sept. 20 at Eagle Creek Golf Course. Our goal was to provide a community event which primarily focused on allowing children to meet and spend time with police officers in an enjoyable atmosphere. Our responsibility to the public is not only to enforce laws and educate residents about the law, but more importantly, to be a part of the community and encourage positive interaction with police officers. The secondary goal was to provide a family-friendly environment in which parents could spend time with their children in a safe and fun setting.

Our fishing derby brought together 51 children, which ranged from 2 to 15 years old. The fishing started fast and furious. Participants caught 255 fish at the event, in comparison to the 150 fish caught last year. The La Grange Police Department applauds the award winners this year, but we want to thank all of the children who attended the derby and hope they had a great day. Every child who participated in the fishing derby received a brand-new fishing pole to stay in practice for next year, plus a T-shirt and other goodies – all purchased with generous donations from our sponsors. In addition, La Grange Police Department provided hot dogs, chips, cookies and drinks.

Several individuals and businesses donated time or financial sponsorships to the event, including Eagle Creek Golf Course, The Oldham Era, KY Fish & Wildlife, Bedford Bank, The BANK– Oldham County, East & Westbrook Construction, Fastline, Champion Chevrolet, McDonald’s, Allstate Ready Mix, Kinser & Kinser, Dynegy, National City Bank, Irish Rover Too, La Grange Service Center, Dairy Queen, Hometown Pizza, Custom Graphics, Taco Bell, Pearce Ready Mix, FOP Lodge No. 62, Farmers Bank of Milton, Oldham County Funeral Home, Campbellsburg Supermarket, Buckner Elementary PTA, Custom Graphics. A special thanks also goes out to Pat and Sharon Vincent who assisted in ordering supplies.

I want to thank everyone who took part in the La Grange Police Department’s Kid’s Fishing Derby. We worked as a community to create an event that enriches the lives of all those who participate. We hope to see everyone again next year.

Chief Kevin Collett, La Grange Police Department

Keeping kids entertained without power isn’t easy

To the editor:

You never really know your kids until you are put in a situation where you and you alone have to entertain them. Living without power was challenging to say the least, but not a terrible experience. It was nice not having them argue over who killed who on the Star Wars Wii game.

So, as far as entertainment... Thank you Mother Nature for cool weather. We spent a lot of time outdoors, which incidentally I am always trying to get the kids to do more of anyway. All in all I would have to say we had it fairly easy. Although I am happy to have my power back I do kinda miss the quiet house I had for three days...sigh.

Chrissy Critchfield, Centerfield

Palin is ‘a breath of fresh air’

To the editor:

Sarah Palin, the Republican nominee for vice president of the United States, has provided a breath of fresh air to not only her party, but to the United States, at a time when it is vitally needed.

Palin has been labeled a maverick by some, but I prefer to label her as a champion of ideals and a person who exudes stamina, independence, fortitude and a desire to do what is right for the time even though it may not be politically expedient. She is simply not a “go along get along” person who bows to political pressure.

Many of the hurdles that Palin has faced are the same as those facing Oldham County at the present time. She was willing to take on arrogant party leadership, the “good ole boy network,” pork barreling projects and the power brokers in her state while defying what has become the accepted method of gaining power and influence. She does not appear to have “sold her soul” to get elected to every level of office she has achieved. Again, what a breath of fresh air!

Many years have passed since I have seen a politician on the national scene who has made me feel as though not all is lost in this country. On the local level here in Oldham County, Magistrate Scott Davis exudes many of the same qualities as does Palin and he too has been criticized as not being a team player by local leaders. I would believe that Palin has certainly energized him and many other people during her introduction onto the national political stage.

On the local scene, many of the politicians should consider following Palin’s lead. Now is the time for them to demonstrate their independence from the “good ole boy network.”

If they can’t measure up to the ideals that she has demonstrated in her short political career, sham on them. They should step aside and allow people with clear independent thinking to take the lead.

Michael Isabel, La Grange

Resident questions officer’s post

To the editor:

Sunday, 9/14/08, 5:40 p.m. Ike has moved on and the winds have finally stopped. Old Floydsburg Road has been closed at Duncan Memorial because a tree that has crushed a house could topple back onto the road.

Traffic is backed up at two locations between Crestwood and Pewee Valleybecause trees have completely blocked one lane of Ky. 146. Private homeowners at these locations are using chainsaws to clear the lane so cars can pass. Ash Avenue is closed and resembles a forested lane due to all the tree limbs blocking it. Further in, toward Chamberlain Lane, a tree has fallen across the railroad tracks.

And, at the junction of Abbott Lane and Ky. 22, a lone Oldham County Police Officer has parked his cruiser in an inconspicuous spot as he seemingly trolls for speeders.

Was this the highest and best use of our resources at this time?

No, he did not stop me, nor have I previously received a ticket at this location. It is simply an observation and open question. Incidentally, while I realize our county agencies could have been responding to other more pressing needs, this was the only county vehicle that I observed during the 45 minutesI was on the road.

Bob Nevitt, Crestwood

Underground lines would save money for LG&E

To the editor:

After the recent storms in our area, I noticed many people unhappy with LG&E.I, too, have been unhappy, but because they did not listen about 40 years ago when I suggested we put all power lines underground. Their reply was it costs too much, so I wonder how much it would have saved since 1969 if they had used my advice.

No use crying over spilled milk, so lets do something now... We need the highway department and the utilities to get together and quit wasting monies and every time they rebuild or build new roads to do this underground and not make all the cost come back to the customers. This is the normal way of doing business except both these ideates have been short changing the customers by playing politics with our monies.

It’s time for the customer to get the long end of the stick and government and LG&E to do right by their customers.

John Nichols, Crestwood

Resident appreciates road department’s service

To the editor:

Thank you to the road department for picking up the storm-damaged trees at our curbs. We couldn’t believe how quickly you were able to get around in our neighborhood in Heather Hill. It was very difficult to deal with losing large trees, damage to our homes and cars, and no electricity for five days. Seeing the road department pitch in to help us out made our life a little easier.

As to The Oldham Era’s Thumbs Down for the road department’s curb-side storm debris pickup, one or more of the following must be true: (A) You did not have a tree fall on your house or car, (B) Your family member works for a tree cutting business, (C) You have a pickup truck available, (D) You live on a farm or (E) You don’t live in Pewee Valley, Crestwood, or Buckner where most of the tree damage occurred.

Additionally, you did not need them to help you out, or you would have noticed that the laborers were prisoners, not road department employees.

As for the rest of us in Oldham County, we appreciate the road department’s efforts. We liked their ingenuity in adapting their dump truck to catch the shredded wood from the chipper.

It was well planned to coordinate with the prison to use prisoners to help out and also to ask the prison to store the shredded wood on prison property. It was nice to see our tax dollars at work benefiting residents in need, whether The Oldham Era thinks so or not.

Davonna Riggs, La Grange