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Opinion

  • Smoking ban is the right thing to do

    We've said it before. But we think it's time to say it again. The right to breathe clean air should take precedence over the right to smoke.

    Just prior to tonight's Campbellsville City Council meeting, there will be a public hearing on the issue of a smoking ban in public buildings. That will be followed by a vote of the Council.

    Such a ban simply makes sense ... because smoking endangers others' health.

  • Crusade donations come back here

    Firefighters in the Campbellsville and Taylor County fire departments and their many volunteers will begin collecting for the Crusade for Children fundraising campaign next week.

    For the past few years, volunteers have conducted door-to-door collections in a different segment of the county each night in an attempt to reach all households. Those collections start Monday evening and continue through Thursday evening.

    In addition, roadblocks are held at major intersections throughout the community on Friday and Saturday and near the fire department on Sunday morning.

  • It's your turn now, graduates

    "It is only the ignorant who despise education."

    -Publius Syrus (42 B.C.)

    Knowledge. Education. Learning. Growth. No matter how old we get, learning is imperative. One can never learn enough.

    Each of us learns something new every single day. Sure, it might not be as complicated as a foreign language, physics or calculus. It may just be a new neighbor’s name or that the price of gas dropped a penny.

  • Baseball, softball teams'...

    Fifth Region Tournament appearances are a common occurrence for Campbellsville's and Taylor County's baseball teams and the Lady Cardinal softball squad.

    This year will be no different as the 20th District Tourney baseball title resides in this county for the 20th consecutive season after the Eagles conquered the Cardinals on Wednesday.

  • Dont forget ... to remember

    While Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all those among us who have served their country, Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember and honor those who gave the ultimate service to their country.

    Today is that day.

    And we hope you have plans to attend this afternoon's Memorial Day ceremony at the Taylor County War Memorial at 2 p.m.

    It takes a special kind of person to be willing to fight for their country, knowing that it could cost their life. And it takes a special family to support that loved one in their determination to serve.

  • There may yet be hope

    There may be hope yet ... as long as they don't change their minds - again.

    We believe the Fiscal Court's action at Tuesday night's meeting with regard to helping fund Rescue and E-911 services for the community is a positive step.

    It's comforting to know that magistrates appear to believe in the benefits of a countywide Rescue and E-911. We certainly think those benefits outweigh the costs. Our emergency services are second to none - anywhere. And we shouldn't have to "make do" with less than what we have now.

  • Tell them thanks

    This is a special week. It's special because it's a week that recognizes those who chose careers that have allowed them to serve others. Not only is it National Nurses Week, but it's also National Police Week.

    How many of us will go through our lives without receiving some sort of help from at least one individual in both professions? Not many, we think.

    National Nurses Week occurs each year from May 6-12.

  • Honor the 'mother' in...

    Mother's Day comes but once a year. But, honestly, it should be celebrated every day of the year.

    We all have mothers ... either by birth or in someone we look to as a mother figure. They are the women who comfort us when we need comforting, encourage us when we need encouragement, who teach us right from wrong, who love us even when we feel we've failed them.

    And Sunday is their day.

  • Honoring women

    Each year in May, the Central Kentucky News-Journal honors Taylor County women with a special section. The newspaper also asks for help from the community in choosing one woman in particular who has excelled in her family, career, community and church during the past year.

    Residents send in their nominations for Taylor County Woman of the Year and then a committee of News-Journal staff and others meets to consider those nominations as well as others in the community.

  • Breaking up is hard to do

    "9-1-1 ... Where is your emergency?"

    "My husband is having a heart attack, please send an ambulance immediately."

    "Oh, I'm sorry, apparently you live outside the City limits. We can't help you."

    Are the City and County in a mess, or what? And the worse part of all is that we can't say we weren't warned.

  • On Earth Day, don't buy into...

    What would Earth Day be without hand wringing over the supposedly dire state of the planet?

    Concern over climate change seems to have reached a fever pitch. And the American economy has been fingered as the culprit.

    President Obama's recent budget proposal pours a whopping $150 billion into clean energy technologies and another $75 billion into tax incentives for "alternative" energy research. It also includes a national "cap-and-trade" program for greenhouse-gas emissions that would demand an estimated $79 billion from American industry.

  • Teaching our youth well

    Apparently we're teaching our youth well.

    We're pretty impressed with some activities that local youth and college students have planned lately. With the apathy so often prevalent in our society today, it's nice to see that not all of the new generation is following in our footsteps.

    How many of us adults participated in a fundraiser for a homeless shelter in our youth? How many of us volunteered to go without food for a 30-hour period to help children in a Third World country? Not too many, we predict.

    But that's exactly what today's youth are doing.

  • Boards have important decisions

    There's good news at local schools all the way around.

    Between the impending announcements of new superintendents at both school districts and the increases in this year's ACT scores, it appears local educators are doing their best.

    Watch for a story about the increase in local students' ACT scores in an upcoming issue.

  • The public's right to know

    When the News-Journal Editorial Board disagrees with a particular decision made by public officials, we don’t hesitate to say so. So, to be fair, when public officials make a good decision, we need to do the same.

    We took issue with a recent private meeting between some City Council and Fiscal Court members. We believe the public’s business should be discussed in public.

    The public has a right to be informed, especially when it comes to how our tax dollars are being spent and the possibility that we might have to pay more.

  • Working after retirement often a...

    For many senior citizens, the word "retirement" doesn't mean what it used to.

    In today's economy, all too often one "retires" from a life-long job only to immediately seek out another job - just to pay the bills.

    A story on today's front page, however, offers hope for many seniors.

  • Do you know a special woman?

    Each year in May, the Central Kentucky News-Journal honors Taylor County women with a special section. The newspaper also asks for help from the community in choosing one special woman who has particularly excelled in her career, community and church during the past year.

    Residents send in their nominations for Taylor County Woman of the Year and then a committee of News-Journal staff members and others chooses a winner based on those nominations.

    Anne Fraim was named the 2008 Taylor County Woman of the Year.

    Well, it's that time once again.

  • This is no time for secrets

    It seems as if secrecy is becoming the norm rather than the exception in our community's governmental affairs.

    Campbellsville City Councilman David Nunery asked last week for a private meeting with Councilmembers and Fiscal Court magistrates to discuss the City and County's budget problems.

    And, apparently, he got what he asked for.

  • Spring Fling is a success

    The Hiestand House's Spring Fling fundraiser on Saturday was a success, with nearly 100 people attending and about $1,000 raised.

    Those who attended danced to classic rock, country and old-time favorite songs.

    The money raised will go to Hiestand House's building projects and help our community preserve history. Kudos to those who planned the successful event.  

     

  • Some clouds have silver linings

    The current economic recession is like a dark cloud hanging over us all. But inside some dark clouds are silver linings. And we have one.

    A story on today's front page details the financial impact that Taylor Regional Hospital has on our local economy. And it's a significant impact, indeed.

  • Child abuse all too real

    The numbers are pretty telling. The number of reported child abuse cases in Taylor County is on the increase.

    A story on today's front page focuses on statistics from the statewide, nonprofit Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky agency in Lexington.

    Last year, according to the organization, there were 379 cases of child abuse reported in Taylor County, involving 437 children. Of those, 58 cases were substantiated, involving 85 children.