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Opinion

  • Project helps your kids, our kids

    Did you know there are math problems in today's newspaper? What about a language arts quiz? Or a science or social studies project in the making?

    Well, local teachers have known this for years. That's why many are firm believers in the Newspapers In Education program, a worldwide initiative that promotes the use of newspapers in the classroom.

    Educators say using the newspaper in their classrooms provides a real-world connection that is motivating and adds real-life dimension to their classrooms.

  • English program a good way to say...

    It has to be difficult to move to a new country, and even worse when you don't speak the language.

    That's why programs in place at local public schools - and at Campbellsville University - are so important.

    If any of you have ever visited another country where you didn't know the language, then you know at least part of what we're talking about. Now, imagine moving to live in that country.

  •
    Time to change the direction of...

    Report cards - they're either dreaded or anticipated. They keep us as parents informed about how well our children are doing in school. And good report cards are a sign that our schools are teaching our children what they need to know in their journey to adulthood.

    A story on today's front page explains our local schools' report cards, which provide information on schools' and districts' progress. All Kentucky students are expected to reach "proficiency" - or scores of 100 on state tests - by the year 2014. And that's not too far off in our future.

  • Learn from the past to change the...

    “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”

    — From Maya Angelou’s “On the Pulse of Morning”

    If you’re not a regular subscriber, you may have missed the beginning of our annual four-part series in honor of Black History Month.

  • Love and family are week's...

    "I wish you shelter from the storm

    And a cozy fire to keep you warm

    And most of all

    When snowflakes fall

    I wish you love."

    -Albert A. Beach

    English lyrics

    Love is in the air ... and in our newspaper pages.

    Between Valentine's Day this Saturday, the winning love letters on today's front page, a story about the Happiness and Opportunity through Marriage Education program, or H.O.M.E., and the Bridal Feature on page 8A, we're celebrating love.

  • Keep the mail coming

    Do you have a mailbox? If so, there's a proposal before Congress right now that could affect you.

    Postmaster General John E. Potter has asked Congress to lift a federal mandate requiring six-day mail delivery. Apparently, the United States Postal Service is facing a loss this year of as much as $6 billion.

    And this is their attempt to save money.

  • Neighbors helping neighbors

    As difficult and inconvenient as the past week has been for many residents of Taylor County, it has been an enlightening week as well.

    With the ice storm of last Tuesday - and then the inch and a half of snow that followed the very next day - more than half a million people across the state lost electricity. Though Taylor County didn't get the worst of what Mother Nature had to offer, we still had thousands without electricity and heat.

  • Keep public records public

    Editor's Note: This editorial first appeared in the Casey County News on Wednesday, Jan. 28.

    One of the provisions in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that citizens have the right to a free press.

    And that means a press unencumbered by the dictates of a local, state or federal government deciding what can be printed or broadcast.

    However, one state legislator wants to limit access to 911 recordings because the recordings, in his opinion, are being used by media companies to attract viewers and boost ratings.

  • Their 'success' is our...

    In today's newspaper, readers will notice a new addition. It's called Success Stories. And each month throughout the year, a new Success feature will be published.

    The feature stories are written by the news staff to run simultaneously with advertisements purchased by those businesses that choose to participate. The businesses listed in the advertisements at the bottom of the "Success" page will be featured in the upcoming months' stories.

  • An ounce of prevention

    What do these numbers mean to you ... 4, 4, 13, 7, 6 and 8? Any idea? If one adds them together, the total is 42. But they're more than just numbers. They're lives.

    Forty-two is the number of people who lost their lives in car crashes in Taylor County over the past six years.

    That's 42 people who left loved ones behind involuntarily ... unexpectedly. And those 42 are mourned by many, many more.

  •
    Congratulations, Emily Cox

    Emily Cox, the reigning Miss Kentucky, made her hometown proud on Saturday night by making the Miss America pageant's Top 12.

    To top that off, Cox won a preliminary award before the pageant even began.

    Cox's work with her platform - "Uniquely Me: Promoting Self-Esteem in Adolescent Girls" - earned her the Quality of Life Award. She will receive a $6,000 scholarship.

  • It's finally time to take a...

    The right to breathe clean air should take precedence over the right to smoke, simply because smoking endangers others' health.

    And that's why we believe a smoking ban in all public buildings is needed.

    There have been attempts in the past to ban smoking in restaurants. But why stop there?

    If one has a right to eat in a smoke-free building, why shouldn't one have a right to conduct other business in a smoke-free place as well?

  • A little about a lot

    Tomorrow, as the 44th President of the United States places his hand on the very same Bible that former President Abraham Lincoln did so many years ago, history will be made.

    Record crowds are expected to watch the inauguration of President Barack Obama, both in person and on television news channels.

    And several of those on hand for the personal experience will be representing Campbellsville. We can’t help but wonder how many communities our size will be represented at such a historic occasion. Few, we would assume.

  • Paying tribute

    Nearly 50 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. told the world of his dream for the future.

    His most famous speech included these words: "... I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character ..."

  • New program takes 'small steps...

    Every New Year's Eve, millions of Americans resolve to get healthier (e.g., quit smoking and lose weight) and wealthier (e.g., increase savings and reduce debt). This is not surprising because health and personal finance "issues" (people don't have problems anymore ... they have "issues") affect millions of Americans.

  • What's next?

    Congratulations to residents of Campbellsville and Taylor County who took part in the public idea exchange forum regarding a possible school district merger Thursday night.

    A hearty thank-you to the representatives of Campbellsville Independent School District, Taylor County School District, Campbellsville City Council and Taylor County Fiscal Court for their willingness to come together to listen and participate in the discussion.

  • Good luck, Taylor County Junior Miss

    Taylor County Junior Miss Auburn Wigginton will leave Sunday for Lexington to participate in the state Junior Miss Program.

    We know she will represent Taylor County well, just as all of our local participants have in the past - whether they won or not.

    Those who wish to send cards or flowers may do so by mailing them to: Auburn Wigginton, c/o Robin and Tim Blair, 525 Crewe Court, Lexington, Ky. 40503.

    Good luck at state, Auburn. We'll be cheering for you.

  • What happens in Frankfort doesn...

    None of us likes to run short on money. It means cutting back on expenses, getting a second job or even doing without. And with the state of today's economy, even our governmental agencies are running short.

    As the Kentucky General Assembly goes into session this week, the state of the economy will be a major focus. Legislators will be charged with finding ways to do more with less.

    And there's really only two definitive ways to do that - raise taxes or cut services.

  • Forum offers place for discussion

    Can two become one?

    Opportunity comes our way only so often. The question becomes, what do we do with it? Sometimes we do nothing and let it pass. Sometimes we only think about it. Other times we talk about it and make an educated decision, based upon facts, and take action.

    The Campbellsville Independent and the Taylor County school districts are each looking for a new superintendent. Will it be business as usual or is this the time for discussion?

  • This New Year's Day: Merry...

    This New Year I want to wish you a Merry Christmas!

    I have this strange belief that Christmas can be celebrated every day of the year. I realize Christmas 2008 is a fading memory, but before you place it in your scrapbook of holidays, take a moment to reflect on how you can enjoy the best of Christmas every day of the year. When Christmas is in your heart, you can pull it up and savor the finest aspects of Christmas anytime. But we have to get beyond the nastiness of Christmas memories to the true meaning of the event.