Opinion

Thirteen may be an unlucky number for some, but for Campbellsville High, which hosted its 13th basketball tournament during the holiday break, it was another great run of basketball entertainment.

Sixteen teams, three days, 24 games, 42 hours of basketball.

The tournament committee led by Campbellsville High Coach Tim Davis, Athletics Director Jim Hardy and a host of volunteers did an excellent job of moving things along. Thirteen years is a good foundation for success.

In about a hundred hours the calendar will flip to a new year - 2008. Almost hard to believe, isn't it?

But as we move ahead, we know that promises can be a dime a dozen. The ones we make that are worth carrying through are as scarce as a hen's teeth. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

We may have a few personal things that we're going to resolve in 2008 - trim a few pounds, stop smoking, get right with God, rekindle a friendship, or be a better mom or dad.

It's a shame it's even necessary, but a recent purchase by the County makes good financial sense.

Taylor Fiscal Court recently bought a $7,435 machine that will let County employees make road signs themselves rather than having to order them to help cut the cost.

Last year alone, the County spent $8,900 on signs. With the new machine, hopefully that cost will decrease to the cost of supplies.

Someone once said: "The manner of giving is worth more than the gift."

And around this community the hearts are always warmer than the dead-of-winter weather.

The Holiday Helpline has ensured that nearly 400 families will have a better Christmas than they might have had otherwise. But the Helpline isn't taking credit. That credit belongs to the community - the one that is always so giving.

Our health is one thing that all of us are concerned about and sometimes take for granted. And when we're ill, we are privileged to be able to simply pick up the telephone and make an appointment to see a doctor.

Our community is served by dozens of well-trained physicians and a top-notch hospital. At Taylor Regional Hospital, we have available to us the latest in specialized medical care.

But in other countries people aren't so fortunate.

That's why a recent medical mission trip to Ecuador is so special.

Today is a day officially set aside as a time for gratitude. And those of us who live in Campbellsville and Taylor County have so much for which to be grateful.

Most of us will sit down with family members and friends for a meal that can only be described as a feast. We can also be thankful that we have neighbors who will be there for those who don't have family and friends nearby or for those who don't have the resources to provide their own feasts.

I hope that Campbellsville goes forward with a smoking ordinance in public buildings. All businesses should be smoke-free for health reasons.

Also smoking should not be around the outside of doors and entrances. Those who smoke should have consideration for those who don't because it has an impact on other people.

Tommy Larimore

Greensburg

I don't know what it means for three area school systems asking for voter endorsement of a "recallable nickel" tax, but last week's ballot results on other issues would not seem to bode well for any measure that would require additional grit from taxpayers.

If I had sewage laying on the surface of my back yard, I might feel a little differently about annexation than the majority of people in a South Campbellsville precinct who had an opportunity to do something about it.

The message is, I think: People are not going to vote extra taxes (or expenses) on themselves.

Today is Halloween. My 79-year-old father and my 76-year-old mother drove more than 600 miles from Missouri to take my children trick-or-treating. This is something they have done for many years, and each year we worry this will be the last year they will be able to make the trip.

I rushed home today after work to help my children get into their costumes, only to find out that they had homework.

Their summers have been shortened to almost nothing. Now you're taking Halloween away from them, too?