Letters to the Editor, Sept. 7, 2011

Zone change would be wrong

EDITOR’S NOTE:This letter was not received in time to publish before Fiscal Court’s meeting about the zone request.

Shelby County is blessed to have wonderful parks for its people. The county’s three largest parks have been donated by community-minded people: Dr. A. L. Birch contributed the land for Clear Creek Park, Dr. Roger and Diane Shott gave the land for Shelby Trails, and the Clarence Miller family donated the land for Red Orchard Park. The parks are well used and enjoyed by the public.

Red Orchard Park is a nature education park where school classes come to be

instructed about wildlife and land and weddings are performed. But this park and the surrounding community are potentially endangered by a requested zone change to heavy industrial use for a metal recycling operation proposed to be just 160 feet from the Park’s eastern boundary.

The zone change request is not in compliance with our Comprehensive Plan. It is surrounded by existing public, residential and agricultural uses. The proposed heavy industrial zoning is inappropriate for the area, particularly next to our nature park.

The Shelby County Fiscal Court will consider the zone change request in September. SCOPE and MORE encourage the Court to protect our community’s quality of life and respect the gift of the Clarence Miller family, which has so added to our quality of life.

Shelby County is the “gold” in the “Golden Triangle” of Kentucky. Clear Creek, which flows around Red Orchard Park, is our “emerald necklace.” We treasure our community’s wonderful environment and ask the Fiscal Court to deny the request for a zone change.

Jim Ellis, President

Maintain Our Rural Environment (MORE)

Ronald R. Van Stockum, Jr., President

Shelby County Organized for

 Preservation and Enhancement (SCOPE)

School choice is personal

There is an aspect of Mr. Silver’s article that I have an issue with and that is the decision of the Kidwell family to send their son to Trinity. Having taught in the Shelby County School system for 15 years and in a private school system in Louisville for 6 years, I have had experiences in both the public and the private school systems.

The decision to send their son to a private school is a private matter. There are advantages and disadvantages of the private and the public school systems. Each family has to evaluate these in order to determine to which system they send their children. I have found both systems provide strong academic programs, have excellent and dedicated teachers, and strong curricula. There are disadvantages in each, but this is part of the evaluation process.

Bringing into the article by Mr. Silver the Kidwells’ choice of where they are going to send their child is unfair and unmerited. I believe Mr. Silver did an injustice to the Kidwell family, and they deserve an apology. I do not know what the Kidwell family based their decision on to send their son to Trinity, but I do know Mr. Kidwell has dedicated 20-plus years to the children in the Shelby County School System, and he has worked hard to carry out his responsibilities as a staff member.

Jim Wright

Shelbyville

The effects of 9-11

On Sept. 11, 2001, millions watched the horrendous events in New York City. When the towers came down, with them came an end of a way of life. Our world recognized an ever-growing sinister intent. Our sense of security was compromised forever.

After 10 years, we remember the loss of innocent lives and the heroic sacrifices of so many who tried to intercede.

Those who act on hatred deceive themselves and deny peace to others around the world.

Jesus admonished us to love one another. Therein lies the ultimate hope for mankind. Regrettably, the world has yet to accept this great truth.

Don White

Shelbyville