Opinion

We are beginning to feel almost as bad for the folks from CVS who are building a new pharmacy in Shelbyville as we do for every member of our community and certainly any visitors who pass by its location at the corner of U.S. 60 and KY 55.

That’s because right there next to this fast-moving new commercial property remains the decaying, depressing and long-condemned bricks and mortar that once were the Wesley Apartments.

After stepping from the shower on Saturday evening, I was greeted by a house full of smoke.

The windows were open, a fan was blowing, the door between the kitchen and living room was closed, and I was stunned that I wasn’t being roused by the overbearing blare of a smoke alarm. Or maybe that was a bad sign.

Should I call 9-1-1? Was everyone OK? Where were the flames? What had blown up?

Well, no and nothing.

Duanne Puckett may have retired last week from her role in publicizing Shelby County Public Schools – sort of her second retirement after leaving the leadership position of this newspaper in 1998 – but she won’t be retiring from the role of a lifetime.

That’s because Ms. Puckett, for all her accomplishments – she is a member of the University of Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame, among dozens of other stellar achievements – is a role model.

I have been publicly attacked by Rudy M. Wiesemann, whose paycheck has always been provided by the chemical industry, just in case you haven't already figured that out (My Word, “No need to save the planet,” May 1).

Another WHAS Crusade for Children has come and gone – 60 of them now – and the generosity of Shelby Countians contributed significantly to the more than $6 million collected this year.

Most of that comes, of course, from fire departments around the county who open their arms and set their clocks by the collection schedule for this annual telethon to help disabled and underserved children.

Dozens of Shelbyville residents crowded our city hall last November calling on Mayor Tom Hardesty and the city council to consider passage of a simple, anti-discrimination fairness ordinance. The proposed law would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing or public accommodations based upon a person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age (over 40), disability, familial status, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Mine was a Memorial weekend to remember, but not for the altruistic and patriotic reasons – although any father of a Marine, which I am, holds service and sacrifice with immeasurable respect – but because we made a lot of memories around our place.

During my youth, Memorial Day was the holiday when we would visit the gravesite of my maternal grandfather, whom I can’t remember from my infancy but whose medals from World War I have been for decades part of the decor in my mother’s bedroom.

We read the reports, and you likely are as amazed as are we. Shelby County’s high school students have earned millions of dollars of scholarships and awards that not only underscore their hard work and academic excellence but also reinforce the careers that some seem entrenched to pursue.

Give me a “S.” Give me a “C.” Hip, Hip, Hooray, Shelby County!

We’ve learned that Shelby County’s most exuberant, tireless and faithful cheerleader has announced her retirement. Shelby County’s strongest advocate, Duanne Puckett, is retiring this month from her role as Public Relations Coordinator for Shelby County Public Schools.  Leaving the role of the face and often the handshake of Shelby County’s education system marks the close of just one chapter in Duanne’s lifetime of service to this community.