Opinion

I’ve heard local and state officials say – off the record, of course – the only thing Kentucky has going for it is cheap energy.

The Alpha Natural Resources Co. says they may close 11 coal mines in West Virginia and lay off 1,100 workers. They found out they can ship coal by sea from the country of Columbia up the east coast for about half the cost of shipping it by rail from Kentucky. What’s more, they say it is easier to get out the ground and burns more efficiently. As if we didn’t have enough to worry about.

Last week we all found out about a Great-horned Owl that was trapped in the steeple of Centenary United Methodist Church.

It seems the owl was chasing a pigeon when it became trapped in the tower.

Lucky for the great bird, the church was beginning a renovation project on the tower and the crew from Thoroughbred Contractors is a pretty honest and ethical group.

The crew spotted the bird, made sure it had some food and water, and then called in a raptor rescue group to help get the beast out.

Questioning McConnell’s absences

Mitch McConnell has been too busy to attend meetings of the Senate Agriculture Committee for the last four-plus years -- too busy kowtowing to his rich cronies like the Koch brothers and other Washington-area power brokers.

Mitch doesn’t seem to recognize that agriculture is one of Kentucky’s signature industries and that the state is still working to recover from the loss of what was once its major crop, tobacco.

Last week a group of workers from a Texas Roadhouse corporate office descended on the 200 block of 8th Street to help do some minor renovations at the Open Door of Hope men’s shelter.

Shelbyville resident Kristal Baird led the group, but the amazing part is Baird was the only Shelby County person in the working crew.

After Baird mentioned working at the facility with another organization, the Texas Roadhouse group jumped at the chance to help.

In 1923 Ataturk told the new country he forged from the Ottoman Empire, “No matter how great they are, political and military victories cannot endure unless they are crowned by economic triumphs.”

Truer words were never spoken.

If we survive the multitude of messes we’re in — the conflict between Russia and her former satellites, the surging power of the Islamic terrorists, our impossible national debt, and an oppressive and dictorial government — will we turn back to the economic system that built this country?

In 2009 our community formed a Human Rights Commission, one that could answer for the people if they felt they had been wronged.

The commission, a joint effort by Shelby County Fiscal Court, Shelbyville City Council and Simpsonville City Commission, is a wonderful asset to our community.

In theory, the commission is here to ensure that we as a community maintain our civil standards – that we all are protected and able to enjoy our inherent rights as a person.

Healthy school lunches for healthy kids

Dear Editor,

With the new school year, parents’ attention is turning to school lunches.

Traditionally, USDA had used the National School Lunch Program as a dumping ground for surplus meat and dairy commodities. Children consumed animal fat and sugary drinks, to the point where one-third have became overweight or obese. Their early dietary flaws became lifelong addictions, raising their risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

When Mitchell Howard Payne entered Southside Elementary in 1957 as a second-grader, he was among the first blacks to integrate the Shelbyville school system.

I usually sat or lined up beside him because students were often in alphabetical order in those days. That was a blessing because we have remained friends all these many years. When the 1957 building was demolished over the summer, we reflected on our experiences.

At the end of August we learned that Shelby County Public Schools would go a second straight year without raising its property tax rate.

And we must say, we find that pretty amazing.

Most districts around the state have approved an increase of some degree, and many taking the full four percent they are allowed without going to a public vote.