Opinion

Step away from the video games. Let go of the joy stick. Turn off the television.

Go play in the snow!

Finding snow pictures is getting more and more difficult as pastimes have changed direction.

I hate to sound like my grandfather spinning a yarn, but when I was growing up, a big, even a moderate, snowfall meant a day with rosy cheeks and cold hands.

My friends and I would go from yard to yard creating snowmen to adorn each of our lawns. We would also build igloos and have snowball wars.

Now, it’s all about the video wars.

There was plenty of warning for last weekend’s winter storm that blanketed Harrison County in three to four inches of snow.

Road crews working in Cynthiana and Harrison County made good use of that forecast by putting down salt brine and generally bracing for the wallop.

Since it was the weekend and essential travelers were at a minimum, road crews could hold to their task without too much traffic interruption.

When vandals broke into the Flora Shropshire Animal Shelter in January, Animal Control Officer Allen Fryman said the offense was a “slap in the face.”

Fifteen animals along with numerous bags of dog food, cat food, treats and cat litter were taken during what Fryman said was the worst break-in he had ever seen.

There’s not much that can sweeten that sting, but one could argue that an outpouring of community support comes pretty close.

“Harrison County is a great community,” Fryman said almost two weeks after the break-in.

Members of Congress play a central role in our lives. They shape our health-care system, make crucial decisions about the U.S. economy, and represent the hopes and interests of every American in Washington. Given this fact, I’m always surprised that relatively little attention is focused on examining closely whether someone serving in or running for Congress has the personal attributes it takes to be an effective member of the institution. If someone’s behavior is shady or unsavory, that will make the news.

Maysville Community and Technical College has been creating opportunities and fueling the dreams of many in Cynthiana for 20 years. During that 20-year span, there have been numerous milestones for the college. The first extension of the college was opened in 1989 in a rented space. In 2002, a new building was built to accommodate the expanding number of students. In 2007, enrollment topped 3,500 for the college. In the fall term of 2009 MCTC added to their facilities by opening another extension in Cynthiana for the Health Science students.

To the editor:

I think I speak for most of the residents in Berry.

During our last two snowfalls, we have had nothing done to our roads. They had school, but some of us had to take our children or grandchildren to the post office and pick them up because the buses could not get up or down some of the streets. I think we have more commissioners than we have streets.

During last year’s ice storm we were out of electric for two days before we were noticed on Mockingbird Lane. It was very able to see because no one had lights or street lights.

I spent most of last Sunday afternoon in my recliner chair reading about an overweight, out of shape guy who decided to go to Peru and hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

He did it because he wanted to impress a girl who was also going on the trip. When he learned how strenuous the trip would be, because he didn’t want to weenie out in front of the girl, he started working out.

A few months ago I joined a new gym, which is challenging me physically. I’m not training for a hike or anything, just a healthier life.

To the editor:

During the past several months, I have submitted to the Cynthiana Democrat several articles that referenced different concerns and actions of the city commission. These articles were printed under the title of ‘Commissioners’ Corner.’ I believe that they were read with interest by a large part of our population.

Unfortunately, I am unable to continue to submit these pieces. The Democrat has a policy that since I filed for the position of mayor, they could not print these accounts. It might give me an unfair advantage.

As I reflect on the progress of our school system over the last two years, I would like to take this time to highlight some of our successes and to list some of our challenges. I use the term “our” because the education of our children is our responsibility. Education is not only a job for the faculty, staff and administrators of this district. Education is the responsibility of all of us. This is true whether we are parents, siblings, neighbors, members of this community or one of the students being taught.