Dear Editor,
I would like to take this time to comment on the pain clinic in Paintsville.
I was born and raised in Paintsville and now reside in Louisville. I was so shocked when I opened our newspaper The Courier-Journal and saw a huge insert that read “Raid at Pain Clinic nets 29 in E. Kentucky “ and had a picture of a policeman walking someone out in handcuffs. It was absolutely horrible to see what my hometown is coming to.
Paintsville is being called “Drug Central, USA”. That’s a name that I sincerely hope Paintsville is trying to change.
I did read where the clinic had it’s license revoked and I was very glad to read that. They really need to be aware of some of the doctors that are coming into town and they should really crack down and do a thorough back-ground and license check on them before letting them set up office.
Please Paintsville—take your town back and be proud of it.
Thank you,
Deborah Puckett
Louisville, Ky.
Letters to the Editor Thank you,
Dear Editor,
On behalf of Christa Burchett’s family we would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone that took part in the blood drive and memorial that was held in her honor on January 22. First and foremost, to all of the Paintsville, Fire-Rescue and EMS as well as law enforcement, we would like to say, “Thank You”, for opening your hearts to Christa and making her a part of your family. Christa loved her job, and she loved the people she worked with dearly. It was evident by the turnout on Sunday that you love her as well.
To Paintsville City Police officers, thank you for being there and showing your support to the family. To Bill Holbrook, a special thank you for allowing us to use your photo of Christa each year for this event. We know what that picture means to you and your staff, so thank you. Also, we would like to say a special thank you to Paintsville Elementary for allowing us to use their gym for the blood drive. This is the fourth time they have opened the school up to us for that purpose, this year the drive was on a Sunday, so we know that made things a little more difficult for them.
A major part of what we hope to do each year is save lives in Christa’s name, most of her adult life was spent doing just that. We do that by holding a blood drive each year on her Angel birth date (January 22nd). We would like to thank KY Blood Center and their staff for working with us and for being so kind and caring during the drive. To the director of the drive, Richard Davis, who has worked with us each year to ensure the drive is successful, thank you.
Also, a very special thank you to Bob Evans. For two years in a row they have ensured that the family, friends, co-workers, blood donors and blood center staff was provided food during the drive. We would like to thank the General Manager of Bob Evans, Offie Marshall; she has truly showed us the meaning of community support. Ms. Marshall also came to the memorial to show her support for the family, and has been nothing but compassionate to everyone involved. Also there were at least 6 Bob Evans’ employees that came and donated blood (in their work uniforms). It moved us to tears to know that people who may not even have known Christa would take their time on a Sunday, either before or after work, to donate blood in her honor. Thank you.
We would also like to thank Kelly Castle and Tonya Dingess for their help during both the blood drive and the memorial. We would also like to say thank you to Buel and Francis Webb, not just for being with us at the memorial and singing such beautiful songs, but also for the support you give Redford and Melinda daily. Also thank you to Ann Lyons with Paintsville Fire-Rescue and EMS, all of your help was so very much appreciated. Everyone at Station 1 has been nothing but helpful each year, this year was no exception. Bob Dixon and Rick Ratliff have never let us down during this time each year. Rick, thank you for being a big part of the memorial, you made Christa proud. Bob Dixon, we know how you loved Christa, and we know this date each year is hard for you and your crew; she was a part of your family, too. Thank you for allowing us to hold the memorial at the station, Christa spent a lot of her time there and we always feel very close to her when we are there.
Thank you to everyone that donated blood, said a prayer, gave a hug, spoke kind words and showed your support and love for Christa and her family. Words will never express how standing in the ambulance bay, next to the ambulance dedicated to Christa, with nothing but candlelight shining on the faces of the ones who love and miss her will truly melt your heart. Thank you all for loving “Our Fallen Hero,” Christa Dawn Burchett.
Sincerely,
Bobbi Collins and
Melanie Davis
Paintsville
Letters to the Editor
Thank you
Dear Editor,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Johnson Central Hall of Fame committee for the wonderful ceremony and program they had Saturday night for the inductees. Amiee Cantrell-Webb and Noel Crum, with help from the committee, did an outstanding job with the Hall of Fame Memory Book and DVD.
Thanks to Tom and Bob Hutchison and East Kentucky McDonalds for the sponsorship of the event.
The administration, along with the teachers and staff of Johnson Central, has always been the best. Excellence starts with the superintendent and trickles down to everyone else in the school system.
I am so proud to be a Johnson Central graduate and a Golden Eagle.
Sincerely,
Vicki Crace Rice
Johnson County Circuit Court Clerk
Thanks PBH third floor staff
Dear Editor,
I would like to thank the third floor staff at Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center for a very pleasant stay. RN’s Tosha and Virginia, you ladies are the greatest.
A special thanks to Phillip Trimble, Coach Milt Preston, Marvin McFaddin, Joe Porter, Paige Porter, David LeMaster, Ladonna LeMaster, Katie Malone, and my buddy, Conner Cantrell.
Thanks for all the phone calls from the area football coaches and the prayer chains throughout the community.
Thanks for my roommate Tim; and a loving thanks for my wife, Debbie, who never left my side.
God bless you all,
B.J. Ward
Paintsville
Boston Tea Party or the American Tea Party
Dear Editor,
Once upon a time on the North American Continent a group of rejects and exiles got together and said to their oppression “enough”. They slapped their oppressors in the face by pouring a bunch of their tea into the ocean and said “we have had enough of your greed and tierney”.
After many years of war, sweat and tears they built a nation with God at the helm and freedom for everyone and called it Democracy. With this system they became the richest, most respected and loved nation in the history of the World. Then greed, special interests and poor leadership got into power. The stock market grew and grew. Businesses got bigger and bigger. The tax payers got poorer and poorer. The gap between the rich and the poor got wider and wider. Then a terrible cloud of hunger, unemployment and mistrust swept across the country.
In 2012 it is possible for the American citizens to once again rescue this great nation from the clowns in Washington and special interests.
Cliff Barker
Morehead, KY
Letters to the Editor Thank you for ‘Filling the Ford’
Dear editor,
We would like to thank all the local businesses, residents of Johnson County and Cash Express customers for the wonderful donations to our 2011 Toy and Coat Drive.
We want a big thank you to go out to Brown’s Ford of Paintsville for another great “Fill the Ford” donation project.
Cash Express greatly appreciates all of the support we received from our community.
All of our donations went to the Van Lear Fire Department and together we helped families of Johnson County.
Cash Express
Cassie, Branch Manager
Lois, Assistant Manager
A community full of Christmas spirit
Dear Editor,
I am writing your community aboutr a Christmas rescue.
I left my Ohio home about 3 a.m. heading for my sister’s home to celebrate Christmas in Virginia. About 7:30 a.m., I shredded a tire not far from Paintsville. I called AAA and was told it would be about 45 minutes but someone would call. For the most part, US 23 was empty, but after about 20 minutes, a pick-up truck with two young men u-turned and pulled up to offer me a ride into town. I thought I should wait, so I declined. Very sorry I did not get their names.
A few minutes later Deputy Tim Clark pulled up behind me. He was reassuring, made a call to Capital Tire and drove into town to get an air pump. A very few minutes after that, Troy Meade pulled up, put on his gloves and cheerfully put the spare tire on for me. He wouldn’t accept payment, gave me directions to the tire store and drove away to enjoy a breakfast of biscuits and gravy.
Everyone at Capital Tire was friendly, they already knew what I needed and had a used tire waiting for me. This was perfect as I possessed large quantities of cookies but little cash.
I drove away feeling wonderfully blessed by a community that truly understands the meaning of Christmas. I tell my story to everyone, allowing no commiseration for there was nothing sad or unfortunate during my journey south on December 24. I can’t think of a better term than “blessed” for your community or for my experience.
Most sincerely,
Constance Steele
Fairborn, Ohio
Letters to the Editor Having walked the Garfield Trail
Dear Editor,
On Saturday, January 7, The Friends of Middle Creek took advantage of a break in the weather to retrace the footsteps of the Union Army, made 150 years before.
Starting near the mouth of Abbot on U.S. 23, Civil War reenactors made their way across a small metal walk-bridge and climbed slowly up the hill. As they rounded the turns and rested on the flats, they were greeted by many stunning views of Prestonsburg including the college, high school, and Food City Plaza; all of which are built on land once belonging to the May Plantation. Eventually, the group made the crest of Nancy Pea Gap and began the walk down into West Prestonsburg. Unknown to them, a young Confederate soldier, Michael Warrix, had been tracking them all the way up the hill; gathering information for his long-dead Confederate Commander Humphrey Marshall camped at the forks of Middle Creek on what would become the Middle Creek National Battlefield.
When later asked about the hiking experience, Navajo Austin spoke of realizing the hardships 1,200 men would have experienced on the muddy trail. Nick Sparks commented on the mud and the beauty of the views he had seen. Expedition organizer Michael Warrix commented on the feelings of fear and frustration the men must have had as they struggled through the mud toward the battlefield. In the end, all the reenactors completed the trail safely and were collected by Friends of Middle Creek Commander Patrick Davis to be ferried back to their waiting cars, or to his mother’s kitchen to be fed a turkey dinner.
The Civil War has ended now, and the two sides have joined into a united nation that offers comforts and personal freedoms the world envies. But just off the road and over a simple rise, lies a vanished life of hardship, anger, and death that was our nation’s Civil War.
If for no other reason than to never forget, we all should walk the region’s Garfield Trail.
Sincerely,
Floyd Davis
David, Ky.
Thank a board member today!
Dear Editor,
Local boards of education face incredible challenges during these difficult economic times. Required to make arduous choices and decisions, yet they still volunteer for public service. That is being a leader, and Johnson County is fortunate to have five such individuals on the Johnson County Board of Education. This year may prove to be their greatest trial as we work together to ensure that state and federal budget cuts do not impede the educational progress of our children.
School board service is more than monthly meetings discussing complex issues. Board members play a vital role in pushing schools toward proficiency and they help enlighten our communities about many student successes.
These reasons just scratch the surface of why board members deserve our thanks during Kentucky’s January observation of School Board Member Recognition Month.
I, along with the students and staff of the Johnson County School System, wish to express our thanks and gratitude to Johnson County school leaders: Chairman Bob Hutchison, Vice-Chairman Melvin VanHoose, Doug Wright, Melinda Johnson and Bruce Aaron Davis for their commitment and concern for the futures of our children and I invite all Johnson County to join us in showing our appreciation to these outstanding public servants.
Sincerely,
Steve Trimble, Superintendent
