Today's Opinions

I’ve always had a bit of a jaded attitude toward the world we live in.

My parents, both part of the baby boom era, were older than the parents of the other kids in school. Both grew up on farms where work was something you did if you wanted to keep food on the table and clothes on your back.

From the stories they’ve told all my life, neighbors were an integral part of day-to-day life. You shared what you had with your neighbor, though it may not be much, and you helped each other in whatever way you could.

Today we no longer express our feelings, thoughts, or do daily work at our place of employment on the written page.

We now tend to communicate in new ways. We have been swallowed up by technology. We e-mail, copy on disc, text abbreviated messages, or talk on the cell phones. In these paperless times, writing letters, lists, or paper work is nearly a lost art.

In some circumstances, however, things written down can be more effectively used. I found this to be especially true involving the delinquent tax list for 2009.

You may have heard of Tona Barkley because she and her husband, John Harrod, are local musicians who perform throughout the region. Another reason you may know her is because she is on the ballot to serve as a director of Owen Electric Cooperative.

We have known Tona for over 30 years. She is an intelligent, hardworking and honest person. She retired from KET in Lexington and has the time, energy and interest to serve the members of our electric co-op and help Owen Electric as it moves into the future.