Opinion

The organizers would like to thank everyone for their help and cooperation in this year’s high school mock election. We feel it is very important to inform our students on the issues and candidates, and although most of our students cannot vote in tomorrow’s election, the winner of this election will affect all of our students as they enter college, the military or the workforce in the next four years. Again, thank you for your participation and cooperation over the last few weeks.

And now for the news you have all been waiting for:

My how times have changed!

I was second district magistrate in the late 1950s until 1965.

I was appointed by then Gov. Bert Combs to fill out the term vacated by Edgar Sowder and won a full term in 1960 with Paul J. Jones as my opposition.

I served under two county judges – Horace Ransdell and Kepple Roland.

The fiscal court at that time had jurisdiction over the courthouse, jail, roads and the hospital along with the commodity program and the food distribution program.

The magistrates were paid $15 a month and no benefits.

I would like to invite you to join in this year’s Christmas Child project, a worldwide outreach of Samaritan’s Purse that touches the lives of millions of hurting children each year through the power of a simple gift. Shoe boxes filled with presents by caring people can bring love, joy and hope to little ones living in some of the most desperate circumstances imaginable.

It doesn’t really matter if you vote for Barack Obama.

It doesn’t really matter if you vote for John McCain.

Whether you support Mitch McConnell or Bruce Lunsford is kinda beside the point.

The point is to just get out there and vote.

Almost everyone has had the old saying “if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain” drilled into their head by their mother.

And complaining about politics appears to have replaced baseball as America’s true pastime. It could probably give NASCAR a run for its money.

The 61st District has an outstanding choice for State Representative in the November election.

I refer, of course, to Steve Wood, whom I have known for over 20 years as a man of God with Christian morals, and who is fiscally conservative and is a hardworking, exemplary businessman and father.

I urge you to carefully consider this outstanding young man.

As a graduate of Williamstown High School (1946) I know of no one who has more achievements, both in business and in community affairs.

Leroy Kinman

Arlington, Texas

October is Domestic Violence month. This happens everyday, everywhere. Many people feel alone – but that is not true. I am a survivor myself. The words and the beatings hurt your heart very deep inside. You may think there is no help, but call your local cop. It took me four months before I could come home from a shelter. If you have small kids, you owe them a better life.

My sister and her husband opened their home to me, and Tony Stigers helped get me out of that awful situation.

Hope Suttles

Like John McCain, your State Senator Damon Thayer hasn’t been afraid to set politics aside and put the needs of our District first. During the last session, Damon worked to solve the State’s budget issues without tax hikes. He also prevented tax dollars from being used to fund government programs for illegal aliens and stopped legislation that would’ve allowed tax dollars to fund political campaigns. Despite pressures in Frankfort and from local boards to raise taxes, Sen. Thayer has maintained a consistent record as a strong advocate for hardworking families.

It’s a sad day for Owen County when thieves are in control of taxpayers’ money. It’s been said before, “there is no end to corruption in government,” and this proves it. This theft is just another example of why people have no confidence in our elected officials. Talk about the fox watching the hen house.

My congratulations to the Owen County grand jury, but it can’t stop there.

Our court system must make an example of these thieves so as to discourage others from trying the same thing.

Another beautiful weekend in Owen County brought forth yet one more thing for which to be thankful. The good deeds and services that were provided this past Saturday by the members of the Owen County Schools Service Club did not go unnoticed. As a high school teacher, I have a genuine interest in the lives of young people, as well as a desire to see them blossom and acquire success. I especially enjoyed seeing young adults displaying such compassion, ownership, and responsibility for their community.