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Opinion

  • Former Owen County magistrate looks...

    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.

  • Writer urges public to vote by the...

    Our founding fathers spent much time in prayer and fasting for this great nation. I hope each reader has spent much time in prayer and fasting for this election.

    We sure have.

    Our forefathers knew full well that our great God Jehovah is a jealous god and will have no other gods before him (Exodus 20:3) Blessed is the nation whose god is The Lord (Psalm 33:12).

    Please consider each party platform and judge it by the Bible and then everyone go vote.

    It is my prayer that you vote the Bible.

  • A shoebox could change life of a...

    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.

  • Allegations hurt county’s...

    The news media coverage about the abuse of authority by the top Owen County officials has been an embarrassment to Owen County and is the topic of discussion among everyone.

    The bad news is that (some of) our county officials - Judge-executive Billy O’Banion, former Deputy Judge-executive Renaee Gaines, and Treasurer Gayla Lewis - are giving our county government a bad name.

  • Political battles end at ballot box

    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.

  • Obama is ready to lead

    I am supporting Senator Obama for President of the United States because he is an intelligent, steady leader that offers us real change from the Bush policies that have failed us for eight years. Our country is facing an economic crisis, war on two fronts, global warming and environmental challenges that must be approached with a steady hand. We must restore our reputation as the leader of the free world. A generational change in leadership by a man that is the embodiment of the American dream is needed; it is the best chance our country has to change our current course.

  • Wood deserves vote

    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

  • Sorghum Festival

    Driving down Hwy. 355, there is no traffic. One can admire the beautiful color of fall. You can feel almost isolated from the world in this awesome place. Seemingly out of nowhere, cars and trucks are everywhere, huge RV’s have parked and set up camp here along the Kentucky River and then you hear it start. The sorghum engine is making its sweet juice, you have arrived at the Sorghum Fest.

    Men are throwing wood in a hole in this big contraption that looks like a train engine. Smoke boils from the top and the wheel starts turning.

  • Domestic violence month

    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

  • Separating fact from fiction

    OK. You don’t need me to tell you that the November elections are vastly important this time around.

    Our country is in a scary place right now, with banks folding left and right, and Congress in the midst of hammering out a plan to stabilize Wall Street as it bleeds out in front of our eyes.

    So, I’m going to take this time to provide some good information for those of you (and I hope that’s all of you) preparing to vote.

  • Thayer puts county first

    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.

  • Judge and be judged

    It seems to me that in Owen County some people are ready to convict Billy O’Banion and his co-workers before they have been tried. It shows that some people are just small-minded and biased. Thank God for free speech.

    David Burdette

    Perry Park

  • County needs a fresh start

    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.

  • Thayer is good for the county

    I would like to take a moment to recognize my state senator. During the last legislative session I had the unique opportunity to witness Sen. Damon Thayer of District 17 throughout the four months of the budget year session. The Future Leaders Internship Program (FLIP) sponsored by Northern Kentucky University provided this opportunity to me.

  • Owen County youth appreciated

    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.

  • Message from the magistrates

    To the people of Owen County,

    With the embarrassing state of affairs our county is facing, we the Owen County Magistrates would like to address a few things so everyone knows in what order we found them out.

    July 28, 2008 – The judge informed us that three problems were found in the 2006/07 audit

    July 29, 2008 – We requested payroll reports at all fiscal court meetings.

  • Judge should step down

    The 9-25-2008 edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer quotes Judge-Executive O’Banion’s lawyer as saying “”O’Banion will continue working as judge” and “we intend for him to maintain office” in response to charges that O’Banion stole more than $6,000.00 cash and over $600.00 in services from Owen County. The legal system in the United States operates on the concept of ‘innocent until proven guilty’.

  • Officials face theft charges

    The subject article I read in the Ky Enquirer dated Sept. 25 was a real eye opener with inclusive information provided by the Ky Enquirer reporter. The news article, which most of Owen County residents are aware of, stated that two Owen county officials have been charged with stealing public money and a third has ben charged with allowing it to happen. I agree with auditor Crit Luallen that “It is a sad day whenever public official are accused of breaking the public’s trust.” Everyone is also aware that the Deputy Judge-Executive has resigned.

  • Litter gatherers, beware!

    On Sept. 4 Owen County had a great opportunity to learn about substance abuse from the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. Dwayne Rolfson showed us samples of the drugs confiscated from individuals throughout northern Kentucky and informed us about the ways these drugs are being distributed in our area. However, the main bit of information that I want to share with readers is about the dangerous method of producing methamphetamines in two-liter bottles.

  • Gaines’ manipulation of...

    After reading the Kentucky Auditor Crit Luallen’s audit report dated May 8, 2008, and several news articles that have been published in the past weeks by your newspaper regarding the Gaines issue, I am compelled to write this letter.