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Our hills are on fire
The forests of our area are on fire. Disturbing numbers of wildfires are dotting the area now, many of which have been started by the simple, avoidable carelessness of human behavior. As residents here, we must recognize our responsibility to protect these hills for ourselves and future generations. The consequences of wildfire devastation are all…
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Applause for Inez Fire department
Martin County knows the meaning of community support and nowhere is that spirit stronger than in the Inez Volunteer Fire Department. This week we celebrate the department’s success in securing two major grants and the county’s role in matching support. The Inez department secured a $213,000 grant from FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters program and a…
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Is Robbie Fletcher a fat cat?
A recent flyer mailed out in support of constitutional Amendment 2 indicates that the fat cats are the ones opposing Amendment 2. Robbie Fletcher is one of the ones opposing Amendment 2. Many of us saw Robbie grow up in Martin County and advance through his career as a teacher, principal, school superintendent and now…
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Are we stupid enough to vote for Amendment 2?
What is Amendment 2? According to Senator Phillip Wheeler Amendment 2 would allow the Kentucky Legislature to take money away from public schools and give it to private schools. In simple terms it would take money away from our children and give it to children in private schools. One of the recent advertising flyers mailed…
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School vouchers bring theft of tax dollars and other crimes
BY JOHN SCHAAF If Amendment 2 passes and Kentucky adopts a dangerous school voucher plan like other states, there will be unaccountable private school operators who will misuse or steal millions of taxpayer dollars and be involved in other criminal activity. That’s exactly what’s happened in states that bought into the radical policy of throwing…
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Think carefully about the unintended consequences
Let us break it down. Kentucky’s public schools are what they have always done—educating every kid, no matter the challenges. Disabilities, language barriers, race, creed—all are welcome, no questions asked. Enter Amendment 2, which is being sold as a way to give families more choices in education. Sounds good, right? But wait—it is not the…
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Private school vouchers on the ballot in Kentucky: Voters should know the track record in other states—it is a very expensive decision and bad for rural areas
BY NICHOLAS BRAKE This fall the national push for education vouchers comes to Kentucky. Voters face a choice on the ballot in November about Amendment 2, which would allow the General Assembly to spend public money on private schools. Do not be fooled; there is a lot of misinformation and deception in the ads supporting…
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A ‘Harvest Fest’ of joy and growth for community
This past weekend, Inez witnessed something truly extraordinary—the 27th Annual Martin County Harvest Festival. What was once a modest celebration has grown each year into a marquee event for our county and region. With thousands of attendees flocking to our streets for a weekend packed with attractions, music, fun and community spirit, this year’s festival…
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Remembering 9/11: Honoring the past, building the future
Sept. 11, 2024 — Twenty-three years ago today a nation watched in horror as the world changed forever. The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, etched themselves into the hearts of every American, a moment of unparalleled tragedy. But they also sparked something deeper, a profound sense of unity, resolve, and shared grief that transcended politics,…
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Martin County’s fight for safe drinking water deserves state support
Martin County’s plea for water and sewer funding has never been more urgent, and the county’s pursuit of state assistance through the Kentucky Water and Wastewater Assistance for Troubled or Economically Restrained Systems program is justified. For decades, residents have endured a failing water and sewer system—an issue that not only threatens public health but…
Category: Editorial
