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Martin County making war on the poor
Editor: I read with dismay and great disgust of one Larry Oaks, a poor disabled veteran, who is being hounded to bankruptcy by our county officials simply because he cannot afford to clean up his place. How can it be that Martin County, the place where the War on Poverty began, now is making war…
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A preventable tragedy at Pontiki/Excel coal tipple
The collapse of the Pontiki/Excel coal preparation plant last fall in Martin County, which resulted in the deaths of Alvin Nees and Billy Joe “Bo” Daniels, was a catastrophic consequence of negligence, flagrant disregard for safety regulations and the lack of moral and legal responsibilities. A litany of failures As a report by Kentucky Lantern…
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Easter: A time of renewal and hope
As we prepare to celebrate Easter, we reflect on the meaning this season holds for the faithful. Easter is not merely a commemoration of historical events; it is a testament to the enduring power of hope, renewal, and divine love that defines the Christian faith. At the heart of Easter is the resurrection of Jesus…
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One glaring problem
Editor: Of all your message, there is one glaring problem. God tells us not to trust man, pastors, or even our lovelies with whom we share our lives. So, when someone hears someone else say what you have stated, they must prove their beliefs before they are saved. Words alone are a shortcoming that must…
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Kentucky League of Cities ‘treasure trove of information and resources’
Dear Editor, A recent out-of-state letter addressed to the Martin County judge/executive and magistrates referenced the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC). The author made several inaccurate comments and statements about what the League does and how we help local governments. While KLC has no link to Martin County and is not involved in county government,…
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Open letter to judge/executive and magistrates
To the Martin County Judge/Executive and Magistrates: I own and pay taxes on property in Martin County so I want to express my views on this new trash ordinance. When I read the article in the Mountain Citizen newspaper, I thought this does not sound right. I researched and found the codes posted on the…
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The unintended consequences of prohibiting homeless encampments in small towns
In a recent meeting, the Warfield City Commission discussed the formulation of an ordinance aimed at prohibiting homeless encampments and will be discussing the ordinance this Thursday. While the concerns of the commissioners and the community are understandable, it’s crucial to consider the unintended consequences such a move could have on both the town and…
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Autumn is a special time of year
Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year. I am sure many of you feel the same way. The temperatures are nearly perfect. The days are still warm enough to get outside, but the nights start getting cooler. Perfect sleeping weather, according to many. There is a certain “feel” when those summer evenings…
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Legislative Update: Why We Vote
BY REPRESENTATIVE BOBBY MCCOOL “The most important office, and the one which all of us can and should fill, is that of private citizen.” Louis Brandeis, Kentuckian and Associate Supreme Court Justice Nov. 7 is Election Day and while most of the nation’s attention is turned to next year’s presidential election, Kentuckians will vote this…
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Hell’s fire, treat others the way you want to be treated
Do you worry about going to hell? Will you burn there in hell’s fire? Will you be in the hands of the Devil? Hell may be a place where people are locked into a room with endless Presidential candidates hollering and speaking over each other to the point that nothing makes much sense, and everybody…