Breathitt Online News Archives
Commentaries #2
Would you bring your company here? 1-24-04 R. Hamblin
Jackson, Ky. As a long time resident of Breathitt County and having my family living here, I have to take a long hard look at things in this county. The future of our county is in jobs and economic growth. After leaving here for a few years and then coming back, it is like I came through a time warp.  I love this county and it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I have been to many states and other countries, and there is no place like the hills of Breathitt County.  The one glaring thing coming back to eastern KY 9 years ago after being gone for12 years, was that nothing seemed to have changed. 9 years later it is still the same old Breathitt County. Underneath it's beauty is some very disturbing problems. Imagine being a business looking to relocate to this area. What things would you look at.  1) Stable City & County Government. 2) Housing.  3) Utilities, water, sewer, etc..  4) Education structure  5) Crime. 6) Trained workforce. 7) Poverty Level 8)City & County cleanliness.

Now with the understanding, as a business, that these 8 items are just some of the things to look at, here is why, if I had a business, I would find it very hard to move here.
1) Stable City & County Government:  No-one outside the "Click" trusts any of our elected officials to do what is best for the citizens of the city and county. Why?  For far too long the only interest our public officials had, were to benefit themselves at the expense of their citizens. So, when you do get good elected officials, people are skeptical of them, so their job becomes so much harder. 
2) Housing costs in this area do not support the climate. Basically people want far more for housing than it is worth in this area. Homes worth $30,000 or $40,000 are on the market for $90,000 & $100,000 each. Apartments that normally would rent for $150.00 - $200.00 are being rented for twice that amount. I have yet to find anyone who can justify to me our high cost of real estate in the area.
3) Locally our sewer rates are higher than anywhere around, with a couple exceptions. Water rates are not that bad, and our garbage situation is getting better.
4)  Anyone moving here and listening to what has been going on between our two school systems, would run before they would involve their child in this mess. We do have school systems and colleges locally that are second to none, but that is about to be destoryed by some overbearing people who don't seem to have a clue about the best interest of all the children in this situation. I believe in school choice and it only makes all involved better in the end.
5) What more can be said about our drug situation, according to some we lead the state in drug overdoses, and are near the top in prescribed drug usage. We have people dying at an alarming rate due to the drug situation. People are afraid to walk from the store to their car. They are afraid of being robbed. The police force in this area do an amazing job with what little they have to work with.
6) I have been told by different people that the skills center will help train the workforce for future businesses. I say, that the majority of hard working people in this couty are already trained, they just have to leave the county to exhibit their talents. We have one of the hardest group of workers in the state. The problem is that other counties are benefitting when we should be.
7) Poverty level, drugs and unemployement all go hand in hand. We can solve alot of our problems by simply recruiting businesses in here and put our hard working people to work. Get them off the Welfare rolls and give them jobs.
8) The last thing I want to touch on is all the PRIDE money coming into this county for cleanups, but when you hit this county, our ditches and hillsides around the roads are so littered with garbage, it is disgusting. It is time all of us take some responsibility for our actions. We should expect more out of our elected officials, and we should pull our own weight as well. Have some PRIDE in yourself and your county, and let's all work together to make it a great county.

Time Flies and No Time To Observe Sunday 11-25-03  The Way it was
    I called my daughter yesterday, and asked her if she were coming for a Sunday visit. She said that she just didn't have time and that I knew how time flew this days. Time does seem to fly now. I think back to when I was growing up and how it used to be. My Mom and dad always had Sunday visitors that stayed for dinner. Mom always seemed to have time to cook a wonderful dinner and then to visit with guests.
   There is still twenty-four (24) hours in a day so what has changed? One big factor,  I believe is that mothers in my mom's day didn't work outside the home. In my day and today women like my daughter have to work. It takes two incomes to keep a family going. Personally, I think working mothers miss a lot by not being stay-at-
home moms. I know I missed my daughter's first step. My Mom and dad were so excited about this. She was also with them when she said her first words.     It seems very few people observe Sunday as a day of rest, going to church, or visiting family, friends, the sick or shut-ins. I'm guilty on these too. I had a dear cousin die on November 20. I hadn't been to visit him in a year, because time flies so fast these days. I can remember his grandfather and step-grandfmother was frequent Sunday visitors at my dad and moms. We always had uncles, aunts, cousins and friends at our house on Sunday. They would all eat Sunday dinner then we , kids, would play.
    Mom would use some Sundays to visit her sister or friends and maybe someone sick in the community. She would take food or a small gift that she had made. My daughter asks why we don't do this anymore. Is it because we are too busy and time Flies by so fast?
    I use the excuse that I just don't have time to go to church on Sunday as often as I should. When my children were small, I always had time, so what has happened? I wonder what would happen if God was too busy to answer our many prayers on Sunday? It seems there is never time to read and study the Bible as I use to do. I
believe the Bible is God's Letter to us and we are just too busy to read it.     So I ask all of you does time fly? Have we lost time to enjoy our families, our Bibles and our church? I wonder have we lost time to enjoy even the simple joys of our lives?

Elizabeth McKinney

Weekly Commentary by Pez 1-8-03
A couple of months ago I made a weekly commentary concerning the Daniel Boone Parkway and the shape it is in. Well today as I was travelling it once again, I met the fatal accident that was reported on the news this evening. No doubt, as soon as I saw it, I knew someone had been killed in this accident. As I watched the report on the news concerning it, they explained that another person had been killed while helping remove the wreckage. The sign that was put on the road stating that work was being done appeared to be one very similar to the ones that utility workers put up. The more I thought about this, the more it made me wonder why there was not a flagman or some warning what was ahead other than one little sign saying "work ahead". I will always be in awe as to why this road is called a Parkway and why, with all the money that has been taken by the toll booths, that the parts between Hyden Spur and the Laurel County line are in such a bad shape. Just to let you know, I travelled Highway 30 on my return trip back to Breathitt County. As always, this is just my commentary.


Weekly Commentary by PEZ 11-20-02
Remarkably beautiful sights represent autumn in Breathitt County. Our trees have exploded in bright fiery colors and the sky has turned so clear and blue that one would think they could see forever. Autumn also represents a type of problem. One day the temperature is crisp with a light frost seen on all of our lawns in the morning and then the next day the temperatures mimic the lazy days of summer. Because of this another tradition of autumn enters our lives. The misery of the autumn flu.
For the past two weeks I have been suffering through this autumn tradition. My throat is scratchy, my head has a perpetual ache to it, and my chest feels as though it has taken in most of the dust of the coal fields. The worse part about this condition is my mouth and throat feels as though it has a quart of super glue perpetually being produced by those evil germs.
There seems to be nothing more pathetic than a small child suffering from the flu. The teary eyes and congested breath always bring sympathy to those who dare come close. In fact, as a child, all you had to do to get attention was to yield a little sigh or inhale a tiny sniffle. After that, you were showered with beautiful presents and nourishing, great-tasting foods.
But alas, now as a respected older sick person, the glories of the flu are totally reversed. Gone are the attentions rendered by the little sigh or tiny sniff.
Work must be tended to at all costs, even though, at time of employment, you were allotted at least two sick days per year. Everyone knows that if you dared to take one, you became the first in line to take as many sick days as you wanted. Why do you think the oldest employees always boasts of how many years of sick days they have in the bank? I sincerely believe that the only way you withdraw those sick days is to go on long-term disability or simply retire.
The rules of the game are standard. The sick adult lives under a completely different set of rules than the sick child. The child inflicted with the autumn flu is a pathetic sight. The adult with the same affliction is just pathetic. Either way, if you or someone in your family feels down and out with this autumn tradition, don't hesitate to go to a doctor before you end up like I have for the last two weeks.   As always, this is just my commentary

Commentary by Pez 11-27-02
I have always pondered as to why so many people can come up with so many different views on any subject mentioned. I mean, have you ever just sat around and think why certain comments, words or group of words just don't make sense. Or maybe why everyday situations make you sit in thought and wonder...why?
I was talking to a fellow the other day and he asked me why bankrupt lawyers expect to be paid. I guess the best answer would be to borrow money before going to see the lawyer and putting that loan at the top of the list. Or you could borrow money from pessimists - they don't expect it back. I was watching a talk show awhile back and there was a guest with multiple personalities that had threatened suicide and had to be talked out of it by the police. I wondered if that would be considered a hostage situation? If they succeeded, would it have been mass murder? While on the subject, should crematoriums give discounts for burn victims? I went to a bookstore in Lexington once and asked the saleswoman where the self help section was, she said if she told me it would defeat the purpose. This actually got me to thinking of the old saying, why are a wise man and a wise guy opposites? I finally got tired of looking and had to explain that I was trying to help someone else. Many times we will run across people who have a diferent view on any thoughts we may have. The proof is right here on this opinion board. One can write something they strongly believe in and before it is over, many comments are made to tear it apart. Of course the above stories are only made up, but they do get you to ponder on them and that is the whole point of it. While reading, I am sure many thought of different situations that could be thrown into them. Remember that when you voice something, there will always be a remark that can be made toward it and one should expect that by now. And finally, a conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. I have reached my conclusion this week.
As always, this is just my commentary.


Weekly Commentary by Pez 1-14-03
I have read many of the comments this week concerning the problems with the Solid Waste company which the Breathitt County Fiscal Court has a contract. It appears there is, has been and hopefully in the future be rectified, a problem within the structure of how the pick-ups will be made and the price per month.
Yes, the problem is with and all around us. The question that has to be asked is "How do we get this problem resolved?"
The first step is to contact the Waste Management Company itself and report the problems. Knowing this has been done by many of you in the past, next try the Breathitt County Solid Waste Officer and report your concerns. Remember to always write down the person you talked to, the date and time of the calls. You will need these when you approach the Breathitt County Fiscal Court with the problem. They have an obligation to you, the voters, to try to resolve the problem. And if you have all your complaints with the info mentioned above, they can get faster action taken.
I am by no means stating that the Fiscal Court can remedy the problem overnight, but they are the authority that can make the Waste Company uphold their part of the contract or they can void it due to breech of said contract.
Hopefully, this issue will soon be resolved by the new Breathitt County Fiscal Court.
As always, this is just my commentary

Mountain Life
By OH Napier 1-24-03
On the left is the former deputy judge executive and former mayor, Frankie Noble. He his currently still active but not an official at this time. On the the right is the man who is the mayor of our beautiful city of Jackson. God bless him. We love you Mike Miller and we the people of Jackson stand behind you all the way.

Weekly Commentary
by Pez  December 24, 2002,
Working hard to bring together Breathitt County, Judge Executive-elect Lewis H. Warrix is eyeing a very respected figure for a posible position in Breathitt County Government. According to completely fabricated reports, the one and only Santa Claus has engaged in preliminary discussions about a possible top job in the Warrix administration.
Mr. Claus, a beloved mythical figure known primarily for his efficient worldwide distribution of Christmas cheer, has no prior political experience. Nevertheless, he is considered a strong choice due to his extraordinarily high "favorability rating." Mr. Claus, who has perfected a technology that enables him to fly all over the world at lightning speeds in a reindeer-powered sleigh, is reportedly being considered for Road Foreman.
Meanwhile, insiders at the Courthouse are speculating that Mr. Claus' innate ability to tell who's been "naughty" vs. who's been "nice" makes him an attractive candidate for County Attorney. The rotund, white-haired statesman, who makes his year-round residence at the North Pole, may also be under consideration to head the Breathitt County Gingerbread Housing and Urban Development. Several Breathitt County pundits suggest a Claus position would draw strong opposition from certain Citizens, some of whom reportedly no longer believe in him. Breathitt County Sheriff's Office will be checking Mr. Claus' background and "checking it twice,"  A North Pole Spokesman said Mr. Claus would not be available for comment on a possible role in the Warrix administration because he was about to leave on a very important annual business trip. But Breathitt County Judge Executive-elect Warrix said he is eager to discuss the possibilities over milk and cookies in Jackson tonight when "Santa Claus is coming to town."
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!


Mountain Life 1-25-03
By OH Napier
On the left is the former deputy judge executive and former mayor, Frankie Noble. He his currently still active but not an official at this time. On the the right is the man who is the mayor of our beautiful city of Jackson. God bless him. We love you Mike Miller and we the people of Jackson stand behind you all the way.

Weekly Commentary  by Pez 3-14-03
As an avid watcher of news channels such as FoxNews and CNN, I tend to keep informed on important issues. As many of us know, the most important issues facing us today is the subject of Iraq, North Korea and Iran. There is no doubt, as I see it, that the United States will have to face all three of these countries in one fashion or another.
First there is the matter of North Korea and Kim Chong IL, with a possible nuclear arsenal in the very near future. This is a very scary thought due to the fact that President IL has no love lost for the United States nor South Korea. Weapons of this magnitude in the hands of a outlaw dictator present a very immediate danger and needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Iran, with Ali-Ayatollhah, pretty much falls in the same boat as North Korea. This country has just about been forgotten about by many Americans during the 1990's. That appears to be exactly what they wanted due to the fact that in that time they have developed weapons of their own that can be very dangerous to the Western Civilization. The process of rectifying this cannot be delayed long. Finally, we come to Iraq and Saddam Hussein, who is an entirely different situation. The United States declares that Saddam has Chemical and Biological weapons along with many other Weapons of Mass Destruction. On the other hand, Iraq has declared just the opposite, but somehow seems to produce something new almost every week due to the UN Inspectors being on the verge of finding them anyway. This makes all the anti-war protestors around the world to take this madman's word as gospel. Only thing I can say on the anti-war movement is that it is your right to express your views, but please remember that we have fellow Americans over there willing to put their lives on the line for our of us. I am a firm believer that Iraq and Saddam must be the first to go out of this trio. In conclusion, after watching these three on the news daily, it is my belief that they are living proof that the Three Stooges definetly had children. As always, this is just my commentary.

The Life and Times of OH Napier
ohnapier.bravepages.com
ohnapier@lycos.com  3-16-03
I sat here on the family graveyard I can hear the wild birds calling to me as I normally feed them every morning. I can hear the water running down the hollows, the recent rain is still flowing out of the mountains toward troublesome creek here in Hardshell. It is a beautiful time as I always come here when I need to work problems out which happens a lot to me. I have been lied too but ain't we all. I am satting here beside Jesse on the Napier Family graveyard. He was shot in the back at the young age of 18 on Buckhorn creek here in Hardshell because of the love of another woman in the year of 1940 as he was riding a bicycle. Jesse was young and a good looking man and mean as hell according to his mother Lula Napier who passed away recently. She is buried just a few feet below us. I named my son Jesse after this man as for some unknown reason I have been drawn to this spot many times. He is trying to tell me that life has more to offer than to die, go to jail or create enemies over a woman. Life will go on Jesse is telling me, "just hold your head up and the sun will shine again. Please don't follow me. I died at such a young age over nothing. I know that now but it is too late for me but it ain't for you OH. When I was laying there dying and the blood and whiskey was soaking me I realized that whisky, women or having a bad name ain't worth dying for." I said "Thanks Jesse I have listened to you and I want to live a while longer so I can take care of my life and your distant relatives Little OH and Little Jesse who lives today with a beautifut lady and a great momma. All of a sudden the birds hushed and the cold ground turned warm on top of Jesse grave.

HARSHELL NEWS by OH NAPIER Feb 5, 2003
Me and my horse are glad it has stopped raining. Been ridng about three hours in the early mornings hours. I am heading across the hill into Southfork trying to get to Hardshell before the law catches me. I have a good friend up the hollow there who will put me up a couple days and his woman can really cook. I just made it over the hill and daylight is breaking. As I head up the hollow an uneasy feeling is coming over me. Don't rightly no what it is but something is going to happen. I have been riding over an hour in this hollow and now I can see clearly. My friend lived up another hollow that runs into Southfork. Now I made it to this hollow and have started up it. I can see woodsmoke in the distance and began to think my bad feeling was just that, then as I got closer to the smoke I began to realize that I had rode straight into a moonshine still. I heard the hammer of a rifle cock to my left and it was very close to me. I knew there was no reason to try to run as Tenn cannot outrun a rifle bullet. I hollowered out my name. "Hey brothers, I am OH, I am not here to brother you all. I need some help as I have been shot in my leg and can't go much futher." I heard a deep voice reply, "how the heck do I no who you are, you had better turn around and get out of here." Then I mentioned my friends name as his voice sounded familiar and I heard a big laugh and a huge bearded man walked out for behind the trees. "Here you go good buddy have a real drink this early morning. I just ran off a new batch." He was the man I was looking for. We had a chat and drink most of the moonshine out of the quart mason jar. I told him the law was looking for me and I was on the run. "Well follow me young man and me and the old woman will fix you right up. Take a spell with me and the youngins and we can talk about the old times. We will be just in time for a hot breakfast." I thanked the Lord right fast for what a lucky man I was this morning and that I would live another day. "I thought I remembered that voice when I heard you hollow OH. It was a good thing you hollared when you did as I was getting ready to drop you because I couldn't get a clear veiw of you from behind them trees but I still saw enough of you to kill you." I patted on Tenn on the neck and talked with with my horse as my friend went back to the still and kicked out the fire to kill the smoke. He had been working hard all night and was as tired as me. Sure are some good friends in these Breathitt County hills. The hot homemade breakfast sure sounds good. He also has a pretty little woman and there were about three youngens a couple years ago. I bet there are more now.

OUR COUNTY SHOWS IT'S TRUE SPIRIT Jackson, Ky. by Ron Hamblin
2-23-03 In the last 2 weeks we have had a terrible flood and now a devastating tornado. What I have seen through this is the spirit of Breathitt Countians to come to the aid of their own. During the flood, I was out and about at all hours of the day and night, and was impressed to find fire Chief Roger Friley and his people out nearly everywhere I went. I saw friends and families in untold numbers banding together to help neighbors, friends and relatives to move personal belongings out of flood danger.  I saw State workers tirelessly checking roads and watching flood waters all to benefit the people of this county. After the tornado hit, myself and National Guard Representative, SGT. Guy Coomer, went to the scene of the devistation. Once there I was pleasantly surprised to see a large amount of people there to offer assistance. I was particularly impressed with Mr. Lew Henry Warrix & Roger Friley as they showed so much compassion for these people. I watched as Mr. Warrix comforted these people, standing in the middle of a debris field, who lost everything. This morning, Sunday, February 23rd, I again went back to the scene of the tornado, there I found several National Guardman and Lew Henry Warrix, Roger Friley & a host of others wading through the debris helping these people find personal affects. After being there in the middle of these tragedies for the last week or so, I have learned many things about this county. The biggest of all these things is this, despite all of our differences and annomosity towards others, when the time comes, we will band together and help each other like no other group of people in the world. Our emergency crews and response from our National Guard was quick. The amount of people to arrive to help was amazing. So for all the bad that we seem to find in each other, it is comforting to know, that when these situations arise, we will have people there to help us through these tragedies. To all of you that responded to both these disasters,THANK YOU!


Weekly Commentary  by Pez 3-6-03
With the latest news of the Nim Henson Geriatric Center possibly closing, I feel a little uneasy. This facility has taken care of our elderly for many years now and it would do the community harm if it were to close and never open their doors again. On the flip side, if a private organization were interested in re-opening the facility and retaining the staff or maybe even adding more personnel to it, we could see a much improved facility. Not saying that the faculty operating the facility now need improving, but as a private organization, improvements would indeed come with it.
I, along with many of you, have had family members in this facility. Some may say that their family members were not taken care of properly and some will give it an A+ for the care given. One has to remember that this comes with any facility, whether it be a Nursing Home, Hospital or even a Physician. We seem to expect more from someone who is caring for our loved ones and will settle for no less than the best for them. What we fail to realize is that some facilities, while having staff that really care, may be understaffed. This in turn will give the impression that our loved ones are not being taken care of in the manner that we expect.
Also, a problem sometimes arises from within. With any facility, there will be disgruntled staff that will inform the public of their personal feelings of a facility and in turn the news will spread. One must remember that if a person is not happy in the position they are in, whether in the medical field or any other, their perception of their employer will not be a good one. Thus, we may get misinformed on many places of businesses.  In closing, I would hope that if the news of this facility is true that some orgainization would step in and ensure that our elderly are taken care of in a fashion that they themselves would want to be taken care of in their golden age. What we know and all that we have learned has come from our seniors and we owe them more than we could ever return.
As always, this is just my commentary.

Hardshell News March 2, 2003
by OH Napier Just had a good homemade country breakfast as I am leaving Smith Branch here on Southfork this early Sunday morning. As I leave the house of my friend here on the branch I kiss the little lady good by as her man is still sleeping over there next to the fireplace with a quart jar still about half full of that new batch of moonshine he had just run off other day when I was riding in. Sure is dang good stuff as he gave me a gallon last night before we both passed out. I told him that I would be leaving in the early morning headed toward Flintville and that I was very glad that he had kept me up for the last three days. My leg was about well from the bullet as it was only a deep flesh wound which had caused me to bleed alot and made me awful weak. He and his family sure had been good to me and I would see him later.   As I am heading toward the barn I could hear old Tenn starting to snort as he like me, was ready for the trail. We had rested up and we both were feeling good. I put my rifle in the saddle hoister after getting Tenn. ready to ride. My rifle which I call "old Betsy" was shinning so pretty and slick as could be as I gave her a good rubbing down too. My hoss was so happy and ready to go. He was actually acting a little strange. Well as we headed out I finished cleaning Betsy out as I shot a few times up in the air going by my friends house. Actually I hope it woke him up as I wanted him to feel that hangover which also was still in my head but that breakfast sure helped. Then I reached down and felt that big old gallon jar of moonshine and I knew I was in heaven at least for a little while.   We have been a ridden about half a day now as we are out of Southfork and found the trail that will take us to Flintridge. Not long ago the Indians always went there to find flint rocks. All of a sudden Tenn's ears stand straight up and he is trying to take off in a fast trot. "What in the hell is wrong with you Tenn?" I pulled out my rifle as I thought sure it was a big ol raddle snake, but I could not see one and the path was pretty clean. Still old Tenn just kept getting faster. I was trying to hold him back and save my moonshine at the same time. Then just up ahead I saw the four legged beauty. Lord have mercy there was no stopping Tenn now. That Tenn mare had her tail straight up in the air. Old Tenn was the Tenn stud and he had found himself a Tenn mare. I knew my only chance was to reach down and unstrap the saddle, throw my rifle down and slide off right now and hold on to that dear moonshine. I sure didn't want to keep on riding, I knew he had went loco. I slide off with the saddle in a perfect spot. I made it with all my belongings. Lord thanks to that pretty little lady for the food sack which she had stuffed full of corn bread and dry beef jerky and thanks my friend for the gallon of whiskey. Looks like I will be here at least a couple days. The last time I saw old Tenn he was headen across that ridge up yonder as fast as he could go. I know he will be back he loves his master but right now he has his new found Tenn mare on his mind.

The Ups and Downs Of The Happy Pappy Feb 14, 2003 Henry Fugate, I need that white Fender Guitar you tried to give me a couple years ago. I remember staying with you during Christmas and I really had a great time. We are true friends forever. I wish u and Butch would have come up to see me during the funeral. Seems like we have been to to many of them lately.  Estill Napier called me yesterday from Hardshell. He was down visiting another brother Scottie Brewer. We went to Caney school together and was on the same basketball team. Scottie will always be there. Happy belated val. day my brothers. Also want to wish Beatrice Lovins and Dwayne Robinson a belated birthday. These are cool people and today as I am writing this it is Valentines Day, I love my red head Marie and I went and sold my boots to get her some flowers. Thanks Kim Southwood and you are a good business with that flower shop and all the other people that work over there are cool too. Caveman has been in touch with me about my chat room on the web site. We are about to get it lined out. Marie is working on it all the time. www.ohnapier.bravepages.com. I also love chatting on breathittonlinenews.Also my E mail is ohnapier@lycos.com. I love sitting here reaching out to the world talking with people. Hope they don't get mad at me put I do talk alot that is because I am a writer and an actor. As Shakespeare said' "The world is a stage we are merely players." I have been a bad boy this week. I stoled her shoes and glasses and turned her loose blind and barefoot. I will pay for it in eternity. She loves me and I love her. I hope she is mine forever.  Well, we are going to war. Ain't no doubt about that. I hope Bush does it today. Get it over with and we won't have to worry no more. Ada Mae Noble I am your friend and will forever will be. A nice lady wrote me last week about an article in the Jackson Times and said she loves it. Honey, I will always be OH come heck or high water. Many women and relatives have tried to change me but "I am an outlaw and I will survive." Was a sight seeing how the Breathitt County Court is so much in debt. I am sure glad I ain't the surveyer no more, what a relief. Still want to stay in politics. Watch out Ida Southwood, you old cousin is gonna run. You are so pretty though I do not believe I can beat you. Tell them children I said hello and also your man Auther. Well, it is time to run. I got me a big hole dug out behind a big rock. Actually my grandpa and me built it when I was a child. Got soup, blankets and water and room for six more people, but I got to take my dog with me Rebel. You all better dig you a hole too as the war is coming. Love you all. OH

Mountain Life By OH Napier
This is how I take care of my dogs. Kerosine heater and seperate blankets as they watch the house on the back porch and special delivered porkchops and a little beef on the side. Them rednecks ain't got a thing on this ol hillbilly.
Hillbilly From Heaven

Mountain Moments with OH NAPIER
Jackson, Ky. 3-24-03
Part of the Breathitt Football team playing in our backyard down a Broadway last year.They are the champions my friend. Good luck to all of the fine young men. I had a big time watching them and me and Rosco my dog gave them a few coaching instructions as they came from not much of a season to the State championship. Hell, maybe I will apply for a job.
Hillbilly From Heaven

Our Beautiful County? by Ron Hamblin Jackson, KY 3-11-03 Can anyone of you that reside in this county, not think it is the most beautiful place in the world. I have been all over the United States and in several other Countries. There are some beautiful places in this world. But mostly cosmetic beauty. No where else have I been, like here in Breathitt, where you can walk down the street and say hello to someone, and they smile and say hello back. Where else can you find the togetherness of strangers, like we have had during recent floods & Tornadoes. No Where that I have ever been. I think the beauty of this county is mostly made up of the people. We have great diversity and still have that old home town feeling. One thing that has been troubling me as of late, is the lack of pride that we all take in our county's natural beauty. I took the time out this morning to drive around the county and through several business's parking lots and was totally taken back at the trash that was strewn everywhere. What kind of person with any self respect would throw trash out beside a roadway or parking lot. Do these same people live this way in their own home? Do they throw food on their floor? Do they throw garbage on their floor? Do they litter their yards this way? I DOUBT IT. So why do it out in public for the world to see our garbage. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, why would we trash it up like we do. Lack of pride? Lack of Self Respect? Have some pride & self respect, keep our beautiful County Clean !!!

From OH Napier 3-30-03
This is the results of a country horseshoe game. Heck, I don't even no who won. I still believe I did. Still the same we had a great time out
in the mountains of Breathitt County. We had our guns laid aside as that was the first rule. Even had the dogs tied up. We were as though we were in the sweat 16. When you lose it breaks your heart. just a cool country game called horseshoes and we played by the barnyard rules.--- Hillbilly from Heaven

Weekly Commentary by PEZ 3-20-03
Despite heightened awareness of youth sports violence, the number of abusive, negative and violent incidents has escalated sharply in the last five years among all age groups and all sports.
As a sports leader, coach or parent of a young athlete, you may have come face to face with unruly parents, players, referees and coaches whose win-at-all-costs mentality spoils kids’ fun. Maybe you’ve witnessed talented young athletes abandoning once loved sports as the pressure to perform becomes too intense, too emotionally charged, or sometimes, too dangerous.
Violence has become commonplace on the fields of play, and the formula is simple, direct and brutal. Taunting from the sidelines escalates, coaches and spectators fail to see the rising tensions, umpires or referees can not control the situation, and finally, rage boils over. Before it was coaches helping the kids who were having trouble controlling their emotions. Now it is, let's provide leadership to help the coaches and referees control not only the players, but also the parents. I can't tell you how many times I have heard kids asking their parents to please be quiet while they were playing. When mom or dad won't pipe down, the next step is off the field of play. Many kids drop sports, many before they reach High School. But some also find another outlet. Ones that have fewer rules, less structure, and best of all, they don't think mom or dad know the first thing about it. These are the things we don't want our children associated with.
I am in no way trying to give opinions to the incident that took place in Powell County. I can neither uphold nor scold any involved. I will state that we, as parents, coaches', referees/umpires and leaders, need to take a long look at what is going on around us when it concerns our children and most of all, "Our" actions".
As always, this is just my commentary.


Commentary by Pez 4-21-03
Local media. When we utter or hear these words, we immediately think of our favorite outlet. Here in Breathitt County we are blessed with many of them, including radio, television, newspapers and e-news. I would surmise that everyone has their favorite which they would rather peruse, listen to or watch and would come to believe the one thing, I am sure, that everyone agrees on is this; we enjoy all of them.
If we get wind of a story that interest us, we turn to the media outlet at hand whether it be JHS-TV, BHS-TV, WYMT, the Lexington channels or Cable channels, WEKG, WJSN, Breathitt County Voice, Breathitt-Online, Jackson Times, Lexington Herald or the Internet itself. As you can see, there are many media outlets that we can access to get the information we need or want.
I know of people that will drop everything to watch the Six O'Clock News from Hazard, or listen to the Trading Post. Others subscribe to the local papers, along with the Herald, so as to insure that they get their weekly and daily news while others will be at their radio at exactly 5:00 PM to get the local news on a daily basis. Others will make it a point to stop and pick their paper up on Wednesday at local stores or drive thru town and support the local people selling them on the street. Many people I have talked with say getting on the Internet and going directly to Breathitt On-Line is a daily morning ritual while others check it 3 or 4 times a day.
Even though we do not live in a big city where major news is constantly happening, we are blessed with many media outlets that will provide us with the information we crave, most at a fingers touch. The best thing about these media outlets is that there is something for everyone from the young to the the young at heart. Local school news, business news, local sports and organization news, political news and of course, commentary are all within reach from these outlets.
So, the next time someone ask you what is going on or what has been happening, introduce them to one of these local media outlets and maybe you will open up a whole new world to them. You see, not everyone has access to all of these outlets and together they provide the information to everyone within Breathitt County. I would ask everyone to support all of these media outlets because they all serve their purpose by each one reaching out to the people of Breathitt County.
As always, this is just my commentary


A Dog’s Life by: Renee Snowden
4-23-03   I cannot believe this.  There is another baby in the house!  This would be rather intriguing to me; however, I have been through this before.
It was only three years ago when my mother came in with a small baby.  This was so interesting to me.  It smelled different and was so tiny.  I knew that it wasn’t a stuffed animal because it moved and made noises.  I later came to learn that this was a baby.  So being the kind of dog that I am,  I had to make sure that it was safe.  I protected it from everything.  It would cry, and I would come and check on it.  Sometimes strange people  came to the house to see it.  They even tried holding it.  I had to go and politely tell them that this was my baby, not theirs.  My mommy told me that it was ok for someone else to hold it.  So I decided that if she said it was ok, then it was.  However, I would lie right next to strangers and make sure that they didn’t hurt my baby.  If they did, they would have to answer to me, the great protector.
As the months went by, the baby began to grow and started making more sounds, and became more verbal.  Eventually the baby began to crawl.  This made me very nervous.  I would just be lying there minding my own business when this thing would come crawling towards me.  It even thought that it could climb on me.  As if that wasn’t bad enough, it then began getting in my stuffed animals.
I love to collect stuffed animals.  The humans say that I like them because of the collie in me.   They said that it was a herding thing.  I don’t know about that, but I do know that I like my stuffed animals where I like them.  And I do not like for them to be touched.  Not at all!  Well, this baby began to get into my stuffed animals.  It thought that they were his.  I didn’t like this one little bit.  I mean I had to go and get most of them myself.  Kay just had them sitting on a shelf along the top of the staircase all alone and abandon.  I would tip toe very carefully out on the shelf and bring them out one by one.  Eventually,  I had them all down and they were mine. 
So when this baby started crawling towards my stuffed animals and tried playing with them, I didn’t like it at all.  Luckily my mom came and got them from it before the stuffed animals were harmed.  
So now that there is another baby in the house, you can see why I am not quite as excited as the first time.  Right now it just lays and cries and smells interesting.  But I know what’s coming.


weekly commentary by pez 4-3-03
I would like to give some concerns concerning not only the driving methods of the people of Breathitt County, but also what happens after an accident happens and how it is handled by the local EMS Personnel and Law Enforcement agencies.
I will be the first to say that I am not the ideal driver and definetly not the most attentive, but I don't understand how some people got their driver's license to start with. I figure the Instructor felt generous the day some of these tests were passed or the drivers in question went to a very good auction and bought them.
It seems that when you get to a red light, the driver of the car directly in front of you somehow seems to forget they are stopped at a stoplight and are off somewhere in LA LA Land when the light turns green. They sit there and finally decide to go about the time the light is ready to turn red again. Of course you get stuck until the next round.
Next is the driver who actually believes that driving over 35 MPH on any given road is speeding. They tend to forget the posted speed limits. That's not the worst of it though. If there is any type of curve, even an almost straight one, they hit their brakes and slow to 25 or less even though an 18 wheel truck could take it at 70 MPH. The worst part about this driver is that whenever you get to a passing zone, there will always be someone coming the other way. Usually you will follow this driver a good 3 to 4 miles. I could go on and on about the drivers, but the worst is yet to come. Believe it or not, the culprits here are the ones directing traffic (or lack of) at accident sites. I am talking TCP or better known as Traffic Control Points. These are administered by the local law enforcement agencies while the EMS Personnel such as Fire, Rescue and Ambulance do what they do best and that is take care of the patient. It seems that at most accidents, the law enforcement actually block the road with their own vehicle and position the EMS Personnel where they also block the road. In turn, this totally blocks any movement from any direction for the remaining world.
I would like to give a little advice to how a TCP should be operated. First, survey the scene and see if it is necessary to block the entire road for the purpose of safety. Next, try to get all emergency vehicles on the same side of the road as the accident, which will free at least one side of the road for TCP. Of course this will not apply to all accidents due to the situation itself. Finally, all TCP Officers need to park on the same side of the road, but far away enough to not interfere with the job of the EMS Personnel and start to do your job immediately which is to insure safety and get what traffic that can be moved to move. And not to go to the scene and see what is going on and making comments about what happened and etc. You would be amazed just how fast things can be cleared, which in turn will give the EMS Personnel more room to work because everyone stopped for the traffic will not be at the scene with oooh's and ahhhh's.
If you do the above, guess what? Traffic will be moving, which will prevent the possibility of another accident by someone barrelling down the highway and rear-ending someone. Of course you don't have to worry about the guy driving 25.
As always, this is just my commentary

Commentary by PEZ 5-1-03
Fast Food. of, relating to, or specializing in food that can be prepared and served quickly. This is how the Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes Fast Food. Now you may be wondering why I would be commenting on a subject such as this for my weekly commentary. Well, let's go over a few stories that may contradict the whole purpose of fast food, drive thru windows and the luxury of in and out within minutes.
How many times have you been in a hurry and decide to stop at a restaurant with a drive thru window and get lucky enough that there is no one in front of you? You say to yourself, or whoever is in the vehicle with you, "Great, no line in front of us. We'll be thru here fast." Well, it doesn't always work that way, does it? Once the order is placed and you pay for your items, you wait just a bit and a line starts to form behind you. This is where the fast food idea is smashed.
"Sir, could you please pull up and we'll bring your items out to you". Those words destroy the reason you stopped in the first place. They mean one thing and one thing only. You will be there for awhile and the purpose of in and out has just been shattered. You will now be late for that meeting, appointment or maybe even miss that favorite TV show (god forbid). After about five minutes, you start to utter those famous sayings to yourself and your passengers. "Did they have to go kill the cow?.", "I guess it takes time to pluck chickens." and "I hope the fish are biting fast down at Panbowl today.". After ten (10) minutes and at least fifteen (15) other vehicles going in and out of the drive thru, you start to get just a little bit steamed and the tone of your voice changes just a little bit. More from a joking manner to a worried one. Guess the meeting will have to wait or wishing that you had starting the VCR before coming here. Maybe you would feel better if they had at least given you the drinks you ordered so you could soothe your dry throat from all the worrying and the crackiling voice that is now coming out instead of the joking manner when you were talking about "killing of the cows". Finally, fifteen minutes later, if you are lucky, the poor person picked to bring out your food approaches your vehicle and states the famous line, "Sorry you had to wait". That's it, sorry you had to wait.
I went to a local fast food yesterday and ordered a few things, including two (2) Pot Pies. I was told when I ordered them it would be twenty (20) minutes, which was fine with me. Well, after twenty (20) minutes had passed and seeing no one come out the door, except other customers going in and out, I started to wonder. I figured "What the heck, a few more minutes won't matter". Was I ever wrong on that statement. After forty (40), yes forty minutes I was feeling a need for that proverbial drink that was ordered. Finally, a person whom I know came thru the drive thru window and I immediately yelled to them to ask the waitress what was going on with my order. The response was, "Are you the one with the Pot Pies and what size drinks did you order?" I yelled back that yes it was me and that I had medium drinks. After about ten (10) more minutes and the parting of the person I knew and 5 more cars going thru the drive thru window a young man came out the door with my order and two (2) large drinks and apologized and stated that "We uped your drinks to a large because you had to wait. We got pretty busy." Well, I am not the kind to jump down a persons throat, so I said thanks and started to pull out. Alas, this was not to be the end. When my daughter checked the bags, one of the items I had ordered was not in the bag. So, along with my receipt, I went in and requested my other item which was given to me with no questions. This whole process took approximately fifty five (55) minutes.
I understand that people in many different places get busy and this is understandable, but when you run a fast food place with a drive thru window, you do not expect to wait 55 minutes for your order. Nor do you expect to be forgotten about after you pay the price of your order. I would suggest all fast food outlets to look at their policies regarding drive thru customers. One must understand that most people go to the window due to time limits they have. Of cource in my case, 20 minutes was acceptable but not 50. I am not saying do not go here or there to get your meals because this may have been an isolated case. I encourage everyone to patronize all local businesses, but I do in turn ask local businesses to not forget those that do their business in these local establishments.
As always, this is just my commentary

Weekly Commentary by PEZ 3-20-03
Despite heightened awareness of youth sports violence, the number of abusive, negative and violent incidents has escalated sharply in the last five years among all age groups and all sports.
As a sports leader, coach or parent of a young athlete, you may have come face to face with unruly parents, players, referees and coaches whose win-at-all-costs mentality spoils kids’ fun. Maybe you’ve witnessed talented young athletes abandoning once loved sports as the pressure to perform becomes too intense, too emotionally charged, or sometimes, too dangerous.
Violence has become commonplace on the fields of play, and the formula is simple, direct and brutal. Taunting from the sidelines escalates, coaches and spectators fail to see the rising tensions, umpires or referees can not control the situation, and finally, rage boils over. Before it was coaches helping the kids who were having trouble controlling their emotions. Now it is, let's provide leadership to help the coaches and referees control not only the players, but also the parents. I can't tell you how many times I have heard kids asking their parents to please be quiet while they were playing. When mom or dad won't pipe down, the next step is off the field of play. Many kids drop sports, many before they reach High School. But some also find another outlet. Ones that have fewer rules, less structure, and best of all, they don't think mom or dad know the first thing about it. These are the things we don't want our children associated with.
I am in no way trying to give opinions to the incident that took place in Powell County. I can neither uphold nor scold any involved. I will state that we, as parents, coaches', referees/umpires and leaders, need to take a long look at what is going on around us when it concerns our children and most of all, "Our" actions".
As always, this is just my commentary.

A Dog’s Life by: Renee Snowden
4-15-03   Hello! My name is BabyRed Houdini.  I am part collie, part German shepherd.  For those who may not remember me from several years ago being in the paper or those who are new to the area and don’t know me at all, I will refresh your memory of how I came to be a famous dog. This will also explain how my name went from BabyRed to BabyRed Houdini.
My mother, Renee, came to Breathitt in 1994 and promised me that she would come back for me and she did.  However, I would be living outside at Kay Miller’s house because at the time mom had no room for me and was always at Kay’s house anyway.  All this was fine with me, that is until I discovered that Kay already had two dogs of her own.  This wasn’t the problem, however.  The problem was that they got to live inside, and I was supposed to live outside.  I personally did not feel that this was fair.  So one day I started trying to sneak in with the other dogs once they had been outside. The first time Kay said, “NO, you have to stay outside.”
The second time I ran a bit faster and got my head inside the door. Wow, I got a glimpse of a nice dry house.  Kay pushed me back out.  “No, BabyRed, you have to stay outside.”
The third time, the other two dogs were headed back inside, and I took off right behind them and had made it halfway inside.  Kay pushed and I pushed back.  She began laughing and the living room couch became my bed.  From that day on, I became an inside dog.
The next thing that we would be working on would be the outside fence.  When us dogs would go outside to do our thing, I discovered that the fence had a serious problem.  It was way too low.  I felt that this wasn’t good because I didn’t want the other dogs (a beagle terrior and a rat terrior) getting out.  So I took on the responsibility of letting Kay know it needed repaired.  I began jumping over the fence, and she’d catch me and put me back inside.  She finally had the fence built higher.  Just when they thought the problem was fixed; I’d find another problem with it.  They’d have to repair it again.  Finally Kay now has a fence that is high enough where we can’t get out.  Ok, maybe the fact that I now weight 81 pounds and can’t jump as high may have a little to do with it.

It's Morel Time by Louise Tomlin
4-15-03 April is the month to find morel mushrooms.  This nice variety was found by Owen and Louise Tomlin.  We look forward to April for the feast of morels.  The mushrooms are great breaded in meal with salt and pepper.  We use canola or olive oil.  Yummy.

REDS NEED RALLY MONKEY by Marc Short 4-18-03
With a 5 and 9 start the Cincinnati Reds find themselves tied with Milwaukee for last place in the National League Central Division. A curtain of optimism was draped over the Red’s season with the opening of a brand new ballpark and a healthy Ken Griffey Jr. That curtain has all but been torn down with a less than stellar record at home and the seemingly eventual loss of their star center fielder who went down for at least six weeks with a dislocated shoulder after diving for an outfield hit and landing awkwardly.
The Reds have a strong fan base here in Eastern Kentucky and it’s always disappointing to see them struggle. Perhaps the Reds should contact the World Champion Anaheim Angels in regards to borrowing the famous rally monkey who stole the highlights and the World Series trophy last season from the San Francisco Giants led by home run powerhouse Barry Bonds.
The Red’s do, however, have a wealth of offensive talent with sluggers like Austin Kearns, Aaron Boone, and Adam Dunn as well as leadership from veteran Barry Larkin. It is a long season and the Reds have plenty of time to turn things around, hopefully.

ORIGINS OF EASTER by Marc Short
4-18-03 Spring is in full swing as we once again reach the Easter holiday season. The Easter holiday is a major festival of the Christian church. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus three days after his crucifixion by the Romans. According to the Bible the Romans found no fault in Jesus, but the Roman governor, wanting to gain the approval of the Israelite mob delivered Jesus up to this common Roman punishment. The early Christians seeing it fit to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ formed the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. Here they decided that the holiday should fall somewhere between March 22nd and April 25th depending on the date of the first full moon after the spring equinox.
The word “Easter” itself comes from the Germanic words “Eostre” or “Eastre” which refer to an ancient goddess of spring. Other traditions such as decorating eggs and the wearing of new clothes may have also originated from Pagan spring festivals in the second century. Usually, church attendance is high on Easter as families gather to celebrate the holiday together.
(Sources:  The Britannica Concise Online Encyclopedia   The History Channel Online)

From OH Napier 3-30-03
This is the results of a country horseshoe game. Heck, I don't even no who won. I still believe I did. Still the same we had a great time out
in the mountains of Breathitt County. We had our guns laid aside as that was the first rule. Even had the dogs tied up. We were as though we were in the sweat 16. When you lose it breaks your heart. just a cool country game called horseshoes and we played by the barnyard rules.--- Hillbilly from Heaven

SPECIAL COMMENTARY 5-5-03  "BHS Report Card" by Biff & Flanders
There's no doubt that our sports programs here in Breathitt County would recieve an "A" on the sports report card.  But how well are our students being educated in academics?  I did a little research at the Kentucky Department of Education webpage, where they have posted the last 3 years KCCT Test scores for various school districts.  The following results in this article are for the 2001-2002 school year.  As you know, the scores are based on Novice, Apprentice, Proficient, and Distinguished grades, with Novice being the very lowest grade and Distinguished the very highest grade.  I figured I would compare the test scores for Breathitt High and Jackson City High Schools.  The results I found were astonishing.  In comparing the two schools, I found that JCHS had a lesser percentage of students in the NOVICE range in every school subject, than BHS.  I also found that JCHS had a higher percentage of students scoring in the PROFICIENT/DISTINGUISHED range, in every school subject, than BHS.  This is very bad for BHS.  So I was curious.  I looked up the scores for a few surrounding counties.  I found that Lee County High had a lesser percentage of students in NOVICE and a higher percentage of students in the PROFICIENT/DISTINGUISHED range, in EVERY school subject, than BHS.  So I thought, well maybe Jackson City and Lee County just have good school systems.  So I looked up the scores from Wolfe County High School.  I found that Wolfe Co. HS had a lesser percentage of students in the NOVICE range in every school subject and a higher percentage of students in
PROFICIENT/DISTINGUISHED range, in every subject, than BHS.  This is an outrage.  No offense to Jackson Ind., Lee, Wolfe, and other counties that I haven't investigated.  Why is it that the test scores from Breathitt High School are seemingly below almost every other local high school?  Is it because the students are not as smart?  No, it is not.  It is because the administration of the Breathitt Co. Schools have "dropped the ball".  Now I know there are some excellent teachers at BHS.  I feel that the blame is
even beyond most teachers.  Who ever the fault may fall upon, there is one thing for sure, our children would get a better education at JCHS, Lee Co. HS, or Wolfe Co. HS.  Why?  Well, it is probably because our school officials are emphasising things other than academics much more than they should be, like for example, sports.  But there is nothing wrong with our kids playing sports.  But when our students are performing academically lower than almost every local school, something IS VERY WRONG.  So I think it is time for a change in school administration here in Breathitt County.  Now tell me again why SCHOOL CHOICE is a bad thing??  But as you know, this is just my opinion.  But the scores I have given are fact.  You can look yourself at http://apps.kde.state.ky.us/report_card/ .  Until next time, be safe.
**Note**Special Commentaries & Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the views of Breathitt Online or their staff. These sections are the views of those who write them. Thank You !
Summer Starts as Spring Departs by Marc Short
5-5-03 Poke Sallet has pretty much come and gone. The once cool days of a late spring are beginning to warm into the hot humid days of summer as the month of May brings the seasonal metamorphosis. Three months of barbecues, camping trips, water sports, sun tanning, and just about any other outdoor activity will occur during a summer that is hopefully as long as the previous winter.
There is, however, a few things we must remember to keep us safe during the summer season.  Wear plenty of sun block lotion. (Make sure it’s at least an SPF 15 or more to protect against UV rays.)  Drink plenty of water when spending long periods of time out side.  On scorching days stay inside or in the shade as much as possible. Use bug spray to repel ticks, mosquitoes, and other bugs.  Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright light, and never look directly at the sun even if you are wearing sunglasses.  Follow all burning laws and be sure to completely extinguish campfires.  When walking through the woods or through grassy fields, watch out for snakes.  Have a lot of fun this summer, but please don’t drink and drive. If we all keep these precautions in mind, I know we can have a safe and happy summer.


Mountain Moments with OH NAPIER
Jackson, Ky. 3-24-03
Part of the Breathitt Football team playing in our backyard down a Broadway last year.They are the champions my friend. Good luck to all of the fine young men. I had a big time watching them and me and Rosco my dog gave them a few coaching instructions as they came from not much of a season to the State championship. Hell, maybe I will apply for a job.
Hillbilly From Heaven

Commentary by Pez 2-11-03
One would think that with 9-1-1 in the area, help is just a few buttons being pressed on a phone away. Think again.  There appears to be a problem with 9-1-1 in Breathitt County and something needs to be done to resolve it and resolve it fast. How do we do this without causing friction (yes friction)?
First, let me detail how 9-1-1 came to be in Breathitt County and a few surrounding counties. When 9-1-1 was first being considered in this area, it was needed to be located at a central location in order to keep the Hazard Ky State Police Barracks open, which was the State Police Post itself. This was a great idea due to the region needing the State Police in the area, something we as citizens could not afford to lose. The State Troopers patrolling Eastern Kentucky and knowing they are just a phone call away is a peaceful feeling in itself.
As the reality of 9-1-1 became closer and closer, county officials had meeting as a unit and individually with their perspective local 9-1-1 boards. This is where the difference of how the centralized 9-1-1 dispatching came into play. Each county had options they could exercise concerning how their local 9-1-1 calls would or could be handled. Now let's break a few of the counties down as how these options were taken.
A few, like Breathitt County opted to go with what some thought was the fastest way to get 9-1-1 activated as soon as possible not looking at the long term effect. Perry County of course had their own 9-1-1 system put into action even though it was the centralized location of surrounding counties. Other counties, like Leslie County, went that extra step to ensure it's citizens got the immediate attention they needed. This was accomplished by putting in what is called a Drop Line. What this consisted of was every time you dial 9-1-1 in Leslie County the call is sent to the centralized location and automatically re-routed back to their local 9-1-1 office. This made it possible for local people who had worked in the local EMS and who the counties hired as local dispatchers, such as EMT's, Police and Firefighters to take these calls and direct traffic as fast as possible. This eliminates a phone call, a radio call and possibly another phone/radio call to local authorities before the office needed is dispatched.
I went to a meeting at the Jackson Fire Department when they were in the mid stages of setting up 9-1-1 and talked to a few officials at the time concerning the idea of having a drop line and the benefits it would give us. Not only having local dispatching, but also having local people being empployed for those positions. Of course it was not meant to be. I also talked to the then Captain of the State Police and asked him why Breathitt never opted for a Drop Line and was told, and I quote "They didn't want the responsibility". In my mind the responsibility was alaready there, but they gave it up.
Now you may ask why I have made this my commentary for the week. Simple and plain, there was an accident that happened directly in front of me the other day and I immediately grabbed my cell phone and dialed 9-1-1. Needless to say, I got no answew. So after about 9 rings, I hung up and called Jackson Police Department, who arrived on the scene immediately followed by a few rescue workers and the Kentucky State Police. Also, I called one of the local Ambulance Services and received a recording before calling the other, who had al,ready received a call and had a unit enroute.
I think it is high time now that we have a completely different government in the City and County than what was there in the beginning stages of 9-11 that we might want to look at the Drop Line or some other method to ensure the Citizens of Jackson and Breathitt County get the service they deserve.
As always, this is just my commentary.
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