News opinion 2008-05-10 Andanh.com

Former junior high needs to be completed Fri, 9 May 2008 22:10:27 -0500
We’re not sure what, if anything, can be done about the ongoing lack of progress at the old Bowling Green Junior High on Center Street, but something has got to give. After going through several different owners, work at the site appears to have been idle for months and the building doesn’t appear much different than when it was bought by Ironwood Development LLC years ago. It is a shame that it has taken this long to get the mixed-income rental housing installed in the former school. In the beginning, a much different story was told about the finish time for the former school. Back in 2002, the Bowling Green Board of Education entered a contract to sell the building and adjacent parking lot to Ironwood Development of Roswell, Ga., for $800,000. Robert McMaster was the principal owner and director of Ironwood. His investors took over when he failed to finish the property after spending the initial investment. State tax credits have been issued for the project. The current investor in the building, Brian Doran, has a long way to go to complete the project. What is so disturbing is that in early 2003, McMaster said the project should be completed within 14 months. Now, it is five years later and all one sees is a temporary fence, no workers and a big mess. This is a sad situation. The old high school is a unique, historic structure and for the owner and his contractors to move this slowly is really a slap in the face to the people of Bowling Green and is a hindrance to a downtown that is undergoing significant revitalization. The question is, what can be done to get the project moving again? Mayor Elaine Walker said the lack of progress on the project has been disturbing and that there is little the city can do because the owner has a valid building permit. Walker said she believes there is an individual or two working there and one of the buildings is completed and rented, but admits that progress has been very slow. So long as the owner has someone on site doing occasional work, even if it’s just nailing a couple of boards together, the building permit technically stays active. That’s what prevents code and building inspectors from stepping in. She said Doran, who couldn’t be reached for comment, has been working with local contractor Buster Stewart to get the project moving again. Walker said she had discussions about the project with Doran and she has voiced her frustration. She said she was told that the project would resume months ago, but that didn’t occur. Walker said it’s especially frustrating because of the downtown redevelopment that is currently taking place in our city. “It’s a black eye on our downtown redevelopment,” Walker said. “Apparently, the deadlines don’t mean much. Right now, I don’t know when it will be completed.” Walker said she hopes they can find some type of solution. We agree with Walker - this project has taken entirely too long. Doran needs to live up to his commitments and move this project to completion.

Obama’s got it Fri, 9 May 2008 22:09:51 -0500
North Carolina and Indiana primary voters have moved the seemingly endless Democratic presidential race significantly closer to its end. But Tuesday’s split verdict did little to answer the question of whether Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. Hillary Clinton would be the stronger Democratic standard bearer against Republican Sen. John McCain. Obama won most of the 187 delegates available Tuesday, more than offsetting his Pennsylvania loss and nearing a majority overall. He also made it virtually impossible for Clinton to overtake him in popular votes. While Clinton reiterated Wednesday that she wouldn’t quit, those numbers probably will trigger further superdelegate movement toward Obama, as they will be reluctant to oppose the candidate with more elected delegates and popular votes. Yet the voting pattern Tuesday was less decisive, mainly confirming the contradictory data from earlier primaries and polls. Some indicators:

Personal characteristics. Voters rate Clinton as a stronger leader, more experienced and more political. Obama has a higher positive ranking and is seen as more likely to unite the country. The controversy over his ties to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright appears to have hurt Obama among whites and helped him among blacks. But voters in both states saw him as more honest and trustworthy.

Demographic strengths. Clinton retained her solid grip on women and older, poorer and less educated whites. She does well among Hispanics. Obama remains strong among younger, better-educated and wealthier Democrats and won more than nine of 10 black votes. He did slightly better among Catholics and union members in Indiana than in Pennsylvania. He still leads among independents, though by less than earlier. As in Ohio and Pennsylvania, Obama failed to match the strength among white men that he showed in Virginia and Wisconsin. Many Clinton voters told exit pollers they would not vote for Obama, but many analysts believe those numbers will drop by fall. Voters in both states Tuesday said he had the better chance to win in November.

Electoral strength. Clinton has won most big states that form the traditional Democratic base, from Massachusetts to California. She won Ohio, a crucial battleground, and led among Florida Democrats, though no candidates campaigned there. Obama has won many states that usually vote Republican, but he also took some “purple” states that could be key battlegrounds: Colorado, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Virginia and now North Carolina. Statewide match-ups with McCain show a similar pattern. Recent polls showed Clinton stronger against McCain in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida, though both Democrats led him in Pennsylvania and Obama ran even with him in the other two.

Electoral landscape. General election strength may depend on what issues dominate the campaign. A debate over national policies like the economy or Iraq should help either Democrat due to the economic slowdown and unpopular war. The race would be different if personal issues dominated. McCain might benefit from high regard for his character, experience and independence. Obama might be vulnerable due to limited experience and ties to such polarizing figures as the Rev. Wright. The impact of Obama’s race remains a major uncertainty. Obama fits the public’s desire for a change from the Bush years. A public eager for unity sees Clinton as the most polarizing candidate. A complicating factor is the potential role of former President Bill Clinton. This mixed picture may do little to convince superdelegates which Democrat is the stronger standard bearer. But Obama’s lead in elected delegates, states won and votes is likely to ensure that he gets more superdelegates - and the nomination.

JCPS' new plan Fri, 09 May 2008 21:50:00 EST
It's gratifying to see the community come together and move forward, despite the blow delivered by the U.S. Supreme Court in the historic Jefferson County Public Schools case.

Change will come Fri, 09 May 2008 21:52:00 EST
President Bush isn't impressed with changes enacted by Cuban leader Raul Castro since taking over for his ailing 81-year old brother.

Forum Flashes: Good moves, bad moves Fri, 09 May 2008 21:53:00 EST

Reactions to the 134th Derby Fri, 09 May 2008 21:50:00 EST
Two more catastrophic injuries on Churchill Downs' dirt course, and it doesn't seem to phase them. Would it grab their attention if horsemen finally stop running their horses at this track?

Redneck appeal? Fri, 09 May 2008 21:49:00 EST
Is no one else upset that the Clinton campaign is trying to portray middle-age working class white men as redneck bigots? That is exactly what they are implying when they say Barack Obama can't get their votes.

READERS' VIEWS Sat, 10 May 2008 02:04 EDT
UNCOMMITTED VOTE COULD ELIMINATE BAD CHOICES

I am a Democrat. I want to win in November, but like a lot of my friends, I am not happy with my choices.

I hope that the convention will lock up and that the party will have to bring in a compromise candidate, such as former Vice President Al Gore or former Sen. John Edwards. This is why I will vote "uncommitted" on May 20. We can do that.

If the uncommitted vote is 15 percent or higher in Kentucky, it will send delegates to the Democratic convention who just might convince a locked-up process to pick someone else. I urge all Democrats to consider voting uncommitted.

Price V. Jenkins

Richmond

Help mothers by protecting them from toxic coal waste Sat, 10 May 2008 02:04 EDT
This Mother's Day, millions of moms across the country are getting more than they bargained for. In addition to flowers and cards from family members, they're getting a very dangerous gift from the coal industry: more toxic mercury that will put their children at risk.

One in six women in this country already has enough unsafe levels of mercury in her body to put any children she may bear at risk -- and she might not even know it.

Mercury is a toxin that causes learning disabilities and other developmental problems in young children and finds its way to our dinner tables via contaminated fish. Coal-fired power plants are the largest single man-made source of mercury pollution, and Kentucky has a particularly high concentration of emissions from these plants.

When coal is burned, mercury is released in the atmosphere and falls back to Earth in rain, running into our lakes, rivers and streams. There, it is converted to the toxic form of mercury that accumulates in fish and shellfish. So that tuna sandwich you feed your kid for lunch could actually be doing more harm than good. Every stream in Kentucky is under an advisory for fish consumption.

As a mother and a grandmother, I'm always looking for ways to keep children safe and healthy. We shouldn't have to worry that the food we eat can later cause learning problems, cerebral palsy, autism and other developmental issues in our offspring -- but already, about 630,000 newborns in the United States are at risk each year.

A boost for troops' mental health Fri, 09 May 2008 02:05 EDT
A mental health crisis has been brewing for years in the U.S. military, despite commanders' best efforts to hide it. At long last, Pentagon leaders have begun speaking openly about post-traumatic stress disorder and encouraging troops to seek help.

As recently as last year, according to a Pentagon study, the prevailing mentality at U.S. bases was to deny PTSD's existence and even punish service members who sought help.

Troops say they fear losing promotions or security clearances if they mention PTSD. Many have suffered in silence, often with such tragic consequences as suicide, homicide or fits of violent rage. Attempted suicides among veterans now run about 1,000 a month, a grim statistic the Veterans Administration tried to keep secret until recently.

Studies indicate that a quarter to 38 percent of the 1.6 million who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer serious mental health problems, but fewer than half are willing to seek help.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, launched a campaign last week to change the military's outdated attitude.

Cut tuition increase Fri, 09 May 2008 02:05 EDT
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System and its president, Michael McCall, could do good things with the money from a 13 percent tuition increase.

But sometimes the common good should come first, and this is one of those times.

Kentucky ranks 45th in median household income and is the seventh-poorest state. But Kentuckians must now pay more than the national average to attend a public two-year college or university.

Once low, tuition and fees have climbed 10 percent a year for a decade, while the state has not increased financial aid since 2006.

The effects are showing up in flattening enrollments.

Keep Overly in 72nd House seat Fri, 09 May 2008 02:05 EDT
The race to represent House District 72 is pitting a relative newcomer against two veteran officeholders.

Sannie Overly, the Paris lawyer who won the seat vacated after Carolyn Belcher was elected Bath County judge-executive, is running to serve a full term.

Her challengers are Jim Lovell, a Paris lawyer who held the seat from 1995 through 1998, and former Bourbon County Judge-Executive Roy Baber.

The district is made up of Bourbon, Bath and Nicholas counties as well as three precincts in Fayette County.

Overly deserves a full term to show what she can do for her district and the state.

War budget Fri, 09 May 2008 08:29 EDT

Direct Kick: Smith retires as South Laurel AD

The bridges of Laurel County
The boyfriend is no longer the only man in my life. Yes, dear readers, from the deepest reaches of my soul I now pine for another.

An inspirational walk taken
Cancer may not run in my family because there have been only a couple of instances that I can recall where family members have had cancer.That doesn't really matter because when I stood on the track at Glasgow High School on Friday night and watched the survivors and their family members round the lanes, I realized how many people I know in this community who have been affected by cancer.

Clinton’s final days are here
FRANKFORTIt’s over. Kentucky voters hoped this would be the presidential primary when their votes actually counted. But Barack Obama’s big win in North Carolina and narrow two-point loss in Indiana last Tuesday pretty much sealed the Democratic race.

Bird watching is quiet fun
According to a recent survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there are about one million Kentuckians who enjoy bird watching.

Mothers are special women
Sunday is Mother’s Day. I am blessed to have several important women in my life, women who have helped me become who I am and women who continue to guide me.

YOUR VIEW: Judge pitches for Fischer
As past-president of the Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association, I endorse a candidate for office only after careful consideration and measurement of that individual.

Chinese Dir