Opinion Pieces

Letters to the Editor

Upset by release of Lincoln County drug offenders

Last February, state, county and city police raided two houses in my neighborhood and arrested seven people for manufacturing methamphetamine. After seeing my Lincoln County neighborhood almost destroyed by drug activity for a long time, I thought...

'Oz' shows community has talent

I had the pleasure recently of attending a performance of the Wizard of Oz pulled off with great skill by Danville High School students. 

Boy Scouts tarnished by decision to allow gays

There is no winner on the issue of gays joining the Boy Scouts. Concerned parents don’t want gays associated with their kids and gays have not won anything in this battle except to say they forced themselves into groups of people who do not...

Water safety program is important for children

The McDowell Wellness Center, McDowell Regional Medical Center, and some doctors, have started a program at the wellness center to help children in the second grade learn about water safety. The cost is only a dollar for one hour for five days. The...

Visitors want to learn about Danville's history

Have you ever wondered how much history is in Danville? Every section of town has its own history. I have been in this area the most of 48 years and it amazes me how much we know about the community that we call Danville. Since I am a native of...

Appreciates city's fire clean-up

I think we speak for our whole neighborhood when we thank the administrators of the city of Danville for the prompt and efficient clearing of the lot on Venetian Way and Secretariat Drive where a home was recently destroyed by fire.

Willis Russell House to reschedule reception

Boyle Landmark Trust extends sincere apologies to any and all who visited the open house and reception at the Willis Russell log house on Walnut Street, that was scheduled for Friday, May 31. Due to gusty winds and heavy rain that began at 4:14 p.m.,...

Show is a 'home run'

Run, don’t walk, to West T. Hill Community Theatre on Third Street to see “Rounding Third” — a terrific comedy/drama about two Little League coaches and their clashing personalities. This show is recommended for all parents of...

Project Graduation coordinator thanks businesses, individuals

I remember like it was yesterday the first time I walked along the streets of Danville. Although I immediately became fond of the town that would become my home, I am reminded every year at this time of the true beauty of Danville. It has...

Redistribution in nature sounds familiar

Troubling times have been noted during this otherwise spectacular spring. A variety of birds have nested in some 80 mature hedges and trees on our two acres.  Upon a bit of research, fierce tension between starlings and robins was confirmed....

Relay for Life will hold blood drive

On Wednesday there will be a community blood drive at the Boyle County Public Library, 307 West Broadway from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The Kentucky Blood Center will donate $5 for every donor who mentions they are donating in support of the Boyle...

Let them pray at graduation

I have seen on a local TV newscast that there is a scheme to do away with prayer at a nearby high school graduation in a couple of weeks.

Does Danville really want this kind of budget?

I’d like to take this opportunity to commend Mayor Bernie Hunstad and Commissioner Kevin Caudill for their efforts to keep agency funding at last year’s levels. It has been the practice of the Commission in recent years to avoid funding...

Glad to be a DHS Admiral

Recently, Max Ray, my former classmate and teammate, wrote a letter to the editor stating that he believed Danville High School didn’t prepare him well for citing references in his college course writings.  

Writer admires Lincoln students from afar

That refreshing spark of light radiating from Stanford, Ky., reached the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. It speaks well of the class of 2013 at Lincoln County High School for giving a standing “O” to student Jonathan Hardwick who...

Letter carriers to "Stamp out Hunger"

Saturday marks the 21st anniversary of one of America’s great days of giving — the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

Why do Northpoint prisoners work at Boyle County Fairgrounds?

I find it very disturbing that inmates imprisoned at Northpoint Training Center for various reasons, are allowed to work at the Boyle County Fairgrounds with a nearby school and public park without public awareness.

Many accidents on Fourth Street

I am employed at a business that faces Fourth Street in Danville. On almost a weekly basis now there is an accident in one little stretch of Fourth Street in front of our offices.  

Disagrees with Representative's move to reinstate draft

Congressman Charlie Rangel, D-NY, is calling for reinstatement of the military draft. His reason, or reasons, for doing so, isn’t exactly clear to me yet. As far as I’m able to determine, our all-volunteer military is performing just...

Commorate Danville's Revolutionary past

On April 28, in The Advocate-Messenger included an inviting article by Lindsay Chelf about Bellevue Cemetery in Danville. She, so to speak, scratched the surface.  

Agency should treat patients better

I am a 55-year-old man with cerebral palsy. I can't do anything for myself, but my mind is normal. I live by myself with staff around the clock, provided by a local agency. My staff knows me. I have trouble talking and sometimes they know what I want...

Thankful for friends in time of loss

Having recently undergone the prolonged suffering and death of my husband of 34 years, Paul Powell, I wish to share the five stages I have experienced — and will continue to experience — in the foreseeable future and accept as ongoing.

Thanks for sports article about twins

The recent article by Larry Vaught and pictures by Clay Jackson of the Casey County twins was an interesting nuance to graduation and the involvement of these two fine young people with academics and sport activities.

DHS should stress reference citation

I arrived at Berea feeling prepared to tackle the hard work of a college education. I felt Danville High School had prepared me for my college journey; my graduating class of 2012 had set the record for highest ACT scores in school history. Instead,...

'Finish the fight' against cancer

One hundred years ago, the American Cancer Society started the fight of a lifetime. Fifteen physicians and businessmen in New York City who were determined to raise awareness about cancer formed the American Society for Control of Cancer, later...

Cell phones and driving don't mix

In this age of modern technology, I see many individuals talking on a cell phone while driving. 

Thank you, Governor Beshear

Governor Beshear hired outside consultants, listened to health care advocates and hospital officials, did the math, and decided to expand Kentucky’s Medicaid coverage through the Affordable Care Act.  

Hunstad doesn't deserve harassment

Hunstad. Brother Bernie is one of God’s best I have been privileged to know. He does not deserve this present harassment he is experiencing.

Family Services has a strong local history

Recently, The Advocate-Messenger described a discussion of city commissioners about when the city began supporting charitable organizations. I do not wish to enter the political aspect of the discussion, but merely to report on the historical issue...

Thank you for making 'Spay-ghetti' dinner successful

The No Kill Central Kentucky Regional Humane Society would like to express our sincere appreciation to all our patrons and volunteers the evening of April 25 for making our first annual SPAY-ghetti Benefit Dinner so successful.

More Opinion Pieces

COLUMN: Anonymous heroes help get recovery started after a disaster

“WE R OK.”

EDITORIAL: Governments shouldn't foot part of environmental clean-up bill

In light of the economic doldrums Boyle and other counties have experienced in recent years, it was downright thrilling to hear even sketchy details about Corning Inc.'s plans for their once and future factory on Valksdahl Road. We are...

John David Dyche: Kentucky Democrats need a new Bert Combs

In the documentary “Bert Combs, Governor from the Mountains,” the late Thomas D. Clark, Kentucky’s most eminent historian, said that Combs dragged Kentucky into the 20th Century against its will. Sadly, that century was 60 years old...

John David Dyche: Democrat hijinks helped McConnell and Paul

Last week was a good one for Kentucky’s U. S. Senators. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul dominated the news. Despite hostile media’s best efforts to portray recent events as somehow damaging to the ubiquitous Republican duo, both men...

John David Dyche: Summer reading for conservative students

Rush Limbaugh frequently makes bombastic radio references to his Institute for Advanced Conservative Studies. One wishing to learn about conservatism can occasionally glean a morsel of wisdom from Limbaugh’s talk, but there are better teachers.

Who are the real 'takers'?

According to the GOP, right-wing think tanks and Fox News, the U.S. is on the verge of becoming a nation of “takers” who want to be given (as Mitt Romney put it) “free stuff.” These takers are flush with a sense of “...

John David Dyche: Medicaid expansion: evidence and alternatives

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear’s decision to expand Medicaid came mere days after the most significant study of the issue concluded that extending Medicaid coverage to the previously uninsured “generated no significant improvements in...

EDITORIAL: Look for ways to make pedestrians safer downtown

More needs to be done to ensure the safety of non-vehicle traffic in downtown Danville, where an overwhelming majority of  pedestrian-vehicle collisions occur.

John David Dyche: Beshear wrong to expand Medicaid

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear is expanding Medicaid eligibility by executive fiat. His action is wrong in several respects.

EDITORIAL: Legislature earns some (polite) applause

Something rather amazing happened while we were sleeping Tuesday night. 

John David Dyche: Grimes makes her case for U.S. Senate run

If Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, a Democrat, decides to run against incumbent Republican Mitch McConnell for the U. S. Senate next year, her announcement might go something like this ... if she is completely candid.

Hunstad clarifies views on EDP's move to Constitution Square

The Advocate-Messenger’s March 21 headline, "Danville's Mayor questions EDP's move to Constitution Square," is misleading and distorts the report. 

EDITORIAL: Bipartisan effort something worth Kentucky pride

A tip of the cap to our Republican Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and former Democratic State Treasurer Jonathan Miller for their inter-party field trip to Washington, D.C., this week. The duo, joined by Republican State Senator Paul Hornback...

Industrial foundation responds to mayor's resignation from board

On Thursday, Danville Mayor Bernie Hunstad resigned from the Boyle County Industrial Foundation board of directors, claiming the “BCIF is a privately owned ‘for profit’ corporation and not a non-profit organization as represented.&...

John David Dyche: Kentucky still lagging in race between states

If you are visiting Kentucky for Derby, welcome. Good luck handicapping the horses. Here is your political tip sheet on our beloved commonwealth.

EDITORIAL: Hemp bill should have its day once smoke clears

Kentucky’s chance to take the lead on legal hemp appears to be gaining new life less than a week after the legislation looked like it was going up in smoke. The legislature should pass the original Senate Bill 50, or at least allow a vote,...

John David Dyche: Courts could soon decide key political issues

There is a good chance that three political issues will soon become legal issues. Look for courts to decide the constitutionality of state legislative redistricting, if Rand Paul can be on the 2016 ballot for both President and Senator, and whether...

EDITORIAL: Time to address vision for parks and recreation

Signs of spring have been fleeting so far, but you can tell the season by our annual rush to patch Boyle County’s aging and leaky public swimming pool. Danville City Commission signed off on another temporary solution during its meeting last...

EDITORIAL: Civil discourse shouldn't mean shutting people up

Transparency and openness might be the most overexploited and undervalued ideas in the political lexicon, championed when it suits the current agenda and avoided at all costs when it’s not deemed — by those in power — to be in the...

EDITORIAL: Legislature needs to pass special taxing district oversight bill

With time running out on the short session, and Sunshine Week — a celebration of transparency — on the horizon, the Kentucky legislature should focus on salvaging what it can from its overstuffed and underproductive stint in Frankfort.&...

Danville mayor addresses alleged personality conflict with economic development head

The headline in Sunday’s edition reads the “EDP again on city’s agenda.” The City Commission will meet again on Tuesday and will pass a resolution in support of the EDP. I will not be voting in support of the resolution and...

Federal budget is "March Madness"

Congressional leaders have not passed a federal budget in four years and have continued to kick the can down the road with continuing resolutions rather than solve America’s spending and debt problems. If major corporations operated in that...

John David Dyche: Why is Hillary so popular?

A recent Gallup survey shows Hillary Clinton with a 64% favorability rating. She is the clear favorite for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination. But why is Hillary so popular?          

EDITORIAL: Fiscal court should have stuck with invocation policy

Boyle County Fiscal Court hedged against both political pressure and potential litigation Tuesday when it voted to begin meetings with a non-denominational prayer. This comes after a January decision to replace the opening invocation, typically...

EDITORIAL: Danville native Frank X Walker perfect choice for Ky. poet laureate

The "City of Firsts" added a big one to the list this week when Frank X Walker became the one and only Kentucky Poet Laureate to hail from Danville. That was far from the most impressive “first” resulting from his appointment.

EDITORIAL: EDP right to follow 'spirit' of open meetings law

We chastised the Danville-Boyle County Economic Development Partnership in these pages recently, so we are compelled to also give credit where it is due. The EDP board of directors should be applauded for agreeing last week to abide by the spirit...

John David Dyche: Let failing public schools become charter schools

The recently completed Kentucky General Assembly session was a relatively bipartisan and productive one. But partisanship and special interest politics prevented passage of some good bills. Senate Bill 176 was one.

EDITORIAL: Time for Danville to revisit alcohol fees

Several good ideas have been raised during Danville’s recent listening sessions, including calls for the city to take a look at alcohol fees and revenue.

John David Dyche: Father (of our country) knows best

In 1796, after heroic military service and two presidential terms, George Washington announced his retirement from public service. His farewell address may be the most underappreciated document in America’s political canon. 

EDITORIAL: Danville takes city manager saga to the (city) limits

Just when you thought Danville’s city manager situation couldn’t get any more peculiar, the man who currently holds the position came before the City Commission this week to ask a favor: Ron Scott needs the city to annex his property so...