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Editor’s note: The following letter is being printed again after it ran with errors in Wednesday’s edition of the Sun.
Mayfield wrong on House Bill 1
Dear editor,
In the past week or so there have been some letters lauding Donna Mayfield for her opposition to House Bill 1. Let me share a few things on the subject.
The office of the inspector general identified 44 facilities in Kentucky as pain management clinics in 2012. Since HB1 was passed just a few short months ago and signed into law by Gov. Steve Beshear, 18 of those have closed up shop and left the state. Certainly not all pain management clinics are “pill mills,” but those statistics speak volumes. Has the legislation been effective? How can you view it otherwise? Is it a perfect piece of legislation? Of course not. There rarely is. The HB1 Implementation and Oversight Committee was established for that very reason and met this summer to take testimony from the Kentucky Medical Association and others who have expressed a desire to make some changes in the methodologies set forth in regulations established by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure — a board made up of 15 members, 10 of whom are physicians.
It’s president, Dr. Preston Nunnelley of Lexington, stated that “The abuse of prescription drugs is an epidemic in our state and we have to have strong, enforceable and practical laws and regulations to protect patients. I have no doubt that HB1 is saving lives.”
Folks, we have a house on fire here. There are a few in Frankfort like Mayfield that would rather play kick the can and debate the merits of using a yellow fire truck versus a red fire truck while the house burns to the ground. That’s really not looking out for the best interests of the homeowner is it? This situation was spiraling out of control and it mandated action, not obstructionism and rhetoric. Interestingly, the Legislative Record shows that when HB1, in its final language form, was presented to the House of Representatives for final passage, Mayfield did not even cast a vote. Perhaps her common sense told her that it was not so important to represent us in that final day of the special session, financed by taxpayer dollars.
Thankfully, next week, we have the opportunity to make a positive change in our representation for Clark and part of Madison counties. JoEllen Reed is a lifelong educator whose knowledge and compassion give her a firm foundation for public service. In representing us for many years, in both city and county government, she has always been extremely accessible, responsive, decisive and a woman of action. She puts special interests and partisanships aside in favor of what is in the best interest of those she was elected to serve. She will be a strong and representative voice for the 73rd District in Frankfort, and I urge you to join me in supporting her on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Whatever you do, go vote.
Chip Ward
Winchester
School board vision good for all students
Dear editor,
Although no longer a resident of Clark County, but a parent whose child attends school in the district, I urge residents to vote for visionary and progressive school board members.I read with interest the report of the Clark County forum held Oct. 26 which featured discussion amongst six candidates running for school board positions.
It is time for forward thinking by all in the community. Continued derisive talk of the decision of the facilities planning committee of a few years back is counter-productive. The committee formed of representatives from school administration, teachers, board members and community took six months to research, visit facilities, fact find, and explore options, and made a decision that was best for the future of students and fiscally responsible for the district.
It is time to embrace that decision and envision the great possibilities. A short drive out Boonesboro Road gives one sight to the future jewel of the county. The state of the art facility, long overdue, will prepare students for their future and provide immeasurable community service. An excellent education system and state of the art facilities attracts growth-new families, new business, new revenue, innovation.
The combining of current middle schools into a renovated GRC building opens up possibilities. Instead of fearing large numbers, aspire to create a true middle school made up of schools within a school with team families, a lively intramural program, and exploration of careers. With visionary leadership on the board, at the district level, in the building and in the classroom, a safe, sound middle school with a rigorous curriculum and whole child approach can be achieved.
Travel 16 miles to the west to a collaboration between the University of Kentucky and Fayette County schools where the creation of a STEAM school embraces technology complete with flipped/blended classrooms that move learning outside brick and mortar.
Georgetown Road leads to Elkhorn Crossing School in Scott County, a high-tech high school that infuses technology through all instruction with a focus on problem-based learning. Still another direction leads to Woodford County, where students receive an iPad as standard equipment replete with access to iTunes U and in the words of University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto, “a 21st century library at their fingertips.” Discussion of the purchase of additional textbooks as “more beneficial” is simply short-sided and obsolete.
Mayfield wrong on House Bill 1
Dear editor,
In the past week or so there have been some letters lauding Donna Mayfield for her opposition to House Bill 1. Let me share a few things on the subject.
The office of the inspector general identified 44 facilities in Kentucky as pain management clinics in 2012. Since HB1 was passed just a few short months ago and signed into law by Gov. Steve Beshear, 18 of those have closed up shop and left the state. Certainly not all pain management clinics are “pill mills,” but those statistics speak volumes. Has the legislation been effective? How can you view it otherwise? Is it a perfect piece of legislation? Of course not. There rarely is. The HB1 Implementation and Oversight Committee was established for that very reason and met this summer to take testimony from the Kentucky Medical Association and others who have expressed a desire to make some changes in the methodologies set forth in regulations established by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure — a board made up of 15 members, 10 of whom are physicians.
It’s president, Dr. Preston Nunnelley of Lexington, stated that “The abuse of prescription drugs is an epidemic in our state and we have to have strong, enforceable and practical laws and regulations to protect patients. I have no doubt that HB1 is saving lives.”
Folks, we have a house on fire here. There are a few in Frankfort like Mayfield that would rather play kick the can and debate the merits of using a yellow fire truck versus a red fire truck while the house burns to the ground. That’s really not looking out for the best interests of the homeowner is it? This situation was spiraling out of control and it mandated action, not obstructionism and rhetoric. Interestingly, the Legislative Record shows that when HB1, in its final language form, was presented to the House of Representatives for final passage, Mayfield did not even cast a vote. Perhaps her common sense told her that it was not so important to represent us in that final day of the special session, financed by taxpayer dollars.
Thankfully, next week, we have the opportunity to make a positive change in our representation for Clark and part of Madison counties. JoEllen Reed is a lifelong educator whose knowledge and compassion give her a firm foundation for public service. In representing us for many years, in both city and county government, she has always been extremely accessible, responsive, decisive and a woman of action. She puts special interests and partisanships aside in favor of what is in the best interest of those she was elected to serve. She will be a strong and representative voice for the 73rd District in Frankfort, and I urge you to join me in supporting her on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Whatever you do, go vote.
Chip Ward
Winchester
School board vision good for all students
Dear editor,
Although no longer a resident of Clark County, but a parent whose child attends school in the district, I urge residents to vote for visionary and progressive school board members.I read with interest the report of the Clark County forum held Oct. 26 which featured discussion amongst six candidates running for school board positions.
It is time for forward thinking by all in the community. Continued derisive talk of the decision of the facilities planning committee of a few years back is counter-productive. The committee formed of representatives from school administration, teachers, board members and community took six months to research, visit facilities, fact find, and explore options, and made a decision that was best for the future of students and fiscally responsible for the district.
It is time to embrace that decision and envision the great possibilities. A short drive out Boonesboro Road gives one sight to the future jewel of the county. The state of the art facility, long overdue, will prepare students for their future and provide immeasurable community service. An excellent education system and state of the art facilities attracts growth-new families, new business, new revenue, innovation.
The combining of current middle schools into a renovated GRC building opens up possibilities. Instead of fearing large numbers, aspire to create a true middle school made up of schools within a school with team families, a lively intramural program, and exploration of careers. With visionary leadership on the board, at the district level, in the building and in the classroom, a safe, sound middle school with a rigorous curriculum and whole child approach can be achieved.
Travel 16 miles to the west to a collaboration between the University of Kentucky and Fayette County schools where the creation of a STEAM school embraces technology complete with flipped/blended classrooms that move learning outside brick and mortar.
Georgetown Road leads to Elkhorn Crossing School in Scott County, a high-tech high school that infuses technology through all instruction with a focus on problem-based learning. Still another direction leads to Woodford County, where students receive an iPad as standard equipment replete with access to iTunes U and in the words of University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto, “a 21st century library at their fingertips.” Discussion of the purchase of additional textbooks as “more beneficial” is simply short-sided and obsolete.
