pinion o wednesday, may 2, 2012 • the lebanon enterpris e A 6 Send your letters to the editor to [email protected]. E ach legislative session is inevitably remembered for a key issue or two, and this year’s will undoubtedly be recalled for the toughest budget most of us have seen in our lifetime and for taking a comprehensive approach on drug abuse. There were several other high- profile issues as well, including the legislature’s latest effort to crack down on copper thefts and making sure that the interest on the sizeable federal loan for the state’s unemploy- ment insurance fund is covered so businesses wouldn’t lose a much- needed tax credit. While the General Assembly’s work in these areas took up much of the public’s attention, there were also quite a few other new laws passed this year to help our state. In education, for example, it is now possible for schools to have considerable flexibility when it comes to boosting academic devel- opment. If they qualify, they could be free of some of the laws and regula- tions governing them, letting them experiment with such things as a longer school calendar or a different kind of classroom setting. Another new law that will eventu- ally affect some of our youngest chil- dren will move back the cut-off date to start first grade. Beginning in the 2017-18 school year, children will be able to enroll if they turn six by Aug. 1 rather than the current Oct. 1. In other areas of education, the legislature passed a law that now prohibits superintendents from pun- ishing teachers by assigning them to alternative schools, and we made it possible for special needs students who graduate with a modified cur- riculum to receive an alternative high school diploma rather than a certificate. School coaches will now have to be better trained in recognizing and treating concussions and head inju- ries, and there will be a study to take a close look at middle school sports, which don’t have a statewide govern- ing organization like high schools. Another study, meanwhile, was also approved this year to see how the state can best treat juveniles caught up in the judicial system. There are at least three different areas needing closer review, including what approach the state should take when children 10 and younger com- mit a crime; how we should handle status offenses, which are violations like truancy that wouldn’t be an issue for adults; and how children caught up in domestic violence situations are affected. For police, there will now be a “Blue Alert,” which is similar to the popular “Amber Alert” used when a child is missing. Under this new alert, the public will be notified if a police officer is killed or severely injured. That will hopefully make it easier to find the assailant. Another law tied to public safety tries to bridge the line between reli- gious freedom and protecting drivers on the road. In this case, those who driver motorless vehicles will now have the option to use reflective tape rather than the orange triangle that is otherwise standard but had been opposed on religious grounds by some groups such as the Amish. Other new laws will standardize local tax forms to make it easier for companies to pay these taxes if they do business in more than one com- munity; call on life insurance com- panies to work harder to find ben- eficiaries of unclaimed policies; and have social workers provide more information to help foster children transition into adulthood. Although the time to pass laws is now over for the year, the General ■ EDITORIAL ■ COLUMN FOR THE HEALTH OF IT Family Bike and Hike event is a step in the right direction K entucky is proud to be ranked highly when it comes to basketball, but when it comes to obesity, it’s not something we like to brag about. But, it’s a reality, none- theless. Last year, Kentucky was ranked the sixth fattest state in the coun- try, according to a report from the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH). The report states that 31.5 percent of our state’s population is obese. But, it hasn’t always been this way. Fifteen years ago, Kentucky had an obesity rate of 16.6 percent. The obesity rate in Kentucky increased 90 percent over the last 15 years. Diabetes rates have dou- bled in 10 states includ- ing Kentucky in the past 15 years. In 1995, Kentucky had a diabetes rate of 4.2 percent. Now the diabetes rate is 10.5 percent. That’s scary, folks. According to poli- cymakers, the key to reversing this alarming trend is to create healthy environments, especially for children. When kids have safe places to walk, run, bike and play they are more likely to be active and less likely to be obese. The same thing goes for food. When communities have access to nutritious, affordable foods, people eat health- ier. The 5th annual Family Bike and Hike, which was held this past Saturday at Graham Memorial Park in Lebanon, is a perfect example of the type of event we need to be hav- ing more of in our com- munity. The event gave participants the option of walking/running a 5K (3.1 miles) or doing a 10K (6.2 miles) bike ride. A specific aspect of this event that we particularly like is that it encourages families to participate together. Seeing a father and daughter duo cross the finish line is not only heartwarming, but an indicator that families can learn to be healthy and active, especially when they encourage each other. More than 150 peo- ple participated in the event this year, accord- ing to Marion County Community Education Director Martha Ann Mattingly. We want to com- mend the folks at the Marion County Health Department, Marion County Community Learning Center and Marion County Extension Office for organizing this event. We know it takes many hours to pull off an event such as this, and their hard work does not go unnoticed. We also want to give kudos to the local sponsors who helped fund the event. We’re also relieved that Mother Nature cooper- ated this year. We look forward to the sixth annual Family Bike and Hike next year, and we encourage our readers to consider participating. But, in the meantime, get moving! nterprise e the lebanon Y OUR OPINION letter policy The Lebanon Enterprise welcomes opinion letters for the “Your Opinion” box. Local letters about local issues are given top priority, but we do accept letters about other topics. “Thank you” and other types of letters run in the card of thanks or other appropriate sections for a nominal charge. For more information, call (270) 692-6026. Letters are published as space becomes available and letters must be limited to 400 words or less. The Enterprise reserves the right to edit letters for content and length. Only one name will be published as the author of a letter. No letter is published without a fi rst and last name, complete mailing address and daytime telephone number. E-mailed letters must include the same information. Letters can be mailed to The Lebanon Enterprise, 119 S. Proctor Knott Ave., Lebanon, KY 40033, faxed to (270) 692-2118 or e-mailed to editor@lebanon- enterprise.com. Founded in 1887 Phone: (270) 692-6026 Fax: (270) 692-2118 E-mail: editor@ lebanonenterprise.com www.lebanonenterprise.com (USPS 308-360) Published each Wednesday at 119 Proctor Knott Ave., Lebanon, KY 40033 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: THE LEBANON ENTERPRISE P.O. BOX 679 LEBANON, KY 40033 Periodicals postage paid at Lebanon, KY The staff : Stevie L.owery Publisher Mary Anne Blair Advertising Manager Stephen Lega News Editor Barbara Battcher Circulation Clerk Eva Jo Nugent Offi ce Manager/Bookkeeper Mary May Graphic Artist Manager Paul Brockman Frank Mattingly Drivers You might be from Marion County if... “You remember the drive-in on Saturday night and eating the BEST chili dog at Whites Castle on Main St.” - Laura Milburn “You followed Buster Brown around like a bunch of groupies... - Connie Murphy Adams “You remember that the Brown Truck that came to your house was the Jewel Tea truck and not UPS.” - Zen Bonobo See Look back, page A7 Final look back at 2012 General Assembly Photos by Jessica Veatch A group of runners break from the starting line in the annual Bike and Hike event held at Graham Memorial Park. Brianna Mattingly heads toward the finish line of the 2012 Bike and Hike. Terry Mills State Representative
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piniono wednesday, may 2, 2012 • the lebanon enterprise
A6Send your letters to the editor to [email protected].
Each legislative session is inevitably remembered for a key issue or two, and this year’s will undoubtedly be
recalled for the toughest budget most of us have seen in our lifetime and for taking a comprehensive approach on drug abuse.
There were several other high-profile issues as well, including the legislature’s latest effort to crack down on copper thefts and making sure that the interest on the sizeable federal loan for the state’s unemploy-ment insurance fund is covered so businesses wouldn’t lose a much-needed tax credit.
While the General Assembly’s work in these areas took up much of the public’s attention, there were also quite a few other new laws passed this year to help our state.
In education, for example, it is now possible for schools to have considerable flexibility when it comes to boosting academic devel-opment. If they qualify, they could be free of some of the laws and regula-tions governing them, letting them experiment with such things as a longer school calendar or a different kind of classroom setting.
Another new law that will eventu-ally affect some of our youngest chil-dren will move back the cut-off date to start first grade. Beginning in the 2017-18 school year, children will be able to enroll if they turn six by Aug. 1 rather than the current Oct. 1.
In other areas of education, the legislature passed a law that now prohibits superintendents from pun-ishing teachers by assigning them to alternative schools, and we made it possible for special needs students who graduate with a modified cur-riculum to receive an alternative high school diploma rather than a certificate.
School coaches will now have to be better trained in recognizing and treating concussions and head inju-ries, and there will be a study to take a close look at middle school sports, which don’t have a statewide govern-ing organization like high schools.
Another study, meanwhile, was also approved this year to see how the state can best treat juveniles caught up in the judicial system. There are at least three different areas needing closer review, including what approach the state should take when children 10 and younger com-mit a crime; how we should handle status offenses, which are violations like truancy that wouldn’t be an issue for adults; and how children caught up in domestic violence situations are affected.
For police, there will now be a “Blue Alert,” which is similar to the popular “Amber Alert” used when a child is missing. Under this new alert, the public will be notified if a police officer is killed or severely injured. That will hopefully make it easier to find the assailant.
Another law tied to public safety tries to bridge the line between reli-gious freedom and protecting drivers on the road. In this case, those who driver motorless vehicles will now have the option to use reflective tape rather than the orange triangle that is otherwise standard but had been opposed on religious grounds by some groups such as the Amish.
Other new laws will standardize local tax forms to make it easier for companies to pay these taxes if they do business in more than one com-munity; call on life insurance com-panies to work harder to find ben-eficiaries of unclaimed policies; and have social workers provide more information to help foster children transition into adulthood.
Although the time to pass laws is now over for the year, the General
■ EDITORIAL ■ COLUMN
FOR THE HEALTH OF IT
Family Bike and Hike event is a step in the right direction
Kentucky is proud to be ranked highly when it comes
to basketball, but when it comes to obesity, it’s not something we like to brag about.
But, it’s a reality, none-theless.
Last year, Kentucky was ranked the sixth fattest state in the coun-try, according to a report from the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH). The report states that 31.5 percent of our state’s population is obese.
But, it hasn’t always been this way.
Fifteen years ago, Kentucky had an obesity rate of 16.6 percent. The obesity rate in Kentucky increased 90 percent over the last 15 years. Diabetes rates have dou-bled in 10 states includ-ing Kentucky in the past 15 years. In 1995, Kentucky had a diabetes rate of 4.2 percent. Now the diabetes rate is 10.5 percent.
That’s scary, folks.According to poli-
cymakers, the key to reversing this alarming trend is to create healthy environments, especially for children. When kids have safe places to walk, run, bike and play they are more likely to be active and less likely to be obese. The same thing goes for food. When communities have access to nutritious, affordable foods, people eat health-ier.
The 5th annual Family Bike and Hike, which was held this past Saturday at Graham Memorial Park in Lebanon, is a perfect example of the type of event we need to be hav-ing more of in our com-munity. The event gave participants the option of walking/running a 5K
(3.1 miles) or doing a 10K (6.2 miles) bike ride. A specific aspect of this event that we particularly like is that it encourages families to participate together. Seeing a father and daughter duo cross the finish line is not only heartwarming, but an indicator that families can learn to be healthy and active, especially when they encourage each other.
More than 150 peo-ple participated in the event this year, accord-ing to Marion County Community Education Director Martha Ann Mattingly.
We want to com-mend the folks at the
Marion County Health Department, Marion County Community Learning Center and Marion County Extension Office for organizing this event. We know it takes many hours to pull off an event such as this, and their hard work does not go unnoticed. We also want to give kudos to the local sponsors who helped fund the event.
We’re also relieved that Mother Nature cooper-ated this year.
We look forward to the sixth annual Family Bike and Hike next year, and we encourage our readers to consider participating.
But, in the meantime, get moving!
nterprisee the lebanon
YOUR OPINIONletter policy
The Lebanon Enterprise welcomes opinion letters for the “Your Opinion” box. Local letters about local issues are given top priority, but we do accept letters about other topics. “Thank you” and other types of letters run in the card of thanks or other appropriate sections for a nominal charge. For more information, call (270) 692-6026.
Letters are published as space becomes available and letters must be limited to 400 words or less. The Enterprise reserves the right to edit letters for content and length. Only one name will be published as the author of a letter.
No letter is published without a fi rst and last name, complete mailing address and daytime telephone number. E-mailed letters must include the same information.
Letters can be mailed to The Lebanon Enterprise, 119 S. Proctor Knott Ave., Lebanon, KY 40033, faxed to (270) 692-2118 or e-mailed to [email protected].
Founded in 1887Phone: (270) 692-6026
Fax: (270) 692-2118
E-mail:editor@
lebanonenterprise.com
www.lebanonenterprise.com
(USPS 308-360)Published each Wednesday at
119 Proctor Knott Ave., Lebanon, KY 40033
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
THE LEBANON ENTERPRISEP.O. BOX 679
LEBANON, KY 40033
Periodicals postage paid at Lebanon, KY
The staff :Stevie L.owery
Publisher
Mary Anne BlairAdvertising Manager
Stephen LegaNews Editor
Barbara BattcherCirculation Clerk
Eva Jo NugentOffi ce Manager/Bookkeeper
Mary MayGraphic Artist Manager
Paul BrockmanFrank Mattingly
Drivers
You might be from Marion County if...“You remember the
drive-in on Saturday night and eating the BEST chili dog at Whites Castle on Main St.”
- Laura Milburn
“You followed Buster Brown around like a bunch of groupies...
- Connie Murphy Adams
“You remember that the Brown Truck that came to your house was the Jewel Tea truck and not UPS.”
- Zen Bonobo
See Look back, page A7
Final look back at 2012 General Assembly
Photos by Jessica Veatch
A group of runners break from the starting line in the annual Bike and Hike event held at Graham Memorial Park.
Brianna Mattingly heads toward the finish line of the 2012 Bike and Hike.
Terry MillsState Representative
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