14 - June 27, 2013 Your Hometown Newspaper News Outlook
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Letter to the Editor,
Dr. Cornel West
once said, "Youl can not have
a deodorized~ disinfected,
sanitized discourse. If that's
all you h~e, you will never
now the ~th~~ Dr. West was
speakingmithin the context of
public discourse allowing dif-
fering points of view in order
to find the truth, and allowing
the oppressed and suffering
an opportunity to air their
grievances without fear of ret-
ribution. We should never fear
differing opinions, or other
points of view. As our Lord
reminds us in the wisdom
literature, "Without counsel
purposes are disappointed:
but in the multitude of coun-
selors they are established."
(Proverbs 15:22)
Some of the world's
greatest leaders have sur-
rounded themselves not only
with those who often agreed
with them, but they added
the counsel of those who dis-
agreed and shared a differing
philosophy.: ::Suqh wise dis-
course all~:~the opportunity
for aspects bf=a situation to be
brought to light that might
not otherwise have been con-
sidered. For this very purpose
it is always in the public's best
interest to never stifle a differ-
ing opinion or solution. Rath-
er, they should listen carefully
and respectfully to each other,
and seek the truth and com-
mon good of any situation.
Our problem with
such a notion is that sin has
left us plagued with pride
and an egocentric nature that
wants constant approval. We
close our minds to differing
opinions, and view those who
disagree with us as enemies.
We surround ourselves with
only those who support our
world view, and we thwart any
attempt for an opposing view
to be held seriously. From
there everything deteriorates.
Lines are drawn in the sand,
personal assaults on the oppo-
sition's character begin, and
we view '~arfare" as the only
means of setting the dispute.
Whether it is friendships, fam-
ilies, communities, or even na-
tions, we can see this pattern
throughout human history.
I came to Menifee
County in August of 2002. I
absolutely fell in love with
the people. Whether it be the
dear friendships I've made at
Frank Brown's Wood Shop,
the amazing fellowship I've
discovered with the Chris-
tians in the community, or
the fantastic opportunities
I've had to serve the commu-
nity through 4-H programs
and coaching an after school
club, I've come to call this
little county my home. I love
the people of Menifee County,
and my heart's desire iS to "It was a collective effort of
serve them in whatever way
might best meet their needs,
and glorify my Lord.
Last year aftel: the
tornado I went to the High
School and just started carry-
ing in donations. I didn't really
talk to anyone. No one was
really talking. Vehicles were
pulling in at a steady pace,
and volunteers were thanking
them for their donations and
carrying the items inside. I
spent several days there. Over
the course of those fe~ days
I saw Mickey Little exhaust
himself in an organizational
capacity. I became friends
with, and experienced an in-
credible display of selfless
leadership by people like Tif-
fany Anderson who worked
tirelessly during our efforts.
I could mention so many oth-
ers, but brevity prevents such
an effort, and the list could
not be contained in print. We
were a community united. Af-
ter attending a meeting at the
Court House to discuss the
best courses of action I saw
individuals from the school
system, state, county, and
city government, emergency
response units, the police
department, churches, and
other organization coming
together to express different
needs, different views, and
offering their various skills.
various opinions and skill sets
with the common goal of help-
hag those in need. It was amaz-
ing, and made me so proud to
be a part of this community.
I will now turn my
attention to the proverbial el-
ephant in the room: the Me-
nifee County school system.
Differing opinions are not the
enemy of great leadership;
they are the fabric from which
it is woven. But when those
differing opinions forget
their ultimate goal, then the
discourse fails and the slip-
pery slope to warfare begins.
Character assault, viewing op-
posing views to problems as
the hate speech of the enemy,
and a close minded approach
to any dissenting view begins.
-In the midst of this warfare,
the common goal of those
involved becomes secondary
to victory over the opponent.
Perhaps we all need to take
a step back, a deep breath,
and remember that our goal
through our educational sys-
tem is to offer the very best
opportunities for success to
our children. Only when there
is a common goal can there
be any form of compromise or
open discourse.
I tend to speak only
of those people and situations
to which I am personally ac-
quainted. Several years ago
Principle Brenda Warren and
I discussed starting an after
school club, and shortly there-
after we were starting things
off. The interesting thing
about Brenda and l, is that we
have had disagreements over
the club but at the end of the
day we have always come to-
gether and worked to produce
the best environment for the
children involved. As a result
we have been able to work to-
gether, and literally make his-
tory as the very first school in
the state of Kentueky to offer
the combat sports program
to a high school. These boys
and girls have had a chance
to work hands on with some
of the most famous profes-
sional athletes in sDorts today,
and it has been an absolutely
remarkable success. Brenda
and I were able to work so
well together because we hold
a common philosophy that we
want the very best for these
children.
My heart is break-
ing for my community right
now. Friendships have been
shaken, relationships torn,
and a community has been
divided. I would again appeal
to the wisdom writer who re-
minds us in Proverbs 21:2,
"Every way of a man is right
in his own eyes: but the LORD
pondereth the hearts." Per-
haps it's time we ask the Lord
to ponder our hearts, remove
the roots of bitterness that are
growing, and refresh our dis-
course with a common bond
of working together to do
what is best for the future suc-
cess of our children. Unless
all age willing to set aside the
mentality of "our team win-
ning," and work together for
the common good of the stu-
dents entrusted to their care,
then chaos, bitterness, angry
outbursts, character assassi-
nations, and an even deeper
wedge will be the result.
Yesterday someone
asked me, "What side are
you on?" What a very sad
question. When it comes to
the education of our children
we should all be on the same
team. "I'm here for the kids,"
should not be empty mantra
chanted over and over as the
crutch to support our insis-
tent disagreement with "the
other side." It should be the
common bond that brings all
parties together to respect-
fully and carefully consider
their differences, and attempt
to work together for the good
of the children, the families,
and the community involved.
Let us all remem-
ber the words of the Apostle
Paul to the Church at Thes-
salonica, "Be at peace among
yourselves."
Joey Rogers
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photo by Cecil Lawson
Menifee County Adult Education proudly held a graduation ceremony Sunday after-
noon at the Clark Energy Community Center Building for 24 of their students who
have passed the GED exam over the past school year. Program Director Pam
Branam and teacher Amy Cole praised their students' hard work and perseverance.
Guest speaker Grant Sorrell talked about his own roundabout journey from farmer's
son to college graduate to his current job as case worker for the Dept. of Family
and Child :Services.
Present for the graduation was Rita Adkins; Ron Barnhart, Jr.; Amanda Birchwell;
Elizabeth ~Blalock; Eddie Crump; Lisa Dennis; Ronnie Helton; Michelle Huff; Johnny
Johnson; Tonya Leach; Michael Ratliff; Cleta Sexton; James Welch; Diana Williams;
and Cody Willoughby. Those not present but also graduating were Matt Brown;
Whitney Collingsworth; Casey Cox, Erika Davis, Michelle Huff, Johnny Johnson, Joey
King, David Lewis, Belinda Smith, and Brittany Welch.
Fourth of July fireworks will be held in Frenchburg on Thursda
July 4th. The music will begin around 7:30. The Chamber of Corn-
merce will have their dollar deal again this yearl
You can buy a hot dog, chips and ;z can of soda for a $1.00. We
will start selling about 7pm. So bring your family for supper, listen
to music, and watch the fireworks around 10pro.
submitted by J. D. Trimble
As the Bluegrass State Games start again, this will be the first of several articles
about Menifee County 3-on-3 basketball and the Bluegrass State Games held in
Lexington, Kentucky.
As Principal at Menifee County High School, I (James D. Trimble) was asked to
be Chairperson for Menifee County. All 120 counties were invited to participate in
some sporting event. We decided to enter the 3-on-3 basketball tournament. A
team was allowed five members on this roster. Our team division was age 40 and
old and under 6 feet in height.
We called ourselves "The Menifee County H~s-Beensql
Back row, Roy Dale Wynn, Billy Jones; front row, Dennis Harper, Coach Jarrod
Jones (13 years old), James D. Trimble.
Our philosophy for winning was very simple: Dennis or Billy took the ball out and
played defense; James shot the ball and Roy Dale rebounded the opposite side.
Out of the ten teams in our division, we came in 1st place and brought home
the Gold Medal in 1989. Next week's article will be on the 1990 Bluegrass State
Games.
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