Letters to the Editor: Up with local art. Down with leaf blowers.
Promote local art
We always enjoy looking at the featured homes in the Herald-Leader’s Sunday Homeseller section. Time and again we see lovely homes featured in Homeseller that appear completely devoid of original art. Few pictures, statues, or ceramics from our talented regional artists are visible in the Homeseller photos. It only takes one or two walks on the LexArts HOP, a few visits to our local galleries, to realize that outstanding original art is available at a modest cost in Lexington, many times for far less than mass-produced “art”.
Now that the housing market is booming, it is a wonderful time for the Lexington-Bluegrass Association of Realtors, interior designers and others, to help new homeowners (and remodelers) discover the original works of art that will make their homes unique.
We suggest that LexArts, Lexington’s official local arts agency, meet with civic minded groups such as the Association of Realtors and the Home Builders Association of Lexington. The goals would be to examine how to open the way for their clients to discover the art that will enhance their homes and to support our Bluegrass arts community.
Judith and Robert Baumann, Lexington
Leaf blowers
I thought my hatred of the deafening noise of leaf blowers was just a result of being an old curmudgeon. To my delight, the New York Times ran a column by best-selling author Margaret Renkl (“Graceland, at Last”) with actual statistics on not only the damaging decibel level emitted by gas powered two stroke engine leaf blowers, but also by the shocking amount of air pollution they emit. According to Edmunds’ engineering editor, hydrocarbon emissions from a half hour of yard work with a two stroke leaf blower is about the same as a 3,900 mile drive in a Ford Raptor pick up. There is more, of course, including the blown dust laden with pollen, mold, dried herbicides, the value of composting leaves, etc.; let alone the complete isolation from social interaction with neighbors by wearing ear and eye protectors. Absurdly bright “security” lights pollute the night, constant noise pollutes the day. A good ice storm may be the only time we can have any real quiet.
Sally Wasielewiski, Lexington
God not happy
This is in response to Herald-Leader Opinion columnist Linda Blackford’s recent piece. No, we do not need more vaccine mandates. This whole virus is not the end of the world, contrary to popular opinion. It’s God’s way of letting people know he still rules this rock. I am not vaccinated, nor will I be, and anyone (including Gov. Andy Beshear and President Joe Biden) can get over it! I trust my Creator to see me through and I know he will. That’s this country’s problem in a nutshell... God has been left by the side of the road and He’s not real happy about it. Wake up America!
Phillip Holloway, Versailles
Store issues
Residents of Masterson Station were happy to see the IGA store in the area when it opened. The store was clean, the people were nice, and while the selection was limited, they covered most of the basics. Then, problems started to surface. Milk was out of date; something I didn’t discover until I was home. Many times, the price on the shelf is not what rings up. Last time I was in line, there were three customers all discussing expired merchandise with a completely uninterested clerk. I looked, and my quart of milk had expired that day.
On multiple occasions I have written friendly notes calling out what is obviously slack management. No response. Recently, the shelf price on Little Caesars dog food was 97 cents. They rang up at $1.15. When I called it to the attention of the clerk, he smiled and said, “They do that, sometimes”.
Since store management is unresponsive, I’m giving a heads up to customers. Watch the dates on what you buy. Watch the prices when checking out. And, don’t expect the management to do much about the issues.
Russ Lay, Lexington
Factory farming
I understand that Pope Benedict XVI spoke out against factory farming, saying in a 2002 interview that it seems to “contradict the mutuality that comes across in the Bible.” We should write to President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that, since they are good Roman Catholics, they should sponsor legislation against the overcrowding/confinement and over-growth of factory farming.
Alvin Blake, Lexington