Letters to the Editor: Kentucky’s funds are flourishing. Time to invest in people.

Invest in us

Kentucky is blessed with over abundance right now. We have the highest economic growth rate in decades with millions of new jobs coming into the state. We have a huge rainy day fund with the federal pandemic relief bill and the recent infrastructure bill. We need to begin to spend this money in careful investments in critical physical and social infrastructure needed to keep our economic growth at a high level. Let me offer four needs our legislature can address in 2022.

▪ First, the pandemic revealed how weak our public health facilities are and how poorly distributed in lower income areas of the state. We need to invest in local clinics, in bonuses for stressed healthcare workers, and in growing future healthcare staff.

▪ Second, our teachers have been pushed to their limits as seen in record retirements and high staff vacancies. Increase teacher salaries to make them competitive – we want to draw teachers from other states, not send our teachers out of state. All our education workers deserve a bonus for their heroic work over the past 18 months.

▪ Third, we have a housing shortage that is limiting our ability to draw in new talent and employees. We need more affordable housing.

▪ Finally, we should not have one in six children going hungry. We can afford to permanently extend the school lunch program through the summers. And we can support meals for our growing senior population.

None of these proposals are extreme but represent investments in the people of Kentucky. Contact our representatives and make your opinion known.

Dan Nolet, Danville

Stop the shootings

I am furious. Sunday morning at 7:30 am I was scrolling through an email from WLEX with the latest news in Lexington and came across a story “Police Investigate Shootout in Lexington” which got my attention. It turns out to be another example of Lexington trying to mimic the wild, wild west on Man o’ War by Crosby Drive on Saturday around one o’clock in the afternoon.

What is the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government doing to stop this idiotic behavior? This is the third event I’m aware of with shooting from cars on a main thoroughfare. I don’t care what law enforcement needs to do to stop this, but this behavior is endangering innocent, law abiding citizens for absolutely no reason.

Nina O’Leary, Lexington

Buy locally

Social scientists often tout small, local businesses as the heartbeat of a community, and nowhere is that more evident than at ReBelle, the only locally owned yarn store left in Lexington. Two years ago, I walked into their Rosemont Garden shop looking for a particular type of yarn. I was helped immediately, never made to feel like I was a novice (which I was), and most importantly, remembered when I returned a few weeks later. Robyn, Sarah and Raellyn have created a welcoming atmosphere where beginners can learn, advanced knitters can hone skills and friendships are made. They, like so many other local business owners, are invested in their communities, donating to local charities, giving emotional support to customers going through hard times, and acting as a hub for sharing. When I walk into ReBelle, I feel like I’m entering a friend’s home. Believe me, that means a lot. Supporting local businesses supports our community and enriches our lives, as ReBelle has done for me. Thank local entrepreneurs for their work and dedication by shopping local.

Carol L. Spence, Lexington

Broadway giant

Stephen Sondheim was one of the most prolific and perhaps greatest of all Broadway composer-lyricists. A titan of the American theater, from “West Side Story” to “Assassins”. His lyrics were more than just Broadway fodder but a thesis on the life and folly of the human condition.

We will remember Stephen Sondheim always and forever.

Stephen Sondheim, RIP.

Paul Bacon, Hallandale Beach, Fla.

U.S. sinking

From attempting to invalidate a legitimate national election to storming the very seat of our national democracy to 50,000 people storming a stage in Texas resulting in numerous deaths, we are witnessing the demise of America as it slowly turns into a third-world nation. Truly sad indeed.

Bob A. Sutton, Springfield