We can all love parks and disagree over how they should be funded in Lexington | Opinion
Wrong funding on parks
What happens if property taxes on real estate cannot be paid? A tax lien can be put on the property and eventually it may be sold by the local government to collect the tax lien.
I am all for parks, just not the way the funding of the park district is planned. Increasing taxes and fees on real estate is NOT the solution. It could cause those who are retired on a fixed income, those who have spent their life building equity in their home, but because of limited income in their “golden years,” to have years that are much less golden as they lose that home.
Our government needs to think more creatively to fund the parks district in Fayette County. I’m voting NO on the local referendum creating the parks tax. You should too.
John Zink, Lexington
Other options for parks
Lexington voters have the opportunity to voice their view on the Parks funding initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot. I have to ask, “Were there no other options?” In 2002, Louisville, Colorado voters approved a 0.375 percent sales and use tax increase to create a funding source for its parks. That city even placed a sunset of 10 years on the tax so voters could extend the tax if they desired. Talk about accountability! There, the local government must show a detailed account of how and where the funds were spent. Accountability is something the city of Lexington should embrace.
In addition, what about our accountability as good neighbors? Are we taking into consideration the families that are struggling to afford the basic necessities, such as a roof overhead and food on the table? How about the seniors living on fixed income who are facing the possibility of being forced out of their homes by property tax increases?
Great parks are a welcome addition to any neighborhood. However, this proposed tax and terms are not what’s best for the city. Kudos to Louisville, Col. for understanding that what is being proposed to work today may not be the best course of action in 10 years!
Vivian Hodge, Lexington
Pro-parks
On Nov. 5, I look forward to being a part of transforming the future of the community I love-Lexington, Ky. Along with so many who enjoy the 100 parks across the city, I imagine a community coming together to be sure we never again have to wonder where we will find funds to repair playground equipment, ensure safety of all park facilities or increase accessibility to parks for those with special needs. The ballot referendum “YES for Parks” will create a fund dedicated to sustaining one of the essential life-giving elements of our city. The value of contributing to the common good by supporting parks is priceless. All the funds collected will be distributed to parks equitably and raise the overall quality of life for all our community members. Vote YES for Parks to give our children and grandchildren the gift of a lifetime!
Lynn English, Lexington
Danny Everett responds
I am thankful for the Herald-Leader Editorial Board commending my “willingness to step forward” as a school board candidate. I do “care for our public schools!” I have the program and policy experience needed to make a difference. I hope to serve our community as the next Fayette County Public Schools District 3 board member.
As a volunteer for FCPS, my vision has always been about World-Class Education. That includes early childhood engagement for Pre-K children. It includes equitable schools for our diverse, non-white majority student population. If elected, I commit to improved communications, strategic policies to move the district forward, and accountability that questions and seeks solutions for all FCPS constituents.
Unfortunately, the editorial board doesn’t get it. Regardless of our community’s desire for progress, the editorial board desires for FCPS to remain the same. Lexington is growing. FCPS is growing. What has not worked in previous years will never work going forward. Our students deserve better.
As a professor with a research background in educational leadership and experiences volunteering in FCPS and three other school districts, I get it! KEPAC, C-Fair, AFL/CIO, and the Teamsters endorsed me. They get it! Our incumbent District 3 board member, Jason Moore, endorsed me. Jason Moore gets it!
I ask for your support to become the next FCPS District 3 Board Member! If you believe in world-class education for ALL students, vote for Danny Anthony Everett on Nov. 5, 2024. I Get It! DAEfor3.com.
Danny Anthony Everett is a candidate for the Fayette County Board of Education’s District. 3.
Hil Boone responds
Serving on the council means advocating for all residents, not using the role to support personal business interests. As a small business owner and horse farm operator, I bring real, on-the-ground experience in our district and a deep understanding of its needs. Mr. Walker’s resume may reflect more appointed titles, but it’s worth asking: how effectively have those positions been used to benefit Lexington as a whole, especially outside of the urban area? I have no outside obligations or conflicts, which allows me to be a truly independent voice focused on what’s best for District 12.
As Lexington grows, we face a defining choice. Do we embrace development at the expense of what makes our city unique, or do we commit to thoughtful, balanced growth that preserves our green spaces and culture? In District 12, growth pressures put these values at risk. I believe in smart growth—a proactive approach to protecting our green belt, ensuring that Lexington remains distinct and does not lose itself to unchecked urban sprawl.
Though Mr. Walker is credited for his work in infill development, the impact on this neighborhood speaks volumes. Residents there have dealt with numerous noise complaints, and after a tenant converted one of his properties into a nightclub, the area saw a rise in violence, including a tragic gunshot death. Lexington deserves a council member who thinks about the full impact of development on quality of life and safety, and I am ready to be that advocate for our district.
Hil Boone is a candidate for the 12 District seat of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council.
Tax increases
I’m writing this to the 50 percent of Kentuckians who don’t make enough money to require filing an income tax return. In a recent Op-Ed by legislators Stivers and McDaniel, they claim that the legislature eased “the tax burden.” Well, not for you. They eased the tax burden for themselves and others who make enough income to have to file. They cut one-third of the state’s funding from income tax by taking it from 6 percent to 4 percent. That’s a $1.25 billion shortfall. Guess who is going to pay to make that up? Yep, YOU!
Aren’t you getting upset by being repeatedly taken for granted? Maybe it will be different this election. You might realize that Republican legislators don’t care about you or your financial wellbeing. They only care about those who have a lot of money – including themselves.
While Republicans cut taxes for themselves they also show little interest in paying teachers. You would think they would be embarrassed that teachers in surrounding states make considerably more money than ours. But, hey, this is Kentucky, where the needs of students and lower-income people are barely thought of by the legislature. Will things change Nov. 5? Only you can decide.
Michael Kennedy, Lexington
Amendment 2
With regards to Amendment 2, as a private school graduate I believe it is wrong to take away resources from public schools as would likely happen if this passes. Money would inevitably flow to non-public schools either directly or through tuition vouchers to parents. Proponents of this measure claim it will give parents a choice. The fact is any parent can today make the choice to enroll their child in a private school. Any suggestion that choice does not currently exist is misleading at best if not an outright lie. A likely outcome of this amendment would be charter schools which would have virtually no oversight. I have to wonder if the legislators who are eagerly pushing this have a direct financial stake in this. Would they be investors in charter schools themselves or do they have campaign contributors who are pushing for this amendment?
Jay Hopkins, Frankfort
Vote yes
Would you like only having one choice for your medical provider? Of course not. Choice allows us to find a doctor who meets our specific needs. Choice brings competition that increases the quality of services. It can do the same for education.
Kentucky is one of two states without any active school choice program. You could apply to SCAPA or a magnet school, but you might not get in. As a Lexington resident, I homeschooled my three children in classroom cooperatives for $3,000/year, which not everyone can afford. They attended Governor’s Scholars programs, earned full-tuition academic scholarships to the University of Kentucky, and worked amazing internships. So have many of their friends. Homeschool students excel because of small classroom sizes, involved parents, and a purpose.
More students should have this opportunity, especially those who are falling behind. Across the country, school choice programs and traditional public schools benefit one another through competition. Kentucky parents deserve a choice, and so do our teachers. Competition within public schools would give teachers choices about where they work. Let’s raise their salaries and cut unwanted political agendas. Vote yes to Amendment 2.
Michelle Cochran, Lexington
Deceptive advertising
Today I received yet another deceptive flyer in my mailbox from a group urging Kentucky voters to vote “yes” on Constitutional Amendment 2. The group’s claim is that Amendment 2 would “give Governor Beshear and our legislature the tools to pioneer a modern education system” that would provide students and teachers with more funding, more options, and more opportunities. By invoking Gov. Andy Beshear’s name the authors of the flyer give the impression that Beshear supports Amendment 2. In fact, Beshear has expressed strong opposition to Amendment 2 because it would be detrimental to our public schools, which serve the vast majority of Kentucky’s students. The text of Amendment 2 makes it clear that its intent is not to increase support for public school students or teachers, but to divert much needed funds from public schools to private schools.
Bev Salehi, Lexington
Amendment empowers
On Nov. 5, Kentuckians will vote on Amendment 2, an amendment to the Kentucky Constitution about school choice. If passed, the General Assembly would have the power to adopt school choice policies, empowering Kentucky students over school systems. Kentucky families would greatly benefit from greater choice in education.
The current status quo is failing Kentucky students. Only 34 percent of Kentucky high school students are proficient or better in math. Only 46 percent are proficient or better in reading. These are basic skills that kids need to succeed, and the current system is not providing adequate instruction on those topics. Kentucky students deserve better!
To improve these numbers, Kentucky should follow the lead of most of the United States. Forty-eight out of 50 states have some sort of school choice policy. Families in those states have options, and their education numbers reflect that reality. Tennessee, Indiana, Missouri, and Illinois all rank much higher than Kentucky in K-12 education rankings. Amendment 2 would align our education policy with the rest of the country.
Kentucky families deserve more options in education, and Amendment 2 creates a path for just that. Please join me in voting YES on Amendment 2 on November 5.
Jesse Green, Wilmore
American values
There is a stark decision coming in November of how we will define ourselves as Americans.
Will we be ruled by hate? Fear? Manipulative hyperbolic deceptions? Self-serving vanity? Stigmatization and intolerance? By the chaos that ignores reality and despises intelligence and reason?
Our democracy which can only exist because: we are ruled by love, courage, honesty, unselfish empathy, acceptance and toleration, logic and acknowledge reality. We are ruled by the understanding that none are superior or inferior to the other and that freedom is not domination or control over any.
There is a deeper “enemy within” that perverts and rallies hate, fear, vanity and chaos. That deeper enemy stares back at you in every reflection. Only you know whether you have surrendered to it and or are victorious.
I will not be defeated no matter the decisions of others because my choice is made and my conviction immutable. I can only ask that you understand the choices you are making and defeat that deeper “enemy within.”
If you follow the Divinity ... and not diabolism... nowhere you step will ever be hell.
If you follow diabolism ... and not Divinity ... there will be no step that you take that will not also be hell.
Yes, in November that is the choice you are making.
Robert Moreland, Lexington
Coming for them
First former President Donald Trump’s military came for the immigrants, and I did not speak out—because I was not an immigrant.
Then they came for Democratic members of Congress who opposed him, and I did not speak out—because I was not a member of Congress.
Then they came for Republican politicians who did not support him enough, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Republican.
Then they came for decorated military generals who declared him a fascist, and I did not speak out—because I was not a service member.
Then they came for members of the press who criticized him, and I did not speak out—because I was not a member of the press.
Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.
You may consider this exaggeration but remember, he has already sent a mob to overthrow Congress. He may have learned enough by now to finish the job. He has also warned us publicly, in his own words, of what he intends to do. If we don’t listen, we won’t get a do-over.
Mark Samuel Freeman, Lexington
Truth
Hate will not make America great again. Lies will not make America great again. Spreading false information will not make America great again. Only the truth and the pursuit of it will make America great again. It is up to each of us as Americans to accomplish this. It’s as simple as that if we care anything about America.
Bob Sutton, Springfield
Fraud claims
So former President Donald Trump is at it again. He is claiming in every rally that the only way he can lose the 2024 election is if Democrats commit fraud, just like he claimed in 2020. There was no fraud in 2020 and there is no fraud now, but this is Trump’s standard position any time he loses. Unfortunately, this time Trump has many MAGA believers in position on election boards ready to try to fraudulently overthrow the 2024 election in Trump’s favor. Hopefully the honest election workers will prevail.
Trump recited the following oath in 2016 at his inauguration: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
By attempting to overthrow the government by declaring he won an election he clearly lost Trump grossly violated this oath. He should never be allowed to run for another elected office. It’s time to end his political career. U. S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., should have already done by voting to impeach Trump in 2021. But Mitch is a Republican first, not an American.
Kevin Kline, Lexington
Arctic Wildlife Refuge
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge located in the northeast corner of Alaska is ground zero for climate change. This area is also facing an unprecedented threat that not only endangers its wildlife, but also the survival of Indigenous communities who have stewarded these lands for millennia.
This November’s election will play a critical role in deciding the future of the Arctic Refuge. Former President Donald Trump has made it clear that if re-elected, he will waste no time opening the refuge to oil and gas development. Our decision at the polls in November is clear!
Seven years ago President Donald Trump’s 2017 Tax Act marked an historic shift for the Arctic Refuge by explicitly designating oil and gas development as one of its purposes, erasing over 50 years of hard-fought protections. Thanks to President Joe Biden there are no drills in the Arctic Refuge to date, but we need Congress to act to repeal the Tax Act drilling mandate before a president can sign protection into law.
It’s time for Congress to end the threat of oil drilling in the Arctic Refuge permanently and secure lasting protections. And it’s up to us to show up to the polls. Every vote wields incredible power.
Deborah Williamson, Frankfort
Your voice
We’re running down the clock until the 2024 election and early voting has already started! When Election Day arrives, will you be ready to vote?
What issues are you passionate about? What matters to you, your family, and your community?
When I complete my ballot this year, I’ll be voting for U.S. foreign assistance. A mere fraction of our budget, less than 1 percent, helps save millions of lives abroad while also protecting us right here in the U.S. from the spread of preventable diseases. U.S. assistance is a testament to American values abroad, and I’ll be voting to maintain this powerful legacy of leadership.
As a volunteer with The ONE Campaign, I believe our voice is our power. However you choose to use your voice, the most important thing is that you use it!
The second most important thing is that you recognize your power doesn’t end after Election Day. An election is a big moment for advocacy, but in the end it’s just one moment of many that help us create the change we want to see. When your elected officials take office, make sure they know what their constituents want and encourage them to stick to their promises.
Jemal Wade Hines, Morgantown
Edited by Liz Carey
This story was originally published October 31, 2024 at 8:50 AM.