Opinion

Happy 234th birthday U.S. of A!

Time to get those barbecues fired up for this weekend’s backyard festivities. Let’s see, we need burgers, hot dogs and chips. Check! A cooler full of Cokes. Check! Plastic cups, plates and utensils in shades of red, white and blue. Triple check! Oh, yeah, don’t forget to stop by the nearest fireworks stand. You know how the kids love sparklers.

I enjoy a family get-together as much as the next person, but is that all the Fourth of July means to us any more? Is it just another commercialized holiday?

Recently, a reporter from one of the TV stations asked me; “What is Taylorsville and Spencer County’s main industry?”  For me, the answer was simple: tourism. 

With 700 to 800 thousand people coming through our community each year visiting Taylorsville Lake, we need to find new and innovative ways to harvest this tourism dollar.  We are accessible to many areas in the region, and even in a down economy, short weekend getaways are still affordable to many.

We have had a swimming pool for about eight years. Every year, I have driven to a pool company many miles away.

When I read that Taylorsville had a new pool company, I thought, “Great. Right down the road, close to home and we can keep our money in the area.”

Two weeks before Derby Day, I went to Taylorsville Pool and talked with Jim Kannapel, the owner.

We talked for about a half hour about various new products and such.

Tanglewood Golf Course on June 4 and 5 was the site of a great outpouring of community support for Spencer County Habitat for Humanity. 

On those 2 days, 102 golfers participated in the 5th Annual Spencer County HFH Golf Scramble.  Mother Nature cooperated for the most part, the golf course was in great shape, numerous volunteers watched for the golfers to make a hole-in-one and the golfers generously donated to Spencer County Habitat by buying “Skirts”, “Mulligans” and door prize tickets.

On behalf of the Kentucky Gourd Society, we would like to say “Thank  You” for all the support that everyone gives the Kentucky Gourd Art  Show.

Main Street was inviting and friendly looking for our visitors as they made their journey through town to the show.

They always speak of the hospitality they feel as they  visit  Spencer County. What a great thing to hear about your hometown!

To everyone that played a part in the festivities that  weekend, kudos to you. Keep up the gourd work.

On behalf of the Taylorsville-Spencer County Fire Protection District, I would like to thank everyone that supported this year’s WHAS Crusade for Children.  Special thanks to Assistant Chief Richard Morris for overseeing our crusade efforts this year and also TSCFD Explorer Post 981 for all of their hard work.  Each firefighter took time out of their busy schedule to give to this worth while cause.

Our community once again showed its support for special needs children by donating $27,657.76.  Thank You!

Nathan B. Nation

This is a note of heart-felt gratitude to those responsible for our county being wet (Bear with me, I’m trying to look at this in a positive way). 

I am glad to see some progress in our little county in the last seven months since you voted in alcohol sales.  I have noticed that you were right … new businesses have moved here. 

I appeal to all Spencer Countians, please do not let any events of the past year affect your giving to our Crusade for Children.

Our fire departments fear some backlash, but will be out there giving it their effort. Please join their effort with a donation to this wonderful cause. Don’t wait to be called on. Send them a check or deliver them a donation and try to make their effort a little easier.

Remember, this is still one of the premier charitable efforts in all of these United States and it needs you to stay that way.

I want to thank all the numerous people who helped me with my campaign to be Spencer County judge-executive.  There are too many names to list, but many of you made phone calls on my behalf, talked to your friends and family, put my campaign signs in your yard,  and several even went door-to-door to help get out the vote for me.  I can’t thank you enough for all your hard work and support.