Opinion

Editor’s note: Over the next few weeks, The Spencer Magnet will publish letters from Spencer County High School seniors written as part of their senior projects. The students chose their own topics and did their own research. As with all letters submitted to The Spencer Magnet, they may appear edited for space or content purposes.

Censorship is all around us

This time next week, you may just find a surprise in your mailbox.
Twice each year, The Spencer Magnet publishes a countywide sample, which is mailed to every household in Spencer County. Next Wednesday, April 4, is the first of those editions this year.
We hear in life that nothing is truly free, but we at the Magnet beg to differ.

When you want a license to practice, say, cosmetology, you need the permission of the Kentucky Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists. Without a license issued by them, you can’t teach cosmetology, own a business that teaches it, become an apprentice in cosmetology, or operate a beauty salon. Same thing applies to nail technicians. Why? Consumer protection. You can hurt someone using chemicals, or operate your salon in unsanitary conditions that could make someone ill.

It was a beautiful, spring-like week in our Commonwealth. I enthusiastically tackled a busy schedule; here are a few of the details.  On Monday, March 12, we recognized the Girl Scouts’ 100th anniversary in the rotunda and on the House floor during session.  

Whether you are a legislator or a voter, it is always helpful to be like Paul Harvey and have the rest of the story.
 
Another interesting week in Frankfort that has left voters wondering what is going on and what is going to happen.
 

We have just witnessed a disaster similar to the April 1974 storms that roared through the central part of the United States.
The destruction is beyond belief. Loss of life for the acts of nature. Memories that will last a lifetime. But the American spirit will again lift us back into a normal routine for living that will last till the next event.
We were very lucky here in Spencer County. Some pictures taken from Taylorsville show a very large probable twister in a huge black cloud passing overhead. Had it touched down, it could have been destructive.

Who knew something considered fake could pose such a real threat in Spencer and surrounding counties?
Admittedly, I know very little about synthetic cannabinoids/synthetic marijuana/fake pot/whatever you want to call it.
Many of you know my professional background — I spent three years, 2008-2011, as news editor at The Anderson News in neighboring Anderson County. Because of my history there and because of my current residence there, I made it a point to follow the “fake pot” saga when the fiscal court there passed its ordinance last month.

As we enter 2012 with high expectations, there have been several changes in the direction litter abatement and waste removal have taken.
Several of the largest cities in the U.S. have taken a look at the cost of garbage elimination, and have come up with new ideas on disposal.
Landfills cost a lot of money to buy, regulate and operate due to health and environmental issues. We all know the fact that our government units are short of money in seemingly every area. So, the new idea is to recycle, renew, and reuse all possible scrap material.