December 30, 2007 02:46 am
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Reader: Healthcare is a necessity
This is in response to a column written by Kelley Curran Dec. 18th. Ms. Curran asked when healthcare became a basic need. I thought it was always a basic need, right up there with food and shelter.
She says that insurance has never cured anyone or the lack of it has never made anyone sick. Although this is true in itself, it is not a black/white issue. For instance, if a person is financially able to see a doctor when symptoms begin they are much more likely to be cured, or at least stop the illness from progressing. But if a person has limited means they will probably self medicate. Obviously some illnesses will not go away without proper treatment and will get worse. By the time the person seeks treatment it may be too late. Therefore even though lack of insurance does not make anyone sick it does indirectly contribute to a percentage of our population having poor health.
She criticizes Sen. Hillary Clinton’s plan. This argument sounds very familiar. As a child I remember hearing discussions about Medicare and how it would eventually lead our country to socialized medicine. Well Medicare has been here for over 40 years and we still don’t have socialized medicine.
Yes, healthcare is a lucrative business, that is a fact. But the number of uninsured people grows daily either due to employers not being able to offer insurance or employees not being able to afford the premiums on their own.
Everyone knows the great strides medicine has taken. Better healthcare costs a lot of money. We now have diagnostic equipment which was nearly unheard of 20 years ago.
Should low income working people be denied these advantages?
The thought of people suffering because they can not afford care makes ME sick to my stomach.
— Shirley Baird, New Albany
Thanks for helping family
Recently members of this community stepped up and helped us take care of a local family for Christmas who have been the recipients of unfortunate circumstances that led them to very tough decisions financially. During a time of year that should be spent enjoying the company of family and friends, and celebrating the holidays.
I want to take this opportunity to thank those who came forward and helped us to provide for this family a good Christmas, not only for the children, but for the mother and father as well. What may have seemed a small thing for those who helped to do or buy meant more to the family than any words could ever express.
Further thanks is owed to those who not only provided gifts for the children to have to open Christmas morning, but also donated their time, and expertise helping this family to overcome some serious hurdles that were thrust upon them by a couple of uncaring individuals.
Again, thank you everyone who helped with time, advice, gifts, or food.
And to the “uncaring individuals:” Perhaps the thought of what you have done will enter your thoughts and in the Spirit of Christmas you will find it in the kindness of your heart to do what is right in the future.
— Christopher Drake, New Albany
Reader: Thanks Mayor Garner
As the year 2007 comes to a close so does Mayor James Garner’s term. I would like to thank Mayor Garner for his commitment and service to the city the past four years. Most people do not realize the responsibilities of this position or how much of your personal and family life you have to sacrifice working late, attending meetings and traveling to better New Albany. You have done a great job and it has been an honor to work with you. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with most of the Garner family and know that they are truly concerned about Floyd County. Thank you for sharing James with us. Goodbye and good luck Mayor Garner. I wish you and your family all the best in the future.
— Missy Jacobs, New Albany
Reader: Don’t rule out methadone clinic yet
When did we become so uncompassionate? When the methadone clinic had problems the first day they were opened. Commissioner Moore decided to shut them down. This clinic has provided a service to people who are not ordered by the courts to get treatment to get off drugs, but they will drive hours to get the medication they need so they can overcome their addiction. They choose to get help because they are trying to get free of their problem. The clinic has been in Jeffersonville for over 10 years without problems, but, the one opening day, of their new facility their computers delayed the speedy processing of their patients, something that is the norm at the clinic. They weren't expecting every patient to show up at the same time, then the television news had a field day adding to the hectic problems of traffic.
What did the clinic do? They took immediate steps to solve the new traffic problem by shuttling in the staff every morning and immediately having more parking in the back of the building. The clinic has not had any other problems after their first opening day.
I’d rather have people that have faced the fact they have an addiction and want to better their lives and seek help with the medication they need than have all the addicts that we see in our neighborhood just 10 minutes away from this facility. I live in a “normal” neighborhood that just a few drug dealers have turned many of our youth into drug users, and they continue in this path. I’d rather have a place where these people can get help. How about people who become addicted to pain pills through their doctors treating legitimate problems, like accidents? Some are just everyday people who got hooked on pain pills by their doctors through treatment. When did we become so uncaring? I’m ashamed of our government officials that are pandering to people’s misunderstandings. Shutting the clinic down would only harm our community by taking the legitimate means to get these people the help they seek. I do not work at the clinic, and have never taken illegal drugs, but I’d rather have a recovering addict than an addict who continues in his drug habits.
— Gail Parish, Jeffersonville
Open letter to newly annexed residents of Jeff
I live in an area recently determined by the Jeffersonville City Council, to be annexed. I was not happy to be annexed and voiced my opinion to the members of the council, but according to the responses of those who chose to respond to me, the process was legal and they had solicited input from about 1,000 members of the community — both within the city and without — before proceeding with the annexation process. However, this is only a small percentage of the citizens affected. So, beginning in January, 2008, my living expenses will increase for the “privilege” of living in the City of Jeffersonville. The crowning blow, however, is that the council has voted itself a 23 percent salary increase, which according to outgoing councilman Perkins, “is justified,” because the city is about to grow because of the annexation. In my opinion, this is unethical and wrong for seven people to have this kind of power over their income at my expense. I, for one, will be contacting my state representatives asking for legislation to change state law regarding annexation. I encourage my fellow Clark County residents to do the same. Perhaps we can help folks in the future from being “bought and sold” without having an opportunity to vote.
Think about it. If this annexation was so good, those affected should have been begging the council to be annexed.
— Kevin Kornell, Jeffersonville
Becher family says thanks
There are no words to express the kindnesses, generosity, and love that so many of you have shown to our family since the first of October. You helped more than you can possibly know as we walked with Mike on his final journey.
Thank you for your neverending friendship, your prayers and putting Mike on the prayer list or chain at your church, your calls, your wonderful cards, sharing our tears, stopping by the house with offers to help in any way possible, attending visitation and the funeral, your donations to the Michael L. Becher Scholarship Fund, which we hope will be the beginning of great careers in law enforcement, and your gifts of love to all of us. Your support and concern helped us to bear an almost unbearable situation, and for that we will always be grateful.
We would also like commend and thank the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the Monroe Township Volunteer Fire Department, Henryville Junior-Senior High School, Henryville Community Church, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, and R. D. Pyke Funeral Service for assisting so graciously in the celebration of Mike’s life.
— The Michael L. Becher Family: Sara, David, Jennifer, Brian, Tyler and Conner, Henryville
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